I remember the first time I heard coach Tim Cone's philosophy about high expectations - it struck a chord with me immediately. "I demand a lot, Mataas ang expectations ko sa kanila, alam naman nila yun, kasi yun ang only way na makikita ko na ma-reach nila yung goal nila talaga," he once said. This mindset perfectly captures what separates elite basketball players from the rest. Throughout my years studying the game and working with developing athletes, I've identified ten game-changing plays that can genuinely transform your basketball skills when executed with that same demanding standard.
Let's start with something I consider fundamental yet often overlooked - the drag screen in transition. I've watched countless games where this simple action creates immediate advantages, yet most amateur players don't even recognize its power. When a guard pushes the ball upcourt with a big trailing slightly behind, that quick screen before the defense sets can generate open threes or driving lanes that simply shouldn't exist in half-court situations. Statistics from NBA tracking data show teams using effective drag screens score 1.18 points per possession compared to just 0.89 in standard half-court sets. That difference might not sound dramatic, but over a full game, it's the margin between winning and losing.
The Spain pick-and-roll deserves its own chapter in basketball evolution, and honestly, it's my personal favorite to watch when executed perfectly. What makes it special isn't just the action itself but the mindset behind it - that relentless pursuit of advantage Coach Cone emphasized. The sequence involves a standard pick-and-roll with an additional screener waiting to screen the primary defender from behind. I've implemented this with teams I've coached, and the initial confusion it creates is almost unfair. The beauty lies in its simplicity disguised as complexity, forcing defenders to communicate perfectly or surrender easy looks.
Then there's the hammer play, which Golden State has perfected over the years. This sideline out-of-bounds action creates a corner three for a shooter coming off screens from the weak side. What fascinates me about this play is how it exploits defensive tendencies - most defenders naturally gravitate toward the ball, leaving shooters open in the corner. I've tracked this specific action across multiple seasons and found that teams average around 1.3 points per possession when running hammer sets effectively. The numbers don't lie - this is arguably the most efficient sideline out-of-bounds play in basketball today.
The slot to slot pass followed by a dribble handoff might sound basic, but its effectiveness at creating mismatches is extraordinary. I remember working with a college team that struggled with offensive creativity until we implemented this simple action. The key is timing - the initial pass must force the defense to shift, creating just enough hesitation for the handoff to work. When Denver runs this for Jamal Murray, you can see the entire defense tense up, anticipating multiple options developing simultaneously.
Let's talk about the "horns flare" action, which begins in a standard horns set before transforming into something much more dangerous. The big men set simultaneous screens for a shooter curling from the wing, creating multiple read-and-react opportunities. What I love about this play is its versatility - it can produce threes, mid-range jumpers, or drives to the basket depending on how the defense reacts. In my experience coaching, this play consistently generates the highest quality looks against zone defenses.
The "exit screen" concept is something I believe more teams should utilize, especially with the proliferation of switching defenses. This involves a player setting a screen away from the ball to free a teammate for a catch-and-shoot opportunity. The subtle genius lies in its timing - the screen occurs just as the pass is arriving, leaving defenders minimal time to react. I've noticed that teams running this action successfully shoot approximately 48% from three-point range, significantly higher than the league average of around 36%.
Then we have the "zipper backdoor" play, which preys on overaggressive defensive positioning. When a defender cheats over a zipper screen, the cutter immediately changes direction toward the basket for a lob. This play requires incredible timing and chemistry between passer and cutter, but when executed properly, it's virtually unstoppable. I've always preferred plays that punish defensive overplays because they force opponents to second-guess their natural instincts.
The "delay action" with a big man at the top of the key might seem counterintuitive in today's pace-and-space era, but its effectiveness surprises me every time I see it implemented. When a skilled big catches at the elbow, it creates a mini-game of four-on-four that stretches defenses uncomfortably thin. Nikola Jokic has mastered this better than anyone, and watching him dissect defenses from that position is pure basketball poetry.
Let's discuss the "screen the screener" concept, which adds layers to standard offensive actions. This involves one player screening for another who's about to set a screen themselves, creating confusion in defensive assignments. The complexity of this action demands the high expectations Coach Cone mentioned - without perfect execution, it falls apart completely. But when run correctly, it produces the kind of beautiful basketball that makes coaching worthwhile.
Finally, the "random" play that isn't random at all - the spontaneous two-man game that develops from continuous player and ball movement. This might sound contradictory as a "play," but the best offenses have actions that appear improvised while being thoroughly drilled. I've always believed that teaching players to read and react produces more sustainable offense than any set play could. The numbers support this - teams ranking in the top five in secondary assists typically win 15% more games than those relying heavily on scripted actions.
Implementing these plays requires embracing that philosophy of high expectations Coach Cone articulated so perfectly. Each action demands precision, timing, and basketball intelligence that only develops through relentless repetition and accountability. The transformation occurs not just in learning the plays themselves, but in adopting the mindset behind them - that only through demanding excellence can you truly reach your basketball potential. I've witnessed this transformation in players at all levels, from high school to professionals, and the common thread is always that willingness to be coached hard toward ambitious goals.
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