Can You Read The Game Like Damian Lillard?

Increase your basketball IQ here: smarterbasketb...
The Blazers are led by Lillard, who is an elite point guard who makes great decisions on the court. He is a talented passer and a great shooter and finisher. In this interactive challenge/quiz, I test your basketball IQ while analyzing Lillard's pick and roll reads.

[@keem.9103]

6/7 was so focused on looking for passes on the last one forgot lillard can score. Also for those who are struggling, If you struggle to read the game honestly just keep playing you will start to develop a better sense of the game and what to do in certain situations. Also in these scenarios Dame did everything 'correct' however i'm sure in every play he could of found another way to score, all about creativity.

[@SALILJKMAN]

An advice I remember hearing (i think it was from gilbert arenas) is that on pick and roll situation, you should not focus on your defender but on everyone else.

[@jackcerven2415]

same except I got 5/7 for the last one I thought about the three but then saw a ok pass and decided that LOL whatever in a game where it is going faster I go with my first instinct so we are good

[@buzzerbeater3350]

@@SALILJKMAN Chris Paul also gives that advice in the You Tube video "The Film Room: Chris Paul"

[@natelockwood2475]

Same

[@joshuasilva8168]

This is what separates him from Russ and Kyrie imo, Dame makes the correct play almost every time. Kyrie will wow you with a contested layup and Russ will explode to the basket regardless how many defenders are inside but Dame gets his teammates involved in a way that they dont. Makes him fun to play with in comparison

[@coachdaniel8163]

Merry Christmas everyone! Thank you for a great 2019. This is my 6th year making videos on the channel, and 2019 felt like everything finally came together in terms of more views and support. April things took off and it was one of the best months of my life. 2020 expect more of the same. I also have a new goal, a video every 10 days minimum 👊

[@AbstrActivitiess]

I would love to see a version of this for some of the elite defenders in the NBA. Something oriented towards help defense would be more challenging, at least for me

[@nickthorpe7567]

Hey coach you should check out search tag optimization, and look into doing more collaborations. I know that I came here from BBallBreakdown a couple years ago and really liked the content. The more 'advertising' avenues you have the faster you'll see growth. Keep it up!

[@chrishan8700]

Hi Daniel, I sent you an ins dm

[@SharjeelZahid1]

Yes would love to see defensive decision making

[@josenellandrewtumulak2400]

Really like this format

[@Ronarama12345]

Same

[@fahimrahman7582]

Its amazing how they make a decision in game like that. They have 2 seconds and its not like they have our same view

[@trevorisjames871]

I got 6 out 7, the one I missed where Damion Lillard ended up getting fouled by KP, I choose shoot to pull the three instead of attacking him due to his spacing but I didn't think about his momentum going forward. Great video please produce more

[@arnaudakono9727]

Me too

[@kasebrooks4054]

Me too

[@newzealandroadster]

Me too

[@user-vh5np1ry8x]

Merry Christmas Coach Daniel. What a great present you just gave us. Excellent video, love the format. more of this please. I think we can all agree that we need more videos like this.

[@user-nm5tp7dl2z]

6/7, I didn’t see Hood’s defender on the 5th one

[@JoeSmoe1]

I got 0/7 because my answer for every question was " Pass it to Melo more"

[@TheDarkZonePilot]

Facts tho 😂

[@kylerkafoury2438]

Melo doesnt need more touches

[@ghaz7211]

😂

[@cynkauvanyau2059]

@@kylerkafoury2438 The team doesnt need more Melo touches

[@zyaireesteban3361]

I know Im asking the wrong place but does someone know of a way to log back into an Instagram account? I somehow lost my account password. I would appreciate any help you can give me

[@freddyfox5002]

It´s so hard looking to score and looking for open teammates on the same drive.

[@hyejoo5244]

Yeah lmao

[@deandrepage1048]

Coaching helps fix that problem = most right-handed point guards like to drive right, so you start the play on the LEFT SIDE , their weakest hand. It will force them to reverse the ball to the Trailing Big.

