Nothing From KML?

[Fairfield Fan]

When I saw KML play the Sun, it looked like she was playing really hard on both ends of the floor. I have wondered about her lack of playing time. I wonder if she has difficulties in the "instant offense" role off the bench. It may be that she simply needs to play more consecutive minutes and be in the flow of the game to show the kind of shooter and player we remember.

Exactly. I'm guessing that most players who only go in intermittently could have a problem with flow. This young lady is not "smaller, weaker, and slower" than the WNBA as a whole. "Athleticism" is not a problem. She's big, strong, aggressive, and three's aren't the only part of her game. She was the second leading scorer on her European team, if memory serves. So her getting 31 seconds against Dallas raises questions of whether the coach has something against her, or can't figure out how to use her.

Let's see what Auriemma has to say. In any case, a high first-round draft pick should not be wasting away on the bench of a mediocre WNBA team.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

When I saw KML play the Sun, it looked like she was playing really hard on both ends of the floor. I have wondered about her lack of playing time. I wonder if she has difficulties in the "instant offense" role off the bench. It may be that she simply needs to play more consecutive minutes and be in the flow of the game to show the kind of shooter and player we remember.

Exactly. I'm guessing that most players who only go in intermittently could have a problem with flow. This young lady is not "smaller, weaker, and slower" than the WNBA as a whole. "Athleticism" is not a problem. She's big, strong, aggressive, and three's aren't the only part of her game. She was the second leading scorer on her European team, if memory serves. So her getting 31 seconds against Dallas raises questions of whether the coach has something against her, or can't figure out how to use her.

Let's see what Auriemma has to say. In any case, a high first-round draft pick should not be wasting away on the bench of a mediocre WNBA team.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Yeah, a few of us need to set aside the rose colored glasses. This outcome was not particularly surprising.

Her success at UConn was largely predicated on the team making a concerted effort to get her open (screens off the ball, other players drawing double teams, etc.). In the WNBA, she's not going to have that luxury.

We saw even in college that she could be shut down for entire games when athletic and attentive defenders guarded her. In the WNBA, that's every defender.

Conversely, she's of limited value defensively because she can't keep up with most guards or wings at the professional level.

I just don't see how she becomes a significant contributor without making serious changes to her conditioning/quickness/athleticism (yes, that's a euphemism for weight).

 

[dtbtbtb]

KML was a great player in UConn because the system worked to her advantages as a player and even if she was not a great defender she had Dolson, Kiah or Stewie behind her to cover. At the WNBA it's much harder to do because all players are so much better than the regular college team. The WNBA game is based on pick and rolls and if as a defender you can't switch fast enough or be able to squeeze through screens and if on offense you don't have a quick release to take advantage from a very short opening or be able to take it to the hole (which in the WNBA requires you to be a great athlete as the trees are bigger), you have an issue. If KML would have been 6-1 or 6-2 she probably could have played a stretch 4 and be very good player in the WNBA but at 5-11 and playing the 2 or 3 potions she is basically playing uphill as basically every player she plays against is more athletic than her.
KML needs a team that will provide her with multiple screens or ion other words, an offense tailored for her and at this point I don't see any team who will be willing to do that.

 

[Husky pride]

Granted that the team coach usually knows his/her players best, it's still hard for many of us to believe that Kaleena, who has excelled at so many bb levels, cannot be a valuable contributor if given the proper chance. Here's a player who has team records at an elite high school, who was among the high scorers at U16, 17, 18-19, World University Games and ended-up being the all-time NCAA leader in 3-pointers. Despite needing, at times, screens, inattentive opponents and alert point guards...she must have been doing something right.
"Swish Appeal" makes some good points in their article on recent WNBA teams and the fading value of the 3-point shot. A factor that should weigh-in to some degree is the relatively recent decision on the part of the WNBA to move back the 3-point line and the time needed for players to adjust. Possibly more of a factor, is the current apparent sparcity of good 3-point WNBA shooters.
To quote Jim Petersen of the Lynx " We want to shoot the three- it's just we don't have the personnel to shoot the three" or the Liberty's Katie Smith when commenting on the lack of 3 point Liberty shooters " You make it work with the pieces you have". ( Although, recently our Tina Charles has shown some genuine 3-point shooting prowess!)
Who knows....our KML may yet prove to very much fit-in....and even excel, at the WNBA level!!

