Lou's play in the WNBA

[pvdoggy]

I am a big fan of Lou at Uconn and I don't watch WNBA game so I don't see much of her play with Dallas. While channel surfing I saw Dallas playing Indiana on ABC so I decided to watch a bit. Unless Lou decides to be more selfish, I don't think she will be successful in the WNBA, at least not on that Dallas team. From what I see, most players on both teams have the score first mentality, not getting the best shot for the team. Lou needs to be deprogrammed from the Uconn style and be more assertive if she wants to stay on the floor and be more successful in Dallas. She also needs to stop hanging around the 3pt line because nobody is going to pass the ball out there for her to shoot. To me, she looks totally lost out there.

Watching this game, I don't get why people think that the WNBA is a better product to watch than the NBA. If anything it is a worse version of the NBA, pretty much a lot of 1-1, at least this game.

 

[eebmg]

I have to agree about Lou.

I know many (me??) are trying to explain it by saying Arike, Mabrey etc are selfish chuckers but that is not the main issue. Lou is not aggressively trying to get the ball or do anything to get it. At best, she is a decoy and I do not think that is because Agler wants her to be that. She is not moving towards the ball or making herself an attractive option. I guess they can try to run specific plays but then she has to be a drop dead 40+% shooter. The UConn style is not the issue. Crystal and Pheesa are prime examples of taking good shots while being aggressive and confident.

 

[Charliebball]

I am a big fan of Lou at Uconn and I don't watch WNBA game so I don't see much of her play with Dallas. While channel surfing I saw Dallas playing Indiana on ABC so I decided to watch a bit. Unless Lou decides to be more selfish, I don't think she will be successful in the WNBA, at least not on that Dallas team. From what I see, most players on both teams have the score first mentality, not getting the best shot for the team. Lou needs to be deprogrammed from the Uconn style and be more assertive if she wants to stay on the floor and be more successful in Dallas. She also needs to stop hanging around the 3pt line because nobody is going to pass the ball out there for her to shoot. To me, she looks totally lost out there.

yes I was watching that game and KLS barely touched the ball..........nobody gave a thought to passing it her way.............at least those two teams have clearly picked up the worst habits of the NBA

 

[pvdoggy]

Every person that sees the floor from both teams is more aggressive than Lou. If I was Agler, I would not play Lou anymore unless she changes her way. Heck, your center took 4 more 3-pt shots than you and you are supposed to be a 3-pt specialist and it's not like Lou is contributing much on the defensive side either.

 

[topogigio]

Gotta' agree with all above comments. Watched the game today, and saw same observations. Overall, I believe there is a better quality of basketball played in college among the top 5 or 6 teams. The pro game may have better individual players, but the team play is very sloppy, and many players have the"all me" approach. The overall pro level coaching is also lacking.

 

[eebmg]

Well, I am still a fan of the WNBA and can appreciate some of the dynamic 1-1 play as well as good ream action. On the other hand, other than UConn, OU (during Sabrina's years at least), and ND, I do not really enjoy the college game with offenses generally behind the defense and clanging shots all over the place at the college level.

I can understand the sentiment that the recent WNBA games are being played poorly but I think you need to take into account the extraordinary difficulties of the Wubble which are growing as time passes. I actually think earlier in the season, the games were better played.

 

[psconn]

In the WNBA you have the best players in the world in one small 144 player league. The best teams play great team O and D but as with the NBA, the true stars of the game on those teams generally rise above the fray and shine. The Sun came minutes away from a championship last season playing balanced, team ball on both ends. The team that beat them in those last minutes played a good team game too, but had more "Star-power" to contend with in the end. The Sun needed a "closer" and just couldn't find one.

 

[Blueballer]

She would be better off on a different team. With Arike and Mabrey there won't be any shots for anyone else. They sure don't have a problem being selfish. KLS doesn't have that personality unfortunately, as far as her basketball career goes.

 

[Carnac]

yes I was watching that game and KLS barely touched the ball..........nobody gave a thought to passing it her way.............at least those two teams have clearly picked up the worst habits of the NBA

Lou's numbers off the bench today: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 ast, 1 stl in 17 minutes of play. She took one 3pt attempt. She had more minutes than anyone else coming off the bench. It does not appear they are looking for her at the arc. If she wants to stay in the league, she's going to have to "reinvent" herself. There will be incoming rookies next year wanting to take her roster spot. Right now, she's not as valuable to the team as a starter is. Plus, she'll be a 3rd year player.

