CLEVELAND, Ohio – Yes, Rajon Rondo can still play and he’ll help the Cavs.
That’s not just my opinion. Former Cavs coach Mike Fratello believes that is the case. Obviously, Fratello knows the game after being an NBA head coach for 17 seasons with a 667-548 record. He also brings a recent scouting report on Rondo, as Fratello does TV work for the L.A. Clippers.
The Cavs acquired Rondo from the Lakers for Denzel Valentine, who is expected to be waived by L.A.
“I saw Rondo last year with the Clippers, and he really helped them,” said Fratello. “Paul George and Kawhi Leonard were thrilled when they acquired Rondo at mid-season. He could bring the ball up the court, set up the offense and take some of that pressure off them.”
In 18 games for the Clippers last season, Rondo averaged 7.6 points, 5.8 assists and shot .486 from the field (.432 on 3-pointers) in 20 minutes a game. He was acquired during the season in a trade with Atlanta.
The Cavs scrambled to add a veteran point guard after Ricky Rubio suffered a season-ending knee injury on Tuesday.
“Can Rondo go out and get 27 points like Rubio did in his last game? No,” said Fratello. “But he can do a lot of the things Rubio does so well.”
Love this photo of Mike Fratello when he was hired to coach the Cavaliers in 1993.The Plain Dealer
STILL HAS SOME SKILL LEFT
The 35-year-old Rondo has been in the NBA for 16 seasons. His first nine were with Boston, where he was the starting point guard on the 2008 championship team. Overall, the 6-foot-1 Rondo has been with eight teams. Late in his career, he’s the type of smart veteran good teams want as a backup.
“He is a coach on the floor,” said Fratello. “He can distribute the ball. He can bring the ball up the court against pressure. He’s not the same elite defender as before, but he can get steals and deflections.”
Rondo will be important to the Cavs.
“He’s very good on the high pick-and-roll play,” Fratello said. “You know how (Darius) Garland and Rubio could drive around the pick and then put that lob pass for the big guy at the rim? Rondo can do that, too. He also can make a floater if the defense backs off him.”
The Cavs have big men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen who are superb on those pick-and-lob plays.
The Cavs are expected to continue to look for guard help. But Rondo was available now. He let the Cavs know he was anxious to join this young team. But don’t expect much offense from Rondo, who never was a very good outside shooter.
“He brings a lot what Rubio brought to the Cavs,” said Fratello. “But they will miss Rubio’s scoring.”
WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE LAKERS?
With the Lakers, Rondo played in 18 games, shooting .324 from the field (.267 on 3-pointers), averaging 3.1 points and 3.7 assists in 17 minutes. Rondo had played with the Lakers before. LeBron James and other veterans there liked him.
But Rondo was lost on the roster that included Carmelo Anthony, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Dwight Howard and James. Veterans Westbrook and James dominate the ball.
“They needed outside shooting,” said Fratello. “That wasn’t Rondo’s game. It wasn’t a good fit for him.”
Rondo is on a one-year, $2.6 million contract. If he plays poorly, it doesn’t cost much to cut him. It’s a no-risk move. The Cavs and Fratello stressed not to expect as much from Rondo as they received from the remarkable Rubio. But he is an upgrade over what they have on the roster behind Garland.
“Is Rondo’s tank as full as it once was? No,” said Fratello. “But he’s got enough in there to help the Cavs.”
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