Natalie's Upside?

[Huskylove3]

There is a lot of negative things being said about NB, but I think she has come in this year and played great in big moments. Not everyone can an all-american, we need role players too

 

[JFC613]

There is a lot of negative things being said about NB, but I think she has come in this year and played great in big moments. Not everyone can an all-american, we need role players too

Well said Huskylove3. All the negative posts here show just how spoiled some of us are. The coaching staff knows what they have with Natalie. Watch Geno react with her many times when she comes off the court in games where he gives her a pat on the back. He knows exactly what he'll get when he puts her out there; the pluses and minuses. Would they like her to become another Steff, of course. But, they already know her upside and will use her accordingly.

 

[Longtime fan]

]

I am sorry but Butler has terrible hands. She is constantly fumbling passes and bobbling rebounds. She is a below average rebounder for somebody her size. She does have a decent set shot but needs to be wide open to get it off because her release is so slow and she doesn't jump when she shoots it. With that being said Butler plays hard and has obviously worked her tail off to get in better shape. Unfortunately, the biggest thing holding Butler back is something she can't change and that is her lack of god given athleticism.

I agree completely. You are saying what lots of UCONN fans do not wish to hear. She is not athletic, has awful hands, is awkward, and cannot get one inch off the ground. She does work hard and give maximum effort. And that can serve to, " hold back the tide," when Naphessa or Gabby or Lou need a break ( Kia never does ). I don't think hard work and effort will help her improve much ( some, of course ), but she is not an elite athlete. I once said, " if Natalie were 6'0", she would have trouble earning playing time at the university of Hartford. Next year, she will get garbage time only. But she is a fine teammate and does contribute. We are lucky to have her this year.

 

[Longtime fan]

You say tomato---I say tomata---you see what you want to see--I see Natalie If a guard passes to her in traffic, below the knees---or a bullet pass from 6 ft she's not going to handle them--to me that's on the passer. Obviously Geno thinks so to cuz one of Dangers passes to Butlers ankles-got Danger pulled. But you are right Natalie-s jump is 3 inches high--as a support person with very limited minutes --getting rebounds is a plus. I've often said Natalie is an excellent Natalie --and she is what she is. You don't have to love her or even like her--
When God passed out ATHLETICISM--HE/SHE---just walked right on by Ms Butler. But we fans have seen all this last year ---nothing new here. She is needed--of that there is little doubt---but next year we may be writing the same stuff.
She is a part and parcel of this team--like it or not. She is what she is. I see no value to me, to you, to Natalie, nor the team to pick her apart---she probably reads this crap--that just MY view---you are absolutely entitled to your--
Every thing you say about Butler--she was when Geno picked her up and obviously viewed game films of her at GT.
And to top that failure off----he uses her in Big games---what does that say of Geno//??/????

I have always had a sneaky suspicion that Uconn, somehow, got burned in the recruiting process for Natalie's class....specifically, that they hoped to land one or two " bigs" to give them some size, but the cards did not fall correctly. I realize this theory is hard to imagine, given UCONN's appeal to recruits. But, for example, A'ja Wilson was among those stars who chose to go elsewhere. So Natalie's interest inn transferring was a blessing, given the timing. Without her contributions....even if it is mostly, "taking up space and banging around the post,".....we might find our "core four" beaten ragged. But I would be shocked if UCONN ever had an interest in recruiting NB into a freshman class. Oh, well. She is helping.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I have always had a sneaky suspicion that Uconn, somehow, got burned in the recruiting process for Natalie's class....specifically, that they hoped to land one or two " bigs" to give them some size, but the cards did not fall correctly. I realize this theory is hard to imagine, given UCONN's appeal to recruits. But, for example, A'ja Wilson was among those stars who chose to go elsewhere. So Natalie's interest inn transferring was a blessing, given the timing. Without her contributions....even if it is mostly, "taking up space and banging around the post,".....we might find our "core four" beaten ragged. But I would be shocked if UCONN ever had an interest in recruiting NB into a freshman class. Oh, well. She is helping.

I agree with everything about Natalie's contributions at Uconn.
Geno missed a couple of Bigs--everyone does not want Uconn--it's work and Geno never pulls punches about the work.
Wilson felt a connection with Dawn that wasn't at uconn--others saw Stewie and knew she not they would be the center of Uconn whole game--so they choose other teams. It's not an offense to Geno or UConn or us Fans that they go elsewhere.
Some of us are happy they did. With all we missed --we have Gabby, Collier, Katie Lou, Kia, Chong, Dangerfield, Natalie, Molly, Kyla and right now they are Number ONE, some will excel some won't---that has never hurt UC much in the past.
Look at the BIGS Geno is getting next year and beyond---are we Uconn fans BLESSED!!!

 

[oldude]

I have always had a sneaky suspicion that Uconn, somehow, got burned in the recruiting process for Natalie's class....specifically, that they hoped to land one or two " bigs" to give them some size, but the cards did not fall correctly. I realize this theory is hard to imagine, given UCONN's appeal to recruits. But, for example, A'ja Wilson was among those stars who chose to go elsewhere. So Natalie's interest inn transferring was a blessing, given the timing. Without her contributions....even if it is mostly, "taking up space and banging around the post,".....we might find our "core four" beaten ragged. But I would be shocked if UCONN ever had an interest in recruiting NB into a freshman class. Oh, well. She is helping.

FYI, Nat was from the HS class of 2013, and yes UConn was limited that year with only one recruit, Saniya. A'ja Wilson was from the class of 2014, when UConn brought in Gabby, Kia, Courtney Ekmark & Sadie Edwards. Mercedes Russell, Alaina Coates, Stephanie Mavunga were the best bigs available in 2013.

