Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge was interviewed on WEEI’s “Dennis and Callahan” program this morning, and made several critical comments about Rajon Rondo. Here are a few highlights:
Q: It seems to me that Rondo and Kendrick do two things for you, they help you win now as the window closes on the Big 3, and they also help you win down the road. Is that a fair statement?
“I think they do. I think that makes a lot of sense. I think a lot of guys look at young players, as the weak link. Kendrick this year was not a weak link. He did a great job against Dwight Howard. The way that they were defending us, it made it hard for the three superstars. Rondo, as we saw in the Orlando series, they left him wide open. His presence hurt us in winning right now, because his man left him and doubled Ray or Paul. It made it difficult for us. They’re young players. They help us win sometimes and they make it hard for us to win sometimes because of their weakness and their youth and inexperience. They’re good players. They’re not great players. We’re hoping they develop into great players.”
Q: I assume then then if they’re not great players, then they’re not max contract guys. We talked to Rondo the other day, and he made it clear that his goal is to be a max contract guy. Do you see him the same way?
“Not right now, I don’t think Rondo’s a max contract player. I think it’s a good goal for Rondo to have just from a monetary standpoint, but to be that kind of player that warrants a max-contract player — I certainly don’t see Rondo as a max contract player today.”
Q: Is Rondo in the conversation as one of the top four or five point guards in the game?
“I think he’s in the conversation. I’d say he’s in the top ten for sure. There are so many facets to the game. Rondo’s a terrific player but everybody talks about his shooting. I’ve talked about this ever since we got him, what I need from Rondo is to compete play in and play out more often. The shooting is obviously a factor. He will become a much greater player if he can make more shots and become more confident. I need that competitiveness in him. I know he’s a competitor. He competes at an unbelievable level at times. He’s in cruise control on too many possessions for my liking. He’s getting better at that and improving all the time.”
Top ten? I have Rondo rated as the third best point guard in the league. His length, quickness, and ability to finish in a crowd are far superior to his peers. And he’s head and shoulders above every other point guard defensively.
Ainge is traveling down a slippery slope. Rondo may not be a max-level player at this point, but airing his dirty laundry during the offseason creates nothing but ill-will.
(Via Red’s Army)
June 24th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Hope all is well, man. I’m trying to start blogging–www.swallowdeez.com–but I don’t have the time.
I want you to think about something.
1. You said Rondo is the third best point guard in the league.
2. Danny Ainge is looking to get rid of him.
Dwell on that for a minute.
I’ve been low on Rondo ever since he came into the league. Why? Because he’s the beneficiary of a great situation in Boston, being an afterthought with low expectations, getting the minutes and free reign, playing without rules, etc.
Look at Glen Davis. He’s not bad, but he’s a career bench guy. But when he got the minutes, he put up big numbers. My point here is almost all players can put up the numbers when given the opportunity and leeway.
Numbers are so overhyped in today’s game, thanks in part to fantasy sports, which, one can argue played a big role in ruining sports. I keep hearing Rondo averaged a triple double in a series… and because of that I’m supposed to accept that he’s some great player. I can’t. Put Randy Foye on the Celtics, as the 4th scoring option, put the ball in his hands for 40 minutes, and he’s going to put up nice stats.
I’m not saying Rondo is bad–although he is an atrocious shooter–but he’s backup material, or starter’s material in a rotation that features at least three better players. He’s great as a fourth option. He does serious, serious damage as a fourth option.
But he wants first option money. And he’s not a first, second or even third option (third option point guards include Mike Bibby and his ilk).
Rondo is a 6-foot-1 Shawn Marion with a worse shot.
June 24th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Yeah I remember when barkley was going on about how rondo was the best player in the playoffs…(rolls eyes)
June 24th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Hey A-Train, long time no see. Cool blog. Enjoyed your take on the RJ trade.
I don’t think Ainge questions Rondo’s ability. From what I gather, Rondo has some maturity issues and the Celtics are hesitant to pay him market value since they’ve committed a ton of $ to KG and Paul Pierce.
