Tommy Heinsohn accurately criticizes Rajon Rondo for falling into his bad habits

SB NATION

By Kevin O'Connor

Tommy Heinsohn has probably been playing or coaching basketball since before you were born, so I would hope that everyone who listens to him at least respects his opinion. After all, he has won 10 championships and is a Boston Celtics legend.

Anytime he speaks, I listen, even when his comments are dripping with homerism. I'll admit that I have learned more about the psychology of basketball from him than I have anyone else in my life. The way Tommy describes the flow of a game is unlike anyone I've heard.

After last night's tankocalypse in the fourth quarter, Heinsohn went on the Comcast SportsNet postgame show and completely ripped Rajon Rondo for slowing the game down and essentially blowing the lead.

"ONE OF THE THINGS YOU DO...IS YOU PULL [RONDO] OUT AND PUT SOMEONE ELSE IN."
-TOMMY HEINSOHN ON HOW TO FIX RAJON RONDO'S FOURTH QUARTER WOES

Rondo has developed bad habits from playing with Doc Rivers' teams. That was an experienced, elderly team, so they weren't pressing the issue; they executed plays to perfection," explained Tom Heinsohn.

"This team has to go and find opportunities without plays. They've got to be aggressive without plays because they don't execute that well yet."

That's fair and I don't think anyone that watched the game will disagree with that, since the Celtics slowed the tempo down to the speed of a snail late in the game. So, how do you solve the problem, Tommy?

"One of the things you do, and it's tough to do with a guy like Rondo, is you pull him out and put someone else in," proposed Heinsohn. "I don't care [that he's the captain]. That's what you have to do. You've got to pull him aside and talk to him. It's a bad habit that he has from playing with different types of players. He has to play the style that brings out the best in these current teammates."

And you know what, Tommy's right. This offense absolutely stinks late in the fourth period, and a very large chunk of the blame can be placed on the captain, Rajon Rondo. He has a tendency to slow the pace, which hinders the flow of Brad Stevens' offense.

"Psychologically, it's so important to keep the other team on its heels," explained Heinsohn. "Keep coming at them by attacking; don't let them feel like they're in the ball game."

 
The Three Laws of Rajon Rondo

About one month ago I published an article titled, "The Three Laws of Rajon Rondo." In that, I described how the offense has changed since Rondo returned from a torn ACL in mid-January. Most notably, I found that Rondo possesses the ball for a longer percentage of time than any other player in the NBA.

Now, this might not be surprising for anyone that has watched Rondo over the years -- he's a ball-dominant point guard -- but Brad Stevens' motion offense calls for constant ball and player movement.

"I think the more we can get movement prior to action, the better for us, whether it's ball or player movement," said Stevens. "If you get both, it's really good."

That has not happened since Rondo began to receive heavy minutes. Rondo possesses the ball 7.6 minutes per game, according to SportVU; but he is in control of the ball 22.9 percent of the time he is on the court, which leads the NBA and is the root of the problem late in games.

Rondo simply has the ball in his hands too often. During the fourth quarter, he has fallen into his old habits of walking the ball up the court and not initiating the offense earlier in the shot clock.

"[The Celtics are, up 10 points] and we walk the ball up the floor. We don't make the defense really play; we don't make a move," said Tommy Heinsohn. "[The other team] stands there, they look at you, and they think they've accomplished something. They're going to be the more aggressive team from there. You've got to bring the ball up and keep them on their heels. You can't let them stand up and take a deep breath if you're gonna win the game in the last quarter."

Heinsohn continued, "They've got to change the habit of finishing games the way they're finishing games. You've got to play as a team at that point and make the entire other team play defense, not just one or two guys -- five guys! If you only make them play defense for six seconds, they win!"

That's what happened last night: the Boston Celtics blew another big lead late in the game because of their inability to create offense. Let's take a closer look at the four-minute period during the fourth quarter that lost them the game:

Boston 4th Q Possessions: 5:15 to 1:45

Total Possession Time    Seconds It Took Rondo to Start Offense    Seconds Rondo Possessed Ball    Play Result
14    11    13    P&R - Sullinger Charge
11    9    11    Rondo Turnover: Forced Dribble
12    8    10    Missed Corner 3 by Green
4    2    2    Transition: Green Turnover
15    6 (PG: Bradley)    3    Assist: Sullinger 3PT
17    8    16    Sullinger Turnover: Bad Pass by Rondo
21    5    6    Sullinger Post-Up Miss
15    8    11    P&R Bass Miss Mid-Range

Boston led 89-82 with 5:11 remaining, but with only 1:13 left, they were down 99-92, before Atlanta finished the game with their mesmerizing 25-to-8 run. What happened?

The ball began to stick in Rajon Rondo's hands for a ridiculously large period of time. Over that four-minute stretch, the Celtics had the ball for eight possessions, which lasted 109 seconds.

