Boston Celtics Rajon Rondo Leaves Team USA : Slighted By Coach K
[picappgallerysingle id="9568005"]Team USA was dealt a major blow by the decision of Rajon Rondo to step down from the National team roster. This move comes as Coach K has blundered in putting both Westbrook and Rose ahead of Rondo on the depth chart. Rondo despite claims would have made the team based on the fact that he is the team’s best defender at the guard spot. However, Rondo would not want to be the third guy. The team seemed to struggle with Rondo at times offensively. I do not believe that he was the problem. If the lineup needed tinkering, he was not the guy to switch. The defense was light years better with Rondo on the floor. This move comes as coach K made these comments. “It’s not so much what Rajon has to show, it’s what our team needs. We’ve found a good lineup, and the international game is so different from the NBA game, you can ask any of these guys,” Krzyzewski said. “Part of it is to make sure that we try not to have two non shooters out on the court, and there’s the physicality, too.”Derrick right now being with Chauncey is a good [combination], and Stephen, he provides a different thing, because if they are going under [screens] and they keep going under on him, then he has a 3. So it forces another team to change the way they defend our team. So it’s things like that, and how we feel strategy wise what’ll be best for the team,” he said
This is going to bite Coach K in the behind. He will need Rondo and his defense and pass first mentality at some point. Rondo unlike Rose and Westbrook has been in the big moments. He has proven despite his lack of shooting that he is a guy that makes sure his team wins. I predict team USA will struggle and no Rondo will be a major factor in it. That good lineup barely beat Spain. Good Luck Coach K you will need it without a lock down defender at point guard.
Rondo being slighted by Coach K was not all that bad for the Celtics. The bright spot is that Coach K chastised Rondo’s shooting. If there was anything that will motivate Rondo to be a better shooter, this is it. I expect the prideful Rondo to use that as fuel to make his jump shot lethal. I also expect Rondo to come out like a man processed this season. This is great news for Boston and will start another chapter in the evolution of Boston’s emerging superstar.
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I still don’t understand how you make a judgement on a guy, when he played well the first two games (China and France), then has a bad game when most of the other guards did (against a physical, zone using Lithuania), and don’t give him a chance against a free wheeling, run and gun Spain team which he would of excelled.
Sounds fishy to me, how he can go from a starter, to third string based on one game. Oh well.
I’m sure they’ll miss him in the tournament and if I were Rondo I would never play for that team again; ever!
Im sure the coach will make a better decision then us.
“I would never play for that team again”
Its his loss. This is Team U.S.A.
seriously this guy can’t shoot.
I was laughing when i was watching the finals this year.
Kobe Bryant played like he didnt exist on offense.
Such a bad shooting pg. can’t think of another player that
shoots worse then he does as a point guard position.
Go Team USA!!!!!!!
He brings more to the table than shooting. His other skills more than make up for it Team USA will miss Rondo at some point.
You weren’t saying that when he burned the lakers in previous games weren’t you?
And I would say Shannon Brown is the worst shooting point guard in the leauge Rondo is far from it.
As a matter of fact, the reason why Kobe played so far off Rondo, was cause he know he couldn’t guard him up close. You noticed Fischer, Brown and Farmer played Rondo much closer. But Kobe couldn’t and didn’t. That’s the big joke/non story of the playoffs; how Kobe played Rondo.
Plus; last I knew. Rondo had almost a triple double that last game and it was Pierce and Allen that shot bad that series and Kobe shot abysmally 35%.
Rondo actually shot 50% for that series (more than I can say for most other players) and he actually shot well from three in that series also.
I think people confuse Rondo’s willingness to set up his team mates and run the offense, from a shoot happy/first guard.
I actually wish Rondo would of drove to the basket more, instead of trying to set up his teammates. But he certainly wasn’t the reason Boston lost. They all got tired!
Well Said. Something was not right. Maybe Rondo butted heads with Coach K?
Who the freak cares about these stupid games? Answer-no one! They mean nothing. I’d rather Rondo NOT play. He’s the most important player on the team. It’s stupid to risk injury to play in a bunch of meaningless games. He proved himself as a leader and a star this season-setting a Celtic record,kicking Lebron’s ass in the playoffs,and getting called “The best all-around point guard in the league” by Magic Johnson on national television. He should take the time and enjoy his new star status. Rest up before training camp starts. We need him healthy-physically and mentally to lead us into the playoffs (Hello Lebron!).
if he is no threat in offense especailly not being able to spread the floor (something he is suppose to do)… your big mens will be double teamed. Makes everything a lot harder…
Now that the whole NBA teams out there realized that they can play him like that (like he doesnt exist on offense) by seeing the Lakers take Boston down, don’t you think a lot of the teams will use that strategy over and over again?
Talk about sh### shooting. This guy is scared to shoot 20 feet away from the basket. He is like Shaq when he shoots free throw.
he WILL NOT BE THE BEST POINT GUARD IN THE LEAGUE!
You have got to be sh### me
Best point guard…
hahahahahahaha he is nothing bro. Nothing close to any great point guards in the past or present.
Those meaningless games you talk about, all the great basketball player you can think of right now that plays the game has these achievements. Because no one cares about these meaningless games, all the great super stars want to be a part of this and get their 1st prize.
