Lisa Leslie on UConn and KML Draft Status

[Wbbfan1]

May not like some of what she says. http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/4/7...mpionship-preview-lisa-leslie-capital-one-cup

 

[CCinCT]

May not like some of what she says. http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/4/7...mpionship-preview-lisa-leslie-capital-one-cup

Didn't find much to disagree with.

 

[Blueballer]

Who cares what she says. Look up Prima Donna in the dictionary and it's her picture.

 

[EricLA]

Didn't find much to disagree with.

Me either. Succinct, and correct with regards to what KML might need to do at the next level.

 

[Nuyoika]

May not like some of what she says. http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/4/7...mpionship-preview-lisa-leslie-capital-one-cup

Really Lisa Leslie... now KML is the first ever player with size in the WNBA... Sit down somewhere. Apparently, she has never heard of Danielle Adams. Now, do they play the same position no.. but KML's size hasn't kept her from hitting the trail 3. EVERYONE knows KML shoots the 3 yet she still manages to knock down a few a game sometimes even 5, 6, 7 a game. I'm pretty sure WNBA players know how to set a damn screen. She can also, pass, get rebounds, I think she can read and write too. I cannot stand that crap. It's like they ask you a question about a skilled player and the most informed conversation you can have is about her weight? Someone please rip her a new one on twitter for me PLEASE. Oh and when was Lisa Leslie ever super fast? Her remarks just sat her on the bench next to Mr. Burn's daughter (Brenda Frese) and Alicia Silverstone's Clueless (Carolyn Peck).

 

[Nuyoika]

Now that this post has got me all worked up I'd like to add... I dare Lisa Leslie to walk up to Danielle Adams and tell her to lose weight... on camera. Then air that on ESPN.

 

[CL82]

"I think the biggest thing's going to be for her just being in tip-top shape and ... losing the weight," she said.

Would this statement would generate a lot of criticism if made by a guy? I agree with it btw.

 

[BlueDevils]

Really Lisa Leslie... now KML is the first ever player with size in the WNBA... Sit down somewhere. Apparently, she has never heard of Danielle Adams. Now, do they play the same position no.. but KML's size hasn't kept her from hitting the trail 3. EVERYONE knows KML shoots the 3 yet she still manages to knock down a few a game sometimes even 5, 6, 7 a game. I'm pretty sure WNBA players know how to set a damn screen. She can also, pass, get rebounds, I think she can read and write too. I cannot stand that crap. It's like they ask you a question about a skilled player and the most informed conversation you can have is about her weight? Someone please rip her a new one on twitter for me PLEASE. Oh and when was Lisa Leslie ever super fast? Her remarks just sat her on the bench next to Mr. Burn's daughter (Brenda Frese) and Alicia Silverstone's Clueless (Carolyn Peck).

I like your frustration but she is telling it like it is. The adjustment may be tougher for KML because she isn't surrounded by the best players every night. KML is arguably Uconn 2nd best player, but just because a player is doing relatively well in certain areas at their college doesn't mean it will 100% translate to the WNBA. If I draft KML I'm working on her conditioning and lateral defense. Geno does a great job hiding KML defensive weaknesses but in the WNBA it's a lot harder because essentially every wing player in the WNBA has a reliable dribble move... Your comparison of D. Adams is very interesting and you're spot on with the biggest factor that differs the two... POSITION. KML will have to work 10x harder than Adams in conditioning herself because she will be relied to guard wing players while Adams is relied heavily on defending back to the basket players. I really hope Tulsa drafts KML. She can play alongside two dynamic guards who plays tenacious defense, and center Liz Cambage if she returns. Two shot blockers in Glory Johnson and Cambage that can help KML if she were to get beat off the dribble. Lisa Leslie was not wrong. Everyone doesn't hate Uconn... only 99.9%

 

[Striper69]

I hope KML goes to the Storm. Sue Bird will mentor her and she'll do alright.

 

[Nuyoika]

I like your frustration but she is telling it like it is. The adjustment may be tougher for KML because she isn't surrounded by the best players every night. KML is arguably Uconn 2nd best player, but just because a player is doing relatively well in certain areas at their college doesn't mean it will 100% translate to the WNBA. If I draft KML I'm working on her conditioning and lateral defense. Geno does a great job hiding KML defensive weaknesses but in the WNBA it's a lot harder because essentially every wing player in the WNBA has a reliable dribble move... Your comparison of D. Adams is very interesting and you're spot on with the biggest factor that differs the two... POSITION. KML will have to work 10x harder than Adams in conditioning herself because she will be relied to guard wing players while Adams is relied heavily on defending back to the basket players. I really hope Tulsa drafts KML. She can play alongside two dynamic guards who plays tenacious defense, and center Liz Cambage if she returns. Two shot blockers in Glory Johnson and Cambage that can help KML if she were to get beat off the dribble. Lisa Leslie was not wrong. Everyone doesn't hate Uconn... only 99.9%

