Nothing From KML?

[malevocalist#]

I don't think the coach (norSue) has found a way to get them all to have decent nights at the same time...seems like one of their big three always has an off night when one or two of the others shine.

If Sue, Jewel and Stewie all play well, they'll be hard to beat

That is so on point

 

[malevocalist#]

I cannot understand why Seattle's coach, after expending a #1 draft choice on KML, who, in turn is a first team All American, isn't using her. The coach puts her in for a grand total of 31 seconds last night? Against a mediocre team? Seriously? She seems in good physical shape; no talk of injuries.

Is it time for Seattle to either play her or trade her? This is ridiculous!

I agree with you 100%. And I can't wrap my head around that fact either. And if I dwell on it to long, I lose myself.

 

[Aluminny69]

The few times that I have watched KML play, she has missed wide open shots, I can't really explain why. Surprised there is no mention of Amanda Zahui B., who was drafted just before KML. AZB has been traded, and currently plays less than 7 min per game for the Liberty.

 

[malevocalist#]

Last year, I posted a comment about Storm head coach Jenny Boucek's minimal use of KML, and how odd it seemed, given that first round draft picks usually get more than an occasional brief insert during games.
If you remember, Kaleena got very little playing time during the first 2/3 of the season. After the Storm had been officially eliminated from post season consideration, her minutes increased. I suggested at that time that perhaps it was a mistake for Seattle to have drafted her, and perhaps she would do better with another franchise. That observation was met with several opposing comments and counter takes.

The Boneyard consensus at that time was that her weight (which was never an issue at UConn, or here in the yard) and her inability to play defense at an acceptable level, were thought to be the main stumbling blocks to her getting more floor minutes.
Fast forward to today. After spending a season overseas, and having time to condition her body for the rigors of professional play, one would think season two would be radically different. Not so. Through 10 games this season (following stats were taken from the official Storm web site), Mosqueda-Lewis has appeared (through yesterday) in 10 games off the bench, averaging 11.2 minutes, shooting 33% from the floor, 20.8% from beyond the arc, 71.4 % in free throws.

Kaleena has been, and remains a developing roll player to this point. Whereas other first round draft picks Jewel Loyd and Breanna Stewart have established themselves as frontline players, and moved into the starting lineup. Why has KML not flourished at the next level as many of her "first round draft pick" contemporaries? Did the Storm make a mistake in their assessment of her? Is the coaching staff ill prepared/equipped to develop her, and bring her along? Are they misusing her? Has she not being given a fair chance of getting more floor time? Is she a bust? On draft day a year ago, she burst onto the scene with lots of media fanfare and rousing cheers from their fan base. Bringing her and Loyd into the program gave Storm fans a sense of hope, pride and a wealth of unbridled optimism. Fade to black. What happened? What's going on here? Will she forever be relegated to an off the bench "support" roll?, or do her potential fortunes lay with another team?

"Has she not being given a fair chance of getting more floor time?" This part I agree with whole heartedly.

 

[malevocalist#]

Granted that the team coach usually knows his/her players best, it's still hard for many of us to believe that Kaleena, who has excelled at so many bb levels, cannot be a valuable contributor if given the proper chance. Here's a player who has team records at an elite high school, who was among the high scorers at U16, 17, 18-19, World University Games and ended-up being the all-time NCAA leader in 3-pointers. Despite needing, at times, screens, inattentive opponents and alert point guards...she must have been doing something right.
"Swish Appeal" makes some good points in their article on recent WNBA teams and the fading value of the 3-point shot. A factor that should weigh-in to some degree is the relatively recent decision on the part of the WNBA to move back the 3-point line and the time needed for players to adjust. Possibly more of a factor, is the current apparent sparcity of good 3-point WNBA shooters.
To quote Jim Petersen of the Lynx " We want to shoot the three- it's just we don't have the personnel to shoot the three" or the Liberty's Katie Smith when commenting on the lack of 3 point Liberty shooters " You make it work with the pieces you have". ( Although, recently our Tina Charles has shown some genuine 3-point shooting prowess!)
Who knows....our KML may yet prove to very much fit-in....and even excel, at the WNBA level!!

