Last year when the ball went inside they doubled and tripled Liv and she would bring the ball down and they would steal it. It has to come in high and never go down to be able to kick back to Paige Evina Azzi Caroline and Christyn. Dorka and Aaliyah have to do the same. I am sure they will have practiced this issue all week. Our bigs didn't score last year because of this. We don't need them to. They just have to kick it out to our shooters.
I agree about bringing the ball down. It's a cardinal no no for a big with her back to the basket. I still think you need low post scoring however so that the perimeter stays open due to doubles and you get back doors off the cutting guards. If she or Dorka is no threat to score and only passes you won't see a double and you won't have Paige, Azzi, Caroline or Evina open for a 3 on a pass from them.
Liv is very mechanical whereas Dorka is very fluid. It's as if Liv receives the ball and then thinks about what she is going to do in terms of a move or pass which allows the defense to swarm on her. Only at times does she begin her move instantaneously upon receipt of the ball. The best big men make a decision as the ball reaches them or before not after they are doubled. You sucker the commitment to a double and then find the open man. She would be so much more effective also at times if she received it, passed out immediately, and then repositioned to receive it again ala Kevin McHale who may have been the best ever at it. One more step especially deeper can make all the difference. Liv is Liv however. I think she reacts to the pressure on her in a negative way at times.
Her value as a passer is frequently overlooked on the BY. She was third on the team in assists last year, with 23 more for the season than CW. She also averaged 12 and 8 with 53 blocks.
She is a much different player than Dorka. However, I think she will actually be more effective after a while when both of them are in the game because of the high low option. I also think that she is not a power player so adding that in Dorka and AE to a certain extent, who is not as polished offensively, will help her. I'm thinking Patrick Ewing in college the year they had Michael Graham and won it in 1984. He was freed from his role as main rebounder and enforcer and became an imposing offensive threat. I'm not saying Liv is Ewing but the principle I believe is valid. I also think that Dorka and AE will help with the psychological pressure on her. She was basically all alone the last 2 years. I really would love to see her in full bloom this year. We wouldn't lose.
