Note: I've seen the game from a personnel scout's eyes, but it's also intriguing to dissect it from a coach's/advanced scout's eyes. Which plays do teams consistently run? Which schemes do they constantly employ considering their personnel? This project will help me develop a better understanding from a coaching perspective, while also hopefully allowing others to learn more about different plays. Enjoy Part 2 and if you haven't, check out Part 1.
By the nerdy, obsessed with the attention to detail type NBA fans, the DHO is a well recognized play. Made to free up shooters and allow them to shoot off of movement, it can easily free up guys and turn into a high PNR when necessitated. The handoff was really popular during the 2020 bubble, as the Heat used it to free up their destructive off ball weapons in Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson. But, a less common play that also involves a handoff is the Zoom/Chicago action, which can free up star players and shooters with multiple screens/handoffs. There are several variations of this play that I will outline in the upcoming paragraphs, as well as the reads that the PNR ball handler can make. But first, I'd like to thank this channel for helping me understand the many variations and counters of the Zoom Action:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Sjv8P8xAQY
Without further ado, let's go to the playbook.
(H/T to TheHoopsGeek.com once again).
The necessities of this play generally are likely going to be:
A good wing/big type of screener that can set the first screen to free up the shooter.
A smart big man passer you can trust with the ball in his hands, in DHOs. Ala Bam or Sabonis.
A good off ball mover and decision maker with the ball in his hands that draws gravity in the pick and roll ball handler.
Spacers that can supplement the main three players involved in the action.
Decent popper in the first screener.
Once again, there are many different variations of this Zoom Action, but these are the general qualities you'd want in your player before running it.
The Zoom Action starts with a player, usually from the corner or far wing, that gets ready to move towards a big with the ball in his hands. One player, typically a strong wing/big, sets the first screen, and the aforementioned corner player moves off the ball, running into a dribble handoff. This can turn into a shot, pass, etc, as I will outline in the plays below. It's also called the Chicago action, probably because Loyola Chicago has made it popularized before. With that, here are the different variations of the Zoom action:
Basic Zoom Action Shot Read: https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/playcreator/viewer?code=McyuDarpJT
The Zoom action involves a DHO, so naturally you're going to hunt for that read. Especially when freeing a bonafide shooter. The Duncan Robinsons and Max Struses of the world can turn these plays into easy open shots, which makes them so lethal on the basketball court. Having some versatility with the handle will be key however.
Basic Zoom Action Drive Read: https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/playcreator/viewer?code=WMi6W5YyxJ
If a player has elite burst and or craft, they could beat a hedging big and get all the way to the basket. Players that are especially gifted attacking off of momentum, like Ja, prime Russ, etc., are a nightmare in these types of situations and can warm up based off this play solely.
Basic Zoom Action Wing Kickout Read: https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/playcreator/viewer?code=LANy6osLDp
The player must have legit maturity and passing versatility to execute a play over the back shoulder, but it's possible. If the wing defender helps on the shooter, then the popper/first screener can get a relatively open shot. This is where you'd prefer to have a creator rather than a shooter being the primary ball handler. The kickout read can also be executed on the opposite side of the floor to one of the shooters.
Basic Zoom Action Roller Read: https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/playcreator/viewer?code=OFgAh8b9li
If there's no help on the weak/strong sides, one of the easiest reads in the book is to find the open roller in the pick and roll. Steph has officially maximized this. It's insane how good a passer he is to rollers considering there are three thousand guys stuck to him. But he really understands how to execute maneuvers such as the jump pass in plays like these.
Inbound Zoom Action: https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/playcreator/viewer?code=QZgWQcegfn
The inbound zoom action is one of the central ways a player can gain steam and leverage the defender. After the inbounder has passed, no defender can really read the zoom action coming. So, this can be a very effective play and force a collapsed defense.
Staggered Zoom Action: https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/playcreator/viewer?code=NCbodHqqnB
This creates multiple defenders on one side of the floor, so it's harder to contain a shot or drive from the ball handler in this situation considering there's little to no weak side help. Plus, it's tremendously difficult for a non Smart/Jrue/Thybulle esque perimeter defender to get through three screens, so this is one of the best ways to use the Chicago action.
Horns Zoom Action: https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/playcreator/viewer?code=1sasySLhHu
I think at least some of you guys know what the horns zoom action is, with two bigs setting screens. It can also be applied to the zoom action, where two of the bigs come to set screens to help a ball handler get downhill and attack a defense. See the play for more on this.
Middle Zoom Action: https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/playcreator/viewer?code=qdzLo2XhkH
This play doesn't have to be just executed on one side of the floor. It can also be executed in the middle, where the two other guys are the spacers in the corner. Don't sleep on this variation.
Fake Screen/Back Screen Double Screen Zoom Action: https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/playcreator/viewer?code=EYydxjo5BQ
A good misdirection play where the screeners are looking like they're about to run a DHO but then set a screen for the guy down in the wing/short corner. Keeps the defense on their heels.
Back Cut Counter Option: https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/playcreator/viewer?code=5SkvdeSumw
If the defender overplays the first screen, then the cutter can go back and cut, where the big sees him for an easy pass. Elite counter option.
Form a Second Handoff Counter Option: https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/playcreator/viewer?code=CM2h7NHK9C
If the D plays the first handoff perfectly, then the big could decide to run a pick and roll/DHO with the popper. The originally planned ball handler goes ahead and spaces the floor.
Fake Initial Screen: https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/playcreator/viewer?code=8UAhChXZ2g
Really similar to that move you use when you're dribbling and look like you're about to go into a DHO but then rip through and drive. Big at the 5 must have good vision to execute this.
Literally every team can use this zoom action to run plays for their shooters and creators. I'll break down some.
(Off the top of my head so don't blame me)
Memphis Grizzlies:
Ball Handler: Ja
Shooter (off the second screen): Bane + Konchar
Roller: JJJ/Adams/Tillman
Miami Heat
Ball Handler: Jimmy?
Shooter: Strus + Robinson + Herro
Roller: Bam
Golden State Warriors
Ball Handler: Steph + Poole
Shooter: Steph, Klay
Roller: Draymond/Looney
Denver Nuggets
Ball Handler: Jamal, prime version
Shooter: MPJ, KCP
Roller: Jokic
Philadelphia 76ers:
Ball Handler: Maxey/Harden
Shooter: Maxey/Korkmaz
Roller: Embiid/Harrell
Sacramento Kings
Ball Handler: Fox
Shooter: Huerter/Monk
Roller: Sabonis
The Zoom Action involves a highly popular play and can get just about anyone open if executed correctly. Some may call it the Chicago action, likely named after Loyola, that popularized the play. Another good play to have in the playbook of a movement offense.