Rondo, 5 years and 55 million

[RaleighCat]

Originally Posted by SLegend

Then he should average more assists per game.

I didn't say he was a BAD player

I think over 10 million per year is excessive.

That is all.

What's funnier is I like him.

It's about what Tayshaun Prince got after his rookie deal expired. And I know that because Mike Dunleavy Jr. got about the same deal that Prince did (both signed a few weeks apart). Prince is a far better player than Dunleavy, but the NBA always has a team that will overpay. It's in their by-laws.

Back to Rondo- his new deal is market. Even with a crappy economy and a few teams ready to go under (allegedly), this deal is market. Rondo has a title (as did Prince). Neither are leading scorers on their teams. Both are vaunted defensive players that excel at the intangibles. Both are winners. Seems fair to me.

[RaleighCat]

Originally Posted by SLegend

Does WCN like when their veteran posters beat up on new guys for having a different opinion than them?

If so wow.

No, we're just protective of former players like Rondo. You knocked him earlier and I defended him. I'm the Sgt. at Arms of the Rajon Rondo fan-club (ask anybody). He's my boy and attended my alma matter (Eastern High School in Louisville).

Rondo gets a bad rap from some fans because he played for a too-stubborn coach in Tubby Smith. I've yet to meet many people who loved Rondo's game and Tubby's coaching. Those things didn't mix well together.

Welcome to WCN. No hard feelings here. Bring something to the discussion more than "He's overrated" and we'll get along fine.

[SLegend]

Really?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...cs-to-shop-him

After reading Top of the World by Peter May, chronicling the Celtics' championship season, I came to the realization that Rondo has had "issues" taking direction.

The book stated that, "Rondo was emotional, stubborn, and not easy to coach; he needed to mature and had not fit in well at Kentucky."
This was a definite red flag for me entering the 2008 season.

Further indications were Rondo's several post-game interviews in which his comments often contradicted that of coach Doc Rivers.

Doc and Rondo's differences seemed to become more public when Rivers gave an interview to The Eagle Tribuneon June 7.

When Doc was asked if he considered Rondo an All-Star, he replied, "Rondo still has a lot of growth ahead of him. As great as his numbers were, as great as he played at times, guys still fell off him to double team."

Doc furthered his argument by going into detail, "Guys don't fall off of an All-Star to help with someone else. He has to make them pay for that by hitting his shot."

Doc went on to state that, "Rondo has a healthy ego."


Like I said he plays great at times but still has a lot of work ahead of him. There are multiple quotes about his attitude issues both in the NBA and at UK.

But also again he is very young, now doesn't have to worry about securing a long term contract, and has a team of 3 hall of famers around him. He has perfect opportunity to grow and continue to learn from KG,Pierce, and Allen.

I also hope he does.

Now I have brought more to you.

No hard feelings but the truth is the truth. No one is perfect.

[Will Lavender]

There was also a pretty scathing piece in ESPN the Magazine about Rajon recently, from what I've heard. (That's second-hand; I haven't read the article.)

I've said it a hundred times: great player, complicated individual. Hard to really root for. My friend was flat-out told at the coaches clinic one morning that Rajon was a major problem on Tubby's last team. That was one-on-one info from a guy who would know.

I just can't muster any big-time feelings for him one way or the other, not like I can for Tayshaun and Chuck and Tony Delk and a lot of these guys. Rajon's sort of in the Antoine Walker boat for me. Exceptional talent, sort of an aloof personality.

[ralph helm]

I can only imagine what Rondo would have been like with Cal as his coach. WOW!!!!! I dont think the CELTICS would have hung their last banner without him. A lot of NBA players who have made equal money dont have a championship ring & some have been a bust.(think Latrell Spreewell from Bama) Glad for him.

[SLegend]

Originally Posted by Will Lavender

There was also a pretty scathing piece in ESPN the Magazine about Rajon recently, from what I've heard. (That's second-hand; I haven't read the article.)

I've said it a hundred times: great player, complicated individual. Hard to really root for. My friend was flat-out told at the coaches clinic one morning that Rajon was a major problem on Tubby's last team. That was one-on-one info from a guy who would know.

I just can't muster any big-time feelings for him one way or the other, not like I can for Tayshaun and Chuck and Tony Delk and a lot of these guys. Rajon's sort of in the Antoine Walker boat for me. Exceptional talent, sort of an aloof personality.

That's completely how I feel too.

