KML opinion piece

[UConnChapette]

I don't know why I keep thinking of the old insult comeback regarding one person's weight and another being ugly and which is easier to change. But I won't go there...Oops...too late! I just did.

 

[vtcwbuff]

We can speculate on the reason why KML played so poorly against Stanford but whatever the reason there is no doubt that she was slow and appeared quite a bit heavier than she was at the start of the season last year. Stanford exploited that. Don't take my word for it - remove the NFB glasses and watch the game.

As for DiMauro - I'm probably his only fan here. The reason - he's not afraid to say what he thinks. Sometimes I agree with him and sometimes I don't.

My favorite quote - "Auriemma acts as such because that's what he believes. What he was taught. And because of what he hates the most about women's sports: how everything has to be, in his words, "lovey dovey all the time." Sounds like Auriemma would be vilified were he to post on the BY.

For an athlete conditioning becomes relevant when it affects their performance. If that was the case in the Stanford game then KML owes it to her team to get in the best shape possible.

 

[MuchoDogYears]

Stanford exposed KML's physical inability to play effective man-to-man D when facing guards who have a good handle, and can drive hard and finish at the basket. The Stanford guards blew by her time, after time, after time. No one can deny that.

The Stanford guards also blew by Jefferson, Chung and Nurse. So why the hue and cry about KML? Because Jefferson, Chung and Nurse are physically capable of correcting their D against those type of guards. KML, in the shape that she's right now, isn't physically capable. Period.

To everyone who said that it was a one-game aberration, because "look how great KML was against UC-Davis".......Really?

Yes, against teams who don't have guards like Stanford, KML won't be a liability defensively on the court. She won't be an issue against 80% of the teams on the schedule. Otherwise, to keep KML on the court against Stanford type teams, UConn will either have to play zone or sit her.

Offensively, it's up to the coaching staff and KML to figure out a way for her to be effective against a D like Stanford threw at her. They'll figure that out, I don't see that being a problem.

But for anyone to say that her body/weight issues don't cause a problem for UConn defensively, when facing a Stanford type team, is just being in denial. Geno wants starters who can guard and play defensively. KML has never looked bigger, or slower, and that's going to be an issue going forward for her and UConn.

 

[hjoerring]

I have no comments to offer on the specific KML issue but, regarding what's appropriate, I'm glad we're not still in the past. I think this particular topic is a highly relevant basketball issue.

How to do things with language. This can only be relevant if the team says it is a problem. Until then we are simply opening frames after frames trying t

 

[MuchoDogYears]

Next year's #1 draft pick...that hasn't changed.

As far as teams guarding her etc. Geno will figure it out.

Your second sentence I agree with. Your first is wishful thinking at this point. Professional teams want a player with great offensive skills at the #1 pick, KML hits that mark. But after Stanford, she was exposed as being a huge liability defensively. And that liability is directly attributed to her body conditioning. If the pros don't see her caring enough to get in BB shape, she won't be the #1 pick. It's up to her. Get in shape and the #1 pick can still be hers.

 

[phil sampieri]

Really

If KML is indeed in the best shape of her life, and stronger than ever, she needs to utilize that strength and take her defender down to the low post once in a while, instead of camping out by the 3 point line. After a while, when the defender knows that 3 point shots are all that she is looking for, they will overplay that.

Really ? Take the best 3 point shooter and put her in the post. Even when she is outside she is drawing the attention of the defense thus opening the lanes.

Your second sentence I agree with. Your first is wishful thinking at this point. Professional teams want a player with great offensive skills at the #1 pick, KML hits that mark. But after Stanford, she was exposed as being a huge liability defensively. And that liability is directly attributed to her body conditioning. If the pros don't see her caring enough to get in BB shape, she won't be the #1 pick. It's up to her. Get in shape and the #1 pick can still be hers.

Bull drip

 

[calpedaler]

KML did appear to be a step slow last Monday, but not just in speed but her thinking. There's always the possibility it was not related to conditioning. Personally, I feel slow and sluggish at least one day a month. Comments......gentlemen?

 

[JS]

I don't know why I keep thinking of the old insult comeback regarding one person's weight and another being ugly and which is easier to change. But I won't go there...Oops...too late! I just did.

You may be thinking of Churchill's insult to Lady Astor, next to whom he was seated at a banquet:

She: "Mr. Churchill, you are drunk!"

He: "Yes, Madame, but I shall be sober in the morning, while you will still be ugly."

