“Thunder Screen”

Term: Thunder Screen (aka “Dunker Pin” or “Chicago Cut”)

Definition: A down screen for a big at the weakside low block

See Also: down screen, zipper, ram (if the cutter then set a ballscreen)

How It Works: In the diagram above, 2 sets a thunder screen for 5, who curls the screen into the paint.

Why It Works: Much like zippers, thunder screens are difficult to switch because the offense would then have a size mismatch next to the basket. Furthermore, because the screen is near the hoop (and thus within scoring range for even the most limited of centers), the screened defender is at a disadvantage whether he goes under or over the screen. If he goes over, he’s trailing from behind. If he goes under, he has to disconnect from his man and often concedes good post position, if not a lob over the top.

In this example, Orlando’s ballhandler, Hassani Gravett, feeds Robin Lopez and then makes a Laker cut that turns into a thunder screen for Franz Wagner. Atlanta doesn’t want to switch this screen because that would leave the 6-4 Skylar Mays defending the 6-10 Franz Wagner underneath the hoop. Wagner’s defender, Cam Reddish, fights over the screen, but Wagner still has time to finish an open layup:

As its name suggests, the thunder screen was popularized by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who used it to great effect to free up Kevin Durant (although it’s also called a “Chicago Cut” for its role in Phil Jackson’s Triangle offense as coach of the Bulls):

If KD’s defender top-locked him in anticipation of that screen, Russell Westbrook would often lob a pass over the top for an alley-oop:

More recently, the biggest beneficiary of thunder screens has perhaps been Anthony Davis, first with the New Orleans Pelicans and now with the LA Lakers. The thunder screens set for AD are often a bit different from the traditional understanding of them: The screens for AD are often set on the strong side instead of the weak side of the floor. In effect, these screens are nearly identical to low split-cut action from the Corner offense, except that the cutter is a big, not a guard:

Or if AD’s defender goes under the screen, AD can fade for a 3-pointer:

But the Lakers also run more traditional thunder screens for Davis to cut from the weakside low block to the middle of the paint:

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