spursparker9
11-29-2014, 11:38 PM
WALTHAM, Mass. — It's not easy for Rajon Rondo to look at what the San Antonio Spurs have built and not reminisce about how not that long ago, he too was part of a dominate, dynasty-like franchise.
Boston traded away Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in 2013, bringing an official end to the Big Three run in Boston which included an NBA title in 2008 and another trip to the Finals in 2010, along with three trips to the Eastern Conference finals (2008, 2010, 2012).
Back then, the talent alone put Boston in elite company. But more than anything, the Celtics had players who knew how to play well at a high level with one another.
When Rondo watches the Spurs, he sees a lot of the same ingredients in their seemingly never-ending run of success.
"The plays they make, I'm sure Pops (head coach Gregg Popovich) don't even have to call those plays," Rondo said. "Once upon a time we had chemistry like that. Kevin, Ray (Allen) and Paul and other guys, Perk (Kendrick Perkins), we had been playing together, had four or five training camps together."
Rondo added, "we're starting over here. It's a learning process."
Part of that process involves learning from every experience such as playing the reigning NBA champion Spurs.
Not only are they talented, but they know how to execute on a level that few if any teams in the NBA are capable of doing with such consistency.
While the Celtics are trying to establish their own identity as a team, they are candid in admitting that there are aspects of how the Spurs go about doing things that they would not mind emulating.
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens acknowledged that the Spurs have had some influence on how his team plays currently.
"They've impacted some of what we do offensively, certainly," said Stevens, referring to the Celtics trying to play with great pace and space akin to San Antonio. "It's a fun way to play. And it's fun to watch. I don't think you can ever try and be someone else. You have to be your best you. But you can take tidbits from people."
Which is exactly what Stevens has tried to do with Popovich whenever he has had the opportunity.
Read the rest on http://www.csnne.com/blog/celtics-talk/celtics-admire-how-spurs-sustain-success?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo
Boston traded away Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in 2013, bringing an official end to the Big Three run in Boston which included an NBA title in 2008 and another trip to the Finals in 2010, along with three trips to the Eastern Conference finals (2008, 2010, 2012).
Back then, the talent alone put Boston in elite company. But more than anything, the Celtics had players who knew how to play well at a high level with one another.
When Rondo watches the Spurs, he sees a lot of the same ingredients in their seemingly never-ending run of success.
"The plays they make, I'm sure Pops (head coach Gregg Popovich) don't even have to call those plays," Rondo said. "Once upon a time we had chemistry like that. Kevin, Ray (Allen) and Paul and other guys, Perk (Kendrick Perkins), we had been playing together, had four or five training camps together."
Rondo added, "we're starting over here. It's a learning process."
Part of that process involves learning from every experience such as playing the reigning NBA champion Spurs.
Not only are they talented, but they know how to execute on a level that few if any teams in the NBA are capable of doing with such consistency.
While the Celtics are trying to establish their own identity as a team, they are candid in admitting that there are aspects of how the Spurs go about doing things that they would not mind emulating.
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens acknowledged that the Spurs have had some influence on how his team plays currently.
"They've impacted some of what we do offensively, certainly," said Stevens, referring to the Celtics trying to play with great pace and space akin to San Antonio. "It's a fun way to play. And it's fun to watch. I don't think you can ever try and be someone else. You have to be your best you. But you can take tidbits from people."
Which is exactly what Stevens has tried to do with Popovich whenever he has had the opportunity.
Read the rest on http://www.csnne.com/blog/celtics-talk/celtics-admire-how-spurs-sustain-success?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo