Is Rondo About to Get Demoted?
Rajon Rondo is a lot of things: fast, exciting, a gawd-awful shooter, a good passer, and the starting point guard for the 2007-2008 Boston Celtics. Actually, if you listen to his GM Danny Ainge, we might want to hold off on that last point. From the Boston Herald:
“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.”
That’s not exactly what one would call a vote of confidence for Rajon Rondo.
Hey, remember all the hoopla that was surrounding him when he came into the League last year, and how Celtics fans were talking themselves into believing he was the Second Coming? Nope, me neither.
54 Responses to “Is Rondo About to Get Demoted?”
Aug.30 at 11:59 am
bakers' dozen (12-13) says:
FIRST!
Aug.30 at 12:05 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
he should start, he was siiiiiiiiiiiiiick the last month or so of the season, he helped me win my fantasy league. he would get lots of steals, assists, boards, and some points. he should start with the chucker known as eddie house coming off the bench. ray allen at point? danny needs to check his own head.
Aug.30 at 12:08 pm
Gerard Himself says:
Ainge can name every player on his roster for all I care: but in reality he doesn’t have a good point guard.
Aug.30 at 12:12 pm
Tweedster says:
The way this article is presented is waaaay off point. All this talk about the other people on the Celtics who could presumably log minutes at the point was in response to the fact that there is no clear pure point on the C’s roster to back-up Rondo. It has nothing to do with Rondo’s standing on the depth chart whatsoever. Try putting things in some type of context before you head out on a limb next time.
Aug.30 at 12:12 pm
Ryan Jones says:
I didn’t think NBA teams carried 8 point guards until I read this.
Aug.30 at 12:14 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Jesus, Danny, way to make a guy feel confident. Why not add: “And you know, Boston used to have a Hall of Famer named Bob Cousy, who isn’t dead yet. He could give us some minutes if he had to. And I used to run the point a little myself, so I plan on wearing a uniform underneath my suit at all times just in case. Actually, I do that already. Wanna see?”
Aug.30 at 12:17 pm
Myles Brown says:
Don’t forget Doc River’s son too…10 day contract?
Aug.30 at 12:24 pm
Tweedster says:
Gerard, Playing a position that has one of the highest learning curves in the League, Rondo put up very solid numbers when given the chance to start. In 25 games as a starter (the majority of which also happened, I believe, without the benefit of playing alongside Paul Pierce) Rondo avergard 35 minutes, 10pts, 6 asts, 5 reb, and 2 steals! His AST/TO ratio as a rook was 2 to 1 and should get better as assists will be coming easier when you have Pierce, KG and Jesus to dish to. It seems like you aren’t a Celtics fan and probably didn’t watch many or any of their games last year. Kid can ball. Period.
Aug.30 at 12:24 pm
Tweedster says:
Once again…this has nothing to do with Rondo. It is addressing the uncertain BACK-UP PG role. Yeesh…
Aug.30 at 12:31 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
“And we’ve got Kendrick Perkins, whose name reminds me of Sam Perkins, who played at North Carolina. They produced a bunch of good point guards, so I’m pretty sure we’ll put Kendrick at the 1 a bunch. Um, and part of the Kevin Garnett deal was promising him he could start at the point whenever he wanted. Did I mention that?”
Aug.30 at 12:37 pm
bakers' dozen (12-13) says:
Keep it reall Ainge…keep it real…
Man, is everything on slam today about Mormons?
Aug.30 at 12:42 pm
Adrian says:
“And White Hot Eboy, who posts regularly on SlamOnline, will also share some time at the point”
Aug.30 at 1:09 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
Maybe Doc will rekindle the old player-coach position
Aug.30 at 1:31 pm
dblizzy! says:
“And we have Scalabrine, who when he plays nba live he uses the 90s legends, and they have stockton at point, and he gets 20 assists a game with him, so he can play some point.”