They should trade for KML....REALLY.

 

[rt bb fan]

I was at the game last night - they could have used her. Didn't seem to be many scorers on the floor except for Stewie, who is just so, so good. If they had a real center on their team she'd be even better, she was guarding Courtney Paris most of the night and probably giving up 100 pounds. Did pretty well, though, had a few blocks. Offensively she is just so smooth.

They should get Stefanie Dolson her screen setting and passing would be more utilized, than it is at Washington.

 

[rt bb fan]

The few times that I have watched KML play, she has missed wide open shots, I can't really explain why. Surprised there is no mention of Amanda Zahui B., who was drafted just before KML. AZB has been traded, and currently plays less than 7 min per game for the Liberty.

I was going to comment on Zahui B also.The only top pick in that draft playing well is Jewel.

 

[FedupFred]

Jewel was 3 for 15 last night. I don't consider that good by any means.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I haven't watched enough (or any) Seattle games to comment specifically, but I do think that folks really under-appreciate the difference between the college and pro games, and the different skill sets that are required.

From the various comments I have read, and applying a bit of common sense, it seems to me that most likely KML is not as diverse in her offense and not as adept at individual defense as some of the other players. These are skills that can be developed.

The defense that Geno employed at UConn was not dependent primarily on individual skill but rather on the superb team positional defense against teams with one or two highly skilled (future-pro) skills. While he probably could develop a defense for the pros, it would not and could not be the same, and still be successful. The style of play and skill of the opponent is too high.

One of the great 3 point shooters (in my mind) that I saw in the pros was Becky Hammon - but does anyone remember how she could get herself under the basket for a contorted lay-up? That's one of the skills I suspect KML is developing.

And no, the international game is not the same as the WNBA, either.

 

[iri10]

I badly want KML to succeed. Great personality, exciting player when she's clicking on all cylinders. And yes, it may be that some other coach will see more value in her than Seattle's does. But even before she set foot in the WNBA, I had a feeling that she needed to improve. I never thought that she would simply be able to move up, and all the stuff she was capable of doing in college would immediately translate.

She needs to increase her agility, which is accomplished by becoming stronger relative to her bodyweight (through some combination of weight training, weight loss, clean eating, etc.). If she can't accomplish this, her ceiling is "specialist role player." I don't think KML entered the league with the ambition of becoming a role player. And in general, the WNBA and its roster limits are not friendly to specialist role players.

I think KML is strong-willed, and this has served her well as a basketball player. But now I think she needs to train that strong will in a direction that maybe she hasn't felt the need to prioritize before. After several years of struggling to get minutes, and struggling to do anything with them when she does, I think that the reality of what she needs to do is now staring her in the face. I will be watching hopefully to see if she can do it. She wouldn't be the first youngster to struggle for years, before finally figuring it out down the road.

 

[CocoHusky]

"There are WNBA executives who doubt Mosqueda-Lewis has the speed and agility to get to the basket, to create her own shots and, more importantly, guard the swift perimeter players she will be assigned to at the next level."

Mosqueda-Lewis Working Hard To Prove Skeptics Wrong

 

[CPD016]

I badly want KML to succeed. Great personality, exciting player when she's clicking on all cylinders. And yes, it may be that some other coach will see more value in her than Seattle's does. But even before she set foot in the WNBA, I had a feeling that she needed to improve. I never thought that she would simply be able to move up, and all the stuff she was capable of doing in college would immediately translate.

She needs to increase her agility, which is accomplished by becoming stronger relative to her bodyweight (through some combination of weight training, weight loss, clean eating, etc.). If she can't accomplish this, her ceiling is "specialist role player." I don't think KML entered the league with the ambition of becoming a role player. And in general, the WNBA and its roster limits are not friendly to specialist role players.

