Canada loses, Kia Nurse wins....

[DavidinNaples]

Kia Nurse and her Canadian National team lost to Australia this morning 62-52 at the World Championship in Turkey. There has been much debate on the BY about how well or poorly Kia has played for Canada in the tournament. Here are 5 statistics that tell you all you need to know:

1. Kia Nurse is not just a member of the Canadian team, she started all five games at guard. In addition to starting, Nurse has played 109 minutes or 22 min/game. Two other players average 22 plus minutes and one averages 24 min/ per game. Her coach thinks she should be on the court.

2. Kia is shot 12-25 (48%) from inside the 3 pt line. The rest of the team is shot 47%.

3. In 109 minutes of play at guard, Nurse has 2 turnovers. The rest of the team has 76.

4. Nurse had 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and only 9 fouls in five games. Her 6.6 pts/game average is only 3 pts behind the team leader at 9.6 pts/game.

5. In Canada's two most critical games against Australia & the Czech Republic, Nurse had 20 pts, played 45 minutes, had 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 turnover.

Basketball is the fastest growing sport in Canada. Of all the players available for the National team, Kia Nurse is starting at guard and seeing major minutes in critical games. She is excelling at the number one goal for any guard, don't turn the ball over. She is scoring, rebounding, getting steals and NOT fouling. That would be great for any player, for one only 18 years old, that's remarkable.

Go Kia & go Huskies..!!

 

[DaddyChoc]

I don't think "poorly" is the correct word. She just doesn't stand out as an "athletic" wow player. She's "faris-like"

thanks for the stats

 

[RadyLady]

Thank you David as I tried to tell people in another thread , before you pass judgement on any player you really ought to collect a lot of data rather than make a snap judgment based upon a single game.

 

[mrmojack]

No substitute for experience and confidence gained. On to Gampel Pavilion.

 

[ChicagoGG]

Oh my, she and Stewie together for two years. A treat, no question. This is going to be fun.

 

[meyers7]

3. In 109 minutes of play at guard, Nurse has 2 turnovers.

I really like that stat. I imagine Geno will too.

 

[reno tony]

I don't think "poorly" is the correct word. She just doesn't stand out as an "athletic" wow player. She's "faris-like"

thanks for the stats

John Stockton never stood out as an "athletic wow player" for me. I haven't seen her play but could she be anything like Stockton? Because I could live with that.

45 TO GO​

 

[Lurker]

Yes, DATA!! Now that is a basis for gaining some perspective, particularly when that evaluation is being hung out there in public where the athlete or her family could be viewing the comments.

Of course, we could decide to have a couch potato with no professional experience judging or coaching talent choose to watch one game on TV twice, and at that a game where, essentially, a high school athlete is participating against the best pros in the world - and then based on that viewing, offer a somewhat pompous and judgmental critique of what the entire 4 year career of that athlete is going to look like in terms of success. Ooops, did that already happen?!?

Seems to me that Geno and his staff elect to watch an athlete several times in person before making a decision about potential...

 

[UcMiami]

Thanks David!
According to FIBA you got the score wrong 63-52 but it doesn't really matter. The info about Nurse is spot on.
I am really looking forward to seeing her play with her own age group this coming year.
Canada really impressed me this year - they are missing perhaps their best post player in Achunwa, and played competitively in all their games - against Australia they lost 3 quarters by a total of 1 point, they just had a dreadful 7 point 2nd quarter that accounted for the other 10 points. With two college players getting experience this WC they should continue to be an international team to be watched.

Meanwhile - Spain appears to be in complete control in the second quarter final 35 - 17 at the half.

 

[VAMike23]

John Stockton never stood out as an "athletic wow player" for me. I haven't seen her play but could she be anything like Stockton? Because I could live with that.

45 TO GO​

That could potentially be a great comparison - you're right that Stockton was not an "athletic wow player" but he was incredibly strong and was "sneaky" athletic in a lot of ways. If Kia ends up being Stockton-esque in that respect, she will be one amazing player.