Aug.30 at 2:25 pm
ken says:
Russ’ posts made me laugh out loud in the library. Good stuff.
Aug.30 at 3:40 pm
BILLY says:
AINGE JUST THROWS A BUNCH OF STUFF OUT THERE…. IT DOESNT REALLY MEAN ANYTHING. THIS IS WHAT HE DOES WITH EVERYTHING, SAYS A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF THAT IS MISLEADING AND GETS YOU WONDERING WHAT HE’S GONNA DO…… AND THEN HE DOES SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. ITS JUST THE WAY HE OPERATES…… NO ONE KNOWS BUT AINGE. AND HONESTLY, IM FINE WITH THAT. AFTER WHAT HE’S DONE THIS YEAR AND WHAT HE’S DONE WITH THIS TEAM FROM WHEN HE GOT IT HOW IT WAS TIL NOW WHAT HE’S TURNED IT INTO, I TRUST HIM 100000%!!!!
Aug.30 at 4:27 pm
b4hoops.blogspot.com says:
If Ray Allen has to spend extensive time at the PG spot next season, the Cs might as well call it a year and start over with a real point guard in 2008-2009. Not that Rondo is horrible, he isn’t, but he’s going to need a TON of help from his all-star teammates next year. Maybe Ainge can call his buddy McHale and get him to send Telfair back to the Cs for a ham sandwich and free tickets to the Children’s Museum of Boston. You never know, given his histroy as the T’Wolves GM, McHale might go for it.
Aug.30 at 5:07 pm
Young Chris #3 says:
Believe me, Celtics fans DO believe that Rondo is the second coming… They probably view him as more untouchable than the combined Big 3 even… I went to the season opener last year and couldn’t believe how Telfair was getting no love from the crowd but Rondo was getting so much support (I guess summer league goes a long way in some peoples minds). Dude can’t shoot and I really think he’s gonna choke in the playoffs. Once again, they need a time machine to get Kenny Anderson back (2002 version Chibbs though - the one who got the Celtics into the conference finals by playing tough against the Pistons and whose performance maintained against the best point guard in the league the series after).
Aug.30 at 5:10 pm
Young Chris #3 says:
And don’t lunch Russ, KG might be the best point guard on the team right now.
Aug.30 at 5:13 pm
Young Chris #3 says:
Rondo sucks, Tweedster… And Russ had me dyin with the “Wanna see?” comment… And if they think Tony Allen is gonna runthe point, they are crazy. Dude’s out of control… A walking, breathing turnover waiting to happen.
Aug.30 at 5:28 pm
Gerard Himself says:
Tweedster, it’s cute and all that you’re trying to defend the kid, but I only said the Celtics don’t have a good point guard right now. I’ve been following the L long enough to understand what it takes to be a great PG in the NBA. I’m not saying Rondo is a bad player, but he’s not Chris Paul either, is he? Sure Rondo can play, but he’s young, and what they need is a decision maker, a guy who is capable to dish out 10 assists per game. He’s a player alright, but not a “good” point guard (yet). I won’t be surprised if you pull some more stats out of your a$$ to prove me wrong - but you won’t win me over.
Aug.30 at 5:39 pm
Tariq says:
And Bill Walton was a Celtic and is vociferous, so he could talk at a point guard a lot.
Aug.30 at 5:48 pm
Goody says:
I just hope Danny was decent enough to discuss this with the kid but on the other the NBA is a ruthless business. Those owners are in it to make money for real.
Aug.30 at 6:14 pm
Rubens says:
Russ, you know Cousy would hit his free throws…
Aug.30 at 7:48 pm
D.Excel says:
Why would anybody that has been around for a while want to play for Danny Ainge anyway. Do anyone remember what type of a jerk he was as a player and commentator?
Aug.30 at 8:42 pm
Domo says:
DANNY AINGE IS THE BIGGEST SNAKE IN THE L..
