Official: Rondo to Dallas!!

[Melonhead]

The way rondo has slowly become a captain means to me we have to figure out a way to keep him. He is working to improve his game, his willingness is what impresses me most. I want everyone back but if I have a choice on only one maybe it's rondo .

[dirt_dobber]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

The way rondo has slowly become a captain means to me we have to figure out a way to keep him. He is working to improve his game, his willingness is what impresses me most. I want everyone back but if I have a choice on only one maybe it's rondo .

loved the whole post +rep
Rondo becoming captain material has been surprising to me and there is still room to improve.

[sefant77]

Rondo doesnt fit in the triangle...so no Knicks. And with Clarkson emerging as draft steal for the Lakers i dont see them blowing their cap space this year with Rondo...

[dirt_dobber]

nice peak behind the scenes at Rondo - the enigma
http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/stor...rd-rajon-rondo

check out this paragraph...
Before Rondo's first playoff series against Atlanta in 2008, the Celtics distributed a 100-page book full of the Hawks' plays and statistics. Rondo took it home, then challenged assistant Darren Erman the next morning: "Quiz me on anything." Rondo nailed every question, until Erman tossed a curveball -- a question about something that wasn't in the book. "Fuck you," Rondo said. "That's not in there." Once, when Erman was with the Warriors, his team ran a side out-of-bounds play, called C, that he says they'd run maybe 15 times all season. They called the play. Rondo immediately shouted, "C! Rip screen, rip screen!" Erman and then-Warriors assistant Brian Scalabrine looked at each other, stunned: How in the hell did he know that?

[Twenty4sevenn]

I can't wait for Playoff Rondo.

[MFFL]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12...o-unleash-fire

Pretty cool article if you can stand KG braying about how old school he is

[Murphy3]

Always wanted KG to have a career ending leg injury...

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

Always wanted KG to have a career ending leg injury...

It's still not too late...

[tsar]

Rondo has been really good lately. I hope we resign him.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by MFFL

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12...o-unleash-fire

Pretty cool article if you can stand KG braying about how old school he is

RESIGN THIS GUY. I wonder how much hinges on Rondo staying if Monta stays. I think they personally are getting along well. If Monta were to leave, would Rondo bounce too. I hope not, and his personality seems to not be like that anyway, to do what other guys do.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

RESIGN THIS GUY. I wonder how much hinges on Rondo staying if Monta stays. I think they personally are getting along well. If Monta were to leave, would Rondo bounce too. I hope not, and his personality seems to not be like that anyway, to do what other guys do.

I think Dirk likes Monta as well which could mean they're all back providing the playoffs turn out with more than an embarrassing first round exit.

[rimrocker]

I don't see any way this team doesn't resign Rondo considering the alternatives and what we will have to face in the west next season.

[mavsfan1000]

I think Rondo is considering a team that finishes better.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by mavsfan1000

I think Rondo is considering a team that finishes better.

Except pretty much any team that's likely to finish better than Dallas either already has a PG, or can't afford Rondo....

[Thespiralgoeson]

I don't want the mavs to "resign" Rondo. However, I'd be okay with re-signing him.

[Thebo]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Except pretty much any team that's likely to finish better than Dallas either already has a PG, or can't afford Rondo....

You could only make a case for Chicago who may or may not have a decent PG. Everyone else has one. It's actually amazing to look how Mavs managed to stay in playoffs with Nelson.

It's good that Rose's contract eats up 20 mil of their cap. Otherwise they could've been in the hunt for Rondo this offseason.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by mavsfan1000

I think Rondo is considering a team that finishes better.

Rondo's going to sign with the Lakers or the Knicks if he's not back in Dallas. So, no.

[mavsfan1000]

Originally Posted by Thebo

You could only make a case for Chicago who may or may not have a decent PG. Everyone else has one. It's actually amazing to look how Mavs managed to stay in playoffs with Nelson.

It's good that Rose's contract eats up 20 mil of their cap. Otherwise they could've been in the hunt for Rondo this offseason.

It's because Nelson let Ellis run the show. So Nelson basically became a catch and shoot player off the ball guard.

[Thebo]

Originally Posted by mavsfan1000

It's because Nelson let Ellis run the show. So Nelson basically became a catch and shoot player off the ball guard.

Was Nelson doing that on defense also?

I know very well how Nelson fit with Ellis and how bad he was on defense. Although his catch and shoots weren't that great either, if my memory isn't wrong.

[Kante]

I love seeing Rondo being more and more active and talking to his teammates. Cheering from the bench and supports them, really nice.

