Tuesday, August 28th, 2012 at 10:32 am  |  206 responses

Rajon Rondo Wants to Become Greatest Point Guard in Celtics History


by Eldon Khorshidi | @eldonadam

How good is Rajon Rondo? Coming off arguably the most memorable postseason of his career (you didn’t forget all those triple-doubles, did you?), the question has evolved from mild whispers into mainstream conversation. In terms of the current NBA landscape, you could make the case that Rondo is a top-2 point guard. He sets the tone of the ball game, possesses superior court vision, slithers into the lane at will, is fearless, has a contagious swagger, and most importantly, is just a flat-out winner. Rondo led the League in assists last year, and it’s crazy to think he led the Celtics all the way to the Final Four after they were largely dismissed a few seasons ago as being “too old.” It’s also telling when you look at Rondo’s résumé—take it for what it’s worth, but he’s won an NBA title, something Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Derrick Rose and Steve Nash can’t relate to. Shoot, those guys haven’t even been to the Finals.

Speaking to the media shortly after landing in the Philippines, Rondo, who has never lacked self-confidence, says he’s at a good place right now, but when it’s all said and done he has a bigger goal in mind: Rajon hopes to go down as the greatest point guard in Boston Celtics history.

More details, via Interaksyon.com:

Barely four hours after landing in Manila, NBA all-star guard Rajon Rondo took time to unwind at the Titan 22 barber shop at The Fort. He then went straight to scheduled business, talking to local media about, among other things, his place in Boston Celtics lore. “I hope I can end my career as the greatest point guard in the history of the Boston Celtics,” he said. He doesn’t know where he ranks just yet on the list of top lead guards in the history of the green and white, a lineup that includes all-time greats such as Bob Cousy, Jo Jo White, Nate Archibald, and Dennis Johnson, among others. Cousy was the first Celtics superstar, and was part of six titles with Boston. He pioneered behind the back dribbling, no-look passing, and other modern affectations during the early years of teh game. White, meanwhile, was the lead guard of memorable Boston championship teams in 1974 and 1976. He scored 33 points and nine assists in the Game Five of the 1976 Finals against the Phoenix Suns, a triple overtime game that is among the greatest in NBA history. Archibald was at the tailend of his brilliant career when he joined the Celtics, but helped the squad win the NBA title in 1981. Johnson, meanwhile, was the defensive demon who bolstered Boston’s backcourt in the 1980s. His memorable play perhaps came off a layup after a steal by Larry Bird against the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals in 1987.

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  • http://twitter.com/AjpDos Allen Powell

    What skill besides shooting does he lack?

  • Caboose

    It’s comments like this that make me love the voting system.

  • Junior Taylor

    Lake, I guess Kidd was never a Top-5 PG during his Prime.

  • http://twitter.com/AjpDos Allen Powell

    Jtaylor always acts like scoring guards haven’t been around. Points have always been a big deal. That’s why John Stockton was never an MVP on his own, and Maurice Cheeks is underrated. You have to score.

  • LakeShow

    “as of now” being the key term.
    Kyrie gunning for a top 5 spot.
    If John Wall improves even slightly he’s nudging Rondo.

  • Caboose

    Everybody always likes to predict (since about 2007) that Nash will start severely dropping off in production next season. Hasn’t happened yet, but we still apply that logic to purest PG discussions.

  • Caboose

    Can’t wait to see Rubio edge in on that conversation too. Westbrook needs to up his assists to stay in that group.

  • Caboose

    Even Stockton scored 17 ppg in 3 straight seasons. I wonder if Rondo could even do that. (And Stock averaged like 13.5 assists in those seasons too)

  • LakeShow

    Jason Kidd was a level above Rondo all around. Better rebounder. Equal play maker. Stronger, taller, better shooter, more versatile defender.
    So Jason Kidd was better, so yes he was a top 5 PG. Easily. Rondo arguably is too. I ain’t hating, but I think there’s a couple guys on his heals right now is what i’m saying.

  • LakeShow

    Rondo is definitely top 5 in those terms nbk. Because the Celtics have built their offense with his strengths and weaknesses in mind. Garnett=Shooter, Allen=Shooter, Pierce=play making/shooter. Rondo is built to do well with the Celtics. Top 4 or 5 in those terms for sure.

  • LakeShow

    Understood, BUT… you know the BUT. lol

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    ok cool, just wanted to make sure you haven’t gone off the Rondo deep end. i totally agree with that.

  • LakeShow

    Agreed on that. Rubio is as fun as any PG to watch IMO. Reminds me of J-Kidd in his younger years. Sorry if that comparison pisses anyone off haha. Their different and J-Kidd was better by a wide margin, but the similarities are there.

