As Rondo goes, so goes the Celts...

[BradyManny]

I have been saying this for two seasons now and its proving itself more so than ever.

To put it succinctly, if we are going to win game 6/game 7 and if we are going to beat the Cavs in a 7 game series (and I think we can do it), it all comes down to which Rondo shows up. The Rondo who terrorized the Bulls, or the Rondo who walks it down the court and hands it off to Paul Pierce.

Paul Pierce can dominant and we will not defeat the Cavs. Rajon Rondo has to dominant in order for us to continue to compete for a title.

Part of it falls on Doc for not taking the youngster and giving him the ball and the keys to the team. Because if the offense continues to be predicated on off the ball screens and Paul Pierce isolation, I don't know if we'll even get by the Magic, let alone how we'll fare against the Cavs. The offense has to run off of Rondo's pentration.

On the other end, Rondo has to play tighter and more aggressive D on his man without losing him on penetration. He also has to close on the perimeter better.

It all comes down to #9.

 

[scout]

He is definitely the difference maker. The Celtics only chance of beating Cleveland will be if Rondo excels along with great contributions from a number of other players. Before the last game, he was just shy of a averaging a triple double for the playoffs. I think we might be ok after the big three retire, if we are able to bring in a big man.
Big Baby also has been huge. As someone mentioned in another thread, next year he could be the sixth man in the truest Celtic sense.
Whether this team wins another game, they have already gained Celtic admiration from the most die hard fans.

 

[maverick4]

I think it also comes down to Ray Allen winning/stealing a game or two as well, from a hot hand shooting 3's.

 

[DSHoyt]

In order to get by the Cavs, everyone, is going to have to step it up. Big Baby has been huge in this series especially. Rondo needs to play like he did against the Bulls. Ray Allen needs to get hot and start actually making shots. The bench is gonna have to get hot like House did previously. I still think we'll get by Orlando, and would love to finish the series off in Orlando...the Cavs...we're gonna have to seriously step it up.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I think that's half true, ie we're not going anywhere without Rondo dominating. Same holds true for Allen, though, imo. Allen and Rondo both need to kill it if we're going to have a shot (I don't include Pierce just because I pretty much take it for granted that he'll show up).

 

[Kdo5]

RONDO IS A CHUMP whenever he tries to take a frigging jumper. Your a starting NBA point guard how ******* hard is it?

 

[Disco Volante]

Feels like we just gave that one away...

 

[scout]

RONDO IS A CHUMP whenever he tries to take a frigging jumper. Your a starting NBA point guard how ******* hard is it?

Bravo, great post. Hey, do us a big favor, go to Celticsblog.com and let your feelings be known. BTW, Dennis Johnson went thru a period where he did not have a jump shot, and he wasn't too shabby a player. Oh, and yes, I am comparing Rondo to Dennis Johnson.

 

[pork3]

Feels like we just gave that one away...

Offensively we were a mess in the second half and the lopsided amount of fouls called against the Celtics certainly didn't help things.

Ray Allen has been literally shut out of this entire series as well.

Game 7 will be a crapshoot. Hopefully the Celtics can avoid the large number of turnovers that transpired in this game (it was horrible to watch at times).

-Jamman

 

[WhiskeyBreath]

Turnovers galore.

 

[Disco Volante]

Pierce missing those two free throws left things wide open for the Magic.