Forming the Triangle

In today's post, we will go over some of the ways to form the distinctive sideline triangle that gives the Triangle Offense its name.

Two pass to the top techniques

In today's post we will discuss some of the fundamental techniques taught to players to execute the two pass to the top and look at more options of this two pass.

Passing Principles

In today's post we will take a look at the passing principles of the triangle offense.

Lob plays and the Triangle vs Lebron's return

Today we will look at another Triangle Offense play that utilizes the UCLA screen as well as see how the Heat may fare against the Triangle this coming Christmas.

N.2 pass to the corner

In this post we will look at the final N.2 pass, the N.2 pass to the corner.

Backdoor Step

In this post we will take a look at the third N.2 Pass, the backdoor step.

Principles of the Triangle Offense

The triangle offense has been used in the NBA for almost two decades, yet what actually sets this offense apart from others is rarely discussed.  The triangle is unique because it is not a collection of sets, as most teams run.  The triangle offense is a philosophy, a collection of fundamentals and sound principles.  As we begin this new season, we'll take a look at the Lakers 2010 opener against the Rockets and take this chance to cover the very basics of the triangle offense.

Moment of Truth

In this post, we'll go to game 3 to discuss the pressure release principles of the triangle offense.

Solo Cut Series

In this post, we will go to game 1 of the 2010 Western Conference Semifinals featuring the Utah Jazz against the Los Angeles Lakers.  We've been looking at options out the traditional triangle but this post will look at the Solo Cut Series.

Options out of the post

In this post, we'll go to game 5 and take a look at some of the options that arise out of the N.2 pass to the post.

Adam Morrison is clutch

In this post we'll go to game 4 to take a better look at the line of deployment and a few more options out of the N.2 pass to the top.

Line of Deployment

In this post we'll take a look at another number 2 pass to the top (this time from game 3), and discuss the line of deployment.

The Lakers began with a "solo" series (where the overload is on the weakside).

1. Kobe begins by passing to Gasol in the wing

Instead of filling the strong side corner to form the triangle, Kobe cuts to the opposite wing, overloading the weak side (non ball side).

This creates a 2 man game between Gasol and Bynum.  However, Bynum's man immediately fronts.

2. Gasol reverses to Fisher

Just like in the last post, the ball gets swung to the other side, where the triangle can be formed.

3. N.1 pass from Fisher to Ron (Ron in the "key" position, otherwise known as the "strong side wing").

As Ron goes out to meet the ball, Bynum comes across the lane and shapes up along the "line of deployment," forming the triangle

The line of deployment is a basic, but important, concept of the triangle used to gain easy entry into the post and also to give a clear read of how the defense is playing the post.

As the center shapes up in the post, the center seeks to establish a 45 degree passing angle between himself  and the basket.  The direct line between the center and the basket is termed the "line of deployment."  This line should bisect the basket at a 45 degree angle.  If the ball handler is in the wing position, which is also at a 45 degree angle, then the basket, the post and the wing will all be in a direct line to the basket along the line of deployment.  To play a standard defensive position between the center and the basket, the defender of the center must play behind the center (as long as the center remains on the line of deployment), creating an easy entry pass.

Using this theory, as long as the center shapes up along the line of deployment, a pass from the wing to the center along the line of deployment should be possible.  If the defender of the center chooses to overplay (either the baseline side, or as the Thunder tend to do, the highside) then the man in the wing will easily be able to recognize the open side of the center and make a decision from there.

For example, in the solo between Bynum and Gasol, Bynum shaped up along the line of deployment.

But Krstic went to front and Gasol saw the overplay to the highside.  From here, Gasol could throw the lob pass to the open side of the center, dribble to the corner to create a better passing angle but Gasol choose to reverse the ball.

Back to the play.

- Bynum has come across the lane and shaped up on the line of deployment to form the triangle.
- Ron has received the N.1 pass from Fisher and is now in the "key" position, the "strong side wing" (remember, this is called the key position because the pass made from this position, the number 2 pass, will key the next sequence of options in the offense).
- Kobe is in the corner (after he threw the initial pass, he cut to the weak side corner, which has become the strong side corner after the ball was swung).
- Fisher is at "defensive balance."
- Pau is at the "weak side wing."

Because Bynum has properly shaped up along the line of deployment, the ideal passing angle has been created: the basket, Krstic, Bynum, Durant, the ball and Ron are all along the line of deployment.  However, Durant's length is preventing Ron from making the entry pass.  Westbrook is playing off Fisher, so Ron reverses the ball.