  • Junior Taylor

    To be honest, Rondo was the 2nd best PG (behind CP and ahead of DWill) last season in terms of on-the-court production and is a Top-3 PG going into the season (given that Rose is hurt). It is just that people refuse to give the man his just due given the talent surrounding him and his game isn’t aesthetically pleasing to most fans.

  • ALD

    He can but he must devolop a jumpshot because his HOF buddies are retiring soon. Plus it is going to be harder now in the Atlantic division

  • http://twitter.com/AjpDos Allen Powell

    I think if Boston played at Utah’s pace Rondo could score 17 a game. The Celtics slow everything down which keeps everyone’s scoring numbers down.

  • http://www.reverbnation.com/savagemuzicgroup T-Ray

    Random but I saw you followed me on Disquis nbk how do I follow back?

  • http://twitter.com/AjpDos Allen Powell

    I said dude would be similar to JKidd before he came to the League. Unfortunately for him he lacks Kidd’s top end athletic ability, and he even lacks his shooting touch.

  • http://twitter.com/SUSPECTINT44 TedBurner

    Rondo is tough man. I used to sleep on dude cuz as a Laker fan I dont like to give any celts credit but he made me a believer this yr. The improved confidence in shooting the J is his key. I say he’s top 4 in the L imo as far as all around impact.

  • http://twitter.com/AjpDos Allen Powell

    The term “pure point guard” is such a misnomer. Look at Rondo’s numbers versus Deron’s assist numbers. Then consider who Rondo has been passing to and who Deron has been passing to. Bottom line, Deron might not be Rondo’s equal as a passer, but he is equally as willing to pass. He is pure. Rondo is top 5 easily, and potentially number 3 if Derrick Rose’s knee is messed up.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    just click the user name of whoever you want to follow my dood, then you can just click follow next to their name

  • ByAnyMeansNecessary

    I didn’t mean he was more of a pure PG than Rondo. I meant that he belongs in that category with CP3 and Rondo. As far as setting up his teammates, he’s not too far behind Rondo.

  • http://www.reverbnation.com/savagemuzicgroup T-Ray

    Ah gotcha man thanks

  • LakeShow

    It’s debatable if he had a better season that Russ Westbrook and Tony Parker.

  • http://twitter.com/AjpDos Allen Powell

    It’s tough to say that he was better than Dwill based on his production on the court. His assists were impressive, no doubt but he only averaged 11.6 points per game on 44-45 percent shooting. Deron, in comparison, averaged 22 points per game on 40 percent shooting and chipped in 8 assists. To me, Deron produced more.

  • ByAnyMeansNecessary

    You’re only going by stats. Impact-wise, Rose wasn’t really outplayed. Plus, if we’re going to use stats, Rose averaged 20, 6 and 6 and shot 50% from the field. Rondo was in his 3rd season.

  • ByAnyMeansNecessary

    Uhh…Rondo has only been to the Finals twice and only the 2nd time was he one of the best players on the team. The first go around, he was just the 4th wheel. You’re asking how many times Russell got to the Finals as if he’s been in the league for a while lol. Only been 4 seasons. Getting there as the 2nd best player on your team in your 4th season isn’t that bad to me.

  • ByAnyMeansNecessary

    Truth.

  • chingy

    change “last season” to “last playoffs” and you’re on point. Rondo during the season isn’t always motivated to go triple-double crazy.

  • Guest

    It will be interesting to see how Rondo’s game changes or if it changes after KG and Paul leave.

  • http://www.newyorkshockexchange.com/content/view/424/37/ Shock Exchange

    That would be very “uninteresting” to see … everybody daring Rondo to shoot, being that he has noone to pass it to.

  • Drig

    During the season, CP3 and TP had clearly better seasons than Rondo only because Rondo didn’t turn it up till near the end of the regular season. If you’re talking about the Playoffs, he was IMO the best PG.

  • Junior Taylor

    Y’all know me by now, I have never been a huge fan of inefficient players. Rondo’s 45% is not necessarily efficient but it was significantly better than DWill’s 40%. Add that with Rondo grabbing 1.4 more RPG, dishing close to 3 more APG coupled with being the best player on a team that took that Champs to 7 games, I believe Rondo had the better season.

  • Caboose

    What do you see LA’s stats looking like?
    Nash: 12-2-9
    Kobe: 22-4-5
    Metta: 10-4-2
    Pau: 20-8
    Dwight: 20-14

  • LakeShow

    People like to lump scoring in with shooting, but there’s allot going on on the offensive end than shooting. Rondo doesn’t have any offense to speak of what-so-ever. He has no moves offensively besides ball handling skills to get himself open and in the lanes. He isn’t terrible at converting at the rim, but for a guard who has no jump shot at all, you have to be able to finish with the best of them. Tony Parker has a decent jump shot but no 3 pointer, but he can finish at the hoop with the best in basketball. Rondo can’t. Rondo can’t score effectively or efficiently.
    None of that should take away from the immense skill set he has, but to say he he doesn’t shoot well, or that his offense leaves much to be desired, that is a massive understatement.

