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CONCERNED FANS FOR

BASKETBALL

CONCERNED FANS HAVE OBSERVED THAT
TUBBY SMITH DOES NOT USE OR DEVELOP TALENT
FOR THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT
OF THE TEAM AND PROGRAM

Many Tubby Smith Supportersf have laid the responsibility for the 2005-06 22-13 Team Turmoil II at the feet of certain players, including bnt not limited to Rajon Rondo. Patrick Sparks has been the target of this criticism as was Rekalim Sims. Following that sad season, Sparks graduated, but Sims left the program with one year of eligibility remaining after only one year on the Kentucky bench even though he had earned JUCO All-American recognition, was widely acclaimed when he decided to play his last two years at Kentucky, and posted some impressive numbers in early season appearances before Tubby relegated him to the pine for the remainder of the season.

With Rajon Rondo, he decided to make the jump to the NBA rather than endure another season pulling Tubby Smith's plow. Of course, those are not his words, but mine. Here is how Rajon Rondo described the basis for his decision.

“Rondo said he realized by midseason that the style of play at Kentucky was hurting his draft chances, decision to jump to the NBA was relatively easy. ‘Coach agreed that the style we were playing probably for me.’ Rondo said.”

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2461970&name=ford_chad

Of course, the Tubby Smith supporters showed Mr. Rondo no mercy in their criticism of his contributions, indeed cause, of the turmoil that marked the 2005-06 season, and they uniformly predicted Rondo's failure at the next level. However, it now appears that Rajon Rondo escaped the plow before sustaining permanent damage, although it now seems clear that the yoke lowered his draft value, making Rondo the steal of the 2006 NBA draft.

Mcguire: Rondo could be missing link for Celtics
By Matt Mcguire / Matt's Outlook
Wednesday, October 18, 2006

First, we were given Jonathan Papelbon. Next, we were pleasantly surprised with Laurence Maroney. Now it appears that we may be on the verge of experiencing the next young sensation in Rajon Rondo.

Alhough he has only played in a few preseason games, Rondo has been gathering praise at every step along the way and is being looked at as the one person who may finally complete Boston's offensive set.

Last season, the Celtics had a roster filled with swing players and athletic talent, but lacked a true point guard to guide the offense. Delonte West filled that point guard role, but he is much better suited to find his own shots than to enable the offense of his teammates. That is not a knock on West, who was one of the most consistent contributors last season, but it is what his talents are better suited for.

Danny Ainge's selection of Rondo with the 21st selection in the 2006 draft was questioned by many, as he had a reputation of being a slow paced point guard who was a poor shooter. That description didn't fit well with the up-tempo style that the Celtics are building toward. However, after the Las Vegas summer league and the few preseason games that have taken place, it is a description that doesn't quite fit.

It now seems that the pace that Rondo ran the offense at in Kentucky was more of a product of coach Tubby Smith's philosophy rather than a glimpse into his skill set. In his first three games with Boston, Rondo is averaging 15.3 points per game at 50 percent shooting. He is also contributing 5.7 assists and 3.3 steals. To be sure, it is not a fair indicator of what to expect in the regular season against proven NBA players, but it is an indicator of what type of player Rondo could potentially be.

He has been the fastest player on the court at all times and has the potential to be the type of floor general the Celtics desperately need. With Paul Pierce, Wally Szczerbiak, and West sitting on the perimeter, a player who can penetrate, pull in defenders, and set up his teammates can flourish in this system. So far he has done just that, and not only has he drawn the praise from his own boss, but he has received it from his opposition as well.

"It seems like he's been playing in the league for a couple years already," said Pierce. "He's calm out there. He understands the tempo and the style we're trying to play."

To read More:

http://www2.townonline.com/weymouth/opinion/view.bg?articleid=595869

Sure gives all Concerned UK Fans even more cause for concern, don't you think?

Submitted by Richard Cheeks

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