The Milwaukee Bucks were ranked 3rd in the NBA in ball screen defense. They allowed only 0.825 Points Per Possession (PPP) largely due to their drop coverage. The Bucks use analytics more than most teams in the NBA and have said the toughest shot to consistently make is a contested mid-range jumper. So in their drop coverage, the on-ball defender will always go over the screen, while the screener defender will always “drop,” or stay within 10 feet of the basket. By defending ball screens in this manner, they are protecting the 3-point line and the rim, only allowing contested mid-range jump shots. Here is a clip featuring several drop coverages.
Damian Lillard Ball Screens
Before the NBA suspended play this season, Damian Lillard was leading the league in Points Per Possession (PPP) coming off ball screens. He averaged 1.138 PPP, while the next best in the league was 1.087 PPP (Chris Paul and Giannis Antetokounmpo). Notice how he reads and probes the situation and acts accordingly. Here are a few ways Damian Lillard attacked ball screens.
Florida "Short Roll" Ball Screen
In the 2007 National Championship, the Florida Gators dominated the paint with Joakim Noah and Al Horford. However, they found success utilizing a “short roll” in their ball screen offense when Ohio State did not come out to defend the perimeter. Al Horford scored 10 of his 18 points in this action and proved to be the difference maker to claim back-to-back championships. Here is video featuring four of these actions.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Ball Screen Offense (NBA Playoffs Games 1 & 2 vs. Toronto)
(Video clips below)
In the first two games of the series between Milwaukee and Toronto in the NBA Playoffs, Giannis Antetokounmpo has only been used in 32.5% of the Bucks ball screen offense. As a team, Milwaukee is averaging 0.93 PPP in their ball screen offense. I'm curious as to why Jason Kidd doesn't use The Greek Freak more often as he is averaging 1.38 PPP in ball screen situations.
As I watch film of games 1 & 2, Toronto struggles with match-ups and how to guard Giannis. When he is the ball handler, the Bucks typically have a guard (Brogdon or Dellavedova) setting the screen. Because of Giannis' length and the ability to pick and pop, defenses are unsure how to guard. In the clips below you can see Giannis take advantage of these matchups. When the defense tries to switch, he hesitates and attacks the rim. When they try to "ice" the ball screen, he is too fast for the big to contain on the sideline. If they sit back and guard the paint, he has a great mid-range game to pull up.
The Bucks also do a terrific job of spacing the floor when Giannis is the screener. Again, defenses must honor the guard attacking the rim, but this allows Giannis to find a window in the paint. Khris Middleton is always spacing the floor and taking his defender with him. With his shooting ability from outside, the defense is forced to make a choice - guard the 3 or help on the roll man.
For was well as the Bucks execute their ball screen offense with The Greek Freak, I'd like to see them do it more often the rest of the playoffs. Giannis' ability to exploit match-ups in the ball screen is incredible and could be the difference maker the rest of the way. I'm interested to see if Jason Kidd makes this adjustment because I don't see the Raptors being able to consistently guard this action.
Iowa "Thumbs Up"
This play was executed at the end of the Iowa vs. Minnesota game from 2/14/16. This is a simple set that requires the defense to make a decision on how to guard the back screen. Minnesota does not switch or hedge, which opens up a wide open dunk for Iowa to seal the game. Please take a look at the clip and FastModel diagram below.