USA Basketball Scrimmage

Watching film of pro's is a good way to see what it looks like at the highest level.  We talk about offensive and defensive transition, talking and helping on defense, and many other things, but sometimes we have to 'see' it and 'hear' it.

Team USA basketball is gearing up for their World Cup run, and highlights of one of their scrimmages was posted online.  A couple of things that I noticed were how fast they transition from offense to defense and defense to offense, how much they talked, spacing and reading the defense, and how they competed against each other.  

This might be good for players to watch to see how some of the best players in the world compete in scrimmages.

You can see the video and my notes from the video below.

See my notes after the jump.

Guys are talking

Not holding on to the ball too quickly

They transition from offense to defense very fast

3:08 – Getting on the floor for the ball

3:30 – Defensive rotations

Donovan Mitchell is challenging all shots at the basket in transition

4:08 – Good hesi-read off the pick and roll

4:17 – Guys talking in defensive transition and helping on penetration

4:45 – Relentless going after the offensive boards

6:35 and 7:25 – Donovan Mitchell makes shots and competes on defense

9:36 – Even though they miss a catch and shoot 3, I like how purposeful and intentional that they are about getting the ball inbounded after a make, get the ball down the court, and they are immediately in their actions and reads.  They get back on defense and draw a charge the next defensive possession.

10:45 – When the ball screen comes, you can hear multiple people give their defensive call

11:15 – Tatum gets the ball stopped in transition, they are able to switch back and Tatum fights to get around the post

12:00 – Ball movement, pitch aheads, and skips in transition

12:20 – Get big lil boy (lol) – good shot fake-pass-cut by Kuzma;  Get them in the air then pass and move.  Old school give and go basketball.

14:11 – Both defenders in both ball-screens make their ‘Red’ call loud and clear and switch, forcing a contested 3 with the time running out