Welcome to The Passing Game, where we simply take the time to glorify the dimes being thrown all around us.
A series from the Spurs and the Warriors from last night that demonstrated the hot potato mentality in the passing game.
The base line drive by Kawhi Leonard brought help defense from DeAndre Jordan, whose assignment was LaMarcus Aldridge in the long-two area. Leonard goes across his body to kick it back to Aldridge. Chris Paul is guarding two as the defender, and has to stunt at Aldridge because of his shooting. Aldridge makes a quick swing to Patty Mills and Paul does a good job following the ball, but Mills flings it right back to Aldridge without hesitation, seeing that DeAndre Jordan had yet to fully recover for a contest. When you watch the Spurs you often see hot potato passing.
Draymond Green has become a master of these advantage offense situations. As Green catches a pressure release pass at the top of the circle from Steph Curry, who’s double team on the pick-and-roll, he already recognizes that Festus Ezeli was uncovered on his roll to the rim. Green zips one in to Ezeli mid-air to ensure the quickest delivery while he had that window.