[@Unreelme]

Always keep your head up, my JV coach taught me this. Work on your handle enough so you have your eyes around you, instead of down by your mans feet. he was also my best coach and played at UCLA

[@jamesbycinthe]

U gotta think about attacking 1st. The passing lanes will open from there and it takes trial and error to know which ones r best to use and when

[@matteomelis8326]

@@deandrepage1048 left handed usually can't go right, while most of right handed can go either way

[@charl_lee]

This is genius, great way to break down reads. Gonna show this to my youth rec team lol 💪🏽

[@noobfax4395]

6/7 because I overthought the first one lol. Others were pretty easy after that.

[@jananthonydelrosario5467]

Perfect score! Made me realize how much 2K really helps in understanding spacing.

[@no.daveed]

I got 7/7!!!

[@tomruljancich2167]

7/7 but on the last one i remembered that lillard can actually shoot with like 1 second left

[@conanbdetective]

My thought processes (4/7) Q1 (C): Defense breaks down. I should attack the basket Q2 (C): PnR is iced. Use the screen. Possible free 3. Q3 (C): Occupy the free space after the snake. Attack hard, defense is not ready to help properly Q4 (W): Porzingis is in no man's land (as Bruce Bowen refers to). Attacking is viable with clock winding down and getting a foul but shooting 3 seems better. Q5 (C): Skip pass to the guy on the right side. Everything else is covered. Automatic. Q6 (W): A pocket pass isn't good as I feel he's not someone who can create at that spot. Float towards the baseline looking to score but ready to deliver a pass as soon as I draw the double. Q7 (W): Attack Aldridge. His feet aren't that quick. Foul city. A three won't collapse the defense. Build the lead a bit more.

[@lawbinson]

this series is great. please do more of these!

[@ballaboveall905]

I love these "test" videos you should really make more of them even whit older players and stuff

[@littlesam4.931]

You should do more of these, they're great!

[@HumanOptimization]

Love the format, brother! Great content! Thanks!!

[@norestwicked6125]

Another great video coach The engagement is refreshing

[@ReCharredSigh]

Coach daniel, if you're going to do more "can you read the game like __" vids, can you do more examples which aren't ballscreen-centered, like maybe jokic passing out of the midpost or dribbling like he's going to handoff?

[@JoeSmoe1]

0:27 He literally said this video is focused on the Pick and roll. The last video was in this format was focused passing with Luka Doncic

[@coachdaniel8163]

Yeah I definitely will get creative with this format. I think I will do some for attacking closeouts and I will certainly look for Jokic type ones. Lots of untapped potential with this series.

[@michaelstelpflug1435]

@@coachdaniel8163 please do more of this format. It is interactive and increased my awareness of spacing and momentum as well. I'm sure I could learn more incorporating different players and their strengths

[@devvv4616]

@@coachdaniel8163 maybe even offball type players like klay, or defensive reads

[@martinseverino9392]

Very good content! Hope to see more of these!

[@thomasbudden5290]

Really awesome video, please do more of these Coach Daniel. Your vids have really kept me going in quarantine, could you post some content on the Pelicans?

[@coachdaniel8163]

Thanks! And I'll look into it.

[@bkb04g]

Nice format man... We all learn specific principles and can see them applied in real time. Good decision-making is just as critical as athleticism in terms of on-court success.

[@dbolt_]

awesome series, i'd love to see a full video without options, maybe some decision making from the triple threat since some of these can be pretty easy love the channel

[@e10-w1j]

Coach Daniel, I love this series! Keep it up please!

[@samuelmiller4976]

I started playing basketball a few years ago and when this video first came out I got 2/7. After countless hours of studying the game, I came back (without any previous knowledge of the plays in this video) and got 7/7 with ease. The game some much more beautiful when you understand all of the small pieces that go into it

[@coachdaniel8163]

Awesome!

