Basketball Tactics: Motown Pick 'n Pop

The Pistons' offense is driven by the team's perimeter game, namely by point guard Chauncey Billups (1), a career .370 3-point shooter. The example to the right is one play the Pistons use to get either Billups or shooting guard Richard Hamilton (32) an open look from the outside.

In this play, Billups, a scoring point guard, has the ball and is looking to make something happen. As Billups drives outside, big man Mehmet Okur (13) flashes high and sets a screen for Billups. (Note: Look for Rasheed Wallace to occupy Okur's set a good deal of the time).

As the screen is set, Richard Hamilton spots up in the corner, anticipating a shot. Now in attack mode, Billups drives hard off the screen and has several options:

- He can turn the corner, draw the defense and kick it to Hamilton on the wing

- He can pass to Okur, who is rolling to the basket after setting the high screen

- Or he can opt to shoot a 3-pointer

In this case, after Okur sets the screen, the defense slacks off of Billups and stays at home on Okur, giving him space to take the shot.

The Pistons' second-leading scorer opts for the open 3-pointer and makes the defense pay for not guarding him more tightly.

http://www.nba.com/playoffs2004/lamisil_pistons.html