When I did my post talking about how the Cavs failed to maintain proper floor balance against the Heat, commenter IHateLeBatard asked:

Do you have any examples of floor balance preventing Miami’s fastbreak?

It took me a little while to come across a proper example of this, and while it isn’t against the Miami Heat, I do think it is worth checking out.  It shouldn’t be surprising that this example of fundamental basketball comes from the Utah Jazz:

As Deron Williams brings the basketball up the floor, he is going to get a screen from Paul Millsap at the top of the key.  Williams is going to use that screen to try and get himself to the rim.  However, that isn’t what we are focusing on here, what we are paying attention to is Raja Bell and Gordon Hayward, the two Jazz that are standing in each corner.

Once it becomes apparent that Deron Williams is going to try to get all the way to the front of the rim, both Bell and Hayward rotate out towards half court.  The reason why both Jazz players rotate back to half court is because they need someone back because the point guard, who’s responsibility it is to get back on defense normally, is now in the lane.

So as the ball becomes loose and gets knocked around, you have two defenders waiting at half court in case a fast break opportunity for the Timberwolves presents itself.

That is exactly what happens here, and since both Hayward and Bell are back on defense, they are able to slow down the Luke Ridnour-run fast break.

They do their job slowing Ridnour down, allowing for Paul Millsap to get back and intercept the pass out to the three point line.  Here is the play in real time:

It doesn’t surprise me one bit that Jerry Sloan has his guys executing just about everything to perfection. Even the little things like maintaining proper floor balance. There is a reason why he has been with the Jazz for so long.