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Not disagreeing with this. I just don't think she has an all around game, esp to be player of the year.
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Azzi Fudd at the Peak of her Powers
- Thread starter AzzisBraids
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Not disagreeing with this. I just don't think she has an all around game, esp to be player of the year.
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To me is her defense. We all knew Azzi can shoot the crap out of the ball, but her defense in on a wnba level at this point. She is making herself virtually impossible to be stopped because if her offense has an off night, the defense won't, and vice versa
CL82
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And focus, right? It takes hyper intense focus to be able to shut down a player of that level. Any mental lapse or mistake you make she's got the skills to take advantage of. It's impressive as all heck.
But then take into account the fact that Azzi still has 17 points and three assists showing that she was just as locked in when the Huskies had the ball. Independent of the physical skill and stamina, that takes enormous mental effort to be able to do over the course of a game.
It's super impressive.
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Not sure what this is but it doesn't work
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On top of that, she plays in 5 minute blocks. That's not a recipe for NPOY consideration
Actually 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 block in 29 minutes. I don't think Jazzy scored at all when Azzi was on her. Love watching her live play defense. KK, Blanca, Ash and K9 also.
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oldude
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One additional point about the Azzi vs Jazzy matchup. For the most part, while Azzi was shutting down Jazzy, Jazzy was trying to guard Azzi, with very limited success.
CL82
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Agree (and thanks for the correction on assists). Shade and KK are locked in as well. I love watching Ashlynn on defense in particular. Her head always on a swivel and she's always adjusting on D.
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The thing I noticed about Jazzy is that she is a good defender in help defense, but not as good on facing down her assignment. She got a couple of good side-blocks, one on Serah (which I thought should have been whistled) and one on Azzi after she fought through a screen. But as a on-v-one assignment, Azzi blew passed her or shot over her several times.
As for Audi Crooks, I’m not sure I see what @oldude sees in her defense. She may have good footwork, but her energy is too low to accomplish much. Any opposing team that doesn’t exploit this weakness when she’s on the court is simply allowing Fennely to leave her on the court longer. Make him pay the price of her defense and he won’t be able to let her play 20 minutes.
That said, I actually managed to watch a couple of her high school games a few years back and I was impressed by her leadership. This may be nearly as important as her offensive skills. Her team was weak and she was the only serious threat they had. One game, against Hopkins High, which featured Nunu Agara and Taylor Woodson, was particularly illustrative. They would have been blown out by Hopkins’ press but for Audi. At a few points, they even had her bring the ball up the court. Watching that game, it was clear she would do anything for her teammates.
As for Audi Crooks, I’m not sure I see what @oldude sees in her defense. She may have good footwork, but her energy is too low to accomplish much. Any opposing team that doesn’t exploit this weakness when she’s on the court is simply allowing Fennely to leave her on the court longer. Make him pay the price of her defense and he won’t be able to let her play 20 minutes.
That said, I actually managed to watch a couple of her high school games a few years back and I was impressed by her leadership. This may be nearly as important as her offensive skills. Her team was weak and she was the only serious threat they had. One game, against Hopkins High, which featured Nunu Agara and Taylor Woodson, was particularly illustrative. They would have been blown out by Hopkins’ press but for Audi. At a few points, they even had her bring the ball up the court. Watching that game, it was clear she would do anything for her teammates.
Last season the 4 Finalists were announced on March 25th, 2025 so there is a lot of water to yet flow under the bridge for that event in 2026. Fudd, Strong, Betts, Hidalgo, Booker, Crooks, etc. lots of potential Finalists but we all know that #13 is more important to both of our candidates.
At the USF game, I couldn't take my eyes off of KK on defense. She actually has a wry smile on her face when she was defending the point guard as if to say " I'm in control here, not you". By the way, she was.
CL82
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The thing I noticed about Jazzy is that she was decidedly unhappy during our game.😏
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CL82
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KK's whole game has improved this year. She looks more mature physically and seems more mature mentally. Agree with you that her vibe seems to be that she is in control. I'm enjoying that as well this year.
We only have one more year of Shade snd KK after this season. Their contribution has been huge from the moment. They first stepped on campus. They remind me a little bit of KLS and Napheesa in that regard.
In last years national championship, the camera caught Dawn Staley dropping an F-bomb and throwing a mini tantrum after an Azzi Fudd wide open 3. This should be every opposing coaches reaction when Azzi is allowed to shoot a 3 and exemplifies why Dawn is such a successful coach.
I also remember a game against South Carolina in Azzis freshman year where they went straight at Azzi on defense and Geno had to bench her because she kept getting burned. I was thinking “yikes, this was the overall number 1 recruit from high school?” Turned out that she had an injury but still when I watch her games this year, her explosiveness is off the charts on both ends and such a contrast to the Azzi from that game in her Freshman year.
I also remember a game against South Carolina in Azzis freshman year where they went straight at Azzi on defense and Geno had to bench her because she kept getting burned. I was thinking “yikes, this was the overall number 1 recruit from high school?” Turned out that she had an injury but still when I watch her games this year, her explosiveness is off the charts on both ends and such a contrast to the Azzi from that game in her Freshman year.
MilfordHusky
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Dawn Fudded Around and Found Out!