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Posted on 2/12/21 at 8:59 am to TigerinATL
7. Uh oh, Zion is diversifying
When I asked Brandon Ingram earlier this season whether we might see him screen for Williamson, he shook his head and flashed a knowing grin. They were practicing it, and Ingram had seen how effective it could be -- Williamson as switch-proof mega-ball-handler, trampling panicked defenders.
Over the season's first month, New Orleans set only two ball screens per 100 possessions for Williamson, according to Second Spectrum. That number has quadrupled over the Pelicans' past eight games, and the adjustment has unlocked Williamson's playmaking; he's slinging five assists per game in that span, double his career average.
The obvious counter is to duck screens and dare Williamson to hoist. Easier said than done. Big men are less accustomed to guarding ball handlers on the pick-and-roll. Williamson can outrace defenders around the pick; provide him a runway, and you're toast.
Stan Van Gundy is mixing up who screens for Williamson, and where, and what that person does after setting the pick.
Eric Bledsoe -- shooting an unsustainable 40% from deep -- ditches that screen before setting it. That sews confusion for Bledsoe's defender -- Devonte' Graham. Should he wall off Williamson's drive -- and risk leaving Bledsoe open? Should he abandon Williamson to patrol Bledsoe? Switching risks immense bodily harm.
JJ Redick is a natural screener for Williamson; defenders are paranoid about leaving Redick -- limiting how much they can help on Williamson's drives:
The Pacers switch, but that gifts Williamson a mismatch. Help swarms, Redick feasts.
Williamson's promise as a playmaker was that he could distribute out of any scenario: from the post; on isolations up top in the mold of Giannis Antetokounmpo; rampaging in transition; and via either half of the pick-and-roll. That version of Williamson reorders New Orleans' pecking order so no one else is overtaxed. Lonzo Ball becomes a pure spot-up ball mover; he's up to 37% from deep.
It's not a coincidence New Orleans went on a season-saving win streak as Williamson engaged playmaking destructo mode.
Note: I don’t pay for ESPN+, Verizon offers it free to customers along with Disney+ and Hulu.
When I asked Brandon Ingram earlier this season whether we might see him screen for Williamson, he shook his head and flashed a knowing grin. They were practicing it, and Ingram had seen how effective it could be -- Williamson as switch-proof mega-ball-handler, trampling panicked defenders.
Over the season's first month, New Orleans set only two ball screens per 100 possessions for Williamson, according to Second Spectrum. That number has quadrupled over the Pelicans' past eight games, and the adjustment has unlocked Williamson's playmaking; he's slinging five assists per game in that span, double his career average.
The obvious counter is to duck screens and dare Williamson to hoist. Easier said than done. Big men are less accustomed to guarding ball handlers on the pick-and-roll. Williamson can outrace defenders around the pick; provide him a runway, and you're toast.
Stan Van Gundy is mixing up who screens for Williamson, and where, and what that person does after setting the pick.
Eric Bledsoe -- shooting an unsustainable 40% from deep -- ditches that screen before setting it. That sews confusion for Bledsoe's defender -- Devonte' Graham. Should he wall off Williamson's drive -- and risk leaving Bledsoe open? Should he abandon Williamson to patrol Bledsoe? Switching risks immense bodily harm.
JJ Redick is a natural screener for Williamson; defenders are paranoid about leaving Redick -- limiting how much they can help on Williamson's drives:
The Pacers switch, but that gifts Williamson a mismatch. Help swarms, Redick feasts.
Williamson's promise as a playmaker was that he could distribute out of any scenario: from the post; on isolations up top in the mold of Giannis Antetokounmpo; rampaging in transition; and via either half of the pick-and-roll. That version of Williamson reorders New Orleans' pecking order so no one else is overtaxed. Lonzo Ball becomes a pure spot-up ball mover; he's up to 37% from deep.
It's not a coincidence New Orleans went on a season-saving win streak as Williamson engaged playmaking destructo mode.
Note: I don’t pay for ESPN+, Verizon offers it free to customers along with Disney+ and Hulu.
This post was edited on 2/12/21 at 9:02 am
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