Ray Allen on Rajon Rondo

[Patti37]

I heard the announcers comment on this article during the broadcast last night so I had to track it down.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/05/20/slumping_allen_hopes_to_drum_up_rhythm/

Rajon Rondo, in particular.

"With Rajon, he's the point guard and I think he has to become more aware of just getting me more easier looks," said Allen. "The whole team does."Continued... (http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/05/20/slumping_allen_hopes_to_drum_up_rhythm?page=2)
Asked how he planned to get Allen going, Rondo said, "I think easy baskets. Ray's fine, I'm sure. He just wants to make plays for his teammates and get his shot going."
Yesterday, though, Allen turned to Cassell for assistance.
"Sam has always helped me," Allen said. "We've always been a great tandem. Even when he's on the bench, just some of the things he sees out there, he's going to make sure he puts them in Rondo's ear and even myself. He knows how to get scoring opportunities off of me and for me.
"He's more efficient than most guys I've played with in my career."
Cassell didn't think Allen was experiencing a mental block.
"Not at all," he said. "It's not at all mental. It's just him getting reps. He's the ultimate pro, so he knows how to handle it."
"Honestly, I don't worry about it," Allen said. "I just step into the game and do what I know I'm capable of doing. I know I'm going to miss shots. It's just important to have the shots and continue to be aggressive out there on the floor."

.

[Mikiemo83]

I heard a portion of it and think Ray is thinking too much and not just playing

[Patti37]

I heard a portion of it and think Ray is thinking too much and not just playing


I hear you...Ray seems like a decent guy. I am sure there is some validity to what Ray is saying. Rondo is a young guy after all. I just hate to see teams speak publically about stuff that should be kept inside the locker room especially with a tough series with the Pistons in progress.

The Patriots do the best job of taking care of business inside the locker room.

[Mikiemo83]

yeah if Rondo starts forcing the ball to Ray it will screw him up and hurt the team. He needs to react instinctively and distribute teh ball to where the play is designed not worry if Ray is 14' from the basket instead of 18'

you are correct the Pats do keep it in house better than any other team but I am hoping Doc talked to him

[Patti37]

yeah if Rondo starts forcing the ball to Ray it will screw him up and hurt the team. He needs to react instinctively and distribute teh ball to where the play is designed not worry if Ray is 14' from the basket instead of 18'

you are correct the Pats do keep it in house better than any other team but I am hoping Doc talked to him

All around, Rondo plays better when he acts instinctively. He will someday be a great player.

[Rhodypatsfan]

BB would have gone absolutely nuts if someone on the Pats did this.

[Patti37]

BB would have gone absolutely nuts if someone on the Pats did this.

I would hope that is what Doc did and that is why we haven't heard anything further....

[Patti37]

Not to bring this subject up again but I love this quote by Doc in Celtics Notebook in today's Globe...It says Doc was joking but if BB did say that I hope Doc listens.

Code of silence
Asked during yesterday morning's shootaround about his team's health, Celtics coach Doc Rivers joked, "Pretty good. [Bill] Belichick told us not to talk about injuries anymore." . . .

[Wandering Athol]

All around, Rondo plays better when he acts instinctively. He will someday be a great player.
I don't know if anyone else has made this comparison here before but, Rondo's offensive game reminds me of an old Tiny Archibald with the Celtics. Both shoot about the same percentage with the same range, can drive to the basket when the opportunity presents itself, and look to pass first (Archibald wasn't alway like that though). Archibald was probably a wee bit better decision maker with the rock, but took risks like Rondo, whom I imagine will only get better in that arena. The big difference I see between the two, is that Tiny was a much better free throw shooter (and took advantage of that by driving to the hoop to score a wee bit more), while Rondo is much better rebounder and is probably a little better defensive player all-around as well.

Comparing Rondo with a Hall of Famer though is a pretty high compliment. I agree, I think he will be a great player in this league once he matures a little, starts taking the open shot, and eliminates the 1-2 really dumb passes he tries to make a game.

[Patti37]

I don't know if anyone else has made this comparison here before but, Rondo's offensive game reminds me of an old Tiny Archibald with the Celtics. Both shoot about the same percentage with the same range, can drive to the basket when the opportunity presents itself, and look to pass first (Archibald wasn't alway like that though). Archibald was probably a wee bit better decision maker with the rock, but took risks like Rondo, whom I imagine will only get better in that arena. The big difference I see between the two, is that Tiny was a much better free throw shooter (and took advantage of that by driving to the hoop to score a wee bit more), while Rondo is much better rebounder and is probably a little better defensive player all-around as well.

Comparing Rondo with a Hall of Famer though is a pretty high compliment. I agree, I think he will be a great player in this league once he matures a little, starts taking the open shot, and eliminates the 1-2 really dumb passes he tries to make a game.


I've heard the comparison made. Rondo is young and needs to mature before that comparison can be made. However, he does have the potential if he can become a better shooter.

As for Rondo's decision making, I think he did a better/great job during the regular season. The intensity and pressure of the playoffs seem to effect his decision making at times.

[Mikiemo83]

Nate went for 28 and 9+apg in his second season and 34 and 11+ apg in his third season, he was a scoring machine who by the time he joined the celtics was happy to pass the rock around and just win.

Rondo does drive the lane with the same flip to the ball but looks to pass too much at times...maybe a little more Tiny in him would be helpful but Rondo does rebound much much better

I love Rondo's game but he gets comfortable taking the ball back out too much instead of going back up quick from 6-10' after a offensive rebound