6 Reasons Why Ash and KK will start

[CL82]

Larry Bird is the size of a forward. As is Lebron James. Paige isn't comparable to those two in any way shape or from.

Is she comparable to Steph Curry or Kyrie Irving? Just curious.

 

[Bone Dog]

I seem to be confused about the PG position and what exactly a point forward might be. Let me reflect on this a bit.

The PG is a high energy position, maybe more than any other on the floor. The PG doesn’t just bring the ball up the floor and then initiate the offense, though I often mention these two things as indicators of who the PG might be in a positionless scheme like Geno’s. But a traditional PG has other responsibilities, like ensuring floor balance, being the first back on defense in case of a long rebound or live ball turnover, breaking a press and also leading the press.

Does a point forward do all these things, too? Or can they occupy an unbalanced position on the floor, crash the offensive boards, and generally score and defend from the wing or low post? We may simply be thinking of a point forward as a big guard. Paige is a big guard. So was Evina. So was Kia. They each played like a traditional PG at times but occasionally like forwards too. I’m not sure either was ever a point forward. When Paige was a PG, like in her first two seasons, she did all the other things a PG does, especially on defense. Last season, when she played forward, she crashed the o-boards others had to get back on D in case of a long rebound or turnover.

Morgan at 6’2” was a traditional PG in high school but she also crashed the boards and played low post defense. She covered the traditional responsibilities of the PG and then some other things too. But as soon as she went down low on offense the rest of the team had to compensate. That’s the scheme her coach had designed.

Would Geno use Morgan as a point forward in such a scheme? She has the skills for it. I think he has the athletes who could compensate for the compromises it would create. On the Gabby-Katie Lou-Phee teams, Geno could run a half court set with Kia or Saniya at the point, but he had the athletes to run the floor in transition (and transition defense) and any of them could lead the break. That was the beauty of having Gabby play center.

I guess now I’m thinking Geno doesn’t like point forwards. But he likes having big guards, Swiss-army-knife types who can cover a lot positions and run the floor really well. At Stanford, Tara used Haley Jones as a point forward and they seemed less effective to me as a result, though she certainly had the athletes for it.

Geno has big guard types — Paige, Azzi, Morgan, Allie — who could function as a PG or a small forward, and he has a pair of obvious PGs in KK and Kaitlyn. Ash and Caroline and Aubrey and Sarah have guard skills but Geno might not want them to cover the PG position. They are good at making outlet passes in transition, but Geno doesn’t have them running the half court sets. Sarah is the exception. He may well use her in just this way. Jana has the guard skills to break a press just as Aaliyah and Breanna did. But you wouldn’t really want to use any of them as a PG or a point forward.

 

[Tonyc]

The team needs to play together and the chemistry must be there. If we start inexperienced players team chemistry may be a problem. As in many past seasons Geno has started players with experience and worked everybody else in until they flowed with the team chemistry and with confidence. The starters will be determined by how they perform in practice and the first couple of games of the season. Paige is a given I think we all agree. Azzi will get minutes based on her health. If healthy she starts. KK and Ash complete the experience and chemistry. Who will be the 5th starter. Ice has experience and Jana is the big we've been missing. Another point about Jana. If she can shoot consistently from the outside she may play a position much like Stewie did on offense and down low on defense which could translate into Ice playing down low. Geno has alot of options. He has upperclassman that need playtime and underclassman that need playtime to be developed. Its gonna be interesting to see who is ready for significant minutes based on chemistry heath and development. With that said Chen has experience and I feel she will be first off the bench followed by Sarah. Chen imo is a great get because of what she had done last season.

 

[HuskyNan]

It’s not bad thing in general but we would have been better last year if we had real post players and Paige could have played on the ball more. There is nothin wrong with not being a PG but I happen to think we are better with Paige as the PG and players around her that can play off the ball.

Geno played Maria Conlon at PG and Diana Taurasi as G/W/F and that turned out OK. Diana was Geno's first point forward

 

[Dogstar]

Paige is not a point forward. She is too small. She was a guard playing out of position in a forward spot because her team was decimated by injuries. Larry Bird is the size of a forward. As is Lebron James. Paige isn't comparable to those two in any way shape or from. She is just a guard.

