Over at the Raptors Playbook YouTube channel (@RaptorsPlaybook on Twitter), I am breaking down the X’s & O’s of the Toronto Raptors every Wednesday. This week, we’ll focus on the Toronto Raptors Rip Punch series and the counters that stem from it. Watch the video embedded below alongside the summary written, and remember to follow and subscribe to never miss out on a video.
The naming of this play, Rip Seal, as clarified in the video, derives from the action of a player receiving an up-screen followed by establishing post position.
Generally, this sequence is used to isolate DeMar DeRozan’s advantageous mismatch by attacking through the post against a traditionally smaller defender who is uncomfortable defending on the low block. Per NBA.com, DeRozan’s play in the post has been incredibly effective this year, as he is scoring 1.14 points per possession on post ups. This is the highest mark of any player that posts up at least as much as DeRozan. Instances of this can be seen from the beginning of the compilation.
When DeRozan is denied an entry pass into the post, the ball will be swung back to the point so DeRozan can utilize a pindown to shed the defender. This allows him to attack towards the middle of the floor and can be seen starting at 1:20.
If DeRozan’s gravity drags the screener’s defender into the middle of the floor, the screener has the freedom to space out to the strongside corner to shoot a corner three, as Luis Scola did at 1:47.
A second counter the Raptors use to combat heady defenders when they run Rip Punch is to utilize a weakside pindown. This is particularly effective against defense’s that decide to preemptively send a second defender from the weakside baseline to load up on DeRozan in the post. Once the double team has overcommitted, as Carmelo Anthony did at 1:57, the Raptors attack by quickly springing a down screen for an open jump shooter on the opposite side of the court.
An interesting wrinkle the Raptors have started to utilize this season is using the Rip Punch action as a starting point for a Snug pick and roll. By establishing post position with a guard, the Raptors’ primary ballhandlers can quickly attack the paint of the floor from an unusual spot on the floor. Instances of this can be seen starting at 2:26.
For the least prepared defenders that don’t read the scouting report, the initial Rip screen for DeRozan can occasionally free the three-time All Star up for an alley-oop, as seen at 3:22.
