The Toronto Raptors have executed some intriguing baseline out of bounds sets this year that feature a number of diverse actions. Running plays with different actions from the same setup all the way until the end is typical of playing at the next level.
Flex Action: Bismack Biyombo backscreens for Cory Joseph and pops to receive the inbounds pass from Kyle Lowry. Joseph sets a flex screen for Lowry. Biyombo passes to DeMar DeRozan in the pinch post and downscreens for Joseph. DeRozan passes it back to Joseph as Lowry and Biyombo set a staggered screen on the baseline for DeMarre Carroll. Joseph swings the ball to Carroll who attacks the basket. Joseph also could have hit Lowry after DeRozan’s pindown screen.
Everyone spaces as Carroll drives and Biyombo crashes the boards. After the defense has defended a series of actions, there is less iniative to help on the drive to the basket. BLOBs can be more than one screen or cuts and players should remain patient to run all of the actions from start to finish.
Diamond Action Action: This play is successful because the Raptors read how the defense is playing and make adjustments. The team spaces the floor well, reads the defense and cuts to the ball or the hoop when they are open. Don’t run patterns on the court but move with intent, think critically and react.
Carroll begins to use a Luis Scola screen but notices that Otto Porter is overplaying the action. Carroll rejects the screen and cuts through the paint to the opposite corner. Lowry comes through and screens for Scola. After the screen, Lowry rolls to the basket and receives a pass from DeRozan. Jonas Valančiūnas circles back to the nail and cuts to the hoop when the defense collapses on Lowry. Lowry dishes to Valančiūnas for a dunk.