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May 15, 2008
Jonny Rondo, W-I-P
Work in Progress or Winner in Play? How about both?
Do I get an assist for Rondo's big game and two threes?
I criticized a Celtic fan favorite and the very next game he made me look foolish.
It happened once before with Kendrick Perkins. I did a piece mentioning his habit of bringing the ball down before dunking or laying it up.
Two games later he had his 2nd 20 point game in 3 games and 3rd of the 41 game season (at that point) - never to do it again this season. I swear the Celtic players read my column and said let's show that guy a thing or two about Perk. Take that, Mr. Know Nothing CT Post blogger. (I flatter myself. I doubt they read my column.)
I did it again. Proof?
Exhibit A
From my May 12th piece on the Celtics loss...
"People will say Rajon Rondo did his job. He did not. He had three assists and missed shots he should have made - both at the hoop and from distance, his 7-14 shooting and 1-3 from the arc notwithstanding. Now is not the time for Rondo to be practicing three pointers. His defense has been less than spectacular. Rondo is being left laughably wide open."
That was true. His 7-14 was done largely with open looks. Practice session shots. 10 of 14 type shots. You have to keep that in perspective, as much as I like Rondo - and I like Rajon quite a bit. I underlined the three pointer comment for your enjoyment.
What does Double R do? He hits two pivotal open threes to jump start the Celtics surge that carried over to the Celtics taking the lead in the 3rd quarter. Well, shut my mouth. He then goes out and helps dismantle the Cavaliers and their hopes of the first road win of the series. Sorry Lebron. Even more sorry Delonte West - Rajon's former team mate and alter ego on the Cavs. Rajon says ---no win here.
It's a little bit dangerous to criticize a Celtic fan favorite like Rondo around the internet boards.
But let me state a couple of things about blog writing. It is part information, a lot of analysis or opinion and part entertainment. If I wrote an article for print, I'd stick to the facts along with some analysis. It is a slightly different format and for a somewhat different audience. I view this blog as a little bit of a hybrid. Not as opinionated as I might be on a straight internet blog, but more so than a print piece.
And while I don't want to diminish Rajon's great shots, remember folks, they were wide open practice session or pre-game type shots. I'm excited he made them. It literally turned the tide. But the Cavs said they could live with those shots. They probably will leave Rajon alone again. What if he misses them next time? It was the first 2 three point game of his career.
Sorry if I offended you Jonny Rondo (again - no I'm sure he doesn't read this). Maybe my next critical piece should be about Ray Allen. He needs a boost. But I digress.
To Rajon's credit, he started going to the basket the rest of the game - with a vengeance. He drove, floated and dished the Celtics to victory. He became himself.
So what is my point? Am I a killjoy? Not trying to be. Just keeping perspective in things. Rajon is a work-in-progress and there are going to be a lot more games of open looks. There will be more games where he misses more than he makes. If you want to be honest, he was even missing on his strong suit - his drives, before last night.
He is a high caliber point guard in the making - accent on the last three words. He has his troubles on the road. He said last night that it all starts with him. Unfortunately, there is some truth to that. He has to do a better job of directing the team offense and playing defense on the road. Point guard is possibly the most critical position on the team. This is not a team that is developing players. Yet that is exactly what is happening with Rondo. Call it 'learn by doing'. Pressure anyone?
It is important to note KG's shot making and Pierce's end game drives and foul shooting as keys to the Celtic win, too. But the team needed a spark. Rajon ignited the fire and fanned the flame with his play for the rest of the game.
The team was slowly sinking into a home loss. KG wasn't providing a spark. Paul Pierce tried to, but wasn't able to either. Ray Allen is still looking for his lost shot. The big three didn't look so big or so star-like. Jonny Rondo to the rescue.
If he does that on Friday, this series could very well see its first road win - courtesy of Rajon Rondo - Firestarter.
Funny side note: Seeing McDonald's bags of food in the Cavaliers locker room before the game. The table only had some candy mints or something like that on it. Like little kids, Damon Jones and one other civilian clothed player were happily sitting on the floor, indulging America's junk food habit, Mickey Ds burgers and fries. No matter how cool you think you are, McDonald's fries are still great.
Posted by Tom on May 15, 2008 7:10 PM
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