The Defensive Tactic That Wreaks Havoc on NBA Offenses

I breakdown how NBA teams often change the defensive matchup of their center to look to slow down high powered NBA offenses. This is a simple tactic that can disrupt offenses, and limit the pick and roll and pick and pop. I breakdown a game between the Suns and Cavs, and how teams are using it to defend Luka Doncic and the Mavs.
Music: Select by Patrick Patrikios

[@nmzhoops]

question for you. with this strategy would you improve it by having nurk or the 5 scram switch the small out when the roller is coming down the lane. effectively you’ve gotten them later in the clock and the orb concerns should be lessened.

[@coachdaniel8163]

Yes 100%. Great question. The clip at 13:32 shows this. Porzingis is on Washington (a PF). After Boston switches the Luka/Gafford P&R, Porzingis scrams White out and takes Gafford. This is one of the charms of the tactic. Even if you have some smaller guards defensively, after switches you have your x5 ready to scram them out. Technically in that clip, Luka can now call Gafford up again to set a pick since Porzingis is now on Gafford. But that would be slow, predictable, and drain the shot clock.

[@nmzhoops]

@@coachdaniel8163 i think the clippers need to be ready to do this with zu in a potential 4-5 series. have kawhi and pg take the ball (luka) and the preferred screener (5 man). zu roaming off djj in excellent help/rebounding position.

[@quiseanrobinson1141]

the celtics did this 2-3 years ago with rob williams. over on thinking basketball, ben called it peel switching. where rob williams would guard the 3 and d wing and rotate to paint no matter what. they’d switch the ball screen and the guard, usually marcus smart would just run straight to the corner.

[@reyjgonzales2130]

And this is what exactly the Celtics to Dallas. Putting Tatum on Gafford/Lively to deter their spread pick and roll. On point, coach!

[@DramaMC]

babe, wake up Coach Daniel posted

[@0401412740]

He doesn't care about his career

[@Hustlekids]

💯😂

[@ppncosta]

This is why Jokic is such a threat. He can shoot and post, meaning a smaller defender and a big slow defender will suffer. That opens the game for Denver and is complemented by Jokic's amazing playmaking.

[@captainobvious90]

Jokic and the Nuggets are pretty adept with freestyling the offense as well by reading what the defense are giving them, that adds to another level of headache

[@phx24]

Its always great to see tactical analysis' of my own team when we rarely get any coverage by basketball and NBA media. Love to see it, insightful and entertaining as always.

[@knotationmusic]

Meanwhile over at Awful Coaching, “FRANK VOGEL HAS VIOLATED EVERY SECTION OF THE GENEVA CONVENTION.”

[@fyo85]

lol. His first few videos that I watched of doc rivers, I thought man this guy knows so much.

[@michaelritter3741]

Just in time for the playoffs, you're showing the chess-match aspect of NBA basketball. Amazing content!

[@Croquiski]

I have played at a great level in hockey and i know a lot about the strategies and plays in the sport. I’ve started playing and watching basketball a couple years ago and it has become my favorite sport to watch. When i watch though I can never see these plays or defensive sets that are made. I really enjoy these videos since I can now learn a lot more about the game and learn about things I never learned about since I never played in an organized basketball team. So thank you man I love it!

[@onjadar]

Coach Daniel, where u been? I've been watching your videos from 6-7 years ago, then all of a sudden this vid pops up on my notification. I hope you are well; one of my top basketball analysts to go to. You drop a vid, I know I gotta check it out.

[@coachdaniel8163]

I appreciate the kind words. Well, I'm an adult now, I have a full-time job and have decided I don't want to pursue KZbin as a career. These videos take 20+ hours to make minimum, usually more. I just don't have the time and motivation to make them regularly as a hobby :)

[@onjadar]

@@coachdaniel8163 yeah time flies by so fast. Started watching your vids from my early 20's, now I'm almost 30. We'd all want to be playing basketball (and all sorts of sports for that matter) all day everyday, but life dictates otherwise. I got you. Anyway, I'm happy to always tune in to your content from time to time (I'm also an adult now 😁); I also don't have the time to be watching insightful basketball youtube videos as I use to, but do still enjoy your videos very much. You haven't lost your touch. Amazing consistency.

[@coachdaniel8163]

I definitely appreciate that, thank you.

[@rasaecnai]

@@coachdaniel8163 Coach, may I ask if your full-time job is associated with basketball in any way? I remember you worked for Mavericks for a while. Thank you for the video as always.

[@coachdaniel8163]

My full-time job is associated with basketball, yes. I prefer to not go into further details, but I am fortunate. It is not in the coaching realm, though I do still aspire to coach for a living down the road.

[@KNRS927]

Way late but always nice to see Coach Daniel post. I’ve never been a fan of playing two non-shooters/weak shooters on the floor together and seeing coverages like this is a major reason why.

[@itsgalf]

Thanks for the new video, Coach Daniel. Selfishly, I wish you'd post more content, because it's always good. However, I'm sure you got life to take care of. So hope all is well.

