Shooting coach Mark Price says don't expect things to change over night and don't expect miracles. But he says by the time the playoffs come around in April, you should expect Rajon Rondo to shoot the ball better than he ever has before.
Price is a former NBA player — 12 seasons, nine with the Cleveland Cavaliers — who has is now a shooting coach for the Atlanta Hawks. The Georgia Tech alum also has his own shooting clinics and camps for players of all ages and levels.
Price averaged 15.2 points per game over his career and an astounding 40 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.
He says he can teach not-so-good shooters and turn them into good shooters.
"My theory is you can make yourself into a good shooter," said Price. "You can't make yourself a great shooter. I think some guys have a knack and feel that other guys don't have. But everybody can work and improve and become a better shooter with the right technique and work ethic.
Enter Rondo.
At 23, Rondo is already considered one of the top 10 point guards in the National Basketball Association, which is worthy of a healthy contract in the 5-years, $50-million range.
Statistically, every part of his game has improved appreciably since his rookie outing — 6.4 points, 3.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game versus 11.9 points, 8.2 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game last season.
The fact that he plays pretty good defense and was the point guard for a championship has legs, too.
But beyond his statistical climb and the Celtics meteoric rise with him running the offense is one area that hasn't changed — Rondo's shooting.
To put it bluntly, it stinks.
It's what keeps him from being touted as a "Top 5" point guard and in the category of Chris Paul, Tony Parker, Chauncey Billups, Steve Nash and Deron Williams and the opportunity to make near-maximum dollars (about $18 million per year).
Not that $55 million over five years is shabby, but with a consistent jumper that figure could have been closer to $75 million.
"As great as his numbers were (last year), as great as he played at times, guys still fell off him to double team," Celtics coach Doc Rivers told The Eagle-Tribune in March. "Guys don't fall off an All-Star to help with someone else. He has to make them pay for that by hitting his shot."
Ouch!
While Rondo's career shooting percentage — 48 percent — ranks better than all but two teams' shooting percentage last season, anyone with eyes knows better.
Most of Rondo's made baskets are near the basket. Exhibit No. 1 is the first three games this season. Rondo made only 10 shots, seven of which were layups.
Enter Price.
On three occasions this past off-season, Rondo, made the trip from Louisville, his hometown, to Atlanta to work Price.
"I've had guys whose shots looked a whole lot worse," said Price. "It wasn't a total remake of his shot."
But Price immediately noticed few flaws.
Rondo starts shooting the ball almost on top of his shoulder, which is too far back. And, he takes too long to release the ball.
"Rajon brings the ball back behind his head a little bit. Good shooters should keep the ball out in front a little bit," said Price. "The other thing is his elbow has a tendency to fly out a little bit. We tried to keep his elbows in. He also has a tendency on 'the catch' to throw his elbows out. When you do that, you have to move them back in to get the shot up. That was one of the things slowing down his release a bit."
Another issue Rondo has is shooting off the dribble.
"He has a tendency to play standing straight up," said Price. "You want to be in playing position, more in ready position."
Price said that it is not surprising that players of Rondo's ilk have flaws in their mechanics.
"A lot of these guys are such good athletes and they've dominated games at such early stages, whether it's high school or college," said Price. "Rajon is very quick and he easily gets around people. He probably didn't have to shoot a lot of jump shots to be successful.
"But at the highest level, when you are surrounded by superstar players like Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, he wasn't taking a lot of jump shots the first year," said Price. "Now he's going to be the guy left open. He's going to have open shots."
The irony is that Rondo has spent the last 15 months playing right beside Allen, one of the greatest jump shooters of this generation.
"When I'm working with guys I mention Ray Allen a lot," said Price. "Ray's footwork, particularly before he gets the ball is as good as it gets. That's why his release is so quick. He's ready to shoot the ball before he has it ... It really wouldn't have done much good last year, because Rajon wouldn't know what to look for. Now he does. He'll learn a lot watching Ray."
Price said that it will take patience for the fans and, especially, Rondo, to wait this transformation out.
Just like when Tiger Woods changed his golf swing in 2005.
"The hardest thing is you miss a shots and struggle for a while. The temptation is to go back to the old way," said Price.
"I like Rajon because he's a worker and he wants to be great," said Price. "He tried to implement the stuff we talked about. It's going to take time. The next step is taking it from the practice floor into the game and sticking with it."
You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.
Stoglin's frustrations boil over following Duke loss-2/12
Timonen "disappointed" in teammates' effort
Morganti: 'Rangers' power play demolished the Flyers'
Timonen: 'I think we got half the guys going and half the guys not'
More shootout woes in store for the Flyers when they face the Red Wings?
The Rangers have the Flyers' number
St. Joseph's vs. Massachusetts Highlights - 2/11
Penn vs. Dartmouth Highlights - 2/11
Drexel vs. Hofstra Highlights - 2/11
La Salle vs. St. Louis Highlights - 2/11
John Wall talks about the loss to the Heat-2/10
Collins takes the blame for the Sixers' final possession
Sixers vs. Clippers highlights
Sixers defensive effort not enough vs. Clippers
Post game plus crew on the Sixers loss
Rose and Zumoff recap the Sixers last second loss
Penn vs. Harvard highlights
Stefon Diggs chooses Maryland, Randy Edsall comments-2/10
Cal Ripken says the Orioles will go as far as their pitching-2/10
Sandusky makes a statement
Julien: 'did it the hard way'
McAdam's Spring Training primer
Doc: Team's effort is 'un-Celtic'
Pierce stresses mental toughness
Globe 10.0 Who was the best free agent in Boston?
Maria Menounos dons a Giants-colored bikini after losing Super Bowl bet-2/7
Thomas' moratorium: 'I'm out, peace'
Gasol: 'Not pleasant' being part of trade rumor
Blakely: Gasol-for-Rondo trade unlikely
Brady-ing is Latest Internet Meme
Globe 10.0: Is Paul Pierce the Celtics greatest scorer?
Ranking Pierce among Celtics greats
Garnett's tale of first meeting Paul Pierce
Pierce's loyalty touted after big night
Hurt Locker: Patriots react to Super Bowl loss
Brown: 'Eli Manning is better than Tom Brady'
Local fans crushed by Patriots loss in Super Bowl XLVI
Marcus Johansson Caps lone goal in loss to Bruins-2/5
Matt Hendricks throws down with the Bruins' Adam McQuaid--2/5
Vinatieri, Law, Brown recount Super Bowl XXXVI
