The Great Rondo Hype
How good is Rajon Rondo?
Celtics fans are losing their minds over Rajon Rondo. Bill Simmons, in a recent column, wrote that come mid-January, Knicks fans will consider Isiah’s decision to draft Renaldo Balkman over Rajon Rondo as the single biggest mistake of his error-filled tenure as team executive. That’s right, bigger than the signing of Eddy Curry and his bum ticker, bigger than the 10 mil/yr for Jarred Jeffries, bigger than the advances made to Anucha Browne Sanders, bigger than the Francis acquisition, bigger than anything.
Celticsblog has written numerous articles on the kid, and even posted a YouTube video showing a nifty little play that Rondo made at The Garden a few nights ago. Every Celts fan I talk to can’t stop gushing about him. Some compare him to Nate Archibald, others to Zeke, and others say they’ve simply never seen anyone like him.
Stop the beat a minute. What do we know about Rajon Rondo?
Well, for starters, he’s played in four preseason games and averaged roughly 15 a game. In those games, he also dished out about 6 assists and snatched 4 boards. Good, but certainly not great. Oh, and did I mention that it’s the FREAKING PRESEASON?!
He had a relatively unremarkable career at Kentucky U, and has pretty obvious holes in his game (see=outside shooting). However, from everything I’ve seen and read about him, he seems to have all of the physical tools to be a quality player: jumps out of the gym; sees the floor well and can find teammates; unafraid to take the big shot; and has a knack for the ball.
But still, Celtics fans, take a minute and breathe. Relax. Sure, he may get on the occasional Sportscenter highlight reel, and may even crack Doc’s regular rotation this season, but let’s not anoint him the Second Coming just yet. How about we wait and see what he can do once the games start to mean something.
28 Responses to “The Great Rondo Hype”
Oct.19 at 2:18 am
niQ says:
rondo will mos def hurt telfair’s minutes
Oct.19 at 4:16 am
Natalie says:
He’s my sleeper fantasy pick.
Oct.19 at 5:04 am
YouCrazy says:
You must watch him to believe.
Oct.19 at 7:50 am
Z says:
Quite frankly, I believe that if Bassy weren’t from New York and didn’t have that much hype throughout his prep career, the starting point guard position would be a lock of Rondo from the get-go. How many 5-11 guys that can’t shoot AND can’t play D went to become superstars in this league? I’m not hating, I’m just saying… Rondo sees the floor as well as Telfair while being way more gifted athletically. On top of that, he’s a beast on defense and he shoots just as bad! Okay that’s not helping his cause, but, again, I’m just saying…
Oct.19 at 10:05 am
thesubwayconnection says:
How many 5-11 guys that can’t shoot AND can’t play D went to become superstars in this league?
He’s not one yet. Just getting some shine on YouTube does not anoint one superstar status.
Oct.19 at 11:48 am
The Crack Staff at Perkisabeast.com says:
Mutoni!!!!
First Heinsohn (whose compared Rondo to Cousy at least four times by our count) and now Rondo! Seriously, we’re paying for your tickets to The Departed. You know not with what you fool, Mutoni!
{Cover with gas, strike match, reignite internet war!}
Oct.19 at 11:53 am
Boing Dynasty says:
Hes talking about Telfair never becoming a superstar not Rondo. He wont be either though.
Oct.19 at 11:59 am
Froggiestyle says:
Marcel has officially taken over slamonline – ok M where’s your pic from Sam’s party?
Oct.19 at 12:07 pm
Young Rondo says:
Chris Paul better watch out!
Oct.19 at 12:36 pm
TrippleX says:
this kid might make my top 5 one day. Nash, dirk, gasol, AK47 and kobe!
Oct.19 at 12:45 pm
t dot j. says:
dude can ball still, i watched that game where he a 3 to put it overtime against the raptors, the whole game he was just slicing thru the D and hittin open menz, with all that said we still won, but if boston is smart they’ll start this kid and put bassy(haha u got jacked) as his backup as long as west is still out. tdot………………
Oct.19 at 12:46 pm
Darksaber says:
Hmm, seems like since lebron lived up to and surpassed the hype, hypemania is taking over basketball. First Adam “Jeremy” Morrison now Rondo (cool name, no nickname necessary) Let’s see that at midseason before handing out stuff hmm?
Oct.19 at 12:54 pm
TommyBoy says:
It’s the “University of Kentucky” or “UK” or just “Kentucky” but NEVER “Kentucky U.” You’re obviously a joke and know nothing about basketball. Stick to writing articles on Hot Sauce.
Oct.19 at 1:11 pm
PIMPN says:
well see, 82 games
Oct.19 at 1:31 pm
kingstuffs says:
rondos got bighands n shyt
but wen the real
games star then
we’ll c if hes as great
as every1 says
Oct.19 at 2:14 pm
The Crack Staff at Perkisabeast.com says:
Does Jill Scott know you’re stealing her rhymes?
