Sacramento Kings and the Pick and Roll
by Shirusta on Feb 2, 2012 11:21 AM PST
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PrintFirst of all, I'd like to start off saying that I have only very recently discovered this site, and I apologize if something similar has already been posted or if it is common knowledge. Second, I have no numbers or facts of any kind to back up this post, simply my personal observations of the team. Now that I have lowered your expectations appropriately, we can begin.
I am sure that anyone that has watched the Kings recently is well aware of their offensive woes. Their ball movement is terrible, their shooting is horrific, and there seems to be a lack of chemistry with the players. Obviously, this cannot be blamed on any one aspect of the Kings offense, but I think that the biggest reason is that they can't run the most basic play in any offense, the pick and roll. There may be times when our guard simply drives into the paint, or manages to draw two defenders and kick it to our big outside, but that is the extent of the Kings prowess on the pick and roll. As you can see, they are missing they most important part of this play, which is to deliver the ball to the big man on the roll leading to an easy basket. The question is, why?
I'll first look at the guards running the offense, Tyreke, Marcus, Jimmer, and Isaiah. I think we can safely eliminate Marcus as the player we want to run the pick and roll, as he should be off the ball in a shooting position. Jimmer also falls into this category, as his handle and passing skills aren't yet strong enough, and he very often puts himself into difficult situations when he runs the pick and roll, leading to a turnover or a bad shot. Isaiah, while he has shown himself to be an effective passer and penetrator, ( and apparently Mr. Fourth Quarter) is still a rookie, and isn't quite up to the task of running an efficient pick and roll. This leaves Tyreke. He has the tools to necessary for the pick and roll, with his ability to penetrate to the basket at will and strong ballhandling. So why isn't he?
Simply put, Tyreke just doesn't know how. He allows his defender to run under the screen, and doesn't force the big man to hedge. As I said before, he either goes all the way to the basket himself, or passes it to one of our bigs for a jumper. While this can work at times, the elite, or even average, defenses in this league can rotate to keep Tyreke out of the paint and contest the jumper. The solution? I have no idea. But many people bemoan the lack of a jumper,( not directing this at anyone in particular) I think he could be a monster if he learns to run the pick and roll, and a jumper isn't necessary. Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook were excellent on the pick and roll even before they developed their shooting strokes.The Kings certainly have the bigs to run it. Demarcus, JT, and JJ, can all finish in the paint. Of course, some of the blame falls on them as well, as JT is the only on that consistently sets good screens and rolls to the basket afterward.
So I'll leave it you. Any ideas on how to fix this? And this is my first time, so please be gentle.
(This is a FanPost from a member of the Sactown Royalty community. The views expressed come from the member, and not Sactown Royalty staff.)
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The pick-and-roll has been a bugaboo at both ends of the court for these young players for some time. No doubt about it, they need to improve greatly.
But I will slightly disagree with you – I don’t see any of our bigs as especially good finishers in the paint. Plus, as you noted, they aren’t great screen setters. While JT has improved, he still has a tendency to leave position too early when rolling.
The solution? Practice the hell out of it, I suppose.
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Yes, off the ball movement needs to improve to create spacing before this offense can effectively run a P&R
It has looked better at times, but old habits die hard with this team. By season’s end, maybe Smart can get this team more consistent in their sets.
"First we get jobs, then we get the khakis, then we get the chicks."
Your on the right track,
A couple of my thoughts on this statement
Tyreke just doesn’t know how. He allows his defender to run under the screen, and doesn’t force the big man to hedge.
Tyreke doesn’t allow them, they choose not to chase him over the screen because they don’t care if he takes the high shot over the screen. You want a 24% shooter taking that shot.
What makes the P & R effective is that every option the defense tries to use to stop it, has a counter move. Go under the screen – get wide open jumper; Big switches – you get 2 mismatches; Big and defender double – Screener open rolling to rim or for open jumper.
