Latest News, NBA / Aug 24, 2010 / 2:30 pm

Rajon Rondo left off final Team USA roster

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Rajon Rondo (photo. Gary Land)

In a surprise move, Rajon Rondo made it easy for Coach K and Jerry Colangelo by pulling himself out of consideration for Team USA’s final roster going into the FIBA World Championship.

Rondo, along with Danny Granger, logged a DNP-CD in Sunday’s exhibition against Spain, which Coach K implied only happened because he wanted to give on-the-bubble guards Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook and Eric Gordon a chance to display what they could do. Considering that Rondo was in Team USA’s starting five in the previous tune-ups against France and Lithuania, his spot seemed secure.

“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,” Colangelo was quoted on USA Basketball’s website. “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.”

As for Rondo’s side of the story, earlier in the day he talked to reporters and made it sound like he was going to be cut rather than withdraw.

“I think I’m on the bubble,” Rondo told ESPN. “Just looking at the obvious — I got a DNP last game. That pretty much speaks for itself.”

So here’s the final Team USA roster:

Guards — Chauncey Billups, Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry, Eric Gordon, Russell Westbrook
Forwards — Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay, Kevin Love, Danny Granger
Centers — Tyson Chandler, Lamar Odom

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  • JD

    I’m sick and tired of people saying “Rondo benefits from 3 HOFs” when in reality, they hurt his numbers. They take the ball out of his hands. You think D-Rose would score close to 20 a game on the Celtics? No, because he wouldn’t handle the ball nearly half the amount he does now. Rondo admitted that there are nearly no plays in the playbook for him, and the only time he makes a move is when a play doesn’t work out or on the fast break. On a younger team with less star power, Rondo would control the ball 90 percent of the time like the D-Roses, CP3s, Nash and D-Wills of the league.

    And stop talking about his ego, he’s probably the least selfish player I’ve ever seen play the game. He is unselfish to a fault, because I can remember numerous times he had a layup opportunity but passed it out to one of his teammates for an open shot.

    Anyway, if you can’t admit that, after the playoffs that he just had, that Rondo is a top 5 point guard in the league, than your a hater and an idiot. Magic Fucking Johnson called him the most complete point guard in the league. His jumpshot is not as bad as you all make it out to be. Its his free throws that suck, but that is his only glaring flaw. And if his first four years are any indication, he’ll come back better than ever this year, as he has improved in almost every facet of the game his first four years.

  • JD

    Sac

    Agreed, this whole thing makes no sense on anybody’s part. Oh well, he’ll have more time to rest after playing the most out of just about everybody in the NBA this past season and more time to work on those free throws. I’ll be pissed if he shoots under 70 percent again this season.

  • http://None Sac

    Hey JD Thanks and I agree. You made some good points as well.

    Rondo’s shot is certainly not nearly as bad as haters make it out to be. His real problem is he just doesn’t like to shoot. And that’s one of the areas playing with the big 3 hurt him, cause he’s not required to shoot (cause he’s so unselfish); where if he played with other lesser players he would shoot/score more.

    Also, it’s not easy to play with those guys; if he was a chucker like Rose or Steve Francis, they would kill him and give him a hard time! They would run him off the team! Lol.

    You’re right. His real fault is free throw shooting. Rondo gets to the basket at will (shot or no shot), but when he’s not free throw shooting well, he’s stops driving to the basket and loses much of his half court scoring and penetration.

    I agree with you. I think Rondo will have a great year, and should average (I hope), 16-17 pts, 11 assist, 2.7 steals, 5 rebounds, 75% free throw shooting and 33% 3 point shooting.

  • Pimpicus

    I love how, pretty much, all of the negative comments regarding Rondo are coming from people who’s teams either don’t make the playoffs or got wiped out by Rondo and the Celts. The seething hatred makes me wonder if this kid has been out sleeping with their sisters/girlfriends or mothers. So what the kid has a ‘tude…what kid doesn’t? Some of you commenters are adults and look how you’re acting…you don’t know him personally to be talking like that. Btw…last time I checked, ESPN was a well-respected outlet for sports news/information with respected journalists and statisticians, some people, here, have decided that their input is more relevent and factual than that of a professional commentator…more insightful even. Good luck with that! Well, doubters, the numbers don’t lie and what they say is that Rajon Rondo IS, without question…among the top 5 Point Guards in the league. Sorry, haters. Deal with it!

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