Vitoria´s 3-Points Play

After two years as the head coach of Bilbao, Sito Alonso will make this season his Euroleague rookie season as Vitoria's coach. Despite finishing just in the 10th place in the Spanish league and having a disappointing campaign in the Eurocup, there is much to expect from the young Spanish manager. In his former teams, Sito Alonso had a nice play, which creates a free three point shot for one of the guards. We will definitely see that play next year in the Euroleague performed by Kutxa Laboral Vitoria. It fits Vitoria's new PG Shane Larkin like as if was created especially for him.

The play starts when the big man is taking position in the paint, and all other four are aligianted on the three point arch. The swingman is passing the ball from the 45 degrees position to the big man in the paint. While he playing with the back to the basket, the PF is screening for the swingman who is rolling inside.

The PF stays on his position, 45 degrees to the basket. He is making a second screen, now to the guard running from the top of the key to the wing. This screen is leaving the Guard free on the wing. The bigman is passing him the ball. Swushhh, it is an easy 3 pointer.

The two screens, one after another, together with the swingman scrolling inside, making this play effective. The SF cutting towards the basket is forcing the defence to focus on him. As a result, the defence will tend to guard the paint rather than the 3pt arch. Also, the defending SF (now guarding the PF after the first screen) will usually tend to stay in the paint and not to go out to the arch. That is the main reason the attacking guard stays free after the screen. Shane Larkin is a natural executer for such a play. Jaka Blazic can also be the one the team is playing for in this scenario. There is also a possibility to fit the play to Vitoria's newcomer Bargnani. He can switch roles with the PF, and make the screens himself with a pick and pop afterwards. After the second screen he can role out, and create another option for a three pointer.

It will be interesting to see how opponent coaches in the Euroleague will react to this play.