I guess I'm the only man in America who expects a more insightful response from someone HOF worthy. When I read an article like that I can completely see why some people don't like/watch WCBB. This supposed icon for the game gets her chance to talk up the sport itself just before the National Championship and one of it's best players and that's all she can muster. Way to sell it Lisa. You click thinking you will find out about some great player, their impact on the game over the past 4 years, how they will add to the landscape in the WNBA and basically all you get is she needs to lose weight... but I'd chose her. That's pathetic. I don't need anyone to agree with me on that but it is.

 

[BRS24]

I cannot imagine being a college student and a division 1 athlete. Combine that with all the demands that a high profile program such as UConn WBB puts upon the young women, and there goes a lot of time. I'd like to think that after KML gets drafted, she'll spend some of that now free time on herself, who knows, maybe a personal trainer, maybe a chef. Years back, Diana admitted that she probably wasn't in as good shape as she could be, improved her diet (thanks to Steve Nash), and became a much leaner machine. I bet in 3 years, we'll all look back on this and not believe all the angst about KML.

 

[CCinCT]

Me either. Succinct, and correct with regards to what KML might need to do at the next level.

I think "the next level" is the key to what Leslie said. DT might be able to give KML some input on that.

 

[Striper69]

I cannot imagine being a college student and a division 1 athlete. Combine that with all the demands that a high profile program such as UConn WBB puts upon the young women, and there goes a lot of time. I'd like to think that after KML gets drafted, she'll spend some of that now free time on herself, who knows, maybe a personal trainer, maybe a chef. Years back, Diana admitted that she probably wasn't in as good shape as she could be, improved her diet (thanks to Steve Nash), and became a much leaner machine. I bet in 3 years, we'll all look back on this and not believe all the angst about KML.

Maya Moore?

 

[Aluminny69]

I believe Maya Moore lost weight and is in much better shape than she was at UConn. Maya eats much healthier, and pays a lot of attention to her weight. Kaleena should spend some time with Maya.

 

[BlueDevils]

I guess I'm the only man in America who expects a more insightful response from someone HOF worthy. When I read an article like that I can completely see why some people don't like/watch WCBB. This supposed icon for the game gets her chance to talk up the sport itself just before the National Championship and one of it's best players and that's all she can muster. Way to sell it Lisa. You click thinking you will find out about some great player, their impact on the game over the past 4 years, how they will add to the landscape in the WNBA and basically all you get is she needs to lose weight... but I'd chose her. That's pathetic. I don't need anyone to agree with me on that but it is.

I understand exactly what you mean. With the timing of the question her response could of been better for the sake of the game.

 

[DobbsRover2]

WNBA is more strenouous and obviously some more conditioning and better diet will help, but it's not like KML can't do some heavy running now as she put in 38 minutes in the high tempo Dayton game. Not sure that all players have to fit a "one size (skinny muscular as opposed to solid muscular) fits all" look. Seriously doubt that KML's genetics would allow her to get down to the svelte look some fans might call for without messing up her super superior talents. May be the best shooter ever to play WCBB, supremely balanced, solid defensively, and able to run the plays so that indeed, she's the supreme trailer ready to bury a three. Requires 1 1/2 defenders sometimes on offense. One of the best FT shooters if she decides to take greater advantage of it. Will likely finish the year with more assists than one of the finalists for the Nancy Lieberman award. Has 11 more steals than Lauren Mincy, the acclaimed Terp guard who was asssigned to guard KML in the last game.

Even if some think there's too much lots-to-love about KML, the stats just show over and over that there will be lots to love for her in the WNBA, unless a team already is so stacked with incredible shooters that they don't need someone with the perfect touch. But certainly getting the lowdown from ex-Huskies about what it takes to thrive in the pros is a given.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I guess I'm the only man in America who expects a more insightful response from someone HOF worthy. When I read an article like that I can completely see why some people don't like/watch WCBB. This supposed icon for the game gets her chance to talk up the sport itself just before the National Championship and one of it's best players and that's all she can muster. Way to sell it Lisa. You click thinking you will find out about some great player, their impact on the game over the past 4 years, how they will add to the landscape in the WNBA and basically all you get is she needs to lose weight... but I'd chose her. That's pathetic. I don't need anyone to agree with me on that but it is.

