Tyson Chandler, the man Emeka Okafor replaced in the Hornets line up, was lethal in pick and roll situations with Chris Paul. Okafor isn't quite the high-flyer that Chandler was, but is expected to be effective in those same situations with CP3.
Here's some video and commentary of Paul and Okafor running the pick and roll in the Hornets first three games of the season.
We're hoping to do regular video analysis this season, so let us know what Hornets plays/situations you'd most like broken down in future.
UPDATE: At The Hive takes a look at Okafor's numbers through the first four games.
11 inspiring comments post your own
Ryan Schwan
11/04/09 08:49 AM
Excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed that.
www.hornets247.com #1
Lancelot
11/04/09 09:23 AM
It seems like Mek's picks may be a little soft.
Remember last year whenever Chandler went down, and CP was left to run the pick and roll with West? It's very reminiscent of that. I think the glaring difference is that Mek is much more explosive off the pick than West ever was, and he's actually making an attempt to get that good post position that Niall talked about towards the end.
A bit of further analysis if I may. And I may be extremely far off base with this, but hear me out.
Tyson's picks were much more stout. Not only in his positioning, and providing a good hard pick, but also he almost always had his knees and elbows out, in what seemed like an attempt to keep whoever was guarding CP from getting around that pick. Because of that defender having to wrestle his way around the Chandler pick, the opposing center was forced to play a much more active role in defending CP off of the pick, therefore freeing Tyson up, and allowing that almost magnetic move to the rim.
As Niall pointed out, Mek doesn't exactly play above the rim, but that doesn't mean that he can't continue to use the pick and roll for much better low post positioning. I'm hoping for something similar to Shaq. Granted, Shaq's got a ton of weight to throw around, but he almost always finds himself in the low post after a pick and roll.
In short, I suppose I would like to just see Mek stay in place longer, and provide stronger, harder picks, taking up as much space as he can on the court, planting his feet, and giving whoever may be defending CP something to actually have to work around. I think that's going to open up more doors for us offensively.
That was way longer than I meant for it to be.
#2
stormsurge
11/04/09 09:59 AM
Awesome job Niall.
I had exactly the same observations as lancelot. Mek just isnt the wall that Chandler was.
www.stormsurgephoto.com #3
Niall Doherty
11/04/09 10:00 AM
Agreed that Tyson's picks were more effective. He's one of the best in the league at setting them. I think Okafor will get better though as he learns how CP likes to come off those screens. He's a smart guy and a hard worker, so I'm optimistic he'll adapt nicely.
www.ndoherty.com #4
QueenBee
11/04/09 12:35 PM
Good job. Thanks a lot for this. I'm sure as time goes they'll begin to click more and it will get better.
#5
Caleb462
11/04/09 03:09 PM
This was great, looking forward to seeing more.
neworleansbasketball.blogspot.com #6
untitled1018
11/04/09 04:11 PM
I'll join the chorus in applauding your awesome analysis. Great job. I look forward to seeing more of it ...
(I also agree with Lancelot ... and I'm also optimistic that Okafor will get better at it)
Again impressive analysis ...
#7
Dariusz Ejkiewicz
11/04/09 04:27 PM
I'm starting to hate you. Is there anything that when you touch it doesn't turn into gold? Damn so talented and insightful, great job Niall!
www.ejkiewicz.com #8
Niall Doherty
11/04/09 04:56 PM
Thanks, everyone. I figure we can all learn a lot about how the Hornets play by going back over the tape like this. Any suggestions for the next video? I'm thinking it would be interesting to see the Hornets help defense, or lack thereof.
www.ndoherty.com #9
Lancelot
11/04/09 06:19 PM
A defensive analysis would be very nice. Unfortunately I've only been able to see part of 2 games this year, and it would be very nice to see what things look like.
I want to say that I heard that there's a mix of man-to-man and zone being played, and that just makes me want to throw up. To throw the number of new players that we have together, and to not have a cohesive defensive game plan is absolutely ridiculous. The defense is what I'm really waiting to see click for us.
Maybe we could also see an analysis of Bobby Brown's horrible shot selection, where his shots are in the shot clock, and how he should have passed, since, you know, he's being used as a point guard.
#10
Apple
11/06/09 10:01 AM
Great job, Niall... Have you heard in the latest poll the Irish accent has been voted the sexiest?
Work it, man!!! ;-)
appleita.blogspot.com/ #11