 

[malevocalist#]

I don't think the coach (norSue) has found a way to get them all to have decent nights at the same time...seems like one of their big three always has an off night when one or two of the others shine.

If Sue, Jewel and Stewie all play well, they'll be hard to beat

That is so on point

 

[malevocalist#]

I cannot understand why Seattle's coach, after expending a #1 draft choice on KML, who, in turn is a first team All American, isn't using her. The coach puts her in for a grand total of 31 seconds last night? Against a mediocre team? Seriously? She seems in good physical shape; no talk of injuries.

Is it time for Seattle to either play her or trade her? This is ridiculous!

I agree with you 100%. And I can't wrap my head around that fact either. And if I dwell on it to long, I lose myself.

 

[Aluminny69]

The few times that I have watched KML play, she has missed wide open shots, I can't really explain why. Surprised there is no mention of Amanda Zahui B., who was drafted just before KML. AZB has been traded, and currently plays less than 7 min per game for the Liberty.

 

[malevocalist#]

Last year, I posted a comment about Storm head coach Jenny Boucek's minimal use of KML, and how odd it seemed, given that first round draft picks usually get more than an occasional brief insert during games.
If you remember, Kaleena got very little playing time during the first 2/3 of the season. After the Storm had been officially eliminated from post season consideration, her minutes increased. I suggested at that time that perhaps it was a mistake for Seattle to have drafted her, and perhaps she would do better with another franchise. That observation was met with several opposing comments and counter takes.

The Boneyard consensus at that time was that her weight (which was never an issue at UConn, or here in the yard) and her inability to play defense at an acceptable level, were thought to be the main stumbling blocks to her getting more floor minutes.
Fast forward to today. After spending a season overseas, and having time to condition her body for the rigors of professional play, one would think season two would be radically different. Not so. Through 10 games this season (following stats were taken from the official Storm web site), Mosqueda-Lewis has appeared (through yesterday) in 10 games off the bench, averaging 11.2 minutes, shooting 33% from the floor, 20.8% from beyond the arc, 71.4 % in free throws.

Kaleena has been, and remains a developing roll player to this point. Whereas other first round draft picks Jewel Loyd and Breanna Stewart have established themselves as frontline players, and moved into the starting lineup. Why has KML not flourished at the next level as many of her "first round draft pick" contemporaries? Did the Storm make a mistake in their assessment of her? Is the coaching staff ill prepared/equipped to develop her, and bring her along? Are they misusing her? Has she not being given a fair chance of getting more floor time? Is she a bust? On draft day a year ago, she burst onto the scene with lots of media fanfare and rousing cheers from their fan base. Bringing her and Loyd into the program gave Storm fans a sense of hope, pride and a wealth of unbridled optimism. Fade to black. What happened? What's going on here? Will she forever be relegated to an off the bench "support" roll?, or do her potential fortunes lay with another team?

"Has she not being given a fair chance of getting more floor time?" This part I agree with whole heartedly.