Oct.19 at 2:21 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
Rondo is the one player that makes me wonder about steroids in the NBA. Him and David Robinson.
Just kidding.
Oct.19 at 5:49 pm
DP says:
ha ha ha ah hahahah ahahahhaha. are you kidding me? its jus the preseason! kobe my numero uno period! kyle lowry fo rookie of da year! nah its rondo! LOL
Oct.19 at 11:37 pm
PK says:
i don’t know about the zeke comparison, i mean c’mon, but we are losing our minds here in Boston, because we haven’t had a defensive pass first pg, in his “nba” prime since DJ. i like what i see in rondo, he can obviously run all day, and reminds me of an spud webb/AI/Tony Parker cross. i think pairing him with a superior shooting 2 will make a world of difference and open a myriad of passing lanes for him. hooray for the celtics.
Oct.19 at 11:42 pm
Lucky07 says:
I’m a C’s fan, and yeah the hype around Rondo right now is ridiculous. Ric Bucher mentioned him as a Rookie of the Year candidate after TWO preseason games! Anyway, Rondo looks like a player, but let’s see him do it against NBA starting lineups. Not scrubs trying to make the roster.
Oct.20 at 10:03 am
DP says:
Rondo is jumbo man! we will see dis year how he handles everything. kobe number in the league man. kyle fo rookie of da year and monta ellis fo most improved player of da year. play wit it.
Oct.20 at 1:15 pm
rob stewart says:
Why do the celtics have so many guards. Telfair, West, Green, Rondo, and I’m sure there is somebody else. Hopefully be mid season they will have traded for more interior help. Celts could be a big suprise this year.
Oct.20 at 4:01 pm
The Crack Staff at Perkisabeast.com says:
We appreciate yourvguarded optimism
Oct.20 at 6:46 pm
DVLb0y613 says:
5′11″ no shooting , no D that sound’s just like me..he may end up writing stupid ass comments like this someday…nah j/k hope he plays great and represents for all us 5′11″ guys with no shooting and no D..
Oct.29 at 10:11 pm
The Crack Staff at Perkisabeast.com says:
No D means you’ve obviously seen a great deal of Rondo. I wonder if the NBA realizes they’re missing out on your sincere scouting insights.
Aug.31 at 12:03 pm
What In the Name of Rondo is Going On? at YAYsports! NBA says:
[…] My entire world has been turned upside down in the past few days. First of all, my Chicago Cubs are in first place, everyone knows this. Next, I’m getting ready to go on vacation with the little lady and everyone knows how that usually goes. Finally…..Rajon Rondo may not be the starting point guard for the Celtics next season? What the heck is going on here? This is so much worse than the WSM? crap that you guys are getting all riled up about (more on that later). Do the Celtics not know what/who they have in Rondo? Are they unsure of his Rondo-ness? A word from the Godfather of Celtics Basketball, Danny Ainge: “Here’s the thing with point guard,” Ainge said. “You know how much we love Rajon, and that’s really important, but Ray Allen wants to play minutes at point guard, and Tony Allen two years ago, when he had a chance to play point guard, played fantastic. Our offense was more efficient with Tony Allen playing point guard than with any other guy during that stretch.” “And we think Gabe Pruitt can help us there. Even though we don’t want to count on Gabe as a rookie coming in and playing a major, major role, we feel very confident with him (in that) role in case of an injury. We think he can help us there as his game evolves.” “And then Eddie House has played the point, and we think Eddie is actually a very good fit playing alongside Ray or Tony,” Ainge continued. “So we think we have five guys more than capable of playing the point.” […]
Aug.31 at 12:06 pm
What In the Name of Rondo is Going On? | Sports news and rumors says:
[…] My entire world has been turned upside down in the past few days. First of all, my Chicago Cubs are in first place, everyone knows that. Next, I’m getting ready to go on vacation with the little lady and everyone knows how that usually goes. Finally…..Rajon Rondo may not be the starting point guard for the Celtics next season? What the heck is going on here? that is so much worse than the WSM? crap that you guys are getting all riled up about (more on that later). Do the Celtics not know what/who they have in Rondo? Are they unsure of his Rondo-ness? A word from the Godfather of Celtics Basketball, Danny Ainge: “Here’s the thing with point guard,” Ainge said. “You know how much we love Rajon, and that’s really fundamental, but Ray Allen wants to play minutes at point guard, and Tony Allen two years ago, when he had a chance to play point guard, played great. Our offense was more efficient with Tony Allen playing point guard than with any other guy during that stretch.” “And we think Gabe Pruitt can help us there. Even though we don’t want to count on Gabe as a rookie coming in and playing a major, major role, we feel very confident with him (in that) role in case of an injury. We think he can help us there as his game evolves.” “And next Eddie House has played the point, and we think Eddie is actually a very good fit playing alongside Ray or Tony,” Ainge continued. “So we think we have five guys more than capable of playing the point.” […]
Jul.21 at 10:03 pm
joe johnson says:
telfair is better than rondo