Wednesday, January 12, 2005
From outlet to basket in 8 seconds
By Brian James
ESPN Insider
Scoring has increased this NBA season. Instead of relying on the halfcourt set, more teams are playing fast break basketball.
They do it lots of different ways.
Some teams run a "numbered break" – players running to designated spots to set up for their shot, as the electric point guard pushes the ball up with the dribble. The Suns, with triggerman Steve Nash, are an example of a team that runs a numbered break.
Nash
Kidd
Another way to run a fast break: The point guard can throw the ball over the top of defenders retreating in transition defense as the offensive team storms the floor. The recipients of the point guard's lob passes can shoot quick and easy shots. No one does this better than the New Jersey Nets, thanks to point guard Jason Kidd.
Still another way to run a fast break really is less point-guard reliant: Some teams have a number of people who are capable of taking the ball off the boards and pushing the ball up the floor themselves. The point guard would then fill in the spot or running lane vacated by the man pushing the ball up the floor. A prime example of this is the Hawks' style of fast break, triggered by point forward Antoine Walker.
What makes the fast break work?
Remember former Washington Bullets center Wes Unseld and his terrific rebounding and full-court outlet passes?
The first thing you need is gang rebounding. The rebounders have to know exactly where the point guard or outlet person will be to receive the first pass to start the break.
It's best when the recipient of the outlet pass has his back to the sideline, so he does not lose momentum and can focus his eyes down the floor without turning to face the passer.
Players who can imitate track sprinters are ideal. Then they can catch the ball in stride and finish strong at the rim. Wings sometimes cross to create movement, or sometimes they spot up outside the three-point line. This also opens up the driving lanes.
The big men can either sprint as the post lane sprinter to get a quick deep position in the post; or they can serve as trailers who are ready to knock down the shot on the swing pass; or sometimes they are there to set a "drag" screen for the dribbler in transition.
Teams that can get a great shot within the first :08 of the shot clock before the defense can set up have to be in great physical condition. Opponents can't prepare for this.
Here are the teams, in my mind, that get the ball up quicker and more efficiently for positive results. They're winning games because of this strength.
Best fast breaks
1. Suns: No one is having as much success this season as Nash and the incredible athletes this team puts on the floor. They sprint and know they will be rewarded at the other end with a layup, dunk, or spot-up three. The Suns are 31-4 and counting because of the shooters, finishers, and quarterback that obviously improved his team more than any other new addition to any squad.
The Suns take anywhere from 3-to-5 seconds before they launch a shot. This team puts relentless pressure on you. They go 100 mph and are the best at penetrating and pitching out to open men.
2.Magic: With three players who can push this ball up themselves in Grant Hill, Steve Francis, and now newly-acquired Doug Christie, this team has multiple players who have all been point guards and play unselfishly. I watched the Magic last week repeatedly get the ball across half court in just 2 seconds.
3. Nets This is Kidd almost by himself. The Nets could not run or score when he was injured. Now, after he catches the outlet pass, the ball is like a hot potato, as he sends it up the court faster than anyone else can. It's too bad that the injured Richard Jefferson (out for the season with a wrist injury) is now a spectator. Watching Kidd throw to Vince Carter and RJ was worth the price of admission. The last few years, the Nets have been pure fast break basketball.
5. Kings: They have won a lot of games over the years by getting great looks early and hitting shots when you retreat or have to cover someone new on a cross-match in transition. Predrag Stojakovic knocks them down from anywhere on the floor, thanks to passes from Mike Bibby. Be ready to defend drag screens the Kings use to get Bibby open. The Kings' big men might be the best finishers in the NBA.
6. Spurs: This team just kills you with the break or with the best "early offense" in the NBA. Early offense is another name for a secondary break. In the Spurs' early offense, they use the high-low action to post Tim Duncan with the corner filled; with post ups on the move on the swinging of the ball; a flex cut by the corner man over or under the man in the low post to receive the pass from the trailer on top of the floor in the Spurs' high-low. Or sometimes the Spurs use drag screens on the ball with the trailer, or even a post up by the trailer in their "Dive" set. They can also possibly use a wing screen roll after the trailer swings the ball to the weak side wing and goes screen for him.
The Spurs can run this up to 70 percent of the time.
Honorable mentions
7. Wizards: This team has increased it defensive pressure the past two weeks, and it shows in their transition early scores. They use an assortment of three-quarter court defenses. That's one reason two of the NBA's steal leaders, Larry Hughes and Gilbert Arenas, are making layups and dunks the norm in the nation's capital. Arenas is much improved at throwing the ball over the top.
