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She may have meant she hadn't often played against kids her size.
Amari: New Leaf Just Budding?
- Thread starter RockyMTblue2
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Well, she’s been banging with the big dogs for a year now.
She must, at least, solidify her position as the #3 big on the team- first sub upfront.
She has some major talent “tailgating” her.
As I’ve stated earlier, the situation will become very clear within the first dozen or so games of season.
JMHO
She must, at least, solidify her position as the #3 big on the team- first sub upfront.
She has some major talent “tailgating” her.
As I’ve stated earlier, the situation will become very clear within the first dozen or so games of season.
JMHO
Tonyc
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I believe Amari will surprise alot of fans this season. We've heard from the practice players she has a good outside shot. We saw her at the top of the key make good passes inside. Shes not a heavy weight but plays well with her back to the basket. This is gonna be a fun season with all the talent UConn has. Hoping no injuries or sick time and we should win it all. The amazin thing last season was we made it to the Finals and were full of injuries.
Carnac
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Of course it had no impact. I’m a fan from afar, not a UConn staff member or a family member. NONE of the thoughts, opinions or concerns any of us boneyarders have has any impact on these players.
Any and all comments posted here are for the consumption of wcbb fans in general, in some cases UConn fans specifically. Some of us have been fans of athletes that for some reason we decide to no longer follow or give up on. No one has ever suggested otherwise.
Stokes averaged 24 ppg as a senior in high school.
In my opinion Nelson-Ododa never came close to her potential. It may be an unfair comparison but Aliyah Boston had a better freshman year and earned more awards than Nelson-Ododa did any of her 4 years.
Wether a player has a good game/season or not is subjective. You see the glass as half full, I may see it as half empty. That does not mean that our respective observations were wrong, just that we see things differently.
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Huskee11
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We see height, quickness, leaping ability, shooting ability, etc., all kinds of different things that manifest themselves in front of our eyes, and we evaluate players accordingly.
On the other hand, we are only able to infer or guess what is inside a player`s head, what makes them tick. People are simply wired differently, and it is not always easy to get a read on what is going on there.
But in some cases, it is actually not that hard to figure it out. For example, we know that Paige has ice in her veins. We know that Nika would run through a brick wall to win a game.
In Amari`s case, it is a bit baffling. She looks to be a very good passer and a decent shooter, and the practice players rave about her talent. On the other hand, in the brief minutes she played she didn`t appear to play with a sense of urgency. Geno`s recent comments are also cause for concern in that regard. She also seems like a great teammate and was a terrific supporter of the team down the stretch last season.
Where her "head is at" is a pretty important question ahead of the 2022-2023 season.
The last thing in the world that a UConn WBB coach should need to do is to light a fire under any of the players who are there. Being fortunate enough to have a place in that environment, surrounded by all of the current greatness and the legacy that preceded, should be motivation enough. And we know Geno doesn`t coach effort.
I am really rooting for Amari but I think her individual success, and her ability to contribute to the team`s success, is less dependent upon her considerable basketball skills and more dependent upon her ability to maintain a high energy level and display consistent effort throughout the season.
On the other hand, we are only able to infer or guess what is inside a player`s head, what makes them tick. People are simply wired differently, and it is not always easy to get a read on what is going on there.
But in some cases, it is actually not that hard to figure it out. For example, we know that Paige has ice in her veins. We know that Nika would run through a brick wall to win a game.
In Amari`s case, it is a bit baffling. She looks to be a very good passer and a decent shooter, and the practice players rave about her talent. On the other hand, in the brief minutes she played she didn`t appear to play with a sense of urgency. Geno`s recent comments are also cause for concern in that regard. She also seems like a great teammate and was a terrific supporter of the team down the stretch last season.
Where her "head is at" is a pretty important question ahead of the 2022-2023 season.
The last thing in the world that a UConn WBB coach should need to do is to light a fire under any of the players who are there. Being fortunate enough to have a place in that environment, surrounded by all of the current greatness and the legacy that preceded, should be motivation enough. And we know Geno doesn`t coach effort.
I am really rooting for Amari but I think her individual success, and her ability to contribute to the team`s success, is less dependent upon her considerable basketball skills and more dependent upon her ability to maintain a high energy level and display consistent effort throughout the season.
RockyMTblue2
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She better remember a motto Geno brings out each fall: We don't coach effort.
Carnac
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I think Amari will ”breakout“ at some point this year. The more she plays, the sooner she settles in and becomes a consistent contributor to our team.
The only person that can stop or slow down Amari is Amari. At 6’5”, Amari has enough size to be dominant. Whether her is or not depends on how much “pit bull” she has or acquires.
Lest we forget, Aliyah Boston (South Carolina) is deemed the best post player in the country. Coincidentally she’s 6’5” also.
Players have various degrees of dog/dawg in them. Some have a small lap dog that some observers might label as “soft.” While other have a raging Pit Bull inside, and play like it all the time.
NaLyssa Smith (Baylor/Indiana Fever) has a pit Bull mentality. She had 26 pts 11 rebs yesterday in a 2 point win over the Chicago Sky. She’s doing the same thing now (and playing just as hard) as she did at Baylor. My kind of player!!!
She’s not intimidated by bigger older players she plays against. She’s playing with no fear and a ton of confidence. THATS what I’m talking about. Go hard or go home.
The only person that can stop or slow down Amari is Amari. At 6’5”, Amari has enough size to be dominant. Whether her is or not depends on how much “pit bull” she has or acquires.
Lest we forget, Aliyah Boston (South Carolina) is deemed the best post player in the country. Coincidentally she’s 6’5” also.
A thousand likes to you for this comment!! We don’t know what‘s going on in a player’s head (or how much if any) heart they have. The old saying is very true, and for good reason…..NEVER underestimate the heart of a champion.
Players have various degrees of dog/dawg in them. Some have a small lap dog that some observers might label as “soft.” While other have a raging Pit Bull inside, and play like it all the time.
NaLyssa Smith (Baylor/Indiana Fever) has a pit Bull mentality. She had 26 pts 11 rebs yesterday in a 2 point win over the Chicago Sky. She’s doing the same thing now (and playing just as hard) as she did at Baylor. My kind of player!!!
She’s not intimidated by bigger older players she plays against. She’s playing with no fear and a ton of confidence. THATS what I’m talking about. Go hard or go home.
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Amari has shown to have a low motor (not quick/fast) and not very physical during her time at UConn. Those same attributes were very evident at Williamsville South. I never saw her play for the Philly Bells so I have no comment about her play with them. I believe there is a wealth of talent within her, but so far nothing has been successful at bringing it to the fore front. The team will need her to step up and show out if they are to achieve their goals
oldude
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Those attributes certainly weren’t evident at Williamsville South during Amari’s senior year in high school because there was no basketball season.
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I don't think I made reference to any particular year, so I miss the point of your comment. And to be factual, the Billies actually did play 13 games her senior season ('20-'21) .
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oldude
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Most Bigs take time to develop. Missing her senior year of high school basketball set Amari back significantly. She’s been playing catch-up ever since. She’s had a full year to work with UConn’s coaching staff heading into this season. I am looking forward to Amari stepping up as a contributor this season.