Rondo: "I Need To Be More Aggressive"

By Scott Tribble
Celtics.com Correspondent
May 10, 2008

CLEVELAND, OH - The Celtics' offense never really got in gear during its 108-84 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Green Team shot a combined 40.5 percent from the field, with the Big Three -- Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen -- managing only 41 points, down fifteen from their season average. After the game, second-year point guard Rajon Rondo shouldered much of the blame for his team's offensive struggles.

"It starts with the point guard, and so I'm gonna take a lot of credit for this loss," Rondo told reporters, although Kevin Garnett later balked when told of Rondo's declaration, noting that it "ain't about one guy" and hung the loss on the team.

While the guard from Kentucky once again struggled from the field -- 3 for 10 in Game 3 and a combined 8-for-24 in the series thus far -- Coach Doc Rivers dwelled elsewhere on the stat sheet.

"The number for me...that I look at with Rondo is not the 3-for-10 [shooting], but the zero assists," Rivers said. "We've gotta get him to be aggressive and a playmaker."

Rivers cited specifically his young point's failure to set an early offensive tone.

"He didn't come off the pick and rolls to start the game like he had in Game 1 or Game 2, and he has to," Rivers said. "With his quickness, it has to be a factor, and, to start the game, it wasn't."

Rondo concurred with his coach. "To start the game I need to be more aggressive in transition, but I think it starts with defense. You gotta get stops in order to start the transition break."

In the third quarter, Rondo finally exhibited that desired aggression, sparking a run that cut the Celtics' deficit to twelve. "I wanted to hit the glass, try to get a break going, get a couple of easy shots for myself and my teammates," Rondo noted.

Still, the comeback eventually stalled, owing in large part to a much-improved Cavaliers' defense. Delonte West, in particular, harassed his counterpart all night. Cavs' Coach Mike Brown praised the former Celtic after the game.

"Defensively, [West] did a nice job pressuring the ball and being really active, not necessarily come up with steals all the time but being a presence on the floor," Brown said.

Unfortunately for Rondo, backup Sam Cassell also struggled on the night, going 0-for-6 from the field and notching only two assists. As Rondo put it, every Celtic will be taking a hard look in the mirror -- and at game film -- tomorrow.

Still, the point man already is looking ahead to Monday, declaring himself "ready for Game 4" and identifying the game as his "shot to get better."