Daily NBA X&O Recap for Coaches: Kings at Heat - Some Good Options in Transition
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Time to read 5 min
The Kings are good this season against all odds. On the paper, everybody else was supposed to be better, but that`s the thing about this game...It is not played on the paper.
Kings took a win on the road against the Heat by 123 - 113. And how they won? By running. In the first 15 minutes of action, the Kings already had 15 points scored in transition. And it was not all about running. They read the floor, they saw all of the switches, and took the advantage of the matchups.
Here is a breakdown of one of these transition plays:
Every good transition offense starts with a good rebound and with running the floor the right way. Cauley Stein caught the ball and everybody else started doing the right thing. Bjelica and Hield went away from the ball and opened a baseline, Fox stayed on the free throw line to pick up the ball, and Shumpert glided backward just to give another first pass option.
Fox was the one to receive the first pass, and Shump started running along the right sideline.
Hield was open for the next pass and here we see that Bjelica is in front of him and that there is a player that is already prepared for defense. Caulie Stein took the middle of the court rut as a trailer. Because of the defense, this is not a primary counter-attack and there are no easy points opportunities. Nevertheless, because of the good and fast running, we will have a defense that is not positioned in the best way in terms of matchups.
In the left corner, we have Dragic as a Point Guard guarding Bjelica who is a Power Forward, and on the other side, we have Olyniyc as a Center defending Shumpert who plays Shooting Guard.
The first idea was to give the ball to Bjelica on the low post, but Dragic is playing a good defense by putting his body in front of Nemanja. If he stayed behind him it would be easy to make an entry pass inside the paint. This way, the only option is a lob pass that is not as secure as the better option, and the other factor that increases the danger of turning the ball is the good positioning of Whiteside. The decision is to get the ball to the other side to Shumpert.
As Shumpert received the ball new offensive opportunities occurred.
1. The lob bass to Bjelica which is now more secure than the first one
2. Drive the right side and try to outrun Kelly, drive the left side with the same idea, or play pick and roll with Caulie Stein.
As he swings the ball for a pass, Olyniyc jumps! The obvious occurs next. Shumpert chose to penetrate the left side.
As he passed by Kelly, Whiteside had to close that lane and Caulie Stein was alone under the rim.
This action is showing us all the benefits of running the floor. Even though the team did not score easy points right away, they had some good options to make some good plays, they were patient, they recognized what they needed to do and it ultimately led to some easy points.
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In conclusion, the Kings' victory against the Heat exemplified the essence of basketball - a game not played on paper, but on the court where strategies come to life. Their success was rooted in their exceptional transition play, garnering an impressive 15 points in the first 15 minutes. Beyond speed, the Kings demonstrated an astute basketball IQ, capitalizing on defensive switches and exploiting advantageous matchups.
The breakdown of a specific transition play highlighted the team's adaptability and decision-making prowess. Despite initial defensive resistance, the Kings showcased their ability to create opportunities. The strategic positioning of players like Hield, Bjelica, and Caulie Stein forced the Heat's defense into suboptimal matchups, revealing the Kings' tactical edge.
This victory serves as a testament to the Kings' resilience and proficiency this season, defying preseason expectations. It emphasizes that success in the NBA hinges on more than just talent on paper; it requires execution, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the game's intricacies. As they continue to excel against all odds, the Kings serve as a reminder that true basketball mastery thrives on the hardwood, not in theoretical projections.
The Sacramento Kings have defied expectations this season with their impressive performance on the court. Despite predictions favoring other teams, the Kings have proven that success in basketball isn't determined on paper.
In a recent matchup against the Miami Heat, the Kings secured a notable victory with a final score of 123-113. Their key to success? Transition play. Within the first 15 minutes of the game, the Kings managed to score an impressive 15 points through swift transitions. It wasn't merely about speed; they displayed excellent court vision, capitalizing on defensive switches and favorable matchups.
One particular transition play exemplifies their tactical prowess. Hield found himself open for the next pass, with Bjelica and a defensive player in close proximity. Cauley-Stein positioned himself centrally, ready to support the play. Despite facing a prepared defense, this wasn't the primary counter-attack, and easy points weren't guaranteed. Nonetheless, their swift pace disrupted the opponent's defensive setup, creating advantageous matchups.
In this scenario, Dragic, a Point Guard, was tasked with guarding Bjelica, a Power
Forward, in the left corner. On the opposite side, Olynyk, a Center, defended Shumpert, a Shooting Guard. The initial plan was to feed the ball to Bjelica in the low post, but Dragic's solid defense prevented an easy entry pass. Instead, a lob pass, though riskier, was attempted due to Whiteside's well-positioned defense. Ultimately, the decision was made to redirect the ball to Shumpert on the other side.
Once Shumpert received the ball, new offensive options presented themselves:
Execute a more secure lob pass to Bjelica in the low post.Drive towards the right, attempting to outpace Kelly, or do the same on the left side. Alternatively, initiate a pick-and-roll play with Cauley-Stein.
The Kings' ability to adapt and make split-second decisions in transition plays played a pivotal role in their victory against the Heat, showcasing their strategic acumen on the court.
