Ming Chen

🏀 Just how smart is Alex Caruso?
In Game 1 of the Finals, he broke down the Carlisle's zone play before it even happened.
One possession. Full defensive IQ on display.
Watch how he kills the play before it starts.

Explain One Play: Steph Curry and Dennis Schröder run with scissors to cut up Wizards by @EricApricot In this episode, we analyze the Golden State Warriors' use of the 'Scissors' pick-and-roll play in their recent games against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Washington Wizards om 2025-01-19-WAS-GS Explain One Play: Steph Curry and Dennis Schröder run with Scissors to cut up Wizards

Explain One Play: Steph Curry and Dennis Schröder run with Scissors to cut up Wizards

Video analysis by Eric Apricot

youtu.be/8C29kFzr3Ic

🏀Warriors - Top Lock Counter
GSW runs tons of off-screen to free up Curry, so DEF often use top-locking to deny him.

Warriors designed a interesting and potential counter: Curry cut backdoor , then loops back out for the shot.

The following thread explains more...

Additional Thought
If this concept is used enough and the opponent adjusts, we could potentially integrate the classic Spurs' Ginobili backdoor play into it.

This would add another layer of unpredictability and make it even harder to defend.

Warriors didn’t just use this concept once. Earlier, Hield faked a pin-down in the corner before quickly looping to the top of the arc, drawing a 3pt shooting foul.

I hope they can mix this concept into their motion offense for more spontaneous use, not just in a designed set.

1️⃣It only requires 3 players, making it a concept, a variation of a split action, not just a 5-player set.

2️⃣It allows the player who needs the ball to still get it.

3️⃣After the loop, the relative positions of the 3 players remain the same, so the original play can continue.

A backdoor cut followed by looping out the other side is a classic counter to Top-Lock.

This clip shows play Doc Rivers designed for Ray Allen to counter Top-Lock, and Redick often ran similar actions with the 76ers.

But, Warriors’ version is simpler and could be applied more!

The backdoor cut is simple but doesn’t always collapse the defense. Yet, it can create chances for the screener, like Wiggins’ pass to Looney here.

Curry then loops out, with Wig setting another screen. Tough to defend because:
1️⃣ Defenders often relax.
2️⃣ Hard to re-top-lock.

🏀Warriors - Top Lock Counter
GSW runs tons of off-screen to free up Curry, so DEF often use top-locking to deny him.

Warriors designed a interesting and potential counter: Curry cut backdoor , then loops back out for the shot.

The following thread explains more...

If we change Moody to GP2, the trade becomes financially feasible, but it’s still tough. Losing Looney and Payton would be a huge blow to the team.

Also, signing 3 completely inexperienced players is extremely rare. So unless the Warriors clear more salary or adjust the trade, Sam’s proposal just isn’t feasible.

The Warriors could reduce costs further by signing players with no NBA experience, like Post or Beekman, whose pro-rated minimum salaries are just 439K. Even so, the 4-for-1 trade would still require an additional 1.32M in cap space.

2️⃣ A 4-for-1 trade means the Warriors need to add at least 3 players, and each player’s salary counts against the cap. By the 2/7 trade deadline, a standard pro-rated minimum salary would be about 792K—already exceeding the Warriors' available cap room.

1️⃣ The Warriors are restricted by the 1st Apron, with only 533K left before hitting the hard cap. While Sam’s proposal would lower their total salary, leaving 670K of room under the hard cap, the issue is this: it’s a 4-for-1 trade, leaving the roster short.

Yesterday on light years podcast, I heard sam mention a trade proposal involving Brandon Ingram without Wiggins. While it sounds appealing, the trade doesn’t work due to salary cap rules. Here’s why👇

Let’s watch the Warriors vs. Clippers game! 🏀 I’ll be sharing some random observations in this thread throughout the game.

🏀Final Possession

After grabbing the offensive rebound in the chaos, Green quickly spotted Curry, but the Clippers’ trap came fast, and Curry instantly passed the ball out.

Unfortunately, GP2 “stole” the pass intended for Waters, but GP2 was fearless and decisively took the shot—unfortunately, it didn’t go in.

🏀Final Possession:Warriors vs Clippers
GP2 immediately made one of his signature steals.

Kerr, as always, embraced the chaos and didn’t call a timeout.

Mann prevented Curry from getting a shot off, but Green still found Curry relocating. Unfortunately, Curry couldn’t convert the shot.

🏀 Attacking Switch: Screen Below
Clippers used "Next" to defend Podz’s PNR, disrupting the Warriors' offense. Just when I thought Kuminga was about to iso, Moody came up to set a Below Screen. He only lightly touched before slip to the basket, where he connected with TJD for a nice tik-tac-toe play.

🏀Podz's Shooting Desire
Fast breaks with the bench unit are a key focus for Kerr this season, and this transition was well-executed.
TJD's rim run drew two defenders, leaving Podz wide open for a three. He needs to take those open shots.

🏀Moody's Finish
Warriors ran their "Thump out" play this time, but the Clippers defended it well. Podz made a nice extra pass, and Moody had a chance to attack the rim.
He finished with a nice move—this was considered one of his biggest weaknesses during the draft, but he’s made great improvements.

🏀Kris Dunn's defensive footwork

When Curry attacked Dunn's lead foot, instead of turning, Dunn used a direct retreat to recover.

I remember Jrue Holiday using a similar technique. Does anyone know of other players who use this type of footwork?

One of the Warriors’ favorite baseline plays
After the inbounds pass, Curry sets a screen for Wiggins. The Clippers clearly scouted this, immediately switching defenders.
However, Green notices Dunn is turned away from him and boldly passes it to Wiggins under the rim. That’s an excellent pass.

Warriors keep running Delay action with TJD initiating from the top. Clippers' defense has a slight miscommunication as 2 defenders chase Waters outside.

TJD notices this and passes to the rim, where Curry cuts in for an open layup—unfortunately, Curry didn’t catch it. This turnover goes on Curry.

GSW-Delay Thru empty PNR

The Warriors used TJD to set up Curry in an empty-side PNR. Facing Zubac’s hedge, Curry quickly kicked it out to Wiggins.

Wiggins needs to continue the advantage here—either by finding TJD rolling to the rim or hitting Waters in the corner for the open look.

The Warriors’ first two possessions started with Waters running back screens—one creating an open three for him, and the other a lob opportunity for TJD (though Green’s pass was off).
I guess their ATO likely has more layers, but the Clippers’ early defense looked a bit loose.

Let’s watch the Warriors vs. Clippers game! 🏀 I’ll be sharing some random observations in this thread throughout the game.

I actually learned this concept from @zakBoisvert, who shares lots of concept for attacking switches on his YouTube channel.

Clarkson's face when he saw Collins was going to be open.