Breaking down the breakdowns: New Orleans Pelicans help defense

This is another simple play that the Pelicans guards just refuse to make. After Quincy Pondexter was caught trailing the ball and overran the play, Omer Asik steps over to take away an easy look for Trevor Ariza. Of course that means Asik had to leave someone, who in this case was Donatas Motiejunas. Yet the Pelicans are in a good spot. If Norris Cole just rotates down another step and off of Jason Terry he takes away an easy pass to Motiejunas and forces Ariza to throw a difficult pass to someone.

Instead Cole never moves and Ariza slips a pass around Asik. Cole then rushes down and Dante Cunningham comes up to try to contest Motiejunas but it is too late as he takes advantage of the easy opportunity and scores.

Next: The basic pick-and-roll