CRYSTAL!! | Page 4 | The Boneyard

CRYSTAL!!

Such a delight to watch CD and Pheesa actions in the bubble. CD ball handling skills is impressive and always have a way to handle traps. One of my fav plays so far is the action against the LA Sparks where CD faked out Candace Parker on her way for a layup and CP’s compliment on CD after the game. So proud of her WNBA actions. With a little bit of luck and the injuries on Minny, CD got the opportunities to play a lot, hope and wish Katie Lou a lot of luck too but tough to get much opportunities with Arike hogs the ball and most actions.
 
Again I've noticed that the absence of zone defenses in the League allows Crystal to isolate her defender one on one on the perimeter. There really are few in the league that can handle her in those instances. If they do then she's able to make a nice pass out or a nice pocket pass. Crystal's a baller.
 
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.

Another 20 point performance in a loss to Phoenix yesterday. Napheesa Collier (13) was the only other double digit scorer for the Lynx. (Post edit correction) Monday Aug 31.
 
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Another 20 point performance in a loss to Phoenix yesterday. Napheesa Collier (17) was the only other double digit scorer for the Lynx.

Collier only had 13. Quick hook by Reeve. :mad:
 
Crystal is much, much more active scoring. At UConn she would look to facilitate more than score. I don’t know if that’s per personnel, coaching request, or just wanting to make sure she earns her spot in the W.
 
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With every game Crystal is becoming much more of a money player for the Lynx. Against the Suns she almost singlehandedly brought back her team from a big deficit. She appears to have “IT”, that amazing ability that all the great ones have to raise her game to another level during crunch time.
 
Collier only had 13. Quick hook by Reeve. :mad:

Oops, thanks for the correction.
Crystal Dangerfield scored 15 of her 20 points in the fourth quarter for Minnesota (10-5). Napheesa Collier finished with 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.
 
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Collier only had 13. Quick hook by Reeve. :mad:
Collier played 30.07 minutes which was the most of any Lynx player. I too was upset that Reeve's didn't put her back in when they were on a good run in the 4th quarter ( I guess she couldn't hear me screaming into my computer to get Pheesa back on the floor during the time out) especially given McCall's miscues on what should have been a couple buckets. Guessing her decision was two part, 1) she knew she would need big minutes from Pheesa the next night against L.A., 2) she was probably as frustrated as us fans at the play of the team throughout the game and let them know that it couldn't always be Pheesa, somebody else had to step up.... Crystal almost brought them home ( time and again at key moments last season at UCONN she did just that when they needed it she did just that).
 
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Crystal is much, much more active scoring. At UConn she would look to facilitate more than score. I don’t know if that’s per personnel, coaching request, or just wanting to make sure she earns her spot in the W.
She has heart and always has done whatever she could to get the W for her team (UCONN, LYNX and I'm guessing HS and AAU). Reeve's has probably stressed the need for her to score and she has responded, Geno wanted her to run the offense, keep the ball moving and get the best shot for the team. When the chips were down last season, more times than I can remember Crystal knocked down a three (or two) drove through traffic hit the layup and got fouled - basically put the team on her back to get them back in a position to win. Different league, system and needs but same player, who will do what the team needs her to do. Can't imagine any coach that wouldn't want Crystal on their squad.
 
It seems as if Carleton has really discovered her roll on the Lynx as a distributor and defender. The Lynx team is a very different kind of WNBA team and they really show the advantages of positionless basketball. They exposed some of the weaknesses of the Sparks team, especially off the pick and roll. Also for me (perhaps not for many here) it was sad to see the player Parker is today. Pheesa out jumped her twice on jump balls. Parker's legs look shot.
 
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Has anyone noted that Gabby has become a WNBA playa? As an SG she is so big and strong, and her shot on the move has become money.
 
Has anyone noted that Gabby has become a WNBA playa? As an SG she is so big and strong, and her shot on the move has become money.
When Colson was just coming back at the start of the season, Gabby was playing the backup PG. With Azura out, Gabby has been playing PF. I can’t think of anyone else in the W who has ever played PG and PF. Her jumper was hot early in the season, then went cold. Tonight, she did an excellent job of attacking the basket. She was too fast and strong for Indiana.
 
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When Colson was just coming back at the start of the season, Gabby was playing the backup PG. With Azura out, Gabby has been playing PF. I can’t think of anyone else in the W who has ever played PG and PF. Her jumper was hot early in the season, then went cold. Tonight, she did an excellent job of attacking the basket. She was too fast and strong for Indiana.
Absolutely. Two other things I noticed about the Lynx is how patient they are with their pick and roll. If Crystal fails to make the P+R play they just reverse the ball and allow Carleton to make the play. When that fails they fall back on the 3 pt shot. When that shot from the perimeter is falling the Lynx are real tough to defend.

Secondly, Phessa is really benefiting offensively from playing the low post. On one play tonight she just bulled her way over the defender. When and if Fowles returns how will it affect her moving back to the perimeter? Will Reeve and Smith even move her back on the wing?

As an aside Sims right now seems the odd man out with the play of Carleton and CD, and her play has been mediocre at best. Next year with Crystal and Carleton so effective one wonders if she will even remain a Lynx. Also with Dontas again playing so well how will Fowles even fit into this fast moving team this year, nonetheless next?
 
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Absolutely. Two other things I noticed about the Lynx is how patient they are with their pick and roll. If Crystal fails to make the P+R play they just reverse the ball and allow Carleton to make the play. When that fails they fall back on the 3 pt shot. When that shot from the perimeter is falling the Lynx are real tough to defend.

Secondly, Phessa is really benefiting offensively from playing the low post. On one play tonight she just bulled her way over the defender. When and if Fowles returns how will it affect her moving back to the perimeter? Will Reeve and Smith even move her back on the wing?

As an aside Sims right now seems the odd man out with the play of Carleton and CD, and her play has been mediocre at best. Next year with Crystal and Carleton so effective one wonders if she will even remain a Lynx. Also with Dontas again playing so well how will Fowles even fit into this fast moving team this year, nonetheless next?

And don't forget Jess Shepard will be back in the mix next year, too. She and Phee played really well together in the early part of last year, and I think she'll make a case for herself to stay with the team.
 
And don't forget Jess Shepard will be back in the mix next year, too. She and Phee played really well together in the early part of last year, and I think she'll make a case for herself to stay with the team.
Nice.
 
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Any jokes starting along the lines of "The only man able to stop Michael Jordan was Dean Smith?" I.e. the only coach who could stop Crystal was Geno. ;)
See post #61 in this thread. :D
 
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I don't think this is her award, but it would be so apropos: Shooting star trophy--in Baccarat CRYSTAL.
 
Be it football or BB, have always rooted for the small person in a big players game. May be our love for the underdog?
 
"She's got a lot of dog in her, and that’s the highest compliment you can pay a player.” Cheryl Reeve. I confess to never having heard this compliment. Have you?

 
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