🏀 Playoff playstyles, In-depth X's and O's, Zones, Shotmaking, GG Jackson and More

Welcome to the NBA Librarian Weekly, where we curate and summarize the best NBA content of the week.

In Today's Edition:

1. Do WC Playoff Teams Play the Same?

2. Shot Quality Model v1

3. SGA a Decoy; Steph Curry clutch

4. The 2-1-2 Celtics Zone

5. The GG Jackson II Tapes 

6. Devin Booker is Breaking the Rules

7. Each team’s most productive action

Do WC Playoff Teams Play the Same?

Dropping in a bit of self-shoutout here: I took a deep dive with Center Culture's Synergy stats to really get into the nitty-gritty of how Western Conference playoff teams are running their offenses.

I wanted to see the similarities and differences and how they measure up to each other. So, I broke it all down into eight key play types:

1. Pick and Roll

2. Spot Up

3. Off Ball Screens

4. Cuts

5. Isolation

6. Post Up

7. Dribble Hand Off

8. Transition

Shot Quality Model v1

Sravan developed a basketball shot quality model called SSQM v1.0, using available NBA game data. Inspired by other basketball metrics, he wanted to create his own way to tell how good a player's shot choices are, based on where they shoot from on the court. He used the idea of comparing a player's shooting success in different areas of the court to the average success rate of all NBA players in those areas. This helps figure out if a player is doing better or worse than what's typically expected.

After applying his model to the 2023-24 NBA season, Sravan outlines the best and worst players at choosing and making their shots, based on their location. He pointed out the top shooters who add more points than expected and those who don't do as well.

There’s a TON in here including charts of the best and worst shot makers in the league and who produces the most points (and least on these shots).

SGA a Decoy; Steph Curry clutch

The article "X’s and Mo’s" by Mo Dakhil dives into the strategic nuances of NBA plays, particularly focusing on how teams use decoys and misdirection to outsmart their opponents. Here are the key points:

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a Decoy: Oklahoma City Thunder's coach, Mark Daigneault, is highlighted for his tactical acumen, particularly in a play against the Toronto Raptors where he used MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a decoy. The Thunder set up a play where the Raptors were led to believe SGA or Chet Holmgren would take the shot, but instead, Aaron Wiggins was left open for a layup due to strategic positioning and movements designed to distract and mislead Toronto's defense.

2. Steph Curry as a Late-Game Weapon: In a notable play against the Phoenix Suns, misdirection was used to free up Curry for a go-ahead three-point basket. The play involved multiple screens and movements that confused the Suns' defense, ultimately leading to Curry getting an open shot despite being the primary target of the defense.

Mo dives into even more plays like this which illustrate the "chess side of the NBA," where coaches use creative and strategic plays to exploit opponents' weaknesses and create scoring opportunities, showcasing the importance of tactical planning in basketball.

The 2-1-2 Celtics Zone

I love a good article that goes in-depth on offensive and defensive coverages.

The Boston Celtics, under Joe Mazzulla's guidance, have been experimenting with a 2-1-2 zone defense, dubbed the "2-1-2 Spy," to diversify their defensive strategies during games. The concept allows the "spy" player to oversee the floor, predicting potential threats and directing the team's defense accordingly. However, the implementation of this zone defense has been challenging, with players often appearing out of sync, hesitant, and lacking the aggressive edge typically required for an effective zone defense.

This hesitancy leads to less pressure on the ball and vulnerabilities around the perimeter, as seen in their game against the Brooklyn Nets. Despite these struggles, the Celtics view the regular season as an opportunity to refine and master this defensive setup — viewing it as a potential curveball for opponents.

The GG Jackson II Tapes 

The analysis of GG Jackson II's performance in the Memphis Grizzlies' game against the Milwaukee Bucks highlights his standout abilities and areas for growth as he progresses in his NBA career.

Jackson II showcased remarkable athleticism, demonstrating effective use of body control and finishing skills in a 2-man game, along with an impressive shooting range extending well beyond the traditional 3-point line. His adaptability in shooting mechanics against fast closeouts, ability to handle defensive pressure with agility, and defensive awareness, particularly in rotating for weakside shot blocking, underscore his potential as a versatile player.

However, the analysis also points out the need for Jackson II to diversify his driving speeds and adjust his game in response to increased attention from scouting reports, suggesting that while he has shown promising flashes, there is room for refinement and development in his game as he gains more experience in the league.

Check out the article for more detailed analysis and video breakdowns!

Devin Booker is Breaking the Rules

HoopVenue has become my favorite YouTuber at this point.

In this videos, he showcases how Devin Booker modernizes an old-school game to maintain elite efficiency in today's NBA. I've often wondered how legends like Kobe and TMac would fare in the current game (I even wrote about it here a while back), and HoopVenue does an excellent job of putting old school cool into today’s contemporary context.

Booker's significant contribution to the Suns' offense, highlighted by an improved offensive rating with him on the floor, converting over 75% at the rim and nearly 50% of his shots at mid-range with his evolving playmaking skills, mark him as a unique and effective force in a league that favors a different style of play. Ton of great content in the video!

Each team’s most productive action

Todd Whitehead has to make the best NBA graphics out there. ‘Nuff said.

Also, subscribe to the Basketball Intelligence newsletter. It's a fantastic source of inspiration for the articles and content I choose to include in mine: