Fair question about Boston from a UCONN fan perspective | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Fair question about Boston from a UCONN fan perspective

Hyperbole seems to be at its best with NEW players. UConn or SC or even ND whether a player is "generational" takes a generation to see.
So many players come into Uconn or any other big time program with HYPE and 5 our to 10 fall flat.
the Hyperbole isn't about stretching the truth because the fans are hoping their high emotional truisms are true.
Maya, Stewie, DT, Paige (so far) have lived up to the billings. But 5 others on those (12 member ) teams didn't come close.
Except for kids like Paige and Fudd (Caroline didn't have the hype) so far exceeded the hype.
Yet we love em all that have worn or wear the Uconn Uniform. So much of what the STAR accomplishes is determined by the players that surround her.
I have never seen or heard the phrase "high emotional truisms", but by definition all truisms, emotional or emotionless, are true. So no hope is needed, high or otherwise. ;)
 
I think she gets away with a lot of fouls… is she good? Yes… but she gets away with a lot of no calls. I don’t think she’s at the level of Taurasi, Maya, or Breanna. I wonder how she’ll be in the WNBA.
 
No. A very good player, yes. I would say the same if Boston was playing for UConn. Aja Wilson is South Carolina’s only generational player so far.
Something to chew on for a Monday - I have a question about Aliyah Boston. This is speculation only. It's NOT about her being a generational player, it has to do with her being the best post in the country and the NPOY. I'm preferencing my question by acknowledging this WILL NOT HAPPEN!!!

IF Boston was to transfer to UConn for her senior year, would that make UConn the prohibitive favorite to win the NC next year? A dominate post that routinely posts a double double and protects the rim without fouling, That would also mean Boston would not be playing for SC.


I understand that right now, there is some uncertainty at the post position for UConn next season. I am in the camp that thinks UConn could use another "seasoned" 6'5" post player if one can found in the portal to replace Piath Gabriel on the roster. A player that could come in and give Geno 12-18 minutes a game and hold her own. As I write this comment, we don't know if 6'5" Sophomore Amari DeBerry or incoming 6'4" freshman Isuneh "Ice" Brady can/will claim and hold the starting post position this coming season.

If either one does, it would answer a lot of questions and solve the mystery of who will replace Nelson-Ododa who was the starting post player for UConn the last 4 years. Does Geno go with one of these post players, or will he resort to using an undersized
Aaliyah Edwards (6'3") or 6'5" Dorka Juhasz neither of whom are post players?

 
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I guess it would depend on what someone's definition of "generational" is. The best description I've found that I can agree with is a player who dominates an ERA with elite skill and ability, a clear talent supremacy. The definition of an era is " a long and distinct period of history". A definition of a generation is "all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively". By these definitions it would probably be longer but for describing athletic careers I would consider an era to be roughly 20-25 years. For me this doesn't leave room for 3-4 players every year at all levels to be called "generational" when none of them have dominated anything other than 3-4 seasons at a specific level, let alone close to 20. So my answer would be no, Boston doesn't qualify. And to refer to HS or college players as generational is just ridiculous. They haven't even played against the best of their generation yet. I would suggest that people find a different description for all of these very talented but non-dominating players.
That's definitely a valid conversation and one that I've thought about some. I guess it means whether one is thinking a generational College basketball player or just basketball player. Taking the sociological definition of a generation (~25 years), that's SIX four-year classes in college. If the average career length of a player who sticks in the WNBA is 5 years, that's five five-year sets of folks.

I tend to think of a basketball generation as more like 4-5 years, which would roughly align with the number of folks mentioned by several in this thread -- Taurasi, Parker, Moore, Griner and Stewie over the last 25ish years.

But I agree that it's silly that Boston, Bueckers, Clark, and Fudd are all occasionally (or often) mentioned as generational.
 
IF Boston was to transfer to UConn for her senior year, would that make UConn the prohibitive favorite to win the NC next year? A dominate post that routinely posts a double double and protects the rim without fouling, That would also mean Boston would not be playing for SC.
In the popular media, I have no doubt they'd be played up as the prohibitive favorite. I'd probably drink the Kool Aid myself. Just looking at the surface, insert an elite rim protector, general defender, and offensive rebounder onto a team that already can score and defend and always shoots a high percentage, and that is a recipe for success.

But looking more closely, I'd worry about how well she'd adjust to the motion offense and switching defense. Sure would be a fun experiment!
 
I suppose this discussion should include some metric for high praise. Mine is a player whose very presence gives her team an excellent chance to win. In fact, I'd say that 3 players at the moment fit that description. If you have any of them, you'll probably win everything: Stewie, Griner, Boston. No other player gives you an almost certain victory. Those 3 do.
Ironically, these may not be the best "athletes," but they are the most dominant.
Carnac's question is the right one: If Boston transferred to UConn, the Huskies would run away from every other team. That's the test.
 
