We Got Rondo! A Mavs Fan Reacts Giddily
On Friday afternoon (NZT) the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks agreed to a 5-player plus additives trade that sent Rajon Rondo to Dallas. It just so happens that our very own Wildcard is a passionate Mavs fan, so we let him loose. Apologies for any distasteful bias that may ensue.
I suppose it all started on a rainy Thursday. Not in Dallas, I don’t know what the weather was like there. But it was raining in Auckland, New Zealand I can tell you that much. It often is, especially during the season that they so cruelly call summer. Anyway, Thursday, that was when the rumours started to swirl. By Friday afternoon it was signed, sealed, delivered, he’s ours.
Not sure if this is weird or not, but with the impending acquisition of 4-time All-Star Rajon Rondo, my first thoughts were of reluctance to see Brandon Wright and Jae Crowder go. I’ve loved those guys, Wright with his energy off the bench and those rangy arms and Crowder with his physicality, dreadlocks and the odd three-point heat streak. But then my second thoughts were of what we were getting in return and the giggles came on strong.
My third thoughts were the pleasant surprise that Rondo’s still only 28 years old! That’s the same age as Kyle Lowry. He feels at least 4 years older.
Most teams in the league would be improved by Rajon Rondo. There are plenty of great guards in the NBA but few with Rondo’s track record, so it was a shock to see the Mavs get him for so little. Sure, it’s only for 6 months at this stage but the deal wouldn’t have gone through without at least a 75% chance that he’d re-sign. I mean, most of the other great point guards are obviously playing for top teams so if Rondo’s out for a contender this is his best bet. The teams ahead of the Mavs at the time of the trade were Golden State (PG = Steph Curry), Memphis (Mike Conley), Portland (Damian Lillard), Toronto (Kyle Lowry), Houston (Patrick Beverley) and Washington (John Wall). Only the Houston Rockets look like they’d make that switch and by accounts they were keen, they just didn’t wanna part with their high draft picks (which the Celtics are hoarding like a squirrel and its nuts). Plus there are question marks over whether Rondo might upset MVP frontrunner (IMO) James Harden’s rhythm.
Oh, man, but Rondo’s a perfect fit on this Mavs team! Anyone who says otherwise is a jaded Celtics fan or a contrarian. Let’s play strengths and weaknesses: Rondo’s greatest strength is his passing and here he’s surrounded by shooters. Guys who’ll thrive with the extra space Rondo’s vision will provide them. His biggest weakness is his lack of scoring and the fact that he can fade in the fourth. Well, with Dirk, Monta and the Chandlers he doesn’t have to score more than 8-12 ppg. And Devin Harris is a specialist closer anyway (he’s losing some minutes to RR, though).
Rajon Rondo – Monta Ellis – Tyson Chandler – Chandler Parsons – Dirk Nowitzki
IS THAT THE BEST STARTING 5 IN THE NBA!? (Eh, the Cavs, Warriors, Grizzlies and Spurs can all argue that. Maybe even the Bulls. But it’s better than it was a week ago!)
Hmm, but that does leave a hole in the bench. Brandon Wright was shooting at just under 75% off the bench for 8.8ppg in less than 19 minutes a game. That’s quality. Of course, J.J. Barea and Devin Harris bring depth at the guards and Al-Farouq Aminu is capable of some things but I’m not counting on Charlie V or Richard Jefferson. The Mavs need a back-up center (that’s not named Greg Smith) and hopefully a few points with him. The good news there is who wouldn’t wanna follow Chandler and Wright’s example? Play some D, set a few screens and zone in on the basket to take advantage of Monta, Devin, Rajon (!) and co.’s lob passes. Jermaine O’Neal would be the clear preference.
Dwight Powell was also a part of the trade coming in Dallas’ direction, but I’ll wait until he’s played a few more games than the 5 currently under his belt before expecting anything at all. Sounds like more of a Power Forward anyway. Probably not a good sign that he’s already been traded twice in his rookie season, though by accounts he’s a guy with at least some potential.
The Mavericks were already on a record pace offensively even before the addition of the guy who currently leads the league in assists. 110 points per game. It’s pretty and it’s efficient and exciting to watch. They have a variety of scoring options and they’ll take advantage of whatever the opposition’s defence offers them.