I think KML is strong-willed, and this has served her well as a basketball player. But now I think she needs to train that strong will in a direction that maybe she hasn't felt the need to prioritize before. After several years of struggling to get minutes, and struggling to do anything with them when she does, I think that the reality of what she needs to do is now staring her in the face. I will be watching hopefully to see if she can do it. She wouldn't be the first youngster to struggle for years, before finally figuring it out down the road.

I remember Sue Bird saying that players are in their prime between the ages of 28-33. So there is hope for KML to "Figure it out"

 

[Woof 101]

You are right I don't know every bit of her situation, but neither do you.

I didn't say she wasn't good enough for the professional game. So please don't put words in my mouth. In fact I said "I think KML can be a good pro IF she works her game to come closer to the superior physical shape of the WNBA players and continues to develop moves with the ball in her hands. That takes work and time."

Here are the facts no one can dispute: She is in her second year. Her minutes are small. Her shooting from three is really, really bad .208 (on a small sample size). Her team is not winning (so I am willing to make the assumption that if her coach had any reason to believe she could light it up -- like she was killing it in practice -- she would put her in the game).

At this time she is NOT an elite athlete when compared to the other WNBA players. It's hard to understand how one would even dispute that. To look only at UConn players in the league -- where would you place her on an athleticism scale in comparison to Maya, Tina, Stewie, Diana, Faris, Sue, Montgomery, Hartley, MoJet ...? I would rate her at the end of that list.

I like KML a lot and was a defender of her when she was at UConn. Against college competition I thought she was great and her athleticism was high (in comparison to her competition). But if you don't recognize that she has taken a giant step up "class" in the WNBA and that affects her ability to perform at a high level then feel free to go ahead and blame it on the coach.

Let's lighten up a little on the common sense here hey...

 

[Aluminny69]

I was going to comment on Zahui B also.The only top pick in that draft playing well is Jewel.

Well, the number four pick, Elizabeth Williams, is playing very well for Atlanta. There's another trade that didn't work out for the Sun. Williams has really got herself in terrific condition, I don't even recognize her from her days at Duke. So, KML can take some inspiration from Williams. You just have to get on the right team.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

The suggestion that it's such a big jump from college to the WNBA, and that KML just can't be expected to make such a big jump and perform well, or even get into the game for more than a few minutes, flies in the face of the performance of almost every other UConn Husky to enter the WNBA. Look at this year's UConn picks: Tuck is now a starter and playing well; Moriah is a bona fide star; Breanna is the class of the league; Tiffany Hayes came in and performed right off the bat. In fact, Kiah Stokes is better in the pros than she was in college. And the same goes for former WNBA player Charde Houston. The only player I can recall who has really languished in obscurity is Kelly Faris, who was far from making first-team AA when she was in college. Yet, even she's starting now for Connecticut Sun. Ketia Swanier, about whom one really could say that she didn't have the tools to be a star, still played pretty well for two or three years.

KML's extended stay on Seattle's bench is a shocking outcome for a major All-American. She wasn't warming the bench in Europe, arguably a tougher league than the WNBA. And it is totally out of the norm for virtually every All-American coming out of Connecticut.

Yes, Amanda Zahui-B isn't playing all that well. But she came out of the Big Ten, and was relatively obscure until her last season. Not a huge surprise that she's not a star. But KML- yes, big surprise. HUUGE- as Bernie would say.

Let's hear it from the coach, or from Seattle's front office. Someone should be opening up about this.

Fans deserve an explanation. Reporters, let's see you ask the questions!

 

[Fairfield Fan]

I remember Sue Bird saying that players are in their prime between the ages of 28-33. So there is hope for KML to "Figure it out"

I can't recall a single AA coming out of Connecticut who has waited for six or seven years to perform. Not one. And the Big Three entering the WNBA this year are major stars less than ten games in. So the suggestion that KML should wait for years to "develop" into a performer makes no sense.

