Why Rondo Withdrawing from Team USA is Good News

After making his first all-star team, as well as winning over NBA fans around the nation thanks to some incredible plays during the postseason, Rondo fully deserved to be a part of Team USA this year. He has done nothing but work hard and get better since his rookie year, and is now considered one of the top point guards in the league. However, after his DNP against Spain, Rondo withdrew from the team, and there seemed to be a mutual understanding that despite his talent and basketball ability, Rajon's skill set is just not exactly what Coach K was looking for. Every player on that team is very talented, and the point guards are all like Rondo in that they are both quick thinking and quick footed. However, they are different in that Billups, Derrick Rose, and Steph Curry can all shoot the three ball.

So although I think that Rondo deserved to be there and, I would love to see him representing both the Celtics and the United States, his withdrawal from that team is good news for Celtics' fans. Rondo is extremely talented, but certainly has some holes in his game that he needs to be working on before the start of next season. He needs to keep working at improving his shot, mainly from the foul line, but also from the 3 point arc. If he wasn't already motivated to work on that in order to silence some of his critics for next season, he certainly will be now since his lack of shooting is probably the main reason he is no longer wearing red white and blue. Exciting and explosive as he may be, coming into international games for a couple minutes at a time only to pass the ball and make occasional Rondo-drives to the hoop won't help him in the future nearly as much as just working hard on his shooting and watching some game tape to see where he can improve his play.

His withdrawal from the team is not just good for Rondo's individual improvement, but for the Celtics as well. This already championship worthy team has some big new faces, and meshing together the way the 2008 Celtics did is vital to their future success. Pierce has even mentioned that he would like to see them go overseas and work out, the way their 2008 team did before their championship run, and the more time Rondo is spending getting to know his new teammates on and off the court, the better they will play together. Since trading for KG and Ray, Boston has been stacked with leadership and team chemistry, and Rondo working with his team to help incorporate Shaq, Jermaine O'Neal, and everybody else could lead to big things. Coach K said he would absolutely still consider Rondo for the 2012 Olympic team... but I believe improving his own play and getting himself a second ring and an 18th banner for the C's will be the biggest thing on his mind. Playing for his country in 2012 will just be icing on the cake.

Breaking Down the Bench... Backing Up The Truth

It's not easy finding a viable backup for Paul Pierce... but with each of the other Celtics' starters having very solid backups coming off the bench this year, the Celtics' second unit will be feared around the league. However, the small forward position is currently the one weak spot in Boston's bench, and could very well become a revolving door for various players as the season goes on. Captain Pierce is getting old, and he will not be able to soak up enough minutes over the course of the season for this hole in the second unit to be a non-issue, and that is why Marquis Daniels needs to step up and have a big year. With the extremely athletic and versatile Nate Robinson and Avery Bradley up top, and the powerhouse combo of Shaq and Big Baby down low, the C's bench may very well prove to be the best in the NBA this year. A big year from Daniels would be ideal for helping to complete them.

When Daniels was first signed, I was pretty excited and thought he would make a good fit for the Celtics as a larger, stronger version of Rajon Rondo who could drive effectively to the hoop and help stretch out defenses. However, I was thoroughly disappointed with his play and apparent lack of effort last season, as he failed to ever make a good impression as a member of the C's, and quickly became one of the last guys that I wanted to see on the court. But with an increase in minutes this year due to the departure of Tony Allen, Daniels will have ample opportunity to improve his game and became part of a second unit that will be considered more dangerous than most, and even more so than some starting lineups in the East. The guy had moments of brilliance when he was on the Pacers, and I still want to believe that he could become a great part of this team if he just exerts his full effort, especially on defense, and does his best to not turn the ball over excessively on offense. If he does not improve, the Celtics need to keep him on a short leash and consider some other options.

I would not be surprised to see Boston pick up a new SF, whether it be through a trade or through free agency by early next season. If not, and if Daniels does not play the way they need him to, the C's may very well go to a SF by committee game plan when Pierce needs to take a breather. We may see SGs be rotated in and out such as Ray Allen and Von Wafer to chip in some quality minutes and jump shots while sacrificing some size, or maybe even going to a larger lineup by using three big men at a time to try to work the inside and dominate the boards. How they back up Pierce will largely depend on the skill set of the team they are playing against, and unless Daniels takes over the back up 3 spot, don't be surprised to even see the rookie Harangody get some minutes backing up Pierce as a decent shooting, very large small forward. It's not ideal for the Celtics to ever be in a spot where their success is relying on Daniels, Wafer, or Harangody... but hopefully at least one of them will be able to back up The Truth well enough for the rest of the extremely talented bench to step in and do some damage to opposing benches while Boston's aging starters get some rest. The Celtics have the tools, the talent, and 9/10 solid players they need for a championship run next season... all they need now is for Marquis Daniels to step up and become a true Celtic, and the 10th and final piece to an outstanding lineup.

