A Few Good Plays is back, and we’re once again heading around the NBA to highlight a handful of snippets of good basketball.
Giannis Dominating
Sometimes good offensive basketball is about perfectly executed sets and beautiful motion. But other times it’s just about being bigger and stronger than your opponent. Few players exert their physical dominance quite so effectively as Giannis Antetokounmpo.
He ate the Sacramento Kings alive when they went to a small ball look in their matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks last week, including shredding a double team that bordered on a triple team in semi transition in the clip above. He’s got Bobby Portis wide open in the corner. For most players that pass is the right decision, but when you’ve got the strength to simply power through multiple defenders for an and-one finish, you should just do that.
Joel Embiid’s Multiple Efforts
Few players are as impactful defensively as a fully engaged Joel Embiid. Philadelphia’s big man displayed his effectiveness as a rim deterrent in his team’s recent showdown with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Watch the quickness with which he’s able to recover to Evan Mobley, blocking the precocious young Cavs’ shot after contesting Cedi Osman seconds before.
Embiid has never been healthy or in shape enough to consistently play with the kind of intensity he demonstrates here in the postseason. If he’s able to put it all together this year, the Sixers could make some noise in the playoffs.
Rejecting the Screen, with a Twist
Donovan Mitchell is a known screen rejector and a master of the spin move, but he doesn’t often combine the two skills. Mitchell made an exception to embarrass James Harden, who did himself no favors with a display of lackadaisical defense. Harden’s lack of effort made Mitchell’s move no less impressive.
The balance, ball handling, and shooting ability Cleveland’s superstar guard displayed was nearly balletic. Mitchell set up the Philly defense as though he were going to run an empty side pick-and-roll, before executing a tight spin and launching a three off the bounce over a late Embiid contest. That’s hard to do in an empty gym, let alone in a high-pressure game with one of the biggest humans on earth running towards you.
Don’t Test Derrick White
Just a friendly reminder that Derrick White is the best shotblocking guard in the NBA. Don’t bring any weak stuff his way (looking at you Talen Horton-Tucker).