True she's a guard, a guard tht can play at both guard positions and is very capable of playing the small forward position in fact she's a nightmare for small forwards to defend often forcing the double team. As far a her defense at the sf position she had 53 blocks, 5 rebounds and 86 steals. All in all if you throw in her 150 assist tht does kinda make her a Point Forward being tht Bird and Lebron both accomplished the same tasks for their teams. Height's not a big part of playing either forward spot, Charles Barkley admitted tht he's actually 6'5 on a good day but they always listed him as 6'6 or 6'7

 

[Cornell Lt]

Don't really care who starts a game, never have never will. I'll pay attention to the rotations after the season starts and see who Geno uses at the end of the competitive games, that will tell me what I need to know.

 

[CL82]

Don't really care who starts a game, never have never will. I'll pay attention to the rotations after the season starts and see who Geno uses at the end of the competitive games, that will tell me what I need to know.

Somewhat agree. The starting lineup does give you some insight into the team and their abilities, but 100% agree with you that who subs for whom, total minutes, and who's on the court at the end of the game are more important.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Geno played Maria Conlon at PG and Diana Taurasi as G/W/F and that turned out OK. Diana was Geno's first point forward

Diana is a shooting guard. She played as a shooting guard next to Sue for two years and then Maria for two years. And given Taurasi desire and willingness to score, she’s a better shooting guard than Paige.

But she was far closer to a point forward than Paige ever was but to me to be a point forward you have to be initiating the offense from the post and neither really ever did.

 

[PhillyCoach]

Don't really care who starts a game, never have never will. I'll pay attention to the rotations after the season starts and see who Geno uses at the end of the competitive games, that will tell me what I need to know.

As a coach I like to look at my team or another team (UConn) and make decisions on "what is my starting lineup on day one." I did that with soccer, basketball, and tennis. As a fan and poster I am "curious" about what Geno thinks and how all the players will fit into the coming season. Many posters/fans are curious too. The Boneyard is a fun thing for me and it helps me get away from the chaos/problems around us.
As a counselor I am interested in how people think and make their decisions. As we all know, some posters have quite different views and ideas. Some interpretations of what I wrote were amusing (by the way I started this thread.)
Azzi has come up lots of time from posters. I clearly stated she is coming off injury and has a few hoops to jump through before she starts. Remember, we are talking about starting in November/December. When fully healthy she will probably start. Chen has come up too and I stated that I think she will be an early starter (experience). I put in Jana as an early starter (and long term too) and ask Geno if International players are trained and developed differently than AAU - USA players. Look at the NBA, International Bigs can actually shoot fouls and have more total skills. Jana does too. I still believe that Sara will still be learning the total Defense package early and will come off the bench. I also believe she will start or play MUCHO minutes later in the season.
Ice is a question. I think she will come off the bench, but Geno will experiment with her and Jana together. Could be early or develop later--that's a question to be answered.
So, to reiterate, Paige, Ash and KK will start the season and I think Chen and Jana will be there too.

 

[Majic Hands]

Don't really care who starts a game, never have never will. I'll pay attention to the rotations after the season starts and see who Geno uses at the end of the competitive games, that will tell me what I need to know.

Agree. One of the most intriguing aspects of watching is the development, growth of individuals, team cohesion, and absolutely who is on the floor at the end of a close game.

However. It’s August. None of that’s going to happen for several months down the road.

In the meantime time it’s interesting seeing what people expect to see as well as what they hope to see.

Even when I throw my head back and laugh and wonder what the hell have they been looking at to come up with what they came up with.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

Is she comparable to Steph Curry or Kyrie Irving? Just curious.

I hate comparing mens players to women's players but I'd say yes. She's a much more traditional combo guard, I don't see much in the way of forward or post skills from her.

