So Rajon Rondo just dropped 186 spots on the ESPN rankings...

[KingsFanGER]

You know what's the most ridiculous out of all this? Those same "couch-experts" have barely seen RR playing, if ever, apart from some Mavs games on TV.
Forget his assists or the defensive effort you have seen so far in Sacramento. Rajon's most visible impact on this Kings' team has been his intensity and commitment. Exactly what "Rajon's last minute biographers" have been claiming he lacks big time. What a bunch of sad haters.

For me Rondo's most visible impact on the Kings team displayed in one scene during last nights game versus the Spurs. The first opportunity for making a play out of the high pick&roll with Willie didn't show up. Rondo calmly directed Willie to set a brush screen for Rudy instead that set Rudy up for an open mid range jumper. Rondo never panicked and was able to tell the young fella exactly what to do. Most PG's would try to break their man down 1vs1, when the first play fails.
With a team of pretty unexperienced star players this on the floor leadership is very valuable.

But there are still a slight concerns regarding Rondo. I think he regained most of his athleticism. But he is seldomly going at full speed. In fast break situation he doesn't attack the defense, like he used to do in Boston a few years ago.
And he struggles to get on the same page with Cousins. It's his responsibility to get Cuz involved. But right now he doesn't find him in the right places most of the time and seems very reluctant to run a simple post play for Cuz.
But there is plenty of time to figure things out.

 

[Guy Larboni]

Can I just say that I think Collison is so much better off the bench for us? It sucks for him cause that's been his role forever now in the league, but when he comes off the bench waith all this energy and hustle, I doubt there is 1 PG that can match with him coming off the bench, he's incerdible. I just hope that he's not too upset about this situation, becuse Rondo should defenityly start along with DMC and Gay.

 

[celtics33]

For me Rondo's most visible impact on the Kings team displayed in one scene during last nights game versus the Spurs. The first opportunity for making a play out of the high pick&roll with Willie didn't show up. Rondo calmly directed Willie to set a brush screen for Rudy instead that set Rudy up for an open mid range jumper. Rondo never panicked and was able to tell the young fella exactly what to do. Most PG's would try to break their man down 1vs1, when the first play fails.
With a team of pretty unexperienced star players this on the floor leadership is very valuable.

But there are still a slight concerns regarding Rondo. I think he regained most of his athleticism. But he is seldomly going at full speed. In fast break situation he doesn't attack the defense, like he used to do in Boston a few years ago.
And he struggles to get on the same page with Cousins. It's his responsibility to get Cuz involved. But right now he doesn't find him in the right places most of the time and seems very reluctant to run a simple post play for Cuz.
But there is plenty of time to figure things out.

Each time someone has asked Boogie for an opinion about RR he always talked of how positively impressed he has been so far. People here seem to keep ignoring the fact that one month ago these guys had never been playing together.
I too find DMC misplaced out there on the arc taking three points shots.. but, seriously.. if not now, when should coach GK make his experiments?
Concerning Rondo's apparent limited efforts in offense, I think he's doing it in purpose, in order to establish a good level of confidence with his teammates. So far, I have seen him paying attention to reward with a nice assist the guy that put a good defensive effort, as well as keeping focused to bring in rhythm all the players on the court.
I agree, his chemistry with Rudy seems more tangible than with Boogie right now, but the guys have also played 3 games in 4 days.. give them time to get back in the gym and regroup.
In Boston, his strongest chemistry has always been with KG, on both sides of the court, and I just see the same premises for this to develop between him and DMC too.

 

[KingsFanGER]

In Boston, his strongest chemistry has always been with KG, on both sides of the court, and I just see the same premises for this to develop between him and DMC too.

I agree with your post, but have my doubts regarding the difference in playing style between Garnett and Cousins.
Garnett was not the physical presence Cousins is. He was mostly a skilled and athletic PF able to shoot over defenders. He was a perfect match with Rondo, because he was such a great finisher with his jumpshot and athleticism.
Actually I think Gay is much closer to Garnett in terms of finishing ability and playstyle than Cousins.
Cousins is much more of a playmaker, wants to handle the ball instead of only catching it to finish a play, he uses his strength to power right through defenders, struggles at times to finish over length and can really punish weaker PF/C in the post.
I certainly think Rondo and Cuz can figure things out. But Rondo can't treat Cuz like Garnett.

