Nika myth should be dumped

[PacoSwede]

In the stats thread (OP @DavidinNaples) there was a comment that struck me: “... did Nika's defensive prowess make up for her offensive liability ...”

This was not a core point. It was posted in passing, for illustrative reasons. That’s OK. But it also irked me a bit because:

I think it reflects an unexamined but commonly accepted assessment of Nika.

She did do awesome, outstanding things defensively, but she also was mercurial, took lots of chances, accummulated silly, harmful fouls, mouthed off to refs, etc. Yet the BY focuses on her defensive strengths (and why not? some were exceptional and often overlooked keys to victory).

On the offensive side, there seems to be an opposite take. Nika was only tolerable, even a liability. Why? Because she couldn’t be counted on to put up big numbers in the FGM (or FGA) column. She didn’t put the ball through the net very often — herself. Therefore, her contributions offensively are discounted, a distinct contrast to her “beast” status as a defender.

BYers seem eager to forget that Nika was the team’s all-time assists record holder, that she orchestrated the team in the half court, that she was quick to push the pace offensively. But she didn’t put the ball in the hoop much — though she was successful from behind the arc more than 40% of the time as a senior (yeah, but she didn’t take many, and only when wide open) — so she was a liability on offense. Sounds somewhat crazy, doesn’t it?

I would hope we abandon the idea that Nika was a liability offensively. Or an impeccable defender, for that matter. Let’s give due credit to both aspects of her game.

 

[Bone Dog]

In the stats thread (OP @DavidinNaples) there was a comment that struck me: “... did Nika's defensive prowess make up for her offensive liability ...”

This was not a core point. It was posted in passing, for illustrative reasons. That’s OK. But it also irked me a bit because:

I think it reflects an unexamined but commonly accepted assessment of Nika.

She did do awesome, outstanding things defensively, but she also was mercurial, took lots of chances, accummulated silly, harmful fouls, mouthed off to refs, etc. Yet the BY focuses on her defensive strengths (and why not? some were exceptional and often overlooked keys to victory).

On the offensive side, there seems to be an opposite take. Nika was only tolerable, even a liability. Why? Because she couldn’t be counted on to put up big numbers in the FGM (or FGA) column. She didn’t put the ball through the net very often — herself. Therefore, her contributions offensively are discounted, a distinct contrast to her “beast” status as a defender.

BYers seem eager to forget that Nika was the team’s all-time assists record holder, that she orchestrated the team in the half court, that she was quick to push the pace offensively. But she didn’t put the ball in the hoop much — though she was successful from behind the arc more than 40% of the time as a senior (yeah, but she didn’t take many, and only when wide open) — so she was a liability on offense. Sounds somewhat crazy, doesn’t it?

I would hope we abandon the idea that Nika was a liability offensively. Or an impeccable defender, for that matter. Let’s give due credit to both aspects of her game.

I, for one, would be thrilled if KK or Kayleigh turn out to be as good as Nika at hitting open 3s

 

[oldude]

Your take on Nika offensively is spot on. But as to her defensive abilities, your take is a bit confusing. It appears that you are intimating that despite some “exceptional” plays on the defensive side, Nika was overrated. That idea, if that is what you are expressing, doesn’t square with the fact that Nika was named the BE DPOY not once, but two times.

All defenders foul, get beat occasionally and complain about foul calls. The strength of Nika defensively is that she would defend the opposing team’s top guard by getting into their “hip pocket” and hounding them all over the court, denying them the ball, speeding them up when they had the ball and forcing turnovers.

It’s a “high wire act” if you can pull it off. Not everyone can, and certainly there were games when an overly aggressive Nika put herself on the bench in foul trouble early in the game. On balance, Nika was an outstanding defender who was absolutely relentless. She wasn’t a perfect defender. But then again, no one is a perfect defender.

 

[Bone Dog]

I agree with @PacoSwede that Nika made costly defensive errors and sometimes they came at moments that clearly cost the team a win. This seems to have been part and parcel of what you got with her defensive aggressiveness. But, of course, the very fact that her fouling out was disastrous for the team also showed how much they depended on her. She was irreplaceable in those final two seasons, and especially her junior year when there was no Paige or Azzi.

When I think of her greatness, on both ends of the court, I’m reminded of how she dismantled Tennessee in the third quarter as a sophomore, or suffocated Caitlin as a junior and spearheaded another victory (yes, Azzi and Carol were instrumental too), or nearly engineered an upset of SC with only Lou as a perimeter scoring threat next to her, no Paige no Azzi and only playing 6; or inspired a defeat of Tennessee at a very unfriendly arena in an intense contest where her ferocity was absolutely key.

