ZAGS TRACKER: The benefit for cashing in from deep

This is a bit of a departure from our usual style, but …

It feels necessary to use today’s Zags Tracker to answer a shoebox full of questions from readers, all on the same subject.

Don’t worry, it won’t be everything from breaking down Hunter Sallis’ shot mechanics to Drew Timme’s various mustache twirls.

No, almost everyone seems fascinated by the same dilemma …

It’s about Gonzaga taking 3-point shots.

There have been people writing to say that adding the long-distance game to their arsenal (23 conversions from deep in the past two games) gives the Zags a huge boost to go with the inside power game offered by Timme, Chet Holmgren and Anton Watson.

However, there also have been Zags fans who fear that the team will fall in love with the 3-pointer and take too many.

This group points out (correctly) that Gonzaga has played in two of the last four national title games by being one of the most accurate and efficient 2-point shooting teams in the country.

Why start slinging from downtown, they ask, when the normal offense (ball screens, cuts to the hoop, post-ups from Timme) has been so effective?

BOTH points of view make a bit of sense, to be honest.

It’s worth noting, however, that it’s almost impossible to go deep into the NCAA tournament without at least the legitimate threat of a 3-point shot to loosen up defenses.

Remember, that 2017 team may have been awesome up front, but there were lots of key 3-pointers from the likes of Jordan Mathews and Nigel Williams-Goss to ease the heat on those big guys around the basket.

Mathews hit a team-high 85 treys that season in the run to a title-game bout with North Carolina.

Last year, it was Corey Kispert (and occasionally Jalen Suggs or Joel Ayayi) who forced teams to honor the 3-point danger, and thus give Timme room to wheel and deal in the post.

I’ve said over and over that I’m no fan of the 3-point shot — it goes against the whole point of proper basketball offense — but, despite my feelings, you need it (or the ability to shoot it) for success at the very top these days.

Obviously, there’s no Kispert on the roster this year.

In other words, there is no 6-7 catch-and-shoot deadeye, nor really anyone who can reliably hit 3-pointers off the dribble.

BUT THIS year’s Zags can still shoot 3-balls, and profit from it.

They proved it against Texas Tech’s swarming defense, going 13-for-31 and basically taking Tech out of its defensive plan.

The whole issue comes down to who’s taking them, and in what context.

I know this sounds strange, but I want to use an illustration from Washington State’s roster.

The Cougs have some decent 3-point shooters, but fans never would have said swingman D.J. Rodman was one of them.

Coach Kyle Smith knows better, however, and in WSU’s game last Saturday against Northern Colorado, Smith basically ordered Rodman to take 3-point shots if he was left open.

Rodman wound up with a 6-of-11 line behind the arc, something only the coaching staff and his teammates knew was possible.

Back to Gonzaga …

Mark Few has made the issue of shooting 3-pointers very plain.

“We send the guys out there, and we want them to make the right basketball play,” Few said, when quizzed about the 3-point blitz against Texas Tech.

The point …

If the right play is a post pass, make it. If there’s a cutter open heading to the hoop, find him.

But if you’re standing in good position with your feet set and nobody in your face, go ahead and take the 3-pointer.

SO FAR, what we’ve seen is that Rasir Bolton is almost automatic when given time to shoot.

Bolton is 25 for 58 from deep (43.1 percent), and I’m sure he would tell you that several of the misses came when he took shots too quickly or from too far out – perhaps deep tries in transition.

But Bolton remains a legitimate threat, and so does Julian Strawther (38.7 percent).

You can even put Holmgren in that category (37.1), as long as Chet is not rushed or trying to hit one on the move.

The wild card in Gonzaga’s 3-point attack is Andrew Nembhard.

The point guard had missed 11 straight long balls before finding the range and nailing 4 of 8 against Tech.

The decision to shoot or not is toughest on Nembhard (and backup point guard Nolan Hickman) because they have to work so hard on their primary job, which is setting up the whole Zags offense.

These guys are bringing the ball up court, looking to see how everyone’s being defended — and maybe even take off for the hoop themselves if a driving lane presents itself.

In other words, Nembhard and Hickman rarely have the luxury of being left alone, letting the ball find them, and lining up 3-pointers.

When it happens, however, both are very capable 3-point shooters — and they’ve proven it.

SO, FOR all of you who have written with opinions on what the Zags should (or should not) do with their 3-point game, the answer is as simple as Few’s explanation.

Is it the right basketball play?

For Rasir Bolton, standing still on the wing and taking a pass out from the post …

Hell, yes.

Let it fly, Rasir.

That’s almost a guaranteed three points.

Same thing with Strawther.

As we discussed, though, the issue for Nembhard (and Hickman, when he’s getting time at point guard) is more complicated.

Nembhard has hard work to do on almost every possession, and he’s also the best of Gonzaga’s guards at getting shots in the lane – even if they aren’t classic drives all the way to the basket.

From what we’ve seen, Nembhard is also a “feel” player who knows when his shot seems right.

When it does, he can add another threat to the Zags offense.

The bottom line here, folks, is that Gonzaga will HAVE to shoot (and make) some 3-pointers to keep teams off Timme and his pals around the basket.

As Few pointed out, though, the key is who takes those 3-balls, and in what circumstance.

If it’s the right play, the 3-pointer can benefit the Zags against anybody.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He also writes Zags Tracker, a commentary on Gonzaga basketball which is published weekly during the season.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”