 

[triaddukefan]

I would have never imagined that my first "mod edit" would be in a thread of this nature. I would have guessed it would have been in a thread about UNC... or something along those lines.

Sadly, I feel as if I didnt get my money's worth.

 

[pap49cba]

I would have never imagined that my first "mod edit" would be in a thread of this nature. I would have guessed it would have been in a thread about UNC... or something along those lines.

Sadly, I feel as if I didnt get my money's worth.

View attachment 7686

Don't feel bad Triad.... You've joined an august group.

 

[phil sampieri]

I would have never imagined that my first "mod edit" would be in a thread of this nature. I would have guessed it would have been in a thread about UNC... or something along those lines.

Sadly, I feel as if I didnt get my money's worth.

View attachment 7686

Thank you

 

[intlzncster]

How to do things with language. This can only be relevant if the team says it is a problem. Until then we are simply opening frames after frames trying t

Geno said it was relevant and an issue. So it's clearly an issue.

 

[intlzncster]

KML did appear to be a step slow last Monday, but not just in speed but her thinking. There's always the possibility it was not related to conditioning. Personally, I feel slow and sluggish at least one day a month. Comments.gentlemen?

Are you an elite athlete?

 

[Shenandoah]

Really

Really ? Take the best 3 point shooter and put her in the post. Even when she is outside she is drawing the attention of the defense thus opening the lanes.

Yes, really. Parking outside of the 3 point line worked out so well against Stanford. I'm not saying put her there the whole game, but if she had taken Carlie Samuelson down low a few times, Carlie would have backed off her a bit. If she poses even a threat to take the ball inside, it will help to free her up when she is outside. If she parks it outside and stays there, as a defender, I'm not in the least bit worried about anything but denying her space to shoot.
That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it. You are, as always, entitled to yours. Bottom line, Geno's is the only one that counts.

 

[calpedaler]

Are you an elite athlete?

I think I'm elite.

 

[RadyLady]

I would have never imagined that my first "mod edit" would be in a thread of this nature. I would have guessed it would have been in a thread about UNC... or something along those lines.

Sadly, I feel as if I didnt get my money's worth.

Take heart my friend I don't think it was anything we said, I think it was something we quoted from another poster

 

[meyers7]

KML did appear to be a step slow last Monday, but not just in speed but her thinking. There's always the possibility it was not related to conditioning. Personally, I feel slow and sluggish at least one day a month. Comments.gentlemen?

Not with a ten foot pole. I've been around the block a couple of times. I know a set up when I see it.

 

[PalPa]

If KML is indeed in the best shape of her life, and stronger than ever, she needs to utilize that strength and take her defender down to the low post once in a while, instead of camping out by the 3 point line. After a while, when the defender knows that 3 point shots are all that she is looking for, they will overplay that.

Sounds like a coaching issue.

 

[PalPa]

We can speculate on the reason why KML played so poorly against Stanford but whatever the reason there is no doubt that she was slow and appeared quite a bit heavier than she was at the start of the season last year. Stanford exploited that. Don't take my word for it - remove the NFB glasses and watch the game.

As for DiMauro - I'm probably his only fan here. The reason - he's not afraid to say what he thinks. Sometimes I agree with him and sometimes I don't.

My favorite quote - "Auriemma acts as such because that's what he believes. What he was taught. And because of what he hates the most about women's sports: how everything has to be, in his words, "lovey dovey all the time." Sounds like Auriemma would be vilified were he to post on the BY.

For an athlete conditioning becomes relevant when it affects their performance. If that was the case in the Stanford game then KML owes it to her team to get in the best shape possible.

Does she appear heavier than she was at end of last season? We all know she wasn't in the best condition and was heavier than earlier in the year because of missing 12 games due to illness and injury. Yet the out of condition and overweight KML was the MOP of the Bridgeport regional. She was also a force against Stanford and ND in the final four. So if you look at history maybe the problem is she needs to gain weight.

 

[Rb335]

Everyone loved her after the UC Davis game. Now she is useless after the Stanford game. Ever consider maybe she was coming down with the flu and didn't feel 'right'? I guess time will tell.