There were definitely occasional lapses, costly errors, but also a shining brilliance that could lead a team through the fire.

And the grace with which she welcomed KK and Ash and took a different role on the team was also inspiring. Paige led the team on an incredible final four run that season, but it wouldn’t have been possible without Nika shepherding the freshmen along to follow Paige. And even then, a costly error and foul out against Syracuse almost caused an early exit from the tournament. In my eyes, those errors are evidence of how great she was. Had it been anyone else, the team wouldn’t have batted an eye.

 

[Basingstoke]

Your take on Nika offensively is spot on. But as to her defensive abilities, your take is a bit confusing. It appears that you are intimating that despite some “exceptional” plays on the defensive side, Nika was overrated. That idea, if that is what you are expressing, doesn’t square with the fact that Nika was named the BE DPOY not once, but two times.

All defenders foul, get beat occasionally and complain about foul calls. The strength of Nika defensively is that she would defend the opposing team’s top guard by getting into their “hip pocket” and hounding them all over the court, denying them the ball, speeding them up when they had the ball and forcing turnovers.

It’s a “high wire act” if you can pull it off. Not everyone can, and certainly there were games when an overly aggressive Nika put herself on the bench in foul trouble early in the game. On balance, Nika was an outstanding defender who was absolutely relentless. She wasn’t a perfect defender. But then again, no one is a perfect defender.

I believe that Caitlin Clark would attest to Nika being an excellent and exasperating defender (remember her in-game statement of something like: can someone get that defender off of me).

 

[oldude]

I believe that Caitlin Clark would attest to Nika being an excellent and exasperating defender (remember her in-game statement of something like: can someone get that defender off of me).

Even in the national semifinal loss to Iowa, Nika held CC to a pedestrian 7/18 shooting, 3/11 from 3pt range. In fact Nika made just as many 3-pt shots (3) as CC on 5 fewer attempts (3/6).

 

[PacoSwede]

i think it's clear that nika was a huge asset on defense, as oldude emphasized (i assumed i didn't imply otherwise -- i certainly didn't intent that) and loved bone dog's contribution.

i didn't note this in my OP, but i think nika's most outstanding virtue was the energy and fire that she brought to the fore for the entire team. i think she was inspiring to her teammates in that, and boosted their spirits and confidence. this was a major reason for the team's successes, more so than either her defensive or offensive contributions, both of which were clearly needed.

 

[Huskee11]

i think it's clear that nika was a huge asset on defense, as oldude emphasized (i assumed i didn't imply otherwise -- i certainly didn't intent that) and loved bone dog's contribution.

i didn't note this in my OP, but personally it think nika's most outstanding virtue was the energy and fire that she brought to the fore for the entire team. i think she was inspiring to her teammates in that, and boosted their spirits and confidence. this was a major reason for the team's successes, more so than either her defensive or offensive contributions, both of which were needed.

You beat me to the punch.

I think all of the posts thus far do a commendable job in analyzing her offensive and defensive abilities, both positive and negative.

But the comment above concerning the energy she brought is also key in understanding her impact. That, plus the fact that she was clearly the voice and leader on a team with other strong personalities and players with considerate abilities. She was as fierce a competitor as you could possibly have. Sometimes it got her in trouble, she could be exasperating, she wore her huge heart on her sleeve for better or worse. But mostly it set the tone and it worked. It sure was fun to watch.

I saw her play numerous times in person and I would also add that the offense just worked better when she was out there. The tempo was better, the spacing and movement better, the shots created better. And watching her charging out of the gate down the middle with the ball on a fast break was truly thrilling to watch.

The other lasting memory would be of her leading a group of eight or so players onto the court during the worst of the injury plague, fearlessly and unapologetically, giving no quarter and asking none either. Here we are, we are UConn.

 

[DavidinNaples]

Just to be clear, the Nika comment about "offensive liability" was in the responses, not my OP.
Nika scored 764 points in her career and shot 40.1% from 3 point range as a Senior.
Love me some Nika..!!

 

[MooseJaw]

Boy, times for Husky news is thin. Getting out our magnifying glass to search for kibbles and bits to talk about. We spent 4 years while she was here and now the 2 she has been gone beating senseless this topic in one form or another. Like Summer tv, the reruns are now ending bringing new content, I hope. ***stars for Nika a player that keeps on giving.

 

[Centerstream]

The greatest thing that I remember about Nika was the game in her Freshman year when Geno took her out of a game, talked to her and she went and sat in her (COVID restriction) seat by herself...in tears. Being a new kid, on a new team that included the future National POY and in a new country her future could have gone one of two ways. I will be forever grateful that she chose the path that she did. Nika is/was awesome at UConn!!!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I'll just say this: I always loved it when Nika took to the court. She brought something out there that wasn't there when she wasn't. Something important.

