When the discussion is about off-ball movement and cutting on offense in basketball, we often think of these originating on the perimeter. But I want to discuss the importance of big men circling off drives in the paint.
With the NBA’s emphasis on space and play, it can be difficult to justify playing non-shooting big men. In theory, they clog driving lanes and make offenses easier to defend. However, with just a few steps one way or another, a non-shooting big can take advantage of the defense’s rotation and create scoring opportunities.
Playing off penetration is about giving drivers options as the defense reacts. It opens up passing lanes and puts rotating defenses in difficult positions regarding whom to leave open and spots that need to be filled on drives.
For example, there needs to be a baseline drift in the opposite corner on baseline drives.
Another passing lane that demands attention is when a player circles in the paint. This move often originates from a player in the dunker spot who reacts to their defender’s attempt to help on drives. The player essentially slides around the restricted area, creating a release valve for the driver and right into an open space.
New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein had two huge buckets off circle actions in the Knicks’ 104-101 thrilling Game 2 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The first was in the third quarter on Jalen Brunson’s drive from the slot, which pulled Hartenstein’s defender, Paul Reed. Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey takes away the pass to OG Anunoby in the corner, and Hartenstein slides into the open space between the restricted area and the dotted line for a clean look.
Hartenstein strikes again in the fourth quarter with Miles McBride. On this play, Hartenstein starts on the strong-side block and slides over to the weak side. As Maxey stops McBride’s drive and Joel Embiid moves to protect the rim, Hartenstein circles to the open spot, gives McBride a passing outlet and scores an easy two points.
It is not just Hartenstein who is capitalizing on the circling maneuver.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen has scored multiple times on this action in the first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic. Allen is reaping the rewards of Donovan Mitchell’s and Darius Garland’s drives.
The first example is in Game 1. It’s not a true circling, but Allen does a good job of sliding into the open space created by a drive.
After the ball swings to the corner, Garland drives to the middle, beating Magic guard Jalen Suggs’ closeout. Teammate Jonathan Isaac helps, forcing Franz Wagner to take Isaac’s man and leaving Allen to flash between the restricted area and the dotted line. This gives Garland a perfect passing angle, and Allen flushes the dunk.
The next clip from Game 2 is a textbook example from Allen. Garland penetrates along the baseline, beating Paolo Banchero and forcing Isaac to rotate off Allen on the weakside block. Instead of standing in place, Allen circles up along the restricted area, giving Garland a passing outlet. Wagner doesn’t go with Allen, which allows Allen a clean look.
This next clip is not a big man circling, but a great example of working the baseline on a drive to give the offense an advantage.
In Game 1 against the Dallas Mavericks, LA Clippers forward Paul George is isolated on Luka Dončić on the wing. Clippers center Ivica Zubac, who is in the strong-side dunker spot, works the baseline to the weak side as his defender, Daniel Gafford, arrives to help on George’s drive.
Eventually, Gafford commits to double-teaming George on the drive. Zubac ducks in on the smaller Kyrie Irving, seals him in the paint and gets an and-1.
Teams get too concerned with their non-shooting big man being played off the floor when they are just as capable of spacing and creating scoring opportunities. It comes down to driving angles and making the right cuts at the opportune time.
Circling is a great cut for a big man from the dunker spot or the lane dotted line. It gives drivers an outlet or pulls a defender away, so they can score or hit the baseline drift. It also allows teams to find ways to keep their non-shooting rim protectors on the floor.
Hartenstein, Allen and Zubac are all showing how they can be effective without being able to space to the corner. As the playoffs continue, watch these big men work the paint with their movement.
(Photo of Isaiah Hartenstein and Joel Embiid: Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE via Getty Images)
