06-16-08 Tommy Heinsohn

We want to talk some basketball with one of the all time greats. Not only one of the all time great Celtics one of the all time great players in the history of the league our -- Tommy Johnson is on the line hello Tommy. Tommy there merely -- Especially after that great introduction dale does gave gave you your you -- because you can believe in such great things about I well. I I was ready for the band read it --

Right read where the crowd to -- down a -- but can he didn't mention he did not mention. That not only one of the great players. And in Celtics history with a great broadcasters the great coaches. He got two championships and I went question for Tommy we're just talking about Rajon Rondo. How the Lakers are sagging off him in Detroit did this a similar thing in the conference finals. If you're coaching Rondo what would you tell him to -- how does he attack that defensive strategy.

Well first of all they're playing to a weakness then -- giving him approved -- Misha. The first thing that's happening is that went Perkins isn't it true they were using two defenses. To help out on the other three Celtics. And round though certainly has -- make that eighteenth would jump shot. But the other thing is that when he's gotten to the rim he's passed the ball law instead of taking shots. I think they're telling him to drive in. Looked pretty open man. And he he feel more comfortable passing the ball but he gave up a couple of lay up they did each work at a ball game. The thing about it we're trying to do with Rondo is and they are. Playing him in essence I would have him picking for the watch out what -- shoot it. If nobody's going to play -- any such a good pick on somebody like appears or. A Ray Allen they're going to get -- fifteen foot wide open shot. So I'm kind of curious this media. Oh what will happen but Rondo is going to be a great player. And his game will improve they put the pressure on the second year player is still working on his total game. But he's such a great athlete he's improved dramatically in in shooting the ball from distance. And it's really kind of went there right now to judge him on this series because they're probably playing -- was we.

Tommy both Jeff van Gundy and Mark Jackson throughout the broadcast last night. We're talking about the struggles for the Lakers defense and they said you can't win on the road playing that defense do you agree with --

Well it was the Celtics spread -- out -- and had a good chop blocking team nobody really probably reach other. In the at Perkins was so important because he anchored the Celtics -- and took Kuwaiti inside game pretty much. They have nobody like -- So the what's going on with they have statement is that you can attack the rim. And pretty much get and when you put Posey and Eddie House somebody Beckett hit the outside chat in the ball game. That totally spread it deep bench. And match -- appears to get to the basket so easily on the pick and roll play. And they were exactly right somehow or rather they batted -- epic applicable bit better. Appears web that do what he did again.

Tommy of all the people -- could talk to about officiating I think of talking to the best guy right now you've been critical of the officials on the year. For many years. And and you did as a coach as well I had not heard Phil Jackson's say awhile ago that maybe the league should come with some. Independent entity to handle officiating away from basketball to take away any type of subjectivity that might -- what do you think of that.

And I think that's impossible you know my -- which -- areas. Well I'm --

And I'm. Yeah -- on that.

The first thing you want to do is recruit the right people and that's where I think they have a problem. It is significant the situation it's very typical of people. Who can handle the pressure of the machine game let alone play at all. And what goes on there is if somebody judgment in these guys I believe truly try to do it. The fact of the matter is is that it becomes subjective because they do so many games. And they don't like display they don't like that coached they don't like this building at all like it spans. And that enters into it. An idea it was coaching you played the Knicks. In them Madison Square Garden erupt nineteen point one game in the playoffs going. In the fourth quarter and they called nineteenth straight calls against us and we ended up losing the game and all the time. And it was well because the people would scream and deep bench deep bench he meant they called everything it -- picnic at that fixed it's that type -- playing. And believe me when I tell you it is the only writers were right about that what did the two officials got suspended him wanted to mended up in the ABA. And the next year. He appreciated appreciation game between the Celtics and and his team -- and Carolina. And Dave talent -- twelve minutes and I get a technical well called the army battalion who appreciated the -- game that got suspended. -- the -- also it becomes subjective.

When you look at last night's game people who don't look deeply into it will say -- the free throw tries were about even for both teams. It it is an even at all if Kevin Garnett can only play seventeen seconds of the second quarter because of a blown call on a clean block.

Yeah and wanted to things I would say this you -- let the official beat get into the game to. And that that's the big problem with Perkins kept the time is that he does not he tries to make this spectacular play. Early what a physical play early. And as soon as they do that the official on the set at home to the game and they almost like the things. I don't think Garnett is that smart last night he was the only really great big men we. -- there and he was trying to make as spectacular place. Early and what he did I think is that he has so anxious to win that title. I I think he he really was having problems just coordinating game. He was over anxious and actually net we've we've played many many sides in these type game the first thing I would. At that they're going to look at Kevin Garnett is. In the locker room as maybe development -- to loosen them up below.

How did you see the critical play in the game Tommy Kobe Bryant. Taken a ball either stealing the ball from Paul Pierce or fouling while you're obviously.

Well I authority problem but they're never going to call let are you kidding me I don't know anybody it was in position. But he got out there's no question about it -- it was a -- play in the game. That really broke the game open and so. -- those things epidemic in the I can appreciate that maybe they didn't see it but it wasn't about. And right now in -- that type of thing that's where I I believe officials. Are influenced by the fans in the building. They may be reluctant to call that because it wasn't a absolute sure thing that anybody probably slow. But it was a bow -- call.

Tommy Paul Pierce told us one time and he has told other people. He's always felt that he was a top ten defender in this league but when your plan a bad basketball team you don't get the chance to show it nobody believes it. Have you felt he's always been this good a defender or is even open your rise in this playoff year.

