Rajon 'Jonny' Rondo - Ainges next steal?

[Mentally Hilarious]

Will Ainge do it again? Come away from yet another draft with a steal I mean. Now I wont even bother with claiming that his picks are all-star calibre all of them, but considering what he has come away with in the recent years it's time to recognize him as either the luckiest GM in the league today - or one of the best drafters in a long time.

2003
Marcus Banks
Kendrick Perkins
Brandon Hunter

2004
Al Jefferson
Tony Allen
Delonte West
Justin Reed

2005
Gerald Green
Ryan Gomes
Orien Greene

2006
Rajon Rondo
Leon Powe

That's a hell of a record. But I want to focus on the latest addition - Rajon "Jonny" Rondo.

Many people thought he was the best player on his high school team that included Josh Smith (drafted 17th by Atlanta Hawks in 2004).

The PG that can't shoot if his life depended on it has wowed both coaching staff, team-mates and writers. And so far (2 games into the noncommitical pre-season) he has put up some damn impressive numbers.

Min FG 3Pt FT Off Reb Ast TO Stl Blk PF Pts
22 3-7 0-0 5-6 2 5 8 1 4 0 2 11

Min FG 3Pt FT Off Reb Ast TO Stl Blk PF Pts
37 8-13 2-3 11-12 2 4 5 1 3 0 3 29

He was number nine on Marty Burns ranking for next years prime ROTY-candidates. But will he be able to really compete? Now West is out with a sore lower back, and he will together with Telfair take away a lot of minutes from RR.

So, Rajon Rondo. Has Danny yet again come away with a steal? And will Rondo be able to continue to wow everyone around him during the real season?

[Dan's Brain]

it'll be tough for him behind Delonte West and Telfair, but if he does make some good numbers, then a trade of one of those guys might not be out of the question.

[Mentally Hilarious]

it'll be tough for him behind Delonte West and Telfair, but if he does make some good numbers, then a trade of one of those guys might not be out of the question.

I doubt West will get shipped. I'd much rather see him get time at both PG and SG, and Wally getting the boot. West is just... good. Easy to underestimate, but is a darn solid player.

[Dan's Brain]

yeah, fair enough. wally's still gotta hold some good trade value to a team that's only one player away from a title. possibly dallas.

how tall are rajon rondo and delonte west out of interest?

[Mentally Hilarious]

yeah, fair enough. wally's still gotta hold some good trade value to a team that's only one player away from a title. possibly dallas.

how tall are rajon rondo and delonte west out of interest?

Rondo is 6'1 and West 6'4.

[BigKaboom2]

I'm now ashamed of my avatar and userbar sig since I completely spaced out and forgot to watch those two games, but 29 points for Rondo =

Kid can play - I hate Telfair.

[cyanide]

I have high praise for West, and Rondo did play very well against the Raptors. The problem is, imo, at this point it's too early to speculate considering we're still in the preseason. The upside is, the potential is there, and the question is, will that potential materialize? Obviously that's the point of this discussion, and now I have nothing left to say.

[J@3]

That's a hell of a record.

It is?

2003
Marcus Banks
Kendrick Perkins
Brandon Hunter

2004
Al Jefferson
Tony Allen
Delonte West
Justin Reed

2005
Gerald Green
Ryan Gomes
Orien Greene

2006
Rajon Rondo
Leon Powe

Of that entire group there is roughly 2 starting calibre players (Gomes, West) and one potential star (Green... Jefferson doesn't count). I can't say I find that list particularly impressive in the slightest. Though I do remember the days where it took more than 1 good pre-season game to have a thread made about a player

[Mentally Hilarious]

That's a hell of a record.

It is?

2003
Marcus Banks
Kendrick Perkins
Brandon Hunter

2004
Al Jefferson
Tony Allen
Delonte West
Justin Reed

2005
Gerald Green
Ryan Gomes
Orien Greene

2006
Rajon Rondo
Leon Powe

Of that entire group there is roughly 2 starting calibre players (Gomes, West) and one potential star (Green... Jefferson doesn't count). I can't say I find that list particularly impressive in the slightest.

Taking into consideration where he drafted (the highest pick being Jefferson) and that all players are on a roster today - yeah it is impressive. Perkins, West, Gomes, Allen, Green, Banks, Rondo and Jefferson will all have starts for diffrent teams (well... two that is) during the season. Give me any other GM with that record (taking into consideration where that particular GM drafted) and I will be surprised.

Though I do remember the days where it took more than 1 good pre-season game to have a thread made about a player

Well... yeah. I was just curious as to what other thought of him. And a T.O-to-assist of 6.5 to 1 for at team with 37 T.O's in one game. It is impressive.

[J@3]

They're all on NBA rosters... a large majority being on the Celtics roster, the Celtics being only just above the absolute lowest echelon in the Eastern Conference. Irrelevant of that, will West get any minutes at all this season? I have him on my fantasy team

[Mentally Hilarious]

They're all on NBA rosters... a large majority being on the Celtics roster, the Celtics being only just above the absolute lowest echelon in the Eastern Conference. Irrelevant of that, will West get any minutes at all this season? I have him on my fantasy team

Unfortunatly true, and yes he will. The Coaches loves him.

