Rondo’s Esteemed Defense Fails Celtics In Game Six Debacle

On Wednesday afternoon, Rajon Rondo was named to his fourth consecutive All-Defensive team.  On Wednesday evening, Jrue Holiday and the Philadelphia 76ers dribble penetrated Rondo’s Celtics to death, sending the ugliest semifinals series in recent history to a seventh game.  Please, Boston, get your sh!t together.  I like Philly’s personnel, but they lost all three of their match ups with Miami this season by an average of 14 points.  Despite their consistently-inconsistent play, I feel like the Celtics might be able to make the Conference Finals at least a tad bit interesting.  The Sixers could realistically be eliminated by the broom.

Anyway, as we march toward the game that could be the big three’s last, Rondo is at the center of discussion.  “Game seven is all about Rondo,” says Tim Legler.  “Rondo giveth and Rondo taketh away,” states the Boston Globe.  “Wednesday night’s sixth game was not vintage Rondo,” notes the Philadelphia Inquirer.

It’s as if Rondo’s inconsistency is news.  I’m not even going to go there… but what I am going to point out is this: I’ve not come across a single character about Rajon’s game-six defense.  I’ll begin with eight: t-e-r-r-i-b-l-e.

All game long Phildelphia’s guards were granted access to the paint.  Jrue Holiday, Lou Williams, and Evan Turner treated their defenders like turnstyles, easily and repeatedly puncturing Boston’s first line of defense.  Hubie Brown cited the impact of Philly’s dribble drives throughout the game, and really harped on it down the stretch.  Brown’s assessment of the action was right on the money.  Holiday, Williams, and Turner either scored or assisted on all but one of Philadelphia’s eight fourth-quarter field goals.  The only exception was a jumper netted by Elton Brand, which just so happened to be set up by an Andre Iguodala drive and kick.

All of this dribble penetration ultimately led to 42 paint points, 28 free throws, and 22 assists.  Jrue Holiday commandeered the attack with 20 and 6, Lou Williams produced 11 and 6 off the bench, and Evan Turner was good for 12 and 4 (a combined 43 and 16).  Rajon Rondo spent time defending all three of these dudes, and all three of ‘em made easy work of blowing right by him (Exhibits A, B, and C).

Now, don’t get me wrong here—it wasn’t all Rondo’s fault.  Ray Allen got burned multiple times (kind of understandable due to his ankle situation), as did Mickael Pietrus (not understandable at all considering his role).  I’m simply choosing to single out Rondo because of his defensive reputation.  He may not have asked for said reputation, but he’s got it, as evidenced by the aforementioned All-Defense selections.  Rondo is an elite defender in the minds of many, and this… I simply fail to understand.

Yes, Rondo does finish at the top of the steals list every single season.  He’s very effective in playing passing lanes and turning loose balls into transition opportunities.  However, when it comes to staying in front of his man (the most important aspect of perimeter defense) he’s anything but elite.  Avery Bradley, his new backcourt mate, is infinitely better in this regard.  When discussing game six, to say the absence of Bradley shone like Birdman’s diamonds would be an understatement.

So, I think it’s absolutely fair to say Rondo’s D failed the Celtics on the day of his latest All-Defense selection.  I figured this would come up as a predictable postgame storyline, but I guess no one noticed.  I suppose the fact that Kobe’s still making these f@cking defensive squads just goes to show that it’s all about reputation.  Once you’ve built that rep, you’re in for life—as long as you remain an effective offensive player.

Funny how that works.