Team USA: Rondo Survives

[R-MOR]

Despite having 6 point guards in the roster, Rondo makes the first cut. Link (http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=5417438)

[Spleen]

I know that it is considered an honor to be selected and playing for Team USA, but I'd rather he didn't. The reason is that he'll get extra wear and tear practicing and playing and that won't be in the line of duty helping the Celtics. He'll also have a shortened rest period that summer which can affect him the following NBA season. He's only got so many all out drives and smashes into the floor or goal post left in him, so that should be reserved for when he's playing PG for the Celts. Worse yet, what if he got injured or blew out an ACL and missed the whole season? He might feel that it is worth the risk, but what about the Celtics who have committed $55 million to having him play for the next 5 years, expectedly at the a very high level?

[Celtics17]

I think it's worth the risk. If he makes this squad and helps lead the US to a world championship this summer, that experience will carry over to his day job with the Celtics and make him an even better leader and winner than he already is.

Go Rondo!! Go team USA!! Go Cs!!

[silverbax]

This USA team is still trying to get the roster together...they need to just get as much talent as possible at this point, almost regardless of position. Almost.

[qianxue]

something maybe like the reply above
http://www.america-jerseys.com/products/Boston-Celtics-s347_p1.html

[Celtics17]

It's now down to the final 13. Only 12 will make the roster, and the 13th guy will travel to Europe with the team and be a part of the rooting section.

There are still 6 guards on the team, and it seems most likely that the last cut will come from one of those guys. They are: Rondo, Rose, Westbrook, Gordon, Billups, and Curry. Even though he's been shooting the ball well, my guess is that Gordon ends up being the final cut. I think Rondo and Westbrook are probably on the bubble, as well. I expect Billups, Curry and Rose to make the squad, but I wouldn't be surprised by anything.

I'm really rooting for Rajon to make this squad and be the starting point guard. We probably won't know until a couple of days before the real competition starts on the 28th of this month.

[texascelticsfan]

word is that rondo will be starting in Turkey.

http://www.csnne.com/08/15/10/Team-USA-to-make-one-more-cut/v1_landing_celtics.html?blockID=290829&feedID=4022

[Celtics17]

word is that rondo will be starting in Turkey.

http://www.csnne.com/08/15/10/Team-USA-to-make-one-more-cut/v1_landing_celtics.html?blockID=290829&feedID=4022

That's comforting news, but not exactly written in stone. I'm feeling more and more confident, though, that our PG will play a large role in competing for a gold medal for our country over in Turkey.

And I'm really psyched about it.

[CaptChris]

Wish Rondo good Luck, but it is the Bigs (Or lack of them) that will determine our success in Turkey. We are a collection o midgets.

[texascelticsfan]

I think Rondo will be a boost for the big men they have, Chandler was expressing how nice it was to have a guard that he knows is looking to Pass First. Everyone was praising Rondo's competitive fire to win (Billups to Coach K).

[jcpry]

Rondo leaves USA camp. Perhaps this leaves time to work on his jumper and free throws.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2010/08/rondo_im_on_the.html


Go the Tall Blacks!!

[texascelticsfan]

Yeah, sounds like he and Granger were really disappointed with the change of direction by Coach K, I expect Granger to drop as well, but its about wins not pride. Coach K went with a small lineup and Rondo was ineffective without big men on the floor, so he got benched.

[CaptChris]

Rondo works very well in our system, but he has big problems, outside the system.

He got a DNP/CD, and figured it was time to leave. Maybe it will help his understanding of why some guys are successful in one system, and not in another.

Time to work on his jump shot and foul shooting.

Maybe we will see Tony be more successful in the Memphis system. He never found his place here, with any consistancy.

[hurdler]

Yeah, he can rest up and/or train for the season without the travel, media, and politics of the national team. I'd have loved to seen him, but it's relatively minor. Although it does give me yet another reason to hate Duke.

[CaptChris]

Let's see Hate Duke,because Rondo doen't fit in. That makes a lot of sense! :confused:

Think that EGO had anything to do with it? Rondo had 4 T/O's in the 1st half against Lithaunia, and looked BAD! He was having trouble in the half-court game, and the physical play. That has nothing to do with the Coach?

Rondo is not held up as the Hero, and has to compete. Coach"s problem?

Or was it that Rondo is stubborn, and doesn't take coaching very well?

Chemistry?

Lots of questions!