 

[dtbtbtb]

NB at this point is what she is and will be for next season as well. A hard working kid and a great teammate! We hoped for Dolson 2.0 but it ain't happening. Ashe is extremely important for the team especially this season and without her our chances for another final 4 and championship are very small so I'm thankful we have her on our team!

 

[tkaes]

There is a lot of negative things being said about NB, but I think she has come in this year and played great in big moments. Not everyone can an all-american, we need role players too

We live in an overly PC world. I believe that all critical commentary is not negative or unjustly harsh. More often than not, it is intended to be a statement of reality. I have observed, through the benefit of TV only, Natalie Butler play in nearly 50 games since she became eligible. While my conclusions may not rise to the level of fact, they are nevertheless opinions based on a fairly significant sample size. Natalie has bad hands. Natalie can't jump. Those are statements of reality.

I don't expect Natalie to be an All-American. As many All-Americans as UCONN has had, they have never had a team filled with current All-Americans (certainly 3 or 4 but not the entire starting 5 in the same year ). When Natalie transferred I only expected her to be a role player; she didn't have the credentials to expect otherwise.

Once again, Natalie has bad hands and she can't jump. Having said that, I essentially agree with your statement that "she has come in this year and played great in big moments" except I would substitute "well" or "very well" for "great". Now, suppose she had good hands and jumped as well as the average big.

 

[Waquoit]

Here is the one question you truth tellers have to ask yourselves: If Butler got hurt and was lost for the year, would UConn as a team be stronger or weaker?

 

[Florida Fan]

If I came across less than civil--and I try to not damn opinions--cuz that's all they are--if I made you think other wise i apologize. You are right we discuss the good games and how great so and so was. That's great. But Natalie seems to be an on going --same and more of the same. Again you are generous in you reply--and again--if i offended accept my apology.
I don't mind tearing up ND, Duke, USC, Tn or even JMU players---most will never read this.
Much of this isn't a debate--because much what is present is similar so the debate doesn't take place.
Again--this just me--personally I see no value to continue the same comment into another year--of what Natalie can't or should do. Natalie is an intelligent woman, of that have no doubt. As you pointed out she works hard. With her size, width personality, desires, she is what she is. Christine has worked with her against Stew, Gabby, Napheesa, Azura, etc
she is what she is.

Yeah, I too am hoping Natalie doesn't read this blog, because, like you, I realize that she's busting her butt and worried that she's not cutting the mustard. So reading that she has hands of stone or is athletically doomed can't help her confidence level. But the season is young, and others have said that the conference games against smaller centers may provide Nat the chances to become more aggressive in the post both as a shooter and as a defender/rebounder, I can't discount the valuable minutes she's given the team and trust that the coaching brain trust has plans to help her become even more valuable.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Yeah, I too am hoping Natalie doesn't read this blog, because, like you, I realize that she's busting her butt and worried that she's not cutting the mustard. So reading that she has hands of stone or is athletically doomed can't help her confidence level. But the season is young, and others have said that the conference games against smaller centers may provide Nat the chances to become more aggressive in the post both as a shooter and as a defender/rebounder, I can't discount the valuable minutes she's given the team and trust that the coaching brain trust has plans to help her become even more valuable.

I agree 120 percent.

 

[biscuit boy]

Hey stop stepping all over the girl. Concentrate on the positive rather than the negative, i.e. on the things she can do not on what she can't).

What i see when i watch her this year is someone who plays hard -- she runs the floor as hard as she can and is not afraid to bang underneath. She has a very good outlet pass and is a decent rebounder. She is always looking to make a play and has assisted on a number of baskets this year.. If she is limited in her ability to catch the ball it is up to the point guard or whoever else to make the sure the ball is delivered to her where she can do something with it and not at the ankles, etc. she has displayed some decent step thru moves and has hit out to 15 feet. She appears to be doing everything asked of her.

I see a great teammate that a lotta teams would like to have.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Here is the one question you truth tellers have to ask yourselves: If Butler got hurt and was lost for the year, would UConn as a team be stronger or weaker?

Of course weaker. Same as if we lost Bent or Kyla or TLaw. The only way you get stronger if you lose someone is if they are a detriment to the team. Those players are quickly shown the door at UConn.

 

[BroadwayVa]

FYI, Nat was from the HS class of 2013, and yes UConn was limited that year with only one recruit, Saniya. A'ja Wilson was from the class of 2014, when UConn brought in Gabby, Kia, Courtney Ekmark & Sadie Edwards. Mercedes Russell, Alaina Coates, Stephanie Mavunga were the best bigs available in 2013.

Ekmark had a lot of positive words written about her prior to her arrival. She took off her HS senior year to play with boy/men teams and to be physically prepared for uconn--she was an exceptional 3 ball shooter so the pundits said.
Is there any wonder Fans felt a bit disapointed ? Sadie--was recruited and accepted by Geno--she played guard a couple of games --then was gone.

 

[Waquoit]

Of course weaker. Same as if we lost Bent or Kyla or TLaw.

This is a joke, right?

 

[HoopsFan21]

This is a joke, right?

No. Molly, Kyla, and TLaw are important members of the team and contribute just as much as anyone else whether that's in games or practice or in some other meaningful way not visible to us fans.

 

[Waquoit]

No. Molly, Kyla, and TLaw are important members of the team and contribute just as much as anyone else whether that's in games or practice or in some other meaningful way not visible to us fans.

Yeah, no.