Transition Offense: Ball Inside

Nowadays a lot of teams want to play transition offense as much as they can. They feel fine with established positions when they aren’t able to finish off the fastbreak and the idea of not giving the defense the opportunity to settle is a valued one for many coaches.

Here we see a nice situation from Israel National Team, in which after the inside pass, they set a screen for the passer that will give the center two pass lines. So he can play one on one, give it back to the guard or pass to the power forward, specially when the latter is a good shooter.

Let’s take a look.

Eurobasket 2011: Macedonia

Some things they have been showing all around the tournament: Tough defense, good control of game tempo, great knowledge to play the last quarters of their games (they just lost the fourth quarter against Georgia in the close games) well defined roles, and confidence in their leaders. Their chemistry is second to none and they are as dangerous as a wolves pack. Marin Dokuzovski has a hell of a TEAM, and that’s why they are where they are.

In the last seconds, when the ball is so hot you wouldn’t dare to touch it, McCalebb and Ilievski are the guys. Ball screens and clear out situations, they’ll do the rest.

Against Montenegro, they were trailing by two points and they run a ball screen situation, plus a couple of repicks, that ends with a missmatch. They manage to give the ball inside to the big guarded by the pointguard. Afterwards they keep trying with the pick and roll and finally with quick shots but they can’t score and lose the game.

Against Croatia, with the game tied, they try the ball screen for McCalebb, who misses the lay up. They play a good defense and recover the ball. The last ball is, again, for “Bo Mc” who gets another ball screen to find Ilievski, who scores. Another good defense (a contested three pointer) gives them the game.

Finland was a tough game. After getting a one point advantage, they struggled to score again, and only through free throws they managed to do it. Their good defense (sometimes lucky too, but you know “fortuna adaces iuvat”) and their nice control of team fouls (plus rebounding the last one of Koponen’s shots, missed on purpose) meant a new victory.

With a two point lead they reach the last 30” of their game against Georgia. It was a different day but the same play... Ball screen, and then a good inside out pass for a missed trey from Lakovic... Georgia go to the free throw line and tie the game. McCalebb finishes the game with a terrific lay up in a kind of clear out situation. One more game for Macedonia.

They were really close to beat Russia, but Monya’s incredible shot gave the win to the powerful russians. Once again, the end of this game makes me think they are the best team when team fouls’ management is over the table.

But the last game... the last one has been unbelievable. Lithuania leading by two points. A ball screen for McCalebb (maybe fouled maybe not) ends up with Lithuania turning the ball over... and with Ilievski hitting one of those shots basketball fans will remember for ever. Lithuania had their last shot, but Jasaitis missed it and there was no time for more than a miracle... but it didn’t happen for Lithuania.

Challenger’s name is Macedonia. Congratulations! We’ll be watching...

Eurobasket 2011: Slovenia

Quarter Finals! Slovenia!

Spain is now two steps from the final... and Slovenia is the team to beat to advance to the semifinal.

They’ve been playing just so so, but we can’t think it will be an easy game. They’ve got really good players, both inside and outside, and some of their bigs (Smodis, Lorbek) can create tough situations to stop for our big men.

They run different plays, and quite often they end up playing with one guy inside and four guys outside. Their high-low game is quite good, and also their inside – out passes. As I said, Lorbek and Smodis are very good shooters from mid range and also from three point distance, so they are dangerous when playing these situations. The outside players move well without the ball after they give the pass inside, and I guess there’s no need to talk about Lakovic’s quick release...

Boza Maljkovic has allways liked these staggered screens’ plays. The shooters have many options to read the defense and get some shots, and also the bigs to roll if their defenders hedge. In this play they finish with a hand off situation between their “4” and one of the guards (Lakovic, Dragic & Dragic, Muric, Osboltz...) They play triangles and can find multiple solutions reading the defense.

