(I'd like to preface this first entry as a pilot. I haven't quite figured this shit out yet and in time I'll get the stats worked out properly. Stay tuned, thanks for reading.)
It's my belief that great players are measured by their performances on big stages against big time opponents. Certainly there's something to be said about consistency over the period of a grueling 82-game schedule but in a sport uniquely predicated on individualism, it's my contention that barometers on achievement should be given weighted value.
Case in point ESPN darling child and rising talent, Rajon Rondo.
PREGAME:
Friday night the ambitious young guard matched up up against the world's preeminent point guard, Chris Paul. Paul is in every sense of the word, basketball genius. Like the great point guards of the past, CP3 is able to see the game unfold before the rest of the world does and this rarest of instincts combined with lighting quick reflexes, superior athletic coordination and a courage that matches the Kobes and LeBrons of the cosmos makes him truly marvelous.
Rondo's instincts march to a different tune. Unlike Paul, he can not see the game several moves in advance and thus does not threaten the defense on every touch. He attacks when defenses least expect or when they are most exposed to his particular strengths. Those strengths being great quickness, blazing speed and remarkably quick hands. In fact these traits make him as good (if not better) a defensive player as an offensive one. He's still very much learning to be a good player, but the leadership of Kevin Garnett and Paul Peirce have clearly rubbed off on the young Rondo as demonstrated by career high numbers so far this season.
THE NUMBERS:
- Chris Paul- 20pts, 14 assists, 3 turnovers, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 5-16, 10-10FTs
- Rajon Rondo- 10 pts, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 4-12, 2-2FTs
THE ANALYSIS:
Rondo defending Paul: The individual match up clearly meant a little something more to Rondo. He tried attacking Paul, playing passing lanes and pressuring the ball to little avail. He did pick an unsuspecting Paul's pocket early (which he took for a layup) but CP3's craftiness eventually took care of Rondo as he put him on the bench with 2 early fouls by maneuvering past the overly aggressive Rondo and then creating contact by slowing his pace and forcing Rondo to run into him. Aikido anyone? This is great stuff--a technique Nash consistently uses keeping a defender vulnerable using their over aggressiveness against them.
As the game goes on Rondo chills out. Boston's defense and control of the glass = control of the tempo and New Orleans is forced to play a grind it out pick and roll game offensively. The Celtics went with a variety of looks on pick and rolls, trapping often, or bringing a third defender to spy on Paul.
What you realize watching these pick and rolls unfold is that Paul is virtually untrappable. He simply does not put himself in a position that jeopardizes the ball because he reads every possibility before committing to a move. Plus, he never picks up his dribble. When Paul decides to dribble and beat the trap, the exact moment, angle and speed is so brilliantly calculated and there's really nothing opposing defenses can do except throw another defender at him once he beats the double. Unfortunately for Paul, his teammates didn't show up well enough to take advantage Friday night.
Paul defending Rondo: Rondo didn't play a great game offensively. He managed to make a couple plays in transition/semi-transition when he wasn't picked up by Paul--but on only one occasion did Rondo directly beat Paul. Paul played solid team defense. He picked off a Rondo pass which lead to a layup (to counter Rondo's early swipe and bucket) and picked up a couple other steals. CP3 has a real knack for being at the right place at the right time and having those lighting quick hands and reflexes to get to the ball and get in transition.
PAUL'S SCORECARD:
Decision-making: A-
Play-making: A-
Execution: B-
Defense: B+
RONDO'S SCORECARD:
Decision-making: B
Play-making: C
Execution: B-
Defense: C+