True she's a guard, a guard tht can play at both guard positions and is very capable of playing the small forward position in fact she's a nightmare for small forwards to defend often forcing the double team. As far a her defense at the sf position she had 53 blocks, 5 rebounds and 86 steals. All in all if you throw in her 150 assist tht does kinda make her a Point Forward being tht Bird and Lebron both accomplished the same tasks for their teams. Height's not a big part of playing either forward spot, Charles Barkley admitted tht he's actually 6'5 on a good day but they always listed him as 6'6 or 6'7

She's a nightmare for small forwards to defend because she is not a small forward or playing like one when she is on the floor. It seems people are just saying because she's on the floor with other PGs or smaller guards she is automatically playing a SF or PF position when that is not the case. By that logic, Nika and KK are also point forwards since they played PG at times but also had to be slotted into forward position at times.

I seem to be confused about the PG position and what exactly a point forward might be. Let me reflect on this a bit.

The PG is a high energy position, maybe more than any other on the floor. The PG doesn’t just bring the ball up the floor and then initiate the offense, though I often mention these two things as indicators of who the PG might be in a positionless scheme like Geno’s. But a traditional PG has other responsibilities, like ensuring floor balance, being the first back on defense in case of a long rebound or live ball turnover, breaking a press and also leading the press.

Does a point forward do all these things, too? Or can they occupy an unbalanced position on the floor, crash the offensive boards, and generally score and defend from the wing or low post? We may simply be thinking of a point forward as a big guard. Paige is a big guard. So was Evina. So was Kia. They each played like a traditional PG at times but occasionally like forwards too. I’m not sure either was ever a point forward. When Paige was a PG, like in her first two seasons, she did all the other things a PG does, especially on defense. Last season, when she played forward, she crashed the o-boards others had to get back on D in case of a long rebound or turnover.

Morgan at 6’2” was a traditional PG in high school but she also crashed the boards and played low post defense. She covered the traditional responsibilities of the PG and then some other things too. But as soon as she went down low on offense the rest of the team had to compensate. That’s the scheme her coach had designed.

Would Geno use Morgan as a point forward in such a scheme? She has the skills for it. I think he has the athletes who could compensate for the compromises it would create. On the Gabby-Katie Lou-Phee teams, Geno could run a half court set with Kia or Saniya at the point, but he had the athletes to run the floor in transition (and transition defense) and any of them could lead the break. That was the beauty of having Gabby play center.

I guess now I’m thinking Geno doesn’t like point forwards. But he likes having big guards, Swiss-army-knife types who can cover a lot positions and run the floor really well. At Stanford, Tara used Haley Jones as a point forward and they seemed less effective to me as a result, though she certainly had the athletes for it.

Geno has big guard types — Paige, Azzi, Morgan, Allie — who could function as a PG or a small forward, and he has a pair of obvious PGs in KK and Kaitlyn. Ash and Caroline and Aubrey and Sarah have guard skills but Geno might not want them to cover the PG position. They are good at making outlet passes in transition, but Geno doesn’t have them running the half court sets. Sarah is the exception. He may well use her in just this way. Jana has the guard skills to break a press just as Aaliyah and Breanna did. But you wouldn’t really want to use any of them as a PG or a point forward.

Exactly! Geno likes big guards. Doesn't make them point forwards.

 

[hoophuskee]

It’s not bad thing in general but we would have been better last year if we had real post players and Paige could have played on the ball more. There is nothin wrong with not being a PG but I happen to think we are better with Paige as the PG and players around her that can play off the ball.

Yes but I’d ask you to take a look at the game in the 4th qtr UCONN played vs SoCal. She was the pg for much of it. Did you really see a difference as to whether she brought the ball up or Nika did? Other than that hwo can you say was teh actuial pg?

And this year, assume at least until January without Aubrey, - which grouping has the lower floor, - the post players of Jana, Ice, Sarah and Ayanna or all the guards and Forwards UCONN has? I have no expectations for CD. If she is rely "ready" then that changes everything imo.

While I prefer trying to start the higher celling Freshmen, Ice and Ayanna don't exactly have a high floor either. Against the top teams, their floor could drop drastically.