Her team is letting her down. Time for a trade. She should demand one.

 

[triaddukefan]

I was going to comment on Zahui B also.The only top pick in that draft playing well is Jewel.

Obviously you havent been paying attention to the Atlanta Dream

 

[Aluminny69]

Well, the number four pick, Elizabeth Williams, is playing very well for Atlanta. There's another trade that didn't work out for the Sun. Williams has really got herself in terrific condition, I don't even recognize her from her days at Duke. So, KML can take some inspiration from Williams. You just have to get on the right team.

Williams helped the Dream beat the Chicago Sky tonight in overtime. She had 20 points and 9 rebounds, going 6 for 6 on free throws.

 

[triaddukefan]

I can't recall a single AA coming out of Connecticut who has waited for six or seven years to perform. Not one. And the Big Three entering the WNBA this year are major stars less than ten games in. So the suggestion that KML should wait for years to "develop" into a performer makes no sense.

Her team is letting her down. Time for a trade. She should demand one.

I guess stars is a subjective term...... Personally I would say that there are probably 10 stars in the whole WNBA .... perhaps less.

 

[hoophuskee]

You are right I don't know every bit of her situation, but neither do you.

I didn't say she wasn't good enough for the professional game. So please don't put words in my mouth. In fact I said "I think KML can be a good pro IF she works her game to come closer to the superior physical shape of the WNBA players and continues to develop moves with the ball in her hands. That takes work and time."

Here are the facts no one can dispute: She is in her second year. Her minutes are small. Her shooting from three is really, really bad .208 (on a small sample size). Her team is not winning (so I am willing to make the assumption that if her coach had any reason to believe she could light it up -- like she was killing it in practice -- she would put her in the game).

At this time she is NOT an elite athlete when compared to the other WNBA players. It's hard to understand how one would even dispute that. To look only at UConn players in the league -- where would you place her on an athleticism scale in comparison to Maya, Tina, Stewie, Diana, Faris, Sue, Montgomery, Hartley, MoJet ...? I would rate her at the end of that list.

I like KML a lot and was a defender of her when she was at UConn. Against college competition I thought she was great and her athleticism was high (in comparison to her competition). But if you don't recognize that she has taken a giant step up "class" in the WNBA and that affects her ability to perform at a high level then feel free to go ahead and blame it on the coach.

I've only seen one game with Seattle - maybe you're right but I'm right now reluctant to fully buy into your assessment but who knows - you could wind up being correct for KML's career. Aside from the fact most posters that agree with your assessment are those that usually look to point out anything negative regarding UCONN, - however on the flip side - another point is that Steve Kerr was pretty darn successful in the NBA playing on title teams. He was competing against the world's greatest athletes and he developed quite a niche and was a multi-champion. There is no reason why KML can't be proficient from 3. I can't believe most of her shots she has missed is because someone is right on top of her.

Anyhow the game I saw only one Lloyd was knocking down shots while Stewie was easily defended. Once they both starting playing more consistent - KML will get more open looks regardless how great the athletes are. They are human. If Stewie and Loyd become consistent weapons - defenses will need to sag more and double-harder. Right now even if KML is open - she probably still is bricking shots. Once BS and JL force more double-teams because they become more consistent - - if the ball finds KML - the defense rushes out to get her - then the ball more than likely will find it's way back to the future superstars (BS and JL). The opposing team will have to pick its poison.

Most important thing imo Seattle will need as BS and JL mature is a pg. They can find a big eventually.

 

[hjoerring]

You make too much sense for some other people to follow.

Your response forces me to querry about Stewart and Lloyd. I don't remember them being so good in college. Yes, they were excellent players, but look at them in the WNBA! They are beyond themselves. Suddenly, the bigger stage has given them the opportunity to do what they could only think about at Uconn/ND. And so it is. KML will have to reinvent herself one way or another.

