https://www.youtube.com/embed/P8H15A8JVlE?rel=0
Right off the bat you see that play this isn’t an isolation. Instead, they bring Jeremy Sochan up for a pick-and-roll, which makes things tougher for Vassell because now there’s a second defender in his immediate area to deal with. It also doesn’t help that Sochan’s screen was non-existent. Now take a look at the aforementioned McCollum play. He starts just right of center, breaking the court into a weak and strong side— plus, with this actually being an iso, he has Barlow out on an island. And because of his positioning on the court, once he gets past his defender, he’s in the paint and has options abound, opting to calmly take it himself for a layup.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/JdVTM0Q2M5g?rel=0
The trickle-down effect of merely running a pick-and-roll here is massive. Here’s what happens just by having Sochan come set a screen:
- Cody Zeller is there to bounce Vassell wide, changing his driving lane to outside the paint. It’s important to note that inches matter in the NBA, let alone feet, so when you compare where McCollum’s drive takes him vs. Vassell’s, there’s a big difference.
- With his drive being a shade closer to the corner, McCollum is now in position to dig at Vassell, stand in the passing lane to Julian Champagnie, and make a proper close out if Vassell was able to get it to the corner without having to take a step.
- The screen is set for Vassell to go left, which increases the difficulty level on making a pass for a right-handed player. Had he been able to pass it to the open Keldon Johnson, this play would’ve ended up on Vassell’s highlight reel, and nobody should draw up a play that forces a highlight-level play to be needed.
- With the lack of concern for a pass, and possibly for their man to make a shot, the weak side defenders can pack the paint. This gives the Pelicans another person to contest Vassell should he get by Zeller and somebody to cover Sochan’s roll.
Source: https://www.poundingtherock.com/2023/12 ... nsive-woes