Posted in the other thread, but if you haven't read this ESPN longform on Rondo, I SERIOUSLY recommend that you do: http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/sto...-new-dallas-mavericks-point-guard-rajon-rondo
To be honest, I LIKE seeing fireworks of attitude on the court.
I'm sick to death of Kings players sitting back and being OK with being embarrassed on the court.
It's disgusting to me to have fans more upset about wining than the players and coach.
Low-key players like Tyreke and John Salmons and Jimmer and Stouskas and JT can bite my ass.
There's a reason why they don't seem to do much, even with all their relative talents. It's because they lack the drive - the motivation - to excel and push themselves and their teammates to the level it takes to succeed in the NBA.
It was proven in Boston, that players who are "problem attitudes" and "headcases" can work together and succeed if they are on the same page. They go to war together, and have each other's back.
That doesn't mean they don't snipe at each other - do families always get along?
But the key is - they are on the same side, and when push comes to shove, they are there together, celebrating each other's success on the court.
And with THIS much potential talent now on the team, the only way I see them not making the playoffs is if Rondo is truly a ghost of what he once was and has no game left whatsoever (even that wouldn't sink the Kings' game this year) or (more likely) if George Karl or Vivek is a complete megolomaniac and blows up the team singlehandedly.
Once the team wins more than what they have the past 5 years (and seriously - how could they NOT?!), then the narrative will turn (again) and the Kings will be up-and-coming and this could really take off quick (again).
I'm sick to death of Kings players sitting back and being OK with being embarrassed on the court.
It's disgusting to me to have fans more upset about wining than the players and coach.
Low-key players like Tyreke and John Salmons and Jimmer and Stouskas and JT can bite my ass.
There's a reason why they don't seem to do much, even with all their relative talents. It's because they lack the drive - the motivation - to excel and push themselves and their teammates to the level it takes to succeed in the NBA.
It was proven in Boston, that players who are "problem attitudes" and "headcases" can work together and succeed if they are on the same page. They go to war together, and have each other's back.
That doesn't mean they don't snipe at each other - do families always get along?
But the key is - they are on the same side, and when push comes to shove, they are there together, celebrating each other's success on the court.
And with THIS much potential talent now on the team, the only way I see them not making the playoffs is if Rondo is truly a ghost of what he once was and has no game left whatsoever (even that wouldn't sink the Kings' game this year) or (more likely) if George Karl or Vivek is a complete megolomaniac and blows up the team singlehandedly.
Once the team wins more than what they have the past 5 years (and seriously - how could they NOT?!), then the narrative will turn (again) and the Kings will be up-and-coming and this could really take off quick (again).
People DO need to read this. I hadn't seen it before, and holy hell - Rondo is a SERIOUS brain!
When he's motivated, even last year with Dallas against Boston, he tore it up.
How can some KF's not see the huge likelihood that this team (not necessarily it's coach) could be a great fit?
Cousins, Gay, and Rondo all have serious chips on their shoulders and want to show the world they were all wrong about them. (edit - hell, even Karl may have a chip on his shoulder and want to prove everyone wrong about him)
They can bring serious success to a city and team that has been woefully pathetic for a decade.
They want to punch the NBA in the mouth for thinking they're an embarrassment.
Buckle up and have a supply of antacid closeby KF's, because it's gonna be a bumpy, wild, and potentially spectacular ride.
When he's motivated, even last year with Dallas against Boston, he tore it up.
How can some KF's not see the huge likelihood that this team (not necessarily it's coach) could be a great fit?
Cousins, Gay, and Rondo all have serious chips on their shoulders and want to show the world they were all wrong about them. (edit - hell, even Karl may have a chip on his shoulder and want to prove everyone wrong about him)
They can bring serious success to a city and team that has been woefully pathetic for a decade.
They want to punch the NBA in the mouth for thinking they're an embarrassment.
Buckle up and have a supply of antacid closeby KF's, because it's gonna be a bumpy, wild, and potentially spectacular ride.
Personalities like Rondo and Cousins don't scare me, because I pretty intimately understand a lot of what you hear about them. Except that I got my temper under control early, recognizing that as the weakness. Never have stopped challenging authority figures and assuming I know better however. Not my fault I was born smarter than everybody else. 
If I didn't know any better, I'd think the Kings were lining up players for Thibodeau to coach. Cuz and Rudy who loved him playing with Team USA and now Rondo from his Boston days. If Karl angers Vlade any further and he lets him go - I don't think it would take a lot of convincing to get Thibs here.
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This makes up for this morning when I dug through my toiletries (I'm traveling) and firmly gripped with my fingers tips something that I could quite tell what it was. It was my disposable razor in my grip and it's cap fell off.
It's ok though I'm used to the pain, I am a Kings fan after all.
It's ok though I'm used to the pain, I am a Kings fan after all.
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While I love this move, would like to add a little note of caution to folks who feel that he shall be on his best behavior since he is playing for a new contract.