8. Celtics: This team is explosive in the break with such dunkers as Ricky Davis and Tony Allen. Add triggerman Gary Payton and Paul Pierce, and it is easy to see how the Celtics have had some exciting wins over good teams.
9.Nuggets: Last year, the Nuggets had the best fast break and wore teams out with their physical condition – with some help from their Mile High homecourt advantage. This season, their fast break has been much more inconsistent. At times, though, I still see flashes of quick and easy scores. The Nuggets "cherry pick" – or release players early– as soon as opponents shoot the ball instead of waiting to see who gets the rebound.
Dynamic backcourt
Coaches and scouts around the league have been raving at the continuous improvement of the Wizards' backcourt of Gilbert Arenas and Larry Hughes.
I've watched this team play many times, and I still don't know exactly what is the best way to defend these two big guards out front. For example, in a Dec. 31 game against the Celtics, Hughes shot 6-for-6 from three-point range, compensating for an ill Arenas. Each can make huge catch-and-shoot baskets if you sag off of them.
They can drive the ball to the rim going either way, right or left. And both have the aggressive north-south mentality. They are great finishers in the open court.
Arenas
Hughes
In screen roll action, they can come off and shoot if the defense doesn't get out aggressively or split the screen and attack. Both are having career years offensively, and combined with forward Antawn Jamison, they are the NBA's highest-scoring trio this season.
Hughes is the only player in the NBA averaging at least 20.0 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. Entering play Jan. 12, Hughes is leading the league in steals and Arenas is ninth.
They are physical defensively on the ball. If you lay the ball out in the passing lane, it is gone. If you think the spin dribble is the way to go below the free throw line, one or both will attack, looking to strip the ball. They can switch aggressively, guard more than one position, and their confidence is soaring.
And the Wizards are soaring with them.
From outlet to basket in 8 seconds
By Brian James
ESPN Insider
Scoring has increased this NBA season. Instead of relying on the halfcourt set, more teams are playing fast break basketball.
They do it lots of different ways.
Some teams run a "numbered break" – players running to designated spots to set up for their shot, as the electric point guard pushes the ball up with the dribble. The Suns, with triggerman Steve Nash, are an example of a team that runs a numbered break.
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Nash
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Kidd
Another way to run a fast break: The point guard can throw the ball over the top of defenders retreating in transition defense as the offensive team storms the floor. The recipients of the point guard's lob passes can shoot quick and easy shots. No one does this better than the New Jersey Nets, thanks to point guard Jason Kidd.
Still another way to run a fast break really is less point-guard reliant: Some teams have a number of people who are capable of taking the ball off the boards and pushing the ball up the floor themselves. The point guard would then fill in the spot or running lane vacated by the man pushing the ball up the floor. A prime example of this is the Hawks' style of fast break, triggered by point forward Antoine Walker.
What makes the fast break work?
Remember former Washington Bullets center Wes Unseld and his terrific rebounding and full-court outlet passes?
The first thing you need is gang rebounding. The rebounders have to know exactly where the point guard or outlet person will be to receive the first pass to start the break.
You must be registered for see images
[font=verdana, arial, geneva]Francis (background) and Hill make the Magic happen.[/font]If they're passing to the point guard, they must deliver an accurate pass that can hit the guard on the move. He might be in the middle of the floor or close to the sideline. It's best when the recipient of the outlet pass has his back to the sideline, so he does not lose momentum and can focus his eyes down the floor without turning to face the passer.
Players who can imitate track sprinters are ideal. Then they can catch the ball in stride and finish strong at the rim. Wings sometimes cross to create movement, or sometimes they spot up outside the three-point line. This also opens up the driving lanes.
The big men can either sprint as the post lane sprinter to get a quick deep position in the post; or they can serve as trailers who are ready to knock down the shot on the swing pass; or sometimes they are there to set a "drag" screen for the dribbler in transition.
Teams that can get a great shot within the first :08 of the shot clock before the defense can set up have to be in great physical condition. Opponents can't prepare for this.
Here are the teams, in my mind, that get the ball up quicker and more efficiently for positive results. They're winning games because of this strength.
Best fast breaks
1. Suns: No one is having as much success this season as Nash and the incredible athletes this team puts on the floor. They sprint and know they will be rewarded at the other end with a layup, dunk, or spot-up three. The Suns are 31-4 and counting because of the shooters, finishers, and quarterback that obviously improved his team more than any other new addition to any squad.
