Exactly this. Playing with someone like Rondo would make Harden's life a lot easier on both end of the floor, I think.
For those that are saying a Rondo/Harden backcourt wouldn't work. Why not? The way I see it... there's NO BETTER player to pair next to Harden than Rondo. The less energy Harden has to expend ISO-ing, dribbling and trying to create an open shot for himself and the rest of the team the better. Hopefully he can exert that energy more towards defense and hustling for loose balls. Seldom, do you see Harden ever get easy, uncontested buckets. You rarely see him wide open for 3's or jumpers... it's always a man on defender with a hand in his face or he drives and draws contact and gets to the line to get his points. With Rondo running the show and relieving Harden of dribbling duties this will make the game so much easier not just for Harden but the rest of the team. Every time I see an old Celtic clip or highlight from their run a few years ago I think to myself "how the hell was Ray Allen so wide open on that 3?" "Why are they leaving KG wide open for that 15fter? That's his bread and butter". "Dang that was an easy finish for Perk inside". The answer is Rondo. Having a player like Harden is a blessing because he can and should be an amazing closer at the end of games and there's a time and place for ISO ball when you absolutely need to get a bucket but you can't do that **** every single play. Get Rondo and have him wreak havoc in the paint and watch the rest of our guys get wide open looks and let him show you what a real offense is supposed to look like. We need a pass 1st shoot 2nd PG and Rondo is the best in that department. Dwight gets fed inside, Harden gets easier looks, role players get wide open shots all while Rondo racks up the assists and leads the league again in that category. Everyone is happy. It's a win situation.
I see it being 50 50. It might end up being the best thing to happen for us/harden but it can also backfire because of the way they play. At the end of the day though anytime you can add a star like rondo, regardless of position you do it. So I'd welcome rondo with open arms. My opinion is he would end up fitting in. You can say harden is the point all you want but in reality he isn't. We're missing that floor general. I'm down with going hard after him.
I agree. I believe rondo can open up plays for all of our players including Harden. The real question here is: can these egos coexist? Mainly Rondo and Harden.
If Le$ and Maury want to bring back one of the worst coaches in the NBA, the least they can do is trade for Rondo. That way you have one of the best floor generals in the entire league on your team and that might compensate for McFail's incompetence.
That's another thing I wondered but it shouldn't be that big of a concern. From what I can tell in watching Harden since we've gotten him.... he doesn't have that much of an ego. He comes off as a mellow even keel guy who lets his game do the talking and leads more by his play on the court than being vocal. What I'm more concerned about is if Harden is willing to adapt and change parts of his game. Is he willing to move without the basketball, cut to the hoop, run the baseline, explode off of back and away screens? If he's willing to do these things it will be for the better of his game and the teams game. This will be a true testament to Harden if we are somehow lucky enough to get Rondo. All the great players are exactly that "great" because they're able to adapt and adjust styles. For example when Wade was the man in Miami before Lebron took his talents to SB he (Wade) was a very ball dominant player. When James came he had to adapt and adjust to a new style of play. Allen was the man on the Bucks/Sonics and Pierce was always the man in Boston and they all adapted to make it work. In the rare instance that things don't work out I'd say it's because Harden wasn't willing to change. Very few players in the league truly make their teammates better. I'm a FIRM believer that Rondo is one of them. He's won before and given the right pieces around him I know he can win again.
Brian Windhorst on ESPN radio just now: "Houston is big game hunting right now. If they strike out on LBJ/Melo/Bosh/Love, their next target will be Rajon Rondo"
Windhorst is the new Ramona Shelbourne. ESPN is trying to create a new generation of "insiders" that people will accept.
i'd fully expect us to be kicking the tires on Rondo regardless of what happens with our free agent push. We need a point guard and he's one of the best on both sides of the ball.
We would probably have to trade Parsons at that point right? Sending him in a S/T to Boston with Jones and Lin? Or maybe we can get Philly involved in a 3 way trade. Idk how it works honestly.
One thing I've noticed while playing My Career on 2K14.. I have a pretty ball dominant PG playing for Houston and its so difficult to get James involved since he cant play off the ball (when he does catch and shoot off the ball it hardly goes in). However, Howard and Jones are BEASTLY!
No, bimas theory on lowry and melo works here too. Would be a complex 4 way deal with New Orleans, Boston and Miami, If this were to happen I think jones lin and New Orleans pick lands rondo, send future 2nd rounders to Miami to thank them for making this easier and give them a trade exception Sign parsons after to a 11/5 deal
So why does Boston do this deal? Also does it matter that Lowry didnt command the max like Rondo would?
That math would be almost impossible. You'd be so close to the hard cap you would cripple the team's flexibility.
I can't control Harden's player on My Career though. All I can do is pass him the ball and let the computer screw it up.
