This play from Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics caught my eye this season because of its simplicity and effectiveness.
This BLOB is a quick-hitter Boston runs often and when executed perfectly, is a great action to get a shot. With Coach Stevens at the helm, the Celtics finished 2015-2016 ranked 3rd in the NBA in points scored off of baseline out of bounds plays with 197. They also ranked top 10 in the NBA in baseline out of bounds efficiency, scoring 43.6% of the time.
The immediate look in this action is for a dump off at the rim after the guard cross-screens for the big. Sequentially, the 1 and 5 dribble-hand-off, where the 1 can look to attack if x5 get caught up. The primary part of the action comes last with a down screen between 4 and 2. With the Celtics, almost every time the point guard inbounds to a big in the short corner, he is looking to come towards the ball for a dribble-hand-off. Similarly, when a guard is under the hoop with a big at the freethrow line, look for the guard to shoot up off a down screen.
Dustin Dobbs serves as Assistant Director of Basketball Operations at Fairfield University and previously served on the staff at UMass for four seasons. His “Inside The Film Room With Dustin Dobbs” is featured here weekly. Make sure to connect with Dustin on Twitter @d_dobbs_hoops or contact directly at ddobbs5@gmail.com
