Pick and roll

The pick and roll in basketball, is an offensive play in which a player sets a screen (pick) for a teammate handling the ball and then slips behind the defender to accept a pass.

Related Topics:
Basketball - ''screen''

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The pick and roll frees up the ballhandler for an uncontested shot, forcing other defenders to rotate and thus creating scoring opportunities for others. The main recipient is usually the screener himself, who rolls to the basket and receives the ball near the basket for an easy score. The pick and roll is often employed by a shorter guard handling the ball and a taller forward setting the screen.

Related Topics:
Guard

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Variations of the pick and roll are the pick and pop (or pick and fade), where the screener moves for an open jump shot instead of rolling to the basket, or the pick and slip.

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In the NBA, John Stockton and Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz used this play to great effect in the 1990's, leading their team to the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998. In recent times, Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire used the pick and roll to lead the Phoenix Suns to the top of the 2004-2005 league standings.

Related Topics:
NBA - John Stockton - Karl Malone - Utah Jazz - 1990's - 1997 - 1998 - Steve Nash - Amare Stoudemire - Phoenix Suns

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