Yes, I know Kidd is definitely better. A lot better than Rondo, especially at this point. If you've watched Rondo play at all this year you probably will agree with the comparison. Rondo is one of the best rebounding combined with passing point guards I have seen in a long time. Both are very good at both of those things, pushing it up the floor, at this point in Rondo's career compared to Kidd in his I'd say Rondo is a better defender. Both also shoot atrocious percentages. Thoughts?I personally think Rondo is going to be the Celtics triple double machine.
Rondo needs more minutes. Boston has too many guards, specifically point guards, and that's preventing him from getting the minutes he needs to be productive. I definitely think Rondo has the skills to be a starter in the league because he's got the size and speed to handle it. His jumper's not that great, but he's a willing passer and that's what you want out of your PG. Plus, he can improve on that. I guess he's Kidd like, although Kidd was much further a long as a player at his age. Like you said, his rebounding reminds me of Kidd too. He just needs minutes.
Let's please clarify: POOR MAN'S JASON KIDD. I needed to add "poor man's" because Rondo will not be a perennial All-Star and he won't be a top 10 PG of all-time. Kidd is. But yes, I do definitely see the similarities. Pass-first PG, excellent defensive player, outstanding rebounder for a guard, good passer, unselfish, needs a better jumper, hustler, very quick, and he's developing some leadership qualities out there.
I like the way Rondo has matured. When he came into the league, he was thought to be a pure scorer. He has turned out to be so much more. But lets not get crazy by comparing him to Jason Kidd. Their style of play is fairly similar, yes. But Rondo will never touch Kidd. Rondo isnt a bead of sweat on Kidd's forehead yet. And yes, Rondo is a very good defender and MIGHT BE better than Kidd right now. But lets not forget that Kidd, at one time, was thought to be one of the best, if not THE best PG defender in the league.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Becar @ Feb 19 2007, 03:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>When he came into the league, he was thought to be a pure scorer.</div> No he wasn't... What Rondo have you been watching? Rondo has never been thought of as a pure scorer. When he came into the league, he was actually considered a big project by most people.
Let me re-phrase. Rajon was viewed as a quick pg in college who was hard to defend, had a scorers mentality and could take defenders off the dribble seemingly at will. Yes, he had a great drive and dish. But he was mainly viewed as a guy who was going to come in and put some points on the board. Maybe not right away. Your right, he was a project. I just dont think he has the understanding of the game necessary to try and compare him to Kidd quite yet.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Becar @ Feb 19 2007, 02:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Let me re-phrase. Rajon was viewed as a quick pg in college who was hard to defend, had a scorers mentality and could take defenders off the dribble seemingly at will. Yes, he had a great drive and dish. But he was mainly viewed as a guy who was going to come in and put some points on the board. Maybe not right away. Your right, he was a project. I just dont think he has the understanding of the game necessary to try and compare him to Kidd quite yet.</div> I'm sorry, wrong again. Rondo never has had and never will have a scorer's mentality. He's a heady player, very unselfish, and he's a true playmaker. He's a pass-first point guard and always has been. In college, he was not a guy that was viewed to come in and put up a ton of points. He was a guy that was going to come in, out-quick the opposing point guard, play lock-down defense, rebound, make plays, and control the pace of the game. And also, about Rondo's understanding of the game - it's great. It's not the understanding of the game that needs much work, he is a very heady player on both ends of the floor and he limits his mistakes. I can confidently say that probably 40-45% of his turnovers this season weren't his fault. He just doesn't have the skill level Jason Kidd had, and he never will. Not many people do, Kidd is one of the best point guards of all-time.
From NBADraft.netRajon Rondo Birthdate: 2/22/86NBA Position: Point GuardCollege: KentuckyClass: SophomoreHt: 6-2Wt: 171Hometown: Louisville, KentuckyHigh School: Oak Hill AcademyTeam Site Profile 2005 Stats NBA Comparison: Mookie BlalockStrengths: A lightning quick point guard with the ability to penetrate seemingliy at will. Has incredible body control and takes the ball to the basket and finishes exceptionally well for a PG. He has a scorers mentality, but also passes the ball well especially on the dribble drive. Owns great ball handling skills which become lethal combined with his quickness. Many people thought he was the best player on his high school team that included Josh Smith (drafted 17th by Atlanta Hawks in 2004). He has progressed into a solid shooter, that combined with his quickness has made him a very difficult player to defend.Weaknesses: Still must develop a better basketball understanding. Could stand to put on some weight and add some muscle mass. His outside shot has become better but with improvement in this area, defenders will have to respect that facet of his game which will make it impossible to keep him from getting into the lane. Still must become more under control as he can become erratic at times. His defense still must improve. Must learn to be a complete point guard with the ability to dictate the tempo and get everyone involved. "
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Becar @ Feb 19 2007, 04:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>From NBADraft.netRajon Rondo Birthdate: 2/22/86NBA Position: Point GuardCollege: KentuckyClass: SophomoreHt: 6-2Wt: 171Hometown: Louisville, KentuckyHigh School: Oak Hill AcademyTeam Site Profile 2005 Stats NBA Comparison: Mookie BlalockStrengths: A lightning quick point guard with the ability to penetrate seemingliy at will. Has incredible body control and takes the ball to the basket and finishes exceptionally well for a PG. He has a scorers mentality, but also passes the ball well especially on the dribble drive. Owns great ball handling skills which become lethal combined with his quickness. Many people thought he was the best player on his high school team that included Josh Smith (drafted 17th by Atlanta Hawks in 2004). He has progressed into a solid shooter, that combined with his quickness has made him a very difficult player to defend.Weaknesses: Still must develop a better basketball understanding. Could stand to put on some weight and add some muscle mass. His outside shot has become better but with improvement in this area, defenders will have to respect that facet of his game which will make it impossible to keep him from getting into the lane. Still must become more under control as he can become erratic at times. His defense still must improve. Must learn to be a complete point guard with the ability to dictate the tempo and get everyone involved. "</div>That's a pretty inaccurate analysis..