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That's definitely a valid conversation and one that I've thought about some. I guess it means whether one is thinking a generational College basketball player or just basketball player. Taking the sociological definition of a generation (~25 years), that's SIX four-year classes in college. If the average career length of a player who sticks in the WNBA is 5 years, that's five five-year sets of folks.

I tend to think of a basketball generation as more like 4-5 years, which would roughly align with the number of folks mentioned by several in this thread -- Taurasi, Parker, Moore, Griner and Stewie over the last 25ish years.

But I agree that it's silly that Boston, Bueckers, Clark, and Fudd are all occasionally (or often) mentioned as generational.
I agree that people are going to define a generation how they want to. To me, 4-5 years is more like a class, too short to be a generation or era. But as for quality I'll stick with my second sentence, a single player who dominates that time period with elite skill and ability. A clear talent supremacy. So whether it's 5 years, 10, or 25, to be THE generational player you have to be better than all of the others of that period. To throw in 15-20 different players just waters it down to " a lot of great players". And stats don't matter to me, high level players don't need numbers to know who has dominated, they know. Most fans just add up numbers or the most outrageous dunks or moves. I know it's pretty much impossible to split hairs on who's the very best and that's my point. "Generational" is a dumb term. They can't all have the trophy as the best like today's society wants so just call them great or whatever. Obviously JMO.
 
I agree that people are going to define a generation how they want to. To me, 4-5 years is more like a class, too short to be a generation or era. But as for quality I'll stick with my second sentence, a single player who dominates that time period with elite skill and ability. A clear talent supremacy. So whether it's 5 years, 10, or 25, to be THE generational player you have to be better than all of the others of that period. To throw in 15-20 different players just waters it down to " a lot of great players". And stats don't matter to me, high level players don't need numbers to know who has dominated, they know. Most fans just add up numbers or the most outrageous dunks or moves. I know it's pretty much impossible to split hairs on who's the very best and that's my point. "Generational" is a dumb term. They can't all have the trophy as the best like today's society wants so just call them great or whatever. Obviously JMO.
Excellent points by both you and Bigboote, BobbyJ.

I'd question only Bigboote's inclusion of Azzi with Boston, Bueckers and Clark, all of who have distinguished themselves as outstanding college players. I understand Fudd is mentioned becaue she has thus far been over-hyped. I surely hope (and expect) it'll happen, but Azzi's got a long way to go to be considered at that trio's level, let alone as a generational player.
 
I probably wouldn't. She's really really good and the most dominant interior player since Griner but isn't as uniquely skilled as the "generational" players like a Stewart, Griner, Moore or Parker.

All of those players changed the game in some way, I haven't seen Boston do that yet but she's obviously exceptional and was the clear standout in women's basketball this past year. If she wins another title and continues to expand her game, it's a different discussion next year. Looking at players from the last ten years, I'd probably put her behind Stewart and Griner and on par with Ionescu, but ahead of everyone else at this point.
I'd definitely put Tina ahead of her, hands down.
 
I'd take Boston over Wilson in college by a decent margin factoring impact on both ends. I dont think it's coincidence SC was the #1 team most of 2020, a putback away from maybe winning it all in 2021 and #1 from wire to wire in 2022.
To me it is still a toss-up as far as college. You have to factor in the talent level that Boston has compared to what A'ja had her 4 years. I think A'ja will be the better pro.
 
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Can you be a "transcendent" player without ever winning a championship? I think you have to win championship(s) in order to be considered, no matter what your stats look like. Can you think of one that you would consider from the past?
 
I watched Kerry Bascom play 4 years of HS and AAU like a guy before she ever got to UConn and 4 more there before anybody had heard of Taurasi, but nobody was paying attention back then.
Bascom was a classmate of mine at UConn. Fun player to watch back then. But sticking to the topic, Boston is a great player, but I would not call her "generational" player.
 
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I'd definitely put Tina ahead of her, hands down.
Maybe long term but in terms of college career it's Boston by a solid margin, especially considering her impact defensively.

Freshman year:
Charles-NFOY, Elite 8
Boston-NFOY, 2nd Team AA, team ended #1 in the country

Soph year:
Charles-Final Four, no national individual accolades
Boston-1st Team All American, Final Four

Junior year:
Charles-2nd Team AA, F4 MOP, champions
Boston-Consensus NPOY, DPOY, F4 MOP, champions

Charles had a great senior year but Boston's the clear winner through 3 years at this point.
 
