One of the two base offenses for the Aces is this simple baseline cross set. The spacing and the left side entry take advantage of the Aces' personnel, as their point guard (Kelsey Plum) and 5 (A'Ja Wilson) are both left handed. The set starts with both wings crossing under the rim off brush pindowns from 4 and 5, followed by a wing entry and an immediate post feed. There are several subsequent options that allow the Aces to get great looks at the basket.
Blog Series: Las Vegas Aces XsOs:
Part 1 - Quick HItters and ATO's
To initiate the offense, 2 and 3 cross under the rim and come off brush pindowns from 5 and 4. The offense is usually entered to the left to take advantage of A'Ja Wilson (5) and Kelsey Plum (1) both being left handed.
1 enters the ball to 3 and spaces away.
3 feeds the ball to 5 for a mid post area 1 on 1.
This is the primary option on this set.
On the pass to 5, 4 waits one count then flashes to the high post area for a pass.
This creates space for 5 to operate as well as gives her an outlet to an adept scorer in the midrange area and an easy jumper.
If 3 cannot enter the ball to 5, flow into a wing pick and pop (or short roll, depending on personnel). Because of the empty corner, rejecting the screen is the primary option to attack space.
If 5 is delayed, 4 flashes to the high post as per the rules of the set.
In this example, 5 is double or the defense is aggressively digging, so 5 can skip it to 2 in the corner forcing a long closeout from x2.
If x2 commits to the double team and is not skirmishing back to hers, 2 will second cut behind the defense for an easy feed from 5 at the rim.
If 5 is unavailable for the post feed immediately or they are fronting her, flow into a big/big cross screen to get an open post feed to 4.
After screening, 5 will take the high post area to create optimal spacing.
If 4 cannot score on the post iso, she passes back to 3 who is receiving a middle ball screen from 5.
5 will short roll to the elbow area off the screen as 4 re-establishes position in the post area.
3 should look to get all the way to the rim and has multiple options to share the ball off the advantage gained.
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