That could be, or maybe they were supposed to switch all screens and Holiday didn't understand that. Your explanation sounds more likely, otoh Young doesn't look like he's hedging to me- he moves on Rondo like he's switched.
I give Young this much credit: if there was a busted defensive assignment, he did the best he could with the man in front of him. Holiday hesitates for a fraction of a second, seeming to think about getting back to Rondo, and with only a tick or two on the clock gives Garnett a clear path to the rim.

that was another Rivers special play . great job to open the paint and than great pass from rondo .

I think the best thing is that celtics play without center and this help them to spread the floor so well . Cause you have to stay with nate robinson and ray allen at the end of the game . And after the pick n roll sixers just dont have weak side defense.

it does look like the defense was designed to switch there, considering how certain young seemed when he came up on rondo

That could be, or maybe they were supposed to switch all screens and Holiday didn’t understand that. Your explanation sounds more likely, otoh Young doesn’t look like he’s hedging to me- he moves on Rondo like he’s switched.
I give Young this much credit: if there was a busted defensive assignment, he did the best he could with the man in front of him. Holiday hesitates for a fraction of a second, seeming to think about getting back to Rondo, and with only a tick or two on the clock gives Garnett a clear path to the rim.

that was another Rivers special play . great job to open the paint and than great pass from rondo .

I think the best thing is that celtics play without center and this help them to spread the floor so well . Cause you have to stay with nate robinson and ray allen at the end of the game . And after the pick n roll sixers just dont have weak side defense.

it does look like the defense was designed to switch there, considering how certain young seemed when he came up on rondo

I think the main thing is that the Celtics are playing without a Center, so there's no one to protect the basket if Jrue Holiday goes under the screen but Thad Young doesn't cut off the drive. If Thad doesn't at least show, I feel like Rondo could make a beeline straight for the hoop with KG rolling with him and Jrue wouldn't be able to catch up. I don't know if there was enough time for something like that to happen, but I don't think you want Rondo to be able to get a step on his man with no one even close to the basket to help.

I think the main thing is that the Celtics are playing without a Center, so there’s no one to protect the basket if Jrue Holiday goes under the screen but Thad Young doesn’t cut off the drive. If Thad doesn’t at least show, I feel like Rondo could make a beeline straight for the hoop with KG rolling with him and Jrue wouldn’t be able to catch up. I don’t know if there was enough time for something like that to happen, but I don’t think you want Rondo to be able to get a step on his man with no one even close to the basket to help.

the Celtics have run this action a lot over the past three seasons. They will look to set the screens with the 3/4 in late game situations. The majority of the time through out the course of the game they will screen with the 4/5 and I've seen them use KG/Davis a lot in this set. This Horns look on the move on the wing is difficult to guard because the action happens so quickly.

the exchange on the weak side with pierce/robinson is a nice touch and allows pierce to get a step on Iguodola. Philadelphia should have had Holiday go under the screen and had Young follow back into the paint in line of the ball until it was controlled. It seems clear to be however that Philadelphia wanted to switch this action from the start. You need to force Rondo to take the jumper. Obviously, with the big following back into the lane, the Sixers would then give up the pick and pop to KG. This is another illustration of how good Rivers is and how he spreads the floor and uses his personnel so well. With the Celtics, it's definitely a pick your poision situation as they line of shooters on both sides of the floor.

Rondo does an excellent job of taking a dribble to his left then use a nice hesitation dribble to then come back off the pick to his right. Holiday has awful feet in trying to defend this p&r and he gets beat away from the pick. Getting beat away from the pick give KG a count or down on Holiday as he rolls to the rim. Holiday ends up “getting run over” by KG running to the rim

the Lakers showed the NBA how to defend Rondo in p&r situations during last year's NBA Finals. The on ball defender needs to go under the screen and the big defending the screener needs to fall back into the paint in line of the ball until it is controlled. The Lakers would simply pack the lane and provide help against any penetration from Rondo. The Lakers forced Rondo to beat them with his jump shot. As the series progressed, Rondo was hesitant to even attempt to take the ball to the basket since he was only shooting 46% from the FT line. If Boston set the high pick with a stretch floor then the Lakers would X out and be in full rotation on their close outs. This is where the length and size of Odom and Gasol could bother KG/Davis on pick/pop situations.

it amazes me how teams still try to show hard or blitz Rondo in p&r situations. He will simply split the pick, string out your big and turn the corner, or reject the pick and drive and will then create plenty of drive/dish and drive/kick opportunities for his teammates.