[@buzzerbeater3350]

'Preciate ya' dropping this video. I'm glad I still subscribe to your channel.

[@SoloPerICommenti]

So happy when you post, even if it's happening rarely. I am learning so much, thank you

[@codyeble0713]

JB is a wizard at making adjustments.. when the high pick and roll doesn't work, he runs the high pick and roll and hope it does work... Diabolical

[@jegerJuan]

I can´t get over the idea that it was a simple change by Suns defense and how bad the Cavs read this situation... I mean, I know is not the best spacing in the modern NBA, but they should be able to read the helper down low and the corner player should know when to cut baseline. In my opinion, this shows how most players works on specifics situations but that prevents them from solving in game problems. Hope to talk this further some time in the future. Keep posting great content Coach!!! Greetings from Argentina!

[@Bugzilla021]

It's crazy how that one little adjustment impacts the entire flow of the opposing team's offense. I've seen some teams in those situations opt for a small ball lineup by adding another shooter, but that obviously has its own cons as well. Excellent breakdown!

[@coachdaniel8163]

Thanks! In the Suns/Cavs game, 5 minutes into the 3rd quarter, the Cavs actually subbed Okoro out and put Sam Merrill in. So that was an adjustment they made, but obviously that weakens their defense to sub Merrill in for Okoro.

[@pavleveljkovic9756]

Coach Daniel, I know that you have a full-time job and you are fully committed to it. I wanted to remind you how much you inspire coaches around the world with educational videos that help coaches all over the world to improve and become better at understanding the game on a high level. Please don't forget that you are the passive mentor for more than 1000 coaches in the world. Thank you for everything and don't forget about us please

[@VeljkoGrujić-x9p]

The best nba channel is back!

[@StephNoh]

Thank you for the video Daniel! Always appreciate them!

[@davidyang5944]

great video this is why having a modern center like chet is so valuable

[@simonbondad7870]

4:20 travel by Darius Garland go crazy

[@captainobvious90]

I saw that as well 😂

[@tonywu3766]

Welcome back COACH. You are the GOAT！！！❤

[@buzzerbeater3350]

Coach Daniel your personal coaching story is amazing. Are you still working for the Mavericks? Can you tell us about your experience there? What are you working on now full-time?

[@yagocunha8584]

HE'S BACKKKKKKKKKK

[@KashJello]

Ive noticed this a lot woth the celtics over the years. When he was a bit younger they were fine with Horford switching onto guards (also helped when we had Smart who could handle his own against bigs in the post) But they would use Rob Williams as the free safety and it helped disrupt the opponents offense

[@ezraaugustetapsoba3511]

We need more content 😢

[@jaakanfinau6593]

Wait!? You're back!? Since X's and O's has been gaining popularity lately. I honestly thought of this channel and was a little sad that you got a job in the NBA for Mavs or something right? I'm babbling, glad you're back mate.

[@mr.bellefleur]

Damn bro where have you been the streets missed you

[@andrewsammons9643]

One of the secret reasons Philadelphia coaches and players like Tobias Harris. He does a decent job guarding centers on the perimeter and switching onto ball handling wings, allowing Embiid to play off the worst shooter and roam.

[@CleverShortHacks]

The first action of this video are secondary transition offenses. The PNR is more efficient that way, because most of the time the „bigs“ are sitting in the zone. Other examples were PNR out of set, different story.

[@systemkillerinner3]

The suns problem is the inconsistent, have probably the more flexible roster, good piece, goods 'factor x' (allen and bol bol in precise days) and good bench. If frank vogel "find the key" are seriuosly contenders

[@neuro1152]

Thank you for the insight.

[@ThePERSPECTIVEwithBK80s]

I'm a new fan of the WNBA. And I've been watching your videos for a long time. I've been following the Chicago Sky because of Angel Reese and Coach Teresa Weatherspoon. So far this they're 4 and 8. And their bench unit seems to better than their starting unit. I would like 2 know 2 things if you make a video about this. 1 what do you see that can help them win more games. And 2 what is Spoons offensive coaching philosophy because I can't figure it out. PS also Angel Reese plays for Chicago and Caitlin Clark plays for Indiana. Both teams are struggling and they have a big game coming up on Sunday so it could be a good view driver for your channel is you mention both players and do one video about both teams. And how they both can improve. Just a suggestion. Have a great day.

[@justtimes9257]

This is why the teams who do this type of defensive attack neither centers to at least punish mismatches in the post and try to get a small on them

[@Kon29]

If i'm not mistaken LA bubble did this in the finals they put AD on Jimmy so they can switch all pick and roll

[@tutorialon6522]

So for this tactic to work you need: 1) A Power Forward like Durant that can guard Centers 2) The opponent to have a undersized Power Forward so Booker can guard him 3) The small forward not making a shot even if his life depended on it =>normally not a viable option

[@michaelahurt]

You're overthinking it. You literally just need a weaker shooter. This tactic has worked every spring for the past 10 years. It's why non-shooters get played off the floor in the playoffs. Very few good teams have a PF who can't switch onto guards. Likewise very few teams have a 4 who isn't just a big SF and can actually punish smaller players in the post on a switch. (Basically just Milwaukee and New Orleans and if you can get them to play through Brook or JV instead of Dame, Giannis, Zion, Ingram and CJ that's a win for the defense)

[@ThePERSPECTIVEwithBK80s]

Can you do a video on the Chicago Sky and Coach Tspoons offense in the WNBA?

