Why Golden State Warriors haters should stop worrying about 'illegal screens'
You probably saw the Golden State Warriors a decent amount this season as they marched to 73 regular season wins. And if so, you're already very familiar with the Warriors' screen-setting.
In Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series, Houston Rockets fans received a rude introduction to Golden State's tendency to push the envelope with their screens. Andrew Bogut, Draymond Green and the rest of the Warriors bigs are constantly repositioning themselves and moving along with their opponents as they look to set picks. On the surface, it seems borderline illegal -- if not a full-blown violation of the rules.
But Green doesn't believe that he sets illegal screens, as he told reporters on Monday before Game 2. And for the most part, he's right.
"I don't think I set illegal screens. I think I set screens just like anybody else. My guys get open shots cuz' they got two of the quickest releases in the NBA. Everybody else in the NBA sets the same screens we set. They just don't got the shooters we got. Ain't my fault. I can't shoot like Klay and Steph either. Am I supposed to cry about it? Nah, you do what you can do. Ain't our fault they can't get their shot off as quick as Klay and Steph can. So big deal. Go find somebody that can shoot that quick. I don't care."
Unless you're a Dubs fan, you're probably already scoffing. Really, Draymond? There's a compilation of your moving screens that's over a minute long, and that's just from games this season:
Here's the thing, though: Have you ever actually read the NBA rulebook when it comes to what constitutes an illegal screen? Because in the NBA, there's a lot of leeway in what an offensive player can do.
We all learned in high school -- or before that, even -- that you have to be set while you set a screen. It's a good rule of thumb for kids and teenagers, which is why coaches share it. But it's also not the actual rule.
Per NBA.com's official rule book:
A player who sets a screen shall not (1) assume a position nearer than a nor-mal step from an opponent, if that opponent is stationary and unaware of the screen-er's position, or (2) make illegal contact with an opponent when he assumes a posi-tion at the side or front of an opponent, or (3) assume a position so near to a moving opponent that illegal contact cannot be avoided by the opponent without changing direction or stopping, or (4) move laterally or toward an opponent being screened, after having assumed a legal position. The screener may move in the same direction and path of the opponent being screened.
In (3) above, the speed of the opponent being screened will determine what the screener's stationary position may be. This position will vary and may be one to two normal steps or strides from his opponent.
It's a convoluted rule, to be sure, much like the NFL's catch rule. It's also one which NBA officials are drilled on throughout the season. They're not just ignoring something across the league for the sake of ignoring it. Instead, this is about NBA players becoming smarter and pushing the limits of what's allowed.
We see it on the other side of the ledger in this playoff series as well. Rockets guard James Harden is one of the league's very best players at extending his gather step/dribble, allowing him to take extra steps on his way to the basket that are actually perfectly legal. His "two steps" don't begin until he has completely stopped his dribble and put two hands on the ball. Harden maximizes that grey area, taking advantage of the rules because he's a super-smart player. And so are the Warriors. They just have a ton of those super-smart players.
So, yes, if Green is moving toward the defender or laterally into his path, it's an illegal screen. And the Warriors undoubtedly commit several illegal screens per game. They're committed to finding every bit of grey area in the way the rule is written. Frankly, that's commendable. With championships on the line, you should be doing everything you can (within the rules) to get the win.
And by the letter of the rules, a player may move along with a defender while setting a screen. Golden State knows it, and they take advantage of the rule It's that simple. We understand why some people might be angry that their teams aren't on the same level as the Warriors. If you think that the Steph Curry's squad is only good because they set moving picks, though, two things:
1.) There's nothing illegal about (most of) them.
2.) You're wrong.
