Gregg Popovich Spurs Al Hammer Set Play

Gregg Popovich doesn’t usually get much credit for keeping up with the times. He has had been lucky to have Tim Duncan facing up and banking a shot home, Tony Parker hitting floaters in the lane, and Manu Ginobili doing his thing. The Al Hammer Set Play is a sign of the times. They once walked the ball up the floor and now they are a top 10 team in league pace.

The San Antonio Spurs have relied more on quick hitting plays in the half-court then long set plays. You won’t see Tim Duncan holding the ball for a long period of time. Gregg Popovich knows that his Spurs are getting older, but now they move the offense quicker with plays like the Al Hammer set play.

The San Antonio Spurs are amazing at movement and mis-direction, the initial action on the right side is nothing more than mis-direction on the Al Hammer Set Play. The real purpose of this set play is simple: Create an open corner three-point attempt for a shooter.

The Al Hammer Set Play gets the San Antonio Spurs the shot that they want. The Spurs are third in the NBA in corner threes the last couple years. Danny Green was second last year in the league in shots from that area. The San Antonio Spurs run various versions of the “Hammer”. The Al Hammer set play is the one that involves a wing cross screen before the rejected pick and roll and pentration leads to the hammer screen.

I love the fact that Coach Popovich runs quick hitting plays. I believe that you see Fred Hoiberg running quick hitting plays too. It’s filtering down to the college and high school levels now. Here is some thing that you can add to your offense if your talent can make that pass.

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Gregg Popovich Spurs Al Hammer Set Play