About the Pick and Roll

[George O'Brien]

Team USA couldn't stop the Greek pick and roll. As Steve Kerr put it:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ars0ldZxe.4KuuzwNuwZkYa8vLYF?slug=sk-worlds090106&prov=yhoo&type=lgns&expire=1

After pounding the ball inside to its big men in the first half, Greece altered its tactics in the second. The Greeks began to run a high screen and roll almost exclusively, with the floor spread and shooters all over the court. Elton Brand and Dwight Howard were exposed by the constant perimeter screens, as they were forced to help on the Greek guards then make up lots of ground in recovery. Greece was so good cutting and moving without the ball that Brand and Howard were unable to keep the Greeks from finding lanes to the hoop for easy scores.

Eventually, Coach K went to an entirely small lineup that switched on every screen, but by that time the Greeks were rolling. With the U.S. unable to force many mistakes, Greece patiently took its time, worked the high screen and roll and found open shooters. The team shot 63 percent from the field and played with great confidence.

Does this offense sound familiar? It is in part what the Suns try to do, except that the Greeks move without the ball better.

A lot of NBA teams runs pick and roll plays, but are limited by the personality and temperment of their players. Most point guards are more interested in getting to the basket than in finding the open man. Most wing players are better at going to the basket than at hitting open jump shots. Most inside guys have hands of stone and can be ignored once they set their picks.

There is no obvious way to stop the high pick and roll without leaving somone open. Certain tricks work part of the time, but nothing really works against a PG who understands the ofense. The next step is to train Banks to run it as well.