The Importance of ‘Creating’ off the Dribble

[NOTE: This post is intended as a supplement to 'Assessing Ariza.']

Why is the ability to ‘create’ off the dribble so important?

The answer should be fairly obvious after last season when the Rockets routinely failed to score late in the 4th quarter of close games. The NBA is distinct from college basketball in that set offenses do not function well against tight defenses late in close games.

This is why teams routinely put the ball in the hands of a guard who can break down the defense off the dribble and either create shots for himself or his teammates.

These players are usually the team’s ‘go-to’ players.

Ray Allen is the only guard who comes to mind who doesn’t attack off the dribble but is considered a ‘go-to’ option. Even then, he does have the ability to create for himself off the dribble.