Spursfanfromafar
04-11-2012, 12:46 AM
... a very good article that suggests the pivotal importance of "spacing" in the Spurs' offensive strategy (and perhaps explains why Bonner is such a seamless fit) -
http://hoopspeak.com/2012/04/spurs-in-space/
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A typical San Antonio half court possession begins with a little motion and some non-threatening side-to-side ball movement before Parker initiates the following series with either a high ball screen or handoff from one of the Spurs big men: Parker darts into the middle of the paint off the dribble, and either finishes or draws help defense then kicks out to one of three teammates orbiting the three point line who begin to whip the ball around the perimeter, eventually finding the shooter with the most space to fire away.
When we ask whether an offense “creates space,” what we mean is “to what extent does the offense define space where the defense cannot be?”
Defenses cannot leave San Antonio’s shooters. Yet when Parker drives into the paint with shooters stationed on the 3-point line, he forces them to do just that. And to create even more space in which defenders must account for the wily Parker and the slithery Manu Ginobili, the Spurs have added a terrifying wrinkle to their ballscreen attack.
Instead of the customary side or high ball screen that is initiated from the wing or top of the key, but generally near the 3-point line, the Spurs will pull the pick-and-roll way out away from the hoop, nearly midway between the 3-point line and half court. San Antonio employs a flat screen (screeners shoulders parallel to the baseline) that most defenses counter by sending the guard under the screen to give Ginobili and Parker a running start at the help defense. Big men can be capable help defenders heding on pick and rolls, but virtually none are equipped to manage Parker’s speed or Ginobili’s shifty maneuvering in top gear.
It’s just another example of how the Spurs take advantage of the whole court and make demands that no defense has been able to meet.
...
http://hoopspeak.com/2012/04/spurs-in-space/
Extract -
...
A typical San Antonio half court possession begins with a little motion and some non-threatening side-to-side ball movement before Parker initiates the following series with either a high ball screen or handoff from one of the Spurs big men: Parker darts into the middle of the paint off the dribble, and either finishes or draws help defense then kicks out to one of three teammates orbiting the three point line who begin to whip the ball around the perimeter, eventually finding the shooter with the most space to fire away.
When we ask whether an offense “creates space,” what we mean is “to what extent does the offense define space where the defense cannot be?”
Defenses cannot leave San Antonio’s shooters. Yet when Parker drives into the paint with shooters stationed on the 3-point line, he forces them to do just that. And to create even more space in which defenders must account for the wily Parker and the slithery Manu Ginobili, the Spurs have added a terrifying wrinkle to their ballscreen attack.
Instead of the customary side or high ball screen that is initiated from the wing or top of the key, but generally near the 3-point line, the Spurs will pull the pick-and-roll way out away from the hoop, nearly midway between the 3-point line and half court. San Antonio employs a flat screen (screeners shoulders parallel to the baseline) that most defenses counter by sending the guard under the screen to give Ginobili and Parker a running start at the help defense. Big men can be capable help defenders heding on pick and rolls, but virtually none are equipped to manage Parker’s speed or Ginobili’s shifty maneuvering in top gear.
It’s just another example of how the Spurs take advantage of the whole court and make demands that no defense has been able to meet.
...