  • LakeShow

    ^What that means is that he has every skill in the book practically, besides anything scoring related.

  • http://twitter.com/AjpDos Allen Powell

    He had the better playoffs. Deron played on a team where he was forced to carry the scoring load from the point guard position. Break down his shooting numbers. He shot about 11 two pointers a game and 6 threes. He only made 2 threes a game. That means, he made 5 of his 11 two pointers. Basically he shot his standard 45 percent from the field, but killed his percentage by shooting more long threes. That makes sense given the talent around him and his desire to avoid injury by not constantly driving to the rim. Don’t forget Deron shot 84 percent from the free throw line while Rondo shot 59 percent.
    Basically, you’re only judging efficiency on field goal percentage and not considering all the other variables that go into efficiency. And you’re overvaluing what Rondo did in the playoffs.

  • ByAnyMeansNecessary

    How many people differentiate between so-called pure PGs and other PGs? Waste of time to me. Folks say Rose and Westbrook are great players playing the PG position but Rondo is a great PG. There are aspects of each player’s game that are better than others. You can’t knock Deron, Russell or Derrick for how much they score. Magic Johnson averaged 19 points for his career. How much does a player have to score before he’s labeled a scoring PG? Who would consider Magic a pure PG? Tough call to make. PGs who score almost 20 a game today would be called scoring PGs.

  • http://twitter.com/AjpDos Allen Powell

    Nah, you’re wrong about his ability to convert at the rim. Two years ago I would have agreed with you, but he became much better at layup this year. Plus, he is the master of getting into the lane and creating open looks for the rest of the team. He creates offense even if he doesn’t score. It would just be much better if he could score.

  • LakeShow

    You gotta quit looking into FG% so much Taylor. It’s deceiving when you take a scoring player who was the one player the other team tried to stop most(D-Will) to the other, being a non scoring player and on a team of scorers. (Rondo)

    Different offensive scenarios. Is D-Will a Rondo a better scorer and shooter?
    Is it close?
    But D-Will is less efficient?
    So what…
    He is by far and away better offensively.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    Deron Williams effective FG % – .467%
    Rajon Rondo effective FG % – .456%
    Deron was still the more efficient scorer. Simply because he hits 3′s and makes his free throws.

  • Comment_System

    man, your ass is gonna hurt…

  • Junior Taylor

    I don’t think it is overvaluing when the guy had 4 triple doubles in one playoff run (more than most of the top PGs today have in their career)

  • Junior Taylor

    Both of y’all are right. I tend to gloss over EFG% and focus simply on FG%. It is a terrible and lazy way to look at efficiency, my fault.

  • LakeShow

    Artest will be below 5PPG. Love the dude, but he is there to shoot 1 or 2 threes, and the rest of the time looking to D it up as hard as he can. His numbers will not show his impact as far as basic stats go. He will still get his 1 steal per though.
    Nash you got him pegged pretty well from my assumptions. It’s hard to say if his scoring will dip or go up. Less offense needed from him, but more outside shooting needed from him. His FG% should go down somewhat across the board minus FT’s.
    Pau and Dwight I think you got right also. 20ish points each.
    Pau I do see still getting his 10 boards though. He’s under rated on the boards even with the 2nd best rebounder in basketball next to him now he will get his 10 per. Dwights will probably dip into the 13′s but I see his BPG being over or right around 3 per.
    Kobe is hard to guess with, but I see him at 24 PPG, 5 boards, 5 assists. maybe a hair under on one of those. I really, really, want the boyoh to up his FG% to at least 46%. It’s not needed IMO to have him at or around 50%. He has never shot that high and he obviously can win while not shooting a traditionally high scoring FG%.
    Kobe’s MPG might go down quite a bit. He was at 38MPG last year. I see him at no more than 35MPG. Nash at 33MPG.
    Dwight at 39MPG.
    Pau at 33MPG.
    Artest 18MPG.

  • RKJ92

    I would clown you on the court. All day everyday. #JISMONEY

  • http://www.newyorkshockexchange.com/content/view/424/37/ Shock Exchange

    Pick a park _ISMONEY

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Anthony-Washington/100000105632561 Anthony Washington

    You have to admire rondo’s unwavering confidence and drive, something necessary for an elite point guard. I just have one question, if westbrook made this same statement how would we respond? I feel like him cp3 and rondo are the most outspokien aggressive Pgs right now.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    i honestly didn’t even think Williams would be more efficient until i looked. — and Rondo was really great for the second half of the year, but only pretty good the first portion. – i personally think Rondo was the 2nd best if not the best PG in the NBA for the last couple months. no stress.

  • LakeShow

    FG% is deceiving just as all simple stats are in general if you just look at them in no context at all.

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