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.

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.

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.?

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.

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.