In the sense of creating open shots with minimal dribbling, the most effective ball screens are normally thought of as being bone-crushing, peeling defenders loose with a mean streak as opposed to a gentle whisper. And yet, for the Pacers, who no longer have the option of drawing from the optimized angles and subtle techniques of the space Domantas Sabonis would carve open while standing still, many of their actions and reads are sparked not by hard-hitting contact at the center position but rather merely a touch from a guard.
After all, even with Tyrese Haliburton dribbling toward the sideline with his hand shaped to look like the letter “C” as the signal for what is about to transpire, the entry is often inconspicuous.