I was actually quite unhappy by her performance against UC Davis. She was given wide open set shots. Yes she went 10-13 from 3 and knocked in 30 points. But I said game one she looked really reliant and in love with the outside shot. Her game hasn't expanded since she was a sophomore, and I would argue that it has almost regressed since then. Watch film of her against Baylor as a sophomore and compare it to how she played last season and so far in two games this season. Different player. Its one thing to knock down wide open shots against an easier opponent. Stanford is what shed light on her current situation. I think its apparent that she has lost a step, whether that has to do with weight or not. All of us experience shifting body weight or we lose the ability to do such things as we get older. It's time for her to adjust, consider her flaws, and move forward. She is an extreme talent and I can't imagine her having too many more games like Stanford this season.

 

[Deadrody]

The whole KML controversy, because of one game where she wasn't at the top of her game,
reminds me of the reaction to the Patriots when they lost to Kansas City in week 4 and were vilified by the press and certain fans. Since then they have won every game and have gone from also rans to the best in the NFL. KML will , without question, be there when the NC is on the line.

Jimmy G should be starting, nuff said

 

[Deadrody]

Ok, people, here's a couple tips:

1) KML is not a guard, she's a forward. Who replaced her in the lineup ? Tuck. Is she a guard ? No.

2) I watched the Stanford game, and of all the problems noted, KML getting beat off the dribble by guards was not one that I noted

3) Beyond the fact that KML is not a guard, when none of the actual guards on the team seemed capable of slowing down Stanford's guards, why would you think a forward would be ?

Please stop the amateur analysis of her body / conditioning / body type / etc. Its ridiculous.

 

[phil sampieri]

I was actually quite unhappy by her performance against UC Davis. She was given wide open set shots. Yes she went 10-13 from 3 and knocked in 30 points. But I said game one she looked really reliant and in love with the outside shot. Her game hasn't expanded since she was a sophomore, and I would argue that it has almost regressed since then. Watch film of her against Baylor as a sophomore and compare it to how she played last season and so far in two games this season. Different player. Its one thing to knock down wide open shots against an easier opponent. Stanford is what shed light on her current situation. I think its apparent that she has lost a step, whether that has to do with weight or not. All of us experience shifting body weight or we lose the ability to do such things as we get older. It's time for her to adjust, consider her flaws, and move forward. She is an extreme talent and I can't imagine her having too many more games like Stanford this season.

 

[phil sampieri]

She fell in love with the 3 point shot ? 10 for 13 ? she should have drove to the basket instead.Her game hasn't expanded ? she's regresswed ? MVP last year playoffs, great in semis and finals, and she regressed ? I really hope you are trying tostir the pot by continuing this rediculous assault on the best 3 point shooter in America. Do you realize , because of the threat of her shooting the 3 she helps open the lanes for cutters. By the way she shoots better mthan 40 % now and once shot 50% for a whole season. Try thinking before you post.

 

[rvwsleep]

I've read your post twice and I'm still not sure what you think about KML's game.
The negative:
"Her game hasn't expanded since she was a sophomore"
"I would argue that it has almost regressed since then."
"I think its apparent that she has lost a step"
The positive: "She is an extreme talent and I can't imagine her having too many more games like Stanford this season.
I'm having trouble reconciling her "regression" and "lost step" with "extreme talent" and "not imagining her having too many more games like Stanford this season." If in fact she has lost a step and her game is regressing than wouldn't you expect more subpar games like the one against Stanford ?

 

[Zorro]

1) Did y'all happen to see the NC tourney last year, when Super-K had still not completely recovered from the de-training effects of her bout with mono? If so, did you happen to notice, not just her scoring, but her inside game, rebounding and setting picks? And the minutes she played? If you did, how would you have the cojones to question her dedication to the program, to her team-mates and to winning?
2) She spent the summer training, under staff supervision. She probably could have found much more short-run enjoyable ways to spend the summer, but she didn't; she spent it working on her conditioning. For anyone to have the presumption to say that she did not work hard enough is outrageous.
3) She is not, strictly speaking, a guard. MoJet, Saniya and Kia are guards. Kaleena is not as quick as they are. So what? Very few wings are. She plays canny defense within the GA system AND any defensive deficiencies that she MAY have, as a wing, are much more than made up for by her more-than-excellent offense.
4) 1-3 are facts. This is an opinion. That opinion is that those folks who ....actually, never mind. I will follow the excellent example of LadyR and self-censor.

 

[Phillyconn]

Stanford exposed KML's physical inability to play effective man-to-man D when facing guards who have a good handle, and can drive hard and finish at the basket. The Stanford guards blew by her time, after time, after time. No one can deny that.

