I would like to know all time league efficiency records since they began this stat. My sense is that Paige is very high up there. Here is the thing about the inevitable comparison these days with CC. Paige has two things that are so prominent that are the gift of the unique great athlete that she is in addition to her talent. The first is the efficiency statistics that are set forth above. The second is an economy of energy factor that you can't measure by any statistic but that you can see. The ability to turn the energy on and take over a game with your greatness when needed to get the win. You think that half court shot was a lucky heave? Nope. That was a deliberate shot that she was taking when she got it from the in bounds pass. She got to her spot and let it fly. It was the shot of the game and just demoralized Marquette.
I truly believe that CC and Paige, if they stay healthy, will be the collective face of women's basketball in America for the next decade or more and that they are redefining and popularizing the game in a way that is historic. The number of young girls I saw that came up to Paige after the Seton game at Walsh to get an autograph or a photo was startling. The fact that there are all of these young idolizers means that they will be playing, copying if they can, and following the game for their lifetimes
. My test as to redefining and popularizing? My friends who never, ever watched women's basketball are now texting and talking about it.You watch, when the NCAA brackets come out, there is going to be a bracketed pre-planned match up of Paige vs. CC. They will be dreaming of the TV audience which will break all records.
I was at the Seton-Providence men's game last night at the Rock. The amount of physicality, restriction on freedom of movement, and body fouls is insane and does not get called. It's a different game. The elegance of the sport has vanished. Then you see a CC or a Paige and you smile and say "Ah, I remember now, it still can be ballet with a ball".