Ending the closely guarded count

[AK ref SE]

I look at like any other rule(say three seconds) By the letter of the law(rule) we could make that call all night long....... Closely guarded has the dribbler sat at the top of the key dribbling for say 4 seconds, and then decide to drive to the basket,has the defender been playing good defense or has the defender simply stood within six feet and twiddled his thumbs. I will normally stop my count once the dribbler has made a break for the basket, and in my mind has beaten the defender!!!
Common sense, flow of the game, experience, advantage/disadvantage


Thanks
AK ref SE