I have honestly been back and forth on whether Rondo can be the go to guy on a title team so many times I have lost count.
Stan Van Gundy makes an interesting point.
"To me that's not a negative. I didn't say it as a negative. I think some people took it that way. I just don't see John Wall as a franchise player because - a lot like Rajon Rondo; I don't see him as a franchise player even though he's an All-Star - he's not a good enough shooter yet and he's not a reliable go-to scorer.
He's basically saying that if you can't count on a guy to be able to score at the end of games then is not a "Franchise" guy.
"In the NBA, your franchise guy has got to be a guy you can put the ball in his hands late in the game and he can get you a basket. I don't see that from John Wall at this point in his career. Maybe it will develop, but I don't see it."
http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/van-gundy-clarifies-his-critique-wallNot really sure I agree completely but I see his point. Basically if the Celtics want to contend then they have to have a go to scorer at the end of the games. That's what he is saying. A Paul Pierce.
That doesn't have to be Kevin Durant. A James Harden would work.
Ultimately I believe that Van Gundy is right about the scorer. It comes down to whether you think Rondo can evolve into being a player you can count on at the end of games to get you a basket. I think it's possible and he has shown signs but he isn't there yet.
That being said there are a lot of scorers in this league. I think if the Celtics can get this scorer along side Rondo then we are one or two pieces away from consistent contention after KG and Paul leave. I also think we have more then enough assets to get those couple pieces. It will be getting that crunch time scorer that will be key.
Any thoughts on available scorers out there? Rudy Gay was... Danny Granger has shown he can fill it up. If only we could have landed Harden instead of green in the Perk trade...