Joseph D'Amico
Rocky Atkinson
My Handicapping and Betting Philosophy: I use my own unique power ratings for each sport along with trend analysis, stats and line value.
Johnny Banks
Johnny Banks has been betting on sports successfully for several years and in 2009 he decided to take his sports picks public to help the average sports bettor beat the books.
Kyle Hunter
Kyle Hunter is a handicapper with a great amount of experience breaking down the game in every single manner possible.
Scott Spreitzer
Scott Spreitzer is now in his 18th year of handicapping and can currently be seen nationally on the Proline TV show.
Is Rondo a Premier NBA Point Guard? by Tony Karpinski
Is Rondo a premier NBA point guard?
The 6-1 point guard for the Boston Celtics is averaging 14.3 assists per game this season. He is by far leading the NBA in the PGs foremost category, over such perennial stars like Steve Nash, Jason Kidd and Chris Paul. But, if asked about who is the best PG in the game today, would Rondo come to mind?
Nash has been in the league for 14 years, he is definitely towards the end of his career, other young guards, Deron Williams and Chris Paul will be playing for another 10+ seasons, so these are the peers to be judged against even more, they will play most of their careers against one another.
Playing with the legendary Boston Celtics, he is now in his 4th season, a lot is expected. When the Beantowners started their “Big 3” model with the aging vets back in 2008, Rondo was the fill in guy to dribble up court, and feed the ball to the big stars. He did what he was supposed to do, quietly putting up good numbers then, with 5.1 assists/game.
Across the board, its hard not to make a case for Rajon, he has proven excellent court vision, a great rebounder (5.2/rebounds a game), which puts him 2nd amongst point guards in the NBA, behind only 6-3 Russell Westbrook. An excellent defender, who gets you 2.8 steals a night as well. His big weakness has been his shooting; a serious chink in the armor for him. Now, mind you, his outside shot has drastically improved over the years, where teams have to starting to bring a defender out a little more when he is putting up a 15 foot jumper.
There have been great PGs in the NBA history who have lacked a great shooting touch, Mark Jackson and Jason Kidd were and are not terrific shooters, yet they are very much respected. If Rondo gets his game to that next level, with a smooth stroke just comparable, not even equal to, to a Chris Paul or a Derrick Rose, Rondo will be the best PG in the NBA.
Bringing him into the situation he was placed into in Boston in 2008, I think helped bring him along much more rapidly than if he played on a team with no stars. Even though when Pierce, Garnett and Allen joined forces, they were all 30+ years old and desperate for a title shot, the young Rondo was still in control of the team. Now, in 2010, the Celtics are 9-3 looking first-rate to start the season again, and he has become the central cog that makes everything go in the mighty Celtic machine. In the 2008 championship playoffs, he averaged 10ppg 4rpg & 6apg, and in 2009 playoffs, averaged an incredible 16.9ppg 9.7rpg & 9.8apg, he is a big game baller who brings a convincing game on the court every night. He has more than just quick mitts, keen eyes, and a warrior attitude; he also has the most important aspects as well, with hustle and heart.
Rajon Rondo will be one of the NBA’s paramount PGs in a very short time, if he isn’t already. BY Tony Karpinski
