Disrespecting Napheesa

[msf22b]

"Name a play that Ct. runs and she would say...Bye Bye Birdie" (perhaps not an exact quote)

was Geno's response when asked about our freshman's impact on the game...He then went on to say that Pheesa does two things well...drives any open lane and Offensive rebounds.

Maybe we were closer to that end of the court than Geno was, but to my eyes, Phessa turned the game around almost singlehandedly in those few minutes...There was a bit of stagnation to the offense at that moment, dare I say a hint of uncertainty and for a few minute stretch, the kid just took over with her drives, getting open on give and goes and a wonderful offensive board alla Stewie.

He could have just as easily said that Naphessa was the key to the win...I certainly thought so.

But to give Geno credit, he often teases younger players especially the really gifted ones that he knows have the potential to become stars and I suspect that he obviously feels that he hasn't even begun to plumb the depths of Napheesa's potential.

Still, a teeny bit of kindness and gratitude might have been called for.

It's not unfair to say that she had a big hand in saving the evening for the Seniors.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

"Name a play that Ct. runs and she would say...Bye Bye Birdie" (perhaps not an exact quote)

was Geno's response when asked about our freshman's impact on the game...He then went on to say that Pheesa does two things well...drives any open lane and Offensive rebounds.

Maybe we were closer to that end of the court than Geno was, but to my eyes, Phessa turned the game around almost singlehandedly in those few minutes...There was a bit of stagnation to the offense at that moment, dare I say a hint of uncertainty and for a few minute stretch, the kid just took over with her drives, getting open on give and goes and a wonderful offensive board alla Stewie.

He could have just as easily said that Naphessa was the key to the win...I certainly thought so.

But to give Geno credit, he often teases younger players especially the really gifted ones that he knows have the potential to become stars and I suspect that he obviously feels that he hasn't even begun to plumb the depths of Napheesa's potential.

Still, a teeny bit of kindness and gratitude might have been called for.

It's not unfair to say that she had a big hand in saving the evening for the Seniors.

Geno being Geno. He does that to get under the skin of players, get them riled up, and, if his tactics work, get those players to work even harder to show Coach Geno that they're up to his standards. I recall an article in which Kia Stokes, after being beaten up, verbally and emotionally speaking, went back to Iowa and reassessed after the season. She was quoted as telling herself, "I didn't sign up for this." But then she thought about it and told herself, "Actually, this is exactly what I signed up for." In other words, she signed with the best team under the best coach in the country, and she knew that she would be pushed and challenged in every way. She went back to Storrs and did a great job.

Geno is pushing Napheesa. Up to her to respond positively, and become the great player we all know she can be.

 

[HGN]

Napheesa played very well ...............But the coach doesn't give out too much praise to freshmen.....But we BY'ers are smart enough to recognize good play when we see it. Both freshmen in fact played well for this to be their first Elite 8 game. I AM ENCOURAGED.

The ONLY problem I see with the play of our freshmen in the Elite 8 is that our expectations are raised for what that might do in the Final Four.

GO HUSKIES !!

 

[Nuyoika]

"Name a play that Ct. runs and she would say...Bye Bye Birdie" (perhaps not an exact quote)

was Geno's response when asked about our freshman's impact on the game...He then went on to say that Pheesa does two things well...drives any open lane and Offensive rebounds.

Maybe we were closer to that end of the court than Geno was, but to my eyes, Phessa turned the game around almost singlehandedly in those few minutes...There was a bit of stagnation to the offense at that moment, dare I say a hint of uncertainty and for a few minute stretch, the kid just took over with her drives, getting open on give and goes and a wonderful offensive board alla Stewie.

He could have just as easily said that Naphessa was the key to the win...I certainly thought so.

But to give Geno credit, he often teases younger players especially the really gifted ones that he knows have the potential to become stars and I suspect that he obviously feels that he hasn't even begun to plumb the depths of Napheesa's potential.

Still, a teeny bit of kindness and gratitude might have been called for.

It's not unfair to say that she had a big hand in saving the evening for the Seniors.