 

[rocky rococo]

Thoughts on a couple comparisons herein. I was always quite the "Stockton-Malone" fan, so that's really high praise to me, that I'm not willing to give out to Kia yet. The Husky guard that gets Stockton notes in my book is still Sue. I will say that after seeing her play in this tournament, I'll acknowledge Kia has considerable upside that I think we can count on the UConn staff to bring out. I thought the Faris comparison was very apt. It sometimes gets thrown around too easily here, but there were some hustle plays I saw Kia make that were very Kelly-like.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Yes, DATA!! Now that is a basis for gaining some perspective, particularly when that evaluation is being hung out there in public where the athlete or her family could be viewing the comments.

Of course, we could decide to have a couch potato with no professional experience judging or coaching talent choose to watch one game on TV twice, and at that a game where, essentially, a high school athlete is participating against the best pros in the world - and then based on that viewing, offer a somewhat pompous and judgmental critique of what the entire 4 year career of that athlete is going to look like in terms of success. Ooops, did that already happen?!?

Seems to me that Geno and his staff elect to watch an athlete several times in person before making a decision about potential...

Hopefully they're wise enough to not log onto the boneyard

 

[RadyLady]

Hopefully they're wise enough to not log onto the boneyard

Yet we know that they do.

 

[RadyLady]

Yes, DATA!! Now that is a basis for gaining some perspective, particularly when that evaluation is being hung out there in public where the athlete or her family could be viewing the comments.

Of course, we could decide to have a couch potato with no professional experience judging or coaching talent choose to watch one game on TV twice, and at that a game where, essentially, a high school athlete is participating against the best pros in the world - and then based on that viewing, offer a somewhat pompous and judgmental critique of what the entire 4 year career of that athlete is going to look like in terms of success. Ooops, did that already happen?!?

Seems to me that Geno and his staff elect to watch an athlete several times in person before making a decision about potential...

Ssssssooooooooooo.....you been lurking a while?

 

[DaddyChoc]

welp... gotta take the good with the bad. I'm sure she/they can handle constructive criticism. She doesn't appear to be a spoiled diva who only wants praise

 

[geneticrex]

Sometimes athletic ability fools people.

I'd rather have a pitcher who knows how to pitch, that bangs the gun at 92mph, than a guy who lights it up at 97, but doesn't have a clue. Athletic ability is a wonderful gift, but the ability to actually master the multiple skillsets that accompany one's sport, is critical to success.

Even if Nurse isn't as athletically gifted as some of her current and future opponents, that in no way is a harbinger of future success.

 

[Uconnphann]

View attachment 7055

Kia Nurse and her Canadian National team lost to Australia this morning 62-52 at the World Championship in Turkey. There has been much debate on the BY about how well or poorly Kia has played for Canada in the tournament. Here are 5 statistics that tell you all you need to know:

1. Kia Nurse is not just a member of the Canadian team, she started all five games at guard. In addition to starting, Nurse has played 109 minutes or 22 min/game. Two other players average 22 plus minutes and one averages 24 min/ per game. Her coach thinks she should be on the court.

2. Kia is shot 12-25 (48%) from inside the 3 pt line. The rest of the team is shot 47%.

3. In 109 minutes of play at guard, Nurse has 2 turnovers. The rest of the team has 76.

4. Nurse had 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and only 9 fouls in five games. Her 6.6 pts/game average is only 3 pts behind the team leader at 9.6 pts/game.

5. In Canada's two most critical games against Australia & the Czech Republic, Nurse had 20 pts, played 45 minutes, had 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 turnover.

Basketball is the fastest growing sport in Canada. Of all the players available for the National team, Kia Nurse is starting at guard and seeing major minutes in critical games. She is excelling at the number one goal for any guard, don't turn the ball over. She is scoring, rebounding, getting steals and NOT fouling. That would be great for any player, for one only 18 years old, that's remarkable.

Go Kia & go Huskies..!!

Kia is big on my list of Freshmen. But I wonder why she was so far behind the rest of her team ---she only had 2--but her much more experienced players got 109---I'm sure if Kia tried she could have gotten 110 . Oh well we hope she shall do better as a UConn Husky. Turnovers that is!!!

 

[huskeynut]

Kia could turn out to be very similar to Lindsey Whalen. And I'll take that any day!

 

[Bestiarius]

Kia is big on my list of Freshmen. But I wonder why she was so far behind the rest of her team ---she only had 2--but her much more experienced players got 109---I'm sure if Kia tried she could have gotten 110 . Oh well we hope she shall do better as a UConn Husky. Turnovers that is!!!

