This analytics point about avoiding midrange jumpers is a bit of a pet peeve of mine. Certainly an open 3 by a good 3 point shooter is a better shot than an open long 2. However, a contested 3 is not necessarily better than an open 2, nor is a 3 by a shooter who doesn't have 3 point range. And a 3 or layup that you don't take at all because you aren't open and/or are denied the ball by the defense is worth 0 points.
So if the opponent is totally dedicated to stopping shots in the paint and 3s by your good shooters, you should certainly still challenge the D and take those shots when they are open. But when they aren't, you have to create, take, and make what the defense gives you.
I'm sure Tara is totally aware of this with her years of experience. But we're running a new offense this year, and it may need more work, either to learn how to run it more effectively, or to make additions and tweaks. Probably both.
So if the opponent is totally dedicated to stopping shots in the paint and 3s by your good shooters, you should certainly still challenge the D and take those shots when they are open. But when they aren't, you have to create, take, and make what the defense gives you.
I'm sure Tara is totally aware of this with her years of experience. But we're running a new offense this year, and it may need more work, either to learn how to run it more effectively, or to make additions and tweaks. Probably both.