With Rajon Rondo, is it focus? Or fundamentals?
On Jan. 3 against his former team in Boston, the Mavs’ point guard made three 3-pointers and all six of his shots in a 15-point first quarter en route to a season-high 29. Meaning, it’s focus.
But on the season he’s making only 41 percent of his jumpers and an inexplicable 31 percent (19 of 67) of his free throws. Meaning, it’s fundamentals.
Whichever, the Mavs need Rondo to fix his shooting down the stretch and into the playoffs. He’s proven he can defend and rebound. He’s proven he can lead. He’s proven he can pass. He’s proven he’s tough. But in the talented, tough Western Conference, I don’t think the Mavs can win a playoff series with a point guard who can’t consistently make open 15-foot jumpers.
To that end, he’s trying to improve. After a suggestion from his former MVP teammate Dirk Nowitzki, Rondo worked a couple weeks with the German’s legendary shooting mentor Holger Geschwindner after Mavs’ practice.
Rondo’s never been a great shooter. He motion is jerky with a flying right elbow that often results in hideous misses that carom violently off the side of the rim. It’s a credit to the rest of his game that he’s a four-time All-Star guard who has never shot better than 65 percent on free throws or 32 percent on 3-pointers.
But with the Mavs’ up-tempo, free-flowing offense, weapons like Dirk and Monta Ellis will create mismatches and double-teams and – yes, open shots – that Rondo has to make.
Sports Connection
Connecting you to your favorite North Texas sports teams as well as sports news around the globe.
Before the Rondo trade the Mavs were 19-8; since they are 19-12.
Maybe the Cliff’s Notes version of Holger’s shooting tips won’t help Rondo in the middle of the season. But with the way he’s shot this season, it certainly won’t hurt.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
