It's not Rondo we missed, but Avery Bradley.
it's not Rondo or Bradley that we missed, it's free throws!
With Rondo and Bradley in the lineup, we never would have been in that position with the score to begin with. The free throws would (or at least SHOULD) never have been make-or-break shots.
It's not just the free throws though - Bass missed a good 4 or 5 open midrange jumpshots. Out of those of so shots he would have made at least 3 of them if he was in alst season's form with his jump shot.
If Bass hits 2 or 3 of those jumpers and Pierce and Terry split those free throws, could have completely changed the outcome of the game. There were also 3 or 4 terrible calls that also could have completely changed the outcome of the game.
Still can't complain about out teams' effort today. We didn't play a perfect game but out gave it their all and played hard all night - even in a night where everything seemed to be going against us we has a chance to win the game 8 games into a new season with no Rondo or Bradley and with a brand new and unfamilliar lineup.
I can live with this result.