My take on Katie Lou

[DaddyChoc]

In UConn, under Geno, I think KLS will become a great player just like Stewie.

Stewie was going to be great no matter where she went... Geno had nothing to do with her superstar status (according to some)

 

[DaddyChoc]

Watched both KLM and KLS at HS and club level. KLS gets her shot off much quicker than KML.

KLS has a great Basketball IQ.

Should be fun for the next 4 years.

and KML didnt... as Geno!

 

[Ouremblem]

I will be very curious to see if Geno starts KLS with Breanna & Morgan with Natalie coming off the bench or if he decides on starting Natalie and go large. Regardless we shouldn't put too much on KLS right now. We have 4 returning starters and a 6'5" transfer with 3 wonderful recruits. KLS shouldn't in and of herself be the only reason we repeat. That said, if she is the shooter we think she is the versatility we will have is scary. We could use the taller lineup with Mo & KLS hitting open 3's when teams pack it in on us.

 

[meyers7]

No idea how Lou's time at Uconn will go, but she comes in with the same kind of shooting pedigree as KML had with better foot speed and 4 more inches in height which translates to probably six more inches in reach.

Well to be fair, the 4 more inches in height were for KML's senior year only. Prior to that it was only 3 inches in height.

As we all are aware, KML shrunk her senior year, from 6-0 to 5-11. (as listed )

 

[Kibitzer]

Well to be fair, the 4 more inches in height were for KML's senior year only. Prior to that it was only 3 inches in height.

As we all are aware, KML shrunk her senior year, from 6-0 to 5-11. (as listed )

Perhaps she gave an inch to Bria Hartley.

 

[donalddoowop]

I will be very curious to see if Geno starts KLS with Breanna & Morgan with Natalie coming off the bench or if he decides on starting Natalie and go large. Regardless we shouldn't put too much on KLS right now. We have 4 returning starters and a 6'5" transfer with 3 wonderful recruits. KLS shouldn't in and of herself be the only reason we repeat. That said, if she is the shooter we think she is the versatility we will have is scary. We could use the taller lineup with Mo & KLS hitting open 3's when teams pack it in on us.

Nurse, Tuck, and Stewart will also be hitting threes.

 

[UcMiami]

Nurse, Tuck, and Stewart will also be hitting threes.

Stewart and Tuck as three point shooters are a little overstated. The fact that they can be effective from three is a great asset, but the team does not want to live and die with them shooting threes:
Stewart has made 106 through 3 years Fr - .333 (28 made), Soph .343 (48), Jr .313 (30)
Tuck has made 41 through 2+ years Fr .289 (13), Soph* .412 (7), Jr. .292 (21)

In those three years Uconn 3 point shooting as a team was .378 (325), .366 (295) and .406 (330) So only in Tuck in her 8 game aborted sophomore season shot about team average on an extremely limited sample.

It is a great weapon for both of them to possess and we can all think of monumental 3 pointers they have made in critical moments, but it has been and will continue to be a weapon that is wielded infrequently.

I suspect Lou will be both a better 3 point shooter, and depend on it a little more frequently in her arsenal - but we will see how that develops. I also suspect Uconn as a team will depend on that aspect of her game more than they do for either Stewart or Tuck.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Stewie was going to be great no matter where she went... Geno had nothing to do with her superstar status (according to some)

I think Geno has probably made her work harder to be the player she could be than most any other coach may have. She's always strived to be great and had a great work ethic but Geno has surely pushed even her own expectations, never being satisfied with anything but excellence! I think that demand has spurred her to a level that I'm not sure even she thought she would have attained. That in fact is why she chose Geno and Storrs as her landing place amongst all the offers she had.

 

[Phillyconn]

There are people who saw Stewie play in high school and she wasn't the second coming of Stewie either, depending on when you saw her. She wasn't even Stewie through a good part of her freshman year in Storrs and only became so in the post season of that year, where she emerged. Insofar as KLS not winning a championship as a high school senior, you probably do know that basketball is a team sport and there are many factors that go into a championship run, most significantly that you can't win it all by yourself. Diana Taurasi is credited with winning two championships practically by herself but in what I think was her junior year the Huskies were all but beat by Texas and made a miraculous comeback that had very little to do with DT. There was a kid on that team whose name escapes me who almost singlehandedly pulled that game out and had she not done that, Diana's LEGEND would have been significantly lessened though she (Diane) is obviously an extraordinary superstar! There are many professional athletes who are in their respective Hall's of Fame that never won championships in their respective sports and it means little or nothing to their peers that they failed to do so. Were their sport bowling or golf or skiing, maybe, but in team sports you've got to rely on others, as well, to succeed. There are many Boneyarders who will be extremely disappointed if KLS doesn't have at least as illustrious a career in Storrs as KML and maybe a bit disappointed if she doesn't exceed KML due to her obvious physical advantages and her heritage including her parents and her siblings.

