Episode 144: Jay Larranaga, Transition Offense and Defense

Guest: Jay Larranaga, NBA Assistant Coach

In this week’s basketball coaching conversation, NBA assistant coach Jay Larranaga joins the Basketball Podcast to NBA discuss transition offense and defense tactics and techniques.

Jay Larranaga is currently the top assistant for the Boston Celtics. Larranaga joined Doc Rivers coaching staff in 2012 and has been with the team since. Throughout his time in Boston, he has coached several great players like Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Isaiah Thomas, Jayson Tatum, and Kemba Walker. Jay also has made an impact on winning and has helped guide the Celtics to 7 playoff berths in 8 years.

Before Boston, Larranaga was the head coach of the Erie BayHawks. In his short stint with the team, he earned two playoff berths, the most wins as a coach in the team's history, and 8 NBA Call-Ups. Jay started his coaching career with international basketball. One of his first jobs was as an assistant for the Ukraine national team. After some success there he became the head coach of the Ireland National team.

Prior to coaching, Jay had a successful playing career. He spent 12 years playing across Europe. He played for some of the biggest clubs like Napoli, Real Madrid, and Paris Racing. He earned all-star honors in France and won the Spanish league title with Real Madrid. Jay also grew up emerged in basketball. His father Jim has been coaching in the NCAA for nearly 50 years and is currently the head coach at the University of Miami

Jay is a proven winner and has shown his attention to detail at each step of his career. Coach Larranaga will continue to display his high-level coaching ability with the Celtics this season as they look to compete for a championship.

Breakdown

1:00 - Transition Offense and Defense

3:00 - Consistent Pacing into Transition

5:00 - Teaching First and Defensive Focus

9:00 - Communication Cues

12:00 - Positioning Yourself

14:00 - Takeaways about Offensive Focus

17:00 - Primary and Secondary Brakes

20:00 - Point Guard

22:30 - Attack Mentality

26:00 - Developing Defensive/Offensive Transition

30:00 - Pack Mentality