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You know what, let's watch a little Nets/Blazers
Landry Shamet being more involved handling the ball has unlocked him a little bit. Like the quick decisions he's been making on the floor of late. Also like this pass+cut action for him to get a pick and roll type action without *having* to handle the ball.
Nets put two on the ball vs. Dame (because of course) and I kind of want to dive into that because Portland has the ability to create an advantage but hasn't been able to consistently take advantage of it. Also it was good reps for the Nets in case they need that coverage.
Nets trap as Dame comes off but I want to note one thing and that's Powell's cut from one corner to the other. Empties the side but also changes the rotation. Harris holds as Nurkic rolls. Advance to RC who hits Nurk and now it's a 3v2 with Powell/CJ spaced. Swing, swing open 3.
One thing with the Nets is it feels like whenever they are more active in pick and roll, weakside defense takes a hit. Dame hits Nurkic and cuts off, Green comes up to trap, weakside is late helping on the roll and Nurkic finishes easy.
(again, pass and cut is a great way to get to pick and roll without the defense knowing it's coming)
When a team puts two on the ball, the offense creates an advantage. The offense has to either *take* advantage or *extend* the advantage and Portland looks different depending on where they land.
Blazers love to go to an empty side against traps. You see the pre-rotation from Griffin on the weakside to help on the roll. Green recovers but the key is Powell attacking the closeout. Extends the advantage, forces more help, gets a dump to Nurkic.
The drives from Lillard have been the big piece for Portland to extend the advantage of having two on the ball. Turns the corner on Green which forces the weakside to hold. Finds Nurkic rolling again.
It's more process vs. results than an inability for Portland to generate looks. Nets trap Dame here (good activity from Green) and he finds Covington. It's a 4v3 now with the Nets rotating. Griffin holds on Nurkic rolling, skip to Melo, extra pass to Simons for an open 3.
Vintage Melo.
When Dame is able to give the threat of the pull-up and the drive it's tough. Jordan is up, Dame turns the corner and you see what it does to the weakside help. Harris is in the paint to help on the roll, he now has to stop the drive. Green is basically playing 3.
Kyrie Irving makes all of this look easy and it's not at all.
This is a good flip by Portland. Double drag with Nurkic/Covington screening but notice Nurkic is the first screener. Green's been trapping so out of instinct he comes up. In a double drag the first screener can't be the show. Griffin also comes up, leaves Nurkic wide open.
Process didn't change for Portland but the result did. Trap vs. Dame, Nurkic rolls. Green helps off Covington but watch the quick decision from Nurkic. Skips to Covington, extra pass to CJ, ball moved faster than the rotations.
Kyrie comes off the stagger, surveys the floor, jabs and pulls from 3 and it just flies right under the radar.
One thing about using Kyrie off the ball, makes his attacks more sudden. Defense can't load up as much.
This is the hope with Blake Griffin defensively. Be a "do you job" type of switch defender. Keep the drive in front and contest the shot.
Damian Lillard. Sheesh.
Nets just casually added Mike James and Alize Johnson to their program and that shouldn't get lost. James doing a good job of mixing scoring and playmaking, great pass here. Really nice cut from Johnson, sees Melo help, nice timing to cut backdoor for the layup.
Anfernee Simons is 13-for-20 from 3 during the Blazers three game win streak. Blazers are 20-12 this season when Anfernee Simons makes 2 or more 3's in a game. According to @nbastats Simons is shooting 53.7% on catch and shoot 3's (up from 33.6% last year).
Defense is usually the magnet with the Blazers. Possessions like these show they can do it, just no consistency. Good denial by Powell and then good job by CJ of navigating the screens. Look at the difference that makes, Kanter never has to move, never has to contain.
