TOWELED OUT
RON DO DOESN’ T DENY TOSSING TOWEL AT BOY LEN
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Bulls assistant coach Jim Boylen took a basketball from a ball boy and fired a pass to veteran guard Rajon Rondo. Every few minutes, he walked up to him to give some instruction on the game plan or a critique of his shot. The two even exchanged some laughter.
It was an hour before the start of the Bulls’ 102- 91 loss Tuesday to the Detroit Pistons, and not one curse word was uttered. Nor was a towel being thrown in anyone’s face.
It was a much different scene than the one that took place Saturday in Dallas. That confrontation between Rondo and Boylen resulted in the Bulls suspending Rondo for a game before their home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.
‘‘ Talked to him [ Monday] night, and then we had our walkthrough and a team meeting [ Tuesday] morning,’’ coach Fred Hoiberg said about his interaction with Rondo.
Hoiberg was asked whether Rondo apologized to teammates or the coaching staff on the flight to Detroit, but he declined to answer.
‘‘ I’ll keep those details to Rajon, myself and the team,’’ he said.
Boylen also refused to discuss the incident.
All parties seemed ready tomove forward, but more details were emerging. According to a source, Rondo was angry with Boylen for pulling him out of the game against the Mavericks — Boylen often handles the rotation minutes during games — and started dressing him down on the bench. Rondo talked his way back into the game with Hoiberg and threw a towel in Boylen’s face as he walked to the scorer’s table to check in.
When Rondo finally was made available to the media, he didn’t deny it.
‘‘ You’ve got to look at the film,’’ he said. ‘‘ I don’t know. You’ve got to look at the film. What’s today, Tuesday? Yeah, Tuesday. You guys can keep writing the story if you want.’’
Rondo continued jabbing at Boylen verbally after the game.
He said he apologized to his teammates and the coaching staff, but he wouldn’t promise he won’t speak his mind if he thinks it will better the team.
‘‘ Me as a player, as a point guard, I’ve got to handle the situation better,’’ Rondo said. ‘‘ But when I feel a certain way, I’m going to speak on it.
‘‘ My whole thing is always for the betterment of the team. If it comes off the wrong way . . . I’m trying to work on that. But, for the most part, I’m not a selfish individual. I try and do what’s best for the team.’’
The incident has led to further questions about the makeup of Hoiberg’s coaching staff and whether their responsibilities cloud the chain of command with the players.
‘‘ We dole out responsibilities like all staffs do,’’ Hoiberg said. ‘‘ We rotate game plans. Obviously, Jim has a huge say in our defense. Pete Myers, as well, having been a part of some very good defensive teams out in Golden State. Everybody is a part of the offense and how we want to play and try to drill it home. I’m very comfortable with my staff.’’
Hoiberg then was asked if he thought members of the staff have tried to undermine his authority.
‘‘ No, not at all,’’ he said.