Who would you rather have?

[A Tasty Burgerr]

Rodney Stuckey or Rajon Rondo

Who would you rather have running the point and why?

 

[mfbmike]

As much love as I have for Stuckey's style of play, Rondo is proven.

Rondo. Crazy good defender and has shown he can actually run a team.

Stuckey still needs to prove he is a legitimate point guard in this league. Yes, he can score. But can he run a team?

 

[Flight24]

Rajon Rondo. Stuckey shows immaturity at times whereas Rondo plays like a proven leader every game. Even if his shot isn't falling (which is often) he leads the team defensively. Dude's great.

 

[ATL Jones Bro]

Rondo easily. He is an exelent defender and from time to time can score you 20+. Hes a good passer and has good knownledge of the game.

I like Stuckey, but he just doesn't have the defensive pressence that Rondo has.

 

[mgoblue2290]

Stuckey is a 2 guard, not a point guard.

So I'm going with Rondo.

 

[The Messenger]

These questions don't work for the simple reason that you don't know who else is on the team.

Who would I rather have on the Celtics? Rondo. He doesn't need to shoot the lights out, he's a good defender, can get everyone the ball, and he can blow by people when he wants to score.

If I had a team with no good scorers, I'm going with Rodney Stuckey. Stuck can put the ball in the hoop effortlessly, he's just refining his overall skills at the point guard position.

But like I said, these questions don't work because the make up of the team determines who you would want. If you're severely lacking scoring and you already had good defense, there's no way you would pick Rondo over Stuckey. Same goes if you had guys on your team who could drop 30 a night but you lacked defense, there's no way you pick Stuckey over Rondo.

I know it seems like I don't like Rondo, but I actually do. I'm usually the one defending Rondo when me and my friends debate basketball.

 

[CB4]

Rondo, easily.

 

[Primetime]

Obviously Rondo. Averaging a triple-double in 5 games this post season. I'd take him over CP3 right now.

 

[NAHSTE]

Is this even debatable? Rondo is one of the best PGs in the league, Stuckey can't even run the Pistons any better than Will Bynum.

 

[The Messenger]

Is this even debatable? Rondo is one of the best PGs in the league, Stuckey can't even run the Pistons any better than Will Bynum.

It's debatable, but the trend around here seems to be "let me state my opinion and get out without reading anything else".

The NFL section seems to be the only sports section where people will actually debate stuff (like Userpikk, Dave, etc).

 

[Point Blank]

I'd take Rondo right now. I wish Stuckey played for a different team.

 

[dboy_dc]

I agree with Stuckey being more of a 2 than a PG. Almost like how D. Wade played PG his rookie season and moved to the 2 afterwards. I think the main reason Stuckey is still playing PG is becuz Rip is at the 2 and Prince is too small to play PF.

 

[A Tasty Burgerr]

I kind of wish I would have posted this before the playoffs started so it wouldn't be quite so unanimous.

 

[Kuzzy Powers]

Rondo no doubt. I like Stuckey, but Rondo is proving this playoffs that hes not just a product of the system, and that he truly is what makes that system go. Averaging a trip dub in the playoffs? Thats spectacular. Stuckey aint touching that kinda shit. Stuckey might be a better scorer than Paul, but the answer to the question who would I prefer on my team? Rondo, no doubt. I could build a team around Rondo..

 

[Palooza]

I don't like Rondo and I do like Stuckey, but Rondo has all the tools. I'd take him every time over Stuckey.

 

[Whatupdoe44]

Rondo>Stuckey

 

[Maestro]

Messenger makes the best point, the make up of their respective teams really makes Rondo and Stuckey who they are. If you put Rondo on the Pistons do you honestly think that he would be doing what he is right now, Rondo has players to take the pressure off of him, Stuckey meanwhile is asked to be a major part of his teams offense.

 

[The Messenger]

Have you watched the playoffs?

It's not about watching the playoffs. It's about the team you are on. This isn't the "Rondo has 3 hall-of-famers" argument. This is the "what are they asked to do on their team" argument.

Perhaps this little debate would work comparing players like Bruce Bowen, Shane Battier, and Tayshaun Prince. All three are defensive players who are asked to shut down the other team's best player and knock down shots when needed to. You could compare those guys and say "I'd rather have Bowen" or "I'd rather have Prince" because all 3 fit the same criteria.

The question asked here is who would you rather have, a defensive, pass-first point guard who can score when called upon, or a guy who can score effortlessly like it's second-nature, is decent on defense, but needs to develop better point guard skills.

In the end, it all depends on what team you are placing these guys on.

Would you want Rondo on a team like the Spurs who are looking for offensive firepower and are already loaded as a team on defense? Or would you want a guy like Stuckey who's scoring prowess is much more advanced?

Same goes for the Golden State Warriors. Would they want another pure scorer like Stuckey, or would they take a defensive minded, good leader at the point like Rondo who could improve their team?

To me, this question is about as good as asking "would you rather take Rasheed Wallace or Emeka Okafor?"

 

[Maestro]

If you would take Rondo on any team you would be making a huge mistake. I have watched the playoffs and he has played very well, but right now he is feeding off of Allen and Peirce. The defense is so worried about those two that its a little easier for Rondo to score. Derrick Rose is a rookie PG with questionable defense, we will see if he can do this against a veteran guard like Rafer Alston or Andre Miller.

If im a team with enough offensive fire power like Boston i would pick Rondo over Stuckey. If im a team with more defensive power than offensive like the Pistons or Spurs i would choose Stuckey. In the NBA sometimes players are bust because they dont fit into the system that they are put in. Rondo's role on the Celtics is perfect for him, all he has to do is play defense, pass the ball, and take it to the basket when he can. If you look at Mo Williams, he had a great season, one of the reasons was that he did not have to try as hard to score as he did on Milwaukee, Lebron drives than kicks it out as the defense converges. The same is going for Rondo, the defenders are around the perimeter alot which allows him to dive and get to the basket because the defense is stretched out.

 

[The Messenger]

I've already talked about that in the last thread on the talk of Rondo and Stuckey. Rondo is currently 7th or something in scoring for the playoffs. Which means, he CAN score if he needs to, but you've already said, he doesn't have to because he has 3 hall of famers.

So, I'd take Rondo over Stuckey in any situation. Stuckey can shoot the ball better, but that's it, and his ability to score over Rondo is minimal.

Rondo CAN score whenever the fuck he wants to. He's so fast, he can get around basically any defender, and he's stronger than he appears.

I can't think of one situation where I would want Stuckey over Rondo at the point guard. Shooting guard, it is debatable, if you want a defensive shooting guard, or an offensive one, but talking about the point guard spot... Seriously? The guy leading your team, you'd rather have Stuckey?

Who leads the Spurs? Who leads the Magic? Who's leading the Rockets? Who leads the Lakers? Who leads the Cavaliers? Who's leading the Blazers? Who's leading Miami? Who's leading Memphis?

Really, the point guard doesn't have to be a leader. As I said before, it all goes back to the make-up of the team and that would answer the question as to who you want on your team.

Stats don't mean everything in basketball. Sure, Rondo can get to the rim easily, but teams are still worrying about Pierce and Allen. There's no doubt Rondo can score, but if he's the other team's number one priority on defense without guys like Peirce and Allen to worry about, you really think Rondo can run around the whole team and score? Doubtful.