A "hotshot" rookie that can shoot as well as she does could fill her roster spot for less money. The Wings will no doubt draft (trade or pick up a free agent) 1-2 players next year that have a better than average chance of making the roster. If so, they have to make room for them, who goes? Who stays? GM's sometimes look at the bottom line when filling out a roster. Too many games like she had today would make the decision easy for them. I would be very disappointed if that happened.

 

[eebmg]

She would be better off on a different team. With Arike and Mabrey there won't be any shots for anyone else. They sure don't have a problem being selfish. KLS doesn't have that personality unfortunately, as far as her basketball career goes.

Only so many teams in the league. Mabrey (was buried deep on the bench (of multiple teams) but she finally seemed to decide WTF, I will shoot till my arm comes off and she has half the talent of Lou. You have to take the opportunities given. Plain and simple.

 

[BobbyJ]

Lou's numbers off the bench today: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 ast, 1 stl in 17 minutes of play. She took one 3pt attempt. She had more minutes than anyone else coming off the bench. It does not appear they are looking for her at the arc. If she wants to stay in the league, she's going to have to "reinvent" herself. There will be incoming rookies next year wanting to take her roster spot. Right now, she's not as valuable to the team as a starter is. Plus, she'll be a 3rd year player.

A "hotshot" rookie that can shoot as well as she does could fill her roster spot for less money. The Wings will no doubt draft (trade or pick up a free agent) 1-2 players next year that have a better than average chance of making the roster. If so, they have to make room for them, who goes? Who stays? GM's sometimes look at the bottom line when filling out a roster. Too many games like she had today would make the decision easy for them. I would be very disappointed if that happened.

This is a pretty good analysis of the situation. And I think she’s in trouble. What I see is that KLS has a few plusses, she’s a good shooter, decent passer, and understands the game well and knows what to do. Unfortunately she wasn’t blessed with quick twitch athleticism or quick feet. Because of this I believe this league is too fast and physical for her. So I think it’ll be an uphill battle to remain in the WNBA. But I hope her assets can help her earn a nice living in the European league and have a good career.

 

[Dawson]

Last time there was a thread like this (literally less than 2 weeks ago) she had a great next game. Hope for that same mojo here.

 

[EricLA]

Only so many teams in the league. Mabrey (was buried deep on the bench (of multiple teams) but she finally seemed to decide , I will shoot till my arm comes off and she has half the talent of Lou. You have to take the opportunities given. Plain and simple.

Don't disagree, but Mabrey is a much better ball handler. That's why she's the PG. And as such, with the ball in her hands, she can either launch a 3, or drive to the basket. She's no more athletic than Lou, but has gotten herself into terrific shape, and is looking like a really good scorer.

I don't know what Lou needs to do to get more scoring opportunities, but I sure hope her career heads more in the Pheesa direction as opposed to the KML direction. Same goes for Megan.

 

[southofnorth]

Both her and KML have similar defensive deficiencies, but KML has managed a roster spot despite being a streaky shooter thus far in the W. I’m hoping both reinvent themselves at some point to either be playmakers/scorers (which they’ve both proven they can be at the college level) or get better on the defensive end so they can at least fall back on that when they’re surrounded by more score-minded players. I was impressed because I saw some stat lines for Lou that said she was getting a few blocks here and there, but as it is right now I’m not entirely sure what her role is. Maybe they’re trying to get her to be a stretch 4 player? Who knows.

 

[willtalk]

Both her and KML have similar defensive deficiencies, but KML has managed a roster spot despite being a streaky shooter thus far in the W. I’m hoping both reinvent themselves at some point to either be playmakers/scorers (which they’ve both proven they can be at the college level) or get better on the defensive end so they can at least fall back on that when they’re surrounded by more score-minded players. I was impressed because I saw some stat lines for Lou that said she was getting a few blocks here and there, but as it is right now I’m not entirely sure what her role is. Maybe they’re trying to get her to be a stretch 4 player? Who knows.

KLS is a better defender than KML. She also has a much better skill set. I frankly can not understand how KML has stayed in the league so long. Probably because the teams she is on do utilize or at least want to use a spot up catch and shoot scorer so they have closed their eyes to her very real liabilities. While KLS is not an elite defender or a good defender, she is in not reality as poor of a defender as KML. Almost every other player on the opposition can drive around her at will. KLS would be much more effective and be succcessful if she were on a team that actually got her the ball when she was open.

KLS does have the height and enough ball handling skills that she can reinvent herself. KML however has been in the league for quite along time and has already done any reinventing she was capable of. She is getting worse defensivily every year and I believe it has reached a point where there is such a disconnect between her assets and liabilities that no team will any sense will take her next season.