Breaking Down the Bench… Big Baby Davis

Glen Davis has become more important to the Celtics every single year, and could very well break out this season with increased minutes while an aging KG will need some time off. He has shown that he has the ability to play extremely well in clutch situations, and has become a fan favorite for his intensity, and high level of energy and emotion on the court, as well as his ability to outmuscle taller big men in the paint. Like with Nate Robinson, this energy and determination on the court often leads to a rally of Celtics’ points, and he is always willing to put himself on the line for his team, as we saw every time he went up against Dwight Howard’s lethal elbows in the Conference Finals. Now that he is playing alongside a true center in Shaquille O’Neal, and not the perimeter-prone Rasheed Wallace, Big Baby is going to be a big part of a powerhouse bench in Boston.

Bringing in Shaq will help Davis bring his game to the next level in two very basic, but important ways. First, Shaq will be hanging out near the paint at all times, taking up space, getting blocks, and pulling in rebounds. This takes a lot of pressure off of Big Baby to be the big man down low, as he was when Rasheed would so often play lazy and out of position. The two big former LSU men with similar playing styles will complement each other both on offense and defense, and will make up what is probably the best backup 4 and 5 combo in the NBA. These guys should be able to outmuscle and box out opposing players all season long, while contributing large amounts of points, rebounds, and opportunities for other guys to score. Second, Baby may be more excited than anyone else in Boston about the acquisition of Shaq since he is an idol of sorts to Davis, who attended O’Neal’s camp as a kid and was introduced to LSU’s coach by the Louisiana State alumnus. Shaq and Baby will work well together on the post, and O’Neal will be able to help Davis really develop his game and learn to use his size for maximum effectiveness. These guys will work backup big men around the NBA, and I am eager to see the huge calm and collected veteran helping the younger and more intense Big Baby become as good as he can be.

Boston’s bench is very versatile, and they will stretch out defenses as they have the ability to both dominate in the paint and from outside of it. Although Baby’s shot is not the prettiest thing in the world, the guy can heat up, and he is definitely not limited to only scoring from right under the hoop. Big Baby has shown that he can score against some of the best defenders in the league, and by working with Doc Rivers, as well as Shaq to improve his post moves, and Garnett to improve his jump shot, I believe Davis can become as effective in the NBA as he was in college. He brings a lot to the table, not only in terms of points, but in energy and charisma as well, and he helps complete a Celtics’ bench that will be feared all season and post season long. Depth is key to success, and with an ever improving Big Baby at PF, the Celtics have a lot of it.

Still remaining for Breaking Down the Bench, small forwards and how to back up The Truth.

Breaking Down the Bench... Nate Robinson

Truly Doc's little project, Nate was brought in this past season before the trading deadline to be Boston's backup point guard. Standing at just 5'9 on a good day, he was essentially a gimmick for the hapless Knicks... a tiny 3 time slam dunk champion, and fan favorite who would score points in bunches or not at all. When he was scoring, his style of play was contrary to that of Celtics' basketball, meaning he would enter tunnel (a.k.a. LeBron) vision, and start putting up wild shots while forgetting he has four other teammates on the court. When he wasn't, he would become essentially invisible. By trading for Robinson, Doc and the Celtics' organization rescued him from forever being just that little athletic guy who could dunk real well. After sitting and observing alongside the bench for most of his time on the Celtics, while getting tips from a great coach and veteran leaders that know what it takes to win, Nate's gimmick status has been erased, and he is now a key part of this championship caliber Celtics' team.

Big Nate was clearly full of potential and pure athleticism, but often played sloppy and inconsistent on offense before joining the C's. As a result, when the Celtics acquired him, they did not start using him right away. Faced with the difficult task of filling the shoes of Eddie House, who's clutch minutes and three pointers off the bench greatly contributed to Boston's 2008 championship run, Nate did not seem like the best pickup early on, as his minutes dwindled and Tony Allen took over the backup point guard role for much of the last half of the regular season. Little did we know that during all of this, the little guy was working hard with Doc to get better and become a true contributor to the team. Early in the playoffs, his energy on the bench just pumping up teammates and the crowd was the first sign that maybe the guy was actually starting to become a Celtic at heart. For many Celtics' fans, his performance in game 6 against Orlando sealed the deal.