^^ Nahif you actually watch the games Rondo is AMAZING at penetrating through defenses..he's so quick and agilegive him a jumpshot and hes an all star PG one daybut the thing is he makes the Celtics so much better when he's out therethe problem is Delonte West is an idiot and thinks hes a point guard..so when Rondo's out there he's a SG which makes absolutely NO SENSE whatsoeverDoc needs to let Delonte know he isn't a PG but the problem is Doc encourages it which really pisses me offRondo is a true PG and is definitely the best defender in his draft class
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Becar @ Feb 19 2007, 04:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>From NBADraft.net Rajon Rondo Birthdate: 2/22/86 NBA Position: Point Guard College: Kentucky Class: Sophomore Ht: 6-2 Wt: 171 Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky High School: Oak Hill Academy Team Site Profile 2005 Stats NBA Comparison: Mookie Blalock Strengths: A lightning quick point guard with the ability to penetrate seemingliy at will. Has incredible body control and takes the ball to the basket and finishes exceptionally well for a PG. He has a scorers mentality, but also passes the ball well especially on the dribble drive. Owns great ball handling skills which become lethal combined with his quickness. Many people thought he was the best player on his high school team that included Josh Smith (drafted 17th by Atlanta Hawks in 2004). He has progressed into a solid shooter, that combined with his quickness has made him a very difficult player to defend. Weaknesses: Still must develop a better basketball understanding. Could stand to put on some weight and add some muscle mass. His outside shot has become better but with improvement in this area, defenders will have to respect that facet of his game which will make it impossible to keep him from getting into the lane. Still must become more under control as he can become erratic at times. His defense still must improve. Must learn to be a complete point guard with the ability to dictate the tempo and get everyone involved. "</div> NBADraft.net also compared DeShawn Stevenson to Michael Jordan. Also, there is a big difference between being a good penetrator (which Rondo is) and being a pass-first PG than having a SCORERS MENTALITY. Rondo does not have a scorers mentality at all. In fact, he's too passive.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Feb 19 2007, 06:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>NBADraft.net also compared DeShawn Stevenson to Michael Jordan.</div> I saw that.
Well, it is really too early to tell, but Rondo sure as hell plays like him. He is a good rebounding guard, he is a pretty damn good defender, he is a good passer, he is a pass first kind of point guard, and his jumpshot lacks something to be desired. I dont think he will be as good as Kidd, but he plays like him.
I don't see many similarities. Living in NJ all my life, and watching Kidd every year since he has been in NJ I have really become aware of all of his good points and bad points. The 2 big differences to me, the 2 things that totally make up what Kidd is, is playmaking and playing on the fastbreak. He has the best court vision in the league next to Nash, and is just an amazing decision maker and playmaker. And people forget just how GREAT this guy is on the fastbreak. With VC, the NJ offense is much slowed down, but look at the tapes from 01-04 to see that this guy is basically a one man wrecking crew on the fastbreak. Rondo doesn't resemble Kidd in either regard on these 2 matters.Comparing their playing styles is like comparing Shaq to Duncan. Yes, both are great rebounders and great inside, but they go about how they get things done in different ways. That is how this comparison is. People are saying both are good rebounders, defenders, passers, etc..., but they do things in totally different manners. Rondo is VERY athletic, quick, and that's how he gets into positions to make plays for himself and others, along with rebounding. Kidd is not very quick or athletic, and he does what he does by pure knowledge of the game. He knows how to box out, knows how to stay inf ront of an opponent, knows how to get from point A to point B without outrunning his opponent or embaressing them on a crossover, etc... It's comparing flash to fundementals, Amare to Duncan, etc...So no, I don't see much comparison outside of the general, "Well, botha re good rebounders, passers, etc.."
