Rajon Rondo Draws Gary Payton Comparisons

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rajon-rondo-draws-gary-payton-comparisons-175100369--nba.html


Rajon Rondo Draws Gary Payton Comparisons
Rondo and the Glove

Yahoo! Contributor Network Mark Evans 34 minutes ago


COMMENTARY | To the passive fan, Rajon Rondo has gained a reputation as "the point guard who can't shoot" over the past few years. The average spectator will watch how opposing defenses play so far off of him and wonder how he can still be such a good player. Boston Celtics fans have grown to appreciate Rondo's unique style and accept him for what he is; a fascinating talent who is occasionally great.

What he really is, in a word, is interesting. On some nights, he is the most fiery competitor and a constant threat to post a triple double. These nights, which often happen to be on the big stage, you have no question that he can fight with anyone in the league. In the "less important" games during the regular season, however, you wonder exactly what's going on with him. That fire is suddenly tamed, and he seems extremely passive on both ends of the floor.

When he's locked in, you're in for a treat. Whether it's watching him guard LeBron James, who happens to be about seven inches taller, or wondering how he can go for 44 points in a playoff game, you realize that Rondo can be a very special player.

One NBA legend has clearly seen Rondo at his best, and sees his full potential. Gary Payton, who is known as one of the best defensive players of all time and one of the most ruthless competitors, believes that Rajon Rondo is the only player currently in the NBA who could live up to Payton's reputation. In the quotes, you can read that Payton's comparison originates mostly from the defensive end, as he doesn't believe Rondo has quite the same scoring ability. "The Glove" also questions Rondo's attitude, believing that it is his major obstacle to greatness.

At some levels, you can certainly see the similarities. Although Payton is a little taller, they have a similar physique. Neither had the type of body to make you wonder how long they were doing dumbbell curls in the weight room, but still have the type of strength to guard anybody. Defense is a personal challenge for both players, and neither have ever been afraid to guard anyone; whether it be Michael Jordan or LeBron James.

Obviously, Rajon Rondo is far from Gary Payton. Payton is the superior scorer, and he seemed to bring his competitive fire on a much more consistent basis. It's tough to imagine Rondo scoring over 20 points per game as Payton did multiple times, although this season might be a good time to start.

Regardless, it's an interesting comparison that Payton chose to make. Rondo's attitude is still the major question inside Payton's head, as is the case with plenty of NBA fans. "The Glove" is a basketball legend, and I'm sure Rondo would be honored to have his name brought up in the same sentence.

Mark lives in the Boston area and has been covering the Celtics for 3 years. He has been featured on Fox Sports Yardbarker, Fox Sports, and Sports Illustrated "Hot Clicks", and has been published on Celtics 24/7, Bleacher Report, and Sports-Kings.



bob
MY NOTE:  This is silly.  First of all, Rondo's defense was starting to look more like a turnstile last season than real defense.  Tony Allen and Avery Bradley, especially Bradley, play defense more like The Glove, than Rondo both effectively and stylistically.  This Yahoo Contributor Network is starting to make Bleacher Report look like the Associated Press.  Payton's comments are FAR more revealing than the author's conclusions.

Gary Payton career stats/36mpg - 16.7ppg, 46.6%fg, 73%ft, 4.0rebs, 6.9assists, 2.3TOs, 1.9stls
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/paytoga01.html

Rajon Rondo career stats/36mpg - 12.2ppg, 48%fg, 62%ft, 5.0rebs, 9.1assists (averaged over double-digits last 3 years straight), 3.0TOS, 2.1stls.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rondora01.html


Through all but the last few years of his career, Payton took a lot more fgas than Rondo, ergo more scoring.
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