Another play they run is this “wheel” with the pointguard cutting and setting screens (which can free a wing or a center), to finally get the ball back. Once he gets it he can shoot (Lakovic is dangerous) or look for options (ball screen, pass inside...) I like how well they react when the defender denies the pass to the pointguard. They find the open man and play hand off.

Goran Dragic has shown us his skills along the tournament. I like the way he plays without the ball, how he read the defense, how he can finish in traffic. And of course, this guy is quick...

Eurobasket 2011: Turkey's Baseline Out Of Bounds

Yesterday, Turkey lost to Serbia in a win or go home game. It was in the very last play of the game that they didn't manage to score in a baseline out of bounds situation. Serbia played good defense and they made it to Quarter Finals.

Turkey wanted to inbound the ball and play a sidescreen between Onan and Turkoglu, probably looking for a pick and pop situation for Turkoglu to score. Their idea was to free Onan with an off ball screen and then Turkoglu would set the screen

Serbia switched in the off ball screen, and Macvan made a hell of a job denying the pass to Onan. Markovic stayed with Ilyasova, who finally received (far from the basket due to Teodosic's denial position) and tried a quick shot (maybe too quick) with three seconds remaining.

Here is the video:

Eurobasket 2011: France

Next game, France.

The most physical team all over the Eurobasket. They are in very good shape. They’re playing very good basketball, without mistakes, with discipline, with their stars playing together, sharing the ball... A team that likes to run. They are strong rebounders on both sides, and they solve their lack of shooters with very good spacing and teamwork.

Boris Diaw has been hot during the previous games, going to work often in mid post, and showing all his skills with and without the ball. Good passer from the paint, he’s scoring and assisting. They run this situation for him very often. Once the ball goes inside, the other players move well to difficult helps. The guard pops using to screens and then Diaw (sometimes Noah) receives a screen to get the ball in low – mid post. Watch out the first cutter (often, Batum)

You could think (many teams have) that zone defense is a good weapon against France. It should be. They don’t have great shooters, so they should struggle facing a zone. Well, they don’t. They play really well against zone defense. Their spacing, the way they use the screens, their offensive rebound...

Here, take a look at their bigs, setting screens for the guard, playing from behind the defense (really important concept against zones) popping to hig post, spreading the zone from the inside (high post player goes to the free throw line, low post player almost touches baseline)

A strong dribble attracts two defenders. The spacing is great. An off ball screen frees another player on weak side. Two defenders are defending no one, high – low action...

Three players moving together, a ball screen for Parker and an off ball screen against the upper line’s second defender. Free way for Parker to drive and an easy pass outside in case he can’t finish. Teamwork.

Really important against zones. Offensive rebound.

And not only against the zone. They follow penetrations, and get the rebounds coming from nowhere...

Eurobasket 2011: Serbia

Serbia, even if they’ve lost two games by now is, in my humble opinion, the biggest menace for Spain in our quest for the Eurobasket’s gold.

I gave you an appetizer some days ago and here you have the main dish.

First, Spain must avoid a game start like this one. Not that Serbia’s doing it every game, but they have the skills, for sure they’ll have the motivation and we wouldn’t like to trail from the beginning...

Let’s talk about defense. And this is something I’ve already shown, but I think is interesting enough to take another look at it. The Serbian team manages really well defense on missmatch situations. They are used to involve more than two players in order to avoid advantages for the offense.

More “defense”, not only Teodosic is a wise fastbreak “stopper”, they’re all so good at using fouls to stop the other team’s fastbreaks! They look for a slow paced game that is clearly better for them. Spain need some points off the break, so we’d better reach the bonus as soon as possible and if they stop the break with fouls, at least we’ll go to the line.

Now, their some details on their offense:

One player in, four players out plus pick and roll. That’s one of the keys of their offensive game. Savanovic and Macvan can make mid range jumpers and threes (specially the former) They make good use of their skills to spread the defense and find space to drive. Serbians know how to punish helps. Just like here... Schultze helps way more than needed and Savanovic hits the three.