In Kia's honor, I had two turnovers too (both apple).

 

[msf22b]

Let's not forget that she has size as well
A big strong, heady guard who can defend, pass, and yes shoot.
Geno will have her posting up smaller guards in an augenblick
Will make defending her a nightmare

 

[stamfordhusky]

I don't think "poorly" is the correct word. She just doesn't stand out as an "athletic" wow player. She's "faris-like"

thanks for the stats

Kelly wasn't a "wow" player but she was very athletic. No-one without great athletic ability could have played defense the way she did - guarding all types of players.

 

[Geno-ista]

In Bridgeport- she looked comfortable and like she belonged on that court with the greatest players in the world. I'm not an expert- but it seams we do pretty well over the years with a super star, a star , and a group of solid role players that have hearts "this large" - ( my hands are spread out really wide) oh - and they usually have high basketball IQ's!

 

[Stinger92860]

I don't think "poorly" is the correct word. She just doesn't stand out as an "athletic" wow player. She's "faris-like"

thanks for the stats

I think you are implying that Kelly is not athletic. If so I 100% disagree. You should workout with her sometime. Kelly is very, very athletic. She has played multiple sports at a high level. I will give you that she is not a pure shooter, but in college she could play all 5 positions of needed. Through hard work she became a competent 3 point shooter. There is no one who has a higher motor for 40 minutes than Kelly on any athletic venue.

As far as Kia, I saw her play in Bridgeport and that was the only time. If that's the game she brings to Storrs, she will see significant minutes this year.

 

[Geno-ista]

I still get goose bumps about the 2nd half we witnessed in Gampel Kelly's sr year. Was it the Duke game? She single handed willed Uconn with heart, determination , brains and defense. The chest Bump from Geno was one of my personal favorite memories ever. The highest complement u could ever get from Geno.

 

[UcMiami]

FYI - Canada v. France on watch espn starting right now in the classification game.

 

[UcMiami]

Wow - France is absolutely stinking up the place! Down 21 to Canada at the half having scored a total of 16 points! It looked like the first Q was as bad as France could play - trailing 15-8, and they proceed to give up 22 in the second while scoring only 8 points again!

 

[Huskies Rule]

No substitute for experience and confidence gained. On to Gampel Pavilion.

For sure. Kia has struggled at times and has shown areas of her game that need Geno-work. But Stewie has struggled as well at the international level, against the size and experience of grown women. You can't get down on a high school teenager performing decently against the best players in the world yet give Stewie a free pass. Don't worry, be happy.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Thankfully the opportunities to fly speck an incoming freshman's game are drying up. Ironically the opportunity comes because she is the member of an international travel team. I realize that it is the drought in real basketball topics that spurs this, but to me some of the pronouncements about her game are harsh and largely unfounded. Her recruitment, late as it was, was an absolute coup and I enthusiastically look forward to Kia's career at UConn.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Kelly and Kia are awesome... Go UConn!

 

[Kibitzer]

There have been a lot of thoughtful (and usually enthusiastic) comments about expectations, many comparing Nurse's potential to Faris's legacy as a tenacious defender.

But sometimes expectations for a high school player take a U-turn once they play at Gampel.

Case in point. Ashley Battle.

AB, a Pittsburgher, played HS ball at a prep school in West Virginia (Linley?), where she was, if anything, an offensive star. I recall Geno mentioning this. But we remember her career at UConn being as tenacious a defender as has ever worn a UConn uniform. She was Kelly Faris before Kelly Faris -- good on offense but off-the-charts on D.

So the expectations for Ashley (by the Master himself) were not fulfilled with precision but worked out to the complete satisfaction of the entire UConn family of coaches, teammates, and fans.

If something similar occurs with Kia, I'll take it.

So will Geno.

 

[wallman]

It's part and parcel of a message board to discuss and predict.

IMO all players have good and not so good games, just look at Dee and Maya, even Stewie is in a situation where she is sitting on the bench for long periods and then has to come in cold.

