Lesson Learned: Practice Harder | Page 3 | The Boneyard

Lesson Learned: Practice Harder

j66kicker said:
Crystal also said that none of the current freshmen "gets it" yet.
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I compare it to the OLD Marine Boot Camp---with a tough old time DI--not in this world ever prepares a human for that--Geno would have been a great DI, language and all.
 
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I'm glad AfroQueen has contributed as she has. I like what she has to say, because IMO there have been too many needless, totally non-constructive, fairly insensitive posts in the year or so that I've participated here. Think about the posts suggesting that Kyla & Molly may as well just transfer out because they'd never play due to the "super class" coming in. Or the fairly consistent bashing of Butler (by a few) over her couple of years. I guess it makes some feel bigger to belittle others. Try walking a mile in their shoes before you criticize so harshly behind the anonymity of your forum ID.

As far as Dangerfield goes, I don't think she created the hype, the national ratings, the press clippings, etc. But she carried those expectations into her freshman year. And she was probably guilty of believing some of that hype, and maybe thinking she had it all figured out before she got here. And then reality hit, and hopefully she's got it figured out. Hell, who can live up to those kind of expectations as a freshman? Few, if any.

These are KIDS. Talented, diverse, motivated, and eager to succeed. Some sophisticated, many not. But still kids when they walk through the doors. Their support networks are generally far, far away. And they land, on their own for the first time, in the godforsaken wilderness of Storrs (I can say that because I grew up in CT, not all that far away) and the pressure-cooker of UConn BB. I think they deserve a little better from us. I suspect there isn't one poster in a thousand who could go one-on-one, on their BEST day ever, with any of these ladies we're so quick to judge. Would you take the same tone writing about your daughter or sister? Somehow I doubt it. Civility goes a long way.

I am now off the soap box. Feel free to swing away.
 
augustaTC said:
I'm glad AfroQueen has contributed as she has. I like what she has to say, because IMO there have been too many needless, totally non-constructive, fairly insensitive posts in the year or so that I've participated here. Think about the posts suggesting that Kyla & Molly may as well just transfer out because they'd never play due to the "super class" coming in. Or the fairly consistent bashing of Butler (by a few) over her couple of years. I guess it makes some feel bigger to belittle others. Try walking a mile in their shoes before you criticize so harshly behind the anonymity of your forum ID.

As far as Dangerfield goes, I don't think she created the hype, the national ratings, the press clippings, etc. But she carried those expectations into her freshman year. And she was probably guilty of believing some of that hype, and maybe thinking she had it all figured out before she got here. And then reality hit, and hopefully she's got it figured out. Hell, who can live up to those kind of expectations as a freshman? Few, if any.

These are KIDS. Talented, diverse, motivated, and eager to succeed. Some sophisticated, many not. But still kids when they walk through the doors. Their support networks are generally far, far away. And they land, on their own for the first time, in the godforsaken wilderness of Storrs (I can say that because I grew up in CT, not all that far away) and the pressure-cooker of UConn BB. I think they deserve a little better from us. I suspect there isn't one poster in a thousand who could go one-on-one, on their BEST day ever, with any of these ladies we're so quick to judge. Would you take the same tone writing about your daughter or sister? Somehow I doubt it. Civility goes a long way.

I am now off the soap box. Feel free to swing away.
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That's real nice.

But, although these kids are "kids", they aren't "regular kids." They are thoroughbreds. (You may have read here, or elsewhere, that UConn "isn't taking regular kids.")

This is the "big time" - their choice. Public criticism comes with the territory. They can take it. Especially from a bunch of old message board gasbags. Don't worry about them - I think they'll be OK.
 
Going from high school to Connecticut basketball,is kind of like a person going from being a full timer going into management.No matter how good of a full timer you are,no matter what is explained to you what management is like,it is rare for anyone to step into the new arena and excel from the get go.Only time and persistance gets you to where expectations you and others have set.Some never achieve their full potential,some do,but most will grow and blossom under the system they are in,given the time and instruction they need.I continue to believe that we as fans must harness patience with freshmen and sophomores in the program,and let them blossom at their own pace,not at my pace.It usually works out pretty good in the end.
 
I just love this. Anyways, allow me to state/restate my two cents worth on Crystal Dangerfield.

This very talented young lady has the potential to equal or exceed one of "MY" Favourite players to ever wear the uniform, that being Moriah Jefferson, in every category except two, Defense and NC's won. There is a certain competitive attitude and effort that comes with every great defender that I am yet to see displayed by Crystal. Mo impacted so many games without ever having to score a single point. Crystal is a better passer and see's the floor better offensively, but from "my observation" she is often a little too relaxed and reactive on defense instead of reading the play and being proactive.

