I agree that each player has a "max" upside that happens in spurts. (6) We all thought Stewie was at the top of her game in her sophomore year, then we thought she hit the ceiling as a junior, but she fooled us. Also, she ups her game in March. Its like she goes from Mighty Mouse in February to Super Woman during March madness. I surely do not believe playing Nat max minutes will up her game exponentially, (1) but getting some quality minutes each game will improve her. Why? Because she knows her teammates during the dozens of practice sessions - you get comfortable with each player - you know their ins and outs. (2) In a game against a new opponent, you have to be more alert for all the moves they could put on you. in effect, you are on "high alert". Natalie is like where Dolson was late in her freshman year. (3) It's time for Nat to bust out and throw caution to the wind. What is the worse thing that could happen? (4) It is all upside with little or no downside. Let it go Natalie. (5) So you get some offensive rebounds and miss a few off balance shots - you've got Gabby and Kia and Nepheesa to help with the board and put it back up.
1-- I already think she is getting quality minutes. A few more for the AAC - sure.
2-- Sure and the minutes she gets she should continue to benefit from this.
3-- When you say "bust out" - I disagree. "Bust out" implies she is going to bust out and become an offensive weapon in the big games. She has a ceiling imo and therefore her game can't "bust out" because of as Long Time fan puts it "her athleticism and ability to be a difference maker." As a result, I want her to play in a manner that is complimentary. That is making great passes, getting offensive rebounds and setting great picks. IMO it is great she scores vs AAC no doubt because it limits "the drag" of the long season pressure for the Core 4 to have to score . It is great everyone score though. But when she is in with most of the starters, mostly we should be playing the game right. Which imo "by playing the game right" my definition of "right" is playing how you would play vs a top opponent for a good portion of the game. In portions the 4th qtr they can do whatever and build improvements too. But the other minutes - refine yourself in a complimentary manner playing with the "all-American quality candidates." Keep enhancing your abilities to make them better. Then they will enhance your ability to be more efficient.
4-- IMO there is absolute downside. You continue to play great and get better as team with more and more repetition. For example, I think Gabby and Lou and Collier have weaknesses that can be worked in which they could transform into being just "great" from what they are now to "All-time great." For example, Gabby doesn't have a 3ball yet and she commits too many turnovers. Lou just needs to continue to get tougher /low posting smaller players defending bigger posts and also work on her ball-handling and work on her positioning on defense. Collier needs to work on being more a facilitator and better passer. These are 3 of our top stars. They WILL have to perform in big games. You listen to the games as well as I. You heard Geno say in this last game that the team's offensive was becoming "too obvious." The Core 4 need their minutes too and they need more than Nat and they need to be more of a focal point.
Secondly, Kia needs to remain sharp. IMO one attribute she needs to keep sharp is her shooting. Her shooting won't get better by just dumping the ball to Nat.
Third I think Danger and even Chong to a degree have more upside (i.e. an ability to score a lot of points vs elite teams). So the downside to looking for Nat a lot is taking away shots from more talented offensive weapons who are also better passers. In other words, vs an elite team I don't believe Nat can be a legit top-of-the-line scorer in a close game and UCONN win- no matter how many minutes she is force-fed the ball and a focus vs these weaker AAC teams and no matter how much she works with Geno. But I DO KNOW Danger can score vs the elite while UCONN wins. Her style can be indefensible vs many of the elite teams. Nat's style vs many elite teams isn't. But IMO Nat's style can be super complimentary vs them. For example, a rebounder like her that can set up other scorers? I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5-- This leads me #5. IMO Nat is the 7th most talented offensive player on this team. Therefore her taking off balance shots is not a good thing. For example, I'm hopeful Danger can find her game and take more/knock down more shots
while being a better passer. She is so quick. More importantly, imo when Nat gets offensive rebounds, if she is swarmed with size and athleticism, she should pass the ball out to 3pt shooters. How many times do we hear how when a team gets an offensive rebound, the defense isn't set? If they are swarming around the rebound which Nat gets or if one big player or very athletic player is near her, that defender she is "ready" to defend Nat's shot. That defender is probably more athletic with a quicker leap. But the other defensive players more than likely would be out of position because when the shot goes up, they turn their back from the offensive player. If Nat passes the ball back out to Lou or Kia for an open 3, those shooters are awesome. Right now they have a combined "Effective Field Goal %" of 68.34%. That is awesome. And now you give them a possible open look? It could be even better! This is a classic example of how Nat can make her teammates better which makes her very valuable to this team and as a result I hope she can continually improves her passing.
6-- You mean you didn't think Stewie would improve from her soph year? So when she shot 49.7% from the floor, you didn't think she would get much better that that? Even with her height and skill and athleticism?