timvp
03-23-2012, 10:17 PM
Not literally, don't worry :lol
But a pair of observations about the new players:
Boris Diaw's off the ball screening was extremely useful in the Spurs offensive sets. Typically, Spurs bigmen only set screens as part of a pick-and-roll or part of a set offensive play. Part of what made Robert Horry so useful was his screens away from the ball to free up shooters and to create driving lanes.
Diaw was doing that a lot tonight and it really helped. He actually looked like an offensive lineman at times the way he was using his girth to create space for teammates. I also saw him tug a few jerseys and otherwise hold a few of the Mavs up ... which is also a smart technique that rarely gets whistled.
And then there was Stephen Jackson bringing back the memory of Steve Smith via the Steve Smith move. Smith basically had one move in his arsenal but he used it so well he made an NBA career out of it. For those who don't know it, the move is really subtle. Basically, it calls for a ballhandler to stop for a split second, throw a head and shoulders fake as if he is going to do a spin move but continue on in the same direction. It doesn't sound like much but it's an extremely effective move if executed correctly.
Tonight, Jackson pulled it off a couple times to create some space. Looks like he picked up a few trick while he was away :tu
But a pair of observations about the new players:
Boris Diaw's off the ball screening was extremely useful in the Spurs offensive sets. Typically, Spurs bigmen only set screens as part of a pick-and-roll or part of a set offensive play. Part of what made Robert Horry so useful was his screens away from the ball to free up shooters and to create driving lanes.
Diaw was doing that a lot tonight and it really helped. He actually looked like an offensive lineman at times the way he was using his girth to create space for teammates. I also saw him tug a few jerseys and otherwise hold a few of the Mavs up ... which is also a smart technique that rarely gets whistled.
And then there was Stephen Jackson bringing back the memory of Steve Smith via the Steve Smith move. Smith basically had one move in his arsenal but he used it so well he made an NBA career out of it. For those who don't know it, the move is really subtle. Basically, it calls for a ballhandler to stop for a split second, throw a head and shoulders fake as if he is going to do a spin move but continue on in the same direction. It doesn't sound like much but it's an extremely effective move if executed correctly.
Tonight, Jackson pulled it off a couple times to create some space. Looks like he picked up a few trick while he was away :tu