my vote for Maya as best player in UConn history (so far)

[vtcwbuff]

For me Maya Moore was the best basketball athlete to ever wear the UConn uniform. Stewart would be a close second.

Taurasi was the best basket ball player to ever play for UConn. She brought a lot more than just athletic skills to the team.

Besides, basketball isn't just a contest, it's entertainment and Taurasi was a superb entertainer.

 

[MooseJaw]

The 1st pick after those 3 is easy, Sue Bird the greatest point guard of all time. My last pick would be either EDD or Candace Parker.

I had Candace as well, Sue Bird one of my all time favorites.

 

[JRRRJ]

I'm late to this thread as usual and I'm kinda glad. I read, I think, I ponder and scratch my head and have come to this conclusion. All three players were the GOAT if that's what you think. All three have a bucket full of stats to back up anyone's criteria therefore what really maters is personal preference. I can't separate them and pick one over the others maybe I'm fickle if so I can live with that. That leaves me with the following thought.
Start any new all time team pick your starters from any period of WCB and my guess is almost every team will include all three DT, MM, & Stewie . So my question to all you fellow BY'ers is who are the other 2 players you would have join them? UCONN or any other program, let r rip.

To go with your (ersatz)C, SF & SG you need PG Bird and PF Catchings. (I'd pick 'em even if the positions weren't serendipitously appropriate.)

 

[Skeets]

I'm late to this thread as usual and I'm kinda glad. I read, I think, I ponder and scratch my head and have come to this conclusion. All three players were the GOAT if that's what you think. All three have a bucket full of stats to back up anyone's criteria therefore what really maters is personal preference. I can't separate them and pick one over the others maybe I'm fickle if so I can live with that. That leaves me with the following thought.
Start any new all time team pick your starters from any period of WCB and my guess is almost every team will include all three DT, MM, & Stewie . So my question to all you fellow BY'ers is who are the other 2 players you would have join them? UCONN or any other program, let r rip.

Interesting question. If we keep this all-UCONN, it would have to be Sue and then the best big. Who is the best big? Rebecca? Kara? Tina? Picking the best big is as tough as picking between DT, MM, & Stewie. If this is open to any program then as Bud Abbott might say: "third base? I don't know".

 

[vtcwbuff]

For me Tina Charles was by far the best "big" to play for UConn. Lobo would probably be my 2nd choice.

 

[hoophuskee]

I do not see how Paige could overtake the DT epic . The surrounding talent will never allow Paige the opportunity to drag a team accross the finish line.

IMO though DTs competition was the weakest between what Maya and Stewart had to go through. A poster above is talking about Texas. Yes that was an amazing game - amazing amazing amazing- -- but where would you put that Texas team vs the Stanford and ND teams that Maya and Stewart had to go through? I'm easily taking the Stanford and ND teams. And some could mention "we beat Tennessee." But those Tennessee teams weren't that great either vs what we were used to. The Tenn teams of Holdsclaw, Catchings and Parker much better than the 02-03 and 03-04 Tenn teams.

This is just impossible to come up with. Impossible. All 3 affected the game in such an obscene way. I wish we could put that quality of play together on team and here how bad we are for wcbb!!! Maya's jump shot was obscene. DT's floor play was obscene. Stewie's versatility was obscene.

 

[JonathanXIV]

Interesting question. If we keep this all-UCONN, it would have to be Sue and then the best big. Who is the best big? Rebecca? Kara? Tina? Picking the best big is as tough as picking between DT, MM, & Stewie. If this is open to any program then as Bud Abbott might say: "third base? I don't know".

I don't see the question of who was the best "big" as nearly as difficult question as to who was the best point guard. It's Tina.

 

[Buzzyboy]

All 3 do. Hard to argue against any. While Maya was in contention for POY 4 years - Stewart was POY for 3 years. And Final Four MVP all 4 years. Neither Maya or DT was either.