Wouldn't it be better to have to have the best passers then to get the ball to Paige In other words why must Paige be the only passer on the team? Wouldn't it also be very good to have to get the ball to Paige in her best scoring positions whenever she initially gives up the ball?

 

[Dogstar]

I hate comparing mens players to women's players but I'd say yes. She's a much more traditional combo guard, I don't see much in the way of forward or post skills from her.

She's a nightmare for small forwards to defend because she is not a small forward or playing like one when she is on the floor. It seems people are just saying because she's on the floor with other PGs or smaller guards she is automatically playing a SF or PF position when that is not the case. By that logic, Nika and KK are also point forwards since they played PG at times but also had to be slotted into forward position at times.

Exactly! Geno likes big guards. Doesn't make them point forwards.

I say tht bcus opponents usually put height on her as she'll definitely dominate point and shooting guards. Nice try but Nika and KK are true point guards they have NEVER been slotted to play the forward position, now if caught in a screen or switch they may find themselves in the situation of checking a forward but if tht forward tries to take advantage of the mismatch Geno will quickly send a double team, usually from a big who makes it tough to pass out and hard ( with certified ball theives) to dribble out of. In closing like I said they were not slotted there they ended up there. Geno likes big guards but he likes his PGs 6'0 and under, quick, assist first shoot if you have too, defensive Dawgs. Sue 5'9..moriah 5'6..Renée 5'7..Crystal 5'5..Nika 6'0..KK 5'8 all pure guards

 

[hoophuskee]

Also true. But PG has a bigger impact the rest of the team than any of the other positions.

And there's nothing that prevents Bueckers from scoring from the pg position as far as I know.

Don’t agree with your pg assessment.. Our top 3 all-time player's that led their teams to 11 titles were not PG's though DT was a partial pg.

And looking at past rivals that have won between Summitt, Tara, Muffet and Kim, how many were led as their best player by pg.’s?

And there is nothing preventing Paige from both scoring and passing from the Forward position as you saw this year. If Azzi was the sg you really think UCONN was losing to Iowa? .

And in regard to this past year, take a look at the entire 4th quarter vs SOCal. SO you really saw a difference between when Nika brought the ball up the floor vs Paige? Adn there were times Nika brought the ball up and gave it to Paige immediately. SO in these cases who was the pg?

And after Paige makes the1st pass vs the elite team would you rather have a less efficient passer and shooter than Paige try to get the ball back to her or a less efficient shooter but a much better passer try to get the ball back to her?

If you want the ball in Paige's hands as much as possible how then does it make sense to not have better passers in the game so they can more easily get the ball to her? Do you really think for example someone like Chen can't score that she would cause such grief to Paige by being unable to deliver her the ball?

 

[GirlBoo1020]

I say tht bcus opponents usually put height on her as she'll definitely dominate point and shooting guards. Nice try but Nika and KK are true point guards they have NEVER been slotted to play the forward position, now if caught in a screen or switch they may find themselves in the situation of checking a forward but if tht forward tries to take advantage of the mismatch Geno will quickly send a double team, usually from a big who makes it tough to pass out and hard ( with certified ball theives) to dribble out of. In closing like I said they were not slotted there they ended up there. Geno likes big guards but he likes his PGs 6'0 and under, quick, assist first shoot if you have too, defensive Dawgs. Sue 5'9..moriah 5'6..Renée 5'7..Crystal 5'5..Nika 6'0..KK 5'8 all pure guards

The position you are playing shouldn't be defined by the position of the player guarding you. Or the position of the player you are guarding.
Similar to Nika and KK, Paige has also never been slotted to play the forward position on offense. Paige is also a pure guard who is under 6'0 and is assist first. That is the whole problem people are trying to break her from. She is too unselfish. Do people really think she is a post player that can play guard? Have we forgotten we ran a 4 GUARD line up last year because all our post players were taken out for the season?

