Nuggets Play To Carmelo Anthony’s Strengths Against Pacers
by Sebastian Pruiti

After a rough start, Carmelo Anthony really got going and had the best game of his season this year, going 14-27 (including 6-8 from the three point line) and scoring 36 points in basically three quarters (took just two shots in the fourth quarter). If you didn’t watch the game, you probably are assuming that Anthony did a whole lot of jab-stepping with the basketball in ISO sets last night.

However, that wasn’t the case, as the Nuggets used Anthony in more Spot-Up situations than ISO situations last night, playing to Anthony’s strengths and going away from his weaknesses. Anthony is extremely successful in Spot-Up situations, shooting 44.6% and ranking 30th in the entire NBA in terms of Points Per Possession. The problem, Anthony has only used Spot-Up situations on 9.2% of his possessions this season, preferring to run ISO sets (37.5% of his possessions this season) even though he isn’t as successful (39.4% shooting – 89th in NBA with 0.82 PPP). Last night, that wasn’t the case:

The way that Carmelo Anthony was used against the Pacers was completely different than the way he has been used over the course of this season. 29.7% of Anthony’s possessions against the Pacers were possessions labeled by Synergy as “Spot-Ups,” while just 18.5% of Anthony’s possessions used were ISO sets.

Instead of just giving the ball to Anthony and watching him pivot and work out of the ISO against the Pacers, the Nuggets used Carmelo Anthony off of the basketball, ran action involving other players, and forced the defense to make a decision. Specifically, the Nuggets ran pick and rolls with Carmelo Anthony on the opposite side of the court. 5 of the 8 Spot-Ups that were ran for Anthony came this way. This forced the defense to decide whether or not to sink in on the help man or stick with Carmelo Anthony:

As Chauncey Billups brings the basketball up, Kenyon Martin gets in position and sets a screen for Billups. The Nuggets are running a Pick and Roll on one side while Carmelo Anthony is standing in the corner on the opposite side of the court.

The reason that the Nuggets are doing this is because they want to force the defense to make a decision, specifically Brandon Rush, the man who is defending Anthony. As Billups starts to use the Martin screen, Rush is in the middle of the lane for his help responsibilities.

As Martin pops out and Billups looks like he is going to attack the rim, Rush sinks in towards the action even more.

As Billups kicks it out to Al Harrington, Brandon Rush is a good 30 feet or so away from his man, Carmelo Anthony.

Harrington quickly swings the ball to Carmelo Anthony in the corner, as Brandon Rush tries to return to him.

Rush can’t cover enough ground, and Anthony is able to pull up for three without a hand in his face, he knocks it down. Here is the play in real time:

Rush gets drawn away from Anthony because he wants to help on the expected roll (which never comes), or on any drive by Billups. The off ball action forces him to sink, and a quick swing around the perimeter gets Anthony the ball wide open in the corner.

The above clip is basically the same play as the first, but this time the Nuggets mix in a J.R. Smith cut off of the basketball. Again, Brandon Rush gets caught trying to defend against the action happening away from Anthony (this time it’s the Smith cut in addition to the PNR), leaving Anthony once again.

As I mentioned earlier, the Nuggets did this 5 of Anthony’s eight spot ups during the course, and it resulted in an open shot each time.

In each of the above instances, Carmelo Anthony’s man is forced to make a decision. Either help or stay close to Anthony. Each time, the defender chose to leave Anthony and help on the off-ball PNR. Each time, the Nuggets were able to find Anthony, who knocked down an open jumper.

While the Nuggets strategy revolved around the pick and roll, they also used some other off-ball actions to get Anthony open.

Here, the Nuggets enter the ball to Nene from the top of the key with Anthony on the wing. Anthony’s man gets caught looking into the post, Nene quickly kicks it out, and Anthony is able to knock down another open three.

6 of Anthony’s 8 spot-ups came off of PNRs or post entries. The remaining two spot-up opportunities that Anthony got were off of offensive rebounds. While these plays aren’t designed, they reinforce the Nuggets’ strategy of trying to get Anthony the ball in spot-up situations. In both cases shown above, the Nuggets get the offensive rebound and immediately look outside (instead of trying to go right back up with it), in both instances, Anthony gets a open look that he knocks down on the outside (because the defense is out of position due to the offensive rebound).

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Now, I understand that this is just one game and that Anthony isn’t going to shoot 100% from spot-up situations all the time, but working Anthony off of the basketball is an effective strategy that the Nuggets really need to use more often as the season continues. Not only do these “Spot-Ups” fit the Nuggets’ roster better (you let guys like Lawson, Smith, and Billups break down the defense then kick it out to Anthony instead of having them give it to him and just watch him go ISO), but Anthony is much more effective catching and shooting (44.6% shooting vs. 37.5% shooting out of ISO sets). The Nuggets may have found a new offensive strategy that could power a playoff run (if Anthony remains in Denver).

franco12 wrote:I wonder if any of this is an effort by Karl to make Memo want to stay?

I was thinking that they are using a bit of a NY offense to make us ante up for Melo. But you mihgt be right.