 

[CocoHusky]

The suggestion that it's such a big jump from college to the WNBA, and that KML just can't be expected to make such a big jump and perform well, or even get into the game for more than a few minutes, flies in the face of the performance of almost every other UConn Husky to enter the WNBA.

It is not a mere "suggestion" that there is a big jump from college to the WNBA-this is a fact. It is the fact that there is a jump which presents the possibility that some cannot make the jump. Success at UCONN does not equal success in the WNBA because ...there is a jump.
I think KML might be most insulted by some of what is being suggested here, namely that she is entitled to more playing time because she is a high draft pick, with UCONN pedigree, playing on a lousy team. Me thinks KML would want to earn her playing time. She is a Blue blooded UCONN Husky!

 

[triaddukefan]

I can't recall a single AA coming out of Connecticut who has waited for six or seven years to perform. Not one. And the Big Three entering the WNBA this year are major stars less than ten games in. So the suggestion that KML should wait for years to "develop" into a performer makes no sense.

Her team is letting her down. Time for a trade. She should demand one.

I dont think a player getting the 8th most playing time on a team is in a position to demand a trade. If she follows your suggestion.. she might end up getting cut.

 

[DaddyChoc]

who is the Storm's coach... Anne Donovan?

 

[OldAlum]

Seattle should have been well aware of KML's "shortcomings". They chose to draft her, so I would have thought they had some plan to use her talents. And no matter how she conditions and loses weight she will never be quick compared to many other players. She might improve but I doubt it will be a substantial difference. She has a post type body with a guard type height. But having watched a good bit of WNBA this year, I have seen a number of players with more glaring issues getting more PT. I still think she can make valuable contributions in the right situation. I would like to see Seattle give her more opportunity get going in games - especially since they are losing anyway! Sitting on the bench she is just losing value even as trade bait.

 

[baggerbob]

Last year, I posted a comment about Storm head coach Jenny Boucek's minimal use of KML, and how odd it seemed, given that first round draft picks usually get more than an occasional brief insert during games.
If you remember, Kaleena got very little playing time during the first 2/3 of the season. After the Storm had been officially eliminated from post season consideration, her minutes increased. I suggested at that time that perhaps it was a mistake for Seattle to have drafted her, and perhaps she would do better with another franchise. That observation was met with several opposing comments and counter takes.

The Boneyard consensus at that time was that her weight (which was never an issue at UConn, or here in the yard) and her inability to play defense at an acceptable level, were thought to be the main stumbling blocks to her getting more floor minutes.
Fast forward to today. After spending a season overseas, and having time to condition her body for the rigors of professional play, one would think season two would be radically different. Not so. Through 10 games this season (following stats were taken from the official Storm web site), Mosqueda-Lewis has appeared (through yesterday) in 10 games off the bench, averaging 11.2 minutes, shooting 33% from the floor, 20.8% from beyond the arc, 71.4 % in free throws.

Kaleena has been, and remains a developing roll player to this point. Whereas other first round draft picks Jewel Loyd and Breanna Stewart have established themselves as frontline players, and moved into the starting lineup. Why has KML not flourished at the next level as many of her "first round draft pick" contemporaries? Did the Storm make a mistake in their assessment of her? Is the coaching staff ill prepared/equipped to develop her, and bring her along? Are they misusing her? Has she not being given a fair chance of getting more floor time? Is she a bust? On draft day a year ago, she burst onto the scene with lots of media fanfare and rousing cheers from their fan base. Bringing her and Loyd into the program gave Storm fans a sense of hope, pride and a wealth of unbridled optimism. Fade to black. What happened? What's going on here? Will she forever be relegated to an off the bench "support" roll?, or do her potential fortunes lay with another team?

I have watched all 12 games, and I am getting tired of seeing Alysha Clark playing 28+ minutes a game and doing nothing. She cost them the game against the sun, it was her player that wasn't boxed out. Alysha doesn't rebound, pass the ball for assists, get steals, block shots, or score well, and doesn't appear to play defense very well. Jewell is getting as many rebounds as Alysha a starting forward, and that shouldn't be happening. Sue has almost as many rebounds, that shows you why the Storm gets beaten badly on the boards every night even with Stewie. I'm not impressed with Seattle's coach, she seems in over her head.

