Rajon Rondo was benched in the second half of the Bulls' loss Friday to the Pacers, and apparently, that was not a one-time move. Coach Fred Hoiberg announced before Saturday's game against Milwaukee that Michael Carter-Williams will start and Rondo will come off the bench.
Fred Hoiberg says Michael Carter-Williams will start at point guard tonight.
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) December 31, 2016
Hoiberg wouldn't say whether Rondo or Grant would be first PG off the bench. Says Rondo was "very professional" when they talked this AM
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) December 31, 2016
Is there a role for Rondo off the bench? "I think there can be, sure." Praises MCW's energy
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) December 31, 2016
This move is not great for the future of Rajon Rondo in Chicago, or the NBA. The book on the former All-Star basically reads as follows:
- Can't shoot
- Won't shoot
- Malcontent
- Poor defender
- Limited athleticism due to injury
He's a brilliant passer, still, but the negatives just wind up adding up as too much against him. Rondo was traded from Boston, benched and ran out of town in Dallas, let walk in Sacramento and then signed with the Bulls with an opportunity to turn the page. But it's been the same attitude when it comes to Rondo, along with a negative impact on the floor.
Michael Carter-Williams can't shoot, but he brings energy and intensity, and genuinely cares about succeeding.
We'll see what happens from here on out, but if the Bulls get to a point where this just isn't tenable, you have to wonder about what this means long-term for the future of Rondo in the league at all.
