Is Griner best ever center? Geno responds....

[UcMiami]

Griner still does not seem to understand that low post D is largely played with foot movement and leg strength. She relies on her athleticism to recover using her length but that has risks.

I agree that Griner's defensive footwork is not fully developed (though she is not a push over) but her offensive footwork is really good. I really think the analysis of the Australia game and projecting it as a statement about Griner's game is a little harsh. She was THE defensive demon all year in the WNBA and made Sylvia look like a college player in the finals. Is she young - yes. Is she a defensive force - yes. Did she have a foul plagued game - yes. Have other great players had similar games - yes. In fact - I would say her WNBA teammate Taylor had a really terrible game as well - partly for the same reason - fouls.

 

[Striper69]

If Jen Hamson plays in the WNBA next year she could be in the conversation as "Best Ever". The Spark will be back competing with Minny and the Mercury too.

 

[Justavisitor]

Is Griner the best center ever? Nope. She has the potential to get there but she is not the best center ever. To me, Lisa Leslie and Janice Lawrence Braxton were better than Brit. We all know Lisa Leslie's resume. Janice was on Lisa's level. She was unstoppable. Her offensive game, especially as a traditional post player, was fluid. The lady was equally solid on the defensive end. She, along with other great Louisiana Tech legends, was the reason why LA Tech was so good during the early part of the 1980s.

Lisa Leslie. Yep!

 

[Buzzyboy]

She is the best center I have ever seen in terms of talent and ability. But, Geno, as many others do, reserves judgement based on championships. So, in other words, check back with me in 15 years.

After Monday, BG will have NCAA, WNBA and WC titles. Not a bad start for a 23-year old.

I know she was playing by herself to win the above mentioned titles. To say that SHE won the titles really is kind of bullc**p since she had Odyssey Sims and some other pretty talented players helping her with that NCAA title, she played like garbage the following year and eliminated the possibility of back to back titles when she played horrifically against Louisville despite Sim's stellar performance. Then she WON an WNBA title while playing with Diana Taurasi who many consider the best player of all time in women's basketball along with some other very talented teammates and yet it wasn't Phoenix but GRINER who won that WNBA title????? Then she's on a super all star team with the best of the best in women's basketball and again GRINER won the World title????? The point of view that an individual player does or doesn't win titles by him or herself is totally wacky. Ted Williams, Ernie Banks, Barry Sanders and many other superb athletes who may be considered the best of all time in their respective sports by scads of people NEVER WON TITLES and so in your mind, these players are less than they might have been??????????? Very bad argument! Griner is outstanding but she was a part of championships, not anymore than that.

 

[meyers7]

Anyway, back to the original debate, I don't think she is the best center ever yet. I think she could be the best center ever, and when it's all said and done, I think she will be.

I think that was Geno's and pretty much everyone here's point.

 

[Striper69]

Yup, she's pretty good. She's not Maya. She's closer to Bria.

Jennifer Schlott is/was as good as Sims...

or better.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Not really a fair choice as I would choose DT and ______ over any other player and ______ in college where you fill the blanks with any combination of two players from quite a list: Griner, Charles, Fowles, Paris, Leslie, and probably others like Moore, Parker, EDD. Except for that flame out against ND, Diana's fire was such that she refuses to lose and she makes whoever she plays with burn with that same fire.
There are other players that exhibit a similar fire including Moore, but it just never quite reaches the DT level.
I don't think I have ever seen quite such a late game display as the Uconn win against TX in the 2003 FF.

I'll say again that if I had a choice of Diana or Maya, it would be Maya. Apples and oranges, I guess. Diana is more demonstrative on the court but I think Maya is every bit as efficient if not more so. I happen to prefer the way Maya plays and her on court persona and the results aren't too shabby. It seems everyone is an afterthought when it comes to Dianna, at least with some people but I don't think Maya takes a back seat to anyone who's ever played the game.

 

[meyers7]

Then she WON an WNBA title while playing with Diana Taurasi who many consider the best player of all time in women's basketball along with some other very talented teammates and yet it wasn't Phoenix but GRINER who won that WNBA title????? Then she's on a super all star team with the best of the best in women's basketball and again GRINER won the World title????? The point of view that an individual player does or doesn't win titles by him or herself is totally wacky.