During that time, Rondo ran the offense as the point guard seven times and the Celtics didn't score a single basket. Part of the reason might be because the team went away from their regular offense, as Heinsohn explained, because Rondo was walking the ball up the court for all but one possession, which was a transition opportunity.

In the 94 total seconds Rondo ran the point, he possessed the ball for 69 seconds, or 73.4 percent of the time. While it's impossible to know the league or team average, it's fair to assume that this is an extraordinarily large amount considering the statistics found in my previously mentioned "Three Laws" article.

On average, Rondo started Boston's half court offense with about 15.8 seconds left on the shot clock and they attempted a field goal with around nine seconds left to go. In other words, the Celtics made the Hawks play actual defense for only 6.8 seconds per possession, which supports Tom Heinsohn's statement: "If you only make them play defense for six seconds, they win!"

This style of play may have worked during the Big 3 era, when every single play was run perfectly, but it won't work with this roster. In the past, Rondo could run the clock down, run an action, make a single pass, and then a quality shot could be attempted. These half court sets worked to perfection, which is why the team was so successful during that era.

But now, the Celtics can't rely on that style every possession, which is exactly what they've been doing recently. They need to continue to move their bodies and the ball to go from "good to great" on their shot selections. A possession may actually last longer with this philosophy, but starting the set earlier gives more time and therefore a higher probability of finding a good look during the action.

Rajon Rondo and the Celtics haven't been doing any of that down the stretch lately, which is one reason why they've lost nine in a row. Chances are that streak will continue all the way to 13 unless some quick revisions are made to the offense.

Maybe one night Rajon Rondo can make another appearance as the color analyst and Tommy Heinsohn can run the point for the Boston Celtics. I'm sure that'd solve every problem.

112288

From the SB Nation article posted above...

Total Possession Time    Seconds It Took Rondo to Start Offense    Seconds Rondo Possessed Ball    Play Result
14    11    13    P&R - Sullinger Charge
11    9    11    Rondo Turnover: Forced Dribble
12    8    10    Missed Corner 3 by Green
4    2    2    Transition: Green Turnover
15    6 (PG: Bradley)    3    Assist: Sullinger 3PT
17    8    16    Sullinger Turnover: Bad Pass by Rondo
21    5    6    Sullinger Post-Up Miss
15    8    11    P&R Bass Miss Mid-Range

Just my simple commentary...

While the overall article has some validity, I'm floored whenever I see someone tracking stats of this depth.  The numbers don't always tell the whole story, although it's easy to get dragged into thinking they do.  This is getting way deeper, and with more outside variables, than FT% or something along the lines of a batting average.

Not just basketball, but in any sport, when I see someone hanging on the numbers to this degree I find they almost never played the game to any real degree and don't understand a players mindset.  

You can't attempt to quantify or qualify the time it takes to make a pass if you can't account for how long it takes the target to get open, for instance.  Did Bass miss a shot because Rondo held the ball too long?

Like I said, not trying to open a debate, just a consistent quirk I've observed over the years.  My 2 pennies, if you will.

NYCelt

and to add this tidbit, I'd would like to have seen how the possession was acquired. Was it after a made basket, rebound, turnover on the court, turnover needing a pass in and so on. And just like a game of chess, need to account for the rest of the pieces to our team when we gained the possession too. Were they in a possession to be available for a pass? and on and on.

We have seen dry spells all year long. Even in games that we end up winning it hasn't been an academy award performance for 48 minutes.

beat

Rondo holds the ball too long!!!

I am shocked!

  

That's what lousy teams do! They give you a hundred ways to explain a loss while great teams give you a hundred ways to account for the win.
swish

Tommy hit the nail on the head. If someone doesn't want to see this then they're being willfully blind. One party can quote stats and the other party can try to quibble or tear them apart. All one really needs to do is open one's eyes, especially when the meltdowns start.

swish wrote:That's what lousy teams do! They give you a hundred ways to explain a loss while great teams give you a hundred way to account for the win.
swish

True in every sport and every aspect of life!

Phil Pressey played only 4 minutes last night (during which, he recorded 2 assists).

If I were Brad—well, first I'd purchase an apartment in Paris.  But then, I'd have a talk with Rondo, telling him I've been noticing him tiring late in games when the pace slows way down.  I'd tell him that he's done a great job of recuperating from his injury and I have no desire to ask for more than he can give at the present time.  I'd ask him whether he thinks it would be better to substitute Pressey for him (Rondo) with about 5 minutes to play, given that it has been proven impossible, time and time again, for this team to win without constant pace and Phil does a consistently good job of pushing the pace.

I wouldn't threaten Rondo with anything. I wouldn't get angry at him or belittle him.  I'd make sure that I positioned my comments as wanting to do what's in his best interest.

