Door swings out, Rondo & Williams depart

by JL Blue on Apr 4, 2006 9:07 AM EDT in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball

Immediately following the Wildcats' loss to UCONN in the second round of the NCAA tournament, head coach Tubby Smith used the postgame press conference to state unequivacably that changes were going to be made, or people were going to adjust. The burden of the Cats' frustrating season having now passed, it seems that Tubby's statement was genuine.

Following the Tuesday official announcement from UK sophomore Rajon Rondo would take the plunge for real on Tuesday, announcing his intentions to not only declare for the NBA draft, but to hire and agent (if he hasn't already) and forfeit his two remaining years of eligibility, Kentucky freshman Adam Williams confirmed today -- or rather his father did -- that he will be requesting his release from a scholarship and will transfer.

With coach Tubby Smith at his side, Rondo made clear that her understands his deficiencies, but that he also has solid information that his stock is relatively stable and high.

Smith, for his part, was gracious and a little revealing as he pre-sold his now former point guard:

"At the next level that style of play will create more opportunities," Smith said. "The two-man game you can play, the rules are more conducive to Rajon's assets as a player ? his speed, his athleticism, his vision, taking people off the dribble, guarding people. They are drafting him because he can run and lead a team. The intangibles you have to have. He's a very intelligent player. He can see things on the court. That's what I think he can bring to the next level because the others are obvious.

While a strong endorsement, the statement holds a telling frankness that perhaps Rondo and Smith were acknowledged as being at odds about Rondo's role and his strengths. The Louisville native looked frustrated at times with Smith's offensive sets (or lack thereof).

Rondo led Kentucky in rebounding (6.1) and assists (4.9) this season, and added 69 steals and 11.2 points a contest. Rondo has rare athleticism and defensive intuition. Whether the NBA will think so remains to be seen.

Rondo picked an interesting day to jump, as the conference rival Florida Gators hoist the national championship trophy with a team built after three stars and 40% of their offense departed for the NBA.

I'm sure Ramel Bradley is monitoring the situation closely, and one wonders whether we've seen the last of Rondo in UK blue ... and whether that's such a bad thing.

Williams' statement was more succinct, and came attached with the expected pleasantries all around. Tex Williams, Adam's dad, called the situation "win-win," and while I'm inclined to agree, it's never a good day when you lose a Wildcat.

Much less two.

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Rondo

I think the only surprise was that Rondo wants to go ahead and hire an agent, but to me that is the most telling part. Rondo has been counseled, and probably correctly in my view, that his chances of being picked in the first round are upwards of 80%.

Under such a circumstance, a good agent can actually improve Rondo's draft position. It is telling that Rondo is not as interested in keeping his options open as he is creating the best possible opportunity for himself in the NBA. In other words, a college degree was never a priority for him, and getting the opportunity to make a living at basketball was the reason he played at Kentucky.

There is little doubt in my mind that Rondo will be picked in the first round. I have had him between 15 and 25 for the last month. NBADraft.net has finally lost their irrational exuberance (Rondo at 13) and have him now at 19 where he belongs.

Rick Pitino used to say that when a player was certain to be picked in the first round, he would recommend that he enter the draft. I don't know if Smith has the same rule, but I wouldn't be surprised. I doubt if any college coach would recommend hiring an agent as a sophomore just because the conservative approach is not to do so, but doing so in Rondo's case is not immature or stupid - its a judgment call.

by Glenn Logan on Apr 5, 2006 7:57 AM EDT reply actions

This is ...

This is not to mention the fact that Tubby Smith may have exhausted himself on trying to meld Rondo's talents and his own structures.

I have no doubt both respect each other ... and little doubt that neither wanted another year of each other.

Bradley, for all his hyper tendencies, could be a much better Tubby-style player sicne he can shoot and since he's not a step out the door at all times. I tihnk we've seen now two times how well that has worked.

I predict Rondo in the late lottery 11-13 to Eastern Conference team, possibly Boston.

by JL Blue on Apr 5, 2006 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Could be, but...

Regarding Smith and Rondo, I think you are spot on. The reason is that Rondo clearly didn't do what Smith wanted on numerous occasions, moved poorly without the basketball all year, and had an unusual amount of difficulty getting the ball to Morris. I can't say how all this ties together, but I'm thinking Rondo and Smith had different game plans, and Rondo just plain ignored Smith's instructions when he didn't agree with them.

I wish I was as confident in Bradley as you are. Bradley has shown virtually no "make others better" skills. Bradley could become an outstanding "1 guard" in the mold of DeJuan Wheat, but to do so he must learn to pass the ball and be less selfish. I have seen no real indication he is willing to do either, but maybe these are latent talents hidden away because of Rondo's presence. I hope so.

It will be interesting to see where Rondo goes in the draft, but I'm darn sure it will be in the first round.

by Glenn Logan on Apr 5, 2006 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Loosing a Wildcat is bad

I hate to see Rondo go, but that surprises exactly nobody. I see a few clueless folks on UK message boards peddling the idea that Rondo won't be drafted in the first round. Fuggitaboudit - although possible, it is very unlikely that he won't go in the first round. Very unlikely.

Williams, on the other hand, was struggling at UK. While he had surprising athleticism, his skills appeared to me (in the limited number of times I actually saw him play) to be well below support level for a UK player. His handle is below average, his jumpshot is a mess and I had no time to evaluate anything else. He might look strong against high school players, but against elite college talent, he just looks like a project. We certainly have enough of those.

I am sorry Adam Williams didn't improve as much as hoped in his season at prep school. I was hanging on to the hope he could come in and help us, but we really don't need any help at the guard spot for the forseeable future. Good decision on his part.

by Glenn Logan on Apr 6, 2006 7:48 AM EDT reply actions