The game of basketball is changing. The positionless 4-out and 5-out offense is changing how the game is played. Years ago a big(4) or center(5) would never leave the lane area. They stayed close to the basket. Now the stretch 4s and ball handling centers have increased the amount of plays and movements an offense is able to use.
One weakness that most defenses have is the on the ball defense of the big(4) or center(5) when they are trying to guard on the outside. This gives a big(4) or center(5) a chance to gain an advantage if they can create their own shots.
Along with having trouble guarding the outside, big(4) and center(5) defenders can struggle guarding a pick and roll when they are on the ball. These defenders are not normally asked to guard the ball on a pick and roll. They struggle with getting around a ball screen. This can open the court up even more for an offense if they have a good ball handling big(4) or center(5).
A play that is trying to get a big(4) or center(5) on the outside attacking off the bounce does not have to do a lot to get into that position. I would argue the more simple and quicker a team can get the ball into the big(4)s or center(5)s hands the better. Get the post players the ball and get out of their way.
This play starts in a 1-4 High Set. The initial pass goes to a wing. In the diagram, this pass is caught by the forward(3). The point(1) smash cuts to the ball side corner. The point(1) just needs to clear out as quickly as possible. And I want the point(1) going to the ballside corner because I want the backside as open as possible.
The guard(2) is clearing down to the corner. Again, I am clearing out the backside but also giving the post player a kick out pass if they are stopped.
After the smash cut by the point(1), the ballside post is stepping up. This is the big(4) stepping up and catching a pass from the forward(3). Now the big(4) has the ball in an attacking position with the lane completely cleared of everybody. The point(1) and guard(2) are in the corners. The forward(3) is on the wing. The only players in the middle of the court is the big(4) and center(5).
On the catch by the big(4), the center(5) steps over and sets a ball screen. The big(4) can catch and rip through coming off the ball screen and have the freedom and space to attack the basket. The backside is clear of everybody except the guard(2) in the corner. This gives the big(4) the openness to make the right decision with the ball. The reads are easier because the amount of open space the big(4) has off of the ball screen.
Option #1
The 1st option is the big(4) coming off of the ball screen and having the clear lane to finish at the rim. This is the best choice and the one that the play is hoping to get.
Option #2
The 2nd option is a pass to the center(5) either on a pick and roll or a pick and pop depending on whether the center(5) can shoot the ball. If the center(5)’s defender helps on the ball screen either in a drop coverage or by trying to hedge, then the big(4) can pass to the center(5) for an open shot. Whether this is a pop or a roll is a team by team decision usually depending on the ability of the center(5).
Option #3
The big(4) kicks the ball out to a corner. Most likely this will be to the guard(2) in the nearside corner because that defender is more likely to rotate over to help on the ball screen. The openness of the court makes the defender have to commit either to the lane or the corner. The big(4) comes off of the ball screen and if the defender is in the lane then it is a kick out. If the defender is out of the lane then the big(4) keeps the ball and attacks the basket.
While the kick out will normally be to the guard(2), it can on occasion be to the point(1). The rotational help defense is more likely to come from the guard(2) but it can come from the backside point(1) defender. The same rules applies to the point(1) as it did with the guard(2). If that defender is coming across into the lane then a pass is made backside out to the point(1).
Conclusion
A good attacking creating big(4) or center(5) can give great advantages to an offense. And sometimes the easiest way to take advantage of the mismatch is to get them the ball and clear out. Plays do not have to be complex to work. This play is getting the ball to the advantage easily and quickly. After that a ball screen is made to help. And then the big(4) is working downhill to the basket to try and score. Simple. Easy. But Effective.
