If it's the end of a quarter, the Warriors are going to run this...
A breakdown of the Golden State Warriors go-to play at the end of quarters since Steve Kerr took over.
Here is the scenario, the Warriors get the ball with a chance to take the clock down to finish off the quarter with a basket. There is little doubt to what is going to happen next, Steph Curry is going to come off a screen looking for a shot - but knowing is only half the battle.
For the opening week of NBA action, you can save 20% off a yearly subscription. Click the link below!
Golden State Warriors | End of Quarter Fist Out
This play is simple but incredibly difficult to defend at the same time, which is why the Warriors have been running it for 6 years ever since Steve Kerr took over as coach.
Whichever shooter was in rhythm between Klay & Steph would screen down first for the 4 man that was typically Draymond or Barnes, then at the same time a ballscreen with a baseline exit occurs.
Setup
The setup of this play starts with the shooter you want at the elbow area, the ball screener on the same side block, and the screener in the corner.
Ram Downscreen
When a player screens down for another player and then that player sets a ballscreen I call this action “Ram.” This is how this play starts and it presents a couple of problems for the defense. If they do not switch it then the player setting the ballscreen is now arriving alone (also called “Naked”) with no coverage to defend it. The other option is to switch that screen but this might leave a weaker or a non-typical defender on a shooter coming off a screen (we’ll get to this in the exit section below).
Ballscreen
The player coming off the initial down screen or Ram screen sprints up into a ballscreen and this can create multiple issues for the defense. If the players execute the ballscreen which is the secondary look majority of the time, they can create “Shake” or single tag action or go into a pick and pop with little or no help.
Exit
The design of this play is to get a shooter to come off a screen toward an empty corner with only one player screening. Since the ballscreen is taking away any off-ball help, this exit screen forces the defense to either switch the pindown which the Warriors will slip or they do not and they get burned by the best shooter in NBA history. If they switch the initial “Ram” action then it could put a bigger player like Paul George in this instance who has a tougher time navigating a screen as well.
Expect this to be run at the end of quarters for the Warriors, 6 years and counting!
Counter - Runner
A couple of years ago they tweaked this set and started to run a double screen on the baseline for a shooter, and empty out one side of the floor which really puts the defense in a predicament.
*Update* Minnesota Timberwolves Runner
I remembered this morning that I initially saw this action from the Minnesota Timberwolves during the same 2014-15 season as the Warriors’ basic end-of-quarter play. The slight difference in this set is the second screener dives into the lane and clears opposite.
New Orleans Pelicans Runner
This is something that Willie Green has taken with him to the Pelicans and they closed out the half with an Ingram dunk off the empty pick and pop.
If you liked this breakdown feel free to share it & if you have any other scenarios, plays, or thoughts on any future breakdowns let me know in the comments below!
Enjoy!
Coach Pyper