The title of this post I am not thrilled with, because it is overused, but there is really no other way to say it... Rondo is the key to the Celtics. He is their MVP, he is their future, and right now he is letting his team down.
In the beginning of the year there were thoughts that Rondo was the best PG in the league. I am not sure if I ever agreed with that statement, which has been thrown around this site a lot, but I certainly was willing to have him in the conversation. Last night proved he is not, and that he isn't even in the same breathe as someone like Rose. Before you go all crazy on me, let's go inside the stats.
As of today, Rondo has his lowest points per game since his rookie season.
2007: 6.4
2008: 10.6
2009: 11.9
2010: 13.7
2011: 10.5
I know with Rondo it isn't about points, but his lack of scoring and confidence is affecting the rest of the team. We have seen it as the season has progressed. He did go through a slump, and I know he was beat up, but that doesn't tell the whole story. The fact is that word is out on him that the only time he is affective, as a scorer, is when he can get to the hoop. This has led to two results.
Teams cave their defense in knowing that he doesn't have confidence in his jumper, and even if he does shoot his FG% has fallen to it lowest total since his rookie year.
2007: .418
2008: .492
2009: .505
2010: .508
2011: .474
So, it's not like he is just shooting less and getting more people involved, he has just regressed.
The 2nd result is that even if he does go to the hoop the other team will just foul him. This has caused Rondo to shut down this part of his game, because he can't hit free throws, which also his lowest since his rookie year.
2007: .647
2008: .611
2009: .642
2010: .621
2011: .548
Shooting 55% from the line when you are a guard is unacceptable.
Rondo's assist are up by almost 1.5 a game from last year, but I don't see that as a great sign. The bottom line is that Rondo has to take control. When this team is great, it's when Rondo is aggressive and goes to the hole. Yes, he struggles from the line, but going to the line less doesn't help that. Plus, even if the other team has to foul him that gets the other team in foul trouble, which is obviously a positive within itself. It certainly would've helped to at least make Rose work last night on defense, or get him a couple fouls.
On top of all of that when Rondo goes to the hoop it sets up the rest of the offense. Ray Allen becomes open for 3's, people have to sag off Pierce a little bit, KG becomes a force and gets those open jumpers, and so on.
Yes, the Celtics need Shaq to come back, but above that they need Rondo to get his head right, find his confidence, and lead this team. Like I said he is the MVP (of the Celtics), the gear that makes it all work, and although we can go on and on about the loss of Perk, the real story is the loss of Rondo's all around game. He finds it again, the Celtics will be in the Finals.
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