Yardbarker: Rajon Rondo

Rested Celtics Host Jazz

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:47:00 -0500

at Utah Jazz (3-4) at Boston Celtics (7-1) Wednesday, November 11 7:30 PM ET Game #9, Home Game #5 TV: CSN HD, FSN, NBA LP 754,755 TD Banknorth Garden After playing 8 games in 12 days, the Celtics have had 3 days off for some much needed rest and practice. They now face the 3-4 Jazz who are coming off a 2 point win over the Knicks. The anticipated matchup between Rajon Rondo and Deron Williams may or may not materialize since Williams is a game time decision after an injury i...

Six Celtics on All-Star Ballot

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:49:42 -0500

You'll find six Celtics players on the NBA all-star ballot:

The Celtics are the only team with two centers on the ballot. The game will be played Feb. 14 in Dallas at Cowboys Stadium.

You can vote at games, online at NBA.com, and by texting a player's last name to 6-9-6-2-2 (MYNBA).

Let's do our best to get Rondo and Perk at the game. They deserve it.

Video evidence of a defensive lapse, starring Rajon Rondo

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:37:59 -0500

Here's the situation: 3rd quarter, Celtics down 3 and fighting like hell to get ahead of the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix has the ball out of bounds.

As the play starts, two players flare to either side of the court, clearing space underneath the hoop. Phoenix is trying to get a play to the basket... which you can tell as both of these players aren't making moves for the ball at all. They're getting out of the way. The video freezes as Steve Nash sets a pick on Kevin Garnett, who is guarding Amare Stoudemire.

The key to this play defensively is Rajon Rondo. As the pick is set, he's too far in the lane. There's no reason to be there. There's no one cutting in the lane for a pass... and if Nash gets a big lob pass at the top of the key to set the offense... so be it. On the first video freeze, Rondo should about a step to his left just to show Stoudemire that he doesn't have a clean path to the hoop. Rondo has both feet in the lane... when his right foot, at most, is all that should be in the painted area. Right now, Amare is turning the corner and seeing nothing but daylight instead of a white jersey in his way.

As the video progresses, you'll see that for some inexplicable reason, Rondo keeps on walking towards the top of the key. He's not playing any defense at all. He didn't do anything to help KG on the pick. He didn't show to slow do the guy coming off the screen. He certainly wasn't guarding Nash. I'm not sure what Rondo was doing. On the second freeze, you see Rondo and Garnett as the two players furthest away from the hoop.

So on a Suns out of bounds play under their own basket, you've got two Celtics completely out of the play: KG because of the screen... and Rondo because he was sleeping. If the ball didn't go to Stoudemire, it could have gone to Nash for a jumper.

I'll give honorable mention to Rasheed Wallace for sticking way too close to his man when, from that position, he could have stayed in the paint, still be 100% in the passing lane, and still have been in a position to bail out his boys by being in a better position to challenge the shot. But that's secondary.

The real culprit on this play was Rajon Rondo, who never played a split-second of defense on that play. It cost the Celtics 2 points in a tight game. It's a frustrating lapse that highlights what we've heard from C's management about him taking some plays off.

Now on TruFan: Millions of reasons for Rondo to chill out

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:15:39 -0500

Rajon Rondo is taking a lot of heat for a nothing incident with Chris Paul. I mean, the league is even looking into it for some weird reason.

But why? I try to answer that on TruFan.

Depending on who you ask, Rajon Rondo is somewhere in the top 5 among the league's point guards. And while I love his fire... and I love that he takes nothing from anyone... it's in his best interests to channel it a different way. If he truly wants to be an "elite" point guard... and get all the perks (read: endorsements) that go along with that... he's got to chill out a little.

Rondo's a young guy who still has a lot to learn. And part of getting a huge contract like this is becoming more mature and representing your team, as well as yourself. The Chris Paul incident was not Rondo's finest hour, but it's also not a big deal. Yet.

Rondo CAN be one of the faces of this league. He CAN be a guy who makes a ton in endorsements. But as long as people have the inclination to take someone else's side rather than his in incidents like this... he won't.

Celtics Decline Option for JR Giddens

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:56:00 -0500

Lost in all the hoopla over Rajon Rondo's new contract is the fact that yesterday was also the deadline to pick up the option on JR Giddens for next season. The Celtics declined the option, making JR a free agent next off season. The Celtics could still decide to bring him back, offering him a league minimum contract, but I get the feeling that they aren't inclined to do so. Last season, they kept Bill Walker with the team while sending Giddens back to the D-League. Bill Walk...