You must not have read Geno's book. You don't give praise until their career is nearly over. Especially if you see something in them that they have yet to see themselves. As Kara Lawson says let the "puppet master" do his work and trust that Phee and the team will be the beneficiary down the road.

 

[pvdoggy]

Geno said both "Napheesa and Lou were really really good tonight". Seems like high praise to me, no disrepecting there.

 

[HuskyBandDad]

"Name a play that Ct. runs and she would say...Bye Bye Birdie" (perhaps not an exact quote)

was Geno's response when asked about our freshman's impact on the game...He then went on to say that Pheesa does two things well...drives any open lane and Offensive rebounds.

Maybe we were closer to that end of the court than Geno was, but to my eyes, Phessa turned the game around almost singlehandedly in those few minutes...There was a bit of stagnation to the offense at that moment, dare I say a hint of uncertainty and for a few minute stretch, the kid just took over with her drives, getting open on give and goes and a wonderful offensive board alla Stewie.

He could have just as easily said that Naphessa was the key to the win...I certainly thought so.

But to give Geno credit, he often teases younger players especially the really gifted ones that he knows have the potential to become stars and I suspect that he obviously feels that he hasn't even begun to plumb the depths of Napheesa's potential.

Still, a teeny bit of kindness and gratitude might have been called for.

It's not unfair to say that she had a big hand in saving the evening for the Seniors.

So they would have lost if she did not play? Yes she did play great and it is just Geno being Geno. Why so sensitive?

 

[HuskyNan]

Here's the full quote:

Auriemma said he wasn't surprised by the performance of the freshman from Missouri. She has been a contributor all season, earning the trust of the coaching staff.

"You know, we like the kid, Napheesa," Auriemma said. "I think if you ask her, name a play that Connecticut runs, she might say, you know, 'Bye, Bye Birdie' or something. She's young and she knows one thing: If we shoot it, [she] wants to go offensive rebound. If there's a lane open, [she's] going to drive it to the rim. Those are the two things that she knows that she can do. …Napheesa did exactly what I would expect her to do."

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Geno said both "Napheesa and Lou were really really good tonight". Seems like high praise to me, no disrepecting there.

And, Geno's book notwithstanding, we don't know what Geno says to kids in the locker room.

 

[terif831]

The wider perspective of this comment was, Geno was asked about the great contributions of both freshmen in this game. He was saying that he asked both of them to relax, reminded them that they were on the floor with the two best players in the country (Mo & Stewie), and told them to just do what they do well. As I took it, his point in talking about Napheesa was, she may not know how to describe offensive sets that her team runs but she sure knows how to drive to the basket and rebound, and she did those things to help her team. He gave her a compliment, but in "Geno Speak," so she doesn't get a big head.

 

[Biff]

"Name a play that Ct. runs and she would say...Bye Bye Birdie" (perhaps not an exact quote)

was Geno's response when asked about our freshman's impact on the game...He then went on to say that Pheesa does two things well...drives any open lane and Offensive rebounds.

and of course you selectively left off the beginning of the quote:
"Yeah you know Ahhh, he ,he, we like to kid Napheesa. She ah....I think if you asked her to name a play...."
The context certainly did not set a tone of disrespecting her but rather commenting that she is young and there are areas she needs to develop.

 

[Aluminny69]

and of course you selectively left off the beginning of the quote:
"Yeah you know Ahhh, he ,he, we like to kid Napheesa. She ah....I think if you asked her to name a play...."
The context certainly did not set a tone of disrespecting her but rather commenting that she is young and there are areas she needs to develop.

I highly doubt if she is familiar with the play Bye Bye Birdie (or movie either.) Only us old folks remember Ann Margaret. And Dick Van Dyke is 90 years old....

 

[Vowelguy]

It never ceases to amaze me the level of outrage that can develop on this board over entirely perceived slights. Ah the joy of being fans of a dominant team; folks have nothing else to worry about.

 

[bags27]

Truth comes in the urinals. Guy next to me at half-time asked: isn't Napheesa terrific? Yup.