 

[malevocalist#]

Granted that the team coach usually knows his/her players best, it's still hard for many of us to believe that Kaleena, who has excelled at so many bb levels, cannot be a valuable contributor if given the proper chance. Here's a player who has team records at an elite high school, who was among the high scorers at U16, 17, 18-19, World University Games and ended-up being the all-time NCAA leader in 3-pointers. Despite needing, at times, screens, inattentive opponents and alert point guards...she must have been doing something right.
"Swish Appeal" makes some good points in their article on recent WNBA teams and the fading value of the 3-point shot. A factor that should weigh-in to some degree is the relatively recent decision on the part of the WNBA to move back the 3-point line and the time needed for players to adjust. Possibly more of a factor, is the current apparent sparcity of good 3-point WNBA shooters.
To quote Jim Petersen of the Lynx " We want to shoot the three- it's just we don't have the personnel to shoot the three" or the Liberty's Katie Smith when commenting on the lack of 3 point Liberty shooters " You make it work with the pieces you have". ( Although, recently our Tina Charles has shown some genuine 3-point shooting prowess!)
Who knows....our KML may yet prove to very much fit-in....and even excel, at the WNBA level!!

They should trade for KML....REALLY.

 

[rt bb fan]

I was at the game last night - they could have used her. Didn't seem to be many scorers on the floor except for Stewie, who is just so, so good. If they had a real center on their team she'd be even better, she was guarding Courtney Paris most of the night and probably giving up 100 pounds. Did pretty well, though, had a few blocks. Offensively she is just so smooth.

They should get Stefanie Dolson her screen setting and passing would be more utilized, than it is at Washington.

 

[rt bb fan]

The few times that I have watched KML play, she has missed wide open shots, I can't really explain why. Surprised there is no mention of Amanda Zahui B., who was drafted just before KML. AZB has been traded, and currently plays less than 7 min per game for the Liberty.

I was going to comment on Zahui B also.The only top pick in that draft playing well is Jewel.

 

[FedupFred]

Jewel was 3 for 15 last night. I don't consider that good by any means.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I haven't watched enough (or any) Seattle games to comment specifically, but I do think that folks really under-appreciate the difference between the college and pro games, and the different skill sets that are required.

From the various comments I have read, and applying a bit of common sense, it seems to me that most likely KML is not as diverse in her offense and not as adept at individual defense as some of the other players. These are skills that can be developed.

The defense that Geno employed at UConn was not dependent primarily on individual skill but rather on the superb team positional defense against teams with one or two highly skilled (future-pro) skills. While he probably could develop a defense for the pros, it would not and could not be the same, and still be successful. The style of play and skill of the opponent is too high.

One of the great 3 point shooters (in my mind) that I saw in the pros was Becky Hammon - but does anyone remember how she could get herself under the basket for a contorted lay-up? That's one of the skills I suspect KML is developing.

And no, the international game is not the same as the WNBA, either.

 

[iri10]

I badly want KML to succeed. Great personality, exciting player when she's clicking on all cylinders. And yes, it may be that some other coach will see more value in her than Seattle's does. But even before she set foot in the WNBA, I had a feeling that she needed to improve. I never thought that she would simply be able to move up, and all the stuff she was capable of doing in college would immediately translate.

She needs to increase her agility, which is accomplished by becoming stronger relative to her bodyweight (through some combination of weight training, weight loss, clean eating, etc.). If she can't accomplish this, her ceiling is "specialist role player." I don't think KML entered the league with the ambition of becoming a role player. And in general, the WNBA and its roster limits are not friendly to specialist role players.

I think KML is strong-willed, and this has served her well as a basketball player. But now I think she needs to train that strong will in a direction that maybe she hasn't felt the need to prioritize before. After several years of struggling to get minutes, and struggling to do anything with them when she does, I think that the reality of what she needs to do is now staring her in the face. I will be watching hopefully to see if she can do it. She wouldn't be the first youngster to struggle for years, before finally figuring it out down the road.

 

[CocoHusky]

"There are WNBA executives who doubt Mosqueda-Lewis has the speed and agility to get to the basket, to create her own shots and, more importantly, guard the swift perimeter players she will be assigned to at the next level."

Mosqueda-Lewis Working Hard To Prove Skeptics Wrong

 

[CPD016]

I badly want KML to succeed. Great personality, exciting player when she's clicking on all cylinders. And yes, it may be that some other coach will see more value in her than Seattle's does. But even before she set foot in the WNBA, I had a feeling that she needed to improve. I never thought that she would simply be able to move up, and all the stuff she was capable of doing in college would immediately translate.