Nate's energy on and off the bench is vital to the Celtics' success, and really gives them something to rally around. He is a guy that I've wanted to like for a long time, and I am glad that he gave me reason to do so in the final two rounds of the playoffs, and I hope that this was just the beginning of a long stint with the C's. When Eddie House would come in for Rondo, he would so often knock down a three right after stepping onto the court, as defenders would be giving the sharpshooter far too much space after having been trying to prevent Rondo from driving to the hoop. When Nate's on, he will still score in bunches, but unlike House or Rondo, he has the ability to both shoot and drive very effectively. He would likely be a starter on most teams, and the Celtics are lucky to have him running the point for their second unit next season, scoring and setting up plays for the big men down low. He could not be farther apart in size from the guys he will be playing with, and hopefully he will be able to run some effective pick and rolls using Big Baby and Shaq to create space from defenders. The Celtics have a ton of talent, but just the right amount of energy and emotion, and most of that is coming from guys like Nate and Baby off the bench. The Celtics are THE team to beat in the East this year, especially with a new and improved Nate Robinson as their backup point guard... Don't let Jeff Van Gundy tell you otherwise.

Next up for Breaking Down the Bench... everyone's favorite baby.

Breaking Down the Bench... Avery Bradley

Another new acquisition for the C's, Avery Bradley may very well be running this offense alongside Rajon Rondo in the future once the Big Three have called it quits. The first round pick out of Texas is quick, explosive, great on defense, and a valuable threat as a sharp shooter off the bench, replacing Tony Allen's less than stellar jump shot, while not sacrificing the athleticism and lock down defense he provided. Bradley is extremely talented, and has the potential to be a future star in the NBA, and is a perfect fit for Boston's bench.

Whether he is playing the two spot alongside Rondo or Nate Robinson, I can't wait to see the fast-breaks. As long as Bradley does not get too nervous about throwing it down against NBA big men, the alley-oops Rondo will set him up with will likely be regularly occurring on Sportscenter. His ability to get to the hoop is reminiscent of D-Wade's, and his commanding dunks could easily land him a spot in the dunk contest. With Nate and him, and the rest of the second unit playing as well as they are capable of, I can see the Celtics' bench putting up large amounts of points on other backup units, and even on some starters around the NBA. The best part is, most scouts wouldn't tell you that his dunks are his biggest asset. They'd tell you that his shot and his defense are.

Like Ray Allen, Bradley is known for his perfect form on jump shots, and will help stretch out defenses with both his three pointers and his ability to explode past defenders. While his scoring was somewhat inconsistent in his freshman year at college, I think no other coach and organization would be better suited for tapping into this kid's potential. Doc Rivers has a very good track record when it comes to getting his point and shooting guards to contribute to the best of their ability, and I believe Bradley will be contributing on offense for the C's much sooner than most people may think. It will also be extremely helpful for him to be surrounded by all the current and former veteran all-stars on this team who will be able to help him improve his play. Even if it does take him some time in the NBA before his offense is fully developed, his impressive defense makes him a player that the Celtics would much rather have than be having to play against.

He can read defenses and use his long arms to get steals like Rondo's, and can get up and block shots like Rudy Gay. The Celtics need to have a capable defender on their bench in order to win games, and this makes Avery Bradley a great pickup for them. Assuming he'll be on the court at the same time as Big Baby and Shaq, opposing teams will likely be passing the ball around a lot and trying to score from outside the paint, which will give the energetic guard many opportunities to steal the ball. Also, they may bring him in to shut down certain players as they did with Tony Allen, where his athleticism will be key to his success. I'm not saying we will see Avery Bradley the rookie coming in and shutting down guys like Wade and Kobe... but we may see it from Avery Bradley the sophomore. As an athletic player with the ability to drive and dunk, make three pointers, and provide some critical lock down defense, Avery Bradley is a great fit for this Celtics' team.

Tomorrow... Doc's little project, and why opposing teams have only seen the tip of the iceberg.

Breaking Down the Bench... Shaq

I have to admit that when rumors first started surfacing about Shaq joining the Celtics, I was horrified. Like many other long time Celtics fans, I've always poked fun at Shaq for how big and slow he is, and his trademark free throws. However, the idea of him as the backup center for the C's has grown on me more and more, as his size and power will almost certainly plug the gap in the Celtics' rebounding department. Also, despite the things he says in interviews and in front of reporters that give him his reputation as a funny guy, he has a very high basketball IQ. He has gained a lot of knowledge about the game and the players over his long career, and may even be able to give the Celtics some tips on how to stop Kobe in the playoffs... or at least aggravate him.

