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Makes sense to me.
http://www.necn.com/08/22/10/Rondo-s...26&feedID=3352Not only was Rajon Rondo not in Team USA's starting lineup for Sunday's 86-85 exhibition win over Spain, but the Boston Celtics' playmaker didn't even play (coaches decision).
Not to worry, Celtic Nation.
The Green and White's lone Team USA participant is still on solid footing.
In addition to Rondo, Team USA also held out Indiana's Danny Granger and Minnesota's Kevin Love.
Team USA and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski explained the lineup changes following the win.
"[Stephen] Curry has been out, so we wanted to give him a chance and we already know what Rondo and Granger can do, and Love was out," Krzyzewski told reporters afterward. "That was our plan tonight, just to take a better look at our team."
Team USA currently has 13 players, with one player needing to be cut by Thursday.
The small pool of players most likely on the cutting block include Curry, Love, Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook and Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Gordon.
Love will likely stick due to Team USA's lack of frontcourt depth. And Westbrook may have played his way into a spot on the 12-man roster with his performance in Team USA's 77-61 win over Lithuania on Saturday. Westbrook had 12 points, two assists and was named Player of the Game.
As for Rondo, it appears he has done more than enough to earn the trust of Krzyzewski who spoke glowingly about the Celtic all-star last week when Team USA was training in New York City.
"We're going to be in some very difficult environments," Krzyzewski said at the time. "And Rondo . . . Rondo is as tough as anybody. He's trying to just lead our team, get everybody involved, play great defense and win. That's who he is. "
Makes sense to me.
but now he feels he's going to be cut
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/...ory?id=5492343
@EricPincus Wow Rondo withdraws from Team USA
USA Announces Roster, Rondo Withdraws
Aug 24, 2010 1:42 PM EST
With one exhibition game remaining and just four days out from the tip of the FIBA World Championship for Men, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo today announced the 12 players who will represent the United States at the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
Named to the 12-man 2010 USA World Championship Team were: Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets); Tyson Chandler (Dallas Mavericks); Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers); Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).
The 2010-12 USA National Team coaching staff is led by Duke University’s Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, and features as USA assistant coaches Syracuse University’s Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan and Toronto Raptors head mentor Jay Triano.
“Rajon came to us and said he was going to withdraw from the team, that he had some family matters to attend to and some things to take care of before the NBA season. He did an outstanding job during our training, we appreciate the effort and commitment he made to our program and he completely has our support,” said Colangelo.
He probably knew he was going to be cut, so he withdrew himself for "family issues".
The truth is that his limited shooting ability put the nail in his coffin.
I didn't catch the whole game but Rondo didn't look all that good to me against Lithuania. I'm sure his defense would be fine but he doesn't have the discipline or shooting skills to be successful in FIBA. He seemed to force the issue a couple times and had turnovers when I did catch parts of that game. Defenses in FIBA get back in transition pretty well and they pack around the paint area so some of Rondo's speed, quickness advantages on offense are limited. Just didn't seem like a right fit.
this team is not getting gold. guarantee it
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