[@jkim4994]

6/7, didn't notice barton's foward momentum opening up hood for the open 3. Great Content, Keep up the great work!!!

[@6oingnorth]

Love these videos, coach! Keep em coming!

[@savethetrees1214]

Aussie fan here. Our basketball team uses some of your systems that you recommend. Thanks for all the videos

[@dunkonomics]

This give a glimpse of how great NBA guards are. He gave us 5 sec to pick an option, but most of the time it is mostly 2 secs or less to make & execute that decision.

[@JoeSmoe1]

if i had 5 seconds to choose what to do on every play, id be in the NBA for sure lol

[@devvv4616]

not to mention we had a bird's eye-view, their view would've been blocked by all those long limbs and towering defenders

[@devvv4616]

not to mention we had a bird's eye-view, their view would've been blocked by all those long limbs and towering defenders

[@anguishingquark]

Devvv It’s easier on court imo. Bigger targets and easier to see momentum. The actual execution is what sets them apart at least for me

[@EdwardWindhowl]

That's why we dont have a single reason to roast these players.

[@brandonwilliams3788]

I got them all right! Thanks Coach, definitely becoming better at reading the game!

[@NinjaNuggets21]

One of the best mind and mentality mix ive ever seen in a ball player.

[@cxu2014]

love this format! great work

[@4_joami_432]

Subbed after watching, great quality😁

[@johnnybravo6503]

I got 6/7. Easy to know the decision when you know all of the opponent’s position. However, it is extremely hard to make quick decisions on such a short period of time when you are in the actual game. Plus you gotta master all that shooting and driving left and right. So all credits to the p&r maestros!

[@vishwakumar2135]

This is an amazing series, you should continue this series with other players!

[@jean-elieelmond4580]

6/7!!! Love these videos! Keep em coming! I'm getting better at this

[@timshammm]

love this kind of vid Coach, learned a lot!

[@grturner8172]

5/7 he's got great vision and reaction to the defenders movement and spacing. Thanks for the video!

[@ericennis2325]

love these vids. I use them with my players. Thanks coach

[@silver_suit1472]

5/7 - I missed the drive on Porzingis, I would’ve pulled up for a 3 but know understanding players momentum, it makes a lot more sense to attack in that situation. I also missed the whip pass to Rodney Hood for a 3. I would’ve lobbed it to Whiteside for an easy basket or foul by the weak side help. One thing I’m taking away from this video is being more mindful of body momentum when reading the defense.

[@Shualiksik]

anyone here guessed based on what you would do in NBA2k?

[@anthonynorman7545]

That's EXACTLY how I do it. I answered alley oop to the one with the pocket pass lol

[@jackcerven2415]

@@anthonynorman7545 LOL that wouldn't have been a bad idea if he was closer to the basket

[@anthonynorman7545]

@@jackcerven2415 perfect distance in 2k 😅

[@jackcerven2415]

@@anthonynorman7545 probably true LOL

[@haroldfrets1268]

Why think about a damn video game? We talking real life here. Wake TF up!

[@onedollah]

i love this because it's teaching the viewer about how the player sees the court.

[@LordMidichlorian]

I got four. In the last, I was stuck in looking for passes instead of considering shooting, so I was thinking go right, attract the defenders and the man under the basket is free for the finish. The second to last he went the side I wanted with the idea I thought of passing to the left, I just marked the next man to his left as more likely pass reception. I thought of the possibility of the pass he did, but I thought it was very unlikely, so I'm not taking that point. The third I was in a mix between the right and a wrong option: my idea was pass to the man to the left, thinking the big guy in front didn't cover that much of the pass and run to the middle to receive a pass back in space to shoot. I got the second right, though I thought more in terms of spaces. I thought the middle seemed quite crowded for a drive in and not clear enough for a three pointer. The right side seemed with a lot of space to drive in and surely attract defenders to clear teammates. However, I also thought no team mate in that sector of the court would mean he could be easily closed by the three defenders without leaving a pass and instead get trapped too easily and forced into a ball loss, so I choose the correct as the one that wouldn't lead him into a trap and would still leave open either a chance to drive between defenders, as he did, or have a passing line to a team mate whose defender had been attracted to him.

