The fundamental question in any basketball game is what do you do with your possessions. Since the opposing team gets the ball after a made basket, each team ultimately has approximately the same amount of possessions each game. So how many points do you average for each possession during a game, and how many times can you stop your opponent from capitalizing on their possessions. That's why turnovers are such an important statistic, as it represents both stopping your opponent from capitalizing on a possession and gives your team another opportunity to score.
There is little question that the existence of the 3 point line, and an increased ability to shoot effectively from it, has altered the game. Yes, it does allow the opportunity to score 3 points instead of 2 (Paige, at almost 50% from 3 for the season, had an effective FG percentage of 75% - 1.5 points per shot from three). But, in my eyes, the primary impact of the increased use of the 3 point line is space. With so many players spotting up outside the 3 point line, there is much more space inside the 3 point line.
There are numerous ripples from this style of play. Post players have more run to operate and are less likely to be doubled and, if they are, can pass out for open looks from 3. There is also more run for cutting and backdoors, as well as better enabling the use of the pick and roll. This spread of offensive players, along with the danger of allowing good shooters and open look at 3 points, places new pressures on the defense.
Defensive players also need to operate in space. It means quick, athletic defenders who can operate in space and can readily switch to cover other players. This is what limits the use of traditional post players. It's not that post players aren't valuable offensively, but that they can be problems on defense if they are not quick enough to guard players other than the opposing team's post player.
I think that we have seen Geno respond to this new reality. Particularly on defense. I don't recall Geno playing as aggressively a switching defense as he has the past few years. UConn switches on almost everything, often jumping out before a player gets to the pick to force the switch, with the other players quickly rotating. Offensively, Geno continues to use a movement offense, but I feel that he has incorporated the pick and roll (particularly with Paige who has an excellent feel for it) more than he has in the past. Furthermore, the use of movement can still incorporate finding players spotting at the 3 point line and, in fact, I expect him to utilize this more next season with the 3 point shooters he will have at his disposal.
Like all sports, the game of basketball is evolving. and as the game changes, the value of some players will decrease and, for others, increase. Players in the mold of big, slow posts where the offense waits for them to post up and can't guard anyone outside the paint are much less valuable than they have been. In comparison, the game has always valued smart, athletic players who can shoot. Now, if anything, the premium for these players is even greater now. I think UConn is well positioned to take advantage of the game's evolution. And it should be really fun to watch.