Any great out -- player that's terrific athlete like him. And as smart player like cam could be a good dependent it's that Dick -- is is there hasn't been determined guy. This is a challenge right now Kobe Bryant. And he really has played the best one on one -- and I've seen a long time against the really good player. The other guy ran a test I took -- years was the only guy in the NBA elect the late great one don't want the match would it. They played in Pierce's late all trying one on one -- and the way people which and a great player to his weakness. And and make them bring the ball back. And their right to do so that he could blocked shot or bobbled the rhythm of the shot and you know at least -- right now preclude guy from playing good 11 treatment but. They want it to merely put eighty a -- a book on Colby with several different guys even. Tony Allen -- a decent job against that maybe he was denying him the ball better than anybody. While Tony was in the game.

I mean is there anything about the Lakers that a surprise you. As you watched him during the series either negative or positive.

I think there are running team and the Celtics have taken just dial away from them. And they rely on OB of course and they feed off of Colby. Somebody it is on the they're a bench people are very -- If being at times and and that can happen in this that they an agent in the -- the team structure. But nobody can really count on on the bench I think -- just -- better. And that's where -- or on the road you are good only that it really.

Union you've talked about how Kevin Garnett seems so anxious. And you've got the three. Superstars here were all looking for their first title as it seemed as though Ray Allen has kept may be the best laid on his emotions in this final series of those three.

You know I think Eric Garnett is. Twice three times the emotional guy that you'd appeal -- a radio on I think yeah. Right now ray has done a terrific job focusing his -- what he has to do and Alley in -- I think. Also that Rondo is very important to ray Allen's game because. We show last night in in one hour let. How on it up quick how Rondo weights or Ray Allen to come down to get wide open three. And -- panic gets in the ball at the right spot so that he doesn't have to bite the try to beat and he's making his move. So -- great great player Europe insane it you know Bob Ryan recently said. He -- and he made -- greatest offensive player -- I said that about four years ago but he. Who will would be equal to Larry Bird but I really didn't think he he's got a total offensive game he. I think Byrd was you know a great player. Well with is great passing and general ship. But I offensively Byrd did not have the ability or pissed those points and needed that outlook.

That's interesting because we were coming up with our. Starting five I don't know who who was the first person to vote -- all time I think the body was Jerry Kelly Callahan -- the Celtics spot yet obviously. The guy in the middle name Russell. Like cardiac -- he had tears at the two spot yet pierce there yeah he had Larry Bird. And John -- tablets at sports no talk behind to I don't know what that but that Tommy but. Would you put -- there ahead of I mean like a thing -- Jones that guy like under rated that the people my age. Who didn't see him but but we respect him I think that guy that often overlook.

Well I think you know built domino also has to be mentioned in Santo is great player and a great deep and -- It is all right. And a buck kept Macphail so he's pretty good player he's like one of all time great low post players that I of the so the Celtics have a lot of great players in the pretty typical against. Two there but I I definitely think. Well he has -- as as these most outstanding offensive player would or -- shot. But take them when they need to have taken -- is -- when he needs to. For the team play within this system and gore that played down inside and score it's three. And -- way to the basket like nobody -- St.

Tommy there to coaches and NBA history who have won nine championships you've you've played for one of them. You're observing the other one right now. And it's one of the subplots of the series can Phil Jackson overtake grant are back with ten titles how would you compare. Excuse me these guys and you can play for so that's how how would you compare them as coach.

Well if if Phil Jackson leaves a legacy that people follow I'd take my -- But right now back left a legacy and and bill teen. That lasted oh would decade with the style of play of -- play. He had disciples that -- and out into the league and spread the word. I dare say I don't state -- let Jackson have that type of impact. So because -- championships hundreds -- which earlier then Phil Jackson. And as a consequence -- never -- I think right now it coached when he years. And though Jackson as coach I think nineteen -- that that he did coach in the CPA. But that's how I measure that the two of them I think. Red created the teams and Phil Jackson had the teams created in or out there.

In your opinion Tommy if the Celtics win this thing tomorrow night or god forbid they got to go to game seven win and on Thursday night. Whose reputation will take a bigger hit in this final series Phil Jackson or Kobe Bryant.

Well I think that Phil Jackson has done an outstanding job they lost Bynum India. This is not these super -- basketball. Team by any stretch the imagination you'd just part about it well berry Portland the and and not the greatest apprehension team without -- And this this like the team is almost like the Paul Pierce -- Whether it has appeared in the happens as the -- for a nobody else really got him involved or had to take shots or what -- that's what the Lakers -- about right now. And if you minimize OB. You hurt the other guys but. -- Jackson is that it that drip drop there. Colby has done is good job as he and try to get -- teammates involved I just think the flip side of that is people. I believe what finally -- or going to realize how good -- coach dark -- really hit. Doc Rivers. In last year and it did two years ago built eighteen. That was so in the hands and value. That there were able to pull Denny was able to pull all the traits that and you lost eighteen games somebody that night I heard on radio. He would -- attack because even alleged human eighteen games they never quit they play ball with. I think -- to -- the.

I save my most my most important question for last uh oh what's the redhead -- think of this series so far.

Well -- hang in an era tell you that and pushed -- whether they're good guys. And we're going to be there tomorrow night.

Please give us our best -- well all right Tommy thanks Andre thanks a lot that's okay guy if you take care. That is the legendary Tommy -- and breaking down last night's game and and talking about this whole series