In the weekly series Learn A Set, we are going to be looking at a set that a team runs and break it down.  First we are going to look at the Xs and Os, then we will take a look at the advantages and disadvantages.  The goal is to break down a set run consistently last year by every team.

To start off the Learn A Set series, I am going to be looking at a team that I know pretty well, the New Jersey Nets.  Despite being terrible, the Nets actually had some pretty good sets, and when they were able to execute, they would score from them.  Maybe my favorite was the set where they had a guard setting a screen for a big in the paint.  If the Nets wanted to get the ball inside to one of their big men, they would run this play because not only does it prevent the defense from fronting the post, the motion away from the post keeps the double teams away.  Here is the Xs and Os breakdown of it:

The set starts out with the floor balanced.  You have both big mean at the elbows, and the two perimeter players on the wing.  What this does is it allows for the point guard to make a decision on the fly as to who to run this set for.  Instead of saying, you always have to run it for the 5, the PG can choose to run the play for the 4 if there is a mismatch there.

For this example, the PG chooses to run the play for the 4 man.  To get the play in started, the PG dribbles away from the 4 man and towards the 2 man.  This is the 2′s signal to clear through and go set the screen.

The two comes through the paint and sets a backscreen for the 4.  The 4 can either go over the screen or under it, whatever makes him feel more comfortable.  Either way, he uses the screen to get into post position.  As this is happening, the 5 hooks around and goes to the weakside post.  The purpose of this is to get to a place on the court where it is hard to double from.  If the 5 stays at the high post, his man has an easy double and it defeats the purpose of trying to go inside.  After setting the screen, the 2 pops out at the three point line.  The reason behind this is that if the 2′s man helps on the screen, the 2 will have an open shot.  That threat keeps the defense honest.

The point now enters the ball into the post.  After doing this, he and the 2 replace each other.  Again, this is done to prevent a double team in the post.  The 1′s defender would be tempted to quickly double right after the entry pass, but because the 1 heads towards the top of the key right after the pass, the defender would be risking a lot by sending the double.

The post up man now has two options.  Either go to work in the post and get the basket or kick it out to the 2 who would be open for the jumper.  Here is the play live:

In addition to the main option, the big man has a second option if his defender tries and cheat in the post:

For this example, the 1 dribbles away from the 5, forcing the 3 to go set a screen for the center.

After teams see this play once or twice, they are going to try what the 5′s defender does here.  Jump the over the screen and try to beat the big man to the post.  However, if you jump the post too soon, you leave a backdoor lob wide open.  Here it is live:

Advantages & Disadvantages:

Now that we have seen the play in action, let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of the set.

Advantages:

• Floor is balanced, allowing for the PG to choose what side he wants to run the play to.
• Keeps teams from fronting the Nets’ bigs in the post.
• There are options if the defense tries jump the play
• Motion off of the basketball prevents double teams from happening.

Disadvantages:

• It isn’t a motion based offense.  Once it ends, it ends.  If the ball gets thrown to the post, and there is nothing there, the ball needs to get kicked back out and the offense needs to get started back up.
• For this to truly work, you need a shooting threat to be setting the screen.  The Nets’ don’t really have that.  The reason is that teams are going to start funneling the ball to the screener, forcing him to make a shot.