4) N.2 pass to the top

The N.2 pass to the top keys two actions:
A. Weakside wing (Gasol) to the pinch post

B. Strongside wing (Ron) runs a "rebound screen cut" to free the corner man (Kobe).

5. Gasol recieves the pass from Fisher in the pinch post.

6. Gasol shuffle passes to Fisher.

Tex Winter is a known fanatic of the footwork and passing from the pinch post.  Here Gasol makes a beautiful shuffle pass (where the ball remains on the same plane the entire flight of the pass) and uses his body to screen Westbrook.  The footwork for this pass and screen is another basic triangle staple that is stressed  by the coaching staff.

7. Alley-oop.

As Fisher comes around, Krstic goes to help and Bynum is left alone and waiting in the "freeze" spot (the opposite block).  Fisher makes a great read and lets the ball fly for Bynum to finish.

Looking at the options of the triangle offense

In this post, I'll break down a good sequence in the 4th quarter of game 1 that shows a lot of the "options" that arise naturally out of the triangle if a pass to the post can't be made.  Each number represents a pass.

1) Number 1 (N.1) pass from Fisher to Kobe:

The first pass to break the defensive frontline is known as the "number 1 pass."  Usually this is a guard to forward pass.  Here, Fisher passes to Kobe in the wing.  After the pass, Fisher would normally cut to the strong side (ball side) corner (called "strong side entry, strong side fill) to form the triangle with Kobe in the wing position (the "key spot"), Fisher in the corner, and Pau in the post.  Instead, Fisher goes to fill the opposite corner, establishing a solo for Kobe and Gasol.  However, Kobe doesn't give a good look at Gasol, and Gasol hasn't bothered to shape up in the post.  This is a good indicator that a center opposite has been called (where the center starts on the opposite side of the ball and comes across the lane to form the triangle)


2) Kobe reverses to Lamar:

What looks like a reverse is actually the setup for the center opposite


3) A new N.1 pass from Lamar to Ron:

Kobe doesn't start his cut until Lamar has the ball..  Kobe will come across the lane off of Gasol's screen.

- Lamar is at the position known as "defensive balance" (the man responsible for getting back on defense and stopping the opposing teams transition)
- Pau is in the "weakside wing"
- Fisher is already in the corner
- Ron is now in the "key"/wing position.  This wing spot is known as the key position because the pass from this spot (known as the Number 2 pass) keys the next sequence of options in the offense.
- Kobe comes across the lane to fill the post position, forming the triangle.  Unfortunately, he hasn't acquired deep postion.


4) N.2 pass to the top (from Ron to Lamar):

This is the natural reverse action built into the offense when the entry pass into the post can not be made (or in this case, shouldn't be made because the entire defense is sagging towards Kobe).  Traditionally, the priority of the N.2 pass goes as follows:
1. N.2 pass to the post
2. N.2 pass to the top (reversal)
3. N.2 pass to the weakside wing who comes across the key to receive the pass, otherwise known as the backdoor step
4. N.2 pass to the corner.

Each of the four options keys a unique set of options.  In this case, Lamar's man is playing off of him, so Ron makes the correct read and makes a "N.2 pass to the top."

N.2 pass to the top keys several actions:

A. The weakside wing (Pau) comes up to the "pinch post" (the elbow) to set up the two man game

B. Meanwhile, the man in the "key"/wing position (Artest) who threw the N.2 pass now runs what is known as the "rebound screen" cut.

It's called the rebound screen cut because the cut has two priorities:
First, to rebound any shot that may have been launched from the emerging two man game on the opposite side of the floor.
Second, to screen for the man in the corner (here, Fisher, who step fakes on the baseline to set his defender up before comingoff Artest's screen ).  After the rebound screen cut, you can cut baseline to the basket, or as Ron does, step back to the corner.

Once the pinch post is filled, traditionally, the man at defensive balance would pass the ball to the man in the pinch post and make a cut off the man in the pinch post.  Instead, Lamar and Gasol go into a pick and roll.  Gasol attempts to shape up on the post but can't seal his man.

5) Lamar passes to Kobe:
Lamar, having quickly realized that the entry pass could not be made, looks to reverse the ball.  Normally the ball would be reversed to Fisher (who came off of Ron's rebound screen cut) however, Westbrook cuts the pass off.  This creates a temporary void in the free throw area.

Both Kobe and Ron recognize this.  Kobe, being closer, flashes to the void (just like a "backdoor step").

As this is the 4th quarter in a close game, Kobe decides to break the offense and take his man one on one.  Everyone else clears out and Kobe pulls up for a nice bank shot.