LSU Game Thread

[iri10]

I suspect Geno thinks it's worth having KLS take more shots than would otherwise be the norm, with the hope of restoring some reliability to it. You have to figure that if she does get it going (t0 40% or more), that will increase the potency of UConn's offense. The opposing team will have to guard her closely when she's out beyond the 3 - perhaps even with a forward - and that will open up additional things in the interior.

That's what KML brought even though she was otherwise not much of a shot creator (against potent defensive teams, anyway).

 

[CocoHusky]

Hopefully that rant by Geno at Ek just before halftime doesn't scare them away. I thought Geno was gonna go full loco on her complete with throbbing vein. During the Geno Show after the game, they showed Geno ripping into Mo pretty good at a recent practice, so I guess no one is immune.

Geno has been occasionally ripping into his best player since he was coaching HS basketball. We (Fans) get too caught up in that sometimes. The most important think is that the player understands that they have not met a UCONN standard. Courtney certainly understood, she made the correction and had her best half in a UCONN uniform immediately after. If that is what scares Molly and Kayla away from Geno, then they were not going to last very long at UCONN anyway.

 

[CocoHusky]

I suspect Geno thinks it's worth having KLS take more shots than would otherwise be the norm, with the hope of restoring some reliability to it. You have to figure that if she does get it going (t0 40% or more), that will increase the potency of UConn's offense. The opposing team will have to guard her closely when she's out beyond the 3 - perhaps even with a forward - and that will open up additional things in the interior.

That's what KML brought even though she was otherwise not much of a shot creator (against potent defensive teams, anyway).

KLS is never going to have less defensive attention than she has now while sharing the floor with Stewie & MoJet.
The UCONN offensive has never been dependent on any individual player being a "shot creator"-except maybe DT senior year. The offensive is dependent on ball movement, spacing, and read and react. There was never a need for KML to be a "shot creator" because the offense provided plenty of shots for her. Enough shots in fact for KML to lead the team in scoring as a Freshmen. The offense is providing enough open shots for KLS. KLS needs to knock down a higher percentage of her open shots because these open shots only become harder next year and will matter much more.

 

[iri10]

KLS is never going to have less defensive attention than she has now while sharing the floor with Stewie & MoJet.
The UCONN offensive has never been dependent on any individual player being a "shot creator"-except maybe DT senior year. The offensive is dependent on ball movement, spacing, and read and react. There was never a need for KML to be a "shot creator" because the offense provided plenty of shots for her. Enough shots in fact for KML to lead the team in scoring as a Freshmen. The offense is providing enough open shots for KLS. KLS needs to knock down a higher percentage of her open shots because these open shots only become harder next year and will matter much more.

I'm not sure we disagree; I think we're talking about two separate, yet complimentary things. KML drew a lot of defensive attention even without dynamically creating her own shot, because she was so darned good at shooting. Her mere presence on the court therefore added additional complexity to the defensive assignments of UConn's opponents. There was no "safe" range with her - no distance from the basket where you could sag off her and be in position to help defend against things happening closer to the basket.

Having a player who is so dangerous from range allows forces the defense to space itself more widely to defend against that player, plus the other 3pt shooters. The result is that KML made everyone else's offense more potent, even as their own play helped give her so many great opportunities to take her 3s (plus do some work inside when appropriate).

That is what I suspect Geno wouldn't mind seeing from KLS, even if she won't ever get quite to KML's crazy shooting percentages. Don't get me wrong - he also wants her to do everything else well. But that includes the 3, which is why KLS continues to shoot at high volume. If Geno didn't want that, he'd put a stop to it easily enough.

 

[hoophuskee]

Come on hoophuskee. Kerr was a role player, a spot-up shooter. KML was certainly far more than that, one of the best offensive players in the country her healthy sophomore and senior seasons. KML could take people off the dribble, occasionally post up, hit turn-arounds and floaters. Did Kerr ever do those things? She knew how to find, what were for her, high percentage shots in the right places.

