Film Festival Series: Part 2 with Doug McDermott – Quiet Potential
By Gideon Lim
1. Giving the man wings
Offense is always exciting, especially for a shooter like Dougie “McThunder” Buckets.
This action is one of the simplest things McDermott can do to get easy shots. As he comes down the floor, he sets a screen before going straight to the corner.
The play is actually kind of weird, because McDermott screens Danny Green into thinking that he’s guarding Westbrook. Still, this is an example of a classic rule in setting screens – the screener is always the open man, so screen with your shooters.
This next play is another one of my favorites. The Thunder run HORNS, this time putting Kanter out on the wing. They run a Spanish pick-and-roll, as Steven Adams sets a screen for McDermott’s man while McD screens for Westbrook. Rodney Hood should have switched onto McDermott here, but he doesn’t. Really though, it is a simple wrinkle, using McDermott as a screener. So is the result – splash.
As mentioned earlier, Doug McDermott shoots a far higher percentage when he gets all the way to the cup. In fact, he shot a fascinating 70% from there, and you can see why:
McDermott is not the fastest guy on the court, but he has length for days. Choosing to attack the paint when shot blockers like Gobert sit is a good idea. That’s why McDermott’s job is really to just pick his shots. Understanding his match-ups and improving his court sense makes him so much more effective and hopefully, consistent.
2. Defense counsel has spoken
Earlier, I penalized McDermott for blowing his defensive assignment against the Rockets. To be fair, he did try to make amends after that play.
McDermott smartens up, having been burned by Anderson once. He stunts towards Harden while hedging, before sprinting back to his man. Harden goes for the same play again, but this time, McDermott is in perfect position to cut down on airspace.
Even though the Rockets get their 2 points, McDermott forces Anderson into a tough Dirk-leg step back. I really like this play, because not only does it show McDermott’s hustle on defense, but it gives evidence that under the right coaching, McDermott has enough mobility and length to be an effective defender, at least in small-ball line-ups.
3. Big boys spotted on Discovery Channel
I saved this last clip for the end, because it shows one of the Thunder’s secret line-ups which hardly gets traction.
The play itself is simple. McDermott is the trail man who pulls straight up for a 3-point shot. Nothing spectacular.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The first instinct is to think that McDermott makes the shot because he is a good shooter himself, and also because he’s longer than his defender.
Think about that last clause, and look back at the clip. The reason why McDermott literally dwarves his defender is the wider match-up on the floor.
All season long, McDermott and Jerami Grant have been touted as potential small-ball options at the 4 and 5 respectively. Here, Donovan puts them at the 2 and 3 instead.
Like the small-ball, this line-up is probably not going to see much game time. But, it is still extremely exciting.
Imagine the Thunder in a 7 game series against big teams like the Jazz and the Spurs, alternating between their uber-efficient starting line-up, hyper-twitchy small-ball mash-up and this team of terrifying towers. I still don’t think anyone should be bringing their brooms out, but versatility is always a great counter to lack of talent.