The Golden State Post Split Screens
When it comes to difficult actions to guard in the NBA, the Golden State Post Split Screens are at the top of the list. This play is executed by the Golden State Warriors and involves a series of intricate movements and reads that make it nearly impossible to defend effectively.
The basic premise of the Golden State Post Split Screens is to create confusion and misdirection for the defense. It starts with the ball being passed into the post, not to score but to get the two best shooters on the team, usually Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, involved in the action. Once the ball is in the post, Curry and Thompson perform a split, with one player back-cutting towards the basket and the other player curling towards the basket or popping out for a three-pointer.
What makes this play so difficult to guard is the multitude of options that the offense has. The player with the ball in the post can choose to pass to either Curry or Thompson, depending on how the defense reacts. If the defense collapses on the player with the ball, they can kick it out to the open shooter for a three-pointer. If the defense stays with the shooters, the player with the ball can attack the basket for a layup or draw another defender and pass to an open teammate.
Defending the Golden State Post Split Screens requires exceptional communication, quick decision-making, and disciplined positioning. The defenders need to anticipate the movements of Curry and Thompson, switch and recover effectively, and be prepared to help and rotate when necessary. It is a constant battle of reading the offense, anticipating their actions, and making split-second decisions to counter their movements.
Inverted Pick and Rolls
Another challenging action to guard in the NBA is the inverted pick and roll. This play involves a bigger player, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid, setting a ball screen for a smaller player, often a guard or wing. The goal is to create mismatches and exploit the defense’s weaknesses.
Defending the inverted pick and roll requires a combination of strategies, depending on the personnel involved and their shooting abilities. If the big man setting the screen is not a great shooter, the defense can choose to go under the screen and sag off the ball handler. This allows them to protect the paint and prevent easy drives to the basket. However, if the big man is a threat from outside, the defense may choose to hedge or blitz the ball handler, applying pressure and forcing him to give up the ball or take a difficult shot.
The key to defending the inverted pick and roll is communication and coordination between the defenders involved. They need to switch and rotate effectively, cover passing lanes, and provide help defense when necessary. It requires a high basketball IQ and the ability to make quick decisions on the fly.
The Challenges of Switching and Switchable Lineups
Switching and switchable lineups have become increasingly popular in the NBA, with teams opting to switch on screens to neutralize offensive actions and keep shooters in check. While effective in certain situations, switching comes with its own set of challenges.
One of the hardest aspects of switching is navigating screens. Big men, in particular, often struggle to effectively switch onto smaller, quicker players and can easily get caught out of position. This creates opportunities for the offense to exploit mismatches and create scoring opportunities.
Another challenge with switching is what happens after the switch. Great offensive players like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have the ability to make the right reads and take advantage of the defense. They can drive to the basket, draw double teams, and find open teammates for easy baskets. Switching requires constant communication and awareness to prevent breakdowns and easy scoring opportunities for the offense.
Furthermore, teams have become creative in finding ways to exploit switching defenses. Ghost screens, where an offensive player runs into a pick and roll without actually setting a screen, can create confusion and open up scoring opportunities. Running into a pick and roll and then quickly slipping out can catch defenders off guard and create easy baskets at the rim.
Overall, the challenges of switching and defending switchable lineups lie in the ability to communicate effectively, make quick decisions, and maintain discipline on the defensive end. It requires a high basketball IQ and the ability to adapt and react to the ever-changing dynamics of the game.
Conclusion
The NBA is full of challenging actions to guard, and the Golden State Post Split Screens and inverted pick and rolls are among the most difficult. Defending these plays requires exceptional communication, quick decision-making, and disciplined positioning. Switching and switchable lineups also pose challenges, as teams look for ways to exploit mismatches and create scoring opportunities. The ability to effectively guard these actions comes down to a combination of basketball IQ, coordination, and the willingness to adapt and make quick decisions on the fly.