 

[Scud49]

I'll take Nika any day on my team....any day.

 

[huskeynut]

Nika was constantly criticized by many posters starting her freshman year. She did not meet the criteria for aq PG. Most have stopped posting. They did not see what she brought to the table. Thru her 4 years at UConn she grew as a player and a person. She was that leader that got her team going. Was she reckless at times, yes. Could she have scored more, maybe. She was a pass first, defensive PG.

She holds the season and career records for assists.

I have my Nika jerseyy!!! If I was a coach, I would take Nika on my team in a heartbeat.

 

[NycUcWbbFan]

The greatest thing that I remember about Nika was the game in her Freshman year when Geno took her out of a game, talked to her and she went and sat in her (COVID restriction) seat by herself...in tears. Being a new kid, on a new team that included the future National POY and in a new country her future could have gone one of two ways. I will be forever grateful that she chose the path that she did. Nika is/was awesome at UConn!!!

By the end of that year, according to Geno, Nika was indispensable. “I’m not as happy as if we had Nika 100 percent, … If we had Nika 100 percent, we’re a different basketball team. Much different basketball team.”

Expressed in the language of analytics, Nika is a multiplier, kinda like the umami ingredient in a recipe. By itself, it is under appreciated. But without it, a recipe is not the same.

 

[WiseWillie]

Your take on Nika offensively is spot on. But as to her defensive abilities, your take is a bit confusing. It appears that you are intimating that despite some “exceptional” plays on the defensive side, Nika was overrated. That idea, if that is what you are expressing, doesn’t square with the fact that Nika was named the BE DPOY not once, but two times.

All defenders foul, get beat occasionally and complain about foul calls. The strength of Nika defensively is that she would defend the opposing team’s top guard by getting into their “hip pocket” and hounding them all over the court, denying them the ball, speeding them up when they had the ball and forcing turnovers.

It’s a “high wire act” if you can pull it off. Not everyone can, and certainly there were games when an overly aggressive Nika put herself on the bench in foul trouble early in the game. On balance, Nika was an outstanding defender who was absolutely relentless. She wasn’t a perfect defender. But then again, no one is a perfect defender.

Right on, Dude. During an interview a few years ago Azzi was asked what she would think if she was on the opposing team and guarded by Nika. Her reply as I remember with a smile was something like "I would absolutely hate her!"

 

[WiseWillie]

The greatest thing that I remember about Nika was the game in her Freshman year when Geno took her out of a game, talked to her and she went and sat in her (COVID restriction) seat by herself...in tears. Being a new kid, on a new team that included the future National POY and in a new country her future could have gone one of two ways. I will be forever grateful that she chose the path that she did. Nika is/was awesome at UConn!!!

Thanks for bringing that up, Centerstream. It is one of many memorable moments of Nika as she matured and grew at UConn. It demonstrated to me what a strong and determined young woman she was - and still is.

 

[Inthepaint]

Nika gaveth & Nika tooketh away.
IMHO, her pluses far outweighed her minuses.
Looking beyond stats & other metrics, she plays like she MEANS it.
My key memory of Nika’s UCONN career took place during the first game of the NCAA tourney, her freshman year.
She injured her ankle badly enough to not only miss the rest of the game but also the balance of the tourney
Hobbling out on crutches, sitting up with ice on her outstretched leg she knew her season was over and she could only give her “sisters” moral support.
No doubt the leg hurt , but you could see her weeping was pure frustration & disappointment.
After that , no matter how many boneheaded passes or dumb fouls made me pull my hair, I KNEW Nika was a keeper Guess Geno thought so, too.

 

[Bigboote]

By the end of that year, according to Geno, Nika was indispensable. “I’m not as happy as if we had Nika 100 percent, … If we had Nika 100 percent, we’re a different basketball team. Much different basketball team.”

Expressed in the language of analytics, Nika is a multiplier, kinda like the umami ingredient in a recipe. By itself, it is under appreciated. But without it, a recipe is not the same.

I agree with the several posts above that her energy was invaluable. But the multiplier effect goes beyond that. Geno once said to the effect, "Nika believes she can do anything, not only that, she makes everyone around her believe they can do anything." She gave her teammates energy, passion, and confidence.

 

[oldude]

One additional comment on Nika, and her popularity. After UConn games at XL or Storrs, in one corner of the arena was a crowd of fans, mostly young girls, seeking autographs and selfies from Paige, who signed and posed tirelessly for her young fans. Right along side of Paige, signing autographs and taking selfies, for as long as it took, was Nika, who was almost as popular and beloved as her besty.