John A.: Geno is right: Stewie could be the best ever
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MilfordHusky
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KML sums it up nicely: "There is no other player as complete as [Stewie] is."
She may have a GOAT in her future.
She may have a GOAT in her future.
caramel
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What impresses me most about her,is how humble she is in every way,and it is genuine.She has the talent and the drive,and has no ceiling with how great she can become,and yet,she sincerely feels privileged just to be on the team,to get to play,to meet and enjoy those she meets.This would be my representative to all the young girls out there growing up and inspiring to be outstanding at something,that they should be like her.What an outstanding model for anyone!
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As much as I love to see her success I don't see how she could top Diana. Diana was very much put the team on her shoulder and ran all the way to the NC.
I think the state of Connecticut should erect a statue of her some where after Geno's of course.
I think the state of Connecticut should erect a statue of her some where after Geno's of course.
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alexrgct
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If you consider what Breanna did against ND in the national semis last season, I'd call her on pace with D, albeit not there yet. Certainly she was ahead of what D managed as a freshman. Bottom line for me is if my life depends on winning a game and I have to pick the team, Diana is my first choice. That's one criterion. Body of work-wise, I'd give a small but decisive edge to Maya over D. That's another criterion. Breanna has a chance to be someone you'd bet your life on first or have the most impressive body of work ever. However, that takes quite a lot for Stewie to accomplish between now and April 2016. A hell of a lot.Hongster said:
MilfordHusky
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If Stewie can carry her team to FOUR, she will stand alone.
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I agree Diana stands alone. College, pro, what ever league. In my mind it's not even close. Like I always suggest, go to youtube and watch Taurasi highlight clips, then come back and let's have this discussion. Taurasi played over a decade ago and memories fade. If you're down one with 10 seconds left, name the one player you want taking that last shot. My money's on Diana. Also, Stewie has not had to nor will she ever have to carry the team. Unless by carry a team you mean play alongside a team full of All-Americans and top recruits.
Tonyc
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Diana is the greatest of all time. She made everyone around her better by the plays she made to get them shots. NO other player has ever done that like she has. She also could step it up when the game was on the line and do the impossible. Maya was a wing and so is Breanna. All three are different eras in WCBB. Its tuff to compare. However to take Diana with a group of non starter the previous season and win the NC over a very very good Tenn team well that's unheard of. Diana is the Greatest.
UcMiami
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Yeah - but if you are down one with 10 seconds left and you just turned the ball over to a player streaking in for a lay-up, my money is on Maya!
Diana was definitely one of a kind. Maya is too, and by the time she is Diana's age she may have even more championships than DT - at this point I would say it is a toss-up whether she will exceed DT on the professional level. And Stewart certainly has a chance to pass them both by but she is so young at this point.
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And take phone calls at the same time!
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Don't forget all the times she beat Tennessee
One of Taurasi's better highlight clips, not a ton of UConn in here since those days pre-dated cheap video cameras and camera phones that are everywhere now.
Tonyc
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Over the next few years we will see how great Breanna is. Everything is there for her to be the most dominate player the game has ever seen. She does things now that others dream about. As she continues to grow this season and forward it is hard to imagine where she could be.
CamrnCrz1974
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If you think about the all-time great NBA players, with an emphasis on the last 30-35 years (Jordan, Bird, Magic, LeBron, Kobe, etc.), most were guards and wings or players who, even if they were at power forward, were often on the perimeter, handling the ball, playmaking, initiating the offense, etc. People forget how dominant Shaq was in the 2000-2002 Lakers title run (averaging close to 30 points and 15 rebounds per game in some of the Finals MVP performances). People forget how reliably great Tim Duncan was/is.
Because perimeter players handle the ball so much, they are often put up there in the "best ever" debate. With post players, they are often considered the "most dominant" of an era or a particular time, but not necessarily the "best ever." Part of the reason why is that for all the scoring and rebounding, they still need a player to feed them the ball.
Having said all that, Taurasi is flat-out unreal. She is the player you *loathe* when she plays against you and that you *love* when she is on your team.
What separates Taurasi from other players? A few things come to mind:
1) Uncanny basketball IQ, her savant skill. She sees the game three plays before it develops. It is completely unparalleled in the women's game. Her ability to get the ball to players through her court vision is breathtaking to watch.
