Analysis: Dribble drives
The ABA League has reached it mid-point and many teams are playing aggressive on the offensive end.
(Photo: Synergy Sports Technology)
The image above displays the ABA League’s 4 most productive teams in terms of points scored on drives to the rim. Teams look to put pressure on the rim in a variety of ways whether it is with entry passes to the post, cuts by players without the ball, or drives. This season, drives to the rim only make up 17% of all points scored in the half court. Some teams drive the ball dramatically more than others the low team this season averaging just 7.9 points from drives per game. Though drives put players at risk of turning the ball over in traffic, they tend to lead to some efficient shots and opportunities to get opposing teams in foul trouble.
- No team in the ABA League has been as aggressive attacking the rim off the dribble in the half court as Partizan NIS. Ognjen Jaramaz leads those efforts, but Cody Miller-McIntyre and Rashawn Thomas have contributed as well. Partizan has a variety of wings and guards who will take what defenses give them off the dribble.
- Mornar mixes up their starting backcourt which features a pair of prolific slashers in Jacob Pullen and Isaiah Whitehead but also the league’s most efficient driver. Derek Needham may not attack the rim particularly often in the half court, but when he does look to get to the rim, he tends to score. For players like Needham who take most of their shots from beyond the arc, picking and choosing their spots to attack helps them contribute efficiently.
- Needham may be the league’s most efficient driver to this point, but Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana is the season’s most efficient driving team. Jaka Blažič and Kendrick Perry not only do a good job putting pressure on the rim, but Blažič - who leads the ABA League in points from drives - does an especially good one driving to create contact and get to the foul line.
- Budućnost VOLI is a bit deeper than the teams ahead of them with slashers with Nikola Ivanović, Melvin Ejim, Amaedeo Della Valle, and Justin Cobbs all willing to put the ball down and attack the rim. Justin Cobbs has been perhaps the ABA League’s best dribble drive weapon ranking 2nd in points per game while shooting an impressive 61% on those attempts.
Insights and Statistics Provided by Synergy Sports Technology
