NBA Daily X&O Recap for Coaches: Lakers at Trail Blazers - Do not make these mistakes while defending a Pick and Roll action

Written by: Chris Hungerford

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Time to read 5 min

We all knew at the beginning of this season that the Lakers are not going to be a good basketball team, just very interesting to follow. It all went very fast from rebuilding a Championship team to a Space Jam 2 casting, so it is very obvious: Lakers are a group of characters rather then a basketball team.


Nevertheless, they were able to beat Portland 114 - 110 even though they had issues playing defense. Let's see the mistakes they made when defending one of the pick and rolls in this particular game.

Pick and roll action after hand off

The action started with the hand-off between the guards, while the big man prepared to set up the screen. I see here two questionable decisions by the defense: 1. Ivica Zubac is standing far from the screen (yellow pointer). 2. No communication between the defenders guarding players involved in hand-off action. While the player guarding the primary ball handler is on his man, the other one is waiting for the switch.


Level of the screen and the mistake made by big man

As the action continues, still we have Zubac too low beneath the level of the screen and the on ball defender dying on the screen and going under it as the direct consequence of Ivica`s bad positioning.


And this is the main picture. Player with the ball took a jump shot while the two players in yellow went to block him because of the bad defense. Instead of taking the shot, he passed the ball to the rolling big man.


The right way to defend this kind of screen: 1. Ivica should be at least stand at the level of the screen (I prefer hard hedge) 2. Guard going over the screen and reconnecting with the ball handler.


Options for a shot

In the end, we have a big man in the center of the paint with the ball in his hands. He can finish, he can chose option 1 or 2 for a pass.

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defending a Pick and Roll action

defending a Pick and Roll action

defending a Pick and Roll action

Introduction:

In this in-depth analysis, we turn our attention to the recent clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers, with a specific focus on defensive execution in Pick and Roll situations. Coaches understand that defending the Pick and Roll is a cornerstone of any successful defense in modern basketball. In this matchup, both teams exhibited key errors in their approach, shedding light on crucial lessons for coaches striving to improve their team's defensive prowess. In this recap, we will dissect these missteps, offering essential insights on what not to do when faced with the Pick and Roll.

Body:

The Lakers' Defensive Challenges:

The Lakers, renowned for their defensive tenacity, faced unexpected hurdles in their Pick and Roll defense. One glaring issue was the failure to effectively communicate and coordinate between the defending players involved in the play. This lack of cohesion allowed the offensive team to exploit gaps and create scoring opportunities. Additionally, there were instances where defenders committed prematurely, leaving them vulnerable to smart reads and quick decisions from the ball-handler.

Trail Blazers' Offensive Mastery:

On the other end, the Trail Blazers exhibited a masterful understanding of how to exploit Pick and Roll situations. Their ball-handlers exhibited patience and poise, waiting for the defense to make a mistake before capitalizing on the opening. This astute decision-making put immense pressure on the Lakers' defenders and often resulted in high-percentage scoring opportunities.

Key Takeaways for Coaches:

  1. Prioritize Communication: Stress the importance of clear and constant communication among defenders. Solid Pick and Roll defense relies on players working in unison to switch, hedge, or recover effectively.

  2. Avoid Premature Commitment: Teach your players to be patient and avoid committing too early. Proper timing and reading the play are crucial in thwarting Pick and Roll attempts.

  3. Anticipate Offensive Reads: Prepare your defenders to anticipate the offensive player's reads and reactions. By understanding common offensive strategies, your team can better position themselves to counteract them.

Conclusion:

The Lakers vs. Trail Blazers matchup serves as a valuable learning opportunity for coaches and players alike. Effective Pick and Roll defense is a cornerstone of a successful basketball team, and the mistakes observed in this game underscore the need for continuous refinement of defensive strategies. By emphasizing communication, discouraging premature commitment, and honing the ability to anticipate offensive reads, coaches can equip their teams with the tools needed to excel in one of the game's most critical aspects. The Lakers vs. Trail Blazers matchup serves as a valuable learning opportunity for coaches and players alike. Effective Pick and Roll defense is a cornerstone of a successful basketball team, and the mistakes observed in this game underscore the need for continuous refinement of defensive strategies. By emphasizing communication, discouraging premature commitment, and honing the ability to anticipate offensive reads, coaches can equip their teams with the tools needed to excel in one of the game's most critical aspects. The Lakers vs. Trail Blazers matchup serves as a valuable learning opportunity for coaches and players alike. Effective Pick and Roll defense is a cornerstone of a successful basketball team, and the mistakes observed in this game underscore the need for continuous refinement of defensive strategies. By emphasizing communication, discouraging premature commitment, and honing the ability to anticipate offensive reads, coaches can equip their teams with the tools needed to excel in one of the game's most critical aspects. The Lakers vs. Trail Blazers matchup serves as a valuable learning opportunity for coaches and players alike. Effective Pick and Roll defense is a cornerstone of a successful basketball team, and the mistakes observed in this game underscore the need for continuous refinement of defensive strategies. By emphasizing communication, discouraging premature commitment, and honing the ability to anticipate offensive reads, coaches can equip their teams with the tools needed to excel in one of the game's most critical aspects. The Lakers vs. Trail Blazers matchup serves as a valuable learning opportunity for coaches and players alike. Effective Pick and Roll defense is a cornerstone of a successful basketball team, and the mistakes observed in this game underscore the need for continuous refinement of defensive strategies. By emphasizing communication, discouraging premature commitment, and honing the ability to anticipate offensive reads, coaches can equip their teams with the tools needed to excel in one of the game's most critical aspects.


 

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