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Celtics Basketball => Celtics Talk => Topic started by: lrybrd on January 03, 2013, 09:45:12 AM

Title: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: lrybrd on January 03, 2013, 09:45:12 AM
Although I truly value the unique skills that Rondo brings to the table on offense, he is an absolute dog on defense.  He gives absolutely zero effort on the defensive side of the ball.  He may go for a steal (once his man beats him off the dribble - which happens far too frequently)but then he dogs it the rest of his time out there.  I'm watching last night's game against the Grizzlies and Tony Allen (yeah that Tony Allen) is lighting the Cs up like a Christmas tree because Rondo can't exhibit any effort on the defensive end of the ball. 

Just watch Rondo a little bit during the Cs next game.  He'll make a half-hearted effort to stop the ball when someone's else's man gets into the paint and then make no effort to close out on his man.  Whenever he gets picked, he just stops, yells at one of his teammates to pick up his man and then makes no effort to defend the person who picked him.  Instead, he'll sit like a brick inside the lane.  He is constatntly floating on defense.  It is absolutely maddening to watch.  I understand that he may be hurt right now but he does this all the time. 

I can't believe that this guy has won NBA defensive awards!

In my opinion, Rondo's game has severely regressed this season.  Can't remember the last time that he took over a game. I am not going to blame him for all of the team's struggles this season but I believe that he is a big part of the team's problem.  Between the lack of effort on the defensive side of the ball to his constant indecision on the offensive side (as to whether to shoot or more frequently pass in shooting situations), it is not hard to see why guys like Magic are killing him for not being aggressive enough and not stepping up his game in Ray's absence.   
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: pearljammer10 on January 03, 2013, 09:49:18 AM
I mean. Dudes playing on one hip. His defense hasnt been great all year, but do we really need another thing to harp on Rondo about especially when he is hurt?
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: BudweiserCeltic on January 03, 2013, 09:54:48 AM
I mean. Dudes playing on one hip. His defense hasnt been great all year, but do we really need another thing to harp on Rondo about especially when he is hurt?

My thoughts precisely. I would've welcomed this thread earlier in the year, but doing it while the guy is hurt, serves no purpose.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: CelticG1 on January 03, 2013, 09:55:48 AM
Rondo is really good defensively when he needs to be (playoffs). Having to shoulder the defense during the regular season is too much so that will come and go.


As for his defense last night it was pretty atrocious but I think he was pretty injured as his lateral movement was not very good.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: pearljammer10 on January 03, 2013, 10:01:39 AM
Rondo is really good defensively when he needs to be (playoffs). Having to shoulder the defense during the regular season is too much so that will come and go.


As for his defense last night it was pretty atrocious but I think he was pretty injured as his lateral movement was not very good.

I saw an interview on NESN yesterday where Rondo basically said "Its going to be great having Avery back because he is a better pick and roll defender than me. It will take pressure off me to run through those picks and it will help because he just does it better than I can and that will take a lot of pressure off."

I thought these were perfect honest words coming from our young leader.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: lrybrd on January 03, 2013, 10:09:30 AM
Defending the pick and roll is about effort.  Rondo picks and chooses when he want to exert that effort.  While I understand that he plays a lot of minutes on offense, his matador defense is causing the whole defense to break down.

I also understand that he is playing hurt but this has been a problem all season long.  Also, the hip didn't seem to be bothering him when he decided to buckle down on defense in the beginning of the 4th quarter when the Cs were trying to make the game interesting.  That is my point.  He has to be all-in on defense to make the Cs defensive system work. 

I'm not a frequent Rondo-basher but watching the consistent lack of effort from him (on the defensive side of the ball) this season is disheartening to say the least.     
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: scaryjerry on January 03, 2013, 10:32:30 AM
yawnnnnnnn this teams problems are because of the entire team....I'm rondos biggest fan and think he's been playing among his worst stretches of games in over a year and am chalking it up to nagging injuries right now...go blame someone else. to say his game has regressed is ridiculous and wrong..how about credit him for sucking it up and playing as opposed to crying about his defense
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: Chris on January 03, 2013, 10:39:17 AM
Rondo has been disappointing, and his defensive effort has definitely fallen off after the first couple weeks of the season. 

