Utah Jazz Flex Continuity Offense

Went through some recorded games earlier today and the Utah Jazz game against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night in Sacramento caught my eye. I knew the Jazz lost last night without Carlos Boozer and when I looked them up, the Jazz are still 12-8 with players injured. In this game against the Kings, Boozer was out and so was Kirilenko, Deron Williams is also not 100%.

I wrote last year about the Jazz's motion styled offense last season. With so many injuries to key offensive players, it looks like Coach Sloan has gone to a flex continuity while those guys are not on the floor. Take a look at a few sequences I took from the second half,




There are many versions of the flex offense, and this would be one of them. It's not true motion because in true motion, there is no set pattern, just spots on the floor and principles.

Flex Continuity:

They usually start out in a 1-4 low or mid-post look. O1 is up top and the opposite post comes up to receive the pass. O5 sets the flex baseline screen for O3 who cuts to the basket. O4 can find O3 if open,

O3 cuts all the way through and sets another baseline flex screen for O2. Meanwhile, O1 sets a downscreen for O5 who cuts up to the top of the key to receive the pass from O4. O5 can shoot the ball if open, or find O2 who has cut off the flex screen,

Finally, O4 goes down to set a downscreen for O3. O3 comes off the screen and can come up all the way to the 3-point line, or curl for the midrange. Meanwhile, O2 sets another baseline flex screen this time for O1,

If the ball goes to the corner at any point, they will run cross-block screens. Here O3 can either go all the way to the weak side corner to fill, or as Korver does in the clip, come back to the corner while O2 dribbles up to the wing. O2 finds Korver in the ball-side corner for the wide open 3-pointer,


Also, remember the sequence when Okur puts the ball on the floor and drives to the basket. Each player always has the option to shoot or drive to the basket, spacing is key as usual.

Summary:

I think sometimes people think "oh, that offense is so simple, it couldn't possibly work at this level." Simple is often times better. I think more teams should use some form of a continuity or motion especially if you have a bunch of players that are more or less equal in talent. It forces you to move the ball and for players to move around. It does create great shot opportunities. The only downside being you can't always control who it is that ends up with the shot.

If you run the flex and are looking for a few quick hitters to control who gets to shoot, then take a look at Leon Rice's DVD on Quick Hitters for Flex Offense. Leon Rice is an assistant coach with Gonzaga University who run the flex offense. Be sure to check out the X's and O's of Basketball Forum to discuss this and more of your favorite basketball topics.