My thoughts exactly. Well put.
Good point if that were truly the case.
Aaliyah shouldn't be positioned at the high post. This is an error in strategy if Geno is utilizing her there. She is best suited down low. Dorka is much better at the high post.
Nice balanced commentary. I liked the words and comparisons on AZZI/Paige and the good words for Amari... Thanks
As I have said before, "Bring your game, not your name!"
I'm not writing anything you don't know--Some players play great against certain type of teams than others. AE, is one of favorites. Caroline is one of my favorites (look at my Avatar). I wonder if it's concentration, because AE can be extremely good, or physical?? However, aren't we lucky AE is on Uconn W CBB team??
Exactly. However, when it is Dorka and Aaliyah in there, both go to the high post. Hence, the slow down, hesitation, bad passes, lack of movement. I would rather see Caroline there. She is a threat everywhere.
This is just a guess, but when Paige comes back she may be the ninth option. With six guards who have to play, we are going to see a lot of four guard sets.
I totally agree. I also worry about different referees in the Big Dance who will not allow as much physicality as we are used to. It has plagued the men's league in the NCAAs for years. One notable exception in the men's league is Villanova, who foul rarely even in league play.
Don't ..my second favorite team is the Pats where I go to 4-5 games a year
I thought the first quote was about Edwards and the second about DeBerry. If I was correct, these are not conflicting opinions.
I don't think the factor in the good game- not so good game phenomenon with AE is the opponent. I just think it is energy, focus, conditioning, and the fact that she is not a natural basketball player but a superior athlete still learning basketball skills and the game. She has to be in the zone and that seems to be very other game right now.
That's funny!
Doesn't seem to be hard for you to do it. And hides weaknesses from who? You think the coaches don't see things, that players don't know things?
A shooter keeps shooting good shots until the coach tells him or her to stop, period, end of story. Fudd has a shooter’s mentality as well she should; every shot isn’t going to go in, but the next one always is. As long as you know what a good shot is, and Fudd does, fire away until the coach takes you out. The last thing you want is a gun shy shooter.
Amari has the makings of being a fabulous high post player. Have we ever had a 6’5” post with excellent arc range? Stewie of course, but she is 6’4” and is a totally unique player.
I think you are right Jordy. I also agree that AE isn't the best choice to be directing the action from the top of the key and that Caroline would be better the better choice.
Even better is ONO. A much better passer and a somewhat more reliable jumper from the elbow. However, if UConn uses a lot of four guard sets, one isn’t going to see a lot of high-low post sets. We may see more back picks to free the cutting guards.
Except for gillespie who has some sort of exemption.
And ONO has been used to distribute frequently and done a good job. There isn't even a debate that she isn't better at it than AE and that includes shooting from the top of the key to keep the D honest. I kind of like the Caroline option on some possessions as she has the length to see the court, can shoot the 3 if the D gives her any room, is a threat to drive or get into a give and go situation It would also get the ball in her hands more often, which is a good thing.
As long as the size factor is not decisive, I would welcome that. The transition game is so much better as is the half court offense with a four guard set and if Dorka or Liv is the fifth at times, you have 5 smart passers on the floor. Plus, an excellent pressing team. I also think Evina's defense has been top shelf these last few games as has Nika's and CD's was great today as well. 6 steals for a 3 guard/forward is very unusual.
I would call it more like blanket immunity.
The past few games, Dorka and Edwards were both passing and playing well. One average to poor game and we go with 4 guards? If you have watched the top 10 teams in women's basketball this year, the value of having 2 bigs in at all times will be obvious.
I don’t question the value of having two bigs; that’s ideal. However, with Paige we will have six guards for three positions. It seems to be imperative that four guard sets will be used at some point during the games. I am by no means suggesting that two bigs will not also be used.
