And they lost without him.
It sickens me how people here dump on the guy so much, someone who was a big part of our championship run. That alone should command respect. How can we forget so fast everything he did here? Smh.
If Rondo wanted respect in Boston, perhaps he should have thought twice before pouting himself out of town. So long, and thanks for all the fish.
Wow. How exactly did he "pout" himself out of town?
Where do I start? How about by handing the ball off on offense and standing around? Or refusing to take shots? Or not playing defense?
You want him to break his back on a team that was clearly organized to lose huh? He was being hounded on the point that he was holding onto the ball way too long, and when he decided to dish it early, you still criticize him. [dang] if you do, [dang] if you don't. That's not "pouting" by the way.
I want him to be a professional and do the thing he is being paid millions of dollars to do. I don't understand why so many people are so eager to provide excuses of "poor environment" and "bad team" to excuse Rondo for his obvious lack of motivation and everything else the last couple of years. It doesn't fly in the real world, so I don't understand why we think it should fly for some of the most priveleged and wealthy individuals in the world.
And I'm sure Slick Rick was being professional, too.
It takes two to tango.
And the coach isn't always right - just ask a certain Jason Kidd.
I wasn't referring to the whole Carlisle situation. Rather, I was referring to his time here.
That being said, the coach is the coach. He blatantly ignored a play Carlisle was wanting him to run and didn't even acknowledge him. Quetz' post is spot on. Doc gave him alot more freedom, but Carlisle just doesn't seem to be that type of coach, especially with a player that's only been there as long as Rondo has been. I think a divorce is inevitable.
Look - for the record, Rondo was wrong for what he did...let me be clear about that.
But Rick was wrong, too. Yes - he is the coach. But Rajon Rondo did not just overnight curse at Rick out of the blue.
Something has been simmering for a while, now.
It was not Rajon's choice to be traded. He was placed in a situation (and seemingly a good one at 1st), and now the team is old, players are showing their age, Dirk gets a free pass (and seemingly has mailed it in during the season, at least), and there seems to be some division.
Rick handed Jason Kidd the keys, eventually - while in the world he hasn't did that with Rajon yet is beyond me and is insulting to Rajon.
If the coach (and Rondo to some extent) can't compromise then Rajon needs to move on. Let Dirk ride off into the sunset with his 1 ring...he doesn't seem to have the desire for a 2nd.
This is not ALL about Rajon...that is what has me so irritated about the climate on this Blog.
I don't know. Maybe I'm too old-school, or maybe my philosophy doesn't translate to the pros. But I don't think most players should be questioning coaches. They're there for a reason. I just don't think Rondo is good enough right now to be questioning his coach and going against his plans, at least not in this stage of his career with how he's been playing. If this was Lebron, that's different, because he's the best player in the world. But has Rondo really been good enough this year to be questioning Carlisle's decisions? I don't think he has.
But you're totally right on Nowitzki getting a free pass. Actually, I liked him all the way up until this year when I started watching more of him. Big big baby.
I'm old school, too - very much so. Can't stand most of the music nowadays, everything.
Rondo should not be questioning his coaches, but for Rick to state that he and Rondo needs to talk more is telling, to say the least.
Why hasn't he sought out Rondo until now? Did Jason Kidd ruffle his feathers to the point where he was going to try to make an example out of Rajon?
Maybe Rajon is looking at the roster and seeing that ONLY Tyson has a defensive mindset. Monta is coming along, but the Bookend Forwards can't guard a turtle.
KG and Pierce were a GREAT defensive tandem - even up till 2012.
And as for Rajon being good enough? Oh wow - people seem to have forgotten 09-12.....even May 09 series with CHI and ORL, where Rajon stepped up once KG and Powe went down.
I don't and will never forget the things that Rajon Rondo did here in Green.
Rajon "Was" that good....he "Can" be, and "Will" be "That" good again. The naysayers here don't want him to be, to prove their inane theories about him.
You really think he'll get back to 09-12 Rondo? He was a beast then, and he was legitimately the best player in a series that involved Lebron James. But he hasn't shown anything recently to suggest he'll ever get to that level again.
I firmly believe he will. He has Celtic Blood in him. That same drive that allowed KG Post-Injury to show flashes of his greatness even in the last couple of seasons in Green.
Rajon is made of sterner stuff than most NBA players. Being a Celtic means something.
Look at Tony Allen, Jeff Green, Courtney Lee, Glen Davis, Perk.....these players have all went on to be rather productive and helpful on their new teams.
Rajon will do the same - either in DAL or somewhere else.