 

[hoophuskee]

Azzi has come up lots of time from posters. I clearly stated she is coming off injury and has a few hoops to jump through before she starts. Remember, we are talking about starting in November/December. When fully healthy she will probably start. Chen has come up too and I stated that I think she will be an early starter (experience). I put in Jana as an early starter (and long term too) and ask Geno if International players are trained and developed differently than AAU - USA players. Look at the NBA, International Bigs can actually shoot fouls and have more total skills. Jana does too. I still believe that Sara will still be learning the total Defense package early and will come off the bench. I also believe she will start or play MUCHO minutes later in the season.
Ice is a question. I think she will come off the bench, but Geno will experiment with her and Jana together. Could be early or develop later--that's a question to be answered.
So, to reiterate, Paige, Ash and KK will start the season and I think Chen and Jana will be there too.

I'm sorry I didn't pick up you had Chen starting. You create such interesting threads and lay it on the line. Very interesting you are going back to very small ball. I love the idea and I do prefer guard play over bigs. And I'd love to see it - but with this team as a starting unit, I don't think so. Too many negatives to start a game vs quality teams.

1--- When you mention Defense and Geno and Sarah -- yes she has to learn. But if you aren't starting her or Ice and now that the center, Edwards is gone, and Nika is a better rebounder than Chen, your Defense is going to suffer from worse-than-last-year Defensive rebounding. And to add to that you’re losing the superior defenders in Nika and Aaliyah. thus overall your defense is taking a hit on on-the-ball and in defensive rebounding. And while the Offense is better you are sacrificing some fastbreak basketball because you won't be able to clear the boards as well in order to push the pace you want.

In the aggregate while Sarah will suffer within the halfcourt, her presence can be made up by her supposed terrific defensive rebounding (if she is that though many us believe she is.). And Gneo did recently say in regard to Sarah "She is better than we thought.".

And offensively starting KK and Chen, they are among the worst 3pt shooters on the team. And we know Geno loves 3pt shooting.

2--- In regard to Jana and the bold - I'd like to see the comments made. I believe he would have ben talking fundamentals. While you say, rightfully so about shooting skills from Overseas, but there is a reason why a player such as Jana comes to USA rather than go overseas. And there is a reason why USA almost always wins the tournaments from young to pro; because the USA is better. Probably due to speed and athleticism. We just can't avoid what our eyes see over and over- USA wins. Players like Jana and others come to USA. She is travelling all the way here in order to compete against the best.

If International was superior then they would beat USA across the board from young to old. And they don't. And its why Jana has come here. And we’re damn glad to have her. Could be a big-time Unicorn.

 

[Dogstar]

The position you are playing shouldn't be defined by the position of the player guarding you. Or the position of the player you are guarding.

Paige at 6'0 is a combo guard who's able to play small forward, I'd put DT in the same category. Everyone including Geno would like her to shoot more but in her defense 150 assists ain't too shabby, she also had 202 rebounds which is extraordinary for a guard and for a small forward. In a 4 guard set who's gonna guard the opponents SF? Nika? KK? ASH? Nope it was Paige,and at 22 pts a game she did a pretty good job of it. By the way her 202 rebounds were 2nd on the team. Where Ur getting confused is the terminology, a post is usually a center or a power forward,, a small forward is also called a wing (Swin, Aubrey, Q Gabby etc). I also 4got to include Jen at 5'6 in my list of Pure PGs..... mea culpa

 

[HuskyNan]

Diana is a shooting guard. She played as a shooting guard next to Sue for two years and then Maria for two years. And given Taurasi desire and willingness to score, she’s a better shooting guard than Paige.

But she was far closer to a point forward than Paige ever was but to me to be a point forward you have to be initiating the offense from the post and neither really ever did.

Diana is a combo guard that played point when neither Sue nor Maria were on the court, hence the two-time Nancy Lieberman Award as the country's best point guard. She is as much a point as positionless Paige.

 

[Majic Hands]

I'm sorry I didn't pick up you had Chen starting. You create such interesting threads and lay it on the line. Very interesting you are going back to very small ball. I love the idea and I do prefer guard play over bigs. And I'd love to see it - but with this team as a starting unit, I don't think so. Too many negatives to start a game vs quality teams.

