X's three point shooting during the Steele era

[Anti-Homer]

Everyone including yours truly knows what a dogged disciple of of metrics Coach Steele is in using them to determine strategy. Yet this I find both perplexing and contradictory. During the Steele era, X's three point shooting ranking has been as follows:

2019: - 236
2020 - 282
2021 - 229
2022 (so far) 198.

I have consistently said that X has good three point shooters, but the percentage doesn't reflect this b/c my coach gives every shooter the green light despite who it is, where they shoot it from, and whether it is an in rhythm or a step back 27 footer. This is one of the very few strategies of Coach I disagree with. I believe the word vindication is applicable here. Many also say the word "hero" applies, but I eschew the term because I'm shy, despite how appropriate it is. I reluctantly say it also contradicts what my good friend LLS often says, in consistently claiming X takes good shots typically. No gloating here, b/c we are both X fans, and as a Mod, I have to be objective no matter what's on the other side of the rainbow.

You know when Sycophants on the Parkway retweets something like this, it must be egregious, as they make more excuses than a press secretary does for a president (both Dems and Repubs). Look, Coach Steele knows a lot more about bball than I do, so it is understandable that many defer to his thinking as gospel. It is just like no one on this board ever disagrees with the refs b/c of their similar experience in their craft (as my mentor says, "dripping.")

Coach has also won at the AAU level and colleg.....well, at the AAU level. I also like the record this year despite the regression at a critical time. They will be prohibitive favorites in the majority of game remaining, so I am confident he will fulfill what many pundits have said: This team has the talent for a nice tourney run. In Coach I trust.

To all of you negative nellies, do look for my hand to pull you back on the bandwagon before we play Auburn in the E8. AH can only take so much.

[AirJordan]

Perhaps our strategy over-stresses the three ball. Not arguing that, it seems, almost everyone has the green light. And therefore any open three is justified no matter who is launching.

I guess metrics suggest the three pointer is the most important shot in basketball and so teams are pushing either the three or a layup and nothing in between. I've noticed that with Nate Johnson---he doesn't seem to have an offensive role other than shooting the long ball. So, guess what he does when he has a shot opportunity beyond the arc? He shoots, regardless of whether his feet are set, whether the shot is in rhythm and, last night, without regard for the shot clock. That first three he attempted failed on all points and appropriately missed everything. I think blind allegiance to the current offensive strategy makes Nate easier to defend and that extends to the whole team. But, last night, when guys like Kunkel or Scruggs pass on the three and take the ball inside the arc, opportunities seemed to open up. We should de-emphasize the three. Not abandon it but de-emphasize it.

On a related point, kudos to Odom for not going down that road. Going back a couple of years, opponents begged Q to take that shot. He obliged them and to miserable results. The defense also invites Odom to take that shot. But he doesn't. Yes his game has limitations but one of them is not ego or stupidity.

[kyzrex]

X has a lot of 3 point shooters, but not a lot of 3 point makers. They have streaky outside shot makers. There is no consistency in their shot making. It’s feast or famine. OK OK enough with the clichés.

I’m just wanting to point out that IMHO their talent level is very overrated by many. Most of their players have shown that they have the potential to be very good players, and when they are hot they can really shoot the ball well. But who would you rather have on your team…a player that shoots a low %, takes a ton of shots (good and bad ones) and averages 12 ppg, by getting 25 in 3 games and 3-4 in the next 4 games? or a player that plays under control, doesn’t take bad shots, doesn’t take a bunch of shots, and averages 10-12 ppg. by scoring 8-15 pointes in every game? Who is the more “talented” player?

Personally, I’d rather have players that are consistently good, rather than players that are occasionally great but are regularly bad.

[skyhops]

Interesting points AH. During Travis' tenure I can't really think of any good shooters that he has recruited, which is odd since his offense is predicated on good shooting. I don't count Kunkle and Odom as his recruits. Odom is a great player, but it is mind boggling that he cannot shoot. Teams literally play six foot off of him on the perimeter.

[joeabe]

Sky, I'm with you on the Odom shooting situation. It is almost funny seeing him 6-7 feet from the basket not covered closely choosing to pass to a teammate who IS COVERED??? Is it not possible in the off season to coach the basics of shooting then refining it during the season during practice.?He looks like he may get an electric stun gun jolt should he launch!! Please somebody explain. Is it possible to coach up a player to be a better shooter or is it impossible??

[AirJordan]

I read an article before the season began, which discussed Colby Jones efforts to make himself a better shooter. The gist of it was that he hits the gym early every A.M. and shoots some ungodly number of three pointers---500 maybe 1000, I don't recall the exact number. But for an athlete, like Odom, it is definitely possible to improve their shooting. And, I agree he is not a good outside shooter.

But here's what I think posters miss about his game. He has a weakness (and it is a real weakness) but he doesn't make it worse by taking the shot. Recall Q? Defenses played way off of him and what did he do? He shot the three and the results were awful. So I give Odom a lot of credit for not getting pulled into the part of his game which is weakest. We have other players, like Free, who continue to shoot the three because they are open and because they think they can make it. Not saying Free is not a better shooter than Odom. He is but he isn't proficient. His shot outside the arc is the weakest part of his game but he still launches. And then there's Nate who sometimes plays like the only shot he can take must be outside the arc whether he is ready and in position to take it, or not.

It seems like we have been forcing the three and I think we should dial it back a bit.

[Joe Palooka]

Is it possible to coach up a player to be a better shooter or is it impossible??

Dee Davis was 'coached up' on hitting 3s (he in any event made a fair number his Senior year when previously it was 'a prayer')

[pdxmuskie]

I completely agree with Jordan regarding Odom and dialing back the 3. Odom needs to work on his mechanics before he can shoot from deep. Hopefully that is happening but he is still a valuable player without being capable of shooting the 3. It does create opportunities for the defense to help off him but he is able to use that space to see the floor, attack and either get a shot for himself or an open teammate. A weakness can be a strength if the player is aware of the weakness and understands how to create opportunity from it. Q/Marshall were poor 3 point shooters but didn't realize it and the team suffered. Odom knows not to shoot the 3 and instead uses the space to attack. He gets to choose the angle since the defender is nowhere near him.

X went on a big run against DePaul when they went after it defensively and attacked the rim. They quickly lost their small lead when they went back to chucking 3s and giving DePaul easy buckets. Fewer 3s would be very beneficial to this team.

[xavier71]

My contention is that good 3 point shooting is a direct result of 2 things. The type of offense run and the ability to drive and kick back out. X's offense is some kind of weave way above the circle with a lot of dribbling while the shot clock runs down followed by a bad shot, or a high ball screen which most of the time results in nothing, followed by a bad shot. Fortunately, Nunge has been able to hit some 3's off the pick and pop which has probably helped the percentage. Good shooting teams move the ball from side to side looking for the good shot or the opportunity to drive. I've never seen a team dribble as much as X. I just want to scream "move the ball".

[Anti-Homer]

How often do you see anything but an occasional high ball screen or down screening on the block like Mack did with his bigs? How often do you see sets for Johnson to get clean looks on a three? The offense is one on one basketball at its finest. YouTube NY Gauchos, All OH Red, or other AAU program, and you will see many similarities in our respective offenses.

Also, TS said we take too many bad shots in games. Wait a minute! My good friend LLS says X never takes bad shots. So he has to admit Steele is off base , or his analysis is wrong. It is his personal Sophie's Choice. I don't envy you my friend.