Aug.30 at 8:55 pm
Eazy Yi says:
Eddie House, point? I thought I was the crazy one
Aug.30 at 9:35 pm
Rashad Rhodes says:
I think he should start but the way Ainge sound Rajon might not get any tick
Aug.30 at 11:08 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Rajon’s such a bad shooter he probably couldn’t hit Ainge in the face with a towel.
Aug.31 at 1:42 am
Deuce21 says:
Here are the facts (or at least my version of the facts….)
1. Rondo will be the Celtics starter along with Ray Ray, Double P, KG & Perkins.
2. Rondo’s stats regardless of how he plays this year will be fairly modest (9-4-6 & 2 steals in 26-30 mins I reckon)
3. Give the guy some time he’s still only 21. A lot of good Pg’s in the league don’t really flourish till their 2nd of 3rd year anyways (see Baron Davis, Tony Parker, Deron Williams, Hibachi Arenas even Gary Payton) Now I ain’t saying he’s gonna be of that quality, but Rajon will improve.
4. The big 3 have all averaged around 4 assists for their careers. Now they have some star help and are all chasing a ring, the ball (hopefully) will be swinging inside out and around the key so they’ll be shots, everyone should get their own.
5. Barring injury, Boston will make the ECF. I’ve already put a $20 down on a Boston/Phoenix 2008 final!
Aug.31 at 2:06 am
bigmike407 says:
I’m a UK fan through and through. But I knew when Rondo came out that he would not make it in the NBA. His ballhandling got him by in college, but it ain’t enough for the Show. And the SLAM article awhile back that talked about Austin Rivers (Doc’s boy) outshooting him in the drill shows the lack of jumpshot. How a marginally dribbling, somewhat athletic, nonshooting 6-4 point guard gets to start in the NBA, I will never know. I got a homie right now who should be able to take his spot, and that is the truth. But Danny Ainge is always in the car with Bill Walton, so his brain is not always operating at its maximum, and I’m starting to think Rondo is his connect.
Aug.31 at 5:08 am
rob says:
rondo will be just fine
Aug.31 at 1:56 pm
Edgar says:
Its just to put some pressure on the kid. He works better iunder pressure, thats a fact.
So for me Its o.k. Danny say that, he only wants the kid o play to his best and feel the dogs running behind him.
Aug.31 at 2:10 pm
RL says:
The answer: Tyronn Lue He’s a free agent this season and would make for a perfect back-up, defensive minded/lockdown PG.
Aug.31 at 2:28 pm
Matt Caputo says:
The Celtics point guard troubles is nothing new. Only a miracle could solidify them at the one spot.
Aug.31 at 2:41 pm
Phil says:
Dumb article. Talk about taking his words out of context. Dude, he is saying that the Celtics have options at the backup PG slot. It has nothing to do with his job being in jeopardy. I hate to hate, but im hatin on this.
Aug.31 at 2:45 pm
Phil says:
Also, those who bash Rondo did not watch him play last year. If you did, you would know why the Celtics are so high on this kid. He does so many things well that it overshadows his shooting inefficiencies which can always be improved upon. And if you can play defense as a young player, that means you will be in the league for a long time.
Aug.31 at 3:19 pm
Frankie G says:
It’s amazing that we can be reading and talking about he Celtics at the end of August. Usually this is the worst time of the year for basketball fans. It may be just opinions and predictions but it’s all we’ve got right now. As we all know, reality will clear this all up starting in November.
Aug.31 at 10:14 pm
The Crack Staff @ Perkisabeast.com says:
MUTONI!!! We think you need to kick back with the vanilla blunts and settle. Danny is doing the right thing by Rondo, setting up the release valve in case Rondo struggles - which he of course will during his 2nd season in the NBA. Danny is trying to manage the expectations of press row as much as he is the player’s.
Aug.31 at 10:15 pm
The Crack Staff @ Perkisabeast.com says:
and Frankie G, We talk about the Celtics everyday, 365 days a funkin’ year. Can you dig this?