However, this team has bigger issues.

Also, I expect Bradley taking over the on-ball defense to be a HUGE plus for this team, and Rondo in particular.  Rondo is very overhyped as an on-ball defender.  While he can torment guys occasionally, his strength is as a floater in the team defense, reaching in, hunting down rebounds, etc.  With Bradley covering the other teams ball handler, it frees up Rondo to do the things he is best at, which is what made the team so dangerous down the stretch last year. 
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: CelticG1 on January 03, 2013, 10:39:40 AM
Please ....just like rebounding they both take A LOT more than just effort. I really doubt that Dwight Howard has given the most effort on defense and rebounding in the past 5 years and he's been the cream of the crop.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: mgent on January 03, 2013, 10:41:38 AM
Rondo is really good defensively when he needs to be (playoffs). Having to shoulder the defense during the regular season is too much so that will come and go.


As for his defense last night it was pretty atrocious but I think he was pretty injured as his lateral movement was not very good.

I saw an interview on NESN yesterday where Rondo basically said "Its going to be great having Avery back because he is a better pick and roll defender than me. It will take pressure off me to run through those picks and it will help because he just does it better than I can and that will take a lot of pressure off."

I thought these were perfect honest words coming from our young leader.
I liked putting Bradley and Lee on Conley last night, allowing Rondo to play off the ball.  Obviously Tony and Conley destroyed us but a lot of that was due to excellent ball movement by the Grizzlies.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: scaryjerry on January 03, 2013, 10:43:58 AM
Rondo is really good defensively when he needs to be (playoffs). Having to shoulder the defense during the regular season is too much so that will come and go.


As for his defense last night it was pretty atrocious but I think he was pretty injured as his lateral movement was not very good.

I saw an interview on NESN yesterday where Rondo basically said "Its going to be great having Avery back because he is a better pick and roll defender than me. It will take pressure off me to run through those picks and it will help because he just does it better than I can and that will take a lot of pressure off."

I thought these were perfect honest words coming from our young leader.
I liked putting Bradley and Lee on Conley last night, allowing Rondo to play off the ball.  Obviously Tony and Conley destroyed us but a lot of that was due to excellent ball movement by the Grizzlies.

a lot of that was due to Terry being in the game...pretty much let Conley out of the box.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: pearljammer10 on January 03, 2013, 10:48:35 AM
Rondo is really good defensively when he needs to be (playoffs). Having to shoulder the defense during the regular season is too much so that will come and go.


As for his defense last night it was pretty atrocious but I think he was pretty injured as his lateral movement was not very good.

I saw an interview on NESN yesterday where Rondo basically said "Its going to be great having Avery back because he is a better pick and roll defender than me. It will take pressure off me to run through those picks and it will help because he just does it better than I can and that will take a lot of pressure off."

I thought these were perfect honest words coming from our young leader.
I liked putting Bradley and Lee on Conley last night, allowing Rondo to play off the ball.  Obviously Tony and Conley destroyed us but a lot of that was due to excellent ball movement by the Grizzlies.

a lot of that was due to Terry being in the game...pretty much let Conley out of the box.

Good point. Its amazing how terrible Terry is on the defensive end. There was one play, it might have been Allen taking it to the hoop, where Terry was in position to either take a charge or make some sort of defensive effort. Then the Grizzlie just went to the hoop Terry backed off and let him score an easy two.

I mean foul him, take a charge, freakin' flop for all I care, do something!! Its amazing how toasted he gets each and every time.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: LB3533 on January 03, 2013, 11:01:00 AM
Give Rondo some slack right now, cause he's hurting.

Outside of steals, Rondo has never been the greatest defender ever.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: vinnie on January 03, 2013, 11:51:13 AM
I mean. Dudes playing on one hip. His defense hasnt been great all year, but do we really need another thing to harp on Rondo about especially when he is hurt?