[mavsfan1000]

Originally Posted by Thebo

Was Nelson doing that on defense also?

I know very well how Nelson fit with Ellis and how bad he was on defense. Although his catch and shoots weren't that great either, if my memory isn't wrong.

Regardless what you think, we were a highly efficient offensive team with Nelson as a starter. And our defense has improved. But not as much we hoped for.

[Bryan_Wilson]

Originally Posted by mavsfan1000

Regardless what you think, we were a highly efficient offensive team with Nelson as a starter. And our defense has improved. But not as much we hoped for.

If Nelson is still on this team and not Rondo then Ellis is guarding Harden if we play rockettes. Ellis would be in immediate foul trouble and thus a non factor taking away option 1 of the offense. Similar issues with crop up with every single playoff caliber team. Just look at the other playoff teams and tell me which guard Nelson has a prayer of defending. I'd rather have a team that is better for the playoffs than a team that can score 140 on the lakers.

This team lost depth, chemistry, and it's identity. And did so during the season and had to adjust rotations and build new chemistry with those new rotations and such on the fly and then battled injuries and players playing hurt. This over sensationalizing of Nelson rly blows my mind.

[spreedom]

If, by any chance, Parsons misses time in the playoffs and we draw Houston in round one, there are worse fates than starting Aminu and putting him on Harden. If that's an option.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by spreedom

If, by any chance, Parsons misses time in the playoffs and we draw Houston in round one, there are worse fates than starting Aminu and putting him on Harden. If that's an option.

Too bad we're stuck playing Spurs again in round 1.

[Kante]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

If Nelson is still on this team and not Rondo then Ellis is guarding Harden if we play rockettes. Ellis would be in immediate foul trouble and thus a non factor taking away option 1 of the offense. Similar issues with crop up with every single playoff caliber team. Just look at the other playoff teams and tell me which guard Nelson has a prayer of defending. I'd rather have a team that is better for the playoffs than a team that can score 140 on the lakers.

This team lost depth, chemistry, and it's identity. And did so during the season and had to adjust rotations and build new chemistry with those new rotations and such on the fly and then battled injuries and players playing hurt. This over sensationalizing of Nelson rly blows my mind.

Great post.

But don't bother to respond to him, he thinks that the Mavs win 60+ games with Nelson as the starter and that Barea should start over Rondo.

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by spreedom

If, by any chance, Parsons misses time in the playoffs and we draw Houston in round one, there are worse fates than starting Aminu and putting him on Harden. If that's an option.

Pretty sure RJ would get the start and they throw Rondo on him to start the game although it looks like we won't be playing Houston in round 1.

[mavsfan1000]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

If Nelson is still on this team and not Rondo then Ellis is guarding Harden if we play rockettes. Ellis would be in immediate foul trouble and thus a non factor taking away option 1 of the offense. Similar issues with crop up with every single playoff caliber team. Just look at the other playoff teams and tell me which guard Nelson has a prayer of defending. I'd rather have a team that is better for the playoffs than a team that can score 140 on the lakers.

This team lost depth, chemistry, and it's identity. And did so during the season and had to adjust rotations and build new chemistry with those new rotations and such on the fly and then battled injuries and players playing hurt. This over sensationalizing of Nelson rly blows my mind.

You win man. Yeah we need a defensive anchor since Marion left. I hope Rondo proves to be that guy. He is a bit undersized against Harden though. Parker would seem to be a more natural player to defend.

[xrobx]

I think we need to do whatever it takes to bring Rondo back.

Of course we have to hope he actually wants to come back.

[G-Man]

Over the last 10 games, Rondo is shooting 47% from the floor, and averaging over 9 points a game. He's finding ways to make teams pay, mainly by driving to the hoop and hitting short jump shots. I'm impressed with the improvement. I see him doing an excellent job at getting the ball to people where they need it to score, which doesn't show up in the stats so much, unless they hit their shots. Against Utah, watching him repeatedly set up Charlie V was a thing of beauty.

I can't wait for the playoffs, to see Carlisle in action, when he can put his total focus on one team. It looks like it will be him and Pop, although I'd relish the chance to watch him coach the pants off McHale.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by G-Man

Over the last 10 games, Rondo is shooting 47% from the floor, and averaging over 9 points a game. He's finding ways to make teams pay, mainly by driving to the hoop and hitting short jump shots. I'm impressed with the improvement. I see him doing an excellent job at getting the ball to people where they need it to score, which doesn't show up in the stats so much, unless they hit their shots. Against Utah, watching him repeatedly set up Charlie V was a thing of beauty.

