How Luka Doncic and Lakers Master the Pick-and-Roll

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From LatiNation Sports

Pick-and-Roll Options, Luca’s Deception and the Changing Role of Defense

Kobe Bryant was one of the players known for thriving in the pick and roll. He wanted the ball in his hands and, later in his career, could pull up for a jumper when defenders gave him space. If they closed in, he could drive past them.

Tim Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning were another old-school example. Mourning presented a formidable obstacle for defenders trying to fight around the screen.

Today, Luca stands out in this style of play. The pick and roll is highly physical: the screener must operate almost like an offensive lineman, while the defender has to work around him like a defensive end. The contact creates options, and options are essential in basketball.

A ball handler who can shoot, drive or pass to a cutting teammate keeps defenders on their heels. That versatility has the Lakers at the top of the West. They have shooters in Luca, Reeves and Kessler, along with players who can move quickly and effectively in tight spaces.

Basketball also shows the difference between quickness and straight-line speed. A player may not appear fast but can still be shifty and move laterally in a small space. Luca has that ability, particularly through his change of pace.

Some former NBA players question how Luca creates space when he appears slow. His advantage is deception. He can slow defenders down, recognize when they have matched his pace and then explode in the opposite direction before they can react. He also has a quick pullback and crossover that can create just enough room for his shot.

Luca’s size and clean shooting motion add to the challenge. He can adjust his body after jumping and release the ball from different angles.

There are concerns, however, about how some players create space. Pullbacks and post-up moves can sometimes appear to include three steps instead of two. Lamelo was cited as one example. The feeling is that referees allow significant leniency in the name of spectacle and higher-scoring games.

Games in the 130-point range were once considered extraordinary. During the famous Heat-Knicks rivalry of the late 1990s, scores could fall in the 70-to-80-point range, with defense serving as the star of the game. Detroit and Dennis Rodman also represented that defensive emphasis. The question now is where those top defensive specialists have gone.