In addition, it is amazing how well Boston executes in SLOB/BLOB/ATO situations. Last season, Boston either scored, had an open look, or got to the FT line in 50% of all their ATO/SLOB/BLOB plays. Most NBA teams have a quick hitter in each of their BLOB sets and if it's not there then they will simply get the ball to the top of the key and get into one of their sets. Boston however, looks to steal points on all of their SLOB/BLOB/ATO situations. In any given NBA game there are about 4-6 out of bounds situations a game and we are then looking at Boston stealing six points a game out of these sets. These points become huge as most NBA games are decided by 5-7 points.

the sad part of this play is that philadelphia should have been more prepared for this late game situation. Too many NBA players are not students of the game and don't work on perfecting their craft. Boston has excellent personnel that forces the defense to make several difficult choices on each possession, but most importantly those cats execute. If the play calls for a hard cross screen/down screen action you don't see Davis setting a half-assed cross screen for KG and you don't see KG walked across the lane and not using the screen. Instead you see Davis setting a hard screen in the middle of the lane which enables KG to make his post catch with deep post position. If the screen isn't set in the middle of the lane then KG would have to make his post catch a step or two off the block. So now, we are looking at a contested jumper for KG as opposed to a quick catch and finish or catch and drop step.

The celtics execute on both ends of the floor and hold each other accountable. they value each possession and understand that continuous pick and roll and moving the ball from side to side will create excellent scoring opportunities. Defensively, they do a great job of shrinking the floor, helping against penetration, and helping the helper.

Defensively, they break everything down on an individual and team basis. On any given defensive possession KG has the following responsibilities that MUST be executed:
- communicate loud and early the team's p&r coverage
-execute the p&r coverage
-rotate back to cover the paint
-fight for rebounding position
-attain the dreb and secure it
-outlet pass
-sprint middle lane/p&r on run

the diatribe is over…..it just kills me that most NBA teams don't seem to put the time and effort in to execute and win games.

Thanks for the comment Loren, I think if Holiday goes under the screen and sticks with Rondo he is deep enough to have an angle to cut off the baseline…

the Celtics have run this action a lot over the past three seasons. They will look to set the screens with the 3/4 in late game situations. The majority of the time through out the course of the game they will screen with the 4/5 and I’ve seen them use KG/Davis a lot in this set. This Horns look on the move on the wing is difficult to guard because the action happens so quickly.

the exchange on the weak side with pierce/robinson is a nice touch and allows pierce to get a step on Iguodola. Philadelphia should have had Holiday go under the screen and had Young follow back into the paint in line of the ball until it was controlled. It seems clear to be however that Philadelphia wanted to switch this action from the start. You need to force Rondo to take the jumper. Obviously, with the big following back into the lane, the Sixers would then give up the pick and pop to KG. This is another illustration of how good Rivers is and how he spreads the floor and uses his personnel so well. With the Celtics, it’s definitely a pick your poision situation as they line of shooters on both sides of the floor.

Rondo does an excellent job of taking a dribble to his left then use a nice hesitation dribble to then come back off the pick to his right. Holiday has awful feet in trying to defend this p&r and he gets beat away from the pick. Getting beat away from the pick give KG a count or down on Holiday as he rolls to the rim. Holiday ends up “getting run over” by KG running to the rim

the Lakers showed the NBA how to defend Rondo in p&r situations during last year’s NBA Finals. The on ball defender needs to go under the screen and the big defending the screener needs to fall back into the paint in line of the ball until it is controlled. The Lakers would simply pack the lane and provide help against any penetration from Rondo. The Lakers forced Rondo to beat them with his jump shot. As the series progressed, Rondo was hesitant to even attempt to take the ball to the basket since he was only shooting 46% from the FT line. If Boston set the high pick with a stretch floor then the Lakers would X out and be in full rotation on their close outs. This is where the length and size of Odom and Gasol could bother KG/Davis on pick/pop situations.

it amazes me how teams still try to show hard or blitz Rondo in p&r situations. He will simply split the pick, string out your big and turn the corner, or reject the pick and drive and will then create plenty of drive/dish and drive/kick opportunities for his teammates.