And Maya's Final Four game as a frosh -while she scored 20 points-- she was 8-19 from the floor (3-11 from 3). She also had very good numbers - 9 rebounds and 3 assists - vs no turnovers. But it wasn't that strong considering she was playing wing and her counterpart (Wiggins) on the opposing team scored more points, had a better shooting %, had more rebounds, had more assists with the same # of turnovers.

Basically at the wing position - albeit they were different players- Maya was outplayed at the wing by Wiggins. Not her fault ofc-- she was just a frosh. And her job was not to defend Wiggins but the fact remains the opposing wing outplayed her. It's a very, very small point but imo the difference between the UCONN BIG 3 is very, very small. How can anyone be wrong with any pick? But the point is-- we're not just talking about being "good"-- we're talking being all-time great.

If you're using that comparison to somewhat diminish Maya's Final Four freshman stats, why don't we talk about Diana whose freshman Final Four stats as a frosh show her shooting something like 1 for 15 in the Huskies semi-final loss to Notre Dame is one of the worst performances by any player in UConn Final Four history ..... Based on you suggesting that Diana is your pick for the best Huskie all-time is a little strange based on your remarks concerning Maya's freshman Final Four evaluation .... Obviously about as far away from being a strong performance as you could possibly imagine ....

 

[Buzzyboy]

Limiting this to a 4 year UCONN career makes this a difficult discussion. Too many moving pieces for a fair apples to apples comparison. Also, the game is more that just statistics. I would want DT to have the ball and take the last shot. So I guess that makes DT the GOAT by a nose (oops, sorry).

If we open this up to lifetime achievement, easily DT is the GOAT until Stewie or someone else proves otherwise.

Why would you say that DT's lifetime achievements easily make her the goat??? I seem to remember Maya winning championships in high school, college, WNBA, Olympics, etc .... I'm not sure what the numbers are but at the very least, they are in the ballpark with DT's stats .... they may actually surpass DT's for all I know ....

 

[jazz]

I do not see how Paige could overtake the DT epic . The surrounding talent will never allow Paige the opportunity to drag a team accross the finish line.

You are probably right eebmg.

But a lot can happen over the next several years - injuries and transfers... I think PB has a chance this year to 'drag them across the finish line'. To do it as a freshman would be epic! I'm not sure we have any great players this year but a nice collection of good to potentially very good players. Let's just say it would not surprise me if we are having a debate some day concerning how great PB was in relation to DT and others.

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy her game for 4 years!

 

[jazz]

I'm late to this thread as usual and I'm kinda glad. I read, I think, I ponder and scratch my head and have come to this conclusion. All three players were the GOAT if that's what you think. All three have a bucket full of stats to back up anyone's criteria therefore what really maters is personal preference. I can't separate them and pick one over the others maybe I'm fickle if so I can live with that. That leaves me with the following thought.
Start any new all time team pick your starters from any period of WCB and my guess is almost every team will include all three DT, MM, & Stewie . So my question to all you fellow BY'ers is who are the other 2 players you would have join them? UCONN or any other program, let r rip.

I'll stick to UCONN, the team needs a point and that would be Sue Bird. MoJeff would be great as well. Then a center and that could be Tina Charles, although Kara or Rebecca would be equally as great.

 

[cbraarj]

DT...there's a reason even now she's called THE Goat by her peers.Her last 2 years with no other AA on the team she carried the team on her back.Extraordinary accomplishment! Geno said it best"we have Dianna and you don't"..He also said after years of not wanting to compare her and Maya..if a gun was put to his head he would have Di take the last shot

He also said after Diana that Kerry Bascom would be next!

 

[cbraarj]

The 1st pick after those 3 is easy, Sue Bird the greatest point guard of all time. My last pick would be either EDD or Candace Parker.

For college play Chamiqua Holdsclaw.

 

[cbraarj]

Taurasi was able to do something that Moore or Stewart couldn't. She made the players on the 03 & 04 teams better players! The proof is the 2 NCs that they won! Neither of the other 2 did that!