C'mon Slu we are talking college ball. Kerr was an amazing shooter in college ball and averaged 14.4 his junior year. KML could NOT take people off the dribble her frosh year. You are going to use rare examples when she playing "Cincinatti" as a case in point? KML WAS a super-great shooter. Her jr year and sr year her offense began to evolve more. For Kerr to average 14.4 per game are you saying it was all on 3's? IMO what you are doing is loking at Kerr's pro career and not looking at KML's pro but looking at her college.

What post ups did KML do her frosh year? You're going to use a rare instance as a case in point?

If you gave Kerr in college all-star supreme players - in which for example you have someone like Stewart who may very well be a supreme great of all time, and you gave Kerr a superstar pg, a superstar center etc - you don't think in college he wouldn't have looked awesome? You realize he helped his team get to the final four his senior year, right? While KML had other things she was able to do by her senior year- let's not overdue what KML was as a frosh.

While you are on KLS for taking so many 3's per minute, sure she can be better ----as any frosh could. But KLS doesn't have KML's "luxury" of having many minutes with an opportunity to shoot from all over. The idea for KLS is to get the ball to BS and MT. , thus she will have limited chances to shoot. And who were the big scorers that KML should get the ball to when she was a frosh?

And here is further info on Kerr.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fwxwgd8hzw

With one minute into the youtube it- see the yotutube video. You spoke of “floaters’ etc that KML can do but Kerr couldn't. You can see what Kerr could do driving in the lane with a scoop type of shot. He got on the team in the World Championships. Highly doubt he was just a 3 pt shooter in college especially when you see stats from below. But he and KML basically that is what they are great at - shooting. The other stuff "they get by." Isolated plays here or there doesn’t change that.


http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/arizona/1988.html


And here the link above you can see on that terrific 35-3 Final Four Team AZ Team Kerr, led his team in assists. So yeah Kerr could hit floaters. He could have benefited big time playing off the ball a lot more too. KML couldn’t be the pg so KML posting” later in her career it’s a wash. Because overall KML is superior college player – they are more of the same. KLS – her size lends itself to a much much higher ceiling. Basically, Kerr and KML are not “floater” types. They showed they can on occasion do different things. But basically they are shooters that need space.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

C'mon Slu we are talking college ball.

....

While you are on KLS for taking so many 3's per minute, sure she can be better ----as any frosh could. But KLS doesn't have KML's "luxury" of having many minutes with an opportunity to shoot from all over. The idea for KLS is to get the ball to BS and MT. , thus she will have limited chances to shoot. And who were the big scorers that KML should get the ball to when she was a frosh?

I was referring to Kerr in general since I didn't see him play in college. And was also talking about KML's game in general too, not just her freshmen season. The discussion, I thought, was about KML's ability to get to prime shooting spots and take quality shots. Was she as good at that her first year as she was later? Of course not, but that's why I said KLS has time to improve.

If Lou is getting limited chances to shoot it isn't showing in her attempts. But that sorta goes to my point. Don't force low quality shots. KML was a master at that, by and large. Samuelson is not. And, again, that will hopefully change with time. You seem to be saying KLS can take these tougher shots because she's taller and longer---in other words, because she can. I'm saying she needs to get a better sense of when to take higher quality shots.

 

[hoophuskee]

I was referring to Kerr in general since I didn't see him play in college. And was also talking about KML's game in general too, not just her freshmen season. The discussion, I thought, was about KML's ability to get to prime shooting spots and take quality shots. Was she as good at that her first year as she was later? Of course not, but that's why I said KLS has time to improve.

If Lou is getting limited chances to shoot it isn't showing in her attempts. But that sorta goes to my point. Don't force low quality shots. KML was a master at that, by and large. Samuelson is not. And, again, that will hopefully change with time. You seem to be saying KLS can take these tougher shots because she's taller and longer---in other words, because she can. I'm saying she needs to get a better sense of when to take higher quality shots.