I don't believe ETT said Griner won the titles all by herself. You are making a mountain out of a molehill there. Chillax.

 

[UcMiami]

I'll say again that if I had a choice of Diana or Maya, it would be Maya. Apples and oranges, I guess. Diana is more demonstrative on the court but I think Maya is every bit as efficient if not more so. I happen to prefer the way Maya plays and her on court persona and the results aren't too shabby. It seems everyone is an afterthought when it comes to Dianna, at least with some people but I don't think Maya takes a back seat to anyone who's ever played the game.

The question was a combo of two players and the response has more to do with position than Maya v. DT ' greatness - Diana is by nature of being a guard a better facilitator on a team than Maya and such would have a high impact on the combo. And while they are both great motivators and have an inner fire, I think that is an area that DT is just a little stronger than Maya. And in college they both won titles with stacked teams, but DT was also able to win her last two years after much of that talent graduated and Maya was not able to win her last year when the same happened - and I think that again speaks to the positions they play - Maya being a forward was not able to influence the outcome of the games as much as DT was as a guard.

 

[easttexastrash]

I don't believe ETT said Griner won the titles all by herself. You are making a mountain out of a molehill there. Chillax.

This

 

[easttexastrash]

If Jen Hamson plays in the WNBA next year she could be in the conversation as "Best Ever". The Spark will be back competing with Minny and the Mercury too.

I have to wonder why she was not invited to participate in USA basketball. I hope she turns out to be as good as you predict. The US could use to players that can play at the same level, or better, that BG does.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

If Jen Hamson plays in the WNBA next year she could be in the conversation as "Best Ever". The Spark will be back competing with Minny and the Mercury too.

Striper - by any chance, do you happen to be Hamson's agent?

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

If Jen Hamson plays in the WNBA next year she could be in the conversation as "Best Ever". The Spark will be back competing with Minny and the Mercury too.

Assuming this post is not a low-flying sarcasm plane...

If Jen Hamson plays in the WNBA next year, she will not even be the best center on the Sparks.

 

[pap49cba]

Assuming this post is not a low-flying sarcasm plane...

If Jen Hamson plays in the WNBA next year, she will not even be the best center on the Sparks.

Yeah, but she's a pretty good volley ball player...

 

[UcMiami]

I have to wonder why she was not invited to participate in USA basketball. I hope she turns out to be as good as you predict. The US could use to players that can play at the same level, or better, that BG does.

I imagine she was never in the discussion for an invite as she is concentrating on volley ball this year. No idea if she ends up playing basketball - she was impressive in the NCAAs last year, but I think needs a few years of experience at a higher level before she is really in any conversations.

 

[FairView]

There's a downside to being the best ever --- ask Roy Hobbs.

 

[meyers7]

There's a downside to being the best ever --- ask Roy Hobbs.

Only if you try and cheat on Glenn Close.

There's always a Price to Pay

 

[baylorprof]

Well hi yaaa'lllllll! from the great state of Texas. Been a while. Bad health had me layin low for a few seasons.

Griner had practically NO offensive skills until her Junior year--the year after she went to summer USA camp with Geno. Defensivey, yes--the greatest ever. But she didn't start moving away from the basket and using her size underneath it effectively until her third year. And we knowwhat happened from there--41-0 NC nnd the debacle in Oklahoma City vs. Louisville that never will be settled as to what REALLY happened on the court when we left a matchup with you guys and aNC on the table perhap.

As for Courtey Paris? Pullllleeeeeze! She had one basketball skill--charging with her back side. Beyond that, her "skills" were a myth or a girth--whichever one you want.

If Alexis Prince can play this year we wll surprise some people. Without her, we don't have enough night in, night out points to be much more that sweetness or possibly elite.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Well hi yaaa'lllllll! from the great state of Texas. Been a while. Bad health had me layin low for a few seasons.

Griner had practically NO offensive skills until her Junior year--the year after she went to summer USA camp with Geno. Defensivey, yes--the greatest ever. But she didn't start moving away from the basket and using her size underneath it effectively until her third year. And we knowwhat happened from there--41-0 NC nnd the debacle in Oklahoma City vs. Louisville that never will be settled as to what REALLY happened on the court when we left a matchup with you guys and aNC on the table perhap.