I can't wait for the playoffs, to see Carlisle in action, when he can put his total focus on one team. It looks like it will be him and Pop, although I'd relish the chance to watch him coach the pants off McHale.

That's really what Rondo was lacking. Early on, Rondo didn't feel comfortable on offense and teams played 4-on-5. Right now? He's not our most skilled offensive player, but he's been good enough to make teams pay for cheating off of him and that's getting other guys good looks. I really think that his current run is more indicative of him getting comfortable in the offense than on a hot streak. Rondo is finally figuring it out.

[MavsFTR]

From the Woj article:

"Rondo always does the work, the preparation, but everyone could see again in Game 2 that his struggles with Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle remain an immense hurdle. On the court, there were those who believed Rondo's eight-second violation for failing to cross the midcourt line was an act of protest on the coach's calling of plays. Rondo played 10 minutes, picking up fouls for slapping at James Harden, and finally a technical to start the third quarter for shoving Harden out of sheer frustration.

Carlisle banished him to the bench, choosing Raymond Felton over Rondo in the fourth quarter. Everything's pushing Rondo closer to his inevitable free-agent fleeing to the Lakers this summer. As long as the coach is back, Rondo's gone, sources told Yahoo Sports. The parting could be mutual.

When Rondo and Carlisle had it out on the bench and again in the locker room in February, teammates heard Rondo ask him: "Why the [bleep] did you bring me here?""

[bilease]

I just dont get it, how could it possibly help Rondo to play like crap on purpose during the playoffs? Didnt he want a max contract during the off season? Nobody is going to pay him that now, Im not even sure any decent playoff team would sign him at all. Maybe just wants to get out of Dallas as soon as possible and waste the rest of his career playing for the Lakers or Knicks

After re-watching the first minute of the 3rd quarter again, and how he absolutely didnt give a shit, I'm not even sure if Rick is letting him play in game 3 - not sure Rondo would even want that anyway. Might as well start a Rajon Rondo Appreciation Thread

[purplefrog]

For what it is worth...

"Source" says Rondo not coming back to Dallas if Carlisle is the coach.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-...-coach-is-back

[tsar]

I would be disappointed if Rondo went to LA and flourished (which I feel like he might, Byron *derp* Scott would happily hand him the keys). Rondo and Carlisle are too hard headed for their own good...

I will side with the coach; as a player you can't go against the coach like that, especially in the playoffs, that's going against the organization as a whole. If you don't like how the coach runs the system be a pro, don't sulk, don't sabotage the team, your contract is up and you can go elsewhere after the season. That being said; the blame can't all be on Rondo and Carlisle deserves some heat for this as well. Neither of them could find a middle ground or a way to compromise so now our chemistry is completely out of whack and you can't win without chemistry in the playoffs.

Weren't there early whispers of when the trade came down that Carlisle wasn't particularly happy about the situation? (or am I misremembering). Rick is a professional but maybe he feels a bit disgruntled.

It then comes full circle to Mark and Donnie. I feel like the trade was the correct move from a personnel standpoint and I was 100% on board at the time, but there's more to it than personnel, there's the pulse of the organization: chemistry, cohesiveness, and accepting your role. I don't know if this makes any sense but it was the correct business decision and I can completely understand why they made the trade (I would have to) but maybe it wasn't the correct decision for THIS team. I assume Mark and Donnie know everything transpiring under the hood (which we as fans aren't privy to) but could they have possibly misread the pulse of the team, or even worse, pulled off the trade ignoring the pulse of the team?

Just a shitty situation all around I feel

[antoinewalker]

well, mark cuban lost.

[Kante]

All this does not change the fact that pulling the trigger was the right move. What happens now in the first round remains to be seen.

[madape]

you would think that a veteran like Rondo would be mature enough to handle it. He's proving to be a spoiled brat. Let him go to the Chinese league a'la Marbury and Steve Francis where he can get his belly rubbed and get fed Snausages like some fat lady's Pekingese.

[Bryan_Wilson]

I'll take my serving of crow for thinking Rondo's "positives"(ummm... maybe 2 servings of crow) outweigh the negatives. We still needed to make a move but this was a disaster.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

I'll take my serving of crow for thinking Rondo's "positives"(ummm... maybe 2 servings of crow) outweigh the negatives. We still needed to make a move but this was a disaster.

Yep, I'm right there with you...

[DevinHarriswillstart]

There was no way to predict something like this. I suppose after he and Carlisle screamed at each other that it might happen again. But talk about bad timing and total collapse. To do it in the midst of the playoffs against Houston...simply vile. And it cost us a first round pick. Ugh.