Ray Allen hit a Finals-record eight three-pointers last night, and went 7-for-7 in the first half. The following video is meant more for entertainment purposes rather than breaking down how and why he got open, but I’ll do my best.
Make #1: The Lakers played some bad perimeter defense last night (especially in transition) and this is a good example. Glen Davis set a ball screen on Derek FIsher as part of the Celtics’ secondary break and Fisher just stopped on the pick instead of fighting over the top of it. Also, Pau Gasol was playing way off of Davis instead coming up and jumping out on the screen.
Make #2: This one was in the half court and the defense was still bad. Fisher made the mistake of trying to go ball side of the screener (Kendrick Perkins) instead of chasing Allen on the screen. With a player like Allen, you always chase, chase, chase. He is so good at reading the defender that anytime the guy tries to cheat and go over the top, he’s just going to fade to the corner, creating some extra distance, and spot up for three.
Make #3: The Celtics killed the Lakers in transition. Shannon Brown did a terrible job on this play of locating Allen. You can see from the shot from above just how far he was away from Allen when he caught the ball. The #1 rule for the Lakers in transition should be to stop the ball, #2 should be find Ray Allen. This make was especially impressive because Rajon Rondo’s pass was off target.
Make #4: This is another secondary break that ends well for the C’s. This time, it’s Jordan Farmar who fails to pick up Allen in transition. Remember, Ray-Ray is looking to spot up all the time, even on the break.
Make #5: Three point shooters love it when their big guys get on the offensive glass and kick the ball out. It’s a great time to get open because the defender turns and watches the shot/rebound instead of locating the shooter. Essentially, they think their job is done, but once the offensive rebound is complete, it’s almost like another mini-break. Shannon Brown never should have left him. Doc Rivers’ expression after the make was priceless.
Make #6: This was probably my favorite of the bunch, because I’m sure Kobe was all pissed off at his teammates and felt the need to guard Allen and try to shut him down. Then he proceeds to make the same mistake that Fisher made by trying to go over the top of the screen. Chase, chase, chase. Always chase. Always. Also, notice the little jab step/push off that freezes Kobe for a second. Then, as soon as Allen sees Kobe go ball side of the screen, he fades to the sideline and spots up. It’s a think of beauty.
Make #7: Here’s another example of how dangerous Allen can be on the break. Derek Fisher ends up coming over to help on him, but he’s too late because he was also the one who stopped Rondo’s dribble. The blame could fall on Brown’s shoulders, who is standing in the lane while a guy who has just hit six-straight threes is jogging down the right side of the court unguarded. But the blame is really on Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol — neither player got down the court fast enough to cover the big (I can’t tell who it is) under the basket. Brown didn’t want to leave a guy standing wide open right at the hoops, so he stayed home. That’s on Bynum/Gasol.
Make #8: This was another offensive rebound kickout, this time from Glen Davis. Once again, it was Brown who fell asleep as Davis gathered the offensive rebound. It’s a no-no to leave Ray-Ray, especially when he’s shooting like this.