The Stanford guards also blew by Jefferson, Chung and Nurse. So why the hue and cry about KML? Because Jefferson, Chung and Nurse are physically capable of correcting their D against those type of guards. KML, in the shape that she's right now, isn't physically capable. Period.

To everyone who said that it was a one-game aberration, because "look how great KML was against UC-Davis"..Really?

Yes, against teams who don't have guards like Stanford, KML won't be a liability defensively on the court. She won't be an issue against 80% of the teams on the schedule. Otherwise, to keep KML on the court against Stanford type teams, UConn will either have to play zone or sit her.

Offensively, it's up to the coaching staff and KML to figure out a way for her to be effective against a D like Stanford threw at her. They'll figure that out, I don't see that being a problem.

But for anyone to say that her body/weight issues don't cause a problem for UConn defensively, when facing a Stanford type team, is just being in denial. Geno wants starters who can guard and play defensively. KML has never looked bigger, or slower, and that's going to be an issue going forward for her and UConn.

It was one game. Other players beside KML looked bad on defense. Let's give the girl a chance before you go crucifying her. I believe that after a few games this issue will be laid to rest.

 

[Phillyconn]

1) Did y'all happen to see the NC tourney last year, when Super-K had still not completely recovered from the de-training effects of her bout with mono? If so, did you happen to notice, not just her scoring, but her inside game, rebounding and setting picks? And the minutes she played? If you did, how would you have the cojones to question her dedication to the program, to her team-mates and to winning?
2) She spent the summer training, under staff supervision. She probably could have found much more short-run enjoyable ways to spend the summer, but she didn't; she spent it working on her conditioning. For anyone to have the presumption to say that she did not work hard enough is outrageous.
3) She is not, strictly speaking, a guard. MoJet, Saniya and Kia are guards. Kaleena is not as quick as they are. So what? Very few wings are. She plays canny defense within the GA system AND any defensive deficiencies that she MAY have, as a wing, are much more than made up for by her more-than-excellent offense.
4) 1-3 are facts. This is an opinion. That opinion is that those folks who ....actually, never mind. I will follow the excellent example of LadyR and self-censor.

Beautiful....Amen

Ok, people, here's a couple tips:

1) KML is not a guard, she's a forward. Who replaced her in the lineup ? Tuck. Is she a guard ? No.

2) I watched the Stanford game, and of all the problems noted, KML getting beat off the dribble by guards was not one that I noted

3) Beyond the fact that KML is not a guard, when none of the actual guards on the team seemed capable of slowing down Stanford's guards, why would you think a forward would be ?

Please stop the amateur analysis of her body / conditioning / body type / etc. Its ridiculous.

Damn right!

 

[Zorro]

Stanford exposed KML's physical inability to play effective man-to-man D when facing guards who have a good handle, and can drive hard and finish at the basket. The Stanford guards blew by her time, after time, after time. No one can deny that. As you point out below, the "blow-by" was a team phenomenon.

The Stanford guards also blew by Jefferson, Chung and Nurse. So why the hue and cry about KML? Because Jefferson, Chung and Nurse are physically capable of correcting their D against those type of guards. KML, in the shape that she's right now, isn't physically capable. Period. Pardon me, but just how do you happen do know what kind of shape she is in?

To everyone who said that it was a one-game aberration, because "look how great KML was against UC-Davis"..Really? Yeah, really. She was.

Yes, against teams who don't have guards like Stanford, KML won't be a liability defensively on the court. She won't be an issue against 80% of the teams on the schedule. Otherwise, to keep KML on the court against Stanford type teams, UConn will either have to play zone or sit her. Pardon me again. You may not be abysmally ignorant, but this statement is.

Offensively, it's up to the coaching staff and KML to figure out a way for her to be effective against a D like Stanford threw at her. They'll figure that out, I don't see that being a problem. Thank heaven for that!

But for anyone to say that her body/weight issues don't cause a problem for UConn defensively, when facing a Stanford type team, is just being in denial. Geno wants starters who can guard and play defensively. KML has never looked bigger, or slower, and that's going to be an issue going forward for her and UConn. See my post below. Kaleena is a much better player than you are a critic. She is the second-best player in wcbb and we, as most of us realize, are damned lucky to have her. Her only sitting will be for short times to get her breath or in blow-outs.

 

[wallman]

The funny part of this conversation which seems to have been ignored is that KML demanded the respect of Stanford and that Samuelson did a great job. You only get that kind of respect if you deserve it. Every Uconn player was beat off the dribble, it was the team defense and rotations that were lacking.