5 Things That Will Decide Boston’s Season Without Rajon Rondo

The moment of truth has arrived for the Boston Celtics. No, that is not a failed attempt at wit to incorporate Paul Pierce‘s nickname – it just so happens to be a very harsh reality with the news that Rajon Rondo will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.

The ripple effect of Rondo’s absence now forces the Celtics into a position they had hoped to avoid for at least two years after re-signing Kevin Garnett this summer. Rebuild now or attempt to contend?

Common thinking is that a roster blow up is coming for the Celtics. But Doc Rivers told the media after Sunday’s win over the Miami Heat, “You can write the obituary, I’m not” in reference to whether or not Boston can still compete and make the playoffs without their All-Star guard.

In order for Doc’s resilient talk to become the defining moment of the Celtics season, five things must happen to keep Boston’s playoff hopes alive.

*** *** ***

5. The Celtics must understand there is no replacing Rondo. In theory, they probably already know this, but it is a philosophy that they have to fully understand and put into practice. Avery Bradley can’t expect to suddenly average 11 assists per game or even five or six. Players will need to step up, without a doubt, but Rondo is one of the few players in the league a team can’t replace by plugging in another into his spot. Think about the Chicago Bulls and their loss of Derrick Rose. Kirk Hinrich and Nate Robinson do not equal Rose, but their defense and depth is helping them survive an injury to their franchise player. Conversely Bradley, Jason Terry and Leandro Barbosa should not expect to equal Rondo.

Even if the Celtics make a trade for Kyle Lowry, Jose Calderon or Tyreke Evans, none of those players should be expected to fill the void left by Rondo’s injury. Often guys try to do too much and play out of their own abilities when given extra minutes — or they are brought in via trade and end up doing more harm than good. Doc will have to remind all of his players to believe in the system (again, think: Chicago, Tom Thibodeau) and continue to play to their current strengths instead of trying to develop new ones on the fly.

4. The offense will have to run primarily through Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Rivers already alluded to the fact the Celtics will implore more dribble handle-offs with KG near the top of the key. This will allow Garnett to scan the floor and look for cutters or swing passes to the corners for jumpers. Garnett will also have to increase his post scoring because Pierce may be bringing the ball up a lot more in the next few weeks before the trade deadline.

Typically when Rondo misses time, Pierce becomes an assist machine. But he’s never had to do it for more than two weeks at a time. Pierce has looked slower this season, especially in recent weeks where he can’t seem to get his shot to fall even in his comfort areas on the floor. Playing the role of facilitator may do him some good and release some of the scoring pressure that seems to be weighing heavily on his shoulders. If he is even remotely successful, there is a good chance his scoring can become more efficient than the 36 percent shooting he shot over the Cs last 10 games. Opponents would have to start guarding him for more than just the shot.

3. Improve on the road. The Celtics are a woeful 7-14 on the road to begin the season. Of their 38 remaining games, 21 of them are on the road, with 12 coming against sub-.500 teams. They can’t afford to lose to teams like the Pistons and Hornets, and every game against a sub-.500 team is a must-win for Boston. Over recent years, they have transitioned from a strong road team that could win anywhere to a bad one the blows 27-point leads. The Celtics will need some of that old “we can win anywhere” mantra to right the ship and sail towards the playoffs and away from the lottery.

2. Boston will need everybody to commit to rebounding. One of the oldest clichés in basketball is how rebounding is largely dependent on effort. Cliche or not, Boston’s interest and effort in rebounding must take a dramatic turn to something that would make Bill Russell proud. Their current effort, which ranks them 29th overall, probably gives him indigestion. They are hurting on both ends of the court in this area. It will take everybody, including the guards, to help turn around the minus-3.6 rebounding differential that the Celtics currently average.

1. Boston’s bench must become elite. It is gut check time for the Celtics’ reserves, namely Jeff Green, Brandon Bass, Jason Terry and Leandro Barbosa. With the exception of Barbosa, whose minutes have been limited, the remaining trio has had ample opportunity to make an impact and instead yielded underwhelming, inconsistent results. Sure, Jeff Green dunks on a guy seemingly every game but his commitment to being aggressive on both sides of the ball is an ever swinging pendulum. An aggressive Green should help get the Celtics out of the red in the losing column.

Bass has recently been demoted to the bench in favor of rookie Jared Sullinger, and rightfully so. He is only connecting on 44 percent of his shots, often wide open looks from the elbows and baseline areas. Bass will need to get to the rim and become more of a “banger” down low to really contribute.

Terry has yet to take flight and perform his signature jet plane imitation on a consistent basis. Shooters go through slumps, but Terry is shooting the worst he has (42 percent) since his 2003-2004 season in Atlanta. History shows Terry needs about 30 minutes per game to be successful. He currently averages 28. But with Rondo out of the picture, Terry’s minutes should creep over 30 and Boston can only hope he finally takes flight.

This is a Celtics team that has been counted out many times before, yet the odds have never been this stacked against them. Philadelphia is sniffing around for that No. 8 playoff spot, and may be getting franchise center Andrew Bynum back for the stretch run. Rivers quipped after Sunday’s win that “Doc” is only his nickname and that he isn’t an actual physician. But in order to resuscitate the Celtics’ season, his best coaching effort will be needed to push the Boston towards another run in the playoffs.

Will the Celtics make the playoffs without Rondo?

Follow Warren on Twitter at @ShawSports.

Follow Dime on Twitter at @DimeMag.

Become a fan of Dime Magazine on Facebook HERE.

×