The Warriors defeated the Celtics with legendary hits.

The Warriors defeated the Celtics with legendary hits.

Consider the headliners in the Golden State Warriors’ 132-126 overtime win over the Boston Celtics: Steph Curry, who hit the game-winning dagger shot over Jaylen Brown; Trayce Jackson-Davis, who finished with his first career double-double (10 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks) and was trusted as the closing centre, repaying that trust with key buckets and defensive plays; and even Klay Thompson, who deserves a nod for hitting big shots down the stretch.

Chris Paul, on the other hand, arguably set the tone – and did so on the defensive end.

The first possession of the fourth quarter was classic Paul — but not offensively:

You don’t want Paul protecting Tatum because of the obvious eight-inch height difference. But as a defender, Paul is as tough as they come. He tries to “ice” Tatum and push him away from the screen, but Neemias Queta counters by flipping the viewpoint. Despite this, Paul manages to go over the screen and remain on Tatum. He stays in front of Tatum, forcing him to settle for a long mid-range shot and even closes space without fouling.

The Warriors defeated the Celtics with legendary hits.

The Warriors, on the other hand, play their choreographed half-court set, which is often drawn up in between quarters. Take note of the individuals available to them at the time — Jackson-Davis in particular — and observe how a set play they’d been holding in reserve for a while was made possible:

The Warriors demonstrate the notion of “shorting” the pick-and-roll, often known as “short” action. It simply means that the ball is handed to a third person on the elbow — in this case, Paul — in order to generate a superior passing angle towards the roll man.

Jackson-Davis’ ability to create roll gravity – something lacking on this Warriors squad – brings two players towards him in an attempt to take away the lob. This opens the door for Paul to drill a mid-range appearance.

If “short” motion appears familiar, it’s because the Warriors have used it before, specifically with JaVale McGee and Gary Payton II:

Never forget the "GP2 Play."

Warriors incorporated this ATO into their playbook (based off of something they used to run for JaVale McGee) during the early stages of the season.

They stopped running it when it was scouted, but it was glorious while it lasted. pic.twitter.com/YGbBFAiB1x

— Joe Viray (@JoeVirayNBA) July 1, 2022

The Warriors’ reliance on a couple of standard set pieces to fuel their half-court offence was a low-key development that also propelled their comeback victory. Because of how rarely it has been used, the “short” motion above falls short of being deemed a staple; only with an above-the-rim lob threat, such as Jackson-Davis, Payton, and McGee, can the Warriors truly unleash it.

One play they’ve relied on for years — one Steve Kerr learned from his old coach, Phil Jackson — is dubbed “WTF,” and it means exactly what you think it means.

This piece from former columnist Jackie MacMullan’s book on the history of specific plays describes the history of “WTF” perfectly:

There’s a play in today’s NBA that can produce everything from a cut to the basket to a high-value 3-point shot. It’s a side out-of-bounds box set that features interchangeable positions and multiple options. And whenever the Golden State Warriors run it, they have to pantomime.

“I didn’t want my guys yelling out, ‘WHAT THE F—!’ with families and little kids sitting there,” says Steve Kerr, head coach of the Warriors. “So I told them, ‘Hold your arms up like you’re shrugging.’ It was a little less conspicuous that way.”

It’s called the “What the f—” play.

Jackson stole it from Holzman, and Kerr stole it from Jackson. Brian Shaw, who played for and was an assistant coach with the Lakers, passed it on to Frank Vogel when Shaw was on his Indiana Pacer coaching staff. Luke Walton, an ex-Lakers player and coach and ex-Warriors assistant under Kerr, copied it for use with his current Sacramento Kings roster.

“Almost everybody runs a version of it,” Kerr says.

The Warriors’ version of “WTF” can result in a backcut off a screen set by a shooter — specifically, Curry — who then sprints off another screen to be open for a three-pointer. If defences don’t cover their bases, this simple screen-the-screener motion can get Curry terrific looks.

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The team has been running “WTF” for the entire 10 seasons that Kerr has been in charge. Most teams know when it’s coming — but they can’t cover it properly every time:

Another staple half-court set — a Thompson special — was used three times by the Warriors, each with a result different from each other but producing four of the most efficient looks a team can get: two open threes. a layup, and a dunk.

The Warriors call the play “51.” It involves a double-drag screen with an empty corner, where Thompson is the second screener in the double-drag alignment.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1610304987757699073

What made “51” work in this instance to great effect was — once again — the personnel involved.

Curry’s involvement as the ballhandler speaks for itself. His ability to draw two to the ball forces defenses to have to pick their poison. But having Jackson-Davis as the first screener and roll man makes it even tougher for the Celtics to cover their bases:

The Warriors are fond of spamming an action that has previously worked, as if continuously daring the defense and challenging them to stop it, even if they know what’s coming. They run “51” the next possession over, which the Celtics anticipate.

Jrue Holiday’s counter to the double-drag action: “ice” Curry away from the screens by jumping out and forcing him toward the sideline, while Al Horford plays a high drop behind him. Horford does so to remain in contain position, which also banks on Holiday being able to stay on Curry’s hip to take away his space and discourage him from pulling up.

The Warriors defeated the Celtics with legendary hits.

In this instance, Holiday successfully “ices” the screen, forcing Curry to have to dribble along the baseline in Steve Nash fashion to keep his dribble alive. He draws Horford on the switch, relocates to the corner, and also draws Jaylen Brown, who leaves Paul alone.

Seeing that a lane has opened for him to drive, Paul stampedes his way to the rim once Curry gets him the ball:

The Warriors run “51” for the third time in a row. Like the previous possession, Holiday attempts to “ice” Curry away from the first screen, trying to contain him and force him towards Horford’s high drop.

But Jackson-Davis accomplishes something that few rookie big men can — and that most veteran screeners are aware of when confronted with ‘ice’ coverage:

Flipping the screen’s angle so that it is “flat” — parallel to the baseline – compels Holiday to take an unusual path to go past it. He practically ducks under, leaving Horford on an island versus Curry.

And, as most people are aware, dropping versus the best shooter of all time is akin to pouring petrol on a burning building.