1 Pick-And-Roll: Feed the Big Dog
As expected, van der Vuurst has wasted no time since his arrival to Palencia to build a strong partnership with his big men. Whether he associates with Anžejs Pasečņiks or fellow Dutchman Matt Haarms off the bench, Keye has two plus 7 footers at his disposal with whom he can thrive in the 2×2 game. In fact, the 7’2 Latvian (a former 1st Rd pick with the Orlando Magic) is posting the best numbers of his career with all sort of buckets at the end of van der Vuurst’s passes. Keye is equally dangerous in the pick-and-roll going right or left, and will thread the needle or find the roller with entry passes, pocket passes, lobs and drop-offs.
2 Horns Alignment
A good deal of Palencia’s half-court sets begins with a horns set and its numerous variations. Just the perfect excuse to appreciate Van der Vuurst’s ball screen manipulation in full display. The Dutchman will automatically adjust to the personnel available on each side of the lane and whatever the defense offers. As an instinctive read-and-react creator and elite passer on the move, van der Vuurst puts to good use here every passing option available on his backpack. Keye can equally hit the big man on the roll, the forward cutting at the rim or the shooter popping out.
3 Live-Dribble Dimes
This is where we enjoy the most aggressive version of van der Vuurst and when he shows his inner slasher to get into the teeth of the defense to some or full degree. Keye exploits his gravity getting downhill, and can connect with the open shooter or the cutter with calmness or some impressive jump-pass. At times he can also split the hard hedge, but mostly van der Vuurst processes plays and makes decisions on the fly. The Dutchman’s offensive awareness translates into better and easier reads off the dribble. In that sense, the arrival of Puerto Rican international Isaiah Pineiro has been a huge addition for Palencia, providing toughness and athleticism in the baseline and around the rim.
4 Mapping the Court/Skip Pass
The type of play that requires its own clip as van der Vuurst is a tremendously gifted passer and a master in the art of mapping the court. He can draw impossible angles with strong and precise kicks whether he’s made his way into the paint or roams around the perimeter. The jump-pass is again exhibited here in all its glory, with Keye going for two-handed over-head kicks and speedy rockets that break defenses in half a second feeding the weak side shooter in the corner. Just a pleasure to watch.
5 Miscellaneous
Assorted selection of clips with Keye van der Vuurst de Vries doing his thing in different ways. Flashes of cut-and-pass, standstill ball-mover and connector with all the purpose, extra pass to find a lonely shooter in the opposite corner again, or simply linking with the sniper coming off screens. There is also some simple transition offense and pitch ahead deliveries for clean 1×0 layups. A lot to unpack in less than 90 seconds.