1-- My 2nd reply to you I think suggested we discuss frosh vs frosh when you bring up KML vs KLS. That's what KLS is - a frosh. So to look ahead as KML evolved throughout her career while pointing out KLS's current flaws as a frosh is not a fair comparison. That is what I was referring to when I said we should compare frosh vs frosh. You think it fair to compare the jr/sr KML vs the frosh of KLS?

2-- I agree KLS has time to improve. But while you are knocking KLSs shot selection a lot. Am I right? And as a counter, I think her shot selection is okay for a frosh. My point is you have said KLS is taking too many 3's in which quite a few are not good shots (am I right with what you are saying?) while I say KLS is overall taking good shots just not hitting them. OFC if she continues to throw up 3pt bricks there will have to be a re-evaluation at some point but she has come up big vs DePaul and ND.

3-- I brought up Kerr because you not only spoke of shot selection but you spoke of KML's higher IQ. If we compare frosh to frosh I don't believe KML had any more sophisticated IQ than KLS. And when it comes down to shot selection - KML needs space in the same manner Kerr need it. No argument that KML was more prolific in college as a scorer but that is irrelevant. Same story applies with the two in that KML isn't that tall nor that quick nor that long thus she needs space just like Kerr. Just because KML has a hit a few floaters doesn't change what she primarily was, and that is the same with Kerr who could handle and score a bit too. While these two basically needed space and can't get off a shot without it, KLS can get off her shot much much much easier. So even though she happens to be missing now, that doesn't mean KML was a smarter frosh. It just means KML had more limitations. KLS's ceiling is higher.

4-- When it comes to shooting - you want to use "shot per minute" as a comparison. I'm speaking of "overall shot-per-game opportunity." KML averaged 12.3 shots per game as a frosh (KLS is 6.3). Her teams offense was nowhere near the high-powered offense of this team. Thus the moment KML stepped on the court UCONN wanted her to shoot. That isn't the case with KLS. So while she may take more on a per minute basis, UCONN isn't looking to "free her" / "look for her." Yu will see KLS pass up shots. Thus, the focus is on getting Stewie and Tuck more shots. So as of right now KLS doesn't have deliberate picks set for her and not getting 29 minutes as one of the primary scorers like KML had. And despite the not being featured - KLS still gets off more shots on a per minute basis WHICH GENO CONTINUES TO ALLOW -- because she IS 6'3 and can easily get the shots off (in which GENO DOES EXPECT THEM TO GO IN, right?). IMO those defenders vs KLS aren't bothering her shot. KLS has even thrown incredible bricks even when wide open. She's just missing. When she starts to hit - then those shots will start to be called "good shots." Then the defense will adjust then KLS will adjust etc.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

You think it fair to compare the jr/sr KML vs the frosh of KLS?

I'm saying what KLM was great at is an area KLS will need to develop in. KLS doesn't do that right now. That's the point.

My point is you have said KLS is taking too many 3's in which quite a few are not good shots (am I right with what you are saying?) while I say KLS is overall taking good shots just not hitting them.

Yes, we disagree generally on her shot selection. It could be much better. She forces too many for my liking, particularly when she could be taking advantage of her other skills elsewhere. We also disagree on point #3. Taking the best shot possible is always preferable, and KML was an expert at this. Even when she took shots 5 feet behind the line she usually had lost of space to do so---they weren't forced shots. Mosqueda-Lewis wasn't incredibly efficient by accident.

As for #4, I was speaking strictly of three point shots taken, not shots overall because KLS isn't suffering from a lack of attempts. She's getting plenty for the minutes she's playing and taking a higher percentage of 3's out of her total than KML ever did.

KLS has simply missed some shots, but I also think she can take many better ones including from inside the arc. And while she may not be the focus of the offense she is kinda expected to make outside shots. They are trying to replace KML afterall.

 

[hoophuskee]

I'm saying what KLM was great at is an area KLS will need to develop in. KLS doesn't do that right now. That's the point.



