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NBA Season Preview: 5 plays not even the NBA’s best defenses can stop

By Scott Rafferty

Apr 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Every offense has that one go-to play they rely on when they need a bucket. Some of those plays are so good that it really doesn’t matter that the defense does.

With more teams implementing defensive schemes built on switching one through five, there are fewer plays that are truly unstoppable. Even Stephen Curry, who dominated the NBA throughout the 2015-16 regular season in just about every way imaginable, struggled in the postseason when mobile bigs like Steven Adams and Tristan Thompson switched onto him. Injuries likely played a role in him being unable to shake them 1-on-1, but small weaknesses in those plays paved the way for opponents to find a solution.

However, there are a number of plays the NBA’s best defensive units can’t stop whether they decide to switch or not. Some stem from a new bond being formed — Curry and Kevin Durant being the obvious one — whereas others continue to stand the test of time. With that in mind, from J.J. Redick running off of screens to LeBron James pushing the ball in transition, let’s take a look at five in detail that stand out from the crowd.

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Pick-and-rolls between Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant

Pick-and-rolls between Curry and Draymond Green were difficult enough to defend. If opponents didn’t hedge, Curry would get a wide open jump shot from his sweet spot. If they doubled, Green would slip to the basket for a layup or pop for a three-pointer. And if they crashed the paint, Green would find one of the three shooters standing on the perimeter for a wide open look.

As we learned from the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs, the only way to combat those pick-and-rolls was to switch assignments and do everything humanly possible to stop Curry from getting a shot off. If successful, Green wasn’t going to punish teams for putting a smaller player on him in the post because he’s not a great scorer with his back to the basket.

With Durant taking Green’s place, that’ll no longer be a problem. Not only is Durant a better shooter and finisher than Green, he ranked in the 99.6 percentile in post-up scoring with 1.23 points per possession. If teams dare switch assignments when Curry and Durant are involved in a pick-and-roll, Curry will either isolate himself at the top of the key or give Durant the ball on the block. Durant can even act as the ball handler (0.93 PPP), so they can get funky with Curry setting a screen on him if they want.

Basically, there isn’t anything Curry and Durant can’t do.

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