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Message: [QUOTE="caw, post: 4638944, member: 563"] This isn't exactly an either, or situation. Not everything is binary. The NBA definitely prioritizes the close two and the three for players but the best; they have some other aspect besides a layup, or a three. Whether it's the midrange, or the post-up game, or both. I look at it this way. In the NBA the defenses are trained to try and take away the three and the close two, but the player has to be a threat from there first, or it makes the job easy for the defense. After those options are gone, then it comes down to the special players who can get to their spot in the midrange to get points when the offense is bogged down. There are a few exceptions who are so good at their craft they transcend the need for one or more of the three ranges (Giannis and Stef) but they are exceptions. EDIT: to be clear Stef does have all three and then some but he would deadly as simply a three point shooter he is that good from deep. Most of the greatest players right now have more than just the layup and three in their bag. When it comes to UConn last year, yes the focus was on layups and threes but Alleyne, Hawkins and Newton hitting mid-range kept the train rolling when other teams ran UConn off the line and defended the paint. It wasn't often but those were key points in the run. Alleyne esp. hitting open mid-range shots was important. It's not a focus, but it is important. [/QUOTE]