Play calling in the NBA

[ZoneBlitz]

Does anyone know how often they call plays in the NBA? I always thought plays were rarely called and that most of the time they just freestyle. I thought that plays were mostly called during inbounds in key situations.

Any thoughts or links to the frequency of play-calling in the NBA?

[brianyost06]

Re: Play calling in the NBA

Plays are not called every time down the court, but they normally run to certain spots on the break, not set spots but fill certain holes. Look for any mismatches in transition, and then come to a certain set. These sets usually just get the SG/SF to come off a screen to get open on the wings and to create spacing between the PG, wing player, and post player. A lot of times they are running plays but it looks like they might be free styling with a lot of random pick and rolls. A lot of teams have a kind of free style offense that they just call motion, that has certain tendencies of a 2 man or 3 man game. Its mostly to take advantage of mismatches and to put pressure on certain defenders.

[mrprice33]

It depends on the coach. Some guys call plays more than others. They call plays more than you think, though.

[vannwolfhawk]

Re: Play calling in the NBA

It does depend on the coach. But, even when you think plays aren't being run they are...

IE: on a fast break I have 3-4 secondary breaks that we run that if we don't get an easy look or score it takes us right into our motion offense. Basketball is a game of reading and reacting to what the defense does so all basketball players are taught to break from something if it's there and react to what the defense is giving you.

Even in a isolation play you have certain players reading the help defense or attacking the glass that will play to a teams strengths. In a simple pick n roll you will get either a pick n roll, slip, or pop. Coaches will use mismatches and call for a pick using a man where they feel there is a mismatch. Alot more strategy within the game than what you might think or think you see. Coaches in practice cover all these areas and players are well prepared and know there stuff and sets so well it may SEEM as though plays are not being run but that is not the case at all. Most of NBA basketball is played as a 2 man game with spacing, but that is still a play that is called or ran and executed.

[AdamBa17]

Re: Play calling in the NBA

great topic.

nba players look like they are just messing about and doing whatever they want, but theyre actually a lot smarter than they look

[Pared]

Re: Play calling in the NBA

This is more about the league than the game, so it goes in the Pro Bball forum.

[beastwork]

Re: Play calling in the NBA

their professionals, of course they run plays everytime down the court. Fast breaks are set plays. They just practice it enough so that everyone knows exactly what to do and where to be in a fast break situation. They aren't just randomly running down the court.

In half court situations they are running motion sets like someone else already said. These sets are designed to get the ball to a man in the hi/low post or in the hands of a shooter. Isolation, while it may seem like freestyle, is a set play. Like I said, they're professionals. They leave very little to chance.

Often times the other team knows exactly what play has been called. They can literally hear the coach call out the play. The NBA is more about execution than deception (NFL)

If you have cable you should watch a little NBATV. Last night I watched the Knicks practice for about an hour and half. Felt like I was back in highschool practice. Not sure it would be interesting unless you played on an organized team.

[ehh]

Re: Play calling in the NBA

I find it kinda funny that someone with a Hawks avy was the first to respond to this thread.

Though that should change this season.

[RA30]

Re: Play calling in the NBA

Basically, they run plays each and every single time down the court.
They practice so much that they know which plays to run.
The PG/Coach will occasionally call out particular plays.

In a Pick and Roll, like Stockton/Malone, they know how to run it well enough.
It's still a play although it doesnt really look like one.

In a Triangle offense, it's the same thing.
They react to the defense and they practice it often enough to know what to do.

[Dewie12]

Re: Play calling in the NBA

Larry Brown and many coaches yell the plays to their point guard every time down the court.

But as others have mentioned teams use training camp to implement "quick" plays, spacing, mismatch reactions etc....

Teams like the Lakers have a unique offense that has variations off of a few basic sets.

Short answer: A lot.