Las Vegas "Fist Out" Series
The best set and counter used in the opening round of the WNBA Playoffs
The opening round of the WNBA playoffs wrapped up just the way most fans probably anticipated. The top 4 teams ultimately advancing to the semi-finals but there was a hot second for a potential upset after both the Chicago Sky and the Connecticut Sun dropped a game at home, forcing them to dig deep and pull out wins on the road, which they proved to be more than capable of. Las Vegas on the other hand was rolling on all cylinders and dominated a Phoenix team who just couldn’t catch a break all season long.
Before the action resumes tomorrow afternoon, I wanted to highlight my favorite offensive series of the WNBA season so far - courtesy of WNBA Coach of The Year, Becky Hammon.
Las Vegas - “Fist Out” Series
Fist Out “Back”
Midway through the 3rd quarter in a lopsided game, Vegas executed a beautiful counter option to a set they ran high volume earlier in the year. Expect to see more variations of this set again in the playoffs.
Why it works…
Using a lethal shooter like Kelsey Plum as a screener has been a staple for Hammon’s squad all season long. Defenders are reluctant to offer any help off of Plum because of her quick trigger from 3pt land and as a result A’ja Wilson comes off the backscreen open for an easy two.
Starting with some false action at the top of the floor, Plum sprints into the “ram screen” for Hamby to set up the screen the screener action exiting to the corner for a wide open 3. The timing of the ball screen and the exit screen (or backscreen option shown in earlier clip) are crucial as the ball handler must have a great angle to deliver the pass on time to the shooter as they get their hips around square to the bucket or in stride to the post player coming off that backscreen.
Stemming from the Golden State Warriors playbook over 5 years ago, “Fist Out” is still generating high percentage looks from 3pt land for shooters across a variety of leagues. The clip below is the original “Fist Out” set that Vegas ran at the beginning of the season. The false action and back screen variation are nice tweaks that Vegas has implemented in order to stay ahead of the competition and remain unpredictable.
Why it works…
With most defenses switching or showing with their bigs in the pick & roll in order to impact the ball handler, the 3 other defenders not involved in the screening action must determine who is going to help if the screening big rolls to the basket or posts up a smaller defender in a mismatch situation. The location of the pick & roll and false motion prior makes it difficult to determine where and more importantly who the help should really be coming from.
As the pick and roll is occurring, the defender closest to the rim (Plum’s defender in each of these clips) either gets caught watching the ball or helping on a screen resulting in a catch and shoot 3. When defenders are late they tend to try and to cheat to make up ground by going through the middle or “shooting the gap” as shown in the 2nd clip, giving Kelsey Plum a corner 3 that she knocks down at a ridiculous clip of nearly 50%.
I’m interested to see if Vegas will go to the “Fist Out” Series early in game one versus Seattle tomorrow or if they’ll keep it in their back pocket to use down the stretch of a tight one. Either way, Seattle will be well prepared as this set has caused nightmares for teams all season long. Limiting Plum’s attempts from behind the arc will play a huge impact in the outcome of this series.