Top Five Plays of the NBA 2012-13 Season

Feb 14, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) talks to Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) in action against the Miami Heat during the second half at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

3) Russel Westbrook-Kevin Durant Pick/Slip and Pop 

One of the biggest criticism of the Thunder’s offense over the past few years has been its overuse of isolations with its two best players. Westbrook and Durant were taking turns running the offense and while the fact that that offense was, and remains to be, extremely effective despite its predictability speaks to their individual greatness. But as Wade and James learned last season, it’s much better when things are flowing and the best players on the team can get involved simultaneously. The easiest way to do that is to run them in the pick and roll and the Thunder are reaping the rewards of this play, after a season of a greater emphasis on set plays.

The play begins with Durant headed to set a pick on George Hill, closely being chased by Paul George.

Paul George is faced with the rare obstacle of trying to guard a player more athletically freakish than he is, and fearing a blow-by, steps up to force Westbrook to pick up his dribble. Meanwhile Durant is about to slip his screen on Hill and pop out to the right elbow (where he is shooting nearly an insane 58%).

Paul George gets his wish as Westbrook picks up his dribble, but he does so to deliver the ball to a soon-to-be open Durant. Hill, to his credit, sees the slip before its too late but has no chance in playing ball denial with the close to 7′ Durant. Durant eventually disentangles himself from Hill (quite easily, in fact) and receives more than enough space to swish the shot.

What makes this pick/slip and pop so great is that it utilizes the best qualities of Westbrook and Durant. Teams can’t sink on Durant and leave Westbrook with an open lane to burst into the paint and neither can they completely trap Russell as this leaves one of the best shooters in the game wide open. This becomes even more difficult to defend when you factor in how many options Durant has before he sets the pick, he can slip the screen and pop out, slip and cut to the rim, or set the pick and then roll. Just a fantastic play overall.