CRYSTAL!! | Page 3 | The Boneyard

CRYSTAL!!

Caption, Damn, that rim is high.



1597951089905.png
 
Some Crystal updated stats, after 11 games:

  • 14.3 PPG, tied for 15th (Phee with 15.2 and is 10th)
  • Scored in double figures in her last 8 games.
  • 47.5 field goal %
  • 38.0% from the 3
  • 3.5 Assists per game
  • And perhaps 3 opposition broken ankles from her wicked hesitation and cross-over moves.
 
Jackalope said:
Some Crystal updated stats, after 11 games:

  • 14.3 PPG, tied for 15th (Phee with 15.2 and is 10th)
  • Scored in double figures in her last 8 games.
  • 47.5 field goal %
  • 38.0% from the 3
  • 3.5 Assists per game
  • And perhaps 3 opposition broken ankles from her wicked hesitation and cross-over moves.
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So, any chance Crystal may overtake Pheesa as the teams MVP?? :eek:

Is there some data on 2020 win shares?
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
Crystal is fun, fun, fun to watch her work. How many 3s is she going to drop before they actually try to defend it. Very happy for her.
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Defenders have to respect her ability to drive by just about anyone and take it to the rack or pass out. I see her getting more confidence each game. I did not really appreciate how good her handle and her body deception was.
 
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eebmg said:
Defenders have to respect her ability to drive by just about anyone and take it to the rack or pass out. I see her getting more confidence each game. I did not really appreciate how good her handle and her body deception was.
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Frankly one of Crystal big (no pun intended) advantages is her height. Because the players in the Association are so much bigger than in college Crystal is easy to lose sight of in traffic. Also size and speed doesn't always grant you the ability to change direction, and Crystal's ability to quickly change direction and/or use her quick first step off the dribble has always been evident. Just more so at this level. Crystal Dangerfield just has to be aware that come playoff time she will be susceptible to post ups. She will also have to carefully maintain her health because those trees in the League will try to chop her down.
 
A few years ago, Geno indicated that Crystal could be a future pg on the US Olympic Team. At the time I just passed it off as hyperbole. But I should know to never doubt the Master. Geno obviously recognized that Crystal's unique combination of quickness, athleticism, b-ball skills and intelligence would likely translate better to the pro/olympic level due to the pace of the game and the wide open offenses.

Crystal has unreal range and a quick release which is forcing WNBA teams to guard her as far as 25' from the basket. That poses a problem, because nobody in the League, and I do mean nobody, can stop Crystal from beating them off the dribble that far away from the basket. That leaves 4 options, all of them bad.
  1. You can play off Crystal and hope she has a bad shooting day
  2. You can play her tight on the perimeter and hope she doesn't blow by you for a layup
  3. You can foul her, and pray she misses an occasional FT
  4. You can rotate a second defender on defense, with the understanding that Crystal will always get the ball to an open teammate, and therefore hope her teammate misses
Sue has been a fixture at pg on the US Olympic Team for a very long time. While I would like to see her play forever, Mother Time will inevitably lead Sue to retire. IMO, Crystal will eventually be ready to step in as the next great UConn pg on the US Olympic team. Crystal could have a very long run in that role.....or at least until the kid from Minnetonka, MN graduates from college.
 
oldude said:
A few years ago, Geno indicated that Crystal could be a future pg on the US Olympic Team. At the time I just passed it off as hyperbole. But I should know to never doubt the Master. Geno obviously recognized that Crystal's unique combination of quickness, athleticism, b-ball skills and intelligence would likely translate better to the pro/olympic level due to the pace of the game and the wide open offenses.