The Suns take anywhere from 3-to-5 seconds before they launch a shot. This team puts relentless pressure on you. They go 100 mph and are the best at penetrating and pitching out to open men.
2.Magic: With three players who can push this ball up themselves in Grant Hill, Steve Francis, and now newly-acquired Doug Christie, this team has multiple players who have all been point guards and play unselfishly. I watched the Magic last week repeatedly get the ball across half court in just 2 seconds.
3. Nets This is Kidd almost by himself. The Nets could not run or score when he was injured. Now, after he catches the outlet pass, the ball is like a hot potato, as he sends it up the court faster than anyone else can. It's too bad that the injured Richard Jefferson (out for the season with a wrist injury) is now a spectator. Watching Kidd throw to Vince Carter and RJ was worth the price of admission. The last few years, the Nets have been pure fast break basketball.
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[font=verdana, arial, geneva]When the Spurs' Tony Parker wants to finish the break, good luck stopping him.[/font]4. Mavericks: Every season, this team sports an exciting offense, pushing the ball up the court and getting a quick early look with a variety of scorers. Each of those guys can also push the ball when it comes to him. Pick your poison from Michael Finley, Jerry Stackhouse, Marquis Daniels, Josh Howard, Devin Harris, and of course Dirk Nowitzki. Each can beat you on the attack or from the spot-ups early. 5. Kings: They have won a lot of games over the years by getting great looks early and hitting shots when you retreat or have to cover someone new on a cross-match in transition. Predrag Stojakovic knocks them down from anywhere on the floor, thanks to passes from Mike Bibby. Be ready to defend drag screens the Kings use to get Bibby open. The Kings' big men might be the best finishers in the NBA.
6. Spurs: This team just kills you with the break or with the best "early offense" in the NBA. Early offense is another name for a secondary break. In the Spurs' early offense, they use the high-low action to post Tim Duncan with the corner filled; with post ups on the move on the swinging of the ball; a flex cut by the corner man over or under the man in the low post to receive the pass from the trailer on top of the floor in the Spurs' high-low. Or sometimes the Spurs use drag screens on the ball with the trailer, or even a post up by the trailer in their "Dive" set. They can also possibly use a wing screen roll after the trailer swings the ball to the weak side wing and goes screen for him.
The Spurs can run this up to 70 percent of the time.
Honorable mentions
7. Wizards: This team has increased it defensive pressure the past two weeks, and it shows in their transition early scores. They use an assortment of three-quarter court defenses. That's one reason two of the NBA's steal leaders, Larry Hughes and Gilbert Arenas, are making layups and dunks the norm in the nation's capital. Arenas is much improved at throwing the ball over the top.
8. Celtics: This team is explosive in the break with such dunkers as Ricky Davis and Tony Allen. Add triggerman Gary Payton and Paul Pierce, and it is easy to see how the Celtics have had some exciting wins over good teams.
9.Nuggets: Last year, the Nuggets had the best fast break and wore teams out with their physical condition – with some help from their Mile High homecourt advantage. This season, their fast break has been much more inconsistent. At times, though, I still see flashes of quick and easy scores. The Nuggets "cherry pick" – or release players early– as soon as opponents shoot the ball instead of waiting to see who gets the rebound.
Dynamic backcourt
Coaches and scouts around the league have been raving at the continuous improvement of the Wizards' backcourt of Gilbert Arenas and Larry Hughes.
I've watched this team play many times, and I still don't know exactly what is the best way to defend these two big guards out front. For example, in a Dec. 31 game against the Celtics, Hughes shot 6-for-6 from three-point range, compensating for an ill Arenas. Each can make huge catch-and-shoot baskets if you sag off of them.
They can drive the ball to the rim going either way, right or left. And both have the aggressive north-south mentality. They are great finishers in the open court.
You must be registered for see images attach
Arenas
You must be registered for see images attach
Hughes
In screen roll action, they can come off and shoot if the defense doesn't get out aggressively or split the screen and attack. Both are having career years offensively, and combined with forward Antawn Jamison, they are the NBA's highest-scoring trio this season.
Hughes is the only player in the NBA averaging at least 20.0 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. Entering play Jan. 12, Hughes is leading the league in steals and Arenas is ninth.
They are physical defensively on the ball. If you lay the ball out in the passing lane, it is gone. If you think the spin dribble is the way to go below the free throw line, one or both will attack, looking to strip the ball. They can switch aggressively, guard more than one position, and their confidence is soaring.
And the Wizards are soaring with them.