[@matlit1859]

Super fun series. Throwing in free response after giving multiple choice though... veteran move

[@moufanny]

6 of 7. Love the format.

[@kelflava2x764]

More please I’m trying to get better at pick n roll

[@louis_7118]

Wow momentum of defense and spacing are really important, 6/7 for me!

[@friedrichfeldrappe4634]

This is a great format, love it (6/7 :))

[@louvreluv]

This channels needs more subs !!

[@liamliesanggoro1832]

Got 1 wrong tho the 3rd play caught me off guard Nice job coach and also nice video!

[@justintheballer3733]

Yo this actually very fun. Love this!

[@moo422]

Some of these decisions are unusual choices, only because of Lillard's ability to drive and finish w/ a variety of tough shots. Not sure all other point guards would make the same plays.

[@carterhopkins4178]

More videos like this please

[@taevonncolbert1119]

Love these videos

[@sebastianalessandrello9832]

I don't know if this was easy or I was lucky, but I had a perfect score. Lillard's P&R reads are simple but perfect, there's no mind tricks, no splitting the defense, no bullet passes to the opposite corner, etc. Just taking advantage of the defense's weaknesses.

[@bobc2251]

Great Format. On the 3 point shot it looked like the drive was also open. That said, 5 of 7.

[@SavedPulley]

Love this layout liked and sub

[@oldfrend]

yes i too can clang seven brick 3s in a row.

[@buzzerbeater3350]

I got 4/7. Situation #7 I thought there was more than one option. I thought he could have passed the ball to the opposite wing. Would that have been a bad decision?

[@coachdaniel8163]

For numbers #3 and #7 the pass to the opposite wing wouldn't have created any advantage. Notice how when I paused those plays the screener Whiteside was still setting the screen, so the weakside defender didn't need to be in position to tag the roll man.

[@buzzerbeater3350]

@@coachdaniel8163 I think I got it. The weakside defender was waiting on the screener to roll to the basket but that never happened so he was able to stay at home and guard the opposite wing (his man). Therefore, making a pass to the opposite wing in these scenarios would not have given the wing player a wide open shot and the entire defense would be set up to stop the offense.

[@calk7642]

Thanks coach Daniel

[@quinnthomas3907]

I got 6/7, on the hood pass I went with the Tim Duncan/Boris Diaw pass to roll man who swings to corner, where lillard just cut out the middleman.

[@ADM290]

Coach Daniel, Would you analyze the two Lakers-Clippers games this year and explain Lebron's passivity? Is his passivity due to the Clippers' coverages, Kawhi's defense, or on Lebron himself?

[@rubeng4881]

Can u do more of this

[@club6525]

2:08 Just wondering? What would be the best read?

[@soft_zucchini]

Can you do a video on why the thunder are succeeding without any stars?

[@ilberturkylmaz6328]

I did 6/7 but I cannot do this kind of decisions what should I do

[@brideblack3617]

These are easy when you have 5 seconds to think about it but Lillard makes these decisions in a split second, all the more solidifying him as an incredible playmaker.

[@AlokSomani]

5/7. Probably one decision I would have made differently than Lillard, and one in which he had a better read and pass than I would have been able to make.

[@pieman1712]

Thanks coach

[@buzzerbeater3350]

Situation #3 I thought there was more than one option. I thought he could have passed the ball to the opposite wing. Would that have been a bad decision?

[@buzzerbeater3350]

Thanks for replying.

