Great breakdown by one of the guys on RCF...
Personally, I love it. Shaq has thrived in a triangle system during his career..
NaySmith;744986 wrote:Cavs Play the “Triangle” with Shaq
Here’s the next offensive set. (For the previous one, see http://www.realcavsfans.com/showthread.php?p=737357#post737357). I call it a “triangle” as it does appear that the Cavs are playing that, with Shaq in the post and Mo and LeBron running a couple of variations. With a resurgent Shaq, the Cavs seem to be running this more.
Variation 1. Corner 3 pointer from Mo (and in Mo’s absence, Boobie)?
Variation 2. Dunk by LeBron
The sets take advantage of:
- Shaq’s low-post presence, size, and passing skills (and familiarity with triangles, I might add)?
- Mo’s shooting, and the threat of his outside shooting (and now Boobie’s)
- LeBron’s quickness and the threat of his outside shooting?
Secondarily, it also poses the threats of?
- Andy flashing into the lane or getting an offensive rebound?
- Delonte hitting an outside shot
Shown here are how they ran both variations back-to-back in the last Raptors game.
Here’s Variation 1
1. Start of the Play - Establishing Positions
Shaq gets into position in the low post. With Mo and LeBron, together the three form a strong-side triangle. The other Cavs spread out. The spacing here is textbook. LeBron at the corner, Mo walking into 3-pt range, Andy and Delonte on the weak side.
2. The Entry Pass
The entry pass into the low post can be a difficult pass to pull off, especially in today’s game. Here the Cavs make it look easy. Credit to Shaq for getting his man totally behind him without a threat of coming over to steal it. Many teams single-cover Shaq a lot -- with LeBron on the floor many opponents would be averse to doubling Shaq lest they leave Bron open. The other Raptors choose to stay home on their men.
3. Ball in the Post
Shaq gets the ball in the post and starts to threaten to power into the lane. LeBron moves out of the corner. Mo stays at the 3-pt line to possibly receive a pass back from Shaq. A good view of the multiple threats that the Cavs can pose at this point in the set.
4. Loosening Up the D
The strong side tests the commitment of the defense, and the defense starts yielding. Mo’s man (Calderon) starts to sag to possibly double, and so does Andy’s man (Bosh) LeBron moves closer inside Shaq’s field of vision. Bron’s man (Hedo), here partly seen, threatens to double Shaq.
5. Screen and Dive
Look how quickly LeBron moves to screen Mo’s man. In the previous frame Bron was still near the sideline. Mo dives into the corner. Shaq looks over Hedo to see Mo get into position.
6. Pass and Shoot
Shaq swings the ball to Mo, who is already in shooting form here. Calderon is scrambling to close out, but he’s too late. (Credit Mo for being able to release his jumper quickly, something the Cavs surely miss, among other things.)
7. Add Three Points
Ball’s in the net. Andy and Delonte had moved in for a possible offensive rebound, which would not be needed here.
Next: Variation 2, ending with a dunk by LeBron
