2007-8 NBA Final Game 5 Analysis

I finally got around to watch the 2008 NBA Final Game 5 closely and it is amazing how bad the post offense was. I looked at each play when the post player got the basketball around the paint, and attempted to make a move. There were 20 entry in the paint, and only 7 resulted in points. Here is a breakdown of the post moves, what went wrong, and how they could have been done to get better results. I have mentioned scoring options several times in my solution section. These are ways of shooting the basketball that gives the offensive player the best chance to make the basket. Example of scoring options are jump shot, jump hook shot, conventional one-step hook shot, dunk shot, forward-step, reverse-spin shot etc. To read more about the 14 scoring options that every post player must have to be effective in the paint, click on The Scoring Options.

Gasol vs. Paul Pierce (big mismatch)

  1. Tried the spin move - does not work against a smaller quicker defense
  2. Fancy dribbling going nowhere - does not work against shorter, quicker defense
  3. Back down offense - going nowhere - does not work against stronger defense
  4. Shoot in the same direction as the dribble, thus forced to compensate by fading away (0 points)

Solution: Side Reverse Dribble move or shot fake followed by crossover or reverse-step option.

Garnett vs. Gasol

  1. Shot the basketball in the same direction as the dribble resulting in a terrible shot.
  2. Over compensate by stretching to avoid getting the shot blocked (0 points)
Solution: Set the defense up with a shot fake, then take any of the 14 scoring options.

Gasol vs Perkings

  1. Dead position, trying to create room by leaning back
  2. Back down offense - going nowhere
  3. After 4 dribbling, player is still in the same spot where he started
  4. No room to operate after the defense did not go for the first shot fake.
  5. Forced to pass the ball back to the wing. (0 points)
Solution: After the shot fake if he had a convention hook shot, he could have used it going toward the middle.

Garnett vs. Kobe

  1. Shot the basketball in the same direction as the dribble.
  2. Awkward shot made due to sheer athletic ability (2 points)

Better Solution: Shot fake to set up the defense and use any of the jump shot scoring options.

Garnett vs. Gasol

  1. Good Option: Fake one side after the dribble setting up the defense, then shot the other side using the step-out option (2 points).

Better Solution:: Good move followed by great scoring option. Powe vs. Odom

  1. Shot the basketball in the same direction as the dribble without setting up the defense (0 point).

Solution: Used the side-split move well, but he should have fake to set up the defense before using any of the jump shot scoring options.

Gasol vs. Glenn Davis

  1. Lack of decision on what to do with the ball
  2. Took to much time holding the basketball, faking and pivoting (0 points).

Solution: Use the Side Reverse Dribble move.

Gasol vs. Davis

  1. Good option used the running hook shot. (2 points)

Better Solution: The Option would have been smoother if he used the side slide with a convention hook shot.

Gasol vs. Davis

  1. Way too many fakes and pivots.
  2. Take too much time to get into the move - showing lack of decision making in the paint
  3. Invited double teaming by taking too much time to make a move (0 point)

Solution: Side Reverse Dribble Move and finish with a convention hook shot

Garnett vs. Kobe (big mismatch)

  1. One dribble and shoot in the same direction
  2. Awkward shot because defense is right on is face.
  3. Shot made due to sheer athletic ability (2 points)

Solution: Fake or pivot to set up the defense before shooting.

Gasol vs. Davis

  1. Good move and option, however, it took way to long to develop
  2. The play took 13 seconds with tons of fakes and circular unnecessary pivots. (2 points)

Better Solution: Dribble right and come back with a convention hook shot toward the middle - 2 - 4 seconds.

Gasol vs. Powe

  1. Shot the basketball in the same direction as the dribble.
  2. Took too much time to make decision in the paint (invite double team). (0 points)

Solution: Dribble middle, fake shot, then take any of the 14 scoring options.

Garnett vs. Gasol

  1. Shot the basketball in the same direction as the dribble.
  2. Over compensate with fade-away shot.
  3. Player is made the shot due to sheer athletic ability. A player with average athletic ability wouldn't make this shot (2 points)

Better Solution: Fake shot then use any of the 14 scoring options.

Gasol vs. PJ. Brown

  1. Back down offense
  2. After 3 dribbles, player was still in the same position
  3. Player tried to pivot, and lost the basketball. (0 points)

Solution: Side-split move in the middle, shot fake followed by any of the 14 scoring options like forward or crossover-step.

Garnett vs. Gasol

  1. Shot the basketball inthe same direction
  2. Player make the shot because of athletic ability - not skill required here (2 points)

Better Solution: Fake a shot, then take any of the 14 scoring options

Gasol vs. PJ. Brown

  1. Back down offense leading to turnover (0 points)

Solution: Set the defense with a dribble one way, shot fake or pivot to get a good look at the basket.

Gasol vs. PJ Brown

  1. Back down offense
  2. Finish in the same direction with jump hook shot. (2 points)

Better Solution: Shot fake followed by forward-step jump hook shot.

Odom vs. Garnet

  1. Shooting in the same direction as the dribble (0 points)

Solution: Side-split move followed by a forward-step option.

Odom vs. Powe

  1. Shot the basketball in the same direction as the dribble.
  2. Player rely too much on athletic ability

Solution: Side-split move with a shot fake followed by any of the 14 scoring options.

Throughout the whole game, I only saw two moves that I would say the player applied sound offense skills. Most of the moves were either athletic based on happen by chance. Also, the post players were very dimensional. Even when the option they were looking for was not there, they still forced it as indicated by 11 shots, shot in the same direction as the dribble.

To view last month commentary, click on the links below: Deminishing Post Players
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