This season will be the first in O'Neal's 20 year career that he will be coming off the bench. Although there are a handful of reasons that I'd rather see him starting instead of Jermaine O'Neal, I think Shaq's transition to the bench will be a smooth one. He knows what his role will be, and I trust that Doc will know when to put the big guy in... for example, when KG isn't pulling down boards or when the Celtics are getting badly beat near the hoop. Huge and slow as they may be, I can't wait to watch the two LSU big men Shaq and Baby Davis outmuscling other backup forwards in the paint. As a backup for the first time, Shaq will definitely get some attention as a sixth man of the year candidate since his combination of blocks, rebounds, and personality is unmatched by any other backup player in the NBA. Hopefully he'll be able to contribute some points as well.

I think Shaq will fit right in with the veterans on this team, and will be able to teach Big Baby and the younger guys a thing or two also. His style of play fits well with Boston, as Rondo will love having Shaq sitting in the middle ready for his quick passes, and KG will love having another Hall of Fame big man helping him pull down rebounds. Though it's possible that he could slow down the Celtics at times, which is the major concern for many Celtics' fans, it is unlikely that he could slow them down so much that it would actually be a detriment to the team. It's not like Perkins is much more agile than O'Neal, and neither one of them would really be playing a role on the fast-break anyway. His free throws won't be fun to watch, but hey that's expected, the Hack-a-Shaq strategy was named after the guy. Hopefully Ray can take him and Rondo aside at some point and show them the masterful art of the foul shot.

Nevertheless, I think the pros in Shaq's game will definitely make up for the cons, and while he isn't a lock for sixth man of the year, don't be surprised if his contributions off the bench next season cause him to get some award worthy attention. As far as backup big men go, I don't think it gets much better than Shaquille O'Neal. The guy helps his team get to the playoffs almost every year, and with championships on a cluster of teams that will hopefully include Boston someday soon, he is a lock for the Hall of Fame. Honestly, I have a harder time visualizing him as a bench player than I do as a Celtic... but he's a great fit for the Celtics' second unit, and brings a lot to the table.

Next up for Breaking Down the Bench... the potential future face of the Celtics who was only two years old during Shaq's rookie season.

Breaking Down the Celtics Bench…

One Player at a Time

Bench players are vital to any team’s success in the NBA, as no team can win a championship without backups who can carry the load while the starters take a breather. Though every team has a starting lineup and a leading scorer, a key difference between the great teams and everyone else is whether they’re sending out a mere penalty kill unit to knock some time off the clock while the starters rest, or an actual second unit with the potential to be as dangerous and dominating as the first unit. Just ask Monta Ellis, who averaged nearly 26 points per game this season, but could not help Golden State win more than 26 games this year with Devean George being their biggest name off the bench.

This year, the C’s boasted a bench that was strong, but the Lakers’ bench was simply better. Sheed, Nate, and Big Baby all stepped up and showed flashes of brilliance in the postseason. However, the 7-game battle that featured a different hero almost every game was painful to watch at times, as guys like Odom and Shannon Brown really stepped up for L.A. and exposed weaknesses in the Celtics’ second unit. By losing Perk for the finale, they simply did not have the size they needed to close out Game 7 and the series. Boston won it all in 2008 when their bench was better than L.A.’s, with Posey shutting down opposing scorers, PJ Brown and Leon Powe patrolling the paint, and Eddie House knocking down clutch three pointers left and right. Like with that team, I think that the 2010-2011 Celtics will truly be a force to be reckoned with, featuring possibly the best bench and sixth man in basketball.

Keep checking back here, as each day this week I will break down why the Celtics’ bench will be so sweet next year, one player at a time. First up will be the NBA’s 2010-2011 sixth man of the year.

Point Guard Poll

Bill Simmons came up with the idea of the Celtics acquiring Chris Paul in a deal that would involve trading Rondo a little while back. While Chris Paul is incredibly talented, and many may consider him the best point guard in the league, I think no one would look better than Rondo running the point for the C's. Vote on who you'd most want to see at the Celtics 1 spot.