But their own defence is a problem. A fairly big one, and it’s why the 19-8 Mavs are 0-5 against fellow playoff-placed western conference teams. Rondo won’t sure all that up but he’s a solid improvement over wee Jameer Nelson. Rondo is a former leader in steals, a gambler who can be a plus defender when his mind is on it. People have slammed his focus at Boston the last while but, come on, he’s been injured and playing for a lottery team. This move should reinvigorate him.
That’s how I see him fitting in, here’s where I dish out some praise. Mark Cuban is very outspoken, he’s always got something to say and someone to say it to. Generally, as far as sports owners go, that’s a bad thing, but Cuban has proven time and time again that he has developed into one of the best owners in all American Sports. He’s ruthless in his desire to win, fiercely loyal and capable of the tough decisions. The players love him. Plus he’s really clever. While other team are cleaning out the garage and trading their old knickknacks for draft picks, Cuban has targeted trades and free agents. His theory being that in all areas of business, if everyone is playing by one strategy your best option is to do the opposite. In the modern NBA that means that picks are overvalued and older players are undervalued. Cue the Tyson Chandler trade with the Knicks (letting Tyson go was one of Cuban’s bigger mistakes but had he landed Deron Williams/Chris Paul/Dwight Howard then it would’ve been worth it). Same goes for the Jason Kidd trade a few years back, one of the defining moments of his ownership in hindsight. When Dirk Nowitzki took a hometown discount in the offseason, Cuban promised him he’d use the extra space to bring him in some help. Mark Cuban is a man of his word.
Also, this:
Yep. He closed the deal at the finale of the Colbert Report.
And the coaching/scouting staff, particularly Rick Carlisle. Jae Crowder was a second round pick. Brandon Wright was a reclamation project signed for the minimum, extended for a franchise-friendly 2yrs $10m and then traded for Rajon Rondo – a guy who once dominated LeBron James in the playoffs. Oh, sure there were a couple draft picks and a trade exception in there too, plus Jameer Nelson (clearly expendable in the circumstances). But Dallas don’t do draft picks. Wright was the cornerstone of this trade – what an incredible win for the Mavs!
I’m surprised nobody offered more for Rondo, though for the Celtics I think it’s still a small victory. He was leaving in 6 months for nothing. They got three quality depth players and the potential for two more over the next two drafts for 6 months of a guy who didn’t even wanna be there. Still, it must be rough for Bawston fans to see the last lifeline to the 2008 Championship team disappear. I know the feeling – within three years of the Mavs own title run only Dirk and Shawn Marion remained (since then Tyson Chandler and J.J. Barea have made the prodigal journey back). Ah, but the memories. I might just go watch the DVD again after this…
Does the Rondo trade make the Mavericks contenders? Even favourites? No, sadly. In fact I’m not even sure it makes much of a difference to where they’ll finish. I still feel like the 4-7 seeds are the expected range just as I did before. Maybe it gives them a little extra belief come playoff time, in the very least it shows that they’re serious about their chances. This trade was cold-blooded opportunism. The first major in-season move of 2014-15 and one that’ll have the teams ahead looking back over their shoulders and wondering: ‘Do we need that extra guy too? Are we getting complacent?’ Houston certainly took no time in bringing in Corey Brewer.
So, yeah, I’m pretty excited to be cheering for Rajon Rondo from now on. Sorry to see Brandon Wright go but I knew as soon as the rumours began that he and Crowder (now known as Crowdah) were the most trade-able assets. So it goes. Once upon a time I was sorry to see a wildly inconsistent O.J. Mayo go too… until we replaced him with Monta Ellis. I do feel I’m underselling Jameer Nelson in this piece, suffice to say he’s not been great in his small stay in Dallas. Sorry Jameer, best of luck in Boston. Dirk Nowitzki, a player offered max contracts by multiple teams between seasons, is now the lowest paid starter on the Mavericks.
There’s something immediately enthusing for fans when a team makes a positive trade, and despite Boston’s small gains, this was a freakin’ steal! (Supposing he re-signs – which Cuban seems convinced he will). It sends ripples of confidence through the entire organisation.
I’m not convinced Rondo makes an enormous difference in a stacked Western Conference but by God I cannot wait to see him in a blue and white singlet. Somehow this offence has gotten even more entertaining this week. Rajon Rondo’s arsenal of passes is unparalleled and I’m insanely pumped to see this sexy bit of skill in action. Along with Dirk’s fadeaway, the Mavs now have two of the most beautiful trademark moves in the NBA.