Mir, redux

[BBallF]

I am a big Mir fan but I see two deficiencies to be corrected as she goes forward. First, she needs a go to move about 8-10 feet from the basket. It can just be a one dribble straight pull up but she has to be able to score other than directly under. She is such a quick leaper that she will be able to get it off more times than not. Secondly, she needs to diligently box out and not just rely on her jumping ability. I thought she played really well today and hopefully we will see more of her tomorrow.

 

[cbraarj]

Mir is a really good athlete! In high school she was able to do what she did because of her athletic ability. It was great to watch her aggravate Farley before that intentional foul was called. Right now she is a really good athlete that plays basketball. There's nothing wrong with that but at the D1 level you need to work on your basketball skills and she's not the only one.

 

[Cuango]

Sorry, Mir fans, but she got the minutes she got today because 1) the game was a blowout; 2) Nika was out of the game with her injury; 3) Anna was on a "pitch count" for playing time; and Liv was being rested in the 2nd half. All of these things combined, opened up playing time in the 4th qtr. Like most of you, I love her smile and seemingly positive attitude, but if all players were healthy, whose minutes would she be taking?

When asked by a team of unfamiliar, national outlet broadcasters about all of the players, I'm sure Geno found something good to say about all the players. I'm not saying his praise of Mir's recent practices was incorrect just that at this late point in the season her finally "getting it" doesn't, in and of itself, mean she is going to play more. She is basically a shorter Aubrey with very similar skills. If she, and for that matter AG, want more playing time they need to show an ability to knock down the 15 ft. jumper, much like Gabby did. If Mir thinks court time is difficult to earn this year, just wait until next year when the battle for minutes will be far more difficult.

And to FriedaFriend, who believes Mir was the Badass of the game today, if you are not related to, or a lifelong friend of Mir's, I have to say ..................................... WHAT??????????

You know, I agree that Mir needs to be able to shoot the 12-15 footer. However, if Geno actually points out her improved performances in practice and gives her minutes (substantial minutes) at this late date, I have to believe she has really done something special to warrant it. I realize that the minutes she got were probably increased due to Nika’s injury but it sounds like Geno was looking for an opportunity to give her some run regardless. I choose to take this as a possible sign that Mir may have made a breakthrough. Aubrey cannot hit the outside shot either yet is playing regular minutes. Mir is an extremely exciting player, one that rarely fails to show something special in her limited time on the court. I just pray that she will build on this and continue to show improvement in practice. One thing is clear about Geno, he rewards effort and improvement in practice, with playing time on court. Go Mir!

 

[DaddyChoc]

Mir is a really good athlete! In high school she was able to do what she did because of her athletic ability. It was great to watch her aggravate Farley before that intentional foul was called. Right now she is a really good athlete that plays basketball. There's nothing wrong with that but at the D1 level you need to work on your basketball skills and she's not the only one.

that was fun to see, d'ing her up to the point she slapped her hand away lol. reminds me of how KG use to D up on players lol

 

[jazz]

Sorry if this was discussed elsewhere.

One of the sportscasters said during the game that Geno has been very happy with Mir’s practices and that he’d like to find more minutes for her. That made me 😀. Mir adds a new wrinkle for opponents. She’s always looking for her shot but hasn’t had enough playing time to smooth out the rough spots. More minutes could only benefit her, and the team, as she develops her game. She may pick up some of Nika’s minutes in the BEast tourney as Geno will not play Nika too much until she’s 100%.

If Mir becomes another viable option for Geno, if someone has an off night, Geno could possibly have another player to sub in. Mir is an unknown that the other guys probably haven’t seen on tape or prepared for. That makes UConn a little more dangerous, hence the 😀

Full disclosure, I’m a big Mir fan. There’s something about this kid that I like. Reminds me of a Kalana Greene, an underrated Husky that I thought never got her due.

I like Mir too HuskyNan.

Plays like her hair is on fire. Isn't a great fit for motion offense but that is GA's job to get the most out of players who may not perfectly fit his style. I say to recruit the players and then sometimes you just have to adapt the system to fit the player's strengths.

She is also behind AE and AG at this point, but I think she can definitely help if we have an injury or foul trouble. She is a bit of a dark horse in my mind.

 

[HuskyNan]

I like Mir too HuskyNan.

Plays like her hair is on fire. Isn't a great fit for motion offense but that is GA's job to get the most out of players who may not perfectly fit his style. I say to recruit the players and then sometimes you just have to adapt the system to fit the player's strengths.

She is also behind AE and AG at this point, but I think she can definitely help if we have an injury or foul trouble. She is a bit of a dark horse in my mind.

Agreed. I do think it’s easier to reign in a player that plays with too much energy than to try to draw energy from a passive one. Mir needs to find a speed that fits to team best and adapt.

i love her defense though. She’s another 5 fouls to give, as well

 

[jazz]

Agreed. I do think it’s easier to reign in a player that plays with too much energy than to try to draw energy from a passive one. Mir needs to find a speed that fits to team best and adapt.

i love her defense though. She’s another 5 fouls to give, as well

I was just re-watching the Ark game and it was impressive how well Mir moves her feet. I think GA has something there.

I just know that Mir will make you work for anything you get and this also tires out the opposing player. I think if GA needs a defensive stopper when an opposing player gets hot, he can call on Mir (or AG for that matter) and give them 1 job to do: don't let that kid score!

They both have diversity on defense as well, being able to defend guards as well as wings.

 

[hart2hart]

Hope we get to see Mighty Mir play 15 minutes today!
She deserves it!
Just love your smile!

 

[oldhusky]

I would think if Mir was going to get some of Nika's minutes she would have to use her outside shooting ability. I would hope that she had an outside shot in HS because if her entire offense is driving the lane then our opponents will just keep trying to stop her, resulting in possible charges. I am not saying that she needs to put up any 3s but at least be able to hit mid range jumpers.
But if she isn't playing Nika's minutes, nevermind.

Just because Mir might be a beneficiary of Nika's injury doesn't mean she has to play her position. All three of our PF's (Aaliyah, Aubrey and Mir) have had their possible minutes restricted by the use of wings at the four. With Nika out I hope that strategy is gone, pretty much forever, with Aaliyah getting starter minutes and Aubrey and Mir getting more playing time at their natural PF position, but also some on the wing while Nika is out.

When Paige sits, Evina will play the point. If Evina and Paige were out Anna would probably be the PG.

 

[Centerstream]

Just because Mir might be a beneficiary of Nika's injury doesn't mean she has to play her position. All three of our PF's (Aaliyah, Aubrey and Mir) have had their possible minutes restricted by the use of wings at the four. With Nika out I hope that strategy is gone, pretty much forever, with Aaliyah getting starter minutes and Aubrey and Mir getting more playing time at their natural PF position, but also some on the wing while Nika is out.

When Paige sits, Evina will play the point. If Evina and Paige were out Anna would probably be the PG.

Mir might not play Nika's position but she should be able to make outside shots to keep the opposing defense honest. That was my point.