Exceptional players and coaches study the game. Let's look for teaching points from a recent Celtics - Sixers matchup.
Modified "Zoom action" (downscreen DHO) is a NBA staple. Derrick White gets the Queda handoff and gets a "Mazzulla Ball" two on one into a floater.
What you see may not be what you get. Watford turns the corner after starting toward the top. Not exactly "stampede" action and Jaylen Brown reacted as though expecting something else.
Another two on one created with Brown laying it down to Queda.
"Numbers" and ball reversal. The Celtics have a three on two and Brown in the middle holds the defender. That creates an easy ball reversal and a Simons three.
A 'screen option' seldom seen at lower levels is a rescreen. White reads the screen and the Sixers subtly rescreen to open a three.
Simons rejects the screen and finishes with shoulders parallel to the glass keeping the ball away from the big.
Defending the three (to reduce opponents' EFG%) is another Celtics priority. Brown gets caught 'tagging the cutter' as Edwards lifts for an open three.
Jaylen Brown scores on the midrange. In the 23-24 season, Brown shot 48% from midrange.
From Brave AI: On a statistical level, mid-range shooting efficiency varies significantly. According to data from the 2021–2023 seasons, the 90th percentile for mid-range shooting percentage (4–14 feet) was 50.9%, while the 50th percentile was 43.55%. For longer mid-range shots (14–23 feet), the 90th percentile was 48.11%, and the 50th percentile was 42.14%. Players like Kevin Durant, who shoots around 55% from mid-range, are considered all-time elite in this category. However, the average mid-range shooting percentage across the NBA is around 38.4%, meaning that shooting above 45% is generally considered excellent or "great" by modern standards.
Thus, the layups, threes, and free throw imperative in the NBA. Apply those to other leagues and levels at your peril.
Lagniappe. Dr. Fergus Connolly emphasizes that everything at practice, every lesson, every film session should impact results.