It is tough as a freshman coming into UConnWBB, there is so much to learn and adjust to. With that initial learning curve now behind her, I can't wait to see how that translate to her overall confidence playing this coming season. I'm trusting the coaches and players with their assessment on what they have seen so far and I'm hoping that her improvements continue as with so many sophomores before her. I am very pleased to hear she feels ready.
 
DavidinNaples said:
Player after player has said it takes a while to get things used to Geno's idea of practicing/playing hard... Here is what Crystal said...

"Just understanding what [Auriemma's] definition of playing hard really is," she said. "Freshman year was tough and I don't want that to happen again, so just being able to make the little changes that turn into big changes out on the court and off the court. I hope it will help me in my sophomore year."

Crystal will be just fine and that smile will be on full display..!!
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Thank you for the quote. The rest of us could use 'working(/reading) harder' to avoid the much about nothing thing. I often say the same thing even though I had been at something for little under 24 hrs. It's a lot more than effort, it is about fine-turning.
As to whether CD will be a starter (perhaps an irrelevancy in team basketball), it depends on her defense. I have not seen a ton of improvement there and, Nurse + Gabby can break the press and get the team going.
 
j66kicker said:
That's real nice.

But, although these kids are "kids", they aren't "regular kids." They are thoroughbreds. (You may have read here, or elsewhere, that UConn "isn't taking regular kids.")

This is the "big time" - their choice. Public criticism comes with the territory. They can take it. Especially from a bunch of old message board gasbags. Don't worry about them - I think they'll be OK.
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The point is not whether to criticize, or not, it's how it's done.
 
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augustaTC said:
The point is not whether to criticize, or not, it's how it's done.
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Exactly.

I remember sitting idly reading post after post on how Gabby didn't have this skill or Gabby would never play etc. I should have posted back then as I always knew she would be Gabulous.

My 2 cents. There are posters who are "true fans" and there are posters who are "fake fans".

Most know who the true fans are. They support the WHOLE team through thick and thin, giving their opinions through ups and downs but don't just do it for some players and not others.

The fake fans are those who post negatively about some players but never the player they belong to, who they always praise. Every player has their down moments but it is pretty obvious from posting history when a poster always praises the same player and never trashes them while doing so to the other players.

How obvious, well I will give an example when a player has a bad game a poster blames the rest of the team for it

We all have our favorites too but true fans also root for the whole team.

Go ALL Huskies, you ALL are amazing.
 
hugefan said:
My 2 cents. There are posters who are "true fans" and there are posters who are "fake fans".
Most know who the true fans are. They support the WHOLE team through thick and thin, giving their opinions through ups and downs but don't just do it for some players and not others.
The fake fans are those who post negatively about some players but never the player they belong to, who they always praise. Every player has their down moments but it is pretty obvious from posting history when a poster always praises the same player and never trashes them while doing so to the other players.
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I also think there are some poster that are overly sensitive to criticism of their "favorite" player(s) and would submit this entire thread as a prime example. How did Crystal criticizing herself turned into a discussion of "fake fans"?
 
Just like a lot of threads they have their own life. BTW I didn't refer to what you are talking about I was speaking generally and in response to Augusta.
 
hugefan said:
Just like a lot of threads they have their own life. BTW I didn't refer to what you are talking about I was speaking generally and in response to Augusta.
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Yet you were specific enough to mention Gabby & "post after post on how Gabby didn't have this skill or Gabby would never play". "Generally", I'd say that never happened.
 
CocoHusky said:
Yet you were specific enough to mention Gabby & "post after post on how Gabby didn't have this skill or Gabby would never play". "Generally", I'd say that never happened.
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Post after post may have been the wrong wording but as a huge Gabbyfan it certainly felt like it.
 
hugefan said:
Post after post may have been the wrong wording but as a huge Gabbyfan it certainly felt like it.
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I'm sure it did. So try and take your own advice and "support the WHOLE team" instead of just Gabby and I bet it would not feel nearly as bad.
 
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I used Gabby as an example.

But Saniya was another player I could have used along with others. As she was also someone who got a lot of negativity.
 
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AfroQueen said:
Let me make this clear. I am offended whenever I see unnecessary discord. I believe in building up and not tearing down. I will never lose sight of the fact that these girls give a lot because they want to gain a lot. We must agree to disagree on this one.
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Don't go to any of UCONN's practices.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
Now is the summer of our discontent made manifest....Phee is the sun and Gabby the moon, KLS is Mercury and Kia the North Star
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I think Geno has to be the sun; everything revolves around him.
 
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