[Gedas]

It is too early to predict anything. The season will show wheter he'll be able to become the 2nd point guard of the team or not.

[CERVANTES]

I've allways called him Rajon "Superclase" Rondo since I seen him on the NCAA. He plays like nobody else, his moves, his style, his quicknes... I really love that guy. I also think Allan Ray will be one of those "steals" of the draft.

[Its_asdf]

I knew that Boston had a great group of young guys, but I've never realized the drafts that they've had were that good.

And who can forget the amazing Kedrick Brown. I loved that guy, I wish a team would pick him up. But that was when Ainge wasn't the GM, right?

[Mentally Hilarious]

I knew that Boston had a great group of young guys, but I've never realized the drafts that they've had were that good.

And who can forget the amazing Kedrick Brown. I loved that guy, I wish a team would pick him up. But that was when Ainge wasn't the GM, right?

Kedrick "Dunk and maybe sink a three" Brown? Oh how I loathe him. And yes, that was not under Ainge.

[Abctest123]

His numbers are impressive, yes, but as some have said in this thread, two preseason games don't tell much. His game against the Raptors was excellent, but keep in mind, Toronto isn't exactly (or anywhere near) a defensive powerhouse. Who hasn't posted career highs of something against the Raptors ?

[---]

I remember when I first saw Rajon play in Kentucky. Oh my god that guy is 6'1 and looks pretty skinny, but he is so fast and athletic. From what I remember he lead KU in rebounding at one point. I honestly don't see where all the "he can't shoot" stuff is coming from, I havn't seen him play in the NBA as of yet (not like preseason matters) but when I saw him play in college he would bury alot of outside shots, but I never really saw him take midrange shots, because when he moves towards the bucket, he never pulls up because his quickness allows him to get the hoop far quicker than his defender, so what was the point in spotting up? (in college at least)

Preseason can't really be used to say he is gonna be great. I personally think he may eventually develop into the teams starter late this season or early-mid next, with West playing the 2 and Telfair (if he is still in Boston) playing the backup PG spot, but thats just me, I have been amazed by this guys play for the last couple of years. I also remember on Sportscenter wayyyyyy back they said that Oak Hill Academy PG Rajon Rondo had something like 30 assists in a game earlier in the week.... when I saw him play on TV a year later I had no idea what he looked like, but I recognized the name and since then Ive been dying for him to play in the league. Thats why I picked Boston for my 2005 dynasty

Only time will tell if Rondo is as great as he looks so far, but the future is looking very very bright for the Celtics.

[[Q]]

yeah e had one good preseason game so far, but when the season comes around, I don't tihnk he'll get much PT behind 2 PGs and with PP at the 2.

[maes]

Ainge is one of the best at talent evaluation...every draft pick is productive with this guy.

Who grabs a starting NBA Point Guard with a 24th pick? Gerald Green at 18th...and Ainge never even saw him play, he just saw an opportunity when Green dropped out of the lottery.

And how many GMs can get a decent Center & PG (Perkins & Marcus Banks) in return for a guy who doesn't play in the nba (Troy Bell) and a 4 ppg shooting guard who shoots 14% from the 3 (Dahntay Jones).

If i were a GM i would never trade w/ Ainge...even if it looks good on paper i would probably be getting ripped off.

[cklitsie]

I think it's actually a better move how Ainge picked up Allan Ray and Kevin Pittsnogle and gives them a shot at the NBA.

[BigKaboom2]

I also think Allan Ray will be one of those "steals" of the draft.

He wasn't even drafted, so it's even more steal-ish.

I think it's actually a better move how Ainge picked up Allan Ray and Kevin Pittsnogle and gives them a shot at the NBA.

Signing Pittsnogle was 95% as stupid as signing Scalabrine.

[Matt]

And how many GMs can get a decent Center & PG (Perkins & Marcus Banks) in return for a guy who doesn't play in the nba (Troy Bell) and a 4 ppg shooting guard who shoots 14% from the 3 (Dahntay Jones).

how many GM's can get an All-Star player for useless bench players and have that player help you win a championship

Ainge is one of the best at talent evaluation...every draft pick is productive with this guy

the problem is he's unable to make a successful team.

[cklitsie]

Signing Pittsnogle was 95% as stupid as signing Scalabrine.

If that's how you think then it only illustrates what I think of Ainge's draft ability..

[Jugs]

2 Games and he's the next God? Fuck me.

[Mentally Hilarious]

2 Games and he's the next God? Fuck me.

'

Far from it, but his play both at Kentucky and now in Boston makes me wonder if the lack of a shot is all that kept him from going higher.

The question is Ainge might have lcuked out/outsmarted other GMs (again). Based not only on his play, but also the acclaim he gets from many people around the league I'm starting to wonder if Boston has a gem on it's hands. He fits into the system, Boston will not put pressure on him to be an effective shooter. The trio of Wally-PP-West has that pretty well covered, and Green-Ray are also good shooters. Maybe the überquickness and mature handling will be exactly what Boston needs.

I dunno, just exited about Rondo I guess.