but i still think part of the perceived "lack of respect" that she gets is due to the fact that a large portion of what she does doesn't show up in stats, or at least not in the kind that people really pay attention to (points scored). she has said she needs to be more aggressive in scoring this year, but if she plays the "4", she really won't be posting up much or scoring in the paint as there will always be at least 2 defenders bigger than her. so IMHO, if she really wants to pump up the scoring, it will need to come from her mid range and outside shooting.
Last night on ESPN3 coverage of opening night, at one point a graphic was put on the screen as Doris, or someone, was commenting about UConn returning four starters and Doty returning. Pictured were Tiff, Bria, Stef, and Caroline. SOOO, they put only 3 of the starters in the graphic, and instead of showing all 4, they bump her in favor of a 'let's hope she can return' kid.
Yeah, y'all are gonna say 'no big deal' and it ain't. But it is definitely showing disrespect for Kelly ... and it's weird because, as noted in Carl's article, she had a VERY strong season last year.
Any ideas on why KF doesn't get the notice her play warrants?
Nice piece by Adamec.
she has said she needs to be more aggressive in scoring this year, but if she plays the "4", she really won't be posting up much or scoring in the paint as there will always be at least 2 defenders bigger than her. so IMHO, if she really wants to pump up the scoring, it will need to come from her mid range and outside shooting.
Kelly primarily played the "4" in high school on offense and it wasn't that different from what that position does at UConn. The way she played the "4" in high school was just one of the many reasons I became a huge fan of hers immediately. From what I have seen it is still her most comfortable position. She brings a lot to the table at that position because it puts her the best position to contribute offensively. Kelly for the most part does not have the dribbling moves to get from the three point line all the way to the basket. If she can catch the ball fifteen feet and in she can get to the basket or get fouled. And it is the getting fouled part that she does have an aptitude for, and the leverage she can use against bigger defenders on offense.
I'm not sure what "pump up the scoring" means in terms of your expectations. If she averages 10 points per game that would be pumping up the scoring in my opinion. 2 more points per game may not seem like much, but it would actually be a 25% increase. That is a big jump in basketball. I'm not sure anything more than that is realistic as 10 points per game would actually be a significant achievement, especially if the four scorers on the team are doing their job. The game is played with only one ball.
i'm with you VA. my comments were echoing what Kelly herself said. she has said numerous times she wants to be more of a scorer this year. whether she gets her points at the FT line or in other ways, she's apparently going to be looking more for her shot. if she can drive and draw fouls, great. if she can drive and score even better. if she can shoot the mid range jumper great. players like Jones, Dupree and a few others kill with their mid range jumper.
kelly may have been successful driving into the lane in high school playing the 4. i think she will find the competition at an elite college level will be much more significant. in college, every single game she plays will be against teams with post players taller than 6' and stronger/faster than anything she faced in high school. not saying she can't draw fouls, but i'd be surprised if she makes a "living" this year scoring around the basket. pleasantly surprised, for sure.
On the other side of the coin, Kelly already played a lot of minutes last year so the extra points would not automatically follow from significantly increased playing time. In any case, looking at the absolute value of the ppg in question, and the many factors that could potentially weigh on it (like losing Maya) is more telling than percentages. Statistically speaking, I don't think it would be a significant achievement for Kelly's scoring to be around 10 ppg this year, other than the fact that it's already a *very* significant achievement for any young woman to do all that she does for the nation's #1 WCBB program. IMO, it would be in line with expectations, both Kelly's and the coaches', for the upcoming season.