It's a sign of all our anxiety about what's happening that we're getting so chippy. Husky Nan quotes the presser: Geno's kidding around, trying to put humor into an incredibly tense moment. Doesn't always come out the right way, but he's doing his best, which, let's face it, is pretty darn good. We need to be better to each other right now, let's cut everyone some slack.

About to post this when I saw vowelguy: just what you say!

 

[Bestiarius]

Geno said: ... Pheesa does two things well...drives any open lane and Offensive rebounds.

Napheesa thought: Only 2 things well? Guess I'll have to open his eyes. Where's that gym?

 

[vtcwbuff]

IMO Auriemma was showing Collier some Philly style respect by busting on her. Just a minute before that he was giving Stewart crap about her passing. You would think by now that BY fans would recognize Auriemma's humor.

 

[UcMiami]

He also said that the two freshman played great, and that was exactly what he has been trying to get from Napheesa all year - just relax and do the things you know how to do well. The rest will come in time, but what we need from you this year is for you to play to your strengths and to JUST PLAY.

 

[JoePgh]

It fits in with what CD said about KLS a few weeks ago after she played great offensively but got only 5 rebounds: "Her sister got 12 for Stanford last night. We didn't get the rebounding Samuelson."

I think you have to give both KLS and Napheesa credit for having a somewhat sophisticated Geno-CD compiler. If they are having trouble processing some of these barbs, they have older "sisters" to help them.

 

[GoUconn7961]

"Name a play that Ct. runs and she would say...Bye Bye Birdie" (perhaps not an exact quote)

was Geno's response when asked about our freshman's impact on the game...He then went on to say that Pheesa does two things well...drives any open lane and Offensive rebounds.

Maybe we were closer to that end of the court than Geno was, but to my eyes, Phessa turned the game around almost singlehandedly in those few minutes...There was a bit of stagnation to the offense at that moment, dare I say a hint of uncertainty and for a few minute stretch, the kid just took over with her drives, getting open on give and goes and a wonderful offensive board alla Stewie.

He could have just as easily said that Naphessa was the key to the win...I certainly thought so.

But to give Geno credit, he often teases younger players especially the really gifted ones that he knows have the potential to become stars and I suspect that he obviously feels that he hasn't even begun to plumb the depths of Napheesa's potential.

Still, a teeny bit of kindness and gratitude might have been called for.

It's not unfair to say that she had a big hand in saving the evening for the Seniors.

I think she'll be fine.

 

[msf22b]

Biff: I actually didn't hear that...wasn't being selective (consciously).
Is this not the second time that (some) eyebrows were raised about a Napheesa comment?
Something about playing time and her rentinue in the last week or two?

Nan, I didn't continue the quote but did summarize it accurately until the punch-line..."what I would expect her to do."

Let's get back to the game and her contribution: Clearly for the defense , she was a fourth, perhaps fifth option as the Texas kids had to be mostly concerned with the 3 seniors....In a sense, that's what left the "lane open."

Nevertheless, it was a critical moment in the game...Gabby had come out with 2 fouls and either the big 3 were going to do it by themselves, or the bench was going to do some heavy lifting. Pheesa came in and despite the late onslaught of 3's, the game never seemed in doubt thereafter.

The fact that Phessa was the dominant offensive force for a minute or two, changed the whole dynamic of the game.

I can't believe the bench didn't see that, but as I say, I had a better angle.

If it was noted, understood by the staff that this had in fact occurred, ...then had I been doing the interview, I would have started by acknowledging her contribution rather than (however you want to describe what Geno said...) teasing, motivating, complimenting...in his strange way).

I truly believe he likes this kid and wishes the best for her and very much needs the best from her; she is self-admittedly weak of physique and Geno's assertion insinuates that she is not a speed-deamon in picking up the system as well

Knowing of his amazing success in handling Moriah, for example, which I complained about for almost two seasons but am delighted how it turned out, there is always the little itch in the back of my brain that doesn't want him to turn a kid like this off.

His track record is beyond reproach, that doesn't mean that absolutely every kid responds to his methods.

I really, really hope he's right about the way he's handling this kid in particular, as she may be the key to success in the next season or two.

That's my point.

