Andrew Bynum in the Triangle Offense

After two injury-plagued seasons, Andrew Bynum is back and ready to show his full potential. He has had a very promising preseason, though it remains to be seen how he does against bigger, stronger opponents and better defenses. In addition to scoring and rebounding, the Triangle Offense asks centers to be precise passers and screeners. In fact, the first option of the offense is for the wing to pass the ball to the center in the low post, even if the latter is not a scoring threat. Doing so creates the deepest penetration possible, opens up cutting lanes, and provides for screening opportunities on the perimeter, thereby forcing the defense to adjust. I will be illustrating Bynum’s role as a passer and a scorer. Specifically, I will show how the Triangle’s angles and spacing can make Bynum an even more effective player, given that he has length and the ability to catch the ball.

Diagram 1

Spacing has been established with a sideline triangle on the strong side and a two-man game on the weak side. If he is open in the low post, Bynum (O5) gets the ball from Artest (O3). There are two immediate cutting possibilities for Artest and Fisher (O1). The passing lanes are created if their defenders are late on the cuts or momentarily attempt a double team on Bynum in the low post.

Diagram 2

If no pass is possible on the basket cuts from the previous diagram, Bynum can also look for Kobe (O2) coming off a screen set by Artest (O3). If Kobe is open, he shoots a midrange jumper. If he is not able to get a good shot, Kobe can also run a pick and roll with Bynum on the same side of the floor with the other three teammates spacing out on the weak side.

Diagram 3

Bynum can also be involved on the high pinch post. In this diagram, Gasol (O4) is located on the strong side low post, but the ball is swung to the other side, and a two-man game between Bynum and Kobe (O2) is established. Here, Kobe frees himself on the handoff and shoots a midrange jumper. Depending on how the defense reacts, Kobe can also penetrate to the basket for a possible layup.

Diagram 4

If the defense recovers on the handoff, Kobe and Bynum can also run a pick and roll on the perimeter. Gasol, Artest, and Fisher would be waiting on the weak side if the defense collapses on Kobe and Bynum. In this instance, Kobe penetrates to the paint while Bynum rolls to the basket hoping for a bounce pass from Kobe.

Diagram 5

Bynum can also fake the pass to Kobe, catch his defender off balance, and quickly penetrate to the basket for a layup or dunk. Back when he was healthy in late 2008 and early 2009, he used this wrinkle repeatedly for easy baskets in the paint.

Diagram 6

The Triangle also offers a corner option with a pick and roll. After Artest (O3) passes to Fisher/Brown/Farmar (O1) in the corner, he cuts to the basket and sets up on the weak side (this movement is not shown here). With Artest on the weak side, Bynum then sets a screen for the guard in the corner, hoping to eventually get a precise bounce pass if his man leaves him to cover the penetrating guard. Depending how the defense collapses, Fisher/Brown/Farmar have passing options on the weak side perimeter as well.

Diagram 7

The next five plays will show Bynum’s most frequent scoring options in the system. In this diagram, Bynum establishes good low post position with his defender caught on the wrong side near the baseline. Bynum can get the ball from the wing, or set up in front the basket, expecting a pass from the top of the key.

Diagram 8

If Bynum is fronted by his defender, there are two possible options to create a scoring opportunity. Whenever the defense fronts, Gasol (O4) would flash to the strong side to take his own defender with him, making weak side help on Bynum a lot more difficult. Artest first looks for Bynum on the lob. If that pass is not available, then Gasol gets the ball on the elbow, hoping that Bynum is open under the basket for a precise pass.

Diagram 9

If Bynum has good position with his defender caught on the wrong side toward the high post, then Artest (O3) would pass the ball to Fisher (O1) in the corner, who then would look for Bynum under the basket. Good spacing and angles makes this option attractive.

Diagram 10

If Bynum is up against a smaller, slower defender, he can use a quick spin move from the post for an alley oop pass from the corner. This was one of Shaq’s favorite options when he was with the Lakers. It helps that Bynum is tall, has long hands, and can finish these alley oop passes.

Diagram 11

Much like Shaq, Bynum likes to sprint directly to the basket on semi fastbreaks, especially against smaller defenders. In this instance, Gasol (O4) trails, Artest (O3) is on the weakside, Kobe (O2) slides to the corner, and Fisher dribbles to the wing to make a precise pass to Bynum in the low post.