Vlade Divac Says Kings 'Stole' Rajon Rondo In Free Agency

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/15/vlade-divac-says-kings-stole-rajon-rondo-in-free-agency/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs


Vlade Divac says Kings ‘stole’ Rajon Rondo in free agency
Brett Pollakoff Jul 15, 2015, 11:30 AM EDT




The Sacramento Kings had a tough time getting free agents to take their money this summer. But one of them didn’t have much of a choice.

At least three separate players reportedly turned down more money from the Kings in order to play somewhere else, mainly due to the dysfunction the organization has been mired in over the past several months.

Rajon Rondo, however, happily took a one-year deal worth $9.5 million to sign in Sacramento. It was an overpay by any reasonable standard given the way things ended in Dallas, along with his diminished level of production.

Vlade Divac, of course, sees things differently, and believes he got quite a deal in grabbing the point guard who has four All-Star appearances on his résumé.

Sean Cunningham ✔@News10Sean
Vlade Divac doesn't feel like the Kings are taking a chance/gamble on Rajon Rondo. Known him a long time - says Kings stole Rondo
7:49 PM - 14 Jul 2015
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It’s hard to steal something that no one else wants.

Rondo’s game, when combined with his behavior, wasn’t worth nearly what the Kings were willing to pay, even as a one-year risk. He could ultimately prove the doubters wrong by playing well and making the pieces in Sacramento fit, but for now just about everyone around the league will wisely reserve judgment.



bob
MY NOTE: Maybe Vlade would like to "steal" Young and a few other players for Cousins?


.

Great point, bob!!

They will see the 'real' Rondo soon enough. Rivers saw him in Boston, Stevens saw him in Boston and Carlisle saw him in Dallas. Funny that he is no longer in either of those two cities? Perhaps Divac did not "see" him in either city.

Rondo was an excellent fit for the Rivers run offense but not in Stevens motion office and not in Dallas which runs a similar offense.

A team with a primary low post scorer (Cousins) and a guard that knows how to feed the post should do quite well.

Perimeter shooting teams do not need a ball dominant PG that is also poor outside shooter.

Rondo is still a skilled floor general that will probably be an excellent fit in an offense that relies heavily on scoring in the post.

How well he connects with coach Karl will be extremely important.  Karl has already ruffled a few feathers apparently so this should be an interesting story.

I would not be too quick to criticize Divac because he may actually be correct.

dboss

I agree that Rondo is likely to make a comeback. He has a fine mind, and I bet he's using this summer to think things through and redefine his orientation so as to fit in nicely with the offense Karl (if he's still there) wants to run. Rondo also responds to having a chip on his shoulder, and the current chip must be bigger than a California redwood.

Sam

Carlisle said before the trade that he didn't want Rondo. I watched the games where RR played in Dallas and it was obvious that Carlisle was determined to pound square peg RR into the round hole he wanted at PG. In what universe do you have RR run to the corner and wait to shoot an open three?

The Triangle Offense?

Dboss

dboss wrote:The Triangle Offense?

Dboss

Maybe, if you're playing six on six. It was a little late in the season to implement the triangle otherwise.

Rondo was obviously miscast in Dallas in terms of both his playing strengths an his psyche. He's never going to be the easiest player to handle or to fathom. Perhaps Carl will do a better job of it than Carlisle did. I'm just glad Brad doesn't have to do it any longer.

Sam