 

[BigBird]

And, Geno's book notwithstanding, we don't know what Geno says to kids in the locker room.

Spot on. My sense is that Geno isn't the emotional guerrilla that some make him out to be. How many times does he get misty-eyed talking about some good thing a player or alumna has done?

He's part Marine Corps gunnery sergeant, and part Mr. Rogers.

 

[HuskyNan]

What's next? We have Maya and you don't?

Not yet, at least not off the West Virginia game.

"Maya is just an aggressive individual. She worked her butt off to get that one rebound tonight," Auriemma said with full sarcasm.

The above was said about a freshman Maya Moore. I wonder what he was insinuating about her?

 

[seeya27]

Sorry, but that is Geno's sarcasm or cutting humor. That is who he is. I suspect both Naphessa herself and Geno expect her to be a breakout star next year. Taking a sparky comment personally is what our adversaries do all the time -- and he has successfully gotten under their skin (which was the ultimate goal the whole time). Personally, I think it is rhetorical genius.

 

[calpedaler]

Biff: I actually didn't hear that...wasn't being selective (consciously).
Is this not the second time that (some) eyebrows were raised about a Napheesa comment?
Something about playing time and her rentinue in the last week or two?

Nan, I didn't continue the quote but did summarize it accurately until the punch-line..."what I would expect her to do."

Let's get back to the game and her contribution: Clearly for the defense , she was a fourth, perhaps fifth option as the Texas kids had to be mostly concerned with the 3 seniors....In a sense, that's what left the "lane open."

Nevertheless, it was a critical moment in the game...Gabby had come out with 2 fouls and either the big 3 were going to do it by themselves, or the bench was going to do some heavy lifting. Pheesa came in and despite the late onslaught of 3's, the game never seemed in doubt thereafter.

The fact that Phessa was the dominant offensive force for a minute or two, changed the whole dynamic of the game.

I can't believe the bench didn't see that, but as I say, I had a better angle.

If it was noted, understood by the staff that this had in fact occurred, ...then had I been doing the interview, I would have started by acknowledging her contribution rather than (however you want to describe what Geno said...) teasing, motivating, complimenting...in his strange way).

I truly believe he likes this kid and wishes the best for her and very much needs the best from her; she is self-admittedly weak of physique and Geno's assertion insinuates that she is not a speed-deamon in picking up the system as well

Knowing of his amazing success in handling Moriah, for example, which I complained about for almost two seasons but am delighted how it turned out, there is always the little itch in the back of my brain that doesn't want him to turn a kid like this off.

His track record is beyond reproach, that doesn't mean that absolutely every kid responds to his methods.

I really, really hope he's right about the way he's handling this kid in particular, as she may be the key to success in the next season or two.

That's my point.

So this is part 2 of your Geno Mishandles a Player Opus?

 

[CocoHusky]

I can't believe the bench didn't see that, but as I say, I had a better angle.
His track record is beyond reproach, that doesn't mean that absolutely every kid responds to his methods.
I really, really hope he's right about the way he's handling this kid in particular, as she may be the key to success in the next season or two.
That's my point.

About that better angle thing! Are you sure you view was not obstructed? In every replay that watch the whole bench is standing up applauding every good play that Napheesa made starting with her offensive rebound and put back. Can't applaud for something you didn't see unless you are Stevie Wonder. By definition every kids responds to Geno's methods, but you seem determined to have Geno control and tailor the methods to you liking- Good luck with that.

 

[BobbyJ]

He also said that the two freshman played great, and that was exactly what he has been trying to get from Napheesa all year - just relax and do the things you know how to do well. The rest will come in time, but what we need from you this year is for you to play to your strengths and to JUST PLAY.

Exactly UcMiami. Many of these kids coming out of HS have never run a real offense and they're so paranoid about about knowing and running the plays that they can't play instinctively. Collier is one of the rare ones that can. Auriemma knows exactly what he has in her and wisely is trying to turn her loose knowing that she'll learn the plays in time. Meanwhile she has ball instincts that can't be taught and he'll utilize them while she's picking them up. By next January she'll be a do-everything load for teams to handle.