If his injury is that bad that he cannot guard anyone, why is he playing? In the postgame show last night, Doc said the injury is not bothering him at all.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: CelticG1 on January 03, 2013, 12:06:15 PM
I mean. Dudes playing on one hip. His defense hasnt been great all year, but do we really need another thing to harp on Rondo about especially when he is hurt?

If his injury is that bad that he cannot guard anyone, why is he playing? In the postgame show last night, Doc said the injury is not bothering him at all.

If you were watching him (at least to me) it clearly bothered him I don't care that Rondo and Doc said he was fine. Its more not using it as an excuse.

The sad thing is that his defense is still be better than Terry and his offensive.impact is still greater than any guard on our team, even on one leg.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: CelticG1 on January 03, 2013, 12:08:08 PM
Seriously terry is so bad. Can we swap him for Etuan Moore?

I mean he has to come around right? He hasn't always been one of thebworst guards in the league has he?
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: pearljammer10 on January 03, 2013, 01:21:49 PM
Seriously terry is so bad. Can we swap him for Etuan Moore?

I mean he has to come around right? He hasn't always been one of thebworst guards in the league has he?

Ew no. Just because his defense is atrocious doesnt mean he is "one of the worst guards in the league". His shooting percentages are pretty much identical to his career averages. His scoring is down because he is getting less shots and less minutes.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: lrybrd on January 03, 2013, 09:24:10 PM
Terry's defense is awful but I don't believe it is from a lack of effort.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: Fafnir on January 03, 2013, 09:25:17 PM
Terry's defense is awful but I don't believe it is from a lack of effort.
His effort is inconsistent, though even when he's locked in on that end he needs to be protected defensively.

Which is why we absolutely have to get more value from him offensively when he's on the court.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: Fafnir on January 03, 2013, 09:27:44 PM
As for Rondo, he's hurt at the moment and its really effecting his defense.

Prior to his injury his defense has mostly been good this year, with some serious lax stretches and other excellent games. (he did a great job denying OJ Mayo for example any jump shots and the ball for entire quarters)

I do think that he's a much better defender when his minutes don't creep near 40, you can see him get tired and when he's tired his bad defensive habits occur more often.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: kozlodoev on January 03, 2013, 09:47:04 PM
Terry's defense is awful but I don't believe it is from a lack of effort.
His effort is inconsistent, though even when he's locked in on that end he needs to be protected defensively.

Which is why we absolutely have to get more value from him offensively when he's on the court.
He doesn't concern me defensively, he is what it is, and what he is will be fine coming off the bench.

The problem is noone on the team seems to know what his role is, including Terry himself. Is he a starter? Is he a sixth man? Do we run the Ray Allen plays for him? Do we give him the ball and let him create off the dribble to the best of his ability?

The issue here is not so much poor coaching decision, but the need for him to be all of these at different times simply because the rest of the team hasn't performed. It's too much to ask from a 35-year-old guard.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: xmuscularghandix on January 03, 2013, 11:12:08 PM
Rondo is completely lazy on defense and (outside of the Playoffs) hasn't even bent his knees for a while now. It drives him insane. Back when he was a role player he worked to shut people down and really keep PG's out on the perimeter... now he stands there daring guys to shoot or he's just etting them by so he can attempt to stript it from behind.
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: lrybrd on January 04, 2013, 11:10:49 AM
I couldn't agree more.  Just read an article about how much Rondo hates to lose.  Hey Rondo - if you hate losing, how about shutting down your man and stop letting him completely expose our defense when he dribbles effortlessly into the lane.  Try pretending it is the playoffs and you are guarding LBJ.  I know that you have it in you but, for some reason, it needs to be a special occasion before you get serious on the defensive end.  Trying to strip the ball after your man blows by you is NOT defense.   
Title: Re: Rondo Dogging It on Defense
Post by: SHAQATTACK on January 04, 2013, 12:01:59 PM
the team isn't protecting the lanes through the paint...to me this starts with ther play of the guards.   

ROndo defense is suspect many moments during a game...he sorta tunes out and drifts in to space.

IF you want to score on the Celtics , just go to the paint, buckets ARE FREE !!! ;D