She needs to increase her agility, which is accomplished by becoming stronger relative to her bodyweight (through some combination of weight training, weight loss, clean eating, etc.). If she can't accomplish this, her ceiling is "specialist role player." I don't think KML entered the league with the ambition of becoming a role player. And in general, the WNBA and its roster limits are not friendly to specialist role players.

I think KML is strong-willed, and this has served her well as a basketball player. But now I think she needs to train that strong will in a direction that maybe she hasn't felt the need to prioritize before. After several years of struggling to get minutes, and struggling to do anything with them when she does, I think that the reality of what she needs to do is now staring her in the face. I will be watching hopefully to see if she can do it. She wouldn't be the first youngster to struggle for years, before finally figuring it out down the road.

I remember Sue Bird saying that players are in their prime between the ages of 28-33. So there is hope for KML to "Figure it out"

 

[Woof 101]

You are right I don't know every bit of her situation, but neither do you.

I didn't say she wasn't good enough for the professional game. So please don't put words in my mouth. In fact I said "I think KML can be a good pro IF she works her game to come closer to the superior physical shape of the WNBA players and continues to develop moves with the ball in her hands. That takes work and time."

Here are the facts no one can dispute: She is in her second year. Her minutes are small. Her shooting from three is really, really bad .208 (on a small sample size). Her team is not winning (so I am willing to make the assumption that if her coach had any reason to believe she could light it up -- like she was killing it in practice -- she would put her in the game).

At this time she is NOT an elite athlete when compared to the other WNBA players. It's hard to understand how one would even dispute that. To look only at UConn players in the league -- where would you place her on an athleticism scale in comparison to Maya, Tina, Stewie, Diana, Faris, Sue, Montgomery, Hartley, MoJet ...? I would rate her at the end of that list.

I like KML a lot and was a defender of her when she was at UConn. Against college competition I thought she was great and her athleticism was high (in comparison to her competition). But if you don't recognize that she has taken a giant step up "class" in the WNBA and that affects her ability to perform at a high level then feel free to go ahead and blame it on the coach.

Let's lighten up a little on the common sense here hey...

 

[Aluminny69]

I was going to comment on Zahui B also.The only top pick in that draft playing well is Jewel.

Well, the number four pick, Elizabeth Williams, is playing very well for Atlanta. There's another trade that didn't work out for the Sun. Williams has really got herself in terrific condition, I don't even recognize her from her days at Duke. So, KML can take some inspiration from Williams. You just have to get on the right team.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

The suggestion that it's such a big jump from college to the WNBA, and that KML just can't be expected to make such a big jump and perform well, or even get into the game for more than a few minutes, flies in the face of the performance of almost every other UConn Husky to enter the WNBA. Look at this year's UConn picks: Tuck is now a starter and playing well; Moriah is a bona fide star; Breanna is the class of the league; Tiffany Hayes came in and performed right off the bat. In fact, Kiah Stokes is better in the pros than she was in college. And the same goes for former WNBA player Charde Houston. The only player I can recall who has really languished in obscurity is Kelly Faris, who was far from making first-team AA when she was in college. Yet, even she's starting now for Connecticut Sun. Ketia Swanier, about whom one really could say that she didn't have the tools to be a star, still played pretty well for two or three years.

KML's extended stay on Seattle's bench is a shocking outcome for a major All-American. She wasn't warming the bench in Europe, arguably a tougher league than the WNBA. And it is totally out of the norm for virtually every All-American coming out of Connecticut.

Yes, Amanda Zahui-B isn't playing all that well. But she came out of the Big Ten, and was relatively obscure until her last season. Not a huge surprise that she's not a star. But KML- yes, big surprise. HUUGE- as Bernie would say.

Let's hear it from the coach, or from Seattle's front office. Someone should be opening up about this.