I'm virtually certain, Rondo wouldn't say, "Yes."  (If he did, it becomes a whole new ball game.)  When he responds, "No," I'd ask him how we can solve the last quarter slowdown dilemma.  I'd ask whether there's some particular flaw in the team or something teammates aren't doing or could be doing to make pace easier for him as the opponent tightens the defense.

Rondo's extremely smart, and he'd most likely see right through the passive aggression.  Who cares?  Nothing was specifically positioned as a criticism.  It all unfolded as an expressed desire to help the Celtics become a better team; and, if he can become part of that effort, so much the better.

Sam

Rondo has to do a better job late in games. And the other players need to not stand around waiting for a pass. Move around the court and create an opportunity.



KJ

Rondo can only accomplish so much with the assets that are around him.  I am sure he know's what everyone in the know...know's.

He isn't stupid.

112288

112288 wrote:Rondo can only accomplish so much with the assets that are around him.  I am sure he know's what everyone in the know...know's.

He isn't stupid.

112288

This also comes into play. Sure, Rondo has to alter some of his tendencies, but what has been done to build the team in the meantime? Nothing really. Sure, there's upcoming draft picks and expiring contracts, but the team has been operating at obvious disadvantages from multiple positions.

I honestly would not put too much stock in these partiular stats right now. The roster isn't where it needs to be and I see no reason to get all riled up over this.



KJ

KJ,

I think Tommy was blowing some steam off after a long season on the rebuild.  Rondo, as everyone has said including Ainge is a very smart IQ basketball player, so I think he gets it.........perhaps he saw something different that he tried and failed.......he also could have had just a bad game.

So who else do you find as a top 5 point guard to play for us.  Let's give him a fair test when we assemble a better team which I hope will be this October.

112288

dboss and others,

I've been a Rondo fan since he joined the team and I went ballistic over an on-target half-court bounce pass in his very first exhibition game. I've defended him many times when people criticized him. I've also not been shy about criticizing him as objectively as possible when I thought it was warranted. This is one of the times when I believe criticism is warranted.

I fully understand the fact that he doesn't have a veteran core of teammates with whom to play as in the past. He's getting used to a new coach. He's still rehabbing a serious injury. He's playing in a situation in which motivation must be a problem. And there are probably variables I missed.

But it's not just this year that I've seen him slow the play down in the stretch. Tommy yelled about it for MANY years, although he usually refrained from targeting Rondo as opposed to the team. Many times, I assumed he was afraid to get on Rondo specifically in the interest of remaining positive about Celtics stars in his public utterances.

But I'm now watching nothing I haven't observed many, many, many times before. Rondo tends to vacillate between up-tempo and slow-down tactics, and I've only occasionally (mainly when the team was riddled by injuries) observed or heard a rationale for the inconsistency. But I've usually assumed it was just some complex strategy that I wasn't meant to understand.

And it wasn't just the tempo. Even during the championship season, I thought the offense survived mainly because of the greatness of The Three Amigos and the complementary efforts of guys like Posey. Time and again, the offense bogged down only to be rescued by a great shot or a great play (sometimes by Rondo). They spaced the floor fairly well, and they even swung and reversed the ball well. But, it was like they were frozen in their tracks, waiting for Rondo to make a move. There was seldom much motion in their offense except for Ray's curls.

There were numerous situations in which Doc was obviously exhorting them to play with greater pace and it didn't happen. It's been the same case with Brad in many games since Rondo returned. This game was the perfect example, because it was obvious that Brad was exhorting the team to up the tempo at the very time that Atlanta all too easily overtook and buried the Celtics.

But Rondo walked the ball up and did his standing-around thing while the Hawks dug in and extended their defense while adding a trapping element. It seemed that almost every possession ended in the Celtics running out of time or the Hawks thwarting them and often forcing turnovers.

I sometimes think a lot of people don't understand the importance of maximizing the possession time for moving the ball and trying additional options if the first one fails. That time is best gained by (1) pushing the ball up the floor (which is not the same thing as fast breaking) and (2) getting into the play as soon as possible rather than just holding or bouncing the ball on the perimeter. Getting away from that rhythm, especially at key points in the game, makes the offense much more problematic makes things much easier for the opponent's defense, and forces a lot of low-percentage hero shots.

In a few games recently, even in the third quarter of the Atlanta game, I've seen evidence of getting into the offense quick and achieving better motion in the offense. To me, losing those games was secondary to what looked like a breakthrough in the tempo of the offense. Maybe that's why the way they played down the stretch was far more of a bummer than the loss—at least for me.

In no way do I think the talents of Rondo aren't what the Celtics need now and in the future. I just think he needs a serious attitude/mentality change. Whatever the potential cure, it's a major challenge for Brad.

Go Celtics

Sam

How many years do we want to spend making excuses for Rondo? I hope Danny has something cooking and moves his butt soon.