 

[mkwstar23]

was at the Dallas game Thursday night...KML wore it out in warm ups, same great stroke...however she is way out of shape...think that keeps her off the floor as much as anything...also i don't think that Seattle beyond Stewie is very good...they are to inconsistent...once Loyd and her become more consistent they will be much stronger...hate to say it but Bird is approaching the end of her incredible career..i think until KML gets motivated to condition herself better she will struggle for minutes again good defensive guards...if she does get in shape has the potential to be an all star

 

[mkwstar23]

I have watched all 12 games, and I am getting tired of seeing Alysha Clark playing 28+ minutes a game and doing nothing. She cost them the game against the sun, it was her player that wasn't boxed out. Alysha doesn't rebound, pass the ball for assists, get steals, block shots, or score well, and doesn't appear to play defense very well. Jewell is getting as many rebounds as Alysha a starting forward, and that shouldn't be happening. Sue has almost as many rebounds, that shows you why the Storm gets beaten badly on the boards every night even with Stewie. I'm not impressed with Seattle's coach, she seems in over her head.

after watching them in person against Dallas i think that Boucek is part of the problems...they don't rebound well and they are weak defensively...just a thought

 

[Aluminny69]

The suggestion that it's such a big jump from college to the WNBA, and that KML just can't be expected to make such a big jump and perform well, or even get into the game for more than a few minutes, flies in the face of the performance of almost every other UConn Husky to enter the WNBA. Look at this year's UConn picks: Tuck is now a starter and playing well; Moriah is a bona fide star; Breanna is the class of the league;

While this may be true, the big three are not doing enough to get their respective teams out of the bottom 3 in the league. ( at this point.) They are a combined 8 wins and 26 losses! I would guess this is more losses than a combined total of losses in their previous career. Just an observation. OTOH, Kiah Stokes was fortunate to be on a team that finished in first place, in her first year in the league.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

It is not a mere "suggestion" that there is a big jump from college to the WNBA-this is a fact. It is the fact that there is a jump which presents the possibility that some cannot make the jump. Success at UCONN does not equal success in the WNBA because ...there is a jump.
I think KML might be most insulted by some of what is being suggested here, namely that she is entitled to more playing time because she is a high draft pick, with UCONN pedigree, playing on a lousy team. Me thinks KML would want to earn her playing time. She is a Blue blooded UCONN Husky!

In fact, "success at UConn" means, almost without exception, "success" in the WNBA. Today, 12 of the 14 UConn alumnae are ranked in the top half of all WNBA players in scoring. The two exceptions are the former All-American KML and Kelly Faris. The latter never was much of a scorer, yet she's still playing extensively now. Even Ketia Swanier played major minutes, though I doubt many felt she would be a great professional. So KML really sticks out for her lack of playing time.

So let's put aside this silly argument about KML's not playing or performing because of the "jump" from college to the pros. Every UConn alumna makes that jump, and almost seamlessly.

I think we should be questioning the coach. If she felt that KML was out of shape, or not fit for the pro game, then why in the world, out of all of those great college players, would Seattle select her fourth in the draft? Why would a floundering team like Seattle waste their first round choice on KML if they had doubts? And having made that selection, why in the world wouldn't they make use of her? Or else, if there are conditioning issues, do what's necessary in training camp to get her up to their standards?

This isn't on KML; this is on the had coach and the front office. They're the ones who need to explain themselves. I've got to think that Seattle fans would like to hear a full explanation of this situation as well.

And if they haven't explained it to KML, then she should ask for a trade. Will she wind up without a team? So what? She's making good money in Europe (and performing well) with Flammes Carolo. Lots of kids skip the WNBA, or rest their bodies instead. KML?