Now for the Cavaliers. Starting lineup:
PG – Maurice Williams
SG – Wally Szczerbiak
SF – LeBron James
PF – Ben Wallace
C – Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Yeah, Cavs users… I know that Wally Szczerbiak isn’t what one would call a desirable starting SG. But it’s the lesser of two evils, if that makes any sense. I mean, do you really want to start Sasha Pavlovic over him? Didn’t think so. Nor would I approve of starting such a dimunitive backcourt of Mo Willians and Daniel Gibson if Boobie were to get the nod over Wally. So… here we are. On to the plays:
SF Iso Wing (Flex 1 set) / SF Create (Triangle 6 set)
When playing with the Cavaliers it is a must to have Isolation plays to call for King James, and these are a couple of them that fits the bill. Both plays are designed to get the ball to James on the right wing behind the arc, with some distinguishing player movement on the part of Mo Williams. The former play takes a little longer to develop, as Mo basically runs along the baseline and circles around the arc back to the left wing area as James figures out how he wants to humiliate his defender one-on-one. In the latter play Mo will dart toward the basket around a screen set by Big Z at the top of the circle after giving the ball up to James. So a possible give & go sequence can be worked right here as a cool alternative option if Z successfully picks off Mo’s man with the screen and the passing lane from Bron to a cutting Mo is there.
SF Popout (Box set)
This is another play for LeBron, but this one is interesting because this also has an alternative option for Big Z. Mo has the ball at the top of the key while Bron stands at the right baseline area. Big Z stands near the right elbow and Big Ben stands near the left elbow. Ben goes over to set a screen for Mo near the top of the key. Meanwhile, Z goes over to set down screen for Bron. Mo dribbles around Ben’s screen to get to the left wing behind the arc. Next, Bron comes off Z’s screen to get to the right wing. Mo passes the ball to Ben, who then relays the ball to Bron. Bron then has the option to shoot on the catch, take his man one-on-one, or he can feed the ball to Z for a post up opportunity since Z is already standing on the right block.
Baseline Curl (1-4 High set)
The layout of this play has been explained in the Clippers playbook. Mo (Cavaliers PG), Bron (SF) and Wally (SG) are the key players in this play.
PG-SF Pick & Roll (Baseline 1 set)
The layout of this play has been explained in the 76ers playbook. Mo (Cavaliers PG), Bron (SF) and Wally (SG) are the key players in this play.
Screen Drive & Dish (Flex 4 set)
This is a cool play to run for Mo and Bron which has alternative options included within. Mo has the ball at the top of the key, then Z goes over near the arc to set screen for him. Mo then dribbles around the left side of screen past the elbow area and kicks the ball out to Bron spotting up in the left corner. Next, Mo goes around a second screen set by Z near the left block and moves to the left side of the court behind the arc. Bron passes the ball to Z on the block then Z relays the ball to Mo outside.
Now the first and probably best alternative option is when Mo drives around the first screen set by Z. At this moment, Mo can opt to accelerate and drive all the way to the basket instead of kicking the ball back out to Bron. Another option is when Bron receives the ball from Mo on the kickout pass. The best idea in this scenario would likely be for Bron to shoot his streaky 3-ball on the catch instead of waiting on Mo to move back out to the perimeter.
Ol Reliable (Triangle 3 set)
This is a Post play for Big Z which includes an alternative option to work a possible give & go sequence with Mo. In the beginning Mo has the ball on the left wing behind the arc. Wally stands in the left corner, Bron stands in the right corner, Ben stands near the right elbow and Z stands on the left block. Mo takes a couple steps to his left then passes the ball to Z calling for the ball on the low left block. As Z holds the ball in the post, Mo would proceed to cut into the lane then turn toward the right corner around a screen set by Ben on the right block, and Bron moves to the top of the circle. Now Z can choose to hold on to the ball to allow all the player movement take place first, then work his man in the post. Or Z can choose to deliver a well-timed pass to Mo cutting to the basket area. Be warned, however, that this pass is difficult to complete and would likely result in a deflection/turnover more often than not.
PG Double Lane (1-4 High set)
The layout of this play has been explained in the Hawks playbook. Mo (Cavaliers PG) and Bron (SF) are the main players who get the touches in this play.
C Quick Post (Triangle 5 set)
The layout of this play has been explained in the Clippers playbook. Mo (Cavaliers PG) and Big Z (C) are the key players in this play.
Next: Nuggets
Kruza
Comment