Reasons for Rondo

Nine Reasons why #9 Needs to Stay a Celtic

1 – The Potential. Heads didn’t really start turning for Rajon until this past post season. What his newest fans, and critics, need to recognize is that Rondo is still on his way up and still has a couple seasons before he really steps into his prime. He has rapidly improved over his four seasons, and will continue to defy his skeptics just as he did en route to the 2008 finals series when so many said the Big Three were a threat, but that the Celtics would fall short without a better point guard. However, Rondo’s potential could not be really tapped into without
2 – The Hard Work. Every player in the NBA has some sort of valuable basketball talent. But what really separates the true stars from the “all-stars” is a player’s mindset and determination. Though both Allen Iverson and Rondo made the Eastern Conference all-star team this year, it is safe to say who any team would be more comfortable with running the point. Instead of complaining about practice, Rondo would rather be out on the court three hours before game time during the post season joining Ray for his extensive shooting routine before games, which brings to mind Rondo’s
3 – Improved Shot. The free throws will come… I promise. It is obviously a deterrent to your team’s ability to win when the opposing team can use their Hack-a-Shaq strategy on your point guard… but with the work Rondo puts in, he will eventually overcome his apparent fear of sinking free throws that he has. He shoots a higher percentage in foul line jumpers than actual foul shots, and we saw a much improved three point shot from him this season, which was non-existent from his game in the past. While shooting may never be the biggest threat in his arsenal, it will not continue to be his so-called "Achilles heel". He will continue to become even more of a scoring threat, largely due to his

4 – Explosiveness. Opposing point guards, you better not take your eyes off Rondo for a second or you may end up looking like Jason Williams. Rondo’s quickness and ability to explode to the hoop is amazing at times, and no player in the league has a first step as quick and dangerous as his. This explosiveness makes opposing players look bad, and he will show flashes of brilliance that often lead to a Celtics' point barrage. This explosiveness does not only show in his flashy cuts to the hoop, but also in his
5 – Incredible Passing. Whether it’s a behind the back scoop to KG as he cuts through the paint, or a quick kick out to find an open Ray Allen or Paul Pierce at the 3 point line, Rondo’s quickness is most dangerous when it comes to his ability to dish the rock. His ability to recognize mismatches and opportunities on the court enables him to throw perfect alley-oops passes as KG rolls off a defender or when TA would come flying in from the wing. This explosiveness and passing makes Rondo close to unstoppable on the fast break, and it will be a sight to see when he's running the break with Avery Bradley in the Celtics' future. However, it is not just his passing that makes Rondo
6 – "The Quarterback." He played quarterback in high school, and started being called that on the court during this past post season day-in and day-out by commentators. His "quarterbacking" is not just his ability to hit the right spot when he passes the ball, but his ability to read the defense. The way he throws alley-oops passes before KG has even rolled to the hoop is just like Tom Brady’s bullets to the center of the field before Welker has even made his cut. As with Brady, players around Rondo know they can trust their passer, and know without looking that the ball will be there the split second that they have enough space from their defender. Rondo’s basketball IQ and ability to predict is second to none, both on offense and on
7 – Defense. There’s nothing quite like watching Rondo intercept a pass in full stride going the other way as he blows past everyone for an uncontested lay-up. The tight, physical defense that the Celtics play works largely in part to Rondo’s ability to steal the ball. Whether it is by reading their eyes, their signs, or simply by outhustling a lazy ball handler, there is a reason that he led the NBA in steals this year. Rondo racks in points, assists, steals, and he
8 – Rebounds like Jason Kidd... or better. While both guys are bigger triple-double threats than any other point guard, Rondo's rebounds come from his quickness, ability to read the ball, and explosiveness as his utilizes his energy and athleticism into the excelling in the one aspect of the game that point guards are so often excused from. These flashy flying rebounds he pulls down definitely put his body on the line, and he often pays the price when he goes up against guys more than twice his weight. But the boost it gives the Celtics when he outhustles opposing big men for offensive boards is vital to the Celtics' success. Rondo, like Pierce, needs to be a
9 – Career Celtic. All Rondo has done for the Celtics in his short career is get better, become a leader, defy critics, and win a championship (TWO if Perk had been healthy)... He made it clear from his rookie season that he can explode to the hoop, but looked nervous at times and missed lay-ups. When he started passing the ball instead, every time he'd beaten his man to the hoop, these mostly went to waste too when guys like Gomes would miss, or when the ball would bounce off an unaware Perk. To some he seemed inadequate, but Doc must have recognized how much better Rondo could be if he just had some better players around him. That is why they kept Rondo as the starting point guard when they shipped off half of the 06-07 team for Ray and KG, and Rondo seized the opportunity with hard work, constant hustling, and good teammates to silence critics and help lead the all-star veterans to a championship. Rondo will now continue to keep pouring in the points, and assists for the C's now that he's kicking the ball out to Ray Allen and not Allan Ray.