 

[eebmg]

Last time there was a thread like this (literally less than 2 weeks ago) she had a great next game. Hope for that same mojo here.

So, the BY has a full time job.

 

[eebmg]

Don't disagree, but Mabrey is a much better ball handler. That's why she's the PG. And as such, with the ball in her hands, she can either launch a 3, or drive to the basket. She's no more athletic than Lou, but has gotten herself into terrific shape, and is looking like a really good scorer.

I don't know what Lou needs to do to get more scoring opportunities, but I sure hope her career heads more in the Pheesa direction as opposed to the KML direction. Same goes for Megan.

I suppose Mabrey is a better dribbler but I think it is more because she is so unorthodox and likes to physically move defenders with her body but she still dribbles into trouble alot The biggest difference as I see it is she has infinite confidence in herself and a real big chip on her soldier that works in her favor.
If (when ) she misses a 3 by air balling it, she shoots another 10 seconds later.

 

[Dokey]

I frequently see her wide open and no one looks her way. But it is true that she is not aggressive. She’s a shooter who takes few shots. She waits for the absolute open shot. I think her treatment in the WNBA destroyed her confidence to the point where she’s afraid to shoot. Her defensive game is much improved. I still believe she can be a significant player in the league.

 

[Argonaut]

I frequently see her wide open and no one looks her way. But it is true that she is not aggressive. She’s a shooter who takes few shots. She waits for the absolute open shot. I think her treatment in the WNBA destroyed her confidence to the point where she’s afraid to shoot. Her defensive game is much improved. I still believe she can be a significant player in the league.

This. 100%. If she can have a healthy and productive season with Karlie in Spain, I think it’ll do wonders for her confidence.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

I love KLS, but she was never going to be a big-time player in WNBA. She isn't athletic or strong enough. She also isn't very aggressive.

That said, she can have a long career as a sixth or seventh person.

 

[Dokey]

Lou was a perfect fit for a Geno coached team that relied on ball movement and rewarded unselfish play. Ball movement allowed her to sink 10 of 10 threes. She apparently still believes that such movement is possible in the pros among players always looking for their shot, whether it is there or not.

 

[bballnut90]

Only so many teams in the league. Mabrey (was buried deep on the bench (of multiple teams) but she finally seemed to decide , I will shoot till my arm comes off and she has half the talent of Lou. You have to take the opportunities given. Plain and simple.

I think with Mabrey it simply came down to getting an opportunity. Her chemistry with Arike likely was a catalyst for that. Shes obviously thrived alongside Arike and in a less structured, more one on one oriented offense. She reminds me of Toliver in that she launches some questionable threes, is good at getting her own shot and isn't a traditional PG.

KLS could still be an excellent pro but appears to do much better in a passing based offense that creates a lot of catch and shoot opportunities for her. Ironically Chicago wouldve been a stellar fit for her this year with Deshields injured and playing alongside Sloot. Dallas is a very one on one playground style offense, largely due to personnel but also because they have no post presence.

 

[boontonbomber]

KLS is a better defender than KML. She also has a much better skill set. I frankly can not understand how KML has stayed in the league so long. Probably because the teams she is on do utilize or at least want to use a spot up catch and shoot scorer so they have closed their eyes to her very real liabilities. While KLS is not an elite defender or a good defender, she is in not reality as poor of a defender as KML. Almost every other player on the opposition can drive around her at will. KLS would be much more effective and be succcessful if she were on a team that actually got her the ball when she was open.

KLS does have the height and enough ball handling skills that she can reinvent herself. KML however has been in the league for quite along time and has already done any reinventing she was capable of. She is getting worse defensivily every year and I believe it has reached a point where there is such a disconnect between her assets and liabilities that no team will any sense will take her next season.

we see her defense quite differently. I think she has gotten much better the last 2 years. especially compared to most of the WNBA players.

 

[boontonbomber]

KLS really needs to stop being so nice. she needs to get inside more with her size, and demand the ball. but that's never been her style.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

I just wonder whether her injury has recurred, whether it is causing her either pain and/or making it difficult to maneuver. A tremendous talent like KLS just doesn't all of a sudden become timid; doesn't all of a sudden shoot under 30% for a season from three; doesn't all of a sudden, after playing tremendous defense her entire collegiate career, forget how to defend.

Just wonder whether it's a nagging injury. This sort of all-around collapse in performance for someone so successful, so gifted, just doesn't happen without a reason. Just can't be between the ears, IMHO.