I disagree on the winning championships part. The greatest players are, fairly or unfairly, measured by how many championships they have won. Look at WCBB, all the greatest players, DT, MM, Candace Parker and many more are judged by championships won. Look at BS, winning 4 titles would make her, in many people's eyes, the greatest ever. It's the same across all sports.

 

[Kibitzer]

I disagree on the winning championships part. The greatest players are, fairly or unfairly, measured by how many championships they have won. It's the same across all sports.

You are correct - that (the number of of championships) is most often used as the measure of greatness. I recall an interview of Bill Russell when this topic came up. Something like this:

Q. Russ, who was the greatest (NBA) player? Oscar? Magic? Kareem? Bird? Jordan?

A. (after a Russell cackle) Well, those fellas were all pretty good. . . . but I've got the most rings!
!​

 

[UcMiami]

I disagree on the winning championships part. The greatest players are, fairly or unfairly, measured by how many championships they have won. Look at WCBB, all the greatest players, DT, MM, Candace Parker and many more are judged by championships won. Look at BS, winning 4 titles would make her, in many people's eyes, the greatest ever. It's the same across all sports.

OK - I think I got this now. Augustus and Whalen are much Greater WNBA players than Bird and DT because they have three rings and Bird and DT only have two. And of course Tina is just an average center since she has no rings.

 

[j66kicker]

OK - I think I got this now. Augustus and Whalen are much Greater WNBA players than Bird and DT because they have three rings and Bird and DT only have two. And of course Tina is just an average center since she has no rings.

DT has 3

 

[Phillyconn]

OK - I think I got this now. Augustus and Whalen are much Greater WNBA players than Bird and DT because they have three rings and Bird and DT only have two. And of course Tina is just an average center since she has no rings.

They were never in the conversation to begin with. I'm sure that you're familiar with the usual suspects in the conversation. You're talking Augustus and Whalen, when you have MM? That's like mentioning, Pippen and Rodman, when you have MJ.

 

[UcMiami]

They were never in the conversation to begin with. I'm sure that you're familiar with the usual suspects in the conversation. You're talking Augustus and Whalen, when you have MM? That's like mentioning, Pippen and Rodman, when you have MJ.

It is a conversation that goes on in every team sport - greatest winner vs greatest player or greatest coach or greatest shortstop, or greatest QB, or greatest PG. In team sports there is no answer - was Marino a better QB than Griese. Most people would say Marino, but he played on less talented teams and never won a title. In baseball - if you didn't play for the Yankees, for most of history, you lose the title argument regardless of the skill and impact of your play. For the NBA the argument starts and ends with the Celtics of the 60s - Best player Russell (11 championships), Best Guard Sam Jones (10), Best Forward Havlicek (8) - also rans Jordan/Cousy (6) Pippen (6) Jabbar (6) - not in the conversation Magic, Mikan (5) Wilt (2), etc. In the WNBA - Maya is 3 for 5 or 60% in championships - does that make her a better pro than DT who is 3 for 11 for 27% success rate? Her team is also 2-1 in conference finals against DT teams.

 

[Phillyconn]

It is a conversation that goes on in every team sport - greatest winner vs greatest player or greatest coach or greatest shortstop, or greatest QB, or greatest PG. In team sports there is no answer - was Marino a better QB than Griese. Most people would say Marino, but he played on less talented teams and never won a title. In baseball - if you didn't play for the Yankees, for most of history, you lose the title argument regardless of the skill and impact of your play. For the NBA the argument starts and ends with the Celtics of the 60s - Best player Russell (11 championships), Best Guard Sam Jones (10), Best Forward Havlicek (8) - also rans Jordan/Cousy (6) Pippen (6) Jabbar (6) - not in the conversation Magic, Mikan (5) Wilt (2), etc. In the WNBA - Maya is 3 for 5 or 60% in championships - does that make her a better pro than DT who is 3 for 11 for 27% success rate? Her team is also 2-1 in conference finals against DT teams.