 

[jazz]

Taurasi was able to do something that Moore or Stewart couldn't. She made the players on the 03 & 04 teams better players! The proof is the 2 NCs that they won! Neither of the other 2 did that!

They did it, just not as well as DT did it. Afterall, DT is/was a guard and more of a facilitator than the other two, which lends itself to helping others become better players (IMHO).

Not to open a can of worms here, but one could argue the level of competition as well.

 

[JSB60]

Maya is a Hall of Famer as a player and a person, but I still rank her third. DT willed two teams to championships, and my heart will always say she's the best. But my brain says Stewie because of four NCs, four MOPs.

 

[hoophuskee]

Taurasi was able to do something that Moore or Stewart couldn't. She made the players on the 03 & 04 teams better players! The proof is the 2 NCs that they won! Neither of the other 2 did that!

I believe both Stewart and Maya did. When Stewart goes inside you had to collapse on her. Maya's jump shot opened up the lane for Monty's and Tiffany's abilities to drive, Tina's ability to score inside. And both were better defenders. To further that, Stewart's ability of help defense made someone like MoJeff a better defender.

 

[Skeets]

Why would you say that DT's lifetime achievements easily make her the goat??? I seem to remember Maya winning championships in high school, college, WNBA, Olympics, etc .... I'm not sure what the numbers are but at the very least, they are in the ballpark with DT's stats .... they may actually surpass DT's for all I know ....

Buzzy, how many gold medals does Maya have?

 

[FridaFriend]

I believe that Maya was the only three time winner of the Wade Trophy.

 

[Wally East]

I don't see the question of who was the best "big" as nearly as difficult question as to who was the best point guard. It's Tina.

Are we talking peak or career? For peak, it's Tina. For career, it's Rebecca.

 

[Wally East]

Taurasi was able to do something that Moore or Stewart couldn't. She made the players on the 03 & 04 teams better players! The proof is the 2 NCs that they won! Neither of the other 2 did that!

And made her teammates on the '01 team ... worse?

Stewie elevated herself and her team her freshman year, which is something DT didn't do. That team absolutely needed her to carry them and she did it.

 

[JonathanXIV]

Are we talking peak or career? For peak, it's Tina. For career, it's Rebecca.

I would argue that it's Tina for both. But one can easily argue the opposite case. Their careers are really remarkably similar.

 

[cbraarj]

And made her teammates on the '01 team ... worse?

Stewie elevated herself and her team her freshman year, which is something DT didn't do. That team absolutely needed her to carry them and she did it.

That don't even make sense. She was a freshman who joined a team that had all there starters back. Stewie elevated her own play that's it. Your way off base if you think any Freshman is going to elevate AAs that are that been on the team for a few years. This is one thing Stewie didn't do in her career that Taurasi.

 

[cbraarj]

I believe both Stewart and Maya did. When Stewart goes inside you had to collapse on her. Maya's jump shot opened up the lane for Monty's and Tiffany's abilities to drive, Tina's ability to score inside. And both were better defenders. To further that, Stewart's ability of help defense made someone like MoJeff a better defender.

Bottom line is if Stewart or Moore played in Taurasis place in 03 & 04. UConn does not win either NC. Maya already proved she didn't make players better in 2011. She played a great game but noone else did. Maya and Stewie only one because they had other AAs on the team in NCs years. Anybody saying anything different is downplaying Diana's achievement.

 

[Wally East]

That don't even make sense. She was a freshman who joined a team that had all there starters back.

And you're talking about DT or Stewie here? Because it's true in both cases.

DT joined a team that had won the NC the year before.

Stewie joined a team that hadn't won the NC the year before.

DT didn't help her team win the title in '01. She carried her team to a 29-point swing in the wrong direction.

Stewie elevated her team to a title.

As for the idea that Stewie only elevated her own play, well, that's laughable. She allowed everyone else on the floor to play defense a lot more aggressively because she was such a good shot blocker and her teammates could count on her for that.

