Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Multiple Options from Similar Looks

We can often teach players that multiple actions can occur from similar "looks". Here are some very simple examples of fundamental basketball concepts. Ideally, like chess 'masters', they begin to see "chunks" of alternatives. 

Basic high ball screen which pressures X4 defender. When X4 slides to protect the basket, 4 flashes to the elbow and becomes a high-quality scoring chance. Tom Thibodeau's Bulls would run this from a "flat" configuration with 2 and 3 in the corners. 

4 is again low and aligned opposite the initial movement. We have a lot of left-handed players which is ideal to bring them off 4 to their strong hand. Even if the initial cut isn't open, 3 can get a "second chance" with a downscreen from 5. 

The action comes from the weak side. 1 provides wing entry and "buries". 5 screens across for 2 coming to the top of the key, and then gets screen-the-screener action. Whom do you want to get the ball and where?