Your right Rondo doesnt belong there
He surely dosent deserve to be on that roster either
He will hurt the team then help
Who cares about these games?
The World. The World does. U.S. is not the only country bro. You want to become a super start let your name be known out in the world… thats what its about. And trust me a lot of people in U.S. loves basketball. Not just one team. THis is basketball. People just love basketball. Unlike you, not favoring one team.
Look. Just cause Rondo can’t shoot does not make him the worst point guard in the league. He’s a point guard. A point guard’s job is to find other players and make the right passes for them to shoot. Not him. And by the way. He doesn’t need to be able to make a jumpshot. He uses his speed and flies right by all his opponents and makes the layups. So quit using the excuse that Rondo can’t shoot to make him sound so terrible. It’s really stupid considering he was still having 15 or more points per game. So “Nbawellsaid” you don’t know what you are talking about. It’s clear that you are just talking bad about Rondo because he doesn’t play for your team. If I were you, I’d just stop.
As much as I loved that Rondo actually was on team U.S.A for a while, I have to agree with glitterchick. The Celtics need Rondo more than ever. He is their leader now. When he is doing good, the whole team does good. And if he would have stayed on team U.S.A, and if he would have gotten hurt, that would have been a terrible blow for the Celtics. The need him.
Well said Crystal
Ahhh, NBA well said.
Magic Johnson, Mo Cheeks, Jason Kidd, Gary Payton, etc., could not shoot a lick (actually much worse than Rondo), did they have bad careers? Just asking?
Teams have been playing off Rondo before and he still burns them, do to his quickness, ball handling and decision making. It’s not going to stop hims game from improving or Boston from winning.
It was just one game 7. Relax!
Kobe shot 35% for that whole series and Pierce and Allen shot horrible as well, and all I hear haters talk about Rondo, when he was one of the Celtic bright spots for that series.
NBAWellsaid,
Your name does not match your post. For starters no swearing on my site. Kids read this. Secondly your knowledge is way off. If you do not like Rondo, fine. However, Cleveland, Orlando and the rest of the league have been defending Rondo like thta since his rookie year. He still continues to impress. The LA series was a bad one for him. His only bad playoff series in his young career. That is why guys like Magic johnson and Kenny Smith who play the game and know more than you say he is the best. As far as the Olympics, guys like you and myself are in the minority. People could care less in America where we live. That is why the games are barely televised. Sorry dude, but you are way off base.
First off, I am a diehard Laker fan. And as a fan, I know Rondo is a beast and probably the best overall point guard on the U.S.A team. His only weakness may be shooting, but he is amazing in every other category. Everybody else shoots, we don’t need another shooter. But no point guard in the world is as dangerous as him defensively, quick in transition with the ball, and can get to the hoop so easily. He brings a different skillset and would definitely contribute more than say… Kevin Love?
Very well said Flow.
I couldn’t of said it better!!
Cheers to Rondo getting better/taking on more responsibility, burning Rose, Curry, Gordon, Westbrook and thumbing his nose to Coach K in the future (no matter what he comes back to say)!!
NYC,
Great posts.
Flow,
I guess they wanted Love’s size? Give me Rondo any day.
I think the biggest Diss Coach K gave Rondo, was not playing him against Spain. Rondo would of looked so good in that game.
Certainly, if Coach K was evaluating his players, why wouldn’t be play him in that game? Secondly, if Coach K had already made up his mind, like some people say; then wouldn’t that be a bigger diss to have a guy start for you, then bench and lower him on the depth chart? How/when does that happen?
Lastly. Everybody who loves to criticize Rondo, his jump shot and the fact the he plays with the Big Three, don’t realize something.
I think The Big 3 at this stage, actually hurt Rondo’s development. He would be a much better player (offensively, if you care about that) if he didn’t have the big three. Why? Because Rondo would learn/utilize his jump shot, jumpers in the lane, pull up jumpers and three point shooting with out those guys there.
But we’ll never know, cause Rondo can simply shrug off the offensive responsibilites most nights to one of the Big 3, instead of facing it himself (until someone’s injured or the playoffs of course).
It’s possible Rondo may be able to shoot now, and we just don’t know it. And even if he didn’t (know how to shoot), if he played with out the Big 3 he’d have to learn and couldn’t afford to not add to the arsenal. But he doesn’t have that responsibility.
I wonder which situation is true/it is now?
I hope Doc shoots a goal for Rondo to average 18 points a game by taking 15 instead of 11 shots a game this year (either by driving more to the lane to pick up fouls with an improved foul shot, or stepping back and hitting the elbow jumper from the field)?. We’ll see!
Wow. I don’t blame Rondo if Coach K’s comments and actions are the reason he left the team.
Rondo has been through alot of criticism since 2007/08 and everytime people doubted him he worked even harder and continues to grow and play better every year. Thats why Rondo has my respect, admiration and love since then (2008). He NEVER gave up. Then finally, he has a great season (2009/10) and Coach K wants to make him look weak or useless.
Kobe don’t always have good games, Wade don’t always have good games, Lebron don’t always have good games, Derrick don’t always have good games.
RONDO…. Continue to do you and you can use this extra time …you deserve it…. I know you are coming this season to give your biggest fans (including me) a reason to watch and continue to love (not only the Celtics but also..) the game.
Love you Boo