In their preseason opener against the Portland Trail Blazers we saw many of the horns sets — and its variations — of the all-new-to-Utah offense that were put into place by Quin Snyder that we’ve been talking about quite a bit about here at PnB.
Since this is the first time the Jazz have ever used horns as their primary offensive set we’ll be doing a series of posts to familiarize you with some of its many options, as well as taking a look at the other offensive sets Snyder is using.
It goes without saying that it’s also relatively new to many of the Jazzmen on the roster, so will take some time to become automatic as a unit. Nevertheless, they ran some very successful sets in their first official outing of the preseason.
First Option Horns Set
Trey Burke brings the ball up the floor.
Burke then passes off to Enes Kanter on the high right block and continues to the corner to set a screen for Alec Burks. Burks then curls and cuts to the rim where Kanter will look for a passing lane for a quick, easy finish to Alec.
If the play isn’t there Burks continues across the baseline to set a screen for Gordon Hayward who cuts back across looking for the ball on the way. If Kanter can’t find him either he settles into position for a corner three, taking his man with him out of the paint and far away from the play.
Meanwhile, Burke, seeing that nothing materialized, runs back up for the ball.
At this point both big men collapse to the low block, where Derrick Favors sets a mean screen on a little guy to free up Burks. This screening the screener action is a little piece of the old flex offense we saw for so many years here in Utah.
As an aside, early on I’ve noticed much more solid screens being set this year, especially from Favors.
At this point, a wide open Alec Burks is coming back up to meet the ball that’s already on its way from Burke.
Obviously, you can mix and match ball handlers, wings and bigs here, and the Jazz used this set to find Gordon Hayward for a wide open three against the Blazers in their preseason opener.
The #2 man, in this instance Alec Burks, is all but guaranteed to have an open look at the bucket. It’s worth noting here that Hayward was a far more efficient shooter last season on open looks as opposed to contested ones.
This is a strong side horns set, meaning the point guard went to the same side as he initially passed off to to begin the motion and play. There are more options from a weak side set that can set up some really fun movement we’ll look at in a future piece, as well as other variations I’m sure Snyder will incorporate as his players settle into a rhythm with the basics. Maybe even the uber-fun elevator door screens version of horns.
Attack at the 45
We’ve heard the term “attack at the 45” a few times now coming into the preseason. While not a horns set, it’s one Quin Snyder intends to use to his advantage.
There are multiple players on the Jazz this set will be advantageous to with so many capable ball handlers. Trey Burke, Alec Burks, Gordon Hayward, Rodney Hood and Dante Exum can also use this 45 degree angle to get deep into the paint to do damage with their strengths, be it passing off as the defense collapses or getting to the line with a chance for a three-point play.
By positioning shooters at the corners and another at the elbow, this set essentially becomes a one-on-one or two-man game initially, with cutting and kick-out options based on how the defense reacts as the point guard makes his decision forcing the defense to react.
Notice how much space Trey Burke has to operate in here, unfettered but for his man and maybe a couple of half-hearted swipes at the ball from an off-ball defender who doesn’t dare leave his man.
On this Attack at the 45, Burke would beat Steve Blake and make his move to the paint with Favors rolling to the rim at the same instant.
Robin Lopez is forced to choose, and as the defense collapses on Burke he would pass off to a rolling Favors for an easy layup on this occasion.
He could also as easily have kicked it to Burks in the corner. And if the finish isn’t there for Favors he has Kanter waiting in the other wing to kick out to since all five Blazers have now collapsed to the ball and the paint.
Watch the play in gif form here
We’ll continue to bring you breakdowns of the new Snyder System as the young Jazzmen perfect the ever more complex options.