[texascelticsfan]

He doesnt fit the international game well with the players they brought. He works with real big men and thats not the style they're playing. I dont think Rondo would do well in Nellie ball either, doesnt make it the worst or best system, just makes him a bad fit.

I wouldnt question his work ethic or willingness to take critique from coaches.

[CaptChris]

It has been mentioned many times how stubborn Rondo can be, and how hard it was for Doc to get him to accept things. He has only played for Doc in our system. Our system covers up for his weaknesses, and lets him "highlight his skills", speed and "D". He doesn't shoot well from outside, and is a poor foul shooter. Skills needed to play well in Europe. He works very well for us, but as you say, he would be wasted playing for Nellie.

Westbrooke has looked good, and has adapted to the FIBA play. So has Rose.

Isn't it terrific, how a small . country like Lithauania -- 3.5 million -- Same size as Connecticut can play agaimst the biggest countriesinthe world. Tough birds.

No more of that SOFT Euro bit.

[texascelticsfan]

Erdhin put up 15 pts 8 rebounds against Argentina, so we still have a Celtic to root for!

[Celtics17]

Go Turkiye!!!!

[Celtics17]

It has been mentioned many times how stubborn Rondo can be, and how hard it was for Doc to get him to accept things. He has only played for Doc in our system. Our system covers up for his weaknesses, and lets him "highlight his skills", speed and "D". He doesn't shoot well from outside, and is a poor foul shooter. Skills needed to play well in Europe. He works very well for us, but as you say, he would be wasted playing for Nellie.

Westbrooke has looked good, and has adapted to the FIBA play. So has Rose.

Isn't it terrific, how a small . country like Lithauania -- 3.5 million -- Same size as Connecticut can play agaimst the biggest countriesinthe world. Tough birds.

No more of that SOFT Euro bit.

I understand Coach K's decision to go with Rose over Rondo. I do believe, like everybody else, that Derrick Rose is an absolute superstar in the making. However, I disagree that Rondo would have been a bad fit for team USA. This team would have been much better off with a brilliant passing point guard like Rondo.

Rondo had a poor game against Lithuana, but overall he played very well in the other international friendlies that he participated in. He had considerably more assists than either Rose or Westbrook overall, and despite the Lithuania game his assist/turnover ratio was also the best of team USA's guards. Although he didn't take alot of shots (I know there are some who are going to hold his pass first mentality against him [not me]), he shot 50% from the field during the "exhibition season".

To me it's pretty obvious, that you could put Rajon Rondo on any basketball team in the world, and he would show that he is among the very top tier of point guards anywhere in existence. I don't believe at all that he's only successful because he fits into Doc Rivers' Celtics system.

[texascelticsfan]

Erden looked pretty strong in the Russia game today, I think he could push the O'Neals for playing time if Doc gets confidence in him and Cliffy Ray shows him a thing or three.

[CaptChris]

17; The proof is always in the doing. It isn't in the belief, or the potential. You have to perform in the circumstances. He might do better next time.

Remember, this wasn't Chris Paul or Deron Williams, he was competing against. He had to please the Coach with his play. He had to fit in.

He might do tht down the road. Only time will tell.

[CaptChris]

TCF: Erden shows some skills. Good hands and can shoot fouls. Has pretty good feet.

Love to see him get time.

[texascelticsfan]

Of course he led his team in TO's. His offensive game reminds me of Perk, in that there isnt much, but he can board with the big boys.

[Celtics17]

Captain,

I'm not talking about potential. Rondo does alot of things that I want a point guard to do much better than Derrick Rose right now in any system. He's a much better passer, a much better defender, and is better at reacting to and getting to loose balls than just about anybody. He's not as explosive a scorer as Rose. Of course, very few are outside of Dwayne Wade or Lebron James.

I can accept Kryzweski going with Rose over Rondo for this tournament, although, personally, I prefer Rondo as an overall player. I also get having Gordon and Curry on the bench as shooters. Even though neither is in Rondo's league as a player, they bring a specific skill set that comes in handy for this particular tournament.

I'm over losing Rajon as team USA's point guard. In fact, I think it's allowing me to enjoy the tournament much more as an objective observer of what I find to be a fascinating and exciting event.

[Celtics17]

Do you guys get ESPN3 or was the Turkey/Russia game televised on NBAtv or one one of the first two ESPNs and I just missed it?

Anyway, I'm taping the Turkey/China game tommorrow, and I'm very excited to see our young Turk in action. Yi has been a beast all tournament, and I would love to see Semih be able to hang with him.

Go Turkiye!!