You can be great and not win championships. But, whether, fair or not, to be in the conversation, of the greatest, you had to win titles. Bill Russell is in the conversation for the Celtics, but that's it. Jordan is in the conversation, Magic and Wilt, maybe Jabbar. If you don't know by now who's in the conversation, I can't help you. Bill Russel, wasn't even in my generation, but I know he's in the conversation, because he was a great player that led his teams to championships.
Maya and DT, what can I say? Two of the all-time greatest, clutch players ever! Championships and MVP awards. The biggest debate is who is the greatest, not who is in the conversation, any fan should know that.

 

[Buzzyboy]

OK - I think I got this now. Augustus and Whalen are much Greater WNBA players than Bird and DT because they have three rings and Bird and DT only have two. And of course Tina is just an average center since she has no rings.

I appreciate this post. How is it possible that championships can somehow be the only criteria for judging how good (or great) someone is. There have been numerous extraordinary athletes who have never had the opportunity to win team championships through no fault of their own and their performances and others who have multiple championships that weren't nearly as accomplished! To suggest as such is a bit outrageous, I feel! Ted Williams sucks, I guess as does Ernie Banks and maybe a few other Hall of Famers. People who judge performers predominately by their championships can potentially include people who in some cases are not worthy and dismiss others who far exceed some who've won multiple times. I agree it happens but I and many others regard it as nonsense.

 

[j66kicker]

I appreciate this post. How is it possible that championships can somehow be the only criteria for judging how good (or great) someone is. There have been numerous extraordinary athletes who have never had the opportunity to win team championships through no fault of their own and their performances and others who have multiple championships that weren't nearly as accomplished! To suggest as such is a bit outrageous, I feel! Ted Williams sucks, I guess as does Ernie Banks and maybe a few other Hall of Famers. People who judge performers predominately by their championships can potentially include people who in some cases are not worthy and dismiss others who far exceed some who've won multiple times. I agree it happens but I and many others regard it as nonsense.

Sorry - It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that ring

http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/s...d-series-ring_crop_north.jpg?w=492&h=420&q=75

Ted Williams and Dan Marino didn't suck, but who cares?

 

[Phillyconn]

I appreciate this post. How is it possible that championships can somehow be the only criteria for judging how good (or great) someone is. There have been numerous extraordinary athletes who have never had the opportunity to win team championships through no fault of their own and their performances and others who have multiple championships that weren't nearly as accomplished! To suggest as such is a bit outrageous, I feel! Ted Williams sucks, I guess as does Ernie Banks and maybe a few other Hall of Famers. People who judge performers predominately by their championships can potentially include people who in some cases are not worthy and dismiss others who far exceed some who've won multiple times. I agree it happens but I and many others regard it as nonsense.

Great performers are judged predominately by their championships. Nobody, remembers losers. Win a championship, as a great player, and you will never be forgotten. Win multiple championships, as a great player, and become a legend.

I am a Flyer's fan. Being a Flyer's fan, I can remember when the Flyers lost to Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers, in seven games. Nobody remembers that gritty Flyers team, that took the greatest NHL team of all time, to game seven. Nobody, remembers that Ron Hextall, was MVP, on the losing team. Nobody, but heartbroken Flyers fans.
But, rightly so, because, we lost. Like it or not, nobody remembers the losers. Like it or not, greatness is measured predominantely by championships. Rightly so.

 

[UcMiami]

Great performers are judged predominately by their championships. Nobody, remembers losers. Win a championship, as a great player, and you will never be forgotten. Win multiple championships, as a great player, and become a legend.

I am a Flyer's fan. Being a Flyer's fan, I can remember when the Flyers lost to Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers, in seven games. Nobody remembers that gritty Flyers team, that took the greatest NHL team of all time, to game seven. Nobody, remembers that Ron Hextall, was MVP, on the losing team. Nobody, but heartbroken Flyers fans.
But, rightly so, because, we lost. Like it or not, nobody remembers the losers. Like it or not, greatness is measured predominantely by championships. Rightly so.