1--- When you mention Defense and Geno and Sarah -- yes she has to learn. But if you aren't starting her or Ice and now that the center, Edwards is gone, and Nika is a better rebounder than Chen, your Defense is going to suffer from worse-than-last-year Defensive rebounding. And to add to that you’re losing the superior defenders in Nika and Aaliyah. thus overall your defense is taking a hit on on-the-ball and in defensive rebounding. And while the Offense is better you are sacrificing some fastbreak basketball because you won't be able to clear the boards as well in order to push the pace you want.

In the aggregate while Sarah will suffer within the halfcourt, her presence can be made up by her supposed terrific defensive rebounding (if she is that though many us believe she is.). And Gneo did recently say in regard to Sarah "She is better than we thought.".

And offensively starting KK and Chen, they are among the worst 3pt shooters on the team. And we know Geno loves 3pt shooting.

2--- In regard to Jana and the bold - I'd like to see the comments made. I believe he would have ben talking fundamentals. While you say, rightfully so about shooting skills from Overseas, but there is a reason why a player such as Jana comes to USA rather than go overseas. And there is a reason why USA almost always wins the tournaments from young to pro; because the USA is better. Probably due to speed and athleticism. We just can't avoid what our eyes see over and over- USA wins. Players like Jana and others come to USA. She is travelling all the way here in order to compete against the best.

If International was superior then they would beat USA across the board from young to old. And they don't. And its why Jana has come here. And we’re damn glad to have her. Could be a big-time Unicorn.

Hey,
you were giving me stuff to think about until you got to the USA players are better. That’s why they (foreigners) come here. . .

Perhaps we’re better because basketball is in about ever grade school, high school, colleges , clubs, gyms, parks, backyards, portable hoops on cul’de’sac in most neighborhoods, it’s on multiple tv channels from around the world. And we live in a leisure society where we as a culture need to be entertained. It’s a game that has been established in the USA for generations.

How many kids in other countries actually have touched a basketball? How many have tv’s to watch basketball? How many schools have basketball facilities even if the kids get to go to school? How many parents have the time and resources to take the kids to practice and games? How many countries don’t even allow “GIRLS” to even participate in sporting activities. Period.

I think most BY’ers will understand my point.

I suspect that most kids that come to participate in the collegiate experience in the USA are from some of the more well off countries, cities, or households. Check Napheesa Collier & Jana Al Alfie’s parent’s place in their home country.

I also suspect that a lot of the players where there’s been discussions on the BY about why don’t they come and play in the USA instead of going directly into the leagues overseas is because for them playing in a league (job/work) is the best way they can make money now.

 

[hoophuskee]

Hey,
you were giving me stuff to think about until you got to the USA players are better. That’s why they (foreigners) come here. . .

Perhaps we’re better because basketball is in about ever grade school, high school, colleges , clubs, gyms, parks, backyards, portable hoops on cul’de’sac in most neighborhoods, it’s on multiple tv channels from around the world. And we live in a leisure society where we as a culture need to be entertained. It’s a game that has been established in the USA for generations.

What did I say that was wrong? You are giving reasons why we're better. I didn't mean we were better human beings etc. I meant better players. The object is to win and USA wins nearly all the time. Jana wants to come here more than likley to face the better competetion otherwise why is she here if the other countries are better trained and have better skils etc? Is that wrong?

In Soccer (men)- we are not better. We're much worse. USA loses nearly all the time vs top-tier Countries. And for the reasons you give that is probbaly why many of the other countries are better too. Is this wrong too? .

 

[hoophuskee]

I seem to be confused about the PG position and what exactly a point forward might be. Let me reflect on this a bit.

The PG is a high energy position, maybe more than any other on the floor. The PG doesn’t just bring the ball up the floor and then initiate the offense, though I often mention these two things as indicators of who the PG might be in a positionless scheme like Geno’s. But a traditional PG has other responsibilities, like ensuring floor balance, being the first back on defense in case of a long rebound or live ball turnover, breaking a press and also leading the press.

