The Spurs found themselves on the losing end of their game against the Bulls last night, but good ole’ Pop still flashed the same creative excellence that makes him one of the best in the league. Looking to get his reserve unit in rhythm out of a dead-ball situation, Popovich called for a unique set featuring his two bigs (Matt Bonner and Tiago Splitter) to engage in a clever staggered ball screen with reserve guard Gary Neal.
The play starts off with some false action out of a 1-4 High/Horns alignment (key point being both Bonner and Splitter start at the elbows). TJ Ford starts off by hitting Splitter popping outside the arc near the right slot. As Ford cuts through, Splitter reverses to Neal then slides down toward the mid-post. Bonner, patiently waiting at the right elbow, then comes and sprints into a ball screen for Neal. With Neal’s defender, Loul Deng, being of similar size, Taj Gibson (marking Bonner) is given free reign to switch to Neal as he comes off the screen.
Had this been a straight up pick and pop between Bonner and Neal, switching the screen would have easily thrawted it thanks to Gibson’s ability to guard smaller, quicker players on the perimeter. However, with Splitter coming to set another screen, the Bulls find themselves in a bit of jam. Gibson, due to perhaps a combination of inexperience guarding the ball handler in screening situations and lack of preparation, drops low to avoid the second screen. His decision is going to force Asik (defending Splitter) to be responsible for showing hard, above the screen, in order to prevent a jumpshot for the sweet-shooting Neal.
Miscommunication now plays a part as both Asik and Gibson attempt to contest any Neal jumper. Both of them being above Splitter allows him to cleanly roll to the basket.
As Splitter dives hard toward the rim, CJ Watson is forced to scramble over from the weakside in a vain attempt stop the roll.
The result is an assist for Neal on a rather easy finish for Splitter. Here is the play in real time:
