...Geno must really, really like these guys to say such terrible things about them. I think he's doing 2 things here: 1. engaging in "old school" superstition in confronting the next difficult games by downplaying possibilities; 2. hiding his fundamental delight in these kids and engaging in psychological war against them--what he always does...9+
I like Kia a really, really lot, too. But she's a junior with tons of international (and Olympic) experience. She needs to be as consistent and dependable in her shooting as she is in all other parts of her game. Instead, she's a game-to-game player right now: wondering if she'll go 3-8 (which is just okay) or 6-8 which is great and which gives hope going forward, or 1-8, which is not okay. Geno loves her and we all do. But for the past 2 years, there were so many offensive pieces that her other contributions vastly compensated for her iffy shooting. This year, there is no margin for error.I don't get this continued dumping on Kia's shooting. I think that if the first two games had not occurred, no one would be expressing any concern.
Last night she was 3-for-8, including 2-for-5 from 3 and 1-for-3 from 2-point range. What's wrong with that? It's good enough that they have to guard her.
It took far more than five games for KLS's 3-point shot to show up last year, or for Moriah's to do so in previous years. We need to have faith.
Geno was as happy as a clam in that presser - you could see it all over his face - he was having fun and happy and grinning and joking - that is the gentlest dissing of a team I think I have ever seen! He must have had a great thanksgiving or something!If you compare this presser to his comments at half time and immediately after the game, there is a striking, massive difference in tone. At those earlier two moments, he was clearly happy with his team (less happy with the team's defense at half time, but overall happy). But here, he walked in determined to bash his kids, just like he did at the first practice after Thanksgiving, according to our BYers who were present.
Geno must really, really like these guys to say such terrible things about them. I think he's doing 2 things here: 1. engaging in "old school" superstition in confronting the next difficult games by downplaying possibilities; 2. hiding his fundamental delight in these kids and engaging in psychological war against them--what he always does. Of course, the bottom line for Geno is that his kids always have to play angry and hungry (just like he coaches), and they're not doing that now. Crystal is the key to that for this team, and he really misses her there.
I don't deny that UConn will struggle if Saniya and Kia continue to shoot as they are doing right now, and, compared to previous years, there were some serious defensive lapses, mostly in how UConn didn't create offense out of defense. But c'mon. I think everyone has to feel that this team is a lot better than what we feared a month ago.
You know - Kia in international play has been hit or miss on her scoring, and I think she always will be - she can get hot for a week or two and carry a team, but not likely for a season. What she does bring is hard nosed defensive intensity every game and that is her calling card as well has pretty solid offensive presence, not necessarily in stat sheet numbers but in keeping the team going in the right direction. She is probably the strongest leader on this team.I like Kia a really, really lot, too. But she's a junior with tons of international (and Olympic) experience. She needs to be as consistent and dependable in her shooting as she is in all other parts of her game. Instead, she's a game-to-game player right now: wondering if she'll go 3-8 (which is just okay) or 6-8 which is great and which gives hope going forward, or 1-8, which is not okay. Geno loves her and we all do. But for the past 2 years, there were so many offensive pieces that her other contributions vastly compensated for her iffy shooting. This year, there is no margin for error.
At the game, I noticed something that I had never noticed before, and I don't believe it has been pointed out: Before the start of the game when the captains of both teams meet with the referees, Kia was the sole UConn player in that meeting. That would suggest that she has been designated as the team captain. She's not sharing that role with Saniya, Gabby, or anyone else. That would suggest that both the coaches and the players see her as the team leader.Kia in international play has been hit or miss on her scoring, and I think she always will be - she can get hot for a week or two and carry a team, but not likely for a season. What she does bring is hard nosed defensive intensity every game and that is her calling card as well has pretty solid offensive presence, not necessarily in stat sheet numbers but in keeping the team going in the right direction. She is probably the strongest leader on this team.
You hit on something mentioning the past 2 years. To me, her problem is that she is being guarded now. In these past 2 years on a high percentage of her MADE shots she was open. She doesn't have the ability to get her shots off in traffic because she can't elevate at all and extend. So she gets very few shots off in the paint and if guarded outside, can't shoot over anyone. So her contribution will have to come on defense because offensively, what you're seeing is what you're going to get, nothing more.I like Kia a really, really lot, too. But she's a junior with tons of international (and Olympic) experience. She needs to be as consistent and dependable in her shooting as she is in all other parts of her game. Instead, she's a game-to-game player right now: wondering if she'll go 3-8 (which is just okay) or 6-8 which is great and which gives hope going forward, or 1-8, which is not okay. Geno loves her and we all do. But for the past 2 years, there were so many offensive pieces that her other contributions vastly compensated for her iffy shooting. This year, there is no margin for error.
Wrong. Even in the first two games when she couldn't hit the ocean from a rowboat, she was only taking open shots. I've never seen her take a contested jump shot this season. Earlier she was just missing, but lately she has been hitting a normal percentage for her (which is OK but will never be a KML/KLS percentage).You hit on something mentioning the past 2 years. To me, her problem is that she is being guarded now. In these past 2 years on a high percentage of her MADE shots she was open. She doesn't have the ability to get her shots off in traffic because she can't elevate at all and extend. So she gets very few shots off in the paint and if guarded outside, can't shoot over anyone. So her contribution will have to come on defense because offensively, what you're seeing is what you're going to get, nothing more.
Wrong. Even in the first two games when she couldn't hit the ocean from a rowboat, she was only taking open shots. I've never seen her take a contested jump shot this season. Earlier she was just missing, but lately she has been hitting a normal percentage for her (which is OK but will never be a KML/KLS percentage).
In the paint, she doesn't take guarded shots either -- she only attempts the layup if she has a step on her defender, and in fact she makes most of those shots.
Thanks for making my point for me. That's what I said, she can't get her shot off in traffic.Wrong. Even in the first two games when she couldn't hit the ocean from a rowboat, she was only taking open shots. I've never seen her take a contested jump shot this season. Earlier she was just missing, but lately she has been hitting a normal percentage for her (which is OK but will never be a KML/KLS percentage).
In the paint, she doesn't take guarded shots either -- she only attempts the layup if she has a step on her defender, and in fact she makes most of those shots.
I thought he was genuinely angry and frustrated not necessarily putting on a show for the media.
The fact that they "chose" to play aggressive and effective D in the 2nd half aggravated him even more
after the game than at half-time because it was clear to him the that the Moc's first half scoring was as much due to his charge's complacency as to Chatt's skill.
The idea that you wait until the 2nd half to get serious is anathema to him.
He spoke philosophically about the way things Are now w/o naming names other than Pheesa
But I would guess he's still not satisfied with the overall toughness of KLS, certainly the inconsistency of Saniya, and the early season relative ineffectiveness of Kia.
This is a pretty darn good team but his concept of overall fire is not there (yet).
You lost me at courtier's beard.In times like these, to understand Geno, one must invoke Shakespeare:
I did dislike the
cut of a certain courtier's beard: he sent me word,
if I said his beard was not cut well, he was in the
mind it was: this is called the Retort Courteous.
If I sent him word again 'it was not well cut,' he
would send me word, he cut it to please himself:
this is called the Quip Modest. If again 'it was
not well cut,' he disabled my judgment: this is
called the Reply Churlish. If again 'it was not
well cut,' he would answer, I spake not true: this
is called the Reproof Valiant. If again 'it was not
well cut,' he would say I lied: this is called the
Counter-cheque Quarrelsome: and so to the Lie
Circumstantial and the Lie Direct.
Geno is trying to determine how far he has to escalate on this scale to get the desired reaction from his team, especially its younger members.