2008 Toronto Raptors Backdoor Find SLOB by Adam Spinella

Written by Coach Peterman

I have coached at the NCAA Division 2 (Southwestern Oklahoma State University), NAIA (USAO), and JUCO Levels (Blinn College and Carl Albert State College) as well as high school. I just felt that fellow coaches especially young coaches need to constantly work on their “game”. Just like the basketball players that we coach. We as coaches need to improve ourselves. That is my story and why I do this blog.

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September 29, 2014

2008 Toronto Raptors Backdoor Find SLOB by Adam Spinella

For the next few days I’ll be breaking down some nice end game plays, depending on the situation. Often, even if a team doesn’t need a three pointer, they will take it in an end game situation since it is easier to take than driving to the hoop. As such, defenses often creep out of the paint and pay too much attention to the ball and the perimeter actions – help-side is either ball-watching or hugging their man.

Following suit, a backdoor play can be effective in the end game. The Toronto Raptors, under coach Jay Triano, ran one in 2008 that was a very effective action – granted the pass was on the money. There were many options for a shot if the backdoor wasn’t open, which is necessary for a play predicated on a backdoor set.

Here is the situation:
-Need a two-pointer with at least 7 seconds on the clock. Jason Kapono (3) is the inbounder.

Three-flat across the FT line as Calderon (1) starts in the corner opposite the inbounder. Anthony Parker (2) curls to the corner over top of the elbows. Bosh (5) sets an elbow screen for Marion (4) to pop out. Inbound goes directly to Bosh. This should be open if x5 either hedges or x4 gets hung up on the screen and fights to recover. x4 and x5 switch any screens, Bosh can seal x4 and grab an inbound. Bosh cannot slip this to the rim, however – x1 will be paint protected and able to step in.

Marion screens Kapono (3), then slips for the backdoor. Bosh can either flip and play with Kapono (a three pointer for Kapono, a ballscreen and space, or Kapono with a dribble handoff with Calderon in the corner) or hit Marion on the cut backdoor. In the image shown, Kapono hits Marion on the backdoor – if x4 hedges on the screen and x5 doesn’t leave Bosh off the handoff, Kapono will have a clear lane to hit Marion for the layup.

This play was run by the Toronto Raptors to get a quick score in this video. The first 20 seconds show this play and the subsequent defensive sequence. It qualifies as an end game SLOB because of how quick the basket is designed for – it doesn’t flow into any regular offense. The other play ran by the Raptors in this video, a simple inbound to a pick and pop, isn’t as complicated as an end game set and thus doesn’t require much analysis.

Coach Adam Spinella is entering his first season as an Assistant Coach at Culver Academies in Culver, IN. Spinella spent the three years prior as a Student Assistant Coach at Division III Dickinson College. The Dickinson Men’s Team advanced to two NCAA Tournaments and accumulated an overall record of 59-26 (.694) during the three-year span, with the 2013-2014 season ending in the Division III Elite Eight. A native of Bow, New Hampshire, Spinella has a keen interest in X’s and O’s, particularly in professional basketball, and skill development.

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