To me it is still a toss-up as far as college. You have to factor in the talent level that Boston has compared to what A'ja had her 4 years. I think A'ja will be the better pro.
Wilson had Coates, Mitchell, Gray and Davis. None of Boston's teammates seem particularly likely to get as good of pros or as talented as any of the listed above. I do think Wilson may be a better pro but Boston has been the clear better collegiate player through 3 years IMO.
 
Wilson had Coates, Mitchell, Gray and Davis. None of Boston's teammates seem particularly likely to get as good of pros or as talented as any of the listed above. I do think Wilson may be a better pro but Boston has been the clear better collegiate player through 3 years IMO.
Gray and Davis was only there for the championship year. I am talking about the whole team as far as talent. After the top 3, there was a significant drop off in talent with Dawn's early team compared to her present team. Just look at who A'ja had at the point guard and who Boston had at the point guard. A'ja had Sessions who was solid. They both had Ty Harris, but there is a big difference between a young Ty Harris and a Senior Ty Harris with Destanni Henderson. If you are looking at the numbers, it would tell you A'ja was the better offensive player and Boston was the better Defensive player. The accolades are the same after 3 years. Boston still has one more year to add to that. A'ja will still be the school all time leading scorer and probably shot blocker. Also she is the only player in SEC history to have won 3 SEC player of the year. Boston, if she has a great year, will probably be the most decorated player. She will probably go down as the school's leading rebounder. If she scores over 2,000 points, then it will be an argument. A'ja has about 2,400 and didn't even start her Freshmen year.
 
When Boston was a freshman many South Carolina fans said she was a "generational" player. The response here was...no, she hasn't proved anything yet. I consider many of the UCONN players generational but above all Stewie.....I know Boston is not in Stewie's league yet but would you now consider her a generational player ?

No, but a very, very good player.
 
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Yes, Boston is the generational player of this era. She clearly is. No one else is more dominant. She would be most people's first pick in a draft situation. Let's give credit where credit is due. I can't believe how many people are still debating it. If not her then who else is?
 
Yes, Boston is the generational player of this era. She clearly is. No one else is more dominant. She would be most people's first pick in a draft situation. Let's give credit where credit is due. I can't believe how many people are still debating it. If not her then who else is?
So, it sounds like you think there is always a “generational” player in the system? I disagree, “generational” players have to earn that description. It is not awarded simply because you are the best player in a particular season. There is no rule that says there must be a generational player for every season/era!
 
The term "generational player" is waaaaaaaaay overused.

Stewart was the last one who qualifies in ny mind. Bueckers and Boston have not reached that status - Ionescu comes close. Maybe the word "yet" can be used here for all three. Clark maybe.

Still alot of proving to do for Boston, Beuckers and Clark. Multiple NCAA championships as the team's dominant player is a start. Boston and Buekers have the potential, Clark probably not. But the "generational" tag is never really warranted until the pro career is reviewed.
absolutely Paige is not generational to me either, she is a really good player but still has to improve a lot defensively and get stronger.
 
Yes, Boston is the generational player of this era. She clearly is. No one else is more dominant. She would be most people's first pick in a draft situation. Let's give credit where credit is due. I can't believe how many people are still debating it. If not her then who else is?
No college player is generational. Some, like Boston, can become generational if , and not until, they have proven themselves in the pros - that is a league of the best of the best.
Boston is filling the card but the card will be incomplete for at least six More years.

2020 - unanimous freshman of the year. Heavy contributor to a 32-1 team, number one ranked team (with two strong seniors. Accomplishments against top two strength of schedule.

2021- all American led team of underclassmen to Final Four, one point loss to champions. Again played against a top 2 SOS. Robbed by fate of an opportunity to compete fir a national championship. Academic player of the year if that matters.

2022 - transformed her body to another level. won every NPOY award. Final Four MOP award. National championship. Beat UConn (x2) Stanford, NC State, Louisville as part of another top 2 SOS. Academic All American again if that matters.

There is little more she can do to fill her card other than improve her scoring and assists from the high post and 3 point line while winning another championship. We’ll see.

The card is filled - at this point.

She has the POTENTIAL to become recognized as a generational player. She also has the potential to ditch it all by never playing pro ball and pursuing success as a doctor or other highly paid professional. She could choose to play a fifth year while pursuing a graduate degree or proceed on academic rather than athletic scholarship. Heck, she could transfer to Stanford or Princeton for her fifth year. Rhodes scholarhip over first draft choice in the low-paying WNBA would be a no-brained for me.

We don’t know and can’t know at this point whether she will attain “ generational status - but she has filled the card.

Paige is not “generational” - yet -though she is filling her card too. Azzi ain’t even in the picture - yet(?) - despite her anointment by some - in high school.

