“When I’m playing *against* 3-2 defenses, often what I’m trying to do is drill down low with whatever LP scoring I have.”

This is tangential but I’d like to get more (from Shoe and from others) on this. I also go back and forth on if I should hit the opponent’s defense where it is weakest and move distribution to LP punishers or if the opponent is trying to stop my 3-pt shooting, why would I do their job for them and suppress my own shooting? Like if you are already likely to shoot 3s less efficiently, wouldn’t shooting less 3-pt shots less efficiently be twice as bad? So instead I need to shoot more 3s to keep my 3-pt strength up.

I have tried both strategies and have not come up with anything remotely conclusive.

It’s situational, that’s why I said “often”. It comes down to whether I think my points will come more efficiently from the paint or from the perimeter in a given game. In normal circumstances, it’s going to be the perimeter with most of my teams, but that’s not always true. However, when I’m up against a 3-2 defense, I’m not just thinking about the guys my scorers are lined up against or possible double teams. I’m thinking about the natural strength against perimeter, and vulnerability against post scoring. If I have good post scoring in that situation, well that’s the time to utilize it. But of course, if I don’t have good post scoring, or if the 3-2 *perimeter* defense isn’t particularly strong, then I’m going to stick with my strength (assuming that’s perimeter, as usual).

Most of my teams have been zone recently so I did a deep dive into zone-related posts from years past. I read one thing from trentonjoe that has really stuck with me (and I don't believe has been mentioned here).

Check to see if the opponent's SF is one of their main scorers and whether they score from LP or PER. If you use 3/2 zone, then your PG-SG-SF (usually more speed) will be guarding the opponent SF. If you use 2/3 zone, then your SF-PF (usually more athleticism) will be guarding the opponent SF.

Obviously you always want to know where the opponent's overall scoring is coming from.
1) Less then 15% perimeter scoring is almost always 2/3 zone
2) 15-20% is usually 2/3 zone and double the opponent's shooters if they're quality (should only be 1-2 shooters)
3) 20-25% perimeter scoring depends on number of opponent shooters. If more than 2 quality shooters, then 3/2 zone. Important to check opponent SF here.
4) 25% or higher is almost always 3/2 zone

Make sure to use those double teams! If you use a spreadsheet, game plan around their most efficient scorers. Check to see if they've got 1-2 scorers with a much higher TS% than the rest. For example, if opponent has 2 elite shooters that carry their offense, run a 3/2 and double both of them. Shut them down and let the rest of their players try to beat you.

I’ve used a +5 3-2 zone and in the right circumstances it works fine.