 

[celtics33]

I agree with your post, but have my doubts regarding the difference in playing style between Garnett and Cousins.
Garnett was not the physical presence Cousins is. He was mostly a skilled and athletic PF able to shoot over defenders. He was a perfect match with Rondo, because he was such a great finisher with his jumpshot and athleticism.
Actually I think Gay is much closer to Garnett in terms of finishing ability and playstyle than Cousins.
Cousins is much more of a playmaker, wants to handle the ball instead of only catching it to finish a play, he uses his strength to power right through defenders, struggles at times to finish over length and can really punish weaker PF/C in the post.
I certainly think Rondo and Cuz can figure things out. But Rondo can't treat Cuz like Garnett.

I wouldn't be surprised if those 3pt shots DMC has been taking vs Phoenix were part of an experiment in order to verify Boogie's level of flexibility, though, I agree, he seems to give away 70% of his potential when he's out there, not to mention his presence by the board, a factor when thinking of rebounding and forcing his defenders to foul.
What the two seem to have tuned up is their work in pick and roll. Something we saw a few times during the game vs Phoenix.

 

[nebs]

Every time I read this thread title I think Rondo dropped 186 points on someone for a second.

 

[Amit149]

Rudy Gay ranks 70 on ESPN's NBArank- a 19 places drop despite having a very good season...
Isaiah Thomas ranks 65.

 

[LPKingsFan]

I use NBA rank in the manner with which Mr Slim employs power rankings

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I use NBA rank in the manner with which Mr Slim employs power rankings

I hope you print them out on extremely soft, absorbent paper!

 

[King Baller]

I think the low ranking for Rudy and Rondo shows the level of disrespect around the Association and related media outlets for the Sacramento Kings.

Only thing to do is prove them all wrong. The Kings just need to Win. .500 Ball at the AS break and a late season surge to the Playoffs!

 

[Chubbs]

EspOnion.

Let's trademark that.

 

[NBAspyguy]

You're gonna love the way Rondo handles the ball, he seldom looses the ball off the dribble, he keeps his turnovers down, and he is still capable of great passing. Passes where you yell, what a pass!

What you're not going to enjoy is, he's a marked man in the NBA, by that I mean all teams know how to defend him. They sag off him, dare him to take the outside jumper, while playing D off of him, jamming the passing lanes. (the Lakers invented it) He just can't shoot a respectable FG percentage, he never has and never will, and everyone knows it.

What's gotten progressively worse is his free throw shooting 35-40% make him a target to foul late in close games. When your PG, your main ball handler is hampered in this way it's serious. In Dallas they would just take him out of close games, same in Boston. What his poor free throw shooting has accomplished, is souring him from taking the ball to the rim, he's lost a step or two, and he doesn't like being on the line, displaying that free throw shooting.

He's also a ball pounder, he loves the ball in his hands, in his hands only, pounding the ball looking for...you guessed it, an assist.
If anyone is going to hand out an assist, it's going to be him. So if your a fan of ball movement basketball, you're going to be disappointed. His assists will be up...team assists will be down.

His attitude is not good, he'll be on his best behavior, because he's looking for a contract. (Doc Rivers, and Ray Allen were not fans of his for sure. What happened in Dallas is well documented.)

The Kings have a nice point guard, that should get serious minutes, his name just isn't Rondo.

 

[Chupacabra]

You're gonna love the way Rondo handles the ball, he seldom looses the ball off the dribble, he keeps his turnovers down, and he is still capable of great passing. Passes where you yell, what a pass!

What you're not going to enjoy is, he's a marked man in the NBA, by that I mean all teams know how to defend him. They sag off him, dare him to take the outside jumper, while playing D off of him, jamming the passing lanes. (the Lakers invented it) He just can't shoot a respectable FG percentage, he never has and never will, and everyone knows it.