2) The hunger to win, to the point where she hates losing more than she loves winning. This is a very "Serena Williams-like" quality. Serena's greatest skill is her ability to play her best when she is in danger of losing, along with the best pure technique in the game and incredible speed and athleticism. Taurasi can be setting up teammates and appearing to be more casual, then drop 20 points before the opposing team has had a chance to finish sipping the Gatorade at halftime. And if you look at certain games (the 32 points "I just wanted to hit something orange" game against TN, the 2003 game against TN with the halftime shot and the late three, the 2003 and 2004 Final Fours, the 2006 WNBA game where she scored 47, the 2007 WNBA Finals, etc.), this is readily apparent. And like Serena, she has been dubbed "fiery" (on the complimentary side), "temperamental" (in the middle), and "brash" (on the less complimentary side). But it is that fire that makes Serena who she is and what makes Diana the player she is.
3) An uncanny belief in herself coupled with the ability to make those around her better. Alana Beard, as much as I love her, was not a vocal leader at Duke. She was a leader by example. And while she could rack up assists, she was best playmaking for herself and one other person, using screen-and-rolls or pick-and-pops. Taurasi can be a playmaker for herself and all others at all times. More importantly, she knows this, her teammates know this, and the opposition knows this.
Now, what does this mean for Stewart? She has a unique skillset. At this point in her career, I see a lot of Lauren Jackson in her (with some Penny Taylor thrown in), which means a lot of championships and MVP awards in her future. And it would not shock me to see her emerge as one of the best players ever. She could certainly be the most dominant player. But to get to the "best ever" label, I think she will need to display some more of the savant-like skills that Taurasi has (she may have them, she is still a very young basketball player) and be able to carry a team when it has great players (like Phoenix in 2007) and when it has merely solid players and young players, but no other stars or superstars (like UConn in 2003).
But I really look forward to seeing her develop. Again, it is hard to believe how young she is when you consider what she has accomplished at UConn and with USA Basketball. She really is a joy to watch, even if she is killing my team.
Because perimeter players handle the ball so much, they are often put up there in the "best ever" debate. With post players, they are often considered the "most dominant" of an era or a particular time, but not necessarily the "best ever." Part of the reason why is that for all the scoring and rebounding, they still need a player to feed them the ball.
Having said all that, Taurasi is flat-out unreal. She is the player you *loathe* when she plays against you and that you *love* when she is on your team.
What separates Taurasi from other players? A few things come to mind:
1) Uncanny basketball IQ, her savant skill. She sees the game three plays before it develops. It is completely unparalleled in the women's game. Her ability to get the ball to players through her court vision is breathtaking to watch.
2) The hunger to win, to the point where she hates losing more than she loves winning. This is a very "Serena Williams-like" quality. Serena's greatest skill is her ability to play her best when she is in danger of losing, along with the best pure technique in the game and incredible speed and athleticism. Taurasi can be setting up teammates and appearing to be more casual, then drop 20 points before the opposing team has had a chance to finish sipping the Gatorade at halftime. And if you look at certain games (the 32 points "I just wanted to hit something orange" game against TN, the 2003 game against TN with the halftime shot and the late three, the 2003 and 2004 Final Fours, the 2006 WNBA game where she scored 47, the 2007 WNBA Finals, etc.), this is readily apparent. And like Serena, she has been dubbed "fiery" (on the complimentary side), "temperamental" (in the middle), and "brash" (on the less complimentary side). But it is that fire that makes Serena who she is and what makes Diana the player she is.
3) An uncanny belief in herself coupled with the ability to make those around her better. Alana Beard, as much as I love her, was not a vocal leader at Duke. She was a leader by example. And while she could rack up assists, she was best playmaking for herself and one other person, using screen-and-rolls or pick-and-pops. Taurasi can be a playmaker for herself and all others at all times. More importantly, she knows this, her teammates know this, and the opposition knows this.
Now, what does this mean for Stewart? She has a unique skillset. At this point in her career, I see a lot of Lauren Jackson in her (with some Penny Taylor thrown in), which means a lot of championships and MVP awards in her future. And it would not shock me to see her emerge as one of the best players ever. She could certainly be the most dominant player. But to get to the "best ever" label, I think she will need to display some more of the savant-like skills that Taurasi has (she may have them, she is still a very young basketball player) and be able to carry a team when it has great players (like Phoenix in 2007) and when it has merely solid players and young players, but no other stars or superstars (like UConn in 2003).
