Detroit Pistons replay center: Blake Griffin post ups

The High Cross Screen

The cross screen was virtually the sole action the Pistons used when Griffin’s number was called. Of course, Griffin used variations of other plays to get himself on the low block but more on that later.

The cross screen is basically an action where the screener crosses to the opposite side of the floor (either the high post or the low post) and sets a screen, either diagonal or perpendicular (screener faces the sideline) to the baseline.

Post up players have been using this set since the dawn of time and Griffin is no exception.

The concept is quite simple. Instead of having the player fight for position on the block, a simple screen close to the basket is used to free the player momentarily.

Dario Saric gets caught up in the screen and Ben Simmons has to help him and eventually switch onto Griffin.

The problem is that the help defender is often significantly smaller than Griffin. Most teams don’t have guards like Simmons. That means they can’t switch the screen and kill the action. They have to tag Griffin long enough for his defender to recover.

Here, James Ennis has to tag Griffin but can’t do so without fouling.

Griffin got a lot of fouls out of those actions. A lot.

And that’s the beauty of the cross screen. It’s set so close to the basket that the screener’s defender has to help. Otherwise, you get outcomes like this.

Khris Middleton doesn’t tag Griffin long enough for Giannis Antetokounmpo to go over the screen and recover, which gives Griffin room to finish a lob. Same here.

Ok, so the small guy helps the big guy and they manage to defend, right? Of course not.

Now, the small guy is out of position and this happens. Bullock gets an open three.

Or in a different variation, the screener gets a pin down for a 3-pointer.

For clarification purposes, a pin down is basically a screen where the screener is facing the baseline.