The problem for the Kings is if they run the play Tyreke isn’t a threat to shot the long ball. Cuz is the only Big that’s a threat to shoot on the pick and pop. And, when Tyreke has the ball the defense collapses toward the lane leaving no space for the screener to roll.
Your right that Thornton isn’t a good enough ball handler to run it, and Tyreke isn’t a good enough outside shooter. JJ and Hayes are no threat to shot if the ball is doubled. Really that only leaves Jimmer or IT with Cuz or JT as our P & R options. That’s 3 first or 2nd year players and a big not known for ball handling or finishing at the rim.
Right now teams are choosing to double team the ball on all picks and screens because we don’t move to give the ball handler passing lanes out of the double team. And, even if we did pass, we don’t make the 2nd and 3rd pass that forces the defense to rotate. There is a lot of work that needs to be done, let’s hope Coach Smart can get these young guys on the fast track to fixing the problems (multiple).
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy
by HighTops on Feb 2, 2012 1:34 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Saved me some typing. Agree on all points. Especially
Tyreke doesn’t allow them, they choose not to chase him over the screen because they don’t care if he takes the high shot over the screen. You want a 24% shooter taking that shot.
Evans improving his jump shot will make the P&R exponentially more effective for us.
Really that only leaves Jimmer or IT with Cuz or JT as our P & R options. That’s 3 first or 2nd year players and a big not known for ball handling or finishing at the rim.
Both IT and Jimmer have potential to run this well. But so far, they just can’t at a NBA level. Not really a criticism of them, it’s a tough task for most rookies.
Don't have the numbers to back it up but...
When I’ve seen IT run the P&R/P&P (which isn’t very often) we seem to get good results when he’s running it with DMC.
Jimmer seems to have the skills to do it, but the two problems I see from him are: he picks his dribble up at the wrong time letting his defender get right up on him to take away passing lanes and contest his shot, OR he throws lazy passes that are easily picked off. Both of these problems should be easily corrected with coaching and experience.
The devil is dryhumping the details - Tom Ziller
Not sure which King you're depicting. It's taller than IT. And shows more passion than Salmons.
by SPTSJUNKIE on Feb 2, 2012 3:31 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
The "hands" kind of remind me of JJ Hickson
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Feb 2, 2012 3:44 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I poured vodka on my bran flakes this morning
I call it a pile driver.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
I was referring to your new nickname for IT
“Big Raw”
I miss Big Mike and his Arco Thunder monologue.
I like this, I will add one thing
I think Jimmer will be our best guard on the pick and roll. He has shown good instinct to split the defenders, a la Mike Bibby. He hasnt had a lot of opportunity to use it, but I think with some practice he can master it.
"First we get jobs, then we get the khakis, then we get the chicks."
I agree with everything you just said HighTops. You basically took the point I was trying to make and clarified it. The pick and roll, both executing and defending, is a play that should involve the entire team, not just two players. Usually if they pack the paint you simply pass it outside for an open shot, but our wings have been atrocious. This is why I personally believe the best Kings lineup to involve three guards. With Tyreke handling the ball, that leaves Marcus and either Jimmer or Isaiah open on the wing in the situation you described.
As a quick addition to what I just posted, I believe Tyreke can be effective on the pick and roll without a jumpshot. His athleticism alone can force a double team to stop him from getting to the paint, ala Russell Westbrook in his first and second years. The team just doesn’t have either the shooting ability or off the ball movement that can take advantage of those quick double teams.
just giving you a heads up Shirusta
but when you read my comment you are going to see at the very bottom …
by wallywagon11 on Feb 2, 2012 [Time Period Of Time PST]
To the very right of that you will see a purple “reply.” If you click on it, it will open a new comment box directly replying to what I wrote. Give it a whirl.
One thing I've noticed
On a lot of the pick and rolls, the ball handler is going way too wide when he uses the screen. That gives the defender a lot more time to fight through the screen and get back in front of his man. As the ball handler, you want to go as tight as you can and almost rub shoulders with the screener. That rarely (never) happens when the Kings run it.
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