This week’s focus is on some of the early season end-of-game sets run to win games, as well as a cool driving concept that NBA teams use to attack closeouts.
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Upcoming Schedule
One big breakdown this week in order to catch up on film work for 5-6 teams, I will have 2-3 set breakdowns throughout this week on plays I think are worth a breakdown.
Saturday: Vote!
Playcall of the Week
Boston Celtics “Thumb Out” Playcall
The Boston Celtics use “Thumb Out” to call this play involving their 3 best playmakers as signaled here.
This set starts off with Jaylen Brown coming off the Stack screen from Smart, then flipping the ball back to Tatum.
Brown then dives into the lane instead of coming off a flare screen, then Smart sets a ballscreen for Tatum trying to get Garland switched onto him. Garland hedges the ballscreen and the Celtics keep advantage to create an open 3.
Breakdowns of the Week
Cleveland Cavaliers Scram Switch
Portland Trail Blazers After Time Out Defense
Minnesota Timberwolves Offense Breakdown
Washington Wizards X’s & O’s
Sets of the Week
Los Angeles Lakers EOG Skip Flare
Down 3, the Lakers ran a great Flare set for Ryan to hit a game tying corner 3 and send the game into overtime that the Lakers would go onto win.
The key here is Anthony Davis turning to set the flare screen and not allow the Pelicans to get a clean switch off and an incredible pass that allows the 3 to get off.
Boston Celtics EOG On the Run SOB
Starting off in a Diamond formation, the Celtics set up the “On the Run” sideline out-of-bounds play with Tatum in the backcourt.
As two players clear over the top Smart flashes and hits Tatum downhill with a backdoor pass for the nasty finish.
The original play for this came from Mike D’Antoni back in 2016 with the Rockets getting Harden downhill on a hand off.
Another option they preferred was to screen for Harden to get him really on the run downhill driving.
Utah Jazz EOG Keep
The Jazz beat the Pelicans by running a similar set that got Olynyk a game-winner.
Here we see the two players clearing over the top of Olynyk.
This simple initial action screws with the defense who is trying to switch everything, causing some confusion.
Then the pass gets made to Olynyk just outside the 3 point line.
The inbounder and player in the backcourt cut over the top looking for hand offs and a possible slip up in coverages with a flare screen.
Notice in the chaos that CJ McCollum is now switched onto Olynk, allowing him to drive straight into the lane on a smaller, weaker defender.
Portland Trail Blazers EOG SOB
Starting off in a line formation, the Trail Blazers really only have two options - to get a look at the rim or quick catch and shoot.
Two players clear by going to the backcourt and the corner, then the lob option for Grant. The Suns do a great job switching but the Lob is almost like a back-shoulder fade in football and Grant gets free for the basket (definitely not a travel).
Stampedes
A fantastic example of a “Stampede” drive by Keita Bates-Diop here by catching and running through the pass to drive the gap for a layup.
This was a staple of the Jazz under Quin Snyder and has permeated throughout the NBA as one of the best ways to attack closeouts.
More on “Stampedes:”
Coaching Insight of the Week
Again, the Timberwolves broadcast does a great job of showing and of explaining some concepts, here Nori takes us through the difference between 4-Out & 5-Out for the Timberwolves.
Gif of the Week
A VERY good shot fake from Jaylen Brown - RJ Barrett out of sorts…
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When you are watching the NBA this season and anything stands out to you or you want to see included in these breakdowns let me know and I will include them! Thank you again for all of your support and for sharing my work.
Outwork Yesterday
Coach Pyper