This isn't a "rage against the gimmick" thread. I think the 3/2 zone (-5) is a very reasonable defense to play. So reasonable, that in 2 seasons my 820-rated, top-3 team, has lost to that particular defense every single time we've faced it -- even coming from last-place teams who were forced to play walk-ons. (Note -- we beat 2/3 (-5) and M2M -5 teams all the time, usually by a greater margin than normal) I've tried going inside, driving with my guards, everything. This is our last attempt against it: I saw it coming, tried to spread things out amongst shots in the paint, drives from my guards, and 3s. The other team was good, but outmatched ratings-wise and in IQ. We were on a neutral court.

http://www.whatifsports.com/hd/GameResults/BoxScore.aspx?gid=5185634

Does anyone have any non-rant-related, actual strategic thoughts about how to play against this defense? I'm stumped.

My initial thought would be to huck up 3's. Thinking you should have a rebounding advantage both in ratings and in number of people in the paint (or even at least) But I have not faced it enough to know for sure.

If you have good guards, I'd up their distribution (and the SFs if you have a great one go primarily to him and the SG) while lowering their normal three point frequency (even going to -1s). They will take higher% shots and if they miss you should have the rebounding advantage. It used to frustrate me also but that strategy seems to consistantly beat it.

Funny -- that's what I initially thought, but it's never seemed to work (and my guards have been good). Never tried the hucking 3s approach, though now that I think about it, it kind of makes counterintuitive sense -- I figure the 3/2 has the perimeter covered, but at -5 maybe there's a soft spot to shoot 3s? Of course, if that's the case, there's probably not a lot of room to drive -- so either mmt or cburton has to be wrong :-). Of note, I've had an SG both these seasons with 100s across the board, and he gets shut down from 3 and on drives every time...

I've had a few (very few) zone teams and though I've never gone -5 with'em what I found is this:

I have no clue.

But! Generally better teams play better against it (duh). Generally weaker teams play poorly agains it (double duh!). Mostly, every few games or so, a team nails 45%+ from 3 land and decimates it. Not necessarily a lot of 3's just accurate 3's. I guess what I'm trying to say is small sample size. Maybe?

I don't know the answer to your question, but I just had a blast playing a lineup of SG, PF, PF, C, C and holding a team to 29% shooting.
























Oh yeah and I lost 34-32.

Ummmm blaank182, maybe you should mention that you lost the game and turned the ball over 17 Times.

I have limited experience against that defense, but the couple of times I have played against it I did the chucking 3's style. I would think at a -5 all 5 defenders would be playing inside the 3 point line giving open looks but mid-range/deep 2's would be well defended as would the low post (although possibly vulnerable). Perhaps starting your 3 best perimeter guys and 2 best rebounders is the solution.