You can look at these situations in a number of ways but I prefer to look at them as opportunities from the athletes point of view. Trying to compare opportunities is difficult as the situations are very different. It's like evaluating a player who plays against lower level competition against a player who competes against the best. The players are also playing for different coaches and their roles are different. I wonder which coach is the most demanding

 

[UcMiami]

It's part and parcel of a message board to discuss and predict.

IMO all players have good and not so good games, just look at Dee and Maya, even Stewie is in a situation where she is sitting on the bench for long periods and then has to come in cold.

You can look at these situations in a number of ways but I prefer to look at them as opportunities from the athletes point of view. Trying to compare opportunities is difficult as the situations are very different. It's like evaluating a player who plays against lower level competition against a player who competes against the best. The players are also playing for different coaches and their roles are different. I wonder which coach is the most demanding

Good point - I posted on another thread about this, but just look at Gruda on France and on LA - completely different player and results

 

[Sonny44]

It's part and parcel of a message board to discuss and predict.

IMO all players have good and not so good games, just look at Dee and Maya, even Stewie is in a situation where she is sitting on the bench for long periods and then has to come in cold.

You can look at these situations in a number of ways but I prefer to look at them as opportunities from the athletes point of view. Trying to compare opportunities is difficult as the situations are very different. It's like evaluating a player who plays against lower level competition against a player who competes against the best. The players are also playing for different coaches and their roles are different. I wonder which coach is the most demanding

View attachment 7055

Kia Nurse and her Canadian National team lost to Australia this morning 62-52 at the World Championship in Turkey. There has been much debate on the BY about how well or poorly Kia has played for Canada in the tournament. Here are 5 statistics that tell you all you need to know:

1. Kia Nurse is not just a member of the Canadian team, she started all five games at guard. In addition to starting, Nurse has played 109 minutes or 22 min/game. Two other players average 22 plus minutes and one averages 24 min/ per game. Her coach thinks she should be on the court.

2. Kia is shot 12-25 (48%) from inside the 3 pt line. The rest of the team is shot 47%.

3. In 109 minutes of play at guard, Nurse has 2 turnovers. The rest of the team has 76.

4. Nurse had 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and only 9 fouls in five games. Her 6.6 pts/game average is only 3 pts behind the team leader at 9.6 pts/game.

5. In Canada's two most critical games against Australia & the Czech Republic, Nurse had 20 pts, played 45 minutes, had 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 turnover.

Basketball is the fastest growing sport in Canada. Of all the players available for the National team, Kia Nurse is starting at guard and seeing major minutes in critical games. She is excelling at the number one goal for any guard, don't turn the ball over. She is scoring, rebounding, getting steals and NOT fouling. That would be great for any player, for one only 18 years old, that's remarkable.

Go Kia & go Huskies..!!

View attachment 7055

Kia Nurse and her Canadian National team lost to Australia this morning 62-52 at the World Championship in Turkey. There has been much debate on the BY about how well or poorly Kia has played for Canada in the tournament. Here are 5 statistics that tell you all you need to know:

1. Kia Nurse is not just a member of the Canadian team, she started all five games at guard. In addition to starting, Nurse has played 109 minutes or 22 min/game. Two other players average 22 plus minutes and one averages 24 min/ per game. Her coach thinks she should be on the court.

2. Kia is shot 12-25 (48%) from inside the 3 pt line. The rest of the team is shot 47%.

3. In 109 minutes of play at guard, Nurse has 2 turnovers. The rest of the team has 76.

4. Nurse had 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and only 9 fouls in five games. Her 6.6 pts/game average is only 3 pts behind the team leader at 9.6 pts/game.

5. In Canada's two most critical games against Australia & the Czech Republic, Nurse had 20 pts, played 45 minutes, had 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 turnover.

Basketball is the fastest growing sport in Canada. Of all the players available for the National team, Kia Nurse is starting at guard and seeing major minutes in critical games. She is excelling at the number one goal for any guard, don't turn the ball over. She is scoring, rebounding, getting steals and NOT fouling. That would be great for any player, for one only 18 years old, that's remarkable.

Go Kia & go Huskies..!!

I guess many will sleep better now. Thanks Dave.

 

[wallman]

I have been interested mostly in Fields play and at times she has shown great spells then was subbed out and at others her decision making was a little suspect, so until I get more feedback on what the goal of the coach was I won't have a full understanding.