Suns 'New' Pick and Roll - NBA Playbook

After 3 preseason games, Sebastian Pruiti breaks down all of the early pick-n-rolls with Nash and various roll men (Lopez and Lawal, for the most part).

Frankly, 3 preseason games is too early to tell anything for sure. For now, Nash is looking harder for the 3-point kickout off the pick, rather than the roll man.

This is llkely true - that Nash will more often kick to an open 3 off the pick than in prior years - but not to extent we're seeing in preseason.

Also instructive is how much slower the pick-n-roll develops with Lopez vs. Stoudemire. Lopez just doesn't dive as fast as Amare did, so Nash has to hold the ball longer. Lopez will likely improve as the season wears on, but never to Amare's levels.

over 1 year ago Alex Laugan 10 comments 0 recs |

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That was an interesting read, and the vids were excellent.

Especially because I remember seeing those clips and thinking along the same lines.

The other thing I noticed is Robin still rolls the wrong way. Have any coaches pointed this out to him? Based off of my grade school basketball coaching, the roll man should open up to the ball handler so he never loses sight of him and the handler can hit him at any time.

by Omaha Sun on Oct 11, 2010 7:46 AM MST reply actions

I noticed that too

Especially early on in the Indian Wells game.
Nash would penetrate the lane and have no one to pass to, and kick out to the three point line. I wondered if it was p&r breakdown or if it’s by design like KJ-Chambers dash-and-dish.

by suns68 on Oct 11, 2010 8:46 AM MST via mobile reply actions

Warrick?

Maybe Warrick will dive faster than Lopez. Warrick and Nash need to play together more.

by 8472species on Oct 11, 2010 9:50 AM MST reply actions

I still think Rolo could be used more like

Kidd/Paul was using Chandler – throwing a lot of lobs and allyoops where Lopez can use his height and reach advantage

They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...

by Eutychus on Oct 11, 2010 9:54 AM MST reply actions

they did that in the Indian Wells game

frankly, we’re only 3 preseason games in, and about 50 game minutes for Nash. Nash always experiments in preseason, and I’m sure he’s doing that now.

Lopez’ roll game will mature, and Warrick will be a different wrinkle, as will Lawal eventually.

Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun

by Alex Laugan on Oct 11, 2010 10:14 AM MST up reply actions

Opponents know that the Suns can't use the pick and roll exatcly like when STAT was here..

But if we mix it up with Nash-Rolo, Nash – Hedo, Nash – JRich, Hedo -Rolo, Nash-Warrick, it will keep the opponents really off balance…Dang it, I wish STAT would have taken that last Sarver offer…!

STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....!

by Daryl Ray on Oct 11, 2010 3:06 PM MST reply actions

He's in NY AKA STAT City

Now, with D’Antoni AKA Pringles…made the Knicks at least a playoff team.

Let's Go Knicks, NY Giants, NY Mets & NY Rangers.

by True Blue Phil on Oct 11, 2010 5:37 PM MST reply actions

not so sure about that

till they actually win some real games

Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun

by Alex Laugan on Oct 11, 2010 6:27 PM MST up reply actions

Need to use the PnR Double Punch

I have an idea— Create mismatches for the other teams. Put Nash, Warrick, and Lopez on the court at the same time.

Other teams will have fits and nightmares trying to handle Nash with TWO pick and roll targets instead of one. Just go for the team mate who is less covered

We could also use the Dragic, Hedo, and Frye to create the Double Spaced Drive—
Hedo and Frye together can REALLY open the lane, which would allow Dragic/HILL/ J-rich / J-Chil to make for the rim quite easily.

by Eagle Sun on Oct 11, 2010 9:52 PM MST reply actions