Rondo Signs 5 Year Extension

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:51:00 -0500

According to Marc Spears on Yahoo, Rajon Rondo has signed a 5 year $55 million contract extension. It seems that Rondo was ready to play out his contract and test the free agency waters, where he would likely have become a prime target for teams next off season. But Danny Ainge came through and upped his offer to meet Rajon's original demands. League sources said the extension is for five years and guarantees Rondo at least $55 million. With the two sides facing a Monday deadline t...

Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul Don't Like Each Other

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:06:00 -0500

It started with the comment from Rondo that was reported by Chris Mannix on Twitter (and subsequently on every Hornets blog) that Chris Paul had the stats he does because he has the ball in his hands all the time. In tonight's game, the two point guards got tangled up under the basket at one point and they had to be separated. They each received a double technical and seemed to play well together the rest of the game. But, after the game there were more fireworks. As the teams were lea...

Rondo has to cash the check Perk's mouth wrote

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:13:00 -0500

Chris Paul is pretty much regarded as the best point guard in the league. Rajon Rondo, however, doesn't seem to be impressed. At least... if you believe SI's Chris Mannix

Kendrick Perkins just told me that Rondo said "Chris Paul has the stats that he has because he has the ball in his hands all game." Yikes

Whoa... since when is Kendrick Perkins the "mouth off to the reporter" guy? And we're tweaking one of the best players in the league? HornetsHype sums it up nicely:

This is terrifyingly like poking a dragon with a stick. OK, the Hornets look like a massive work in progress still, while the Celtics already seem to be clicking the best out of the potential title contenders in these early days of the season. So it’s not like we’re expecting a huge victory Sunday, or anything. But the fact remains that you don’t poke a dragon with a stick. It breathes motherfreakin’ fire. It’s not safe. I’m not saying the Hornets are going to come out and win this game, bulletin board material or not. I’m just saying if they do, the Celtics will know who is to blame

What else can I say but... bingo.

The Celtics defense is good. Damn good. But you don't need to give one of the best any added motivation.

But then again... it's gonna set up one hell of a battle between Rondo and Paul. We might have one of those "neither guy can stop the other" type battles brewing... which will at least make for an exciting game.

Oh, and Chris Mannix? I'd tread lightly the next time you come across Kendrick Perkins... unless you're absolutely sure he was cool with you tweeting that. Yeah, maybe Perk needs a refresher on what "off the record" means... but that sounds so far out of Perk's character, I find it hard to believe he was telling you that in a "go ahead and print it" kind of way.

Least surprising news ever: Rondo talks continue

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:42:23 -0500

Shocker.

Although the past few days have been mostly quiet on the contract front for Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, both sides are expected to connect Sunday for one last attempt to come together on a new deal before Monday's deadline for contract extensions for members of the 2006 draft class, according to sources close to the process.

What? You mean to tell me that public declarations about contract negotiations have been less than truthful?

*gasp*

What can I believe in now? Next thing you're gonna tell me is that Heidi and Spencer are just two self-absorbed, camera-hogging douchebags that will take whatever desperate measures necessary to stay in the spotlight instead of two crazy-in-love kids.

Don't you dare. DON'T. YOU. DARE!

Thanks KWAPT

Sign Him Already Danny!!!!!

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:10:00 -0500

Here are Rondos's 16 assists from last night's game courtesy of Red's Army. Doc described Rajon Rondo as the most dominant player on the court last night and it was an accurate statement. I doubt we will see many high scoring nights for Rajon this season because he has so many weapons on this team and he loves getting them the ball where they can score. As long as his teammates keep making shots, Rondo will keep racking up nights like this where he gets double digits in assi...

Your Morning Dump... featuring Rondo's 16 dimes

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:57:50 -0500

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying a good morning dump.

“We do those (television) interviews in the third quarter, and (the reporter) said that he only took two shots, and I said, ‘Yeah, but he’s the most dominant player on the floor right now,’ ” said coach Doc Rivers following the Celtics’ 118-90 win over Chicago. “I thought he controlled the game with his speed. He took only two shots tonight, and someone will read the stats and say, he only had two points, and if you didn’t see the game you wouldn’t know the impact he had on our team tonight.”