I agree that numbers are overhyped and Rondo benefits from playing alongside Pierce and Ray Allen, but Rondo was Boston’s best player throughout the playoffs.
He averaged a triple-double versus Chicago, and then proceeded to put up 14 points, 10 boards, and 8 assists against the best defense in the league. The Celtics took the Magic to 7 games — without KG. Dwell on that my friend.
I don’t think Rondo is a max-level player, but I stand by assertion that he’s the third best point guard in the league.
I’ll take Rondo over Tony Parker because he’s a better defender, playmaker, and rebounder. Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, and Chauncey Billups have their moments, but they’re clearly on the downside of their careers.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Rondo over Tony Parker?
Really?
You know at the end of the day, the game is about putting the ball in the hole and there is a premium paid for guys who can score.
Rondo cannot score unless in transition or a play gets busted and he has an open lane to the hoop. He has no jumper and forget about even discussing three-point range.
Who can guard Tony Parker? Not only is he the best scoring point in the league but he’s one of the best scorers, period.
He hasn’t even entered his prime yet either. He keeps this up another few years and he becomes a lock for the Hall of Fame. Already a three-time All-Star by the age of 26. A Finals MVP award. He made All-NBA 3rd team last year.
Look at his numbers (past five seasons):
2005: 16.6 points, 6.1 assists, 48% FG
2006: 18.9 points, 5.8 assists, 55% FG
2007: 18.6 points, 5.5 assists, 52% FG
2008: 18.8 points, 6.0 assists, 49% FG
2009: 22.0 points, 6.9 assists, 51% FG
As this team continues to make the transition from “Duncan’s Team” to “Parker’s Team,” he’s only going to get better and more productive. He just turned 27.
I’d take all of these point guards ahead of Rondo.
Chris Paul, Tony Parker, Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams, Devin Harris, Steve Nash, Andre Miller, Jose Calderon, Jason Kidd, Baron Davis, Derrick Rose.
Mark my words, Rondo will be a backup sooner than later. You cannot be a starting point guard and shoot 64% from the free throw line. You just can’t.
He can get better, obviously. He’s only 23. But if he already has a bad attitude and his team is looking to move him, that should tell you something.
I could be wrong about him, but I don’t think so. And I refuse to prematurely give him any props. Once he puts together that All-Star caliber season, then I’ll add his name to the list above. But until then, how can I hype him so much? Because he averaged 17-10-10 in 14 games against the Bulls and Magic? 40+ minutes per game against Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon, Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, etc.?
June 25th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Now I have to question whether you watched the Celtics last season. Calderon? Baron Davis? Over Rondo? You must be kidding.
I’ll give you Parker, although I disagree, but that’s where I draw the line.
Rondo should have been an All-Star. He played much better than Paul Pierce through the first half of the season.
Watch him closely next season. He’s become the catalyst for everything the Celtics do — on both ends of the floor. He’s their first line of defense, which is important in Tom Thibodeau’s scheme, and he creates a ton of open looks for KG, Ray, and Pierce with his passing. He’s a very underrated passer.
June 25th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I may not have watched him as much as you have–I admit while I had the NBA League Pass, I didn’t watch it as much as usual–but I feel I’ve seen enough from him to judge him accurately.
If we are simply talking last season, then yes, Rondo ranks ahead of someone like Baron Davis. Simply put, Davis loses that battle thanks to injuries and playing in a miserable situation. But no one in their right mind can say Rondo is better than Baron Davis. Rondo has yet to accomplish anything to warrant even being in the same discussion as Davis.
Let’s look at it another way. If Rondo and Davis each cost the same amount, which player would most teams want? Davis, hands down (can we do polls on this site?).
I will watch him closer next season.
October 9th, 2009 at 1:40 am
Unbelievable that everyone overrates Rondo. Lets not forget 2 years ago when Minni was trying to get rid of this guy. Has he improved since then? Yes, but hes also playing with 3 HOFamers… His only roles on the team is to play D and bring the ball up… lets put him on a shit squad and see how he plays, cuz anyone can play on a stacked team.