Detroit Pistons replay center: Blake Griffin post-ups (part 2)

Detroit Pistons Blake Griffin. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
Detroit Pistons Blake Griffin. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons Blake Griffin. (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Closing thoughts

There are multiple factors one has to take into account when analyzing Blake Griffin post-ups. The goal is to get as good of a shot as possible. So, we have to see what kind of shots those actions generate and figure out the value of each type of shot. That way the players know what to look for and how to look for it.

The first thing you’re looking for is for Griffin to get to the rim and finish but that’s not always possible. Sometimes he’s up against a really good defender who is able to hold his own. In that case, the Pistons should be looking to get a switch running multiple screen actions for Griffin before he gets the ball.

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Most of the time the opposing team is sending multiple bodies to help. The more shooters you have on the floor the harder it is for them to help or shrink the floor. Having a good shooter and passer one pass away helps relieve the pressure. When help comes, Griffin can pass him the ball and he’ll either shoot or reverse the ball around the perimeter until the open shot is found.

Timing is key.

When they help off the corner, hammer screens are really useful if you want to get open threes. The team should focus on utilizing all kinds of off-ball screens to generate easy three’s taking advantage of Griffin’s gravity in the post. Catch-and-shoot three’s are really efficient and they alleviate Griffin’s load keeping him fresh all season.

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Hopefully, this year the Pistons will do a better job of finding shots for their good shooters. Jackson, Kennard and Tony Snell shoot catch-and-shoot three’s with an effective field goal percentage close to 60. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk could help in that department if he gets the minutes and maybe Galloway, Thon Maker, Derrick Rose and Markieff Morris will be respectable as well. I don’t really expect the same of Brown just yet but he can find other ways to be effective within the offense.

Creating spot-up situations, in general, is the main goal not only to shoot open three’s but to attack closeouts and get to your drive-and-kick game. That way you keep everybody involved and the defense always running after the ball. Ball movement is very important for team chemistry as well as efficiency.

Drummond’s position really matters because it dictates the opposing center’s position as well. Big men are the only players who can stop Griffin at the rim and taking them out of the equation goes a long way. Emphasizing Drummond’s off-ball screens is a great way of doing that.

However, there’s a trade-off because the probability of an offensive rebound drops dramatically. Playing to your opponent’s weakness is the way to go. If they have a big center like Joel Embiid you probably want him as far from the basket as possible while against a center like Vucevic you want to crush the boards. In any case, you don’t want to do too much of the same thing and become predictable.

Overall, it all comes down to Blake Griffin and how good of a leader he is. If he shows the way others will follow. If he makes the right reads and passes his teammates will be more eager to stay focused, be in the right place ready to shoot it. The system is already in place. Now they just need time to get comfortable and leadership to show them the right way.

Next. Detroit Pistons replay center: Blake Griffin Post-ups Part. 1. dark

What do you think the Pistons have to do to improve internally and what are you looking for this year? Share your thoughts in the comments. I’ll be happy to respond.