Boston Herald: 'Dominant' Rajon Rondo in giving mood

“There was a time where he kind of picked and chose,’’ Rivers said. “If it was Rose, he was really up. [Now] he’s just been up. And he’s been that through practices . . . He’s just playing now. He’s not, ‘Oh, tonight we have Rose.’ It doesn’t matter the opponent. He’s just playing his game and doing it, being very solid.’’

There was a stretch of three straight possessions in the third in which Rondo found Ray Allen for a long jumper and a pair of 3-pointers, and Allen said, “It’s weird because I never really felt like he had the ball at all.’’

Boston Globe: Big Bullies

I like Derrick Rose and I think he's gonna be a stud in this league, but he was outclassed last night. 10 points, 2 assists, 2 turnovers isn't going to get the job done. While Rose looked a little confused by the Celtics defense out there, Rondo had Bulls' defenders basically doing pirouettes. When they clogged the middle, he spun and found guys on the perimeter. When they tried to hop into passing lanes, Rondo knifed through and found guys at the rim. He did whatever he wanted. The last line in Ray's quote shows how dominant Rondo was. Rondo dominated the game and he barely had the ball... he barely scored... and he barely played 30 minutes. That, my friends, is scary good.

After the jump: Page 2... where Ray passed Stockton

“I had no idea,” said Allen. “It definitely is a great feeling. Stockton played, what, 18, 19 years? He’s a Hall of Famer. I watched his induction. To be able to be in that company, you think about all the years, all the shots that I’ve taken - not the ones in games, but the ones I’ve taken off game-time in practice.

“It all seems worth it, because it stands for something at the end of the day. People look up and you’re somewhere amongst greatness. So I like to keep pushing.”

Herald: Ray Allen sneaks up on Stockton

The rest of the links:

8 points in a row... signed by Rajon Rondo

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:14:20 -0500

In the span of about 1:10 in the 3rd quarter last night, Rajon Rondo found Paul Pierce for 8 straight points. Those three of his 11 assists were in the form of two Pierce 3's and a Pierce fast break dunk.

And check out the :58 mark of this video... as Rajon "autographs" the ball and then just bats it away on his way back to the bench.

That's one confident young man right there.

Rondo played one hell of a game yesterday and showed one side of why he's such a great point guard. This wasn't the Rondo that we saw against the Chicago Bulls. This was facilitator Rondo... making sure every one of his teammates got his share of looks.

He only shot 6 times... and made 5 (mostly layups, as per usual). He found guys all over the floor and it was always the right guy in the right place. And he did it all in less than 30 minutes of play.

Rondo's numbers so far in two games: 21 assists, 6 steals... and 3 turnovers. THREE turnovers.

Makes you wonder if Rondo was autographing the ball... or mimicking the big contract he's earning.

Rondo Wants $12 Million Per Year

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:07:13 -0500

Finally some detailed numbers on the Rondo contract negotiations, courtesy Jeff Goodman of WEEI/Fox:

A source close to the situation has told Jeff Goodman of WEEI.com and FoxSports.com that the Celtics’ offered point guard Rajon Rondo a contract extension worth five years and $45 million, with Rondo’s representatives asking for between $55-60 million over the same number of years. The Celtics presented their offer to Rondo’s reps in a meeting, Monday night. Rondo is eligible to become a restricted free agent at the end of the 2009-10 season.

Celtics are offering $9 million per year. Rondo wants between $11 and $12 million per year.

How about 5-years, $52 million? Damn, I should have gone into mediation.

Heads up to everyone. John and I will hold a live blog tonight during the game and a live call-in show at 10pm.

Rondo's agent: We're not doing a deal

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:04:11 -0500

After not very much negotiating, talks between the Celtics and Rajon Rondo's agent have apparently broken off.

A meeting between Bill Duffy, the agent for Rajon Rondo, and Celtics GM Danny Ainge apparently netting nothing but major difference in how each side perceives Rondo's worth. Duffy, according to Yahoo! Sports, wanted Rondo amongst the top 5 highest paid point guards while the Celtics didn't feel that strongly....

"We’re not going to do an extension right now,” Duffy told Yahoo!. “The conversation has been cordial. We’ve been talking the last couple of weeks. There is a difference between the perception of him in their eyes and our eyes. With that being said, the focus is on Rajon to have a fantastic season and concentrate on winning a championship.”

The top NBA point guards make between $12 and $13 million. I love Rondo... love him... but he's not quite there yet.

Now... we don't know what the Celtics are offereing. They're either lowballing Rajon and his agent is pissed... or this is a bunch of theatrics from the Rondo camp. I'm betting a little of both.