I love when NBA big men screen help defenders
It’s a selfless play that often goes unnoticed.
(via CSN Washington)
There are a few smart big men who understand their job isn’t always to set a screen on the guard’s man. Sometimes, it’s even more effective to set a screen on their own man so they can’t provide help.
That's what Marcin Gortat does here on this delayed fast break. As soon as John Wall crosses Mo Williams up, Gortat becomes an obstacle in Al Jefferson's path. That allows Wall to get an uncontested layup even though Jefferson is protecting the basket.
Gortat is far from the only big man to do this on a regular basis. Notice Robin Lopez on this play from Saturday against Minnesota.
(via FOX Sports Minnesota)
C.J. McCollum has an open shot regardless, but Lopez stops the athletic Andrew Wiggins from running out to contest it.
You rarely hear announcers call out these sequences (though the Wizards' crew smartly pointed out Gortat's work), but they can be essential in creating open shots.
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