One of the best ways to attack a 2-3 Zone is by using a ball screen to get a player with the ball attacking downhill towards the back 3 defenders. By attacking the back line, you can force the defenders to make decisions on what to do and where to go. Then the offense can read and react based upon how the defense moves in trying to stop the ball.
Most of the the problems I see with an offense struggling against a zone defense is the inability to attack the zone defense and force the defense to make decisions. When an offense can put the defense on the back foot and just react to what the defense is doing, then offense becomes easy and open shots are available.
One of the disadvantages of a zone defense is the set movements of the defenders as the ball is passed into certain areas of the floor. The offense can exploit the rotations of the zone defense by player positions and moving the ball quickly. This play starts with two quick passes and then a ball screen and a player attacking downhill towards the back 3 defenders.
The entire setup of the play is to get the block defender on an island with the ball able to attack them at the basket. The block defender that is next to the center(5) in the above diagram will be the key defender the offense is attacking.
The start of the play is a simple entry pass to the guard(2). On the entry pass, the center(5) comes up the lane but stays on the backside. The center(5) is the screener and needs to be in a place to get a good angle on the ball screen.
The big(4) is moving to the backside block. The play is looking to overload the block defender with the center(5) at the elbow, the big(4) on the block and the forward(3) out on the wing.
As the center(5) gets into position and the defense has rotated to the ball, a return pass from the guard(2) to the point(1) puts the ball back into the middle of the floor. The backside elbow defender will step up to guard the ball and that is where the ball screen is occurring. The top 2 defenders are matched up with the point(1) and guard(2) leaving the backside of the floor completely empty.
This puts the backside block defender having to defend 3 different players. This creates a scenario where the offense can read what they are doing and put the ball into the spot that is left open. This play gives the offense multiple options as to who will shoot the ball.
The ball screen puts the offense into an attacking mode and the defense into a reactionary spot. The front two defenders are essentially out of the play as the offense is now attacking the backside of the defense. As the point(1) comes off of the screen they are reading the back defenders and putting the ball into the correct spot to score the ball.
Option #1
The point is reading the two defenders in front of them. That is the block defender and the middle defender. These two defenders will move in a way that always gives the offense an open shot.
The first option is if the block defender steps up to stop the ball on the ball screen. This leaves the forward(3) wide open at the 3-point line. A simple kick out 3-point shot by the forward(3) can be a zone killer.
Option #2
The 2nd possibility is the two back defenders staying put and leaving the ball screen alone. The block defender can step out to the forward(3) to prevent the kick out 3-pointer. The middle defender slides over to the big(4). This will leave the middle of the lane wide open. The point can step into this open area and get that 5-8 foot shot in the lane.
Option #3
The last option is if the block defender steps out to the forward(3). The middle defender steps up to stop the ball. The big(4) moving to the backside at the beginning of the play puts them in a position to take advantage of the two defenders both leaving the back line. As the middle defender steps up to stop the ball, the big(4) can step right in behind the middle defender for a dump pass and layup.
No matter how the defense tries to defend the ball screen, somebody is going to be left open to receive a pass and get an open shot.
This play works best with a good point(1). The ball is in their hands and they are able to attack and read the defense as to what they are going to do with the ball. If nothing else, the point(1) should be able to turn the corner and get the elbow jump shot almost every time.
Sometimes simple and easy are the best plays. A couple of passes and a ball screen can destroy a 2-3 zone. The best coaching jobs can be just doing a simple play that lets your players get into spaces for them to be successful. Getting the best offensive player the ball and a screen and giving a chance to attack the basket can lead to the best results. This play is giving a chance to attack a 2-3 zone and put a lot of pressure on the back line of the defense.