NBA Season Preview 2017-18: This play can help unlock the Rockets’ offensive potential

Mike D’Antoni transformed the Houston Rockets’ offense last season to revolve around the playmaking and passing of James Harden. He did so by turning Harden into a full-time point guard and by playing to the strengths of his role players, putting Trevor Ariza, Eric Gordon and others in optimal positions to succeed offensively.

Fast forward to the 2017-2018 season, and D’Antoni faces another monumental task of revolving his offense not around only one historically dominant point guard in Harden, but around the “Point God” himself in Chris Paul.

The team’s potential success depends on if Harden and Paul — both of whom are ball-dominant facilitators — can co-exist together on the basketball floor. D’Antoni has had all summer to brainstorm and collaborate with both players to find sets and positions to maximize their skill sets. Harden and Paul have even shared with the media the constant communication between the two and D’Antoni.

To effectively utilize Harden as a facilitator and Paul as a passer, one particular offensive series called “21 series” or “Pistol” will be more common in the Rockets’ offense this season. Let’s take a look at how it’ll work in more detail.

21 series

“21 series” or “Pistol” is defined as an action that creates offense through the 1 (“point guard”) and the 2 (“shooting guard”). The point guard handles the basketball and initiates the offense towards the sideline, just beyond the 3-point line. The ball handler dribbles the basketball towards the right (or left) sideline, where a secondary ball handler or shooter stands. A big then rotates towards the high post or elbow area.

For a clearer understanding of how it works, take a look at the following formation and movement:

The Rockets ran two types of “Pistol” action last season: 1/2 dribble handoff (or 1/2 DHO) and pick-and-roll with a big. Based off the pseudo-triangle that emerges between the three players, the point guard and shooting guard can run a dribble handoff that results in a 3-pointer or curl inside the paint. If a defender overplays the 3-point line, the shooter will transition into a pick-and-roll with the big stationed at the high post.

1/2 DHO

Patrick Beverley was the game manager for the Rockets bench during the 2016-2017 season. The dribble handoff created open opportunities for Eric Gordon to shoot 37.2 percent from the perimeter and win Sixth Man of the Year. On this possession, Beverley tosses the ball to Gordon while simultaneously widening his hips and using his base to generate separation between the closest perimeter defender and Gordon.

21 series pick-and-roll

When defenders stay attached to the hip of the shooter, disallowing a 3-point attempt, the ball handler can initiate a pick-and-roll with the big beyond the perimeter or pass the ball to the shooter for a drag screen.

Through the first two preseason games, it is evident Paul and Harden will set-up a few feet beyond the 3-point line, in the slot position. Just like Ryan Anderson last season, if Paul and Harden can routinely shoot around 40.0 percent from 26-28 feet, the “Pistol” offense will be even more effective.

Next: How will Chris Paul fare as a part-time shooting guard?

The “21 series” offense is designed for teams looking to take advantage in transition and early in the shot clock. D’Antoni has mentioned early in training camp that he wants the Rockets to play faster, quicker in transition. Guards enjoy running this action because of the simple movements and reads, yielding a high percentage opportunity almost every time. Defenses will be on their heels, forced to make quick decisions, where high-IQ and instinctive players like Paul and Harden can facilitate and score consistently through multiple variations and options.