[@butch8792]

4:57 I like when players casually travel.

[@johan5705]

Love the content and a great breakdown of a modern spead PnR. However I cant accept the claim that Allen is not able to post up Booker/Grayson. Allen should be easily able to overpower any SG in the paint and if not go through him, then just hook over him in the paint. His postgame should still handle any 6'6 guard 40lbs lighter. That's suppose to be an advantage that commands help and leaves a shooter open, is it not?

[@coachdaniel8163]

Yeah, the Cavs could have done a better job of getting it to Allen inside. But it's harder than it looks, as teams will front the post and make the entry pass difficult. Also, if Allen does get say Beal on a switch, the Suns will look to try to switch-off ball to get a bigger defender on Allen to take away the post up. If that doesn't make sense check out the pinned comment, I explain it there a bit.

[@cookiedot]

crazy how this video popped up on my newsfeed and was losing 40 points to the clippers last night

[@papagavros]

The thing is that post up looks like a lost art for NBA bigs. You can't play with these match ups in Europe (of course there are less athletic players anyway). But this kind of tactics deny your big from PnR connections, no post up game and it forces a non shooter perimeter player to be exposed. Many times bigs are not even chasing the offensive rebound

[@ROCA09]

The Nuggets just used this strategy against the Lakers to win Game 2. They ran a Lebron/AD pick n roll with Jokic in drop coverage mostly in the 1st half. 2nd half the Nuggets put Jokic on Rui and had Gordon on AD in the pick n roll. The Lakers looked super confused and could not get anything going on offense. Is it common for a coach to be clueless against this strategy?

[@coachdaniel8163]

It can certainly cause confusion yes, that's one of the pros of this strategy. I will say, in that game in particular the Lakers clear fatigue in Denver (high altitude) seemed to doom their offense more than anything.

[@jhan_drums]

Vogel always been a good defensive coach

[@titouanparis9290]

Why the cavs didnt play 2 bigs with mobley and allen

[@atomsk1972]

Okc's worst 3pt shooter is shooting 34%...it's a strange new world, where that is your 'bad' option. Also, it's clear Giddey is working on it, so in a couple years I expect it will be around 40%.

[@mustafameydanc384]

What if cavs used spain p&r to force first matchups

[@nmzhoops]

celtics are the best at it. tatum takes the 5 and kristaps plays roamer. they smoked la with that by taking away the harden/zu pnr and daring mann to shoot.

[@VeteranVandal]

Why didn't the cavs coach stopped this tho?

[@nixon8950]

Hey Daniel are you still working for the mavs?

[@coachdaniel8163]

I am not no.

[@jahy1970]

The problem is no one is willing to play smart, hard defense in the NBA. Defensive schemes are fine but if you can't perform the basics, scheming is never going to work.

[@bayJBE]

I don't undetstand why teams don't use pre-switches like gsw used to performe against lebron to get curry out of mismatches

[@rs3296]

the strategy is only good for few specific plays!

[@Kairyu_Gen1]

This works until teams stop playing guys who can't shoot. It's gonna happen eventually...

[@dimelo58]

Garland gotta pass him the ball he was wide open.

[@user-my2tg4wc4r]

I didn't know they played defense.

[@JonathinKennedy]

someone show this to Monty Williams

[@doa7664]

All I feel like this video convinced me of other than the suns coach is smart is that okoro sucks lmao

[@quercus_opuntia]

Vogel finally got out of his STUPID DROP COVERAGE

[@dutchmilk]

This is not new. Just that rules changed so much, coach is unwilling to put big man on anyone smaller than them on the fear of non existing call.

[@F_Mul4]

It's nothing new, i had seen this move with different teams many times. If I play against the Suns in the playoff i would be happy to see Durant kick his ass in defense

[@glovs4188]

This is why bigmen lacking post repertoire is just stupid.

[@esw0y]

You just spread a bit more and let Allen punish KD in the paint. easy

[@Bluebirdfalling]

Sooooo......derp de derper derp

[@billma12345]

So for okc to go far in the playoffs it’s gonna come down to giddey making 3s… let’s see how it plays out

[@cndvd]

NBA sucks because they don’t know how to pass correctly to use passing to set up positions to get easy shots. But they are athletic and can shoot, but using that pick and roll all the time is pretty one dimensional, most time it doesn’t work to get an easy shot.

[@Sup_bro23]

They can’t do this against the Celtics

[@ilikemusak]

Or the nuggets

[@beebop4333]

OBSERVATION NBA and NASCAR are dead

[@theking-ss]

You are extremely inconsistent with posting on this channel

[@keir.]

he has work outside yt.