Hey Doc…Rondo’s the Right One!

Posted by Mike Giardi May 14, 2008 at 1:36 pm

Heading into Game 4, Rajon Rondo said he would take more offensive responsibility, pushing the ball in transition, being aggressive in half-court sets. I guess, in taking 14 shots and scoring 15 points, you could argue that the C’s point guard did just that. But I would argue the exact opposite. I would argue that the Rondo we saw on the floor Monday night is the same shell-of-his-former-self we’ve watched since halftime of the opener against Cleveland, and that should have fans of this team saying, “uh oh,” over and over again.

Where did the Rondo, who emerged as one of the brightest young point guard in the league, go? The defensive menace who held his own against the likes of Chris Paul, Tony Parker and Jason Kidd (I’m omitting Jazz frontman Deron Williams, who absolutely crushed the smaller Rondo). The explosive offensive threat who scorched Jameer Nelson of Orlando and Denver’s Allen Iverson, and shamed poor Raymond Felton into retirement (I’m making that up, but Felton should have called it quits after Rondo torched him)?

That Rondo has been jerked around by a Head Coach who should know better. He should know - after 82 regular season games and 11 in the postseason - that his best chance to win is to let Rondo have the ball in his hands. He’s smarter than just about any Celtic on the floor, and whatever he lacks in experience, Rondo makes up for with his freakish speed and arms of a 7-footer. At this point in the year, Rondo has earned his playing time.

Sam Cassell, on the other hand, has earned an 8-minute cameo at PG (end of opening quarter into the second and again at the end of the 3rd), and maybe, in light of Ray Allen’s disappearance, another 15 at the two. But I am so sick of him jacking up shots with double digits on the shot clock. I’m sick of the offense coming to a standstill when he’s pounding the ball into the floor. That’s not how the C’s won 66 games in the regular season. Yes, you’ll need Cassell at a later time in these playoffs. But there may not be a later time in the playoffs unless order is restored and Rondo gets the keys to this offense again. Its the right thing to do, and a former point guard named Doc should understand that better than anyone.