21 Series -- Double Drag It's the first two plays of the second half, here. This is the play series I believe we will see much more of. When coaches start a half running a play multiple times, it's a good bet the play is a major part of the playbook. This is 21-Series, which is a package of plays, not just one play. (history: MDA invented it. It is now also known as Pistol.) It is a series of plays run when the 2 is in the corner and the 1 brings the ball to him for a DHO or passes it forward to him. It doesn't always involve the 1 providing a pick (like in the video above), but can involve 1 going "Thru" instead, or 1 passing but staying out front. The gist is the 1 brings it up and gives up the ball to the 2 in the corner --------------------------------------------------------- 21-Series (Pistol) Double Drag as in video above Harden (the 2) runs ahead to corner Paul (the 1) brings the ball up to him for a DHO or short pass Harden gets two picks (one by Paul and one by Capela) Capela drags to the rim with Harden Paul pops out, but is also available for an early pass back by Harden to run a sideline PnR with Capela, should defense overplay (ICE) Harden/Capela Strong-Side Attacks This is a three-man game, so aside from open shooters on the weakside (the first play in video), here are the strongside options Primary attack is Harden uses double picks to shoot or take it all the way (we saw Gordon do this a lot last year), Harden is better Primary attack #2 is Capela at the rim Secondary attacks cover when Harden / Capela PnR is overplayed (likely using ICE Defense), so Harden can pass back to Paul for a sideline PnR with Capela, as Capela can set up PnR for either guard
btw: wonder how long it will take for this thread to turn into a Melo thread. So far, every thread from last night has, it seems. And most of them have nothing to do with Melo, like...non
Do you think we will see them go into a 1-4 PnP after the ball has been swung back to Paul (like in the second play)?
Yep, with Capela camped at the rim, and Harden taking Ariza's corner position, with Ariza taking the vacated 4 spot above the Arc or clearing to the other corner. Also, Paul can drive on that kickback with Capela at the rim. And as mentioned above, if the defense ICEs the play (preventing drives and drags), they can convert to an immediate pass back to Paul for a sideline PnR, scrubbing the Drag. I think we'll see that more. This is just one play out of the series package. We'll see Paul going thru, also. Or fake a DHO for a keeper. As well as only Capela (or a shooter) giving the 2 a pick, with the 1 remaining out front, allowing a sharper cut to rim by Harden, with Paul's man unable to leave Paul to help. If the 4 gives the single pick, then he pops to the corner that Harden left.
Good play to have Paul bring the ball up (which he is better at) but have Harden attack (which he is better at)
And note, that is often the case for many teams. You are describing the characteristics of a 1 vs a 2; hence, why MDA likely said to himself one day in the '90s, "Ah, ha, I bet I can design a series of plays around those two positions, and I'll call it 21-Series."
5-Out Motion (GSW style) I'm not really hoping for too much of this. It's easy when you're playing against the Sharks, I'm sure. What we'd really like to see is a weakside down-pick by Ariza for this to qualify of sustainable Motion. Imagine EGo coming around a weakside pick by Ariza, like Curry does....with Ariza taking the corner spot. Then EGo getting another pick by Harden, which instead, can convert to a DHO to Harden, if EGo's man plays too tight. Anyhoo, we get flirted with this each year, maybe we can actually do it well. Capela looks interested in doing those DHO picks, and Nene surely is good at it.