Fans deserve an explanation. Reporters, let's see you ask the questions!

 

[Fairfield Fan]

I remember Sue Bird saying that players are in their prime between the ages of 28-33. So there is hope for KML to "Figure it out"

I can't recall a single AA coming out of Connecticut who has waited for six or seven years to perform. Not one. And the Big Three entering the WNBA this year are major stars less than ten games in. So the suggestion that KML should wait for years to "develop" into a performer makes no sense.

Her team is letting her down. Time for a trade. She should demand one.

 

[triaddukefan]

I was going to comment on Zahui B also.The only top pick in that draft playing well is Jewel.

Obviously you havent been paying attention to the Atlanta Dream

 

[Aluminny69]

Well, the number four pick, Elizabeth Williams, is playing very well for Atlanta. There's another trade that didn't work out for the Sun. Williams has really got herself in terrific condition, I don't even recognize her from her days at Duke. So, KML can take some inspiration from Williams. You just have to get on the right team.

Williams helped the Dream beat the Chicago Sky tonight in overtime. She had 20 points and 9 rebounds, going 6 for 6 on free throws.

 

[triaddukefan]

I can't recall a single AA coming out of Connecticut who has waited for six or seven years to perform. Not one. And the Big Three entering the WNBA this year are major stars less than ten games in. So the suggestion that KML should wait for years to "develop" into a performer makes no sense.

Her team is letting her down. Time for a trade. She should demand one.

I guess stars is a subjective term...... Personally I would say that there are probably 10 stars in the whole WNBA .... perhaps less.

 

[hoophuskee]

You are right I don't know every bit of her situation, but neither do you.

I didn't say she wasn't good enough for the professional game. So please don't put words in my mouth. In fact I said "I think KML can be a good pro IF she works her game to come closer to the superior physical shape of the WNBA players and continues to develop moves with the ball in her hands. That takes work and time."

Here are the facts no one can dispute: She is in her second year. Her minutes are small. Her shooting from three is really, really bad .208 (on a small sample size). Her team is not winning (so I am willing to make the assumption that if her coach had any reason to believe she could light it up -- like she was killing it in practice -- she would put her in the game).

At this time she is NOT an elite athlete when compared to the other WNBA players. It's hard to understand how one would even dispute that. To look only at UConn players in the league -- where would you place her on an athleticism scale in comparison to Maya, Tina, Stewie, Diana, Faris, Sue, Montgomery, Hartley, MoJet ...? I would rate her at the end of that list.

I like KML a lot and was a defender of her when she was at UConn. Against college competition I thought she was great and her athleticism was high (in comparison to her competition). But if you don't recognize that she has taken a giant step up "class" in the WNBA and that affects her ability to perform at a high level then feel free to go ahead and blame it on the coach.

I've only seen one game with Seattle - maybe you're right but I'm right now reluctant to fully buy into your assessment but who knows - you could wind up being correct for KML's career. Aside from the fact most posters that agree with your assessment are those that usually look to point out anything negative regarding UCONN, - however on the flip side - another point is that Steve Kerr was pretty darn successful in the NBA playing on title teams. He was competing against the world's greatest athletes and he developed quite a niche and was a multi-champion. There is no reason why KML can't be proficient from 3. I can't believe most of her shots she has missed is because someone is right on top of her.

Anyhow the game I saw only one Lloyd was knocking down shots while Stewie was easily defended. Once they both starting playing more consistent - KML will get more open looks regardless how great the athletes are. They are human. If Stewie and Loyd become consistent weapons - defenses will need to sag more and double-harder. Right now even if KML is open - she probably still is bricking shots. Once BS and JL force more double-teams because they become more consistent - - if the ball finds KML - the defense rushes out to get her - then the ball more than likely will find it's way back to the future superstars (BS and JL). The opposing team will have to pick its poison.

Most important thing imo Seattle will need as BS and JL mature is a pg. They can find a big eventually.