 

[cbraarj]

They did it, just not as well as DT did it. Afterall, DT is/was a guard and more of a facilitator than the other two, which lends itself to helping others become better players (IMHO).

Not to open a can of worms here, but one could argue the level of competition as well.

IMO you nailed it when you said Taurasi and a guard because the majority of time that's who does it. Now people are talking about who she played. All UConns NCs were won by double figures except 4 were by double figures. Mayas team blewout a weak Louisville team by 23. Then beat a team by 5 pts after beating them by double figures 2 years in a row. Stanford was tough but still not in Cts. league. Stewies team won 4 NCs by a total of 92 points an average of 23 pts a game. Was this because of crappy competition or in those 6 years the Huskies were loaded with AAs. I say loaded with AAs is why!

 

[cbraarj]

And you're talking about DT or Stewie here? Because it's true in both cases.

DT joined a team that had won the NC the year before.

Stewie joined a team that hadn't won the NC the year before.

DT didn't help her team win the title in '01. She carried her team to a 29-point swing in the wrong direction.

Stewie elevated her team to a title.

As for the idea that Stewie only elevated her own play, well, that's laughable. She allowed everyone else on the floor to play defense a lot more aggressively because she was such a good shot blocker and her teammates could count on her for that.

Think what you want Stewie game got better. Her teammates were already doing there thing without her. Did you watch Stewie play in Jan and Feb her Freshman year. I saw her play 7 minutes against Baylor and UConn played them close without her. I never said Taurasi made her teammates better her freshman year. Did I. Stewie didn't make her teammates better either Stewie made Mojeff the DPOY! I don't think so!

Have you ever played any type of organized basketball in your life?

 

[Wally East]

Think what you want Stewie game got better. Her teammates were already doing there thing without her. Did you watch Stewie play in Jan and Feb her Freshman year. I saw her play 7 minutes against Baylor and UConn played them close without her. I never said Taurasi made her teammates better her freshman year. Did I. Stewie didn't make her teammates better either Stewie made Mojeff the DPOY! I don't think so!

I'm not entirely sure what you're saying here.

Are you saying that DT made her teammates better just her junior and senior years?

Are you really saying that Stewie didn't make her teammates better?

Are you also saying that Stewie didn't allow Mo to be more aggressive because she was a good shot blocker?

Are you saying that DT didn't play an absolute dog of a game in the FF as a freshman?

Are you saying that UConn would've won the NC in '13 w/o Stewie?

Are you saying that UConn would've won the NC in '13 with freshman DT?

Hmm.

 

[JonathanXIV]

I won't opine as to whether Diana, Maya or Stewie is UConn's GOAT. But I will offer this observation. Of all of our players, indeed, of all WCBB players, Maya stands alone in this respect; she is almost otherworldly. She came to UConn almost fully formed; no early struggles, no midseason slumps, an AA from day 1. And while a wonderful teammate, she carried herself differently. Tina captures some of this in her SI article. Mature, composed, focused; as if she was designed to be the best player in the game and she knew it.

In contrast, Diana is fully, sometimes embarrassingly, human; and she had her well-documented lapse in the Final Four her freshman year. And Stewie had her slump during her freshman year, barely playing against Baylor, and having to fight through it to emerge at the end of the season.

But not Maya. It's as if she was built in a lab or came from an alien planet, like Superman, and graced us with her excellence. And we are better for it. She is truly one of a kind.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Buzzy, how many gold medals does Maya have?

It's been mentioned in the past on how many championships she's been a part of on the Boneyard but because I'm old and diminished, I'm not absolutely sure ... I believe she's got three Olympic medals but I'm not sure but she's also won multiple WNBA championships and of course, her two national championships with the Huskies .... there quite possibly are others .... I'm just saying that if there's any difference between her and DT, it's somewhat negligible and you do know that some of these gold medals and other championships have something to do with the rest of the team since there's four other players that contribute, right?????