Crystal has unreal range and a quick release which is forcing WNBA teams to guard her as far as 25' from the basket. That poses a problem, because nobody in the League, and I do mean nobody, can stop Crystal from beating them off the dribble that far away from the basket. That leaves 4 options, all of them bad.
  1. You can play off Crystal and hope she has a bad shooting day
  2. You can play her tight on the perimeter and hope she doesn't blow by you for a layup
  3. You can foul her, and pray she misses an occasional FT
  4. You can rotate a second defender on defense, with the understanding that Crystal will always get the ball to an open teammate, and therefore hope her teammate misses
Sue has been a fixture at pg on the US Olympic Team for a very long time. While I would like to see her play forever, Mother Time will inevitably lead Sue to retire. IMO, Crystal will eventually be ready to step in as the next great UConn pg on the US Olympic team. Crystal could have a very long run in that role.....or at least until the kid from Minnetonka, MN graduates from college.
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Nice analysis but Mother time. :eek:
 
eebmg said:
Defenders have to respect her ability to drive by just about anyone and take it to the rack or pass out. I see her getting more confidence each game. I did not really appreciate how good her handle and her body deception was.
Expand ...
You are right, but do they not play help defense in the W?
 
ochoopsfan said:
When UConn played ND either 2 or 3 years ago did Crystal and Arike get into something. I think the game was at ND and Crystal was shoved or kicked by AO, behind the play? I only ask as in the last minute of the game they sort of collided and Crystal kind of shoved her away.

These are all of AO's shots tonight. Go to the very bottom shot, a 3 pointer with just under a minute left. It was a miss, and CD got the rebound and AO reached in for a steal and they collided. CD shoved her away.

go.nba.com

MISS Ogunbowale 14' Pullup Jump Shot

MISS Ogunbowale 14' Pullup Jump Shot 2020-08-19/DALMIN
go.nba.com go.nba.com
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as @Carnac and @oldude mentioned, there was the leg sweep incident where Arike appeared to intentionally knock Crystal to the floor (unseen by any of the 3 referees)...and there was another incident involving an Arike "head shot" to Crystal during a UCONN inbounds play late in the game with the victory essentially secured by UCONN. The second incident resulted in a Flagrant Foul call on Arike. I lost all respect for AO as a result of those events...both appeared to be intentional and did not involve an attempt to get the ball. Following the Game, MM said her team "lost their composure."
 
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JordyG said:
Yes they do. But both Associations are pick and roll leagues now, and with that the ability for a small guard who is a good pocket passer becomes paramount. Hence, Crystal.
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Alas you are right. I say alas because there can be a tiresome monotony to the pick and roll game. That is why I watch players (UConn alums) in the W and teams which contain a Stewie and a Sue or a Diana and now the Lynx. Damn, couple more years and I'll be watch the entire season!
 
PAHuskeyFan said:
as @Carnac and @oldude mentioned, there was the leg sweep incident where Arike appeared to intentionally knock Crystal to the floor (unseen by any of the 3 referees)...and there was another incident involving an Arike "head shot" to Crystal during a UCONN inbounds play late in the game with the victory essentially secured by UCONN. The second incident resulted in a Flagrant Foul call on Arike. I lost all respect for AO as a result of those events...both appeared to be intentional and did not involve an attempt to get the ball. Following the Game, MM said her team "lost their composure."
Expand ...

Well then do you recall that AO did apologize .... to her team! :eek::confused::mad:
 
Last edited:
oldude said:
A few years ago, Geno indicated that Crystal could be a future pg on the US Olympic Team. At the time I just passed it off as hyperbole. But I should know to never doubt the Master. Geno obviously recognized that Crystal's unique combination of quickness, athleticism, b-ball skills and intelligence would likely translate better to the pro/olympic level due to the pace of the game and the wide open offenses.

