Celtics Offense Works Best Inside Out

by Jeff Clark on Feb 17, 2012 8:00 PM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

One of my favorite kid-jokes is "If you nose runs and your feet smell, you're built upside down."

Well, the Celtics have been experimenting with turning their offense inside out. They already have big men that make their money shooting from the outside (KG, Bass, and now JaJuan Johnson). Now they are trying out Rajon Rondo in the post. In fact, Reggie Miller said on the TNT broadcast that Rondo is our best low post player, ...and he wasn't even kidding.

Rondo posts up, keeps it weird " HoopSpeak.com

Rondo’s statistical profile has always been Stockton-esque–classic point guard. But he’s relied on thrillingly unorthodox methods to reach those totals. So maybe it shouldn’t shock us that the Celtics are now putting their six-foot point guard in the low post in order to kick-start their anemic offense. It’s a sneaky way to help Rondo get closer to the basket and minimize the way his unreliable jumper negatively affects the team’s spacing. And while Rondo has a smallish frame, he actually has a nice array of post moves. His excellent core strength and footwork allows him to hold off or spin by defenders, and his long arms and huge hands help him find angles for the same clever flip shots and baby hooks he uses to finish over taller defenders on his drives.

Hey, whatever works, works. I'd let KG bring the ball up and give the green light to Avery Bradley to shoot from half court if I thought it would help. In fact, I'd almost be in favor of instituting the Cherry Pick play (leave someone like Jermaine O'Neal in the backcourt for an outlet pass).

Seriously though, I like Doc's creativity here. Just like the small ball lineups, I don't think it is a long term solution but it is a creative way to get things kick-started.

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Cherry pick

I used to coach HS girls at a very small school. We generally had 2-3 girls who could play at the level of our competition. I used the cherry pick often. It somewhat evened the playing field – we had 3.5 decent defenders against their 4 offensive players when they finally got around to leaving someone down to guard our picker, and we’d score 10 points before they figured out that we were serious about staying in it.

by spinetingler on Feb 17, 2012 8:07 PM EST reply actions

I commend your efforts for trying...

…but you are trying to drag a dying horse to water. When the average age of your starting lineup is what 31 ?32 ??, it’s going to take more than Rondo posting up to save this team. There’s just no substitution for youth. We have some but Rivers refuses to believe they can be anything more than stop gaps when injuries occur.

by yakyakyak on Feb 17, 2012 8:27 PM EST reply actions

Jermaine O'Neal maybe

Several years ago I purchased a DVD featuring Jermaine O’Neal about low post play to study from. Maybe JO can still remember some of that, who knows. I know that’s pretty far flung but I figured I’d throw it out there. He’s been playing pretty good D but on offense he’s missing bunnies out there on a consistent basis, I know he’s not the first option but it wouldn’t hurt the cause if he sank a shot every now and then.

by p-peazy on Feb 17, 2012 8:53 PM EST reply actions

Jermaine ONeal = death in the starting lineup

KG needs to feed off of his teammates’ energy. Pierce and Ray need to feed off of KG’s energy. KG was feeding off Avery’s hustle earlier in the year, and he might feed off someone like Wilcox or JJ if Doc would just let them loose with the starters. JO is a dead fish. Serviceable, but he makes the starting unit look limp.

by milt palacio's shot on Feb 18, 2012 3:03 AM EST up reply actions

A post-up PG is a lost art just like the hook shot. Best Post up PG ever? Gary Payton.....keep posting up Rondo!!!

and send more bodies to the basket off every double team of Rondo!!!

Is it Soup Yet?

by Master Po on Feb 17, 2012 9:37 PM EST reply actions

+1

I was always undersized but often got by on a hook shot I modeled after my idol, Dave Cowens.

by Big_Easy on Feb 17, 2012 9:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

likewise ....my left hand hook was my bread an butter with back to the basket....btw Hello Big E!

Is it Soup Yet?

by Master Po on Feb 17, 2012 9:47 PM EST up reply actions

I havent seen anyone double rondo

by mdowell04 on Feb 17, 2012 10:04 PM EST reply actions

twice is what I saw...one of those he found the open man.....I can't remember the other time

but if he continues to be successful with that they will double team

Is it Soup Yet?

by Master Po on Feb 17, 2012 10:55 PM EST up reply actions

Reynoldo Balkman

Was waived by the Knicks. He’s a pretty good rebounder. Thoughts?

Celtics fan from Brooklyn, NY

by Celtics_Diva on Feb 17, 2012 10:44 PM EST reply actions

Rajon "the mini mailman" Rondo...

not a bad post player for sure—was the best threat down there for the C’s to take it to the rim from there last night. Mike James got physical with him and the C’s went away from it, but they went back even against “husky” James as Reggie Miller called him and Rondo held his own. He can gets some close looks if not get right to the rim on a lot of guards.

Robert Crumb: You turned yourself into a comic hero?
Harvey Pekar: Sorta, yeah. But no idealized s***. No phony bulls***. The real thing, y'know? Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff.

From the movie--American Splendor

GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!

by mjtig on Feb 18, 2012 12:39 AM EST reply actions

I don't know... Rondo in the post seems to me like a gimmick. Strongly doubt it's going to last.

but Pierce in the post? I could buy into that…

by milt palacio's shot on Feb 18, 2012 3:05 AM EST up reply actions

Pierce can do some of that,

but he is not quick enough to be a threat to spin by the guy guarding him and getting to the rim like Rondo is. Rondo’s guy has to worry about that which sets Rondo up well for all those turnaround, hooks, ect. I think he will handle doubles well for the most part and it is something the C’s can mix in there throughout the game to get more looks in the post, just another option defenses have to worry about. KG still has a nice turnaround, but he is not going to fake and drive off that much or make a move and drive to the basket all that much these days, but that turnaround from eight feet is still money when he has is going. Pierce is can still create his shoot and play more of a point forward well.

Robert Crumb: You turned yourself into a comic hero?
Harvey Pekar: Sorta, yeah. But no idealized s***. No phony bulls***. The real thing, y'know? Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff.

From the movie--American Splendor

GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!

by mjtig on Feb 18, 2012 8:54 AM EST up reply actions

It's sad

when your best option in the low post is your 6’1" PG. Rondo has impressed me in the low post but we neeed someone taller then 5’1" as our best option down there.

by CelticsFanNC on Feb 18, 2012 7:46 AM EST reply actions