A few months ago we explored how the OKC Thunder addressed their deficiency in perimeter shooting by empowering their perimeter players to become aggressive cutters. This strategy often involved multiple players to cutting to the rim simultaneously, exploiting the defensive help collapsing into the paint.
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In our previous analysis, we examined the OKC Thunder’s cutting concepts by focusing on their Ghost Screen, where the screen served as the catalyst for a penetrating drive and the initiation of their cutting strategies.
Today, we will revisit Coach Daigneault’s offensive tactics and dive into how he leverages the Elbows to optimize the strengths of their larger playmaking guards and wings. This approach aims to mitigate their shortcomings in perimeter shooting while capitalizing on the unique skillsets of their key players.
Operating from the Elbows
Drawing parallels to a previous analysis we conducted on Alba Berlin {đź”’}, where Luke Sigma’s passing skills were utilized to orchestrate offense through him at the elbows, the OKC Thunder employ a similar strategy with Josh Giddey. This approach serves to offset Giddey’s limited perimeter shooting by stationing him at the elbow, forcing the defense to respect him as a scoring threat from that closer range.
Furthermore, by positioning Giddey at the elbow, the Thunder can capitalize on his size and exceptional passing ability, especially when executing off ball screens. This not only enhances Giddey’s offensive impact but also strategically exploits his unique strengths within the team’s overall game plan.
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With the defense compelled to respect Giddey’s scoring potential from the elbow, this opens up opportunities for him to leverage his playmaking skills in creating scoring chances for himself and his teammates through dynamic offensive actions such as DHOs and ball screens.
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The Value of a Rim Cut
Building on our recent conversation with Alabama Assistant, Ryan Pannone, during our 5 Out Teach Tape {đź”’} Breakdown, it was emphasized that a cutting lay-up stands out as the most efficient shot in the game, boasting the highest points per possession (PPP). This insight motivated Coach Pannone to design the initiation of his 5 Out Offense around a rim cut executed off the wide pin screen, giving the offense an immediate chance to capitalize on a defense mistake.
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Zooming In: According to Coach Pannone, this cut will be open at least three times a game, whether the offense throws the pass or not.
In the context of OKC’s offense, particularly when executing the stagger away screen after the elbow catch, Coach Daigneault adopts a similar philosophy. In this scenario, the corner player makes an assertive rim cut off the first screen, adapting the cut type—whether it’s a backdoor or a tight curl—based on the positioning and actions of the defender.
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While a cutting lay-up certainly represents the ideal outcome, the primary value of this aggressive rim cut lies in its ability to influence the subsequent play. More often than not, the cut forces the defense to respect and respond to the threat, creating a collapsing defensive gravity towards the rim and setting the stage and an advantage for the next offensive action.
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Zooming In: A shown above, with the low defender spying the rim cut, his match up is free to run off the sequential down screen, creating sit behind 3’s, emergency switches, and/or long closeouts to attack.
In several other Elbow actions in OKC’s playbook, a “Burn Cut” is used as the initial action to create space for subsequent Flare screens. However, when executed with the right pace and a clear intention to score, this cut has the potential to yield similar positive results.
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Zooming In: Cutting with enough speed to get behind the defender, even momentarily, forces the low defender to hang in the paint longer and protect the basket. This split second hang up by the low man puts them out of position to defend and support the flare screen.
Ghost and Pop Angles
What has been fun to watch this season with OKC is how they are integrating Chet Holmgren and synergizing his strengths into the fold of their offense. The Thunder are often utilizing him in a similar fashion at the elbow as a passer, or as a shooter and playmaker in their Short/Flat Angle Ghost Pop action…
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Zooming In: With Giddey and Gilgeous-Alexander at the point, emphasis becomes on screening and popping off a flat angle or ghosting all together to get them attacking downhill and prevent “unders.”
Zooming In 2.0: For teams reluctant to switch, this flat angle pop becomes extremely difficult to navigate. As we discussed and highlighted with Northwest Missouri State Head Coach, Ben McCollum, using the flat angle to create the over and popping the screener to pull the big can routinely yield downhill attacks.
From here we are back to where we begin a few months ago, OKC cutting off of their Pop/Ghost penetrations…
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For much more on how OKC uses their unique skillset to run offense from the elbows, including:
- Elbow Stagger
- Elbow Burn • Flare
- Elbow Burn • Flex
- Elbow Pop • Ghost
please enjoy this week’s newest breakdown on SGTV…
