G-League assistant Jimmy Bradford shares an overview of NBA offensive trends. I can't do justice to the presentation which has a lot of video. An exceptional lecture helps the viewer collate the concepts.
Basic actions design execution to get to the rim, open 3s, and free throws. Work backwards from the intended shots.
Quick decisions cause defensive indecision.
Longer NBA 3 moves defense out, opening the middle.
Sprinting to dead corner opens slot driving (above).
Note how the spacing of the weak side high slot (above) makes life hard for his defender.
Rescreens potentially have a lot of value for younger players for whom defenses may go under the ball screen. If they choose to go under twice, the dribbler will be a lot closer. Similarly, going under the corner pick-and-roll tends to produce shorter shots.
The NBA prioritizes quick decisions, "SHOOT IT, DRIVE IT, MOVE IT."
Coach points out that the smaller guy in the double team (8, above) should leave and cover the weakside corner (as it turns out, the ball is passed out, a series of "one more" passes ensues, and swung to the corner creating a long closeout because nobody got there.
When the point guard 'declares' a side, he will often get a step up pick-and-roll with weak side "3 in a row alignment" sometimes generating additional
screening. "Get players at lower levels used to running PnR with spacing away."
When the initial action (e.g. DHO) is well-defended, keep playing with other actions.
"GET action" (above) is similar to DHO in creating a PnR-like situation. Another variation will be DHO into a top PnR with a third player.
Simple pindown gets many options, critical to get x1 to come over the screen. We've seen so many NBA teams run these sets.
Strategy to put X2 into a quandary whether to cover the roll man or defend the corner 3. Again, the NBA spacing opens up more options and forces long closeouts.
Critical takeaways for players and coaches:
- Core actions like PnR and DHO are hard to defend at every level.
- Most players are ROLE PLAYERS. Winning their roles is vital.
- Running hard in transition stresses the defense with rim runners and filled corners.
- Elite spacing separates the NBA (EuroLeague is also exceptional).
- NBA teams don't send three to the offensive boards (much) because transition offense has dynamic athletes.
- Details like forcing the DHO defender or off-ball screen defender OVER the screen gets key separation.
