Penetration Offense: Drive, Dish, and Kick
By extending the three point arc in the past off-season, the NBA has discouraged outside gunning, in favor of more crowd pleasing slashing moves to the hoop. But just driving to the basket is not enough to win. Eventually the defense will adjust, and the key then becomes to exploit the defensive adjustments.
The Los Angeles Lakers are a great example of a team that exploits quickness to the hole. When the penetrator makes the right decisions, the Lakers are hard to stop. Their record this year indicates that they have been making the right decisions.
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When Kobe Bryant (#8) has the ball, he is a threat to take any defender one on one to the hoop. If there is no help on Bryant, the result will be a flashy dunk. If Shaq's (#34) defender helps on the penetration, Shaq will slip to the hoop for the "dish" and dunk.
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After one or two of these dunks, Shaq's man will stay home and a different defender will rotate down. If Jones' (#6) man helps, it is up to him to get open. Jones will exchange with Van Exel (#9) and find an open area. With his path blocked, and no options inside, Bryant "kicks" the ball out for the 3-pointer.
Successfully breaking down the defense is a process of recognition, and reaction.
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