Does a point forward do all these things, too? Or can they occupy an unbalanced position on the floor, crash the offensive boards, and generally score and defend from the wing or low post? We may simply be thinking of a point forward as a big guard. Paige is a big guard. So was Evina. So was Kia. They each played like a traditional PG at times but occasionally like forwards too. I’m not sure either was ever a point forward. When Paige was a PG, like in her first two seasons, she did all the other things a PG does, especially on defense. Last season, when she played forward, she crashed the o-boards others had to get back on D in case of a long rebound or turnover.

.

I hope these are fun conversations - I have questions for you. Can you answer?

1--- When you hear the term that a team plays with two point guards (i.e even when they are on the floor together) has that ever bothered you? The UCONN men in the past had Doron Sheffer and Kevin Ollie in this manner. Then UCONN had AJ Price and Kemba Walker. Then UCONN had Kemba and Shabazz Naper. Then it was Shabazz and Ryan Boatright.

So if you can have players share pg responsibilities then why can't a pg share with Paige? The bold you mention as other indicators of a PG. Isn't that what Paige also does some of the time? As I've previous stated, anyone can go and watch the entire 4th qtr UCONN vs SoCal. Paige is doing the exact same things you mention a traditional pg does and these things Nika does. And frankly, KK did too.

2---- If you are believer like I am that there is a Center, 2 forwards and 2 guards but any player can have versatility, then it must be true that Paige was a "Forward" on this past team.

So if Paige is a Forward while she is running the offense at times in the manner you mention that a traditional PG does, then how can anyone say she isn't in part a "Point-Forward?" This is what makes Paige so special is that she plays both spots so effortlessly. It is rare to find someone that can do both ao great. So why would anyone say "I only want her to be the pg because I want the ball in her hands as much as possible?"

3--- Then imo this leads to the thread-- is that even if Paige is the pg, UCONN runs a motion offense. That means multiple passes. Who better to potentially get the ball back to Paige than another very good passing pg? By having this other very good passing guard you will be getting the balll to her as much as needed even after ths 1st pass.

4-- So if Paige is at times (i.e. sharing running) running the offense like a traditional pg, while playing at the forward spot, how is this bad for the team along with how can we say she is not a partial "point-forward?" We have all the evidence we need for anyone to view games which Paige shows her pg prowess while she is at the forward spot. And to the thread's point of other starters, why not have another good passing guard that can more easily get the ball back to Paige if needed because UCONN’s halfcourt offense isn’t chuck-and-duck?





2---

 

[Alydar]

Don’t agree with your pg assessment.. Our top 3 all-time player's that led their teams to 11 titles were not PG's though DT was a partial pg.

And looking at past rivals that have won between Summitt, Tara, Muffet and Kim, how many were led as their best player by pg.’s?

And there is nothing preventing Paige from both scoring and passing from the Forward position as you saw this year. If Azzi was the sg you really think UCONN was losing to Iowa? .

And in regard to this past year, take a look at the entire 4th quarter vs SOCal. SO you really saw a difference between when Nika brought the ball up the floor vs Paige? Adn there were times Nika brought the ball up and gave it to Paige immediately. SO in these cases who was the pg?

And after Paige makes the1st pass vs the elite team would you rather have a less efficient passer and shooter than Paige try to get the ball back to her or a less efficient shooter but a much better passer try to get the ball back to her?

If you want the ball in Paige's hands as much as possible how then does it make sense to not have better passers in the game so they can more easily get the ball to her? Do you really think for example someone like Chen can't score that she would cause such grief to Paige by being unable to deliver her the ball?

I applaud your arguments. Let me see if I understand. The way to put the ball in Bueckers hands more is for a lesser passer to hold the ball while Bueckers runs off screens to get open and then they pass it back to her to shoot? Is that right? So how exactly does Bueckers hold the ball more in your scenario?

 

[hoophuskee]

I applaud your arguments. Let me see if I understand. The way to put the ball in Bueckers hands more is for a lesser passer to hold the ball while Bueckers runs off screens to get open and then they pass it back to her to shoot? Is that right? So how exactly does Bueckers hold the ball more in your scenario?

Once Paige makes a pass and moves within The Motion Offense, who else to have a better chance to get the ball back to her is another pg that is a superior passer to any of the other three players on the floor not named Paige?

