Errntknght
Registered User
That's basically the way they played all last year which surprised me - I thought with time together they'd discover some maneuvers they could work together even if Hornacek didn't install them.
Cripes, the oldest play in basketball is the give and go. With two sure handed PGs on the floor together they should be milking that play - and you can fake the go with a jab step and step back for an open jumper once they have been burned by it a time or two. It can also serve as a trigger for other plays - like a baseline slash from the corner. The receiver of the initial pass can fake the return pass and drive himself if the defensive response gives him an opening. Simply getting the ball in the center of the floor with a bit of space to manuever creates many opportunities and that's what you are, basically, striving to accomplish.
Why not run the sideline pick and pop/roll with Tucker setting the pick - he can set a solid pick for starters and he's money if he gets a weakly contested corner shot out of it. That could be a decent play for TJ, too - maybe a roll is better for him... perhaps even Green, if he can slow down enough to set a legal pick.
I think they are missing a bet by not going big at the 2 position some of the time - at least with Tucker since we know he is a good perimeter defender. But its worth giving Warren an opportunity as well - we want to get him playing time, anyway. When they're playing the 2, they should set lots of picks - if the opponent guards switch it, we'll almost certainly get a mismatch or two. It might well flummox some defending 2's since they are not accustomed to defending the pick and roll. I'd give Green and Goodwin a go at it is well. Heck, I'd have Bled setting some picks when he's not the only PG on the floor. (I don't know if any of you remember but Nash used to set picks - on bigs, yet. So did Eddie House. Typically back picks, so they didn't get flattened.)
We've got all these talented wings and guards, we need to make as much use of them as possible.
They need to work harder at getting Markieff involved inside the arc. On the theme of give and go there's a play called the pinch post thats used in some motion offenses - like the Princeton. (Chris Webber was good at it when healthy.) 'Kieff isn't Chris Webber but he can shoot from the elbow and he can make a two dribble drive to hoop. Passing would probably be his weakest suit but he's the best passer among our bigs.
The most annoying thing is that Hornacek knows about these plays and many more but he seems content to just stick with the pick and roll/pop as the only set play - and that only with bigs as pick setters.
I'm not too concerned about the fastbreak as Jeff is clearly intent on getting that working better but it sure looks like they could use some work in the outlet pass epartment.
