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Fixing some of the Blazers' coaching issues for Dame Lillard by running plays: A Thread.
Since Terry Stotts isn't regularly running more plays for Damian Lillard than High Screen Pick and Roll, Isolation, or some random inbounds play, I'll be looking into Lillard's strengths and how to hopefully capitalize on them
Note: Drawings are original and not 100% to scale.
Note: Drawings are original and not 100% to scale.
1. Pick and Pop
This is an incredibly simple play involving using a Norman Powell OR Robert Covington screen (hence the "?") followed by the player who did end up screening popping out after Lillard is doubled for a 3 or driving lane.
CJ McCollum and Norm rotate here as well.
This is an incredibly simple play involving using a Norman Powell OR Robert Covington screen (hence the "?") followed by the player who did end up screening popping out after Lillard is doubled for a 3 or driving lane.
CJ McCollum and Norm rotate here as well.
Dame is an 88th percentile pick and roll ball handler, returning 1.03 points per possession while running PnR at a 47.8% frequency.
The problem is that spamming PnR as a 6'2 point guard inevitably leads to traps, making it harder to quickly find the roll man.
The problem is that spamming PnR as a 6'2 point guard inevitably leads to traps, making it harder to quickly find the roll man.
The Blazers have agile wings with good shooting capability in Carmelo Anthony (38.9% catch and shoot 3s), Norman Powell (40.5% C&S 3), and Robert Covington (36.4% C&S 3).
If Lillard can run PnR to an elite level, he can certainly do so with PnP.
If Lillard can run PnR to an elite level, he can certainly do so with PnP.
Given these catch and shoot options... why do the Blazers not try to capitalize off pick and pop? It's much easier to pass out of the side of a trap to a screener that pops out for a player like Lillard, and the Blazers easily have the personnel to do it.
2. Off ball curl screens for Lillard (or Powell/CJ)
This is a simple play for the main ball handler. Here, Lillard gives up the ball for CJ, and the RoCo screen causes a mismatch switch. Nurk screens the defender and grabs a pass from CJ, then passes it to Dame for an open shot.
This is a simple play for the main ball handler. Here, Lillard gives up the ball for CJ, and the RoCo screen causes a mismatch switch. Nurk screens the defender and grabs a pass from CJ, then passes it to Dame for an open shot.
This play also leaves an option for a DJJ cut, which Lillard can take advantage of with a good pass for the slasher, or even an alley-oop.
Running this play allows Lillard (or CJ/Powell if this is run for them) to conserve some energy.
Running this play allows Lillard (or CJ/Powell if this is run for them) to conserve some energy.
This is a great play because Dame and CJ are shooting 46% on catch and shoot 3s this year, while Norm himself is at 43% on C&S 3s right now.
3. Lillard "Loyola"
Another off-ball play for Lillard (he has strong off ball ability when the rare off-ball play is run) that frees him up for an open three.
It takes advantage of CJ's dribble penetration and Melo/Norm/RoCo's passing accuracy.
Another off-ball play for Lillard (he has strong off ball ability when the rare off-ball play is run) that frees him up for an open three.
It takes advantage of CJ's dribble penetration and Melo/Norm/RoCo's passing accuracy.
CJ, RoCo, and Nurk make the first moves, and if the play works out correctly, CJ gets it to Norm as soon as Dame loses the defender on the Nurk screen. With how quick Lillard is, he should be able to circle around the arc for an easy three off Norm's (or any SF's) pass.
4. Norm/CJ Trap Handoff
In a trap, this play allows Lillard to hand off the ball to a secondary ball handler. With the defense extended and the player in the corner rotating to take away weak side defense, Dame just needs to beat the defender with speed and go for a layup.
In a trap, this play allows Lillard to hand off the ball to a secondary ball handler. With the defense extended and the player in the corner rotating to take away weak side defense, Dame just needs to beat the defender with speed and go for a layup.
This play also makes sure that it's CJ's initial defender (circle with 2 in it) is the one switched onto Lillard while Lillard's defender switches onto the taller CJ. Lillard should win a footrace to catch the pass while CJ should have enough space to make the pass.
5. Punch 5 Flare Rip
Yeah, I know this is a play ran into the ground on 2K. That doesn't change that it could take advantage of Nurk's passing very well.
After Dame initially gives up the ball to the moving Nurk, the screen from a 4 (in this case, Nassir Little) frees him up.
Yeah, I know this is a play ran into the ground on 2K. That doesn't change that it could take advantage of Nurk's passing very well.
After Dame initially gives up the ball to the moving Nurk, the screen from a 4 (in this case, Nassir Little) frees him up.
Nurk has great vision, and can pass it to Dame as he gets to the other side of the arc.
CJ and Norm cutting makes it less likely that their defenders focus on Dame, and gives Dame a bounce pass option to the cutters.
CJ and Norm cutting makes it less likely that their defenders focus on Dame, and gives Dame a bounce pass option to the cutters.
6. Open Lane Drive
I'm not good at naming plays, but here's an idea to get Damian Lillard to drive and finish with his strong arm.
In the scenario that Lillard isn't trapped at halfcourt, I think this play should be an easy 2 points or at least free throws.
I'm not good at naming plays, but here's an idea to get Damian Lillard to drive and finish with his strong arm.
In the scenario that Lillard isn't trapped at halfcourt, I think this play should be an easy 2 points or at least free throws.
Here, Dame would have to bring up the ball from the left side of the court so he can drive with his right. RoCo should feign a screen that makes defender 4 want to trap, but as RoCo pops to the wing, defender 4 should follow and leave Lillard to beat his man in a foot race.
In the case the 4 falls for the feint and does trap Lillard, RoCo is wide open in the corner for a 3 from a Dame pass. This is why CJ moving slightly is important as it frees up some space. Norm rotating also takes away any chance of defender 3 coming after Lillard's drive.
As Lillard steps inside the arc, Nurkic needs to shift right slightly (not as much as shown in the not-to-scale drawing) to pull back his defender and unclog the lane for a simple lay-in from Lillard. This does seriously hinder offensive rebound opportunities, however.
Plays 4 and 6 depend on Lillard's finishing ability. He's shooting 62.3% at the cup, which is about league average and above average for a guard. His free throw rate of 36.8% is phenomenal as well, meaning he has a great chance of drawing contact as well.
I'd like to see these or similar plays to help free up Lillard so he's not trapped each play or forced to overuse pick and roll.
From my perspective, I think these plays could really help the stagnant Blazers offense and a somewhat worn out Dame.
From my perspective, I think these plays could really help the stagnant Blazers offense and a somewhat worn out Dame.