Maybe overpaid was the wrong word to use because he is and will continue to be a very talented PG and I agree probably top 5-10 in the East.

I hope he can continue to learn from those 3 HOFer's he has playing with him so that he can be as good as he can be after they are gone.

[RaleighCat]

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/news/story?id=4616123

[salty]

Originally Posted by RaleighCat

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/news/story?id=4616123

Good read.

[SLegend]

Originally Posted by RaleighCat

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/news/story?id=4616123

LOL wow. That guy loves him some Rondo. LOL.

I'm glad that Doc is supporting Rondo for his awesome assists numbers through the first week or so of the regular season.

[Soldier1969]

this contract will only further the distance betewen him and UK...hope he invest's some of that money to get a degree from a school he would like to acknowledge.... I am still salty over his comments/lack of acknowledging our school/program - lost much of my respect for him as an individual. I think he lacks class.

[Catdaddy]

Originally Posted by surveyor

Kudos to Rondo.............

Uncomfirmed reports are that Walker will be advising him on his finances.

Ha ha, Lord I hope not.

Congratulations Rajon, it's a good deal

[Josh]

Originally Posted by SLegend

No, you have formed your opinion based completely on the fact that he at one point played at UK.

This is a false statement with zero basis. Rondo was a great player to watch and I enjoyed him while he was at Kentucky (although he could have been so much more for our team), but I certainly don't blindly give any players credit just because they wore the blue and white, just like I wouldn't run a player into the ground just because he played for Duke or Louisville. Wouldn't be fair. I simply look at the player.

I also won't hold his personality against him. He is who he is and I'm good with that. Beyond that, if he wants to disassociate himself with Kentucky, that's his decision and I won't hold it against him. Doesn't make him any less of a player. I saw his quote on Kentucky and how he laughed off not knowing anybody on the team and all that, and that's fine by me. I saw his quote about not having anything to do with his agent and how, "He calls me; I don't call him." That's just who he is.

At the end of the day, regardless of what anyone really thinks of Rondo, clearly the Celtics see his worth. If they didn't, they wouldn't have given him the numbers they gave him.

[ukwebfan]

Originally Posted by salty

Scoring is pretty irrelevant when it comes to Rondo on the C's. When you are on the floor with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Kendrick Perkins, scoring is far from a significant part of your roll.

Not to mention newly acquired Sheed Wallace who hasn't met a 3-pointer that he didn't like.

[ukwebfan]

Originally Posted by RaleighCat

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/news/story?id=4616123

All I need to know and based on last years playoffs, much truth. And remember, the kid is only 23 years old.

After Rondo registered 16 assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 points in a 118-90 win over Chicago, Celtics coach Doc Rivers called his point guard "the most dominant player on the floor."

[JWORLD]

Originally Posted by ukwebfan

Looks like I'm a Celtics fan for at least 5 more years. Congrats Rajon!

I have been a C's fan since 81 and will be one Rondo or not. However, im glad Danny made the trade with Phoenix to get Rajon.........

[poodoo]

Congratulations to a former Wildcat on his extended contract. Yes, all of Rajon Rondo's coaches have said that he has a "stubborn" streak. Celtics management has mentioned that he can be "aloof." Yet, Coach Rivers said that he hopes that Rajon Rondo will be a Celtic "for life." Too, management's opinion is the only one that matters, and they think enough of Rondo to give him 55 MILLION dollars.

Some here had thought that Rajon Rondo would never make it to an NFL roster. Honestly, I had no doubt whatsoever that Rondo would make it. He is unbelievably athletic and talented -- and works every day to get better, as Coach Rivers notes. Hubie Brown said the other night that Rajon Rondo is one of the best five point guards in the NBA. He especially backed that opinion with the fact of Rajon's having barely missed a triple-double in the playoffs.

I remember once reading Rajon Rondo's high school's coach's saying that Rondo did not easily trust people -- and basically trusted only his mother. I think we saw that at Kentucky and are, to an extent, still seeing that trait now. I'm very happy that Rondo has gotten this extension and hope that he continues to mature and becomes more trusting of others, which can bring him more happiness than the millions, in my humble opinion.

It's also my opinion that Rajon Rondo will someday be an All-Star. Like RaleighCat, I have always loved Rajon Rondo's game.

Again, though, the only opinion that matters is that of the Celtics' management. The Celtics chose to give this former Wildcat 55 million.