Heinsohn returns courtside at Garden
Tom Heinsohn walked into the Garden last night for the first time since late December, and immediately noticed the difference in the time it took to walk from the elevator to the press room.
“Almost did a wind sprint tonight,” said the Celtics’ 84year-old playing, coaching and broadcasting legend. “I feel a lot better. I was really struggling walking from the elevator to the press room at one point.”
Heinsohn spent the better part of two months between December and January in the hospital and a rehab facility in Woburn, with the final diagnosis that he was suffering from sleep apnea.
Though these health issues interrupted what Heinsohn points out is his 62nd season coming to the new and old Gardens, it was going to require a lot more than sleep apnea to keep him away. He showed up unannounced at NBC Sports Boston’s Burlington studio the night of Feb. 5, when the Celtics were in Cleveland, and last night broadcast his first game courtside since November.
Asked about his health, Heinsohn was short and to the point. He wants to talk basketball, and that’s what he launched into when approached last night.
“I always love watching guys develop. Last year I went up to Jaylen Brown during the conference finals, and I told him, all the guys I played with, and all the guys I coached, would be tremendously happy to have any one of you guys on their team,” he said.
“Last year they played as hard as they could play. This year the chemistry is thrown out of whack because people get moved from one slot to another and that’s difficult to adjust to. The one failing I hope they don’t succumb to is to feel so good that they think the jersey is going to win the game. If they fall prey to that, they’re a good team, but if you’re good you have to prove it even more times.”
Doc ’sdiagnosis
It was a scene that Doc Rivers could appreciate and understand better than most. The Lakers’ Rajon Rondo hit the first game-winning shot of his NBA career Thursday night against the Celtics, as Kevin Garnett sat in the front row in a Rondo Celtics jersey.
“Kevin was in the building in a Rondo (Celtics jersey). I wasn’t sure what he was doing,” said the Clippers coach. “Kevin confused me the other night, but it was a great look on him. The green was a very good look on him.”
And as someone who coached Rondo at his youngest and most temperamental, Rivers has to admit he’s thrilled with the way his former point guard has matured.
“We talked. We ended up at the same hotel, so I had a chance to talk to him for a long time (after Thursday’s game-winner),” Rivers said. “I see him now because we live in the same city. I was happy for him. I was surprised that was his first game-winner.
“Rondo’s in a great place. He’s been in a great place in my opinion. It started last year for him, but he’s really happy. ”
Coac h esin h ouse
Three of the top five winningest Celtics coaches were in the building last night, including Heinsohn (second), Rivers (fourth) and Brad Stevens (fifth). K.C. Jones is third and the man who started it all, Red Auerbach still tops the list.
The current Celtics coach was modest about his place.
“Well I look up to both of them, and I’m not in their league,” Stevens said of Heinsohn and Rivers. “I’m fifth by a long shot and should be. I think that both those guys are tremendous. Doc’s been great to me since I got here. We’ve done some stuff together here in Boston and I’ve always stayed in touch. Then, obviously, Tommy, it’s great to have Tommy back in the building.”
Said Rivers: “Well, I’ve gotten to know Brad, which is great . . . . I called him about an issue I had during the season this year; I needed advice and one of the calls I made was to Brad, and he gave me some good advice on something. Tommy is my hero. He really is. When times were bad, he was amazing here. So, Tommy is the best.”