For teams - absolutely. The team with the most wins in a season in NFL history is the NE Patriots, but they lost the SB so unless you are doing a statistical analysis they aren't in the conversation for best.
For individual accolades in team sports I don't buy it - best hitter in baseball - there are a number of candidates, but no discussion is complete without Ted Williams whose teams never won anything. If YOU want to make championships a criteria fine, but there is a debate - and does one championship suffice, or is it number of championships so 3 is better than 2.
And on Dan Marino - talk to most Dolphin fans and they probably place him above Griese as the best Dolphin QB ever, but Griese has the rings

 

[Siestakeyfan]

Most of the girls that come out of high school and into college,are like deer in the headlights,and seldom does a coach give praise and make statements towards their playing time.Yet,Geno has said both Lou and Collier will be playing a lot,and are learning and adjusting fast.
This is a big deal,and since coach doesn't usually sugar coat anything,I am pretty confident,in saying,that we have two very special young ladies,here,who are going to excel rather quickly.
If I recall,the last girls that Geno gave high praise to,coming out of high school and into the program,were Stewie,Moriah,and Morgan,and,since they turned out pretty good,I will bet his judgment will be spot on again.

A REALLY Excellent post !!!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Stewie was going to be great no matter where she went... Geno had nothing to do with her superstar status (according to some)

There are time when you are just too subtle and the emoticon doesn't finish it. Just say, let's get Stewie out of the argument and deal with run of the mill great players!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Nurse, Tuck, and Stewart will also be hitting threes.

Not like KLS I suspect. I suspect this is oh so repetitive, 'cuz I posted without reading the whole thread (and now I'm afraid to look).

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Ted Williams and Dan Marino didn't suck, but who cares?

Who? Ah, the car dealer and the guy in the commercials no one knows these days - I think the most frequent one is for Rayban Pants?

PS. It's a joke folks. Just going with the flow. But I suspect the same folk who say I dunno to Marino know who Joe Namath was/is - and it's not because he got drunk and made a pass at the ESPN sideline reporter, though that stuff tends to stay around like dog poo on your shoe!

 

[Huskies Rule]

I think Geno has probably made her work harder to be the player she could be than most any other coach may have. She's always strived to be great and had a great work ethic but Geno has surely pushed even her own expectations, never being satisfied with anything but excellence! I think that demand has spurred her to a level that I'm not sure even she thought she would have attained. That in fact is why she chose Geno and Storrs as her landing place amongst all the offers she had.

I completely agree, Buzzy. It is hard to imagine another coach pushing as relentlessly as Geno pushes his kids, both physically and psychologically, particularly those he believes have greatness within them, like Stewie.
Two moments in The Geno Auriemma Project come to mind:

- Prior to last year's Texas game, Geno literally called Stewie out, in front of the entire team saying," Remember your freshman year? Stewie was the most valuable
player for Baylor her freshman year." A very unamused Stewie responded with a monster game (31 pts, 12 reb, 7 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals).

- After a Stewie defensive lapse at practice, Geno shouted," You get beat all the time on that. Damn, Stewie!" He was all over her, most every practice.
Stewie's mature, wise response: "Coach motivates me in a way that is different than everyone else on the team. I think that he's always on me. He's always, you know,
you're the worst player, you suck, that kind of thing. When I hear that, it's like it just makes me so annoyed, so mad. It makes me want to play better, do better, that
kind of thing. It's something I've come to expect from him, even though I don't want to hear it, but he's trying to motivate me to be the best player I can be."

Man, has it ever worked. One tough coach. One great kid.

 

[Phillyconn]

For teams - absolutely. The team with the most wins in a season in NFL history is the NE Patriots, but they lost the SB so unless you are doing a statistical analysis they aren't in the conversation for best.
For individual accolades in team sports I don't buy it - best hitter in baseball - there are a number of candidates, but no discussion is complete without Ted Williams whose teams never won anything. If YOU want to make championships a criteria fine, but there is a debate - and does one championship suffice, or is it number of championships so 3 is better than 2.
And on Dan Marino - talk to most Dolphin fans and they probably place him above Griese as the best Dolphin QB ever, but Griese has the rings

Ted Williams was before my time. I've heard that he was the last to bat 400. In a season. Great player, but I've heard more about the Yankee clipper or the great Mickey Mantle. Why because they won championships. Look at Big Papi? The way he almost, single handedly, beat the yanks, then won the WS. No, amount of batting titles can replace that. I'm not even a Red Sox fan but I had to tip my hat.
Great players, on the biggest stage, leading their teams, to victory, is the stuff legends are made of. So, you can have great players, but if they haven't won a title, they're usually not in the conversation, as the greatest ever.