The Classic Pick and Roll

Dr. James Naismith once referred to the game of basketball as easy to play, but difficult to master. These words serve as a perfect description of the Pick N' Roll.

On the surface, the Pick N' Roll is simple: one player sets a ball screen for another, then rolls to the basket. Used every night throughout the NBA, the initial action of the Pick 'N Roll creates an opportunity for the Offense. As the Defense reacts to close down that opportunity, the successful Pick 'N Roll offense adjust and shifts its attack. This process of adjustment is what makes mastering the Pick N' Roll so difficult.

The masters of the pick 'n roll are the Utah Jazz. For the past 12 years, Karl Malone has been setting screens for John Stockton, then rolling to the basket. The basics involve these two players, the mastery involves the whole team, (as will be seen below).

Utah usually starts the play on the left. Stockton (#12) takes the ball to wing, then heads back to the center of the floor. As Stockton dribbles by, Malone (#32) steps out to screen Stockton's defender. This is the "Pick".

Because Stockton is a threat to go to the hole, the classic pick 'n roll forces Malone's defender to step out to keep Stockton from dribbling straight to the basket. This leaves "The Mailman" open as he heads to the basket. This is the "Roll".

Stockton zips the ball to Malone, and Malone finishes. This is the "Pick 'N Roll".

Of course, it won't take more than a couple of these before the defense reacts. One of the ways of defending the "Pick 'N Roll" involves turning the tables on the offense and attacking the attacker. By definition the "Pick 'N Roll" involves bringing two defenders near the ball. If both defenders focus their full attention on the ball, they may be able to force a turnover. Rotating the low post defender to cover the "Roll" takes away the offense's most obvious response.

Surely Stockton has seen this before. How does he react? The answer, and the next act in the drama are contained in the Shockwave element of our analysis. (See below.)

Note: if you do not see a moving play diagram...
download Shockwave.