He was playing for a new contract in Dallas too. That didn't work out too well. While we can hope that he has learned from that lesson, Rudy being his friend helps, Karl will allow him a little more freedom, there is a good chance that he shall implode again. Dallas gave him a winning environment, proper structure, and vets with championship experience. We are giving him a rookie (almost) owner, rookie GM (even though he seems to be doing well so far), a coach who is at odds with the star player, and a team that has seen more dysfunction that winning.
So, yes, I have my reservations. Despite that, I'm enthusiastic about the move. We weren't going anywhere before these moves. We had to try for a home run, and Rondo signing is as close to one as we were going to get. If we start the season strong, all the stories about FAs not wanting to come here, stories about Karl and DMC fighting, Vivek meddling, etc. will soon be forgotten.
It's also good that we are getting folks who have been with successful programs, and have even won championships. Now we need to sign a decent backup big (hopefully, again from a winning culture, and no, not David Le, even though I don't dislike him as much as lot of other folks), and for Ben to grow big time. We need him to start hitting the outside shot consistently, and use his athleticism to be a lock down defender.
He was playing for a new contract in Dallas too. That didn't work out too well. While we can hope that he has learned from that lesson, Rudy being his friend helps, Karl will allow him a little more freedom, there is a good chance that he shall implode again. Dallas gave him a winning environment, proper structure, and vets with championship experience. We are giving him a rookie (almost) owner, rookie GM (even though he seems to be doing well so far), a coach who is at odds with the star player, and a team that has seen more dysfunction that winning.
So, yes, I have my reservations. Despite that, I'm enthusiastic about the move. We weren't going anywhere before these moves. We had to try for a home run, and Rondo signing is as close to one as we were going to get. If we start the season strong, all the stories about FAs not wanting to come here, stories about Karl and DMC fighting, Vivek meddling, etc. will soon be forgotten.
It's also good that we are getting folks who have been with successful programs, and have even won championships. Now we need to sign a decent backup big (hopefully, again from a winning culture, and no, not David Le, even though I don't dislike him as much as lot of other folks), and for Ben to grow big time. We need him to start hitting the outside shot consistently, and use his athleticism to be a lock down defender.
Well, I mean Boogie isn't exactly a soft spoken guy. Neither was KG.
Should be noted that Rondo's struggles in Dallas weren't solely his fault as Carlisle is notoriously strict/a-holey with his point guards. While Rondo certainly didn't help matters/play much defense (to his credit, he was still playing better defense than almost anyone on the Mavs not named Tyson) down the stretch last season, let's not pretend that he's a complete locker room cancer on his last legs in the league. The man still is a capable player.
That of course doesn't mean everything's gonna work out but it's not 99% guaranteed to fail like most of the national media seems to believe it will.
Should be noted that Rondo's struggles in Dallas weren't solely his fault as Carlisle is notoriously strict/a-holey with his point guards. While Rondo certainly didn't help matters/play much defense (to his credit, he was still playing better defense than almost anyone on the Mavs not named Tyson) down the stretch last season, let's not pretend that he's a complete locker room cancer on his last legs in the league. The man still is a capable player.
That of course doesn't mean everything's gonna work out but it's not 99% guaranteed to fail like most of the national media seems to believe it will.
Here is the thing though, Rondo is a genuine floor general with phenomenal vision. It's a talent that cannot be taught. It's something you are botn with. Add the personality quirk of questioning everything and pairing him with a coach like Carlisle is a disaster waiting to happen. Coach is is known as a micromanager. He is calling every play and controlling everything. That is precisely the type of coach that is not going to work well with Rondo. In no way I am slagging the coach, it's just not a good match of two personalities.
Rondo is more suited to a coach that just lets him play. I think he will fit in better with Karl's coaching style than he did in Dallas. People focus on his last few games in Dallas where things went pear shaped fast but his few games in Boston this year were pretty darn good.
I am optimistic that this will be a good place for Rondo.
Rondo is more suited to a coach that just lets him play. I think he will fit in better with Karl's coaching style than he did in Dallas. People focus on his last few games in Dallas where things went pear shaped fast but his few games in Boston this year were pretty darn good.
I am optimistic that this will be a good place for Rondo.
My biggest concern is if Rondo fits with Karl's system..
It's one thing to land big names like rondo but if we look systematically, players and especially point guards who do not have a same basketball mind as their coaches, sabotage a significant amount of the team's efficiency and chemistry.
Shopping rondo is a risk, but I'll take it!
It's one thing to land big names like rondo but if we look systematically, players and especially point guards who do not have a same basketball mind as their coaches, sabotage a significant amount of the team's efficiency and chemistry.
Shopping rondo is a risk, but I'll take it!
He's a true pro. He'll handle it although I know how much he wanted this to be his team. Said a few months back that it was the very worst time for him to get hurt.
Also will be getting significant minutes alongside Rondo too I would imagine. That is a common theme with Carl, and Collison did well in that role playing with CP3.
Also will be getting significant minutes alongside Rondo too I would imagine. That is a common theme with Carl, and Collison did well in that role playing with CP3.