Playoffs 2000:Lakers playbook: Getting Harper involved

Lakers playbook: Getting Harper involved
Coach's Edge

It's NBA Finals time, and Ron Harper is stepping up. He already has three rings, and that experience has been key during this series. He averaged just seven points during the season, but that's almost doubled during the Finals. The Lakers have always been able to count on Kobe Bryant and Glen Rice to hit the shot when Shaquille O'Neal is doubled - now there's another option with Harper.

ANIMATE THIS PLAY DIAGRAM WITH SHOCKWAVE

(A) Shaquille O'Neal (34) draws a lot of attention when he gets the ball in the post, and rightly so. He's dominated the Pacers so far. Ron Harper (4) enters to Shaq and cuts to the rack.

(B) When the double comes, Shaq (34) knows to find the open man. In this case, the double team comes from Harper's man, leaving Harper (4) open for the short jumper. When Shaq can look in any direction and find a scorer, the Pacers are in trouble.