It seems like anytime we turn on the television we are seeing Blake Griffin in some capacity. Whether it’s on Sportscenter’s Top Plays catching lobs from teammate Chris Paul or in a KIA commercial riding a jet pack, everything he does is spectacular. Over the years he has made the extraordinary look ordinary. However, what doesn’t get talked about is that Blake Griffin is actually a really, really good all-around basketball player.
While he is still not a consistent three point shooter, his jumper is constantly improving and teams now have to respect his ability to hit a 15 foot shot. Blake’s passing ability is probably the most underrated part of his game. His assist numbers have consistently increased throughout his career and they reached another high last year when he averaged 5.3 assists per game. The lobs to the front of the rim to current DeAndre Jordan usually make the highlights but he is very adept at penetrating and dishing to open shooters as well.
The Clippers will throw the ball to Griffin on the block in a post isolation situation and let him create from down there. Another way they utilized Blake’s passing ability is with a “half” or “50” roll in ball screen. In these sets Blake will set a ball screen and then instead of rolling straight to the rim, he will roll the the free throw extended. His defender will trace the ball handler who will deliver a pocket pass, or in the case of Chris Paul a hook pass, to him in this designated area. Blake then will usually have a spaced floor to operate with and a 4 on 3 advantage.
Teams throughout the NBA use of the half roll is increasing when their bigs are great passers but not knock-down three point shooters. These actions allow the big to use their skill set and take advantage of the spaced floor and three point shooting. The following sets are the Blake Griffin LA Clippers Half “50” Rolls that allow him to half roll.
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Coach John Zall just completed his first season as an Assistant Coach at Division II Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH. This past season Franklin Pierce University won 20 games and advanced to the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament. Zall arrived at Franklin Pierce after spending the past 3 seasons as the Associate Head Coach/Head JV Coach at O’Bryant High school in Roxbury, MA. During his tenure at O’Bryant the program improved from 4 wins to 12 wins and qualified for the MIAA State Tournament twice.
Coach Zall also has experience as an AAU Head Coach for the Boston Warriors. As Head Coach for the Warriors his team won the 2011 16U State Title and twice competed in AAU Nationals down in Orlando, FL. On top of being a student at Northeastern University, Zall was named Head Coach of the Men’s Club Basketball team for the 2012-13 season. During his lone season as Head Coach, Northeastern finished second in the Northeast Regional Tournament featuring colleges from throughout the East Coast. Coach Zall has also spent time as a Head Coach in the Bay State Games where his team won the Bronze Medal in 2012 and at various camps including: Five Star, Boston Celtics, NIKE, Franklin Pierce University, Hoop Group and The Elite 75.
Click on the pdf link below to download the Blake Griffin LA Clippers Half “50” Rolls:
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