Chris Paul is the best point guard in the game today, and Rajon Rondo isn't too far behind at the position, probably in most people's top five. But besides being great at what they do, these guys have something else in common: they play the game with a noticeable chip on their shoulder.So it shouldn't come as any surprise that when the two went head-to-head in Boston on Sunday, things got a little heated during the game, and words were exchanged on the court after the final buzzer had sounded.
As the Celtics' announcers said, it looked like in the aerial view that Rondo was the instigator there, but then again, Paul was in the Celtics' bench area, and it's not exactly customary after a road loss to head over there to shake hands after a game.
Afterwards, Paul got in a sarcastic shot at Rondo, before quickly throwing some praise his way to soften the blow of the wisecrack.
"Rondo is a lucky guy, to play with guys like Pierce, (Ray) Allen and (Kevin) Garnett," Paul, who scored 22 points with eight assists, said with a sly smile.I can't ever remember instructions from a team's PR guy to the media making it into a game recap, but this quote from a member of the Celtics' media relations staff -- since it was hilarious -- did exactly that.
Asked if that was meant as a slight toward Rondo, the two-time All-Star said, "No, no. He is a great point guard and he's a champion. It's my hope to achieve that."
"Rajon has requested you not ask anything about Chris Paul now, tomorrow, or any other time,'' Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss said.
Most people that aren't fans of either one of these teams are probably laughing at this mini-incident this morning, because Paul and Rondo are the same guy. They're both great players, but they play the game in a way that makes you hate them when your team is on the court playing against them.
On Sunday, each found out what it was like to play against themselves, and they weren't at all happy with what they saw.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
KG and Rondo are both gonna end up pushing/bullying somebody too far one day and get what's coming to them.
Rondo and Paul are NOT the same guy. Last year's playoffs show that Rondo is a dirty player. Hope his contract extension doesn't make him more insufferable.
Amazing how two plays cause people like you to form faulty opinions. Rondo is not a dirty player. First, you're going to believe whatever you want, but he wasn't going for Miller's face. He came flying over from his position to stop an open shot - not to hit someone. Second, he pulled Heinrich's arm because Heinrich was shoving him up the court and almost knocked him over. --------On the other hand, Chris Paul has always had a reputation for being a dirty player, going all the way back to college:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2007240
In addition to Chris Paul being more of a dirty player and being WAY MORE VERBAL with opponents, you're right that they are different type players.
Paul is a much better shooter and scorer. Rondo is a much better jumper and rebounder. Rondo is a better defender (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-090415). Rondo is faster. Rondo is arguably a better passer. And Rondo quarterbacked his team to an NBA title.
So unless you're someone who is influenced mainly by points scored, the adavantage goes to Rondo.
i'm not going to argue with you too much, but the "quaterbacked his team to an NBA title" thing goes a little far. he was valuable in that run, but he in no way was leader of that team.
that'd be like saying derek fisher was the best point guard early this decade becuase the lakers won 3 of 4 championships in a row. let us not forget they had kobe and shaq.
oh. and they're both dirty. his "stop an open shot" defense would be valid if the ball wasn't 5 feet away from him when he threw a roundhouse to miller's head. that's dirty.
Yeah, I can see how the word "quarterbacked" may have indicated something more in 2008 than it actually was. I simply meant that he was THE point guard on a championship team. That alone, doesn't make him the best point guard, but it does give him valuable playoff experience that many other young guards are lacking. Even for Derek Fisher, this is something that makes him very valuable to a playoff team.
Again, on the Miller play, he had to come from ten feet away to even reach Miller. Most guards wouldn't have even made it there. So, you're saying that he not only had to do the impossible by getting over there, but he was also supposed to get up high enough to reach the ball on a guy who is a foot taller than him.
Ok, quickly. Rondo is not a better passer than CP3. Rebounder yes, jumper? sure but that goes back into the rebounding category. Shooting/scoring goes to CP3, basketball IQ goes to CP3, and absolutely passing goes to CP3. Rondo does make good passes, but with KG, Pierce and Ray allen all able to create of the pass and off the dribble, its not hard for him to rack up assists as he is the 4th option on that team. CP3, being the best player on NO is almost always a 20-10 guy with much less talent around him. Sure Paul and Rondo are similar, but rondo at best is and always will be a poor mans Chris Paul
Rondo is kinda overrated 2 me
Check this out. The NBA is investigating whether Chris Paul tried to follow Rondo to the Boston locker room. And then the next night, Paul punches Al Harrington in the head while they are on the floor. Apparently it was one of those sneaky sucker punches like his groin-punching at Wake Forest.--------
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4618194
glenn20 are you serious? rondo isn't a dirty player? he wasn't aiming at miller's face? rondo admitted to intentionally fouling miller to prevent a shot. He knew he wouldn't be able to get to the ball, so he just swung for his face. you are 'tard. CP3 will always be better than rondo. Rondo just has the good fortune of being surrounded by a better team. Ask yourself this...will Rondo ever play for Team USA (over CP3)?...as assembly of the BEST players in the league. i don't think so.