Kobe to guard Rajon?

[Woodstock Libertarian]

That is the early rumor.

Part because Rajon is the head of the snake and part because Kobe won't have to wear himself out on D.

Talk about your meteoric rise in stock. From Jay Bilus saying Rajon Rondo can't shoot it in the ocean on draft night to now being such a pivotal cog in the engine that he is drawing one of the league's top defenders.

So exactly who will guard Mssrs 20 and 34?

The European 3-point specialists?

Derek Fisher?

[pearljammer10]

This doesnt make sense to me. This would mean Derek Fisher is on Ray Allen? and Radmonovic or Odom deciding between Pierce or Garnett? I see Pierce and Kobe going at each other.

[BudweiserCeltic]

The idea is to have Kobe roaming around help defend other players while leaving Rondo alone, it's up to Rondo to make them pay. If he doesn't step up, the move will work in favor of the Lakers.

[Woodstock Libertarian]

The idea is to have Kobe roaming around help defend other players while leaving Rondo alone, it's up to Rondo to make them pay. If he doesn't step up, the move will work in favor of the Lakers.

Well, that is probably the theory.

But, put that way, doesn't really sound any different than anything else we've seen.

There is a difference between guarding Rondo lightly and leaving him alone.

The first two games are at home.

Do the Ls really want Rondo off the leash on his home court?

Everyone will beat the Pao Gasol drum. He wasn't a laker when the Cs destroyed the purple twice.

Well, does anyone remember who started the game at point for the Cs in LA?

Tony Allen.

The Lakers were so humiliated that game they basically threw in the towel with 7 minutes to go.

[CoachCowens]

Van Gundy was saying Kobe on Rondo after last nights game.  Then who is Fisher/Farmar going to guard? Ray Allen? I hope the Lakers try a gimmick defense.

[illantari]

In my completely amateur opinion it probably matters more who guards Kobe than who Kobe is guarding (although I think if he and Pierce go head to head the whole time it might get the Captain more into it).

However, reading that Bucks blog today, it seems that Kobe's win contributions against the Celtics averages to -1.25 or so (0.00 is an average guy in his position, Rafer Alston is like a +.18), so maybe if that continues to hold, we can revel in the people (silly-ly) claiming that Kobe got outplayed by Rajon.   

[a tommy point]

That is the early rumor.

Part because Rajon is the head of the snake and part because Kobe won't have to wear himself out on D.

Talk about your meteoric rise in stock. From Jay Bilus saying Rajon Rondo can't shoot it in the ocean on draft night to now being such a pivotal cog in the engine that he is drawing one of the league's top defenders.

So exactly who will guard Mssrs 20 and 34?

The European 3-point specialists?

Derek Fisher?

I think you completely missed the point of Jeff Van Gundy insinuating that Kobe should guard Rondo.  That Rondo poses no real consistent offensive threat is why that notion is being bandied about.  It would allow Kobe to conserve energy for his offense, as opposed to trying to muscle Pierce or run with Ray.  Plus, he could conceivably be free to wander on many possessions because Rondo is just as likely to miss a shot without a hand in his face as he is with one.  As much as I like the kid, I sincerely doubt that the Lakers are trembling at the prospect of having to guard Rondo - so much so that they would put their best perimeter defender on him.

It makes a certain amount of sense, but I'm not sure how it would work in practice.

(edit:  pardon the redundancy of previous posts)

[PRIDE]

All the other teams have tried roaming off Rondo and they have had success. Why wouldn't the Lakers want to let KOBE roam around on defense? They would be abusing our weakness. It would be a brilliant strategy and I expect to see it.

[oneofthesedays]

Until Rondo proves he can hit midrange shots with consistency this strategy will continue to be effective.

The Lakers have faced Iverson, Deron Williams, and Tony Parker so far......I doubt they are shaking in their boots about Rajon Rondo.

[Hoops]

Regardless of who guards Rondo, this will be a big series for him. Phil Jackson is definitely the kind of coach that will dare Rondo to beat him. Tony Parker was like that early in his career, but he eventually rose to the occasion and made people pay. Rondo has a chance to rise to the occasion in this series. It'll be fun to see if he can step up.

[RebusRankin]

I see the benefit to Kobe but Fisher on Ray is a bad matchup for the Lakers. So is Walton or Radmonovic on Pierce.

[Jon]

I hope so.  This seems like an overall bad strategy for L.A.  As athletic as Kobe is, he can't keep up with Rondo.  Hopefully, Boston exploits this and has Rondo take Kobe off the dribble all day, wearing him out and getting him in foul trouble. 

Fisher on Allen also shouldn't work out for them too well. 

[Woodstock Libertarian]

That is the early rumor.

Part because Rajon is the head of the snake and part because Kobe won't have to wear himself out on D.

I think you completely missed the point of Jeff Van Gundy insinuating that Kobe should guard Rondo.  That Rondo poses no real consistent offensive threat is why that notion is being bandied about.  It would allow Kobe to conserve energy for his offense, as opposed to trying to muscle Pierce or run with Ray. 

Well, then. Let me edit my post to say that Kobe would guard Rondo so he wouldn't have to wear himself out on D.

Oh wait.

I see I already said that in my original post.

 

[Woodstock Libertarian]

Regardless of who guards Rondo, this will be a big series for him.

When Rondo does what he does well, the Ls don't have anyone at point to counter him. I still expect Rondo to guard the Ls point and harass the hell out of. If Rondo can play at a high level in four games, that could be the xfactor, along with playing Perk down the stretch.

KG might be the best defensive player in the game, but perk anchors the D. Perk, Rondo, and KG are like having all-stars defensively at catcher, shortstop/second, and centerfield.

[Woodstock Libertarian]

I doubt they are shaking in their boots about Rajon Rondo.

Maybe not.

But I bet after leaving him alone for one of his 13 point, 7 assist, 6 rebound, 5 steal, and 1 turnover efforts they pay a little more attention to him the next game.