Lakers’ “1-2″ Screen & Roll | NBA Playbook

Lakers’ “1-2″ Screen & Roll

During the early going of the fourth quarter, the Lakers offense was really struggling.  They stopped going inside, they stopped moving the ball, and they stopped spacing the floor.  It basically turned into a “get Kobe the ball and watch” game, something we haven’t seen during these playoffs:

That was just one of the Lakers’ poor possession in the fourth.  However, with about 5:30 minutes left and a four point lead, the Lakers came across a play that started working well for them, and that was the “1-2″ Screen & Roll.  The “1-2″ Screen & Roll is simply your point guard (or the “1″) comes off of a screen set by the shooting guard (or the “2″).

After the inbounds play, the ball gets swung around to Derek Fisher on the top of the key.  Kobe Bryant, who was ISO’d up on the opposite block, now comes up to set a screen for Fisher.

As we get to the point of contact for the screen, the Celtics have a few options.  They could switch the screen, but that leaves Rajon Rondo covering Kobe Bryant, and that is a mismatch.  You could double team the man coming off of the screen, but that leaves Kobe open.  Finally, you could have Rondo fight over the top and have Ray Allen hedge.   That is what the Celtics choose to do here.

Ray Allen shows and immediately gets back to Kobe, expecting to have Rondo fight over the top of the screen and getting back to Fisher.  However, Rondo gets caught up on this particular screen, and now Paul Pierce has to make it all the way across the court (because there is really good floor spacing) to try and close out on Fisher’s shot attempt.

Pierce doesn’t get there in time and Fisher is able to knock down the jumper.  Here is the play in real time, notice how quickly Allen hedges and gets back because he is worried about leaving Kobe open.

Here it is again:

In the play above, the Celtics are more prepared for it and do a decent job defending the screen and roll. However, what the play does successfully is that it gives Derek Fisher a step on Rajon Rondo. That is something he couldn’t do 1 on 1, but with the screen he is able to get around Rondo and get the little runner to fall.

Now, the Lakers only got 4 points from this set, but it seemed to get the team back into the flow of things. You didn’t see too many bad possessions after this, and the Lakers were able to pull away, getting the win and the series lead.

09
Jun 2010
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POSTED IN 2010 Playoffs 4th Quarters A Closer Look Boston Celtics LA Lakers
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  • http://@listen2drescher Sharpie

    easy problem to fix; why can’t they just double, and leave kobe to the backside defender’s rotation? Pierce can come off of Odom and man up on Kobe, while the double keeps Fish from penetrating and closes off his passing lanes. In order to stop a big man cutting across the lane (or a wing player taking a stab at the backdoor cut) you entrench Perk or Sheed down there, and switch on all off-ball screens. Then you’d have space to fill the passing lanes with whichever defender you would like (other than Paul, of course) to cover – or not cover – Artest near the 3 point line.

    Then, if they decide to give Kobe a screen to free him up when he gets the ball, the help can come from whichever player ran to help during the double-team of Fisher. As long as players rotate towards the Lakers’ impending options with a mind to leave Ron-Ron open at all costs, the plan works. At home, the Celtics should be relying on help defense and bad perimeter shooting from the young Laker extras. Even Odom should be allowed to shoot long jumpers, and the Celtics should be camping in down low in order to get favorable rebounding position and hands in the passing lanes.

    A defensive scheme like that helps keep the veterans’ legs fresh, and neutralizes Artest’s defensive performance against Pierce. It makes Paul expend all his effort on stopping Kobe on defense; but he can still be efficient on offense by spreading the floor and keeping Artest on the opposite side of any plays. If Ron gives some weak-side help, then rain the 3-ball, corner pocket.)