When we talk about off-ball moves and offensive cuts in basketball, we often think of them coming from the perimeter. But I want to discuss the importance of big men running around in circles in the painting.
With the NBA’s emphasis on space and playmaking, it can be difficult to justify playing against big guys who don’t shoot. In theory, they obstruct traffic lanes and make it easier to defend offenses. However, with just a few steps in either direction, a non-shooting player can take advantage of the defense’s rotation and create scoring opportunities.
Playing on penetration involves giving options to drivers while the defense reacts. He opens passing lanes and puts rotating defenses in difficult positions as to who to leave open and which spots to occupy on drives.
For example, there should be a baseline drift to the opposite corner on baseline drives.
Another passing route that requires attention is where a player is spinning in the paint. This movement often comes from a player located at the dunker location. who reacts to his defender’s attempt to help during training. The player mainly slides around the restricted area, creating a relief valve for the driver and straight into open space.
New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein made two huge plays from outside the circle in the Knicks’ thrilling 104-101 Game 2 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The first came in the third quarter on Jalen Brunson’s shot from the slot, which picked off Hartenstein defender Paul Reed. Sixers goalkeeper Tyrese Maxey takes the pass to OG Anunoby in the corner, and Hartenstein slides into the open space between the restricted area and the dotted line for a clean look.
Hartenstein strikes again in the fourth quarter with Miles McBride. In this game, Hartenstein starts on the strong side and slides to the weak side. As Maxey stops McBride’s drive and Joel Embiid moves to protect the rim, Hartenstein circles into open space, gives McBride a pass release and scores two easy points.
Hartenstein is not the only one to benefit from the circular maneuver.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen scored multiple times on this play during the first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic. Allen is reaping the rewards of the efforts of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
The first example is in play 1. It’s not a true circle, but Allen does a good job sliding into the open space created by a drive.
After the ball tips toward the corner, Garland drives toward the middle, beating Magic guard Jalen Suggs’ fence. Teammate Jonathan Isaac helps, forcing Franz Wagner to take Isaac’s man and leaving Allen flashing between the restricted area and the dotted line. This gives Garland a perfect passing angle and Allen rinses the dunk.
The next clip from Game 2 is a classic example from Allen. Garland penetrates along the baseline, beating Paolo Banchero and forcing Isaac to leave Allen on the weakside block. Instead of staying put, Allen circles the restricted area, giving Garland an outlet. Wagner doesn’t go with Allen, which gives Allen a clean look.
This next clip is not a circling big man, but a great example of working the backline on a drive to give the offense an advantage.
In the first game against the Dallas Mavericks, LA Clippers forward Paul George is isolated on Luka Dončić on the wing. Clippers center Ivica Zubac, who is in the dunker zone on the strong side, works the baseline on the weak side while his defender, Daniel Gafford, arrives to help George.
Eventually, Gafford agrees to team up with George on the ride. Zubac leans over the smaller Kyrie Irving, seals him in the paint and gets an and-1.
Teams are too concerned about their non-shooting big man being played down the field when they are just as capable of spacing and creating scoring opportunities. It comes down to driving angles and making the right cuts at the right times.
The circles are a great fit for a big man from the dunker spot or the dotted line in the lane. It gives drivers an outlet or pulls a defender away, so they can score or hit the baseline drift. This also allows teams to find ways to keep their non-pulling rim protectors on the ground.
Hartenstein, Allen and Zubac all show how effective they can be without being able to space in the corner. As the playoffs continue, watch these big men work the paint with their moves.
(Photo by Isaiah Hartenstein and Joel Embiid: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)