A team’s performance after a timeout may be the best way to judge a coach’s Xs & Os knowledge, and his ability to draw up plays. The Clipboard Awards is a competition where I choose the top three post-timeout plays each night, adding up the scores over the course of the season.

Play 3 (1 Point) – Vinny Del Negro/Los Angeles Clippers

This set starts with Eric Bledsoe bringing the basketball up and getting a screen from Craig Smith on the elbow and using it to take the ball to the wing.

Once Bledsoe takes the ball to the wing, Chris Kaman dives to the ballside midpost, looking for the basketball.

After Kaman gets position at the midpost/pinch post area, Jamario Moon comes off of a pindown screen set by Smith.

Moon comes free at the top of the key, gets the basketball, and knocks down the open jumper.  Here is the play in real time:

Just a nice simple play that you see most teams in the league running, setting up a pindown for a good shooter at the top of the key.

Play 2 (2 Points) – Rick Carlisle/Dallas Mavericks

Here, Jason Kidd starts the play by bringing the ball down the court and getting it to Dirk Nowitzki on the wing.  After making his pass, Kidd flashes to the weakside wing, getting a backscreen from Brendan Haywood.  Nowitzki, now with the basketball, executes a dribble handoff with Shawn Marion.

After handing off the basketball, Nowitzki comes off of a cross screen set by Rodrigue Beaubois.  After setting his own backscreen Haywood flashes to the top of the key to get the basketball.

Haywood quickly swings it to Kidd, who looks to get the ball to Nowitzki, who is wide open along the baseline.

After a pump fake, Nowitzki is able to knock down the relatively open jumper.  Here is the play in real time:

What I like about this play is how the Mavericks bring the action to Nowitzki, and after the dribble handoff it looks like Nowitzki isn’t going to be involved in the play.  However, the Mavericks bring the action back to Nowitzki where he is wide open.

Play 1 (3 Points) – Monty Williams/New Orleans Hornets

This play starts with Jarrett Jack bringing the basketball up along the wing and getting the ball to David West at the top of the key.  Once West makes the catch, you have Willie Green flashing to the wing to get the basketball.

After West makes the pass, he comes off of a backscreen set by Jack.  As this is happening, Marco Belinelli flashes to the ball side corner.

West comes off of the backscreen set by Jack and ends up setting a screen of his own, this time, a pindown screen for Carl Landry.

Landry comes off of the screen open, makes the catch, and knocks down the open jumper.  Here is the play in real time:

A nice little variation of a screen the screener set here that is well executed and results in an open jumper for Carl Landry.

Updated Standings (Previous)

1. Erik Spoelstra – 22 points (1st)
2. Doc Rivers – 20 points (2nd)
3. Monty Williams – 16 points (4th)
4. Gregg Popovich – 13 points (3rd)
5. Frank Vogel – 12 points (5th)
6. Phil Jackson – 12 points (6th)
7. Rick Carlisle – 8 points (9th)
8. Alvin Gentry –  7 points (7th)
9. Tom Thibodeau – 7 points (8th)
10. Rick Adelman – 6 points (10th)
11. Scott Brooks – 5 points (11th)
12. Nate McMillan – 5 points (12th)
13. Larry Drew – 4 points (13th)
14. Jerry Sloan – 4 Points (14th)
15. Lionel Hollins – 3 points (15th)
16. George Karl – 3 points (16th)
17. Jay Triano – 2 points (17th)
18. Byron Scott – 2 points (18th)
19. Stan Van Gundy – 2 points (19th)
20. Flip Saunders – 2 points (20th)
21. John Kuester – 1 point (21st)
22. Keith Smart – 1 point (22nd)
23. Ty Corbin – 1 point (23rd)
24. Vinny Del Negro – 1 point (NR)

Monty Williams breaks his tie with Gregg Popovich, hoping over him into sole possession of third place.  Meanwhile Rich Carlise hops two coaches into 7th and Vinny Del Negro makes his much anticipated debut to the Clipboard Awards Leaderboard.