But I really look forward to seeing her develop. Again, it is hard to believe how young she is when you consider what she has accomplished at UConn and with USA Basketball. She really is a joy to watch, even if she is killing my team.
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Waquoit
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How'd Diana do in her 1st Final Four? That's the apples-to-apples comparision to date. Stewie played the best ball in the country in the Big Dance, while the ESPN-promoted "3 To See" all took the pipe.
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For that last second shot? I wouldn't ignore "Bird at the Buzzer". Even at the UConn-averse Rebkell site, they have a nickname for Sue which, though vulgar, honors her ability to make the big shots at crunch time.
DobbsRover2
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I've always hated the "Who's the best UConn player or team" debates with a passion. All of the players were in different circumstances and playing different roles, and they seem to sometimes get penalized for having any teammates of good quality beside them.
DT was wonderful in so many ways, but a lot of the tributes seem to always be focused on her last two seasons with UConn when she apparently played with a group of kindergartners beside her. If she had played with a 2001-02 cast around her all four years, she might be remembered just as marvelously with perhaps slightly different stats, but she would not have be seen quite so much as the all-time floor commander with a Bird, Cash or Jones beside her.
The teams of 2002-04 of DT's junior and senior years are also not quite as bereft of talent as some posts seem to make out at times. There were no seniors on the 2002-03 squad, but Ann Strother and Barb Turner were very strong players even as freshman, and Jessica Moore, Ashley Battle, and Maria Conlon were adept role players who made a number of teams rue any over-attention paid to DT. Saddled by back and foot issues her senior year, DT led the team in scoring in just over half of the team's 35 games, and there were games she scored 2 or 4 points. Five Huskies shot over 40% from 3pt territory in 2003-04, but none were named Taurasi (and yes, JMo led the team at 50% on 1-2 shooting). In fact, only in her sophomore year did DT shoot over 40% for 3pt shots.
Point is, DT overcame debilitating injuries and was the field general for two NC teams in her last two years that had a bunch of players who didn't win Wade awards but who did get to play on Junior National and Pan American Games teams and who chalked up a bunch of FF All-Tournament team awards ahead of even such top players as Lindsay Whalen.
Ann, BT Overdrive, JMo, BattleBot, They-call-Vols'-Death-Wind Maria, Get-me-a-board Crockett --- I'll take that group in a heartbeat.
DT was wonderful in so many ways, but a lot of the tributes seem to always be focused on her last two seasons with UConn when she apparently played with a group of kindergartners beside her. If she had played with a 2001-02 cast around her all four years, she might be remembered just as marvelously with perhaps slightly different stats, but she would not have be seen quite so much as the all-time floor commander with a Bird, Cash or Jones beside her.
The teams of 2002-04 of DT's junior and senior years are also not quite as bereft of talent as some posts seem to make out at times. There were no seniors on the 2002-03 squad, but Ann Strother and Barb Turner were very strong players even as freshman, and Jessica Moore, Ashley Battle, and Maria Conlon were adept role players who made a number of teams rue any over-attention paid to DT. Saddled by back and foot issues her senior year, DT led the team in scoring in just over half of the team's 35 games, and there were games she scored 2 or 4 points. Five Huskies shot over 40% from 3pt territory in 2003-04, but none were named Taurasi (and yes, JMo led the team at 50% on 1-2 shooting). In fact, only in her sophomore year did DT shoot over 40% for 3pt shots.
Point is, DT overcame debilitating injuries and was the field general for two NC teams in her last two years that had a bunch of players who didn't win Wade awards but who did get to play on Junior National and Pan American Games teams and who chalked up a bunch of FF All-Tournament team awards ahead of even such top players as Lindsay Whalen.
Ann, BT Overdrive, JMo, BattleBot, They-call-Vols'-Death-Wind Maria, Get-me-a-board Crockett --- I'll take that group in a heartbeat.
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Not over Stewie's teammates of Mosqueda-Lewis, Dolson, Hartley, and Jefferson you wouldn't.
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caramel
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Now I agree,that Breanna could be the best college women's player ever,if she continues to learn and apply what she learns,as well as become more physically sound.However,though it is fun comparing Breanna and Diana,and other greats,I would bet you come Breanna's draft time into the pro's,not one coach will mull over whether she is the same,better,or almost as good as Diana or anyone else,but,that she is a game changer,a team changer,and a champion,who is good to coach and has the desire ,talent and will to help her team or her country to success.
