In yesterday’s Phoenix Suns-Dallas Mavericks games, we had two teams that like to use off ball screens to try and free up their shooters.  This puts a ton of pressure on the defense, and one way defenses can try to counter this type of offense is by playing over the top, not allowing the shooter to actually come off of the screen.  It works, however this opens up something, a simple backdoor cut and both teams were able to take advantage of this:

On this play, the Suns are trying to run a staggered screen Mickael Pietrus, however DeShawn Stevenson is really overplaying Pietrus over the top.  Instead of trying to use the screen, Pietrus takes a jab step that way (as if he is wants to use the screen) and quickly cuts backdoor with Nash hitting him for the wide open lay-up.

Here, Dirk Nowitzki is getting a simple pindown screen from Jason Terry so he can go ISO at the top of the key.  However, Grant Hill is really playing him over the top. Instead of the jab step, Nowitzki walks into Hill’s body, pushes off a bit, and cuts backdoor.  He gets the pass and has an easy lay-up.

Another interesting thing to note in both of these plays?  The man with the basketball.  In both of these cases, the man with the basketball has his head up and is anticipating any variation of the set play.  As soon as both players (Dirk  and Pietrus) cut backdoor, the pass is on its way.  That is almost as responsible for the loop as the backdoor cut is.