Crystal has unreal range and a quick release which is forcing WNBA teams to guard her as far as 25' from the basket. That poses a problem, because nobody in the League, and I do mean nobody, can stop Crystal from beating them off the dribble that far away from the basket. That leaves 4 options, all of them bad.
  1. You can play off Crystal and hope she has a bad shooting day
  2. You can play her tight on the perimeter and hope she doesn't blow by you for a layup
  3. You can foul her, and pray she misses an occasional FT
  4. You can rotate a second defender on defense, with the understanding that Crystal will always get the ball to an open teammate, and therefore hope her teammate misses
Sue has been a fixture at pg on the US Olympic Team for a very long time. While I would like to see her play forever, Mother Time will inevitably lead Sue to retire. IMO, Crystal will eventually be ready to step in as the next great UConn pg on the US Olympic team. Crystal could have a very long run in that role.....or at least until the kid from Minnetonka, MN graduates from college.
Expand ...
After watching Seattle last night without Sue, they should have drafted Crystal. I keep forgetting Jordan can't shoot and makes Seattle play 4 on 5 on offense with no flow.
Seattle will never win unless Sue is able to play well in the playoffs. They need to go in a different direction for the future. Jordan is a nice backup, but unless she somehow learns to shoot, not a starter in the WNBA.
 
baggerbob said:
After watching Seattle last night without Sue, they should have drafted Crystal. I keep forgetting Jordan can't shoot and makes Seattle play 4 on 5 on offense with no flow.
Seattle will never win unless Sue is able to play well in the playoffs. They need to go in a different direction for the future. Jordan is a nice backup, but unless she somehow learns to shoot, not a starter in the WNBA.
Expand ...

Hmm. She averages over 5 assists and a 2.5 / 1 Assists to TO ratio and is an elite driver to the basket and a decent mid range. Also, she is one of the best defensive guards in the League. Her only real weakness is her 3 pt shooting but Seattle has a lot of other players who can shoot the 3. I think Laksa as a pick will not work out but with Whitcomb , Canada. Lloyd and Bird, they are in a good position at guard.
 
I noted some things that are helping Crystal and her development in the League such as her ability to change speeds, her passing off of traps in the pick and roll, and how her size can be beneficial. Another thing that really helps her are the man 2 man defenses in the pros and not having to penetrate into those college zones and juck defenses. Those high post picks just frees her up and her ball handling gets her to any spot on the floor. She also gets a lot of open threes. With this as Geno often said she truly can get her shot off any time she wants. As she develops a rapport with her team mates and learns how and when they like the ball her assists will continue to increase. To this point in almost every game she looks to be the smartest offensive player on the floor.
 
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JordyG said:
I noted some things that are helping Crystal and her development in the League such as her ability to change speeds, her passing off of traps in the pick and roll, and how her size can be beneficial. Another thing that really helps her are the man 2 man defenses in the pros and not having to penetrate into those college zones and juck defenses. Those high post picks just frees her up and her ball handling gets her to any spot on the floor. She also gets a lot of open threes. With this as Geno often said she truly can get her shot off any time she wants. As she develops a rapport with her team mates and learns how and when they like the ball her assists will continue to increase. To this point in almost every game she looks to be the smartest offensive player on the floor.
Expand ...
I love a good ankle breaker but I'm most impressed by Crystal when the defense cuts off her drive into the paint. She seems to have a plan for who (and why) she'll dish off to before she heads in. It's not often she'll ride her trip into the paint down in flames or find herself unable to make the pass.
 
JordyG said:
I noted some things that are helping Crystal and her development in the League such as her ability to change speeds, her passing off of traps in the pick and roll, and how her size can be beneficial. Another thing that really helps her are the man 2 man defenses in the pros and not having to penetrate into those college zones and juck defenses. Those high post picks just frees her up and her ball handling gets her to any spot on the floor. She also gets a lot of open threes. With this as Geno often said she truly can get her shot off any time she wants. As she develops a rapport with her team mates and learns how and when they like the ball her assists will continue to increase. To this point in almost every game she looks to be the smartest offensive player on the floor.
Expand ...
Next season, I would love to see Crystal develop rapport with one Maya Moore. As I recall, she was a pretty good finisher. :)
 
eebmg said:
Hmm. She averages over 5 assists and a 2.5 / 1 Assists to TO ratio and is an elite driver to the basket and a decent mid range. Also, she is one of the best defensive guards in the League. Her only real weakness is her 3 pt shooting but Seattle has a lot of other players who can shoot the 3. I think Laksa as a pick will not work out but with Whitcomb , Canada. Lloyd and Bird, they are in a good position at guard.
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I have been looking at the assist data this year in the W as I watch UConn alums play. The official stats do not seem to concur with what I see in action. Teams which riding volume shooters still get a ton os assists.