[@beavinator420]

He's just phenomenal never to be underestimated

[@ssj008]

5/7. I got tripped up with the first two of the no options questions. I'm really enjoying these! I'd love to see one with Kobe or MJ although both would probably just end up shooting or driving. Lol

[@tdcsgo7646]

7/7, but I'm a Blazers fan and I've watched every single game the past 4 years so I just knew a couple out of my head

[@joshuasilva8168]

As a Portland fan you get really used to Dame’s thought process on pick n rolls especially, hes an absolute master at it. Got 7/7 but I cheated cause I’ve seen all these games lol

[@kyriethegoat8007]

ball screens options are so easy to read... 7/7 but put harder situations next time

[@funter1970]

Dame and giannis pick and roll will feed families 😅🎉

[@alanf5615]

These are fun more please

[@majesticm4808]

6 of 7, guessed he'd swing it strong instead of weak on the 5th play.

[@billkevin4501]

5/7. I messed #4 up and would never even think about that pass on #5.

[@SeBushi]

7/7 I’ve been super dedicated to the game ever since I got into basketball a few years ago so I did good all things considered

[@jfbb3369]

Got 6/7 this time. Just missed the last one. I really like this video type, how about one with kemba?

[@Something_Sharp]

I think I got 1 lol. I got 6/7 on the Simmons one. I'm a Sixers fan, how am I supposed to know what a good PnR ball handler looks like??

[@detroitpride12]

5/7. I didn't trust my first option of snaking the screen because I thought he would bump into Whiteside rolling. Should have been 6/7

[@alexsedgwick3111]

These are fun!

[@tylerlynn3617]

Good content coach..

[@jamesbycinthe]

5 out of 7 for me....the 2 I missed were both choices btwn shooting a 3 or a mid range pull up. I guess its preference

[@coachdaniel8163]

Interesting. Lillard certainly will rely heavier on that 3 than most, which is a good thing as it's a more efficient shot.

[@jamesbycinthe]

@@coachdaniel8163 for him it is cuz he can make it consistently. The elbow or free throw line I would suggest for anyone who doesnt hit from NBA range at a good rate, but I do agree that u may run into more trouble there with long defenders hence u would need more counters...the 3 negates that extra work

[@JamesChuGJ]

I feel like most of these only works cuz Lillard is so good at driving down the lane and scoring through contact. A less explosive player will probably look to drive and kick imo

[@soulg77]

Got 6/7, the only one I missed was #4. These are interesting vids, to bad I can't analyze on the court as well as I can from the sidelines.

[@thechosenone9855]

6/7 the 3 pointer caught me off guard, thought he was going to pass

[@yengallada1237]

More like this vid plsss

[@joaquindecarli7173]

i would like a Nikola Jokic read game!

[@relaxingsound7563]

this helps frfr

[@story1014]

I got 5/7

[@haroldfrets1268]

Portland is struggling because whitesides has no outside game so his defender can stay low to contest and rebound any drive that Dame and CJ do. With Nurkic, they have to guard him outside because he can drain outside shots as much as anyone in the NBA..... They are also almost or dead last in rebounds and offensive rebounds, and that ain't gonna cut it at all..... Pat riley once said while coaching the Lakers," no rebounds no rings"..... And that is so damm true...

[@realjcoop182]

Whoa. So at 15 this scout said I was more advanced than the HOF PG Jason Kidd & I can see how & why. My IQ is elite & also had elite handle/J small guard think Kemba's body but Kyrie/Nash mold on O. CP3 Pat Bev on D. If camera phones were a thing in 98-00 I would've been viral. I got another 7/7 for this one.

[@yolandahou4015]

i've got 7/7 here, but on court with contact and limited angle of view it's much more difficult

[@VArsovski10]

5/7, overcomplicated 2 of them a bit cause Dame isn't Luka lol 1 miss was cause thought lob the rim roller with an off-look toward the corner and the other was instead of drive to the rim at the open space stop it mid range and oop to #42 :P

[@santiagosanchez2467]

Would’ve been 7/7 if not for that subtle KP defense stance clue