It seems obvious to me that keeping our one young superstar level player and rebuilding around him is the best path to rebuilding. I'm continually surprised that this seems to be a minority opinion around here.
TP.
Shocking to feel like I'm joining you in the minority on this. Rebuild around Rondo. This team has never been constructed around Rondo. He is what you build around going forward.
I think Rondo's lack of leadership & questionable social skills have a lot to do with it. The guy is prickly on a good day. When GMs around the league are turning down solid offers for him you know there's clearly a lot going on behind the scenes that we as fans aren't privy to.
Judging by the way we've played in his absence i'd say many of the issues are with him. Don't kill the messenger guys i can't help what i see with my own two eyes.
And there is just as much rumor, quotes, etc about guys loving playing with Rondo, so really, either way, pro or con, I don't really make much of any of that chatter. I don't really think though that the only stuff we don't hear about is all negative. It is an easy narrative but not one I lend much credence to.
I also can't really look at that first stretch without Rondo, the schedule, the fire it lit, as some great proof that this team is better without Rondo long term.
I'm not killing you but I also am not seeing things the same.
I admit, I love watching Rondo play. I think he is a great and fascinating player. I love him being on the team I have always rooted for. And I think this team can be productive building around Rondo----a thing they have never done. Never has this team been built to his strengths. It has still always been PP and KG's style teams.