Can Rondo be stopped?
by Rodger Bohn / @rodgerbohn
What’s going on guys? Checking in here from the Q on a dark and gloomy day here in Cleveland. Problems with the tracks here in Cleveland delayed my arrival a few minutes, but I’ve finally made it here for the game.
The major question is: Who can stop Rajon Rondo? LBJ has thrown it out there that he”ll take a stab, but it may take more than the King to slow this walking trip-dip machine.
Here are my thoughts on the game, less the expletives I may have had for the RTA:
-Boston has done a nice job of slowing. Any time that you can keep the king to within single digits through a quarter and a half of any game, at any point, you’re doing your thing on D.
-The C’s have done a great job of establishing Paul Pierce early on, despite the fact that he’s been struggling all series. When you have a guy like that who can create his own shot in so many ways, you have to continue feeding him…
-The Cavs still continue to play KG with single coverage. Granted he’s on the end of his illustrious run, but doesn’t the fact that he can give you 20 every night at least deserve showing a double team every now and then?
-I’m no expert, but seriously….Jamison cannot guard KG one on one. Da Kid has nearly 6 inches and wayyy more athleticism. Please, give me a dig down from now and then!
-I don’t understand why it’s acceptable to take the train in Chicago and New York, yet not Cleveland? A friend of mine was busting my chops for this over on Facebook, but I would much rather relax on the train than wait a half hour to get out of a parking lot. However, that mindset backfired on me today.
-Cleveland is doing a great job of creating open looks for Mo Williams, since he showed that he couldn’t create his own over the last few games. Most forget that he was viewed as a combo guard back in high school and college, not a pure creator.
-How about the Houdini act by Rajon Rondo? For a guy that completely dominated the series, he’s yet to make any sort of impact thus far. Scoreless, 1 rebound, and 1 assist?
-Varejao doing everything that doesn’t show up in the box. While his one on one defense hasn’t been outstanding, he’s playing great help side D, getting all the 50/50 balls, and doing all of the little things that help a team to win. He’s still not a consistent starting PF in the league (unless he’s playing with a dominant center) in my eyes, but is surely an elite glue guy.
-How about the two guys that are killing the Cavs in the second, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are older (67) than their jersey numbers combined (54).
-The last little flurry that the Cavs went on, combined with the big stop that they had to end the 2nd seems like it may have given them a bit of momentum going into the half.
- 50 to44 Boston at the half. Time to go grab my usual pair of Diet Pepsi’s!
-While I was en route to the media room, saw a dude get worked by his girl in the VIP Patron Lounge as I was passing by. She def drilled him with a 3 piece combo, then the legendary purse hit! Needless to say, she was walking away in handcuffs…
-Ray Allen is looking like he’s back at UCONN battling it out with Allen Iverson, Kerry Kittles, and John Wallace for Big East Player of The Year…
-Joey Crawford surely seems to have it out for LeBron. Making some calls that could surely go either way, but going against the MVP each time.
-Boo birds must have laid their eggs in Cleveland, because they’re hatching yet again at this time for game 5. There have been some questionable calls, but it could be said that the Cavs have been just as disappointing (if not more) than the Hawks so far in the 2nd round.
-Cleveland surely needs to cut this to 10 by the end of the 3rd if they hope to have a chance. The Celtics decided that it’s Rondo’s turn to take over, whether it be with the rock in his hands or off of the ball.
-I hate to say it being from Cleveland, but crowd showing yet again why they’re very much fairweather fans towards the Cavs. I’d be willing to bet that less than 1/4 of the people here tonight were at a single Cavs game the year before they got LeBron.
-That Rajon Rondo 3 just about took the life out of the Cleveland crow, who has been watching a team settle for nothing but jumpers over the last three minutes.
- 80 to 63 Boston at the end of 3.
-Getting tweets from Cleveland fans here asking if I can do something. Nothing I can do, given the fact that the team can’t hit an outside jumper, get to the rim, or defend the post.
-Things getting ugly here in Cleveland. A 24 point lead with 9 minutes to go only adds fuel to the fire in regards to LeBron’s decision in the off-season. Despite the fact that ownership has showed ultimate loyalty and commitment, you have to wonder about the future of an aging team with an abysmal playoff performance such as this.
- Got a text from a basketball friend mentioning how bad the Cavs’ body language looks, namely LeBron. You can’t tell too much from the stands, but based on what this guy does for a living, I’m willing to take his word on how bad it looks.
- Big Baby is straight giving it to the Cavs in the second half. Rondo’s ability to read the pick and roll and draw the defense completely frees him up for open jumpers and/or lay-ups.
- And those “die-hard” fans I was referring to before have left the building with half a quarter left…
- I’m still completely fathomed as to why the most unstoppable penetrator in the league continues to settle for contested J after contested J.
-Cavs fans give it up for J.J. Hickson, who comes in for his first minutes of the game, commits a foul, and is immediately yanked.
- Ray Allen is continuing to think he’s in Storrs. Guy is unstoppable tonight.
-2 minutes to go and less than 5,000 people here at the Q. Boston up 30!
- When Shelden Parker, err I mean Williams, is getting buckets on you, you officially know things are bad.
-120 to 88 Boston, FINAL.
Player of The Game: Paul Pierce. The Truth sang “Don’t Call It A Comeback,” and re-established himself as the go-to one on one presence for the Celtics. The Cali native scored from beyond the arc and from on the blocks, read double teams well, and played nice D on the perimeter. For Cleveland’s sake, let’s hope that Pierce doesn’t reinvigorate himself like this for the remainder of the series.
-Alright guys, I’m out. One of our other SLAMonline bloggers will give you the dish for game 6. I’ll see you guys for game 7, hopefully!
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