DobbsRover2
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Like I said, there are many teams in different situations and many teams to give heartbeats for. If Willnett is in full enthusiasm mode for collecting rebounds, DT is feeling like kicking a lot of tokus, Maria is hitting some bombs, JMo is spinning in the paint, the BattleBot is stealing someone blind, Anne is launching a few deadly corner shots, and BT is using her battering-ram head to clear some room for a layup, I think that squad has a chance against anyone with an NC on the line.
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UcMiami
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Cam - wow you are on a roll with these posts!
And I agree that position and timing and teammates are all essential to the legend of Diana and her incredible success. But it happened and she was the central character, just as it didn't quite happen for Maya her freshman or senior years. I actually think in her more quiet way, Maya may have even more effect on her teammates and their ability to win than Diana. Look at MN pre and post Maya - there is a different attitude to each player on that team, an assurance and expectation of winning that didn't exist pre Maya and I think is more important to the team than Maya's contributions on the floor.
As for Stewart - at still an incredibly young age, their are already a number of important games she has played where her team is struggling and she has transformed into an assassin not unlike Diana, just more quietly. She did it for five games last year. She did it in an all-star game, she did it in a team USA vs team USA scrimmage game, she has done it in a few international medal competitions and I am sure she did it a few times in HS. She can be drifting along playing well but unassertively and at the 12 minute mark someone maybe mentions that her team could lose the game and in the next eight minutes she scores 20 points with five rebounds and three blocked shots and two steals and the game has been put to bed and she can return to that peaceful place she was at during the first half.
Because she is not a guard, she probably can't instigate offense the way Diana could, but her passing this year has been very good, and her movement and presence on the court is opening things up for all her teammates because of the focus she demands from the defense.
For Uconn I doubt anything can ever replace DT and how she fit her time and where she took this program.
You have Lobo, Wolters, and Rizzotti for the arrival
Sue and Sveta and Shea for the confirmation
And DT for kicking down the door and announcing we are king of the hill and if you don't like it try and knock us off.
Maya and Tina to become the benevolent dictators
And maybe now Stewart and KML are to become the constitutional monarchs?
Diana so suited that period where Uconn had already established it was one of the best programs in the country and was now serving notice that either you better up your game or we are leaving you in the dust.
And I agree that position and timing and teammates are all essential to the legend of Diana and her incredible success. But it happened and she was the central character, just as it didn't quite happen for Maya her freshman or senior years. I actually think in her more quiet way, Maya may have even more effect on her teammates and their ability to win than Diana. Look at MN pre and post Maya - there is a different attitude to each player on that team, an assurance and expectation of winning that didn't exist pre Maya and I think is more important to the team than Maya's contributions on the floor.
As for Stewart - at still an incredibly young age, their are already a number of important games she has played where her team is struggling and she has transformed into an assassin not unlike Diana, just more quietly. She did it for five games last year. She did it in an all-star game, she did it in a team USA vs team USA scrimmage game, she has done it in a few international medal competitions and I am sure she did it a few times in HS. She can be drifting along playing well but unassertively and at the 12 minute mark someone maybe mentions that her team could lose the game and in the next eight minutes she scores 20 points with five rebounds and three blocked shots and two steals and the game has been put to bed and she can return to that peaceful place she was at during the first half.
Because she is not a guard, she probably can't instigate offense the way Diana could, but her passing this year has been very good, and her movement and presence on the court is opening things up for all her teammates because of the focus she demands from the defense.
For Uconn I doubt anything can ever replace DT and how she fit her time and where she took this program.
You have Lobo, Wolters, and Rizzotti for the arrival
Sue and Sveta and Shea for the confirmation
And DT for kicking down the door and announcing we are king of the hill and if you don't like it try and knock us off.
Maya and Tina to become the benevolent dictators
And maybe now Stewart and KML are to become the constitutional monarchs?
Diana so suited that period where Uconn had already established it was one of the best programs in the country and was now serving notice that either you better up your game or we are leaving you in the dust.
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All the talk at the Final Four was Louisville, and Notre Dame. Louisville had slain the Giant, how great their coach was in game planning. Notre Dame's Skylar , and how Notre Dame had won 7 of 8 games against UConn, beating them 2 times in the National Semi-Final. And then Stewie stepped up, and made her statement, Hello World, UConn is back.
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