when a play is called for a final possession of the half...

I am assuming you meant FIRST half, since you didn't say game.Who is the coach here or who put the team together or who is the offensive coach?

NEVER EVER EVER argue in front of everyone. Say it lowly: "Hey, dude... I think we can do blah..."

If the coach doesn't listen, STILL follow his call. NEVER discuss it again or it will tear your team apart. Say, are you hiring coaches?

To answer your question, I'd do what the coach suggests FIRST.

 

The play is supposed to get you an open shot, but not only that, it's designed to get it to the right player with the right matchup. I'd always run the play.

If you do something else the other team may counter your move and you will have no options because eveyone is free lancing.

I would take the Horry shot as an example. The play was deigned for ginobli in the corner. He was doubled, so he knew where everyone was. He got the ball to Horry for a shot. If it was a freelance play and he got doubled who knows where Robert Horry would be. And how would ginobli find him.

I think you should always run the play and if it doesn't work, you can still chuck and duck.

 

But doesn't that also fit the second option of doing something else if there is an open shot. The play may not have been designed to get Horry an open shot, but it was there so they took it.

If you're running a play and you see your center standing under the basket with nobody within 10 ft. wouldn't it be a good idea to get him the ball?

Really it comes down to the situation, how wide open is the shot and from how far? If it's a high percentage shot then take it.

 

"We're gunna run the picket fence at 'em."

Works every time.

 

As long as you don't get caught watching the paint dry.

 

If he is wide open under the basket because of the play, then it's all good, because that is who you wanted under the basket. But if you didn't run a play, you have a dangerous situation, because now the other team decided to leave that player open..you didn't.. which is different... and that makes you wonder why they did it. Did they goof up? Or did they leave him there intentionally?

I think it's a subtle difference. You can either hope your player gets it to the right person in the right spot (free lancing), or you can guarantee it by running a play.

 

It kind of depends on where you are playing. A junior high team I was coaching played a team that only had one clock in their gym (on the wall at half court). With all the screaming parents it was almost impossible to run a play for the last shot of the half.

 

Yes, always "attempt" to run the play, as the poll choice suggested.

If you're running the play and the defense has it stopped, be prepared to improvise. But attempt the play, for sure.