Yes, we disagree generally on her shot selection. It could be much better. She forces too many for my liking, particularly when she could be taking advantage of her other skills elsewhere. We also disagree on point #3. Taking the best shot possible is always preferable, and KML was an expert at this. Even when she took shots 5 feet behind the line she usually had lost of space to do so---they weren't forced shots. Mosqueda-Lewis wasn't incredibly efficient by accident.

As for #4, I was speaking strictly of three point shots taken, not shots overall because KLS isn't suffering from a lack of attempts. She's getting plenty for the minutes she's playing and taking a higher percentage of 3's out of her total than KML ever did.

KLS has simply missed some shots, but I also think she can take many better ones including from inside the arc. And while she may not be the focus of the offense she is kinda expected to make outside shots. They are trying to replace KML afterall.

1-- And what I'm saying is that the only thing KML was greater at as a frosh than KLS was --- making shots. IMO it has nothing to do with shot selection or IQ frosh vs frosh. Practice practice practice. Though looks like as you said a while ago - looks like she will never be what KML was in terms of efficiency. But imo she can be a far greater primary scorer.

2--- I don't thinks she can take advantage much of her other skills because when she is in and only getting 18 minutes. She won't have as many opportunities as KML had though she will be left somewhat open until she proves she can hit the shot consistently.

3-- It all depends what is considered "the best shot." Geno doesn't seem to have a big problem with her shots - though I'm sure he would like her to score from all over and be more efficient - which he is trying for perfection as a coach. But he is not yanking her for a reason. IMO because he knows the shots KLS is taking are good shots.

***I think we have a fundamental difference of what we like to see. Which is fine. I really enjoy arguing with you. The arguments never get personal.
I used to be on some of the old NBA Boards - I argued vehemently that LeBron sometimes would chicken out. One game last seconds he drove - could have taken jump shot- he was being guarded. Instead he passed to Udonis Haslem who was wide open for a shot above the ft line. I argued LBJ should have taken the shot. Haslem came back from injury that year and his mid-range game was something like 30%. The argument was "Haslem was wide open. That was the better shot." -- IMO no - no way. Supreme scorers can hit shots at a good rate as long as they are on balance. Udonis bricked the jumper. A hand on the face of LBJ (as long as he is on balance) should not dissuade LBJ from taking a jumper. His attempt with hand in the face is a better option than throwing it to a guy who was hitting 30% from mid-range.

Same thing in Reggie Miller's last year in the playoffs - he said he made blunders by passing to the open Kevin Ollie and Jermaine O'Neal late in the deciding game vs the Nets. Even though Ollie was wide open - he knew afterwards he made a mistake even though Reggie was defended. Ollie wound up throwing an air ball. Miller could hit shots being defended. HE came out publicly and said he shouldn't have passed to the open player but taken the shots.

This may be a point you and I disagree on overall- it doesn't have to be specific to this Miller instance. So can Stewie drill shots with a hand in her face. And I believe as time goes by so will KLS. I think that is what Geno sees and why he lets her keep shooting. KML is more like Kerr. She needs space. As KLS matures she should be able to stick the shot even though someone has a hand in her face. That WILL BE considered "the best shot" as she will probably become the team's primary option at some point a year or two down the road.

4-- And as far as KLS- because her lack of minutes she doesn't have as much time to get up a variety of shots seeing how the main two options are Stewie and Tuck. Six shots for a player like KLS is nothing. And because she isn't a feature in the offense - if she passes up 3's - she won't get much of a better chance once she gives it up. Anyhow the 3's she is taking - she should be hitting. And once she does- she'll take more - get more minutes. Then the defense won't be giving her as many good looks from 3 and then she'll counter by taking more 2's. IMO that is how things will evolve for this number 1 recruit. If KLS is to hit her potential and help the team big time it has to start by her knocking down the 3's she currently has been taking.

 

[Go/huskies]

Wow nice put back by Gabby on the Mo lay up miss.

I wonder if the coaches are against a "Gabby-oop" seems like you can just throw it up and watch her go get it.