My supposition is that the pace of the game means that every other pass leads to someone shooting. But I am open to alternative assessments.
 
MilfordHusky said:
Next season, I would love to see Crystal develop rapport with one Maya Moore. As I recall, she was a pretty good finisher. :)
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Nurse could use some of that rapport.
 
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ShmiCO said:
I love a good ankle breaker but I'm most impressed by Crystal when the defense cuts off her drive into the paint. She seems to have a plan for who (and why) she'll dish off to before she heads in. It's not often she'll ride her trip into the paint down in flames or find herself unable to make the pass.
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This is something Crystal Dangerfield always did. But now there are no zone defenses to clog the lane. Once she beats that defender the glass and the pass are hers.
 
JordyG said:
Nurse would get some rapport and more love if she'd just hit her open shots.
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I think it just 'seems' that way because she uses the 'Canadian' style of finishing (controlled chaos?) ;)
 
baggerbob said:
After watching Seattle last night without Sue, they should have drafted Crystal. I keep forgetting Jordan can't shoot and makes Seattle play 4 on 5 on offense with no flow.
Seattle will never win unless Sue is able to play well in the playoffs. They need to go in a different direction for the future. Jordan is a nice backup, but unless she somehow learns to shoot, not a starter in the WNBA.
Expand ...

Canada has always been streaky and I was disappointed to see them draft her. I had expected that she would get better, but she hasn't really. I was hoping Mo would be picked up, but sadly no.
 
eebmg said:
Hmm. She averages over 5 assists and a 2.5 / 1 Assists to TO ratio and is an elite driver to the basket and a decent mid range. Also, she is one of the best defensive guards in the League. Her only real weakness is her 3 pt shooting but Seattle has a lot of other players who can shoot the 3. I think Laksa as a pick will not work out but with Whitcomb , Canada. Lloyd and Bird, they are in a good position at guard.
Expand ...
Ariel with all her wild shots
RockyMTblue2 said:
Canada has always been streaky and I was disappointed to see them draft her. I had expected that she would get better, but she hasn't really. I was hoping Mo would be picked up, but sadly no.
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I was at least hoping she might become a fair shooter from 15 in, but she hasn't gotten better. Seattle needs to get someone who can take over when Sue finally leaves.
They won't win championships with Canada as the lead guard. Arike who takes a lot of bad shots has a higher career shooting pct. 39.9 to 38.4. Arike shoots a lot of 3's, Canada doesn't.
 
Nice summary

www.startribune.com

Young, surprising Lynx outlast Phoenix to win third consecutive game

Napheesa Collier had 20 points as Minnesota held off a late Phoenix rally.
www.startribune.com www.startribune.com

and who led them. Guess.

Ultimately, it was Dangerfield, again. The rookie taken in the second round scored in double figures for the ninth straight time.

Phoenix had pulled within four on Skylar Diggins-Smith’s three-pointer with 4:10 left.

Dangerfield was fouled and made one of two free throws. Then she stole the ball. At the other end she drove hard to the basket, scored and was fouled. Her free throw with 3:16 left put the Lynx back up eight and back in control.

“She has gotten herself on-the-job training,’’ Reeve said. “That is just a player who is embracing running our team. She has a really good handle on things, she’s a really good communicator. And they really trust her.’’

With reason. In her past three games, Dangerfield has averaged 20.7 points, hit 22 of 40 shots, nine of 16 three-pointers and dished 10 assists.
 
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