Suns’ Lob To Jason Richardson Sends Game Into OT | NBA Playbook

Suns’ Lob To Jason Richardson Sends Game Into OT

Down two points with 0.4 seconds left the Suns technically had enough time for a catch and shoot, but you had to know they were going to take a shot with the lob at the rim.  The Suns were able to do that successfully, with a nice play that freed up Jason Richardson on the backside:

The play starts with Jason Richardson on the weak-side elbow, Steve Nash on the weak-side block, and Channing Frye at the top of the key.  Nash is going to flash to the corner, with the goal being that he clears the backside.  As this happens, Frye is going to set a downscreen for Jason Richardson.

Richardson comes off of the Frye down screen as if he is going to curl towards the ball for a quick catch and shoot.  However, at the last second Richardson puts his foot in the ground and changes direction, heading back towards the basket.  Frye also turns around and sets a backscreen for Richardson.

Now, this is where the Grizzlies defense really makes an error.  They didn’t switch that original screen, but as Richardson returns toards the basket, Mayo seems to try and switch the screen.  The problem is, Darrell Arthur doesn’t switch, and that allows Richardson to get to that open area (cleared by Nash) untouched, with a running start.

Darrell Arthur tries to get back, but it is way too late and Richardson is able to tie the game (the Suns would eventually win in double OT).  Here is the play in real time:

Notice how the Grizzlies play that first screen straight up, but try to switch that final one.  It needs to be one or the other, relying on players judgement to determine what to do in a situation like that will only lead to problems, and it did here.

That’s the major problem on the Grizzlies end, and probably has something to do with the Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins not being at the game.  As the Grizzlies break that timeout a coach needs to tell them whether or not the defense will be switching every screen or are playing straight up.  I am not saying that David Joerger (Grizzlies assistant) didn’t do that, but who knows.

06
Nov 2010
POSTED BY Sebastian Pruiti
POSTED IN 4th Quarters Quick Hitters SLOB
DISCUSSION 5 Comments
TAGS

  • Gerald

    I could be wrong, but it looks to me like rather that the problem was that Mayo simply closed too hard on Richardson initially, and after the Richardson cut, Mayo was a step behind. I don't know if Mayo intended to switch, but even if he tried to chase Richardson to the basket, he was never going to catch him. Secondly, Arthur simply can't give up that much space under the basket. Even if the two defenders miscommunicate on the second screen, both players, but especially the post defender, have to err on protecting the basket; it's better for Arthur and Mayo both to follow Richardson to the hoop and leave Frye open at the top of the key than for both to overplay by a step and leave the basket open. (And it appeared that Arthur should've been able to see Nash's clear out at the start of the play and therefore known lane was vulnerable.)

    That's just my amateur take on the play.

    Great site by the way, I follow it religiously.

  • Gerald

    I could be wrong, but it looks to me like rather that the problem was that Mayo simply closed too hard on Richardson initially, and after the Richardson cut, Mayo was a step behind. I don’t know if Mayo intended to switch, but even if he tried to chase Richardson to the basket, he was never going to catch him. Secondly, Arthur simply can’t give up that much space under the basket. Even if the two defenders miscommunicate on the second screen, both players, but especially the post defender, have to err on protecting the basket; it’s better for Arthur and Mayo both to follow Richardson to the hoop and leave Frye open at the top of the key than for both to overplay by a step and leave the basket open. (And it appeared that Arthur should’ve been able to see Nash’s clear out at the start of the play and therefore known lane was vulnerable.)

    That’s just my amateur take on the play.

    Great site by the way, I follow it religiously.

  • Gerald

    I could be wrong, but it looks to me like rather that the problem was that Mayo simply closed too hard on Richardson initially, and after the Richardson cut, Mayo was a step behind. I don't know if Mayo intended to switch, but even if he tried to chase Richardson to the basket, he was never going to catch him. Secondly, Arthur simply can't give up that much space under the basket. Even if the two defenders miscommunicate on the second screen, both players, but especially the post defender, have to err on protecting the basket; it's better for Arthur and Mayo both to follow Richardson to the hoop and leave Frye open at the top of the key than for both to overplay by a step and leave the basket open. (And it appeared that Arthur should've been able to see Nash's clear out at the start of the play and therefore known lane was vulnerable.)

    That's just my amateur take on the play.

    Great site by the way, I follow it religiously.

  • http://nbaplaybook.com/2010/12/09/indiana-doesnt-protect-the-rim-gives-up-the-game-winner-with-0-5-left/ NBA Playbook – A Look At The Playcalling In The NBA Through Videos, Pictures, & Words » Indiana Doesn’t Protect The Rim, Gives Up The Game Winner With 0.5 Left

    [...] month we saw a few different tip plays that lead many people (including myself) to say “why don’t teams just zone that final [...]

  • http://nbaplaybook.com/2011/02/14/the-clipboard-awards-february-13th-%e2%80%93-grizzlies-heat-suns/ NBA Playbook – A Look At The Playcalling In The NBA Through Videos, Pictures, & Words » The Clipboard Awards: February 13th – Grizzlies, Heat, Suns

    [...] play is a nice variation of the Jason Richardson set that the Suns used to run and tried to run for Vince Carter.  After making the pass to the wing, Steve Nash cuts through the lane.  Once he gets to his spot, [...]