Too Hot to Touch
*Special thanks to Coach, Ben Ostrow, for his contribution to this week’s Deep Dive.
“It isn’t what you do, it’s how you do it.” – John Wooden
We (sadly) haven’t quoted the winningest coach of all time too often here in the newsletter, but given Coach Wooden’s affinity for the tinniest of details, famously teaching his team how to put on their shoes and socks, we thought it might make sense this week in a depth dive focusing on subtle hand placements in a PNR.
As much fun as it is to explore the inner workings of bigger offensive and defensive designs, we’ve become pretty fond over the past year of looking at the small, sometimes unnoticeable techniques used by great players and teams within that grand design. Whether it’s Duncan Robinson’s “Inside Hand Dribble” coming off a DHO or off ball screen, Alberto Diaz’ “Chicken Wing” technique in getting over on-balls, Kevin Pangos’ “Skip Dribble” usage in reading the PNR, or the clever way Domantas Sabonis uses pivots to free teammates during a DHO, the little things make all the difference.
Today, we’re adding another of our favorite “micro-skills” to that list, and one we recently discussed in our podcast with Birmingham Squadron Head Coach, TJ Saint: the “Hot Stove” Screen.
What is it?
The “Hot Stove” screen is often characterized as a screen coming from underneath the on-ball defender in which the screener lightly pushes off their backside hip before opening up into a pocket in the middle of the floor. There are other variations, but this is a good start. Here’s an example…
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The main intention of the “Hot Stove” Screen is to prompt the defensive coverage so that the offense can quickly attack through the roll. Rather than trying to “stick the screen”, the screener will aim for the “back pocket” of the defender. Once they achieve the proper angle, the screener will “gently” push off the back of the on-ball defender, as if touching a hot stove, to generate momentum on the roll, while opening up towards the ball.
Time is of the Essence
As shown above, one of the major benefits of the “Hot Stove” Screen is the speed and separation it creates within the PNR. More often than not, when the “Hot Stove” Screen is set the defensive big is barely beginning to engage the ball with the coverage, while the screener is already out and behind the defense.
Below is another good example of the speed of the roll created from the “Hot Stove” push-off. Right as the big is beginning to show his numbers to the ball and provide a presence, the screener has already left the screen and is behind him.
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Zooming In: Above is a slightly different variation of the “Hot Stove” Screen as mentioned earlier. In many cases, the “Hot Stove” is used in a reverse angle step-up screen so that the screener can push off and get a catch in the middle of the floor. Directly above, you see it being used when the screener flips the screen toward the “loaded” side of the floor.
How is it different from a Slip?
Good question.
First, slips are usually of the “North-to-South” variety, whereas the “Hot Stove” Screen aims to come uphill, or “South-to-North.” Oftentimes a slip will cause the on-ball defender to open their stance to get the ballhandler downhill, or cause confusion so the offense can play the ball back to the slipping big on the perimeter (yes, slipping the big can open them up at the rim too). The “Hot Stove” Screen’s main intent is to try to play through the roller, often in more of the “short roll” variety. There is physical contact being made to force the ball defender over and the big to support. The physical act of pushing off the defender often gets them off balance or leaning forward…
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Zooming In: In the example shown, the “hot stove” push freezes the defender, causing him to stand upright as the screener breaks out from the screen. This is important as this split second where the defender is “stood up” opens that passing window for the guard to find the big.
Punishing the Switch
As highlighted throughout today’s breakdown, the “Hot Stove” Screen excels in attacking various coverages through the roller. But perhaps its greatest strength is in punishing the switch. First, screening the back of the on-ball defender makes it almost impossible for the defense to switch under the roll. Second, with the screener pushing off the on-ball defender, that on-ball defender is likely to be chasing after the roller, opening up lobs over the top, or, they’ll be unable to get on the low side, becoming susceptible to seals and high-low attacks.
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The Celtics made great use of this screen in the NBA Finals, looking to mismatch hunt with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Obviously, putting weaker defenders in any type of screening action often yields good results, but by tasking Jrue Holiday to set the “Hot Stove” Screen the Celtics were able to generate numerous situations with him in the middle of the floor with an advantage.
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Zooming In: It was a win-win situation for Boston because either the Mavs coordinated the switch properly but ended up with a poorer defender on the ball, or, Jrue Holiday (a great decision maker) was able to use the “Hot Stove” Screen to get under the defense and play in the short roll.
The screen is truly exceptional at putting the defense in the murky “grey” zone. The speed and separation created by the “hot stove” provides the defense with very little reaction time, often leading to short roll catches or pocket pass finishes. It is ideal for punishing switches, as the defense has very little recourse to effectively neutralize it.
View the full video breakdown now on SGTV to see this screen’s prowess in attacking various coverages, as well as how teams are using it in transition and to invert the screen.