 

[Bone Dog]

I hope these are fun conversations - I have questions for you. Can you answer?

1--- When you hear the term that a team plays with two point guards (i.e even when they are on the floor together) has that ever bothered you? The UCONN men in the past had Doron Sheffer and Kevin Ollie in this manner. Then UCONN had AJ Price and Kemba Walker. Then UCONN had Kemba and Shabazz Naper. Then it was Shabazz and Ryan Boatright.

So if you can have players share pg responsibilities then why can't a pg share with Paige? The bold you mention as other indicators of a PG. Isn't that what Paige also does some of the time? As I've previous stated, anyone can go and watch the entire 4th qtr UCONN vs SoCal. Paige is doing the exact same things you mention a traditional pg does and these things Nika does. And frankly, KK did too.

2---- If you are believer like I am that there is a Center, 2 forwards and 2 guards but any player can have versatility, then it must be true that Paige was a "Forward" on this past team.

So if Paige is a Forward while she is running the offense at times in the manner you mention that a traditional PG does, then how can anyone say she isn't in part a "Point-Forward?" This is what makes Paige so special is that she plays both spots so effortlessly. It is rare to find someone that can do both ao great. So why would anyone say "I only want her to be the pg because I want the ball in her hands as much as possible?"

3--- Then imo this leads to the thread-- is that even if Paige is the pg, UCONN runs a motion offense. That means multiple passes. Who better to potentially get the ball back to Paige than another very good passing pg? By having this other very good passing guard you will be getting the balll to her as much as needed even after ths 1st pass.

4-- So if Paige is at times (i.e. sharing running) running the offense like a traditional pg, while playing at the forward spot, how is this bad for the team along with how can we say she is not a partial "point-forward?" We have all the evidence we need for anyone to view games which Paige shows her pg prowess while she is at the forward spot. And to the thread's point of other starters, why not have another good passing guard that can more easily get the ball back to Paige if needed because UCONN’s halfcourt offense isn’t chuck-and-duck?

I don’t agree with #2: “If you are believer like I am that there is a Center, 2 forwards and 2 guards”

Not all offenses run this set up, and Geno very often does not. You mention versatility I think as a corrective for the narrowness of this statement. Sure, but then why bother announcing that “there is a Center…” etc at all? Why not just say Geno doesn’t feel limited by that scheme. He runs 4 guards quite often. Sometimes he has 3 players who can play PG on the floor at the same time. Or he runs a ‘twin towers’ set, as he often did with Rebecca and Kara.

When people speak of a point forward I’m often perplexed. If they’re talking about a positionless scheme then all they seem to mean is that the team features a big guard. On the other hand, if it’s a traditional scheme like the one you envision — a center, two guards and two forwards — then why not have one of the guards play the point? Or does it mean that once the supposed point forward initiates the offense they head for the wing or the low post and don’t pay attention to balance and court spacing, then they’re not really a point-anything.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

I don’t agree with #2: “If you are believer like I am that there is a Center, 2 forwards and 2 guards”

Not all offenses run this set up, and Geno very often does not. You mention versatility I think as a corrective for the narrowness of this statement. Sure, but then why bother announcing that “there is a Center…” etc at all? Why not just say Geno doesn’t feel limited by that scheme. He runs 4 guards quite often. Sometimes he has 3 players who can play PG on the floor at the same time. Or he runs a ‘twin towers’ set, as he often did with Rebecca and Kara.

When people speak of a point forward I’m often perplexed. If they’re talking about a positionless scheme then all they seem to mean is that the team features a big guard. On the other hand, if it’s a traditional scheme like the one you envision — a center, two guards and two forwards — then why not have one of the guards play the point? Or does it mean that once the supposed point forward initiates the offense they head for the wing or the low post and don’t pay attention to balance and court spacing, then they’re not really a point-anything.

I completely agree with this. I am confused what people are taking about with regards to last year. How is Paige a point forward but also we have two other PG's on the floor? If you are a point forward there isn't someone else playing point guard in the guard spot.