Aug.31 at 10:53 pm
JoJo says:
This article is taking the Globe article out of context. Danny talked about others playing point when asked about not getting the “veteran back-up PG” everyone thinks we need. He’s basically saying we did not go out and get a backup for Rondo because there are plenty of people on the team who can do that job.
Sep.1 at 6:48 pm
cisco says:
Wow. This has got to be the dumbest article I read in a while. Totally taking what Ainge said out of context to suit your own agenda? LOL Ainge was obviously talking about the position of backup point guard, not starter. Idiot.
Sep.1 at 8:01 pm
Pike says:
Just in case you didn’t read it the first time: Tweedster says:
“The way this article is presented is waaaay off point. All this talk about the other people on the Celtics who could presumably log minutes at the point was in response to the fact that there is no clear pure point on the C’s roster to back-up Rondo. It has nothing to do with Rondo’s standing on the depth chart whatsoever. Try putting things in some type of context before you head out on a limb next time.”
Sep.1 at 8:27 pm
The Man says:
This article is taking the quotes our of context, as all reporters and columnists seem to like to do. Ainge was talking about why they don’t need to sign more PG, and the players listed are his candidates to back-up Rondo or takeover the job in the case Rondo gets injured. Rondo is the Celtics starter, as far as I’m concerned and as far as DA and Doc are concerned. When he said he “loved Rondo, but”, he wasn’t saying it to set-up a demotion, he was saying it as his decision to not go after another PG.
Sep.1 at 9:41 pm
Serpico says:
You Totally misunderstood what the article was about! Danny was defending apparently not having a backup point guard. He was stating that they had several players who may serve the backup role! He is NOT stating that Rhondo might be on the bench!
Sep.1 at 9:55 pm
MikeDfromNP says:
Rondo clearly established himself as one of the Celtics’ 3 best players, last season. The only other one close to Pierce, Jefferson and Rondo was Tony Allen. Perkins gets a pass because of the foot. The rest were just out there taking up space. In the last 3 games, with the 2nd worst record assured and the tanking over, Rondo averaged 17ppg, 7 asts, 4 rebs, 3 steals, 2 TO, 55% FG, 90% FT. His defense is more than just steals. He forces just as many other kinds of turnovers and holds his man to a low shooting percentage. The Celtics gave up 8.3 fewer points per 100 poss. with Rondo on the court. One of the reasons Hollinger picked him to his Second Team All Defense. He’s the starter for a reason.
Sep.1 at 11:04 pm
tagdi says:
boston has a point guard??? really? when?
Sep.2 at 12:58 am
Mike says:
Typical uninformed dumbass. Rondo is the unquestioned PG of the Celtics. Maybe if you idiots actually knew more than Marbury or Iverson, you might learn a thing or two. Rondo will be one of the best, if not the best, defenders in the NBA this season. Guaranteed.
Sep.2 at 1:05 am
Joe says:
This is inacurate. The quote’s about the BACKUP PG position. you guys are idiots.
Sep.2 at 2:25 am
trey says:
just bc danny is talking about our other options at pg doesn’t mean rajon is getting demoted. Did you think tony allen or ray allen was going to start at pg? give me a break.
Sep.2 at 8:12 pm
Danny W UK says:
I feel I should say about the article being out of context, but I won’t. Thoughts and prayers to Jameer Nelson and his family.
Sep.2 at 11:21 pm
416 says:
is slam going to do the top 50 leading up the this season again im sure it needs to be revised from last year
Sep.3 at 7:19 pm
P-MAC says:
OK NOW HOW ABOUT THAT CENTER POSITION????? (PERKINS?, POLLARD?? POWE??? BIG BABY???? CHARLES OAKLEY?………………………………………………………..
Sep.4 at 2:42 am
HoopsBlogging says:
In context…this was actually supporting Rondo, because it was Ainge saying that they weren’t looking for a free agent PG - because they had enough depth. Rondo is practically set as the starter and should do just fine.