Yeah Tim, Stockton and Nash were two of the best shooters to ever play this game. You had to respect their shooting ability at all times. You don't have to respect Rondo's shooting ability at all. An opposing team would be more than willing to live and die with Rondo jumpers.
It would be tough to play this style with Rondo out there, because when Rondo doesn't have the ball defenses don't have to really worry about him.
First of all Stockton was a pretty good shooter, not one of the best to ever play the game. Secondly, I didn't say you didn't have to respect their jumpers. And clearly an opposing team would be more than willing to live and die with Rondo jumpers. If you're going to claim that will prevent him from getting 11 assists a game you'd need to convince everyone the last 3 years didn't happen. Arguments about why Rondo's game means he can't get a ton of assists became moot in 2010 or so. Claims he can't get it done without great shooters or without the big three have fallen by the wayside as well. You might as well be explaining why Obama could never beat Romney in a presidential election.
Also, while I don't expect you'd see the exact same offense with Rondo, it's ridiculous to claim that you couldn't run it with Rondo. It's running with offensive lightweights like Lee and Bradley. Who would a defense be more concerned about getting the ball when they're wide open and 20 feet from the basket, Rondo or Bradley or Lee?
If you answer anything other than Rondo it's because (aside from the fact that they're only marginally better shooters than him, they aren't Ray or anything) you're unaware of the possibility that he might do something with the ball other than a jumper. Look at all the times Lee drives into the lane from outside the arc when they swing him the ball. If you don't think teams would be more worried if Rondo was doing that you're kidding yourself.
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