Liberty Action
- David Robertson
- Jul 28, 2020
- 2 min read
This past Saturday begun the WNBA Season! We all have needed some basketball in our lives. Watching the Seattle Storm vs New York Liberty on July 25th was a great way to start this new era of basketball (era has several meanings these days). One of the exciting parts of this game was the duo of Sue Bird/Breanna Stewart vs Sabrina Ionescu. Three WNBA #1 Picks. Each team made a few runs but the Storm, a much more seasoned team than the Liberty with their 5 Rookies (they have 7 but only 5 played Saturday), came out on top.
With a new season underway, now seemed like as good as any to do some basketball breakdowns. Given this game was decided well before there were any EOG plays to dive into, I am decided to take a look at one of the Liberty's Actions that the ran a few times. Take a look.
I enjoy this action quite a bit. Relatively simple action. They can get several good looks out of it! The video pauses at a few points. Here are a few takeaways:
Need a player that is comfortable passing and comfortable going into a post-up position. For the Liberty is is their post - #41 Kiah Stokes
Love the guard to big screen (#20 Sabrina Ionescu to Stokes) then the guard to guard (Sabrina to #7 Layshia Clarendon) screen. Can lead to a lot of confusion for the defense if they aren't communicating well.
Have the shot for the Sabrina getting the screen, looking for the three (or try to attack to get to the basket)
Clarendon setting the screen can slip (as seen in the clip and there was no defense in help position).
If Stokes doesn't pass, she can go straight into a post-up play.
If Stokes doesn't pass and doesn't go into a post-up, the opposite wing player can fill to the top of the key. Both guard defenders are occupied due to the cut by Clarendon and denying Sabrina on the same side wing. The opposite wing defender is sucking into the paint and creating too much space.
A risky play would be to hit the opposite corner since it would require a cross court pass but it could be there if that defender over helps on the cut and can't close-out in time.
Again, I enjoy this action. Lots of options out of it. Obviously, looking for the first 3 or the slip from the screener but its good to know there are more options if the defense takes away the first two.
Looking forward to watching a lot more basketball in the coming weeks! Both in the NBA's Bubble and the WNBA's Wubble!
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