Rajon Rondo’s Triple-Double Commands LeBrons Defense?
During game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals Rajon Rondo put the entire Boston Celtics roster on his back, producing a monstrous triple-double to help the Celtics equalize at 2 games apiece with Cleveland. Rondo scored 29 points, 13 assists, and might have had the ghost of Dennis Rodman possessing him while grabbing a career playoff best 18 rebounds.
How good was Rondo? Good enough for LeBron James to suggest publicly in the media, cough cough, this means you Mike Brown, that he is perfectly intent on assuming Rondo as his defensive assignment. Maybe LeBron is on to something. You kill the head, you kill the snake. Wait, well, uh, if he can get to the finals, maybe he can try this out on the Black Mamba.
Rondo just tossed out Oscar Robertson numbers in a modern day NBA playoff game. Somewhere in this world ESPN’s Bill Simmons head is exploding.
You really think this is smart LeBron?
The Cavs return to Cleveland maintaining home court advantage heading into game 5, but what possible outcomes could occur if LeBron actually guards Rondo?
Basketball ultimately is a game of good matchups, or, better yet, mismatches. Great coaches will always find ways to win with lesser or somewhat older talent (wink wink Boston) as long as they can exploit the proper mismatch at the quintessential moment.
Does anyone think assigning LeBron to defend Rondo is a good idea? I believe it creates a plethora of mismatches in favor of Boston.
Will this enable Paul Pierce to finally kick his game into gear and erupt for some meaningful scoring? If LeBron is not guarding him, who on Cleveland will be capable of adequately stopping him?
Who will Mo Williams defend? Seriously though.
Sure LeBron will reduce some of the damage Rondo can cause if he is defending Rondo, but at what ultimate price?
I strongly believe it might be the answer to Paul Pierce’s prayers. When Paul Pierce gets on track, things can get ugly for whoever Boston is playing, wherever Boston is playing, whenever Boston is playing.
So, if we see LeBron vs. Rondo, the odds are good Rondo doesn’t grab 18 rebounds or come close to scoring 29 points. Rondo might still get 13 or more assists, because Paul Pierce might finally be able to score more than handful of buckets, possibly exceeding the 20 plus plateau for the first time in this series. All of these potential incidents favor Boston.
Will that be enough for Boston to claim a road victory against the reigning MVP on his home floor? Who knows? But it will be very interesting indeed to watch.
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Mon, May 10, 2010 by admin
NBA Playoffs, News, Opinions