A Fun Little Play the Warriors Have Been Running

There was one play ran a couple of times I specifically noted when watching Monday's game, a tough loss to Sacramento.  It uses some really basic components to get multiple options at a good look.

After coming down the floor, the ball goes in to Carl Landry (or David Lee) in the high post.  This in itself is a safety valve; if the play blows up, Landry can always isolate on his man.  After sending the ball to the elbow, Curry cuts to the corner where a normally a wing player will be waiting.

Curry sets a screen for Klay Thompson who cuts towards the basket where Landry can pass to him for an open layup.  It hasn't happened yet, but I imagine that Thompson also has the option to fake the middle and pop to the three point line.  Also notice on the weakside David Lee beginning to set a back screen for Harrison Barnes.

Thompson is covered up well on his cut which springs the second action: a wing two man game.  The great thing about this is whats happening on the weakside.  If hedged hard, Curry can slip a pass to Barnes for an open three behind David Lee.  David  Lee's man (right above the block/charge arc, facing the camera) won't be able to help on the three as he is already helping on the Klay cut.

The screen and roll is run as usual.  Curry commits and the weakside action ends.

Curry pulls up for an open jumper he makes at a high rate.  Curry misses this one, but the point is that a high percentage look was created.  Keep your eye out for this next game.  Here are two examples of it in real time:

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The Warriors Clinch it on a Slip Screen

Golden State came away with a win against the Phoenix Suns, despite being outplayed much of the second half and David Lee and Stephen Curry combining to go 4-30.  Holding a one point lead with the ball in the final minute, the Warriors went to a bread and butter play designed to get Carl Landry the ball.  Landry was effective the entire game, scoring 17 points in a very efficient manner.  Here is the play:

Jarret Jack dribbles at the top of the key waiting for a Carl Landry screen, in what looks to be a standard screen and roll.

Instead of setting the pick however, Landry cuts to the opposite elbow.  This catches Marcin Gortat by surprise as he is expecting to have to hedge.

This leaves lots of room for Landry on a shot he can knock down consistently.

Some interesting things of note from the game:

• Landry was playing crunch time (and playing well), and I'm assuming this is because of Bogut's status.  The Lee/Landry lineup will have trouble with defense and on the boards, but it is tough to stop on offense.
• The Warriors played small a ton with Klay Thompson moving to the three and Stephen Curry playing off the ball.  I will look into the lineup numbers on this once there is a larger sample size.
• Festus Ezeli is a legitimate backup center.  He rebounded and covered space well and will learn the subtleties of defense from Andrew Bogut.   

  

 

Golden State's Double Elbow Set

During the Warriors preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers, they found themselves down eight during the second quarter.  Golden State went to a set play that Dubs fans should get used to seeing.  A lot has been said about the Warriors possibly running their offense through the two bigs and having the various shooters curl of screens.  That is exactly what happens in this in this play.

Things start off in a "Horns" look with a double high post and a man in each corner.  Charles Jenkins dumps the ball to David Lee and cuts through the middle.  The first option is here where Lee can just take his man one on one if it is a mismatch.

While Lee holds the ball, Jenkins cuts to the corner to set a screen for Klay Thompson.  Thompson's defender has to make a choice, go over or under the screen.

Thompson now has to read what hid defender did.  If the defender had gone under the screen, Klay would have popped out for an easy (for him) two.  As it is the defender went over the screen which means Thompson has to cut backdoor.

The Lakers help defense covers up the backdoor cut well.  So the play is over right? Not so much.  After the initial action fails, Carl Landry sets a down screen for Charles Jenkins.  The player that set the initial screen, Jenkins, is receiving a screen.  This is a basic screen-the-screener concept.  Because he was defending the screener,  Jenkins' defender had to help on Klay, leaving Jenkins with a ton of room when he gets the screen.

Jenkins receives the ball, but chooses not to shoot.  Now, Carl Landry has great post position.

Landry goes to work down low and finishes with a fade away jumper.

This is definitely a complex set, but not one without its merits.  There are so many options the defense has to defend that eventually a mistake will be made.  Now, just imagine the great passer Andrew Bogut surveying the floor from the elbow and Steph Curry coming of the down screen.  The Warriors versatile personnel can be used in some really interesting ways that will hopefully eventually lead to the P word. 

What Does Carl Landry Bring to the Warriors?

Carl Landry was a sneaky good pickup by the Warriors

 

Carl Landry

What does he bring to the table?

•             Scoring of the bench (12 PPG in 24 MPG last season)

•             Efficient post up player (1.03 PPP (points per possession), seventh in the NBA)

•             Great finisher off of offensive rebounds (First in the league with 1.49 PPP off on putbacks and shots off of offensive rebounds)

•             Good range for a big man, excellent pick and pop jumper

•             Draws fouls well (Had a 7.1 and1 percentage 14^th in the league, drew fouls on 15% of post ups)

What does he take off it?

•             Middling defender, not a great rim protector (0.29 BPG last season)

•             Can be somewhat of a black hole once he gets the ball

Overall I liked this pickup for the Warriors.  They filled a big need with a good player at a low price.  There is not much more you can ask for.  The only concern I have is with Golden State's second unit's defense.  Landry will not add much and the center spot is still the Warriors biggest question mark.  That said, Landry adds versatility, efficient offense, and much needed depth to the Warriors.