As for Courtey Paris? Pullllleeeeeze! She had one basketball skill--charging with her back side. Beyond that, her "skills" were a myth or a girth--whichever one you want.

If Alexis Prince can play this year we wll surprise some people. Without her, we don't have enough night in, night out points to be much more that sweetness or possibly elite.

welcome back, hope your health continues to improve!

 

[svetbird]

I still think Lauren Jackson is in the mix. As college fans we forget just how amazing she is when healthy. She also was not American but 2 wnba championships 2 mvp's 5 time starter at the all star game Australian league mvp 4 times and countless other awards. Few players dominate like her. Griner may get there but how can anyone argue that her short playing carrier puts her anywhere near the top yet. 1 college championship, one world championship (with the US All Stars) and a wnba championship (where they won without her in the final game) and she is the BEST EVER????? I don't give points for potential or Stewie would be my best ever player.

 

[LAWard_]

I still think Lauren Jackson is in the mix. As college fans we forget just how amazing she is when healthy. She also was not American but 2 wnba championships 3 mvp's 5 time starter at the all star game Australian league mvp 4 times and countless other awards. Few players dominate like her. Griner may get there but how can anyone argue that her short playing carrier puts her anywhere near the top yet. 1 college championship, one world championship (with the US All Stars) and a wnba championship (where they won without her in the final game) and she is the BEST EVER????? I don't give points for potential or Stewie would be my best ever player.

Totally agree. Not to mention getting a call up to play on the AUS national team at 16 and playing in the Olympics at 19. 7-time All-WNBA first team; recognized as one of the wnba top 15 players of all time in 2011, how can LJ not be considered!!?
*btw I've been reading the board for years, and I finally decided to join this year.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Totally agree. Not to mention getting a call up to play on the AUS national team at 16 and playing in the Olympics at 19. 7-time All-WNBA first team; recognized as one of the wnba top 15 players of all time in 2011, how can LJ not be considered!!?
*btw I've been reading the board for years, and I finally decided to join this year.

welcome... post more often.

question... how tough is it to read (for years) and not post/reply?

 

[ChicagoGG]

Well hi yaaa'lllllll! from the great state of Texas. Been a while. Bad health had me layin low for a few seasons.

Griner had practically NO offensive skills until her Junior year--the year after she went to summer USA camp with Geno. Defensivey, yes--the greatest ever. But she didn't start moving away from the basket and using her size underneath it effectively until her third year. And we knowwhat happened from there--41-0 NC nnd the debacle in Oklahoma City vs. Louisville that never will be settled as to what REALLY happened on the court when we left a matchup with you guys and aNC on the table perhap.

As for Courtey Paris? Pullllleeeeeze! She had one basketball skill--charging with her back side. Beyond that, her "skills" were a myth or a girth--whichever one you want.

If Alexis Prince can play this year we wll surprise some people. Without her, we don't have enough night in, night out points to be much more that sweetness or possibly elite.

Glad to see you are back! Hope you will return to posting and that you are feeling better.

 

[Aluminny69]

Lisa Leslie. Yep!

As of today, I'd vote for Lisa Leslie.

Awards and honors

• 4× Olympic gold medalist (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008)
• 2× WNBA Champion (2001, 2002)
• 3× WNBA MVP (2001, 2004, 2006)
• 8× WNBA All-Star (1999–2003, 2005, 2006, 2009)
• 8× First Team All-WNBA (1997, 2000-2004, 2006, 2008)
• 4× Second Team All-WNBA (1998-1999, 2005, 2009)
• 2× All-Defensive First Team (2006, 2008)
• 2× All-Defensive Second Team (2005, 2009)
• First player to dunk in a WNBA game
• First WNBA player to reach the 6,000 point plateau

 

[boontonbomber]

Geno was asked if Griner could be considered ONE of the best centers ever. He did not address the original question( not unusual for him) , but rather talked about whether she is THE best center ever. Unlike Geno , many here have paid more attention to the original question, and it has been a thorough and enlightening discussion.