Sorry to disappoint by agreeing with you! But I do believe that KML can help herself out and if she has been trying to date then she needs some testing. Some folks have food allergies that manifest themselves in very subtle ways. At a time in the distant future I look forward to seeing KML in the broadcasters role. She is super smart and her sense of humor and marvelous smile would make her a dynamic moderator/color person etc.

 

[j66kicker]

I cannot imagine being a college student and a division 1 athlete. Combine that with all the demands that a high profile program such as UConn WBB puts upon the young women, and there goes a lot of time. I'd like to think that after KML gets drafted, she'll spend some of that now free time on herself, who knows, maybe a personal trainer, maybe a chef. Years back, Diana admitted that she probably wasn't in as good shape as she could be, improved her diet (thanks to Steve Nash), and became a much leaner machine. I bet in 3 years, we'll all look back on this and not believe all the angst about KML.

And now supplements her diet with Russian vodka

 

[ndmb]

Seriously doubt that KML's genetics would allow her to get down to the svelte look some fans might call for without messing up her super superior talents.

This. It's not like KML isn't skinny because she's not getting exercise. I doubt anyone here has a good grasp on her dietary habits. It's possible that she could lose a significant amount of weight with some changes; it's also possible that this is more or less just what her body is like. I don't think it's unfair to point out that she has some defensive limitations, but losing weight might just not plausible for her. If that's the case, think of it like a player who is undersized. Yeah, Morgan Tuck might be the most dominant WCBB player ever if she were 6'5", but she's not, so I'm not losing any sleep over it.

 

[BRS24]

For now, Taurasi, 28, said she's taken a more serious approach to conditioning, after listening to the advice NBA stars like Phoenix's Steve Nash imparted to her. She began working with the personal trainer in Moscow last season and has continued with it back in Arizona.

Part of that was diet. She gave up fast food and nearly eliminated red meat. She finished the 2009 season at 154 pounds, almost 25 less than when she was at UConn.

LINK

In another article, she says this - That came from not eating junk food. No more In-N-Out. I really changed everything. I look at pictures of my first four years in the league, and I was fat. You can put it any way you want, but I was fat. I worked out the same, but I ate whatever I wanted. I was not disciplined. Now, I can't eat that stuff.

 

[GoUconn7961]

Let's revive the dead horse so we can beat it a little more.

This has been discussed throughout KML's tenure at UConn. I'm sure as she gets to the next level and matures more (these are kids remember) her attitudes about nutrition will change. Of course none of know what she eats now anyway. But the harsh reality is that some players are not tall and thin; they are all unique and bring unique skill sets to the table. I'd draft a shooter like KML in a heartbeat.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I have a hard time disagreeing.

With her diminished quickness, KML's game has become more one-dimensional than it was when she first got here (and more one-dimensional than one would expect out of the #1 player in high school). If she can be taken out of the game by a committed defender in college, what's going to happen in the WNBA?

That said, she has time to improve that aspect of her game, and her shooting prowess is something you can't just teach. It's worth the risk, but probably not at #1. #3 sounds about right.

 

[stamfordhusky]

Didn't find much to disagree with.

Seems pretty accurate to me as well.

 

[SWHuskyFan]

In the higher levels of basketball being a great shooter isn't really enough. You have to be able to get open to get your shot. Someone like Danielle Adams is not a good comp because post players don't need to get open, they need post moves and size can be a plus in the post. Lots of great shooters in college have failed in the pros as the athletes are that much better. KML has height and a fast release on her side. It's also important to remember that she'll have to defend a WNBA wing every night.

I think the issue here is the level of discourse. You can mention a limitation without calling someone fat. She's not as fast as some of the people she'll be playing against in the WNBA, that's already true in college. How she deals with that obviously remains to be seen.

 

[Nuyoika]

The funniest thing about this thread to me... if a Fighting Irish fan came on this board and said, "KML has diminished quickness and is one dimensional, and needs to lose weight like Lisa Leslie said." You guys would be all over them. (Atleast, I would hope so but looking at the responses here maybe not) Weird how that works. There's a way to say things and if you would defend it from a Hall of Famer... you should expect and defend it from an opposing teams fans. I'm pretty shocked at the BY right now. Might as well not even cheer for the girl tonight. One of the greatest UConn players ever and I am reading about what she should be eating? C'mon man. Maybe I'm an emotional guy because I was guy who played basketball and was recruited to play in college and I know how hard it must be. Or maybe it's because I have a daughter who looks up to these girls but I just don't think that when you get an opportunity to speak about someone's upside in the league you instead talk about their waistline. I just wouldn't want anyone summing my child's career up with a comment about their weight. Looks like I am in the minority on that though. On second thought, I really don't find this funny at all.