What's gotten progressively worse is his free throw shooting 35-40% make him a target to foul late in close games. When your PG, your main ball handler is hampered in this way it's serious. In Dallas they would just take him out of close games, same in Boston. What his poor free throw shooting has accomplished, is souring him from taking the ball to the rim, he's lost a step or two, and he doesn't like being on the line, displaying that free throw shooting.

He's also a ball pounder, he loves the ball in his hands, in his hands only, pounding the ball looking for...you guessed it, an assist.
If anyone is going to hand out an assist, it's going to be him. So if your a fan of ball movement basketball, you're going to be disappointed. His assists will be up...team assists will be down.

His attitude is not good, he'll be on his best behavior, because he's looking for a contract. (Doc Rivers, and Ray Allen were not fans of his for sure. What happened in Dallas is well documented.)

The Kings have a nice point guard, that should get serious minutes, his name just isn't Rondo.

I can only use Rondo's 4 games of preseason ball with us to judge him during his tenure with the kings and so far i think hes looked pretty good. The ball doesnt seem to stick with him for too long. He makes his decisions quickly. Not alot of wasted motion. Always moves with a purpose. He has looked really quick on a few of his drives.

 

[SacTownKid]

You're gonna love the way Rondo handles the ball, he seldom looses the ball off the dribble, he keeps his turnovers down, and he is still capable of great passing. Passes where you yell, what a pass!

What you're not going to enjoy is, he's a marked man in the NBA, by that I mean all teams know how to defend him. They sag off him, dare him to take the outside jumper, while playing D off of him, jamming the passing lanes. (the Lakers invented it) He just can't shoot a respectable FG percentage, he never has and never will, and everyone knows it.

What's gotten progressively worse is his free throw shooting 35-40% make him a target to foul late in close games. When your PG, your main ball handler is hampered in this way it's serious. In Dallas they would just take him out of close games, same in Boston. What his poor free throw shooting has accomplished, is souring him from taking the ball to the rim, he's lost a step or two, and he doesn't like being on the line, displaying that free throw shooting.

He's also a ball pounder, he loves the ball in his hands, in his hands only, pounding the ball looking for...you guessed it, an assist.
If anyone is going to hand out an assist, it's going to be him. So if your a fan of ball movement basketball, you're going to be disappointed. His assists will be up...team assists will be down.

His attitude is not good, he'll be on his best behavior, because he's looking for a contract. (Doc Rivers, and Ray Allen were not fans of his for sure. What happened in Dallas is well documented.)

The Kings have a nice point guard, that should get serious minutes, his name just isn't Rondo.

We've seen some of those positives and negatives already. My biggest concerns with Rondo were both the ball pounding and the shooting and while I'm not sure what Karl can do about the shooting I can't see him letting Rondo pound the ball if he's speaking any truth about being a ball movement team. The only game so far that they had a positive a/t ratio was the one where Rondo didn't pound the rock. We need to see more of that. A lot more.

 

[celtics33]

Vultures fly around, hoping for a free meal...

 

[Sac.Kings]

We've seen some of those positives and negatives already. My biggest concerns with Rondo were both the ball pounding and the shooting and while I'm not sure what Karl can do about the shooting I can't see him letting Rondo pound the ball if he's speaking any truth about being a ball movement team. The only game so far that they had a positive a/t ratio was the one where Rondo didn't pound the rock. We need to see more of that. A lot more.

Indeed, or if the ball pounding continues, we might as well switch roles and become a half court team, which IMO, we are better suited for.

 

[Bricklayer]

Indeed, or if the ball pounding continues, we might as well switch roles and become a half court team, which IMO, we are better suited for.

Ball pouunding is inevitable for us. Even desirable so long as Ben McLemore is the SG and WCS or Koufos are the PFs. When you have roleplayers without creative ability in the lineup, its a blessing to have a top flight creative player to do the ballhandling and creating for them.

 

[celtics33]

7 pts, 3 ast, 1 stl, 1 reb in 13 minutes. To this we can add about 4-5 scoring possessions that were generated by his passes and the scorer converted on the second attempt after missing. Respectable dirty job with his defensive roaming as well. Ghost haters are a sad kind.

 

[PHXSUNSFAN]

ESPN probably saw him shoot FTs