BTW, we’re Bird and Magic “generational” despite graduating the same year?
 
Ha! Better not vacation in the UK or Ireland... roundabouts are the way to go there and keep traffic moving very much better than traffic lights.
Stationed two years in Scotland. I know all about them.
 
Gray and Davis was only there for the championship year. I am talking about the whole team as far as talent. After the top 3, there was a significant drop off in talent with Dawn's early team compared to her present team. Just look at who A'ja had at the point guard and who Boston had at the point guard. A'ja had Sessions who was solid. They both had Ty Harris, but there is a big difference between a young Ty Harris and a Senior Ty Harris with Destanni Henderson. If you are looking at the numbers, it would tell you A'ja was the better offensive player and Boston was the better Defensive player. The accolades are the same after 3 years. Boston still has one more year to add to that. A'ja will still be the school all time leading scorer and probably shot blocker. Also she is the only player in SEC history to have won 3 SEC player of the year. Boston, if she has a great year, will probably be the most decorated player. She will probably go down as the school's leading rebounder. If she scores over 2,000 points, then it will be an argument. A'ja has about 2,400 and didn't even start her Freshmen year.
Agree about the PG comparison, though I wasn't impressed by Henderson to the same degree until this year. Wilson's teammates were very good even if players 4-9 were stronger than Boston's. Boston has never played with a player comparable to Tiffany Mitchell (3x AP All American) or Alaina Coates who was 4x All SEC.

Career stats are irrelevant considering Boston has missed about 14 games due to covid. If you add those in, she's far ahead of Wilson in terms of blocks and would be at around 1650 career points, well ahead of pace to hit 2000.

At the end of the day, Boston's teams have been flat out better IMO than SC was from 2015-2018, and the biggest reason is Aliyah Boston. SC in Wilson's era was consistently getting blown out by UCONN and was never viewed as a title favorite or top dog. In 2 of Boston's 3 years, they've been the top team for most of the year and in the third year they were painfully close to getting back in the title game where they would've been a heavy favorite to beat Arizona. It's somewhat of a reach, but not out of the question to say they had a good shot to win 3 straight if not for covid and a missed putback. Going into her senior year, SC will again be the odds on favorite to repeat. Wilson was great but never had the program anywhere close to a similar situation like that.
 
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Can you be a "transcendent" player without ever winning a championship? I think you have to win championship(s) in order to be considered, no matter what your stats look like. Can you think of one that you would consider from the past?
See Oscar Robertson
 
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Do I think Boston is a "generational" player? No, I don't put in her in the class of DT, Parker, Maya, Stewie, Griner and maybe EDD (If/when healthy). Those all have a unique combination of skill sets and athleticism.

I think the best comparison for her is Sylvia Fowles, who I wouldn't consider a "generational player" but has won a WNBA MVP, 4 WNBA championships, 4 WNBA DPOYs, and 4 Olympic medals. IMO, Boston's ceiling is best center in the world.
 
No one said anything about a "season". To me a generational player is a 4 year period in regard to college players. If there is someone more impactful than Boston during her 4 year college run I don't know who it is.

And to a degree, yes, there is always a generational player but I don't think I would bring up one if no one stood out. It's possible there are down years for 3-4 years in a row but highly unlikely. So yes, usually there are generational players at least every 4 years. It's almost by definition.

And quite often they are bigs. Bigs are a statistical anomaly in itself and often the dominant players in basketball. At least some of you know who I think is most likely to be the next generational player. Lots of people have stated I'm flat out wrong but we will see won't we. Until someone emerges for sure no one really knows.
 
To be generational, wouldn't Boston need to continue being dominant in the WNBA and the Olympics and perhaps internationally for some time into the future?
Just because she's been blessed with so many honors as a college player doesn't mean that her level of dominance will continue.
How long before she becomes a WNBA All Star, and possibly a medalist in the Olympics?
These are unfulfilled prophesies, just like for Paige or any other super prospect.
Personally I think that Paige has more upside to be generational, but the knee injury did set her back and may have harmed her future potential.
We'll see.
IMO Boston needs to continue to dominate WBB at the professional and international level if she's to be considered generational.
That's the only way to determine whether she's been blessed with more talent than luck or not.
 
I have never seen or heard the phrase "high emotional truisms", but by definition all truisms, emotional or emotionless, are true. So no hope is needed, high or otherwise. ;)
Your definition is halfway correct. Those truisms put forth by the ill informed or for devious reasons may be emotionally presented or meant to blur the meaning. All truisms are not true. Remember Webster lived before the internet. Fans often present half thought out facts when speaking or writing about their favorite team. Then they may present EMOTIONAL truisms. Human's are emotional animals, some more, some less so.
 
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