Jurmala/Fenikss Help defense

     In Baltic Basketball league matchup between Jurmala/Fenikss and BK Jekabpils, Jurmala made a blow out and beated Jekabpils by 23 points. Defense chosen by Jurmala head coach Arnis Vecvagars, was risky, but payed off very well. Instead of playing aggressive basketball on all five offensive players, they chose to help from non-shooters, to help against drives and post up missmatches.

     BK Jekabpils is missing their shooter K. Miglinieks, and his playing time is covered by O. Virsis who is shooting 11.1% (0,1/0,7) from 3 pt line, in 13 games, averaging 20 minutes in Latvian Basketball league and 20% (0,1/0,6) in BBL, 25 minutes average. After watching these stats it's clear, that you can help off him, and let him take that shot. 

     Modestas Kumpys is another player, that should'nt get all the attention on perimiter. You should'nt close out on him very aggresively, only if you want your center to be dunked on. 

And Pavels Veselovs, big guy, who is playing a lot on the perimiter, but his shooting is 0,1/0,9 - 9% from 3 pt line.  

Real Madrid defense vs pick and roll

     This season Real Madrid hasn't shown the basketball that everyone is expecting from former champions. Their record is 2-5 in Euroleague, and both wins are on the home court!

     Defensive effort that caught my eyes was made against pick and roll. 

Screen the Screener

     Screen the screener Pick and Roll recently became very popular in European basketball.

Latvia's basketball saw it in this September during the Eurobasket 2015, when Latvia's NT played it.

If you remember Bertans or Strelnieks driving to the basket in straight line or Janicenoks or Bertans getting wide open shots from top of the 3pt line, probably  that was the play. 

     This is the basics of this play, player 1 has the ball, 5 is a screener, and 3 sets the screen for screeners (5) defender! 

     I will review two basic options played by Latvian team BK Ventspils in FIBA Europe Cup. 

BK Jelgava isolation

     LBL team BK Jelgava in the game vs Barons/LDz used isolation play to make a few runs and gain the lead. It's rare to see isolation plays in Latvian league, so i will explain how they executed it and why it was hard to guard for the defense!

     At first I would like to introduce you to the Dribble Drive offense. This offense is very popular in NCAA basketball, often used by Kentucky Wildcats (championship run with John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, 2009-10) and Memphis university Tigers (lost in NCAA final, 2008-09, with D Rose on their team).

     Basic principle is great spacing to play isolation game, usualy for guards, but also used for forwards with speed advantage. Offense is based on players skill to play 1on1! Imagine, how did it looked when John Wall or D Rose played it!

     Basic set up is 4 players out, and 5 or 4 player down low at the base line! All the players move dependig on the ball's movement. I will show you how its done by team BK Jelgava!

     To create the good spacing, they play top Pick and Pop, with guards! In this game Gluditis sets screen, and pops out for a shot!

Valmiera/ORDO PnR Spacing

     Great offensive floor spacing from Valmiera/Ordo in LBL.

     Valmiera/Ordo plays with 4 players on perimeter, and it gives them some advantages:

• 4th position players can score from 3pt line! (Jonats, Berzins) 
• 5th position, likes to roll fast and deep, and also can play with their back to basket.
• Point guards have good passing skills and they are great ball handlers, to be an offensive threat! (Skele, Cizauskas, Kaufmanis).
• Great shooters on the wing, to give a lot of space to execute the PnR (Laksa, Karlis, Kaufmanis).