In addition, it is amazing how well Boston executes in SLOB/BLOB/ATO situations. Last season, Boston either scored, had an open look, or got to the FT line in 50% of all their ATO/SLOB/BLOB plays. Most NBA teams have a quick hitter in each of their BLOB sets and if it’s not there then they will simply get the ball to the top of the key and get into one of their sets. Boston however, looks to steal points on all of their SLOB/BLOB/ATO situations. In any given NBA game there are about 4-6 out of bounds situations a game and we are then looking at Boston stealing six points a game out of these sets. These points become huge as most NBA games are decided by 5-7 points.

the sad part of this play is that philadelphia should have been more prepared for this late game situation. Too many NBA players are not students of the game and don’t work on perfecting their craft. Boston has excellent personnel that forces the defense to make several difficult choices on each possession, but most importantly those cats execute. If the play calls for a hard cross screen/down screen action you don’t see Davis setting a half-assed cross screen for KG and you don’t see KG walked across the lane and not using the screen. Instead you see Davis setting a hard screen in the middle of the lane which enables KG to make his post catch with deep post position. If the screen isn’t set in the middle of the lane then KG would have to make his post catch a step or two off the block. So now, we are looking at a contested jumper for KG as opposed to a quick catch and finish or catch and drop step.

The celtics execute on both ends of the floor and hold each other accountable. they value each possession and understand that continuous pick and roll and moving the ball from side to side will create excellent scoring opportunities. Defensively, they do a great job of shrinking the floor, helping against penetration, and helping the helper.

Defensively, they break everything down on an individual and team basis. On any given defensive possession KG has the following responsibilities that MUST be executed:
- communicate loud and early the team’s p&r coverage
-execute the p&r coverage
-rotate back to cover the paint
-fight for rebounding position
-attain the dreb and secure it
-outlet pass
-sprint middle lane/p&r on run

the diatribe is over…..it just kills me that most NBA teams don’t seem to put the time and effort in to execute and win games.

yea, but it's tough for Holliday to get under the screen when the screen is moving. Easily could have been called an offensive foul.

Thanks for giving the Offseason Blog some love! Keep up the excellent breakdowns!

Thanks for the comment Loren, I think if Holiday goes under the screen and sticks with Rondo he is deep enough to have an angle to cut off the baseline…

yea, but it’s tough for Holliday to get under the screen when the screen is moving. Easily could have been called an offensive foul.

Thanks for giving the Offseason Blog some love! Keep up the excellent breakdowns!

How is this not a moving screen on KG? He is never set and simply pushes Holiday out of the play. He got away with one there.

[...] Sebastian Pruiti explains (with video and stills) how the Sixers screwed up defending Boston’s game-winning lob Thursday night. I’d say this is yet another example of the horrid late-game execution that [...]

How is this not a moving screen on KG? He is never set and simply pushes Holiday out of the play. He got away with one there.

[...] game-winner against the 76ers has to be the most analyzed NBA play of the early season. Sebastian Pruiti does a great job breaking down the action. The Celtics run a horns-set for Rondo with KG and Pierce [...]

The Mavs defended the play the same way. The ony difference is Jason Kidd played better D than Holliday. Both PG's made the same error. Credit should be given to Rondo for making a nice pass, this coming from a Magic Fan.

After a second viewing, the Celtics screwed up their own play against the Mavs. Unlike in the Sixers game, the big men, in this case Baby and KG, do not vacate the paint. This allows Chandler and Dirk to protect the paint without leaving their man.

The Mavs defended the play the same way. The ony difference is Jason Kidd played better D than Holliday. Both PG’s made the same error. Credit should be given to Rondo for making a nice pass, this coming from a Magic Fan.

After a second viewing, the Celtics screwed up their own play against the Mavs. Unlike in the Sixers game, the big men, in this case Baby and KG, do not vacate the paint. This allows Chandler and Dirk to protect the paint without leaving their man.

Good discussion. Couple of points — after the game, Doc specifically said that they knew that the Sixers would switch. I'm not sure how he knew that, but the play was designed specifically to take advantage of the switch. I think it is pretty clear that Young was switching. Rondo also commented that he wouldn't describe the entire play because the Cs probably would use it again, but he indicated that there were other options if the Sixers had done something different. That said, any switch that results in your point guard trying to cover KG going to the rim with no interior help and with just seconds to go is obviously a very bad decision on the Sixers' part.
Btw, to Guest down below — KG is not setting a moving screen because there actually isn't a screen. As you note, KG never sets up. He “slips the screen” (faking the screen) and moves towards the rim before there is any contact. At that point, both the offensive and defensive player are moving, the offensive player is trying to cut to the basket, and the defensive player has to give ground as he is not set. If Holiday tries to stop and lock up KG, he probably gets called for the foul, and KG goes to the line.

Good discussion. Couple of points — after the game, Doc specifically said that they knew that the Sixers would switch. I’m not sure how he knew that, but the play was designed specifically to take advantage of the switch. I think it is pretty clear that Young was switching. Rondo also commented that he wouldn’t describe the entire play because the Cs probably would use it again, but he indicated that there were other options if the Sixers had done something different. That said, any switch that results in your point guard trying to cover KG going to the rim with no interior help and with just seconds to go is obviously a very bad decision on the Sixers’ part.
Btw, to Guest down below — KG is not setting a moving screen because there actually isn’t a screen. As you note, KG never sets up. He “slips the screen” (faking the screen) and moves towards the rim before there is any contact. At that point, both the offensive and defensive player are moving, the offensive player is trying to cut to the basket, and the defensive player has to give ground as he is not set. If Holiday tries to stop and lock up KG, he probably gets called for the foul, and KG goes to the line.

The main mistake which Doug Collins made in this situation was deploying the following 5 players together against who Doc Rivers put on the floor:

PG – Holiday vs Rondo
OG – Williams vs Robinson
SF – Meeks vs Allen
PF – Iguodala vs Pierce
C – Young vs Garnett

What Doug Collins should have done instead was use this specific group of 5 players on this final possession:

PG – Iguodala vs Rondo
OG – Williams vs Robinson
SF – Meeks vs Allen
PF – Young vs Pierce
C – Battie vs Garnett

and the 76ers would have probably won this game by getting a defensive stop, regardless of what specific play the Celtics decided to run.

Understanding properly how “Individual Match-ups” actually work is the key to understanding the NBA game.

The main mistake which Doug Collins made in this situation was deploying the following 5 players together against who Doc Rivers put on the floor:

PG – Holiday vs Rondo
OG – Williams vs Robinson
SF – Meeks vs Allen
PF – Iguodala vs Pierce
C – Young vs Garnett

What Doug Collins should have done instead was use this specific group of 5 players on this final possession:

PG – Iguodala vs Rondo
OG – Williams vs Robinson
SF – Meeks vs Allen
PF – Young vs Pierce
C – Battie vs Garnett

and the 76ers would have probably won this game by getting a defensive stop, regardless of what specific play the Celtics decided to run.

Understanding properly how “Individual Match-ups” actually work is the key to understanding the NBA game.

Good analysis. However, it seems to me that this play could have been salvaged even after the Young switch if Holiday would have committed to staying behind KG — as it stands, there was a brief tussle, then Holiday sort of hesitates and turns back toward Rondo, leaving KG to slip to the front of the rim for the lob.

If Holiday had stayed behind KG, even giving up nine inches that would have been a rushed contested jumper from eleven feet. Considering that the Sixers seem to have decided to switch everything, as other commenters have pointed out, I wonder if the real culprit isn't Holiday for his half-assed fronting. (Or Collins for deciding to switch everything, when sagging hard off Rondo has proved so effective for other teams, as you point out.)

Good analysis. However, it seems to me that this play could have been salvaged even after the Young switch if Holiday would have committed to staying behind KG — as it stands, there was a brief tussle, then Holiday sort of hesitates and turns back toward Rondo, leaving KG to slip to the front of the rim for the lob.

If Holiday had stayed behind KG, even giving up nine inches that would have been a rushed contested jumper from eleven feet. Considering that the Sixers seem to have decided to switch everything, as other commenters have pointed out, I wonder if the real culprit isn’t Holiday for his half-assed fronting. (Or Collins for deciding to switch everything, when sagging hard off Rondo has proved so effective for other teams, as you point out.)

Good analysis. However, it seems to me that this play could have been salvaged even after the Young switch if Holiday would have committed to staying behind KG — as it stands, there was a brief tussle, then Holiday sort of hesitates and turns back toward Rondo, leaving KG to slip to the front of the rim for the lob.

If Holiday had stayed behind KG, even giving up nine inches that would have been a rushed contested jumper from eleven feet. Considering that the Sixers seem to have decided to switch everything, as other commenters have pointed out, I wonder if the real culprit isn't Holiday for his half-assed fronting. (Or Collins for deciding to switch everything, when sagging hard off Rondo has proved so effective for other teams, as you point out.)