Removing practice restrictions isn’t going to change our dribble in-kick out-low motion-infrequent screen offense. It might make our defense better. It might help us kick out the ball better.
Jose and Devoe are our two best ball handlers, and two of our best shooters. Devoe dribbling in to kick out takes our best shooter out of the play.
To be clear, what I’m talking about is what looks like our main offensive play:
- Team moves in transition to set up in a 4 out formation
- Ball handler is usually Jose or Devoe
- Ball handler tries to penetrate, pulling multiple defenders in
- If the ball handler is unguarded (rarely happens), just go for the basket
- If the ball handler has an easy shot (rarely happens), take it
- Ball handler kicks the ball out to an open shooter
Our offense keeps coming apart a the “kick the ball to an open shooter” step.
Here’s one reason why: Jose dribbling in has the following offensive options
- Clear path to the basket (did not happen against Mercer or State)
- Beats multiple defenders on the dribble (did not happen against Mercer or State—he got swarmed)
- Step back shot (did this a good bit—had lots of hands up between him and the basket—low percentage shot)
- Pass to an open shooter
- Devoe is the one high percentage outside shooter we have. The other team just has to make sure he’s guarded too. Two defenders can cover Jose, one can cover Devoe, and one can cover the rest (not as crazy as it sounds)
- Literally, the opposing coach can tell his defenders, even in a zone, to make sure that the nearest player makes sure Jose and Devoe stay guarded unless they completely take themselves out of the play
- Pass to the center, near the low post.
- If the center has cleared the area to leave room for Jose, then this isn’t an option
- The defenders are usually between Jose and the basket, on either side. They’re also between Jose and the center (usually Moses). This is usually a tough pass.
- Put the ball near the basket, and rebound (we haven’t been great at offensive rebounds)
- Pass to the 3 or 4 (Bubba/Usher/someone else).
- One or both of these players sometimes set up near the baseline or far enough down the arc that they’re hard to pass to
- They aren't high-percentage outside shooters
- This, and attempts to pass to Devoe, are one of the areas we’re seeing turnovers.
Devoe isn’t as talented a ball handler as Jose, and like I mentioned earlier, Devoe playing dribble and dish takes your best shooter out of the offense. If you have three other great shooters, that’s not a big deal, but we don’t have three other great shooters.
There are some things your center can do to occupy a defender or make space, but as things are happening now, we’re taking a bunch of defended mid-range shots.