A 1-2-2 continuity vs. man defense; it's all Greek, but it works!

Paok, one of the most famous professional basketball teams in Greece, won the first Final Four Cup Competition in 1995 largely on the strength of a simple but highly effective 1-2-2 continuity against man-to-man defense.

The American star who made it work was Matt Bullard, an extremely good 3-point shooter who played the 4 position. As you can see in the diagrams, the continuity had everyone moving, screening, and shooting from inside and outside positions.

Thanks to this play, Poak won the semi-final game, 80-63, and the championship game, 72-53.

Diag. 1: 1 passes to 2 at the wing and then goes deep opposite to screen for 4 (Bullard).

Diag. 2: 2 returns the ball to 4 (Bullard) at the top, who has forced his man (X) away from the box area. 4 looks for the shot, as 3 down-screens for 1.

Diag. 3: If 4 doesn't have the shot at the top, he will pass over to 1 at the wing and go opposite to set a lateral screen for 2 at the other wing. 3 moves across the lane to screen for 5. #1 at the wing will shoot the 3-pointer if it's there, look for 5, or return the ball to 2 moving to the top.

Diag. 4: 1 passes to 2 at the point, as 4 sets a down-screen for 3. The latter moves up to the wing, looking for the pass from 2 and the open shot. 4, after screening, will post down.

Diag. 5: The next obvious option is 2's pass to 3 and then 2 and 4 setting lateral screens for 1 and 5, respectively. 3 may now shoot, or hit 5 or wait for 1 to come up to the point for a pass.

Diag. 6: After 3 passes to 1 at the point, he continues to the baseline between 5 and 4 while 2 moves down besides 4 to set the double screen shown in the next option.

Diag. 7:3 hesitates momentarily to check his two options: He can go right over 5's single screen or go left over the double-screen. 1 remains at the point since he doesn't know which direction 3 will take. He'll wind up passing to 3 at either wing.

Diag. 8: If 3 goes left, 2 will go baseline over a screen from 5. 1 may hit either 3 at the left wing or 2 at his right for the open shot.

Diag. 9: If 3 goes right, off 5's screen, 2 will pop out to the other side. That will give 1 a choice of receivers - both of whom are good shooters.

Diag. 10: If nothing has worked, you will have all the players back in the original 1-2-2 formation with 4 and 5 at the blocks, 2 and 3 at the wings, and 1 at the point.