[Video Playbook] Thru Dribble Flare

This is the first installment of what hopefully might be several videos of D'Antoni's playbook.

Thru Series -- Thru Dribble Flare

This play was the first one of the game 2016.10.11 HOU v NOP. As we know, coaches love to start the game and much of the 1st Q showcasing their playbook. So we can expect to see more versions of this play, with different options, in the future.

The primary action is:

1. Harden passes to a wing (Ariza) and cuts "Thru"
2. Ball is centered to the 4 (Anderson) as Harden curls around a screen on weakside
3. Ryno does a hard "Dribble" handoff to Harden
4. Wing gets a "Flare" screen from the 5 (Nene) for a corner 3

The options:

1. Ryno can just shoot or find Nene down low as Harden goes thru
2. Harden can take the handoff and attack
3. After flare pass, Ariza and Nene can convert to side PnR. (This is what happened.)

As we see, Ariza chose not to shoot, but since defender closed well, he can't also set up PnR defense very well. Arize/Nene immediately attack the poorly set up ICE defense. Nene slips the screen and Ariza goes baseline to deliver a pocket pass.

We could say the play look too choreographed and the ending options were messy, but (imo) it showed its power.

Cheers

(Next up, a very cool ATO Play that we ran twice in a row with two versions.)

 

Thru Series -- Thru Dribble Flare #2

1. Gordon sees an opening to the basket, so doesn't downscreen for Harden,
2. and the flare never happens (as 3 men end up weakside, and Dekker looks somewhat confused why Gordon came over).
3. But Harden curls around Gordon's man nonetheless and gets the dribble handoff and attacks. (See Option #2 in OP.)
4. This turns into a nice roll to the basket from Montrezl, with Gordon cleared out.

Stay alert defense. It's not always how it looks in the playbook.

 

btw: The guy who broke up Harrell's alley-oop is 7'2 (Ajinka); otherwise, that's a slam.

 

Thru Double Drag

This is a favorite of Durant, to get him in the middle.

It looks well defended by NOP, as they switch everything. But notice Harrell (#5) could have sealed #24 rather than continuing to rim, because the defender gets above him. If Nene or DMo seal that guy for a post entry to their right hand ... it's over.

Primary Action:

1. Ennis pass to wing (Gordon) and runs thru, picking for Dekker on the way.
2. Dekker and Harrell line up for staggered screens for EGo (Double Drag)
3. Harrell drags and Dekker fades to 3pter (imagine if that is Ryno)
4. Ennis then offers a downscreen for Brewer and goes to the corner (Imagine if that is Harden in the corner, help can't leave him to help on EGo's drive)
5. After all those options against the full switch (Harrell/Nene for a seal, Dekker/Ryno setting up for a 3, Brewer/Ariza getting a downscreen, and Ennis/Harden in the corner), Gordon ends up with ISO for a drive to the rim.

 

[Welp] -- Thru Double Drag (Wiltjer Fail)

D'Antoni subs Wiltjer in for Dekker and Ryno in for Harrell and runs the identical play as in above post.

1. Poor Wiltjer gets confused and forgets to set a staggered screen with Anderson. Just spins around at the nail looking for someone to pick for.
2. Dude...no one sets picks at the Nail. That's where help defenders stand.
3. Not on the Same Page. Reminds me of pick-up game guys who just set random picks everywhere, expecting a thank you. I count three by Wiltjer...when we wanted just one then get your ass on the 3 line.
4. McDaniels has wtf moment like "Where's my second screener!??"
5. So sad.