The John Stockton-Karl Malone era of the Utah Jazz, which began when Stockton was drafted in 1984, took shape when Malone was selected in 1985, picked up speed when Stockton became the starting point guard in 1987 and was consolidated when Jerry Sloan became coach in 1988 ended in 2003, providing many lessons relevant to today’s coaches and players. Some might argue that the team’s peak – back-to-back losses in the N.B.A. Finals – exemplified how the two players were ultimately unsuccessful but they still illustrated a number of concepts that any youth coach or player.
The team definitely made the most of their talent and like the San Antonio Spurs served as a model of consistency for a decade and a half. No high school or club team can play like a professional team with two Hall of Fame players and a Hall of Fame coach but any team can put some of these simple ideas into action and experience immediate results. The Jazz paid so much attention to the process of playing basketball that the outcome was usually a win on the scoreboard.
Transition: Early Outlet and Entry Passes
The Jazz always played at a slower pace than the rest of the league but they were not averse to pushing the ball when the opportunity presented itself. The team would run in many situations and created many easy points. Keys to the Utah transition game were early outlet passes that rebounders would make to find Stockton and the point guard’s vision to make an early entry pass to get the ball to someone who could finish. Malone was often on the receiving end of the passes which enabled him to increase his scoring and free throw averages.
Early Offense: Create a Great Shot
Once the ball entered the front court, all Utah players continued to move in a cohesive fashion. Sometimes the ballhandler would pull up and hit a trailer cutting towards the basket, other times they would run an early offense before the defense could set up. The ballhandling ability of Stockton and backcourt mate Jeff Hornacek provided flexibility because both guards could initiate this action effectively.
U.C.L.A. Cut
Often the guard would pass the ball to the wing and execute a U.C.L.A. cut before setting a Flex screen. The guards were attuned to the movements of the offensive and defensive players and were prepared to adjust to the opportunities that they were given. Learn to cut to an open area and be ready to take a high percentage shot. Even if the defense takes something away, there is a counter remaining (if the ball cut is denied, a seal to the inside is present).
Flex Screen
The guards were willing to set hard screens against players of all shapes and sizes, which provided Malone with deep post position. Stockton and Hornacek set these screens not for themselves but to create high performance scoring chances for the team. Practices should train players in fundamental skills and decision-making under pressure because these athletes are integral to team success.
Back Screen
In his Hall of Fame acceptance speech, Stockton said that “[he] was never the best player on his team” (whether it was high school, Gonzaga or Utah). He accepted his role and in addition to being an elite point guard and defender, he proved to be a tenacious screener. When screens are set solidly, not only is the player using the screen more open but the screener has a positional advantage as they roll to the hoop.
Read and React
These plays were incredibly familiar to teams in the league but the awareness of Utah’s players permitted adjustments that seemed inspired, although they were mostly the result of dedicated practice, critical thinking and communication. Like the Spurs, the Jazz did not focus on running a particular play but rather developing their shots from good to great.Any team can learn to cut backdoor to the net if an opponent is overplaying a specific option.
Screen and Roll: Execute the Details
In the 1980s and 1990s, the Jazz were synonymous with the ball screen, especially the side screen and roll involving Stockton and Malone. Utah’s relative offensive efficiency was higher (+6.56 in the fours years between when they added Hornacek in 1994 and their last appearance in the Finals) during their run than San Antonio’s in recent years (+4.23 in past three years). The N.B.A. is still a pick and roll league and there are little things that increase the efficiency of the action which any team can master.
Space the Floor
Efficient shooters enable teams to space the floor. Hornacek was a career 40.3% three-point shooter and his move to Utah resulted in a 5.7 point increase in offensive rating. Even classic sets, like Mike Fratello’s Circle Play were effective because of all of the threats on the floor and the team’s willingness to move the ball. This play starts with a Stockton-Malone pick and roll as Hornacek cuts through and uses a staggered screen and following a ball reversal becomes a post isolation for the Mailman.
Read the Defense
Ballhandler: Stockton made numerous decisions with the ball and kept his dribble alive in order to make plays. Young players should dribble with their head up and take a moment to read the defense as they are using the screen. In this example, the screen is set late in the shot clock and the defense attempts to close the paint. Stockton rejects the screen, beating two defenders at once and engaging the rim defender. Two passes later, there is an open corner three-pointer.
Gregg Popovich recently said: “You want to penetrate not just for you, but for a teammate. Penetrating because I want to make things happen. It could be for me. It could be for a teammate. It could be for the pass after the pass I make. As people start to realize that, then you get a flow and people start playing basketball rather than just running the play that’s called or making up their minds ahead of time.”
Screener: Malone changed up his actions too, generating dozens of permutations of the same side ball screen. He might pick and pop or roll to the hoop since he possessed the tools (a smooth jumper and the strength to finish in traffic) to do so. Below, he notices how the feet of his defender are above his own so he slips the screen and cuts immediately to the hoop.
Late in the Shot Clock: Work for the Entire Possession
When Utah made the Finals in 1997 and 1998, the team was capable of scoring early in a possession if the opportunity presented itself but they employed a very deliberate pace. The Jazz were able to score as the shot clock wound down by taking good shots and getting to the free throw line. They were first in offensive efficiency, first in free throw rate, first and third in effective field goal percentage and held a respectable offensive rebounding rate.
Persistence
The Jazz never stopped playing. Malone was renowned for physical screens; his exemplary physical condition enabled him to play defense, sprint in transition, post up, set tough screens and crash the boards. Rolling to the basket is an excellent time to find a gap to rebound (especially on the weak side if the ballhandler is finishing at the rim).
Attack the Rim
In almost every offense, the no charge circle is the highest percentage scoring area on the floor. Teams should not force ill-advised shots or commit foolish turnovers but they should get the ball into that area as often as possible. A team that hesitates against an aggressive defense may leave the ballhandler alone. The Jazz were always decisive with their cuts and passes: there rarely any delay in terms of movement. Below, Malone sees that the defense is attempting to “ice” the screen and make a decision to roll into an open space for a quick pass. Stockton doesn’t wait for the trap to arrive and moves the ball as the defenders are in motion.