Nika added to Lieberman watch list!

[The deacon]

Don't get me wrong, Clark is going to be the winner and I think it is really great that Nika got on the list. I doubt we'd be thinking about this if Paige was healthy so good for her to seize an opportunity. Largely Nika isn't in contention due to her lack of scoring but Clark can't guard a chair. It is unfortunate that defense doesn't get equal representation.....

Have you watched Iowa play this season, DEpup? The Hawkeyes aren't anyone's idea of a defensive force, but it's no longer Clark's fault. She plays aggressive D, is quick to pick up for her teammates and is an excellent defensive rebounder for a team that needs it. Other parts of her game might overshadow it, but Caitlin clearly has taken to heart that one must play hard at both ends of the court. I'm not sure which chair you're referring to, but it must be a much more elusive chair than the one Clark couldn't guard a year or two ago.

Just as voters (and fans) shouldn't overlook Nika's much upgraded offensive capabilities since her freshman year, they shouldn't base their beliefs about Clark's defense on what they read or saw in a game or two a couple of years ago.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

About time.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Sue Bird will not be eligible for the Hall of Fame until 2027, so there could be at least one more person wearing #10. The next person that is eligible should be Maya, because the way I read the rules you are eligible for the Hall 5 years after your last time playing the game, so she should be eligible for the class of 2023.

I thought that the HOF changed the rule that that a player must be retired for 5 years to 3 years. I can't find that, but I do see multiple references that it was changed to 4 years. If Sue played in September 2022 and the inductions are in early September, is she eligible in 2026 or 2027?

Regarding Maya, I saw a couple of articles that referenced 2024 eligibility. I think the 2023 process had already begun when Maya announced her retirement, and Maya wasn't on any ballots. My guess is 2024 for Maya.

Both Sue and Maya should be absolute no-brainers for induction in their first year of eligibility. They are the best of the best.

 

[DEpup]

Have you watched Iowa play this season, DEpup? The Hawkeyes aren't anyone's idea of a defensive force, but it's no longer Clark's fault. She plays aggressive D, is quick to pick up for her teammates and is an excellent defensive rebounder for a team that needs it. Other parts of her game might overshadow it, but Caitlin clearly has taken to heart that one must play hard at both ends of the court. I'm not sure which chair you're referring to, but it must be a much more elusive chair than the one Clark couldn't guard a year or two ago.

Just as voters (and fans) shouldn't overlook Nika's much upgraded offensive capabilities since her freshman year, they shouldn't base their beliefs about Clark's defense on what they read or saw in a game or two a couple of years ago.

Yes I've watched Iowa and I still don't think they play good defense as a team which makes them vulnerable to the weird losses they've taken. I personally haven't seen the improvement for Clark on defense. Hands up, in a stance, and taking on a team's best offensive ball handling guard are not phrases I'd use to describe Clark.

 

[#12in21]

I thought that the HOF changed the rule that that a player must be retired for 5 years to 3 years. I can't find that, but I do see multiple references that it was changed to 4 years. If Sue played in September 2022 and the inductions are in early September, is she eligible in 2026 or 2027?

Regarding Maya, I saw a couple of articles that referenced 2024 eligibility. I think the 2023 process had already begun when Maya announced her retirement, and Maya wasn't on any ballots. My guess is 2024 for Maya.

Both Sue and Maya should be absolute no-brainers for induction in their first year of eligibility. They are the best of the best.

Here's a link for selection process for the HOF:

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Election Process

paragraph on eligibility:
Player: A player must be fully retired for four full seasons before being eligible for Enshrinement. He/she may then be considered for Enshrinement in the fifth year of retirement. Should a player come out of retirement for a short period of time, as defined by the BHOF, his/her case and eligibility for Enshrinement shall be reviewed on an individual basis.

So if I am reading that correctly Sue retired in 2022 and would be eligible after four full years of retirement (2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026). So she could be elected following the end of the 2026 WNBA season. In the first paragraph of attached link it says nominations have to be submitted by October 31st. So I assume Sue would be nominated by October 31, 2026. ( Maya hasn't played for several seasons but just officially announced her retirement so technically her four year clock started from the time of her 'full retirement'.)

