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Alright let's give Rockets/Kings a spin. Looking to see what Cousins/Wall add to the Houston attack. Looking to see what the Kings are doing that's sustainable. Also Christian Wood FGA's never forget.
Wood's skillset offensively *works* playing with Harden. Gives him a big who can pop, roll and attack defenses who switch. Kings switch this P&R which puts Hield on Wood. Takes him right to the post and it's not just that he scored, you see Barnes came to help as well.
Another thing Wood does really well in P&R with Harden is slip or seal when teams are switching. Harden comes off, Wood screens but he keeps Hield on the top side so when he releases he's on the top side. Slides right into the pocket and finishes.
I'll find a clip to show but one thing I like from the Kings early on is the ball movement/player movement in the half court. Tend to go from one action to the next which is something that can help them stick around.
Wall allows Houston to get Harden off the ball more and you can see that here. Looks like they are setting up for a stagger for Harden. Hield opens up to try and stay on top, only problem is both of his bigs are above the FT line. Nice pass by Wall to hit Harden cutting
(player development point for the Kings bigs, always see man and ball. also feels like transition defense this year has been an adventure league wide but that's a different talk for a different day)
Feels like the game is starting to slow down for De'Aaron Fox.
I like this design from the Kings on this out of bounds play. Bagley is the inbounder and hits Fox and runs through to slip. Makes defense think a screen is coming. Soon as he passes and the defense relaxes Holmes goes right into a pindown for Hield.
Good adjustment from the Kings vs. Harden/Wood P&R. Kings still switching but watch Barnes on the weakside. Kicks Joseph out so he can take Wood but pulls over early to take away the early pass.
An adjustment to the adjustment from the Rockets. Wood screens for Harden and again keeps Hield on the top side when he rolls. Stops short though, Holmes is on his way to try and rotate/switch but Wood has the ball. Joseph has to hold, nice cut and finish by Tate.
Back to the game slowing down for Fox, he doesn't get this shot going a million miles an hour. Comes off, sees Brown go under, sees Whiteside roll into him and just takes the shot in space.
(also this play shows how the Kings can use Whiteside and how he fits P&R wise. Notice where Whiteside sets the screen. Near top of the key to make that roll easier. He's a threat in P&R but he's a slow roller so the screening angles are important. good job to punish the under)
Quick reminder that you also have to also deal with a Cousins/Harden P&R.
Another good read from Tyrese Haliburton. These are little plays but impressive from a young guard. Gets the handoff, goes right into P&R and then reads the defense. Keeps Cousins engaged by driving, sees Brown helping on Whiteside's roll, fires to Bjelica in the corner.
(bonus points for the fake layup right into a skip to the corner)
Cousins is still a threat and you can see his value here for Houston. Pistol action and Kings switch everything. Joseph on Boogie in the post. Hassan comes to double from the baseline. Watch Tate on the weakside. Soon as HW leaves he screens Fox to open up Brown for the 3.
Another point about the Kings that I don't have a clip for: they outlet the ball *quick* off made baskets. Helps them get in their actions sooner.
The lineups from Houston are pretty strong. Staggering their units well. Looked up and realized they were rotating to their bench but still had Wall, Cousins, Gordon on the floor. Also pretty cool to see John Wall back doing this.
Old school PG play from Cory Joseph here. Backs Wall down to his angle, sees him go under and goes right back the other way. Brown overhelps on the weakside from the nail and fires it to Bjelica for an open 3.
Keep circling back to Fox putting things together. Creates this play right here. Initial set is blown up as Whiteside misses his screen. Waves him off to go get Bjelica. As soon as he clears, Fox attacks, creates contact to draw the foul and goes right up.
Boogie can pass and Tate can play play. Great pass from Cousins here but a hell of a cut from Tate. Cousins posts Hield, defense helps as soon as they go Tate goes to the rim.
Great attack from Haliburton here. Attacks the drop, engages the big and finishes. Scoring is one thing but these are really controlled plays from a young player.
