Fansided

Charles Barkley says he would not play Rajon Rondo: Is he right?

By Josh Criswell

Feb 24, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) watches the game from the bench during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Raptors 99-92. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) watches the game from the bench during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Raptors 99-92. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Inside the NBA analyst and Hall of Fame forward is known for his brash statements, and tonight he advised Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle to sideline his embattled point guard.

Charles Barkley is always an entertaining, as well as knowledgeable figure when it comes to basketball talk.

He is also no stranger to making bold, and sometimes outlandish statements, either.

The most recent comments made by Barkley on TNT’s Inside the NBA regarding Dallas Mavericks troubled point guard Rajon Rondo could very well be a mix of both. Rondo spent almost the entire second half on the bench due to foul trouble and a blatant lack of effort on the court tonight, only playing 10 minutes the entire game.

The Chuckster offered up a simple solution for Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle, and one that would put at least a momentary pause on the Rondo fiasco in Dallas; sit him on the bench and keep him there.

Here is a Vine that captured the audio:

When asked by co-host Ernie Johnson what he would do in Carlisle’s shoes, Barkley answered quickly that he “would not play Rondo anymore.”

Of course, co-hosts Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal absolutely ripped Barkley for making such a suggestion. Smith and O’Neal dismissed the comment, charging him with putting way too much stock in one game. After all, it would be tough not to, following an embarrassing four-point, one-assist performance that contributed to the Mavs losing a second consecutive playoff game to the Houston Rockets, and falling to 0-2 in the series.

Barkley’s criticism is much more validated, however, in the fact that it is based on Rondo’s apparent negative demeanor and attitude, something that has become a constant concern since he joined the Mavs.

“He was not engaged whatsoever tonight,” Barkley later went on to say. “If he is not going to play, then Rick (Carlisle) has an obligation to the other guys in that locker room. If he is just going to go through the motions, they have to move on.”

The Mavs mid-season acquisition of Rondo was thought to be a steal on the surface. They were adding an elite point guard and perimeter defender to their roster for a bargain of a trade.

Unfortunately, the transition from Boston to Dallas has not been nearly as smooth as anticipated, and now he is appearing to be more of a distraction and a headache than he is a positive asset to his team.

Do I think that Rick Carlisle should heed Barkley’s advice to sideline his starting point guard?

Probably not, but if he shows anymore glimpses of the immaturity that he just put on full display, then absolutely take him out.

His mind was clearly elsewhere than the basketball court, and although backup J.J. Barea may not be an All-Star caliber player, he can provide way more than what Rondo brought to the table last night.

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