How many set plays do teams run per game?

[AdamBa17]

Ok, I did a search to make sure this wasn't already open.

Maybe some think its been beaten to death, but I can't get a hold on this. Even when watching NBA games, I can't pick out how many of the sequences are actual plays and how many are just freestyle motion (or scripted sequences).

When I watch coaching analysis on youtube I'm like HOLY COW.

So really, how many times a game do teams run plays?

From what I can see teams only run about 5 or 6 plays a quarter, and usually it's only actually 2 different plays being used about 3 times or so each with different options being used.

Can anyone shed any light on this? Im extremely interested and havent managed to come up with an answer, even after searching google endlessly.

[AlexBrady]

Re: How many set plays do teams run per game?

Ok, I did a search to make sure this wasn't already open.

Maybe some think its been beaten to death, but I can't get a hold on this. Even when watching NBA games, I can't pick out how many of the sequences are actual plays and how many are just freestyle motion (or scripted sequences).

When I watch coaching analysis on youtube I'm like HOLY COW.

So really, how many times a game do teams run plays?

From what I can see teams only run about 5 or 6 plays a quarter, and usually it's only actually 2 different plays being used about 3 times or so each with different options being used.

Can anyone shed any light on this? Im extremely interested and havent managed to come up with an answer, even after searching google endlessly.

NBA offenses have unfortunately been dumbed down. In fact, every team runs screen/rolls, drive and kick, and isolations with only slight variations. Its the way it has to be now, because most players don't really know how to play five man ball. They can play one on one or a two man game, but making the precise cuts, screens and passes are out of the question.

If you want see complex/varied offenses refer to Jackson's Bulls and Lakers, the 72 Lakers, 70 /73 Knicks, the Cowens/Hondo Celtics, Walton's Blazers, and Bird's flock.

[Dice]

Re: How many set plays do teams run per game?

I think the Chicago Bulls run a pretty good Flex offense. It’s one of those offenses that rely on a lot of motion off the ball. Lots of off the ball screening and screening the screener action as well. The players the Bulls have are tailor made for the Flex offense. You got a good passing big man and decent screener in Noah. You got shooters in Rip and Korver who can get shots on those baseline screens. You have Deng who’s very good on curls. You have Brewer who can find open spaces on the baseline. And with all this action and movement going on, the defense is not camping in the paint which means Derrick Rose gets a free ride to the paint when he sees the opening.

Considering that the Bulls are one of the best teams in the NBA and have only one ‘Star’ player they seem to get a lot out of their offense considering the talent level they have. Mind you, they only score 96.7 points per game as a team BUT they lead the league as a team in assists. I know people watch the Bulls for the “Derrick Rose Show”, which is a good show. However, they run a well-oiled machine offense if you look at them closely. Rose getting to the basket predicates a lot on spacing and movement off the ball. Yes, we all know he can get to the rack at will BUT in the NBA if defenses are gearing up for you, you can be stopped. The Bulls create a lot of opportunities for him to get into the lane as frequently as he does.

If the Miami Heat had the offensive discipline of the Chicago Bulls, they would be scoring 120 points per game.

[RedSceptile]

Re: How many set plays do teams run per game?

No love for Rudy Tomjanovich (4 out 1 in), Larry Brown, Jerry Sloan (that flex offense), Doc Rivers, or Rick Adelman and that motion offense AlexBrady?

[The 24th Letter]

I'd say on average teams run "called" plays about 2-3 plays every 10 possessions....your Sloan Jazz were probably the last team you'd see run more than that on a nightly basis...

Every team has their sets though, in which they run with variants throughout the game...it's not complete madness as some would have you believe....

EDIT: I love watching all the double screens the C's run Red....I saw a triple screen last year lol

[AdamBa17]

Re: How many set plays do teams run per game?

I'd say on average teams run "called" plays about 2-3 plays every 10 possessions....your Sloan Jazz were probably the last team you'd see run more than that on a nightly basis...

Interesting...that's what I guessed. So really you could say plays are run in order to get a certain player going, or exploit a mistmatch. Also at timeouts/inbounds. Otherwise its just kind of "take what the defence gives you"?

[tehova]

Re: How many set plays do teams run per game?

unless Rudy Gay(or Tony Allen smh) brings the ball up court, the Griz are pretty much always calling sets.

[Chrisksaint]

Re: How many set plays do teams run per game?

Depends, if you mean set full on plays like you might see in NBA 2k,etc if you had the coach call plays then prolly 2-3 per 10 possessions like mentioned earlier.

Every possession tho you're going to get some kind of called pick/roll, screen or something tho I think.

[Drewski]

Re: How many set plays do teams run per game?

No love for Rudy Tomjanovich (4 out 1 in), Larry Brown, Jerry Sloan (that flex offense), Doc Rivers, or Rick Adelman and that motion offense AlexBrady?

Celtics offense immediately came to mind.

[AlexBrady]

Re: How many set plays do teams run per game?

No love for Rudy Tomjanovich (4 out 1 in), Larry Brown, Jerry Sloan (that flex offense), Doc Rivers, or Rick Adelman and that motion offense AlexBrady?

The Rockets offense was too reliant on Hakeem. The more points you expect out of one player, the harder they are to deliver. Larry Brown had Iverson playing with the ball on a string or else he used snake screens to catch the ball and go to work.

Sloan's offense was a thing of beaty with the back/cross screening, weakside screening and the high screen/roll. Creative with how they got Malone post position.

The Kings were a good finesse offense, give and go/flare, backdoor cuts, faking cuts and then repositioning. No physicality though, and in the clutch their offense devolved into freewheeling and isolation.
Rivers has a varied offense in Boston. Pierce knows when to pass and score and Allen is always in motion.