Does anyone have a sense of whether it's easier for a defender to cover a shooter 20-feet out on the baseline vs. all the way to the 3-pt. line in the corner?
I wonder if the Jazz swing the ball around the 3-pt line and hit a shooter on the baseline, if it's easier or more difficult to guard if the shooter is spotting up for 3 or if he's spotting up from 20-feet.
If the Jazz put a PF like Lyles out on the 3-pt line, on the one hand it creates more space for defenders to cover, but at the same time, it would take Lyles out of the play and makes him less effective as a passer and driver. In Lyles' case, since he's a triple-threat player, I'm almost wondering if it's actually better that he's 18 - 20 feet out instead of all the way out to the 3-pt line. A defender still needs to drop down to cover him, but Lyles can do more damage from 20-feet---shoot, pass to a cutter, drive the baseline, handle a bit to draw a defender, etc.
It's also worth taking a look at how the Clippers were using Blake Griffin during the playoffs. Blake was getting open looks from 18 - 20 feet anytime he wanted them.
Umm, of course it's harder to guard at the 3pt line corner.
Not sure how him being at the 3pt line takes him out of the play.
Defender closing out harder to the 3pt line = more opportunity for driving and making a play. Or it means the defense has to rotate more which opens up more passing lanes.