In my post #18 above I suggested Nika will be the last Husky to wear #10 which I still believe will be true. She will play through the 23-24 season at a minimum (and if by some chance she takes her covid year of eligibility through 24-25). I can't see an incoming player taking that number given the fact that during their four years career it will be retired and they would have to switch numbers. After Nika I believe it will ve 'shelved' until it heads to the rafters.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Unfortunately, it's going to come down to Clark or Miles I would think but to even be nominated is still quite an honor.......

I think there are only four actual candidates on this list: Miles, Clark, Alexis Morris and Nika.

 

[The deacon]

Yes I've watched Iowa and I still don't think they play good defense as a team which makes them vulnerable to the weird losses they've taken. I personally haven't seen the improvement for Clark on defense. Hands up, in a stance, and taking on a team's best offensive ball handling guard are not phrases I'd use to describe Clark.

As I said, Iowa is not a strong defensive team, especially compared with South Carolina and UConn, but better than in past years. As for your description of what you feel would be a Lieberman Award winner's qualities as a player, here's what the award is actually looking for:

"The floor leadership, play-making and ball-handling skills that personified Nancy Lieberman during her career." And, I'll opine, scoring is very much an aspect of play-making, correct?

There is no mention of defensive skills, and in particular 'taking on a team's best ballhandling guard.' That said, Caitlin Clark is a better defensive player than you credit her, and certainly is the epitome of one who has the expressed skills sought in the Lieberman award (as has, and hopefully will again, Paige Bueckers).

JMO.

 

[npignatjr]

Don't get me wrong, Clark is going to be the winner and I think it is really great that Nika got on the list. I doubt we'd be thinking about this if Paige was healthy so good for her to seize an opportunity. Largely Nika isn't in contention due to her lack of scoring but Clark can't guard a chair. It is unfortunate that defense doesn't get equal representation.....

Nika leads A team with no bad losses

 

[npignatjr]

As I said, Iowa is not a strong defensive team, especially compared with South Carolina and UConn, but better than in past years. As for your description of what you feel would be a Lieberman Award winner's qualities as a player, here's what the award is actually looking for:

"The floor leadership, play-making and ball-handling skills that personified Nancy Lieberman during her career." And, I'll opine, scoring is very much an aspect of play-making, correct?

There is no mention of defensive skills, and in particular 'taking on a team's best ballhandling guard.' That said, Caitlin Clark is a better defensive player than you credit her, and certainly is the epitome of one who has the expressed skills sought in the Lieberman award (as has, and hopefully will again, Paige Bueckers).

JMO.

"
"Playing the playmaker position in basketball requires good court vision and excellent passing skills. The playmaker usually has excellent shooting ability, so being a playmaker can require good shooting mechanics as well.

Being able to see the entire court and make smart decisions under pressure is what makes a great Playmaker. A good Play maker needs to have excellent courtvision which allows them to know where their teammates are at all times on the floor; this is essential for making plays on offense or defense."

 

[fomalhaut]

I think there are only four actual candidates on this list: Miles, Clark, Alexis Morris and Nika.

McKenna Hofschild has far superior numbers (5th in assists, 2nd in A/TO) as a pure point guard than anyone on the list except Muhl.

 

[Bigboote]

Yes I've watched Iowa and I still don't think they play good defense as a team which makes them vulnerable to the weird losses they've taken. I personally haven't seen the improvement for Clark on defense. Hands up, in a stance, and taking on a team's best offensive ball handling guard are not phrases I'd use to describe Clark.

Gabby Marshal is Iowa's defensive guard. There's no reason to try to shoehorn your exceptional offensive point guard into a defensive specialist role.

Clark makes some really good defensive plays, but she takes plays off too. I do think she's improved this year.

Iowa's defense to me appears better than last year, but I think they're applying less effort to it than they were earlier in the year. They're #133 in Massey, which I think is about where they were last year. You're not going to win the whole thing with that kind of D.

 

[#12in21]

Nika Mühl talks about being a top-10 finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award: "It's definitely an honor but at the same time, I'm not satisfied. I have something that I'm working for that's much bigger than that, in my opinion" Gotta love this kid!

 

[NEforceUConn]

That’s what the Hoop Hall Awards voting was for. Fan voting is a part of it. Nika made the first cut

Scroll down for the women’s awards

Hoophall Awards

Where the heck is AE? Do I need a new pair of readers?

 

[Bigboote]

Where the heck is AE? Do I need a new pair of readers?

Aaliyah named to Katrina McClain watch list

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