I don't think a year in which the Celtics are being cheered on for losing by half the media is the right time to rate the effectiveness of our point guard. He usually rises to the occasion and rises little when there is no occasion. As for Brad's apparent demeanor, what would we have him do: grin as the team loses? Of course he has to seem upset, and no doubt is upset at losing. It's embarrassing to lose beneath those banners, but this season was a lost cause from the beginning, IMO because management is looking farther ahead. The only players whose performances I think we can truly rate are the one fighting for contracts. Hawk

The thing is that this was a single game in which (1) Rondo did things the right way and then (2) did a 180 when the heat was on and did things the wrong way despite the obvious exhortations of his coach.  There was no variation in teammates in that one game.  Players weren't playing any more out of position earlier in that one game than they were later in that one game.  Virtually all the variables in that one game remained stable except the timing of the situation when he completely suddenly, completely, and (in my mind) inexplicably did the opposite of what his coach was literally, audibly and visibly screaming for.  There have been other games since he returned and throughout his carer when a similar pattern has occurred within a given game and, instead of hitting the accelerator and putting the game away, the pace has been slowed and has allowed the opponent to catch up.

I believe, and I think Tommy believes, that the situation is one that can probably be solved by a meeting of the minds between Rondo and Brad.  And perhaps the whole thing should be blamed on Brad.  Maybe he's playing Rondo with teammates he can't trust in the clutch.  Maybe he had his fingers crossed while screaming for the team to move the ball.  (LOL.)  But there's no reason I can envision why Rondo couldn't and shouldn't have maximized the time available to the Celtics during every possession by pushing the ball; and (as Tommy says) there's no apparent reason why Rondo shouldn't have kept the Hawks back on their heels rather than allowing them to dig in defensively while his own team waited for him to start the plays.

But I do know that something went terribly wrong in those last five minutes, and what I saw with my own eyes and heard with my own ears (as did many of you) strikes me as the most reasonable explanation for the negative turnaround in the span of this one game.  If another explanation made more sense to me, I'd be most receptive to it because Rondo's still my favorite current Celtic; but a more sensible explanation hasn't been the case yet.

I do want to emphasize that I love the Celtics.  No one—absolutely no one—would want to challenge me on that score.  But I love them enough to be objective in recognizing their faults.  That way, I can register positive opinions (of which I obviously have many)  without being susceptible to claims that I see the team only through green-colored glasses.  I'm not making these points just to bash Rondo.  I simply believe I see the same problem Tommy does.

Sam

Again, players need to continue moving around the court. Late in games, it's more than just Rondo. The entire team slows down. There's no fighting to get open. There's barely any picks being set. It's a bad offense overall.

I think most of the responsibility falls on the coach. And I think this loss is WAY overblown.




KJ

When Tommy talks, people listen. No, wait - that was Smith Barney. But Tommy does know what he's talking about. He learned from the Master.

According to Red Tzu, "Give your enemy no rest. Attack where he is unprepared, appear where you are unexpected."

Oh, wait - that was Sun Tzu. Well, according to Red, "Basketball is War." So, same thing. The point is that Rondo doesn't do it. When he should attack, he fiddles and diddles.

The significant fact about Rondo right now is that, after next year, he can walk free. It's the Perk situation come back to haunt Danny. Rondo took less money because Danny was telling him that his fellow 'ugly,' Perk, would be with him over the years of the new contract. Then Danny traded Perk in one of his worst moves as GM, pissing Rondo off so much that he pouted for two seasons.

Now what do you think Rondo's going to want from the Celtics to make up for taking less money the last time around? Kobe money??? Some teams might give it to him. New Jersey, for example, maybe even the Lakers. Rondo would sell tickets and they have limitless funds.

One thing for certain is that Rondo's going to want to dictate to Danny, simply because he can. Another thing for certain is that Danny's going to draft a point guard, because there are lots of good ones in this draft.

I say Rondo isn't worth keeping at $15 million, or especially $24 million. Trade him now while he will bring the most in return. Orlando needs a point guard and has a high draft pick. Roll the dice, Danny.

Hi Bob

Sorry. That was unclear. I only meant Orlando as a place to start the shopping spree. The main point I was trying to make is how valuable Rondo could be to certain franchises.

Of course, Danny should ask for more. My point is that it's a case of trade him now or lose him after next year. And losing him to the Lakers is not acceptable.

What would Red do? In the Sixties, he rarely traded talent. There are different rules today and a guy like Rondo is going to use all the leverage available to get top dollars. My opinion is that he's already gone in his own mind. Knowing how he craves the limelight, Brooklyn and L.A. are his most likely destinations.

Danny needs to do it now. Next year will be too late.

If it was Orlando, I'd take their first round pick and their center.

Gyso, what would be the effect on our cap space if we traded Rajon to Orlando for their pick, plus?