Basketball Tactics: Royalty

The Play

The surprise team in the Western Conference this season has been the youngest team in the NBA, the Portland Trail Blazers. Led by first-time All-Star Brandon Roy, the Trail Blazers have combined talent and youth to put themselves in the race for a playoff berth. Look for the Trail Blazers to start their offense in the capable and unselfish hands of Steve Blake and involve Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge on every possession possible.

Steve Blake (2) initiates the offense for the Portland Trail Blazers from mid-court. LaMarcus Aldridge (12) and Joel Przybilla (10) are located at the free throw elbows while Brandon Roy (7) and Martell Webster (8) are in the corners. Blake (2) dribbles forward and makes an entry pass to Aldridge (12) at the left elbow.

Steve Blake (2) then makes a basket cut around Joel Przybilla (10) to the left block. LaMarcus Aldridge (12) passes to Przybilla (10) and then moves into position to allow the Portland Trail Blazers to execute their screen game.

The Trail Blazers are now ready to try to get All-Star Brandon Roy (7) an “open look” at the basket. Roy (7) cuts hard toward Steve Blake (2) who is setting a flex screen on the left block. The defender on Brandon Roy (7) jumps on top of the screen so Roy (7) cuts high and utilizes the down screen of LaMarcus Aldridge (12). Joel Przybilla (10) passes to Brandon Roy (7) for the jump shot.

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