One play they’ve been using a lot. The same concepts. They set a down pick for the shooting guard to receive a hand off pass and then, again, pick and roll. Notice how Savanovic (in the first clip) and Macvan (second and third clips) end up in the corner. They read the defense and react. Nice triangles, good options for the shooter after the hand off... Dangerous.

They have many different options for baseline out of bounds’ plays. They look for the advantage and use it. As we see in the first two clips, it’s the same play but they play for Savanovic first and for Teodosic posting up in the second. Also, if you’re not focused on defense, they can find the easy shot after the first pass...

I want to finish with a state of the art passer. Teodosic is showing everybody his polished fundamentals, and the pass might be his best weapon. All kind of passes, with both hands, no looking passes... I’d say “kids, TRY to do this at home...”

Eurobasket 2011: Germany

Next game, Germany.

Germany and Nowitzki. They go together. We should not forget Kaman, Herber (terrific shooter), Benzing, Jagla (mini – Nowitzki), Hammann...

But everything starts by Nowitzki.

They will run some plays to let their “go to” player receive near the basket, or facing the basket. From that moment, he’ll take care of Germany’s offense. We all know he is great in low post, in high post, beyond the line... Well, he’s great everywhere.

So their teammates and coach know, and they set many off ball screens to free him. I showed a clip yesterday in my twitter account to give the first example (yes, he’s not perfect). And I want to show you some more situations now.

They like to play this isolation for Kaman and Nowitzki. The other players will be placed on weak side, moving without the ball, trying to keep help side defenders busy. Nowitzki’s defender should not help, so it’s a good 1 on 1 situation for their center.

Also this screen for Nowitzki to find an open shot when the defender gets stucked, or a good option to penetrate if the defender comes late. Here we see a very good defense (Gallinari) chasing Germany’s star and being close to steal the ball.

This one is by far the situation they run more often. A screen set by the pointguard so Nowitzki can choose, low post or three point line. As you know, he’s likely to hit his shots from both spots.

Can’t wait for the game to start!

Eurobasket 2011: Turkey

Next game, Turkey...

A lot has been said about Turkey, mostly after their defeat against Poland. Well, here I bring you a couple of clips.

Everybody knows Emir Preldzic, but I thought it would be a good idea to show some of his skills. We know he needs improvement on Defense, and a better shooting technique, but he’s an all around player who can drive hard to the basket, shoot (terrific coming off dribble) and pass. And basically that’s what we find in this short video. I love this young player, his future is in his own hands.

One of the most dangerous things for the Spanish teams is to manage with Ersan Ilyasova’s defense. He plays far from the basket, has a devastating first step when he goes to the rim, can hit the three... and will play the power forward to take our bigs outside of the paint. Many pick and pop situations, many one on one... and something he does really well, to fake the ball screen and cut hard to the basket (take a look at the video)

I repeat, our bigs will have a hard game tonight.

Eurobasket Tweets: Serbia

Yesterday I tweeted Serbia's National Team details from their friendly and first Eurobasket games.

It was kind of fun to update my timeline with those small clips from the Serbian team.

Here you have them all together. Remember you can follow me on twitter, rjmbasket08

Serbia Ball screen def: the defender PUSHES the ball so he can go through the screen easily. No advantages!



Serbia-Teodosic: PASS.No looking vs pressure,1 hand (right),1 hand (left) over the head in P&R.1st and 3rd TERRIFIC



Serbia. Full court press: Steals, switches, rotations...



Serbia. 2 ball screens play: Many inside clear out situations with shooters menace beyond the 3 point line (Savanovic...)



Serbia. No fastbreak allowed: Teodosic and all his teammates won't hesitate. Foul



Serbia. Ball Screen Def (more): Disadvantage, switch, stop the ball, don't stop running. Steal. Terrific.



Serbia. Team rotation. They switch in ball screen and three players rotate to avoid missmatch: