Notre Dame in 2012-13.

[speedoo]

I know the stats. It doesn't take much effort to block shots when you're a foot taller than most players . Nneka offensive skills, footwork, and athleticism are greater than Griner's. Defense she is quicker and jumps higher.

So you think that if they were the same height, NNeka would be the better player. I don't necessarily agree with that hypothetical, but the fact remains Griner is 6-8 and she uses her height and length very well and that makes her the better player.

 

[cardfan]

Nneka also had to overcome the disadvantage of playing against teams that were so crappy that their shots were nowhere close to the basket. How can you block shots in that situation?

funny guy. It's not like the Big 12 is that great.

 

[UConnCat]

Nneka is obviously a great player but Griner deserves POY. I wasn't certain that Griner would be POY heading in to the season, but Griner has shown tremendous improvement in her offensive game. She dominates both ends of the floor unlike any other player in WCBB.

 

[cardfan]

So you think that if they were the same height, NNeka would be the better player. I don't necessarily agree with that hypothetical, but the fact remains Griner is 6-8 and she uses her height and length very well and that makes her the better player.

Yes.

Disagree that Griner's ht makes her the better player. I'm looking at offensive package, Nneka's skills are greater in many areas; footwork, outside shots, moves to the basket, etc. (all from my vantage pt in 3rd row)

 

[cardfan]

Nneka is obviously a great player but Griner deserves POY. I wasn't certain that Griner would be POY heading in to the season, but Griner has shown tremendous improvement in her offensive game. She dominates both ends of the floor unlike any other player in WCBB.

Griner is more accurate (from close in) but I don't see that as a huge improvement. To me, a huge improvement is adding an outside shot like Nneka has, which she can use against Baylor if we meet.

 

[UConnCat]

Griner is more accurate (from close in) but I don't see that as a huge improvement. To me, a huge improvement is adding an outside shot like Nneka has, which she can use against Baylor if we meet.

I didn't mention accuracy. I'm talking about extending the range on her face-up shot and, more importantly, showing the ability to go over either shoulder with her back to the basket. Also, her FT shooting has improved tremendously (81%). Add all of that to her dominance on the defensive end and she is deserving of POY.

 

[cardfan]

I didn't mention accuracy. I'm talking about extending the range on her face-up shot and, more importantly, showing the ability to go over either shoulder with her back to the basket. Also, her FT shooting has improved tremendously (81%). Add all of that to her dominance on the defensive end and she is deserving of POY.

Nneka has improved in those areas too. 82% FT

I'm just curious how people can judge and compare Griner and Nneka when obviously they don't see Nneka play as much given Stanford is not on ESPN at all, and didn't have that many games on Fox Sports. I posed the same question to Mechelle, who is a good friend of mine, but I disagree with her as well.

 

[DaddyChoc]

BG is a finalist for the National Olympic team...

 

[cardfan]

BG is a finalist for the National Olympic team...

I know. 6'8" is a huge advantage. pun intended.

 

[doggydaddy]

Nneka has improved in those areas too. 82% FT

I'm just curious how people can judge and compare Griner and Nneka when obviously they don't see Nneka play as much given Stanford is not on ESPN at all, and didn't have that many games on Fox Sports. I posed the same question to Mechelle, who is a good friend of mine, but I disagree with her as well.

Right now Nneka is the 1st pick in the draft.

If Griner left early, she would be the 1st pick in the draft.

Not one of your better arguments...lol.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Cardfan no one is saying NO is a stiff... but BG is a game changer!

 

[Suebird10fan]

seven to ten

Where would you rank a team that had this for their 7 player rotation.

Hartley
Faris
Jefferson
Stokes
Engeln
Johnson
Buck

Top 10?

 

[Suebird10fan]

Glad someone sees it my way!

There isn't much distinction between 11-15 and the bottom of the Top 1o in real life. Notre Dame this season is about ten points better than anyone in the bottom half of the top ten this season, and about 15 points better than anyone else in the Big East besides UConn. That's a pretty big cushion to fall into. Teams that are that good typically don't suffer the grand fall that people like to predict.

 

[cardfan]

Cardfan no one is saying NO is a stiff... but BG is a game changer!

Nneka is game changer too.

 

[HuskyNan]

I know. 6'8" is a huge advantage. pun intended.

Griner is much, much more than just a tall woman. She got great hands, a deft touch around the basket and terrific passing skills. She's fluid on both offense and defense. If simply being tall made a woman a great player, 6-9 Alyssa DeHaan would have been National POY. DeHaan was very good, an All American honorable mention, but nowhere near as dominant as Griner.

BTW, blocks are more than just being tall, too. It has a lot to do with timing and positioning. Tall kids that just swipe at the ball usually get called for fouls but BG averages only 2 fouls a game and has not fouled out this year.

 

[HuskyNan]

Just wanted to add that none of the above should detract from Nneka. She, too, is a great player that just has the misfortune of playing the same year as a transcendent player, much like Nicole Powell.

 

[cardfan]

Griner is much, much more than just a tall woman. She got great hands, a deft touch around the basket and terrific passing skills. She's fluid on both offense and defense. If simply being tall made a woman a great player, 6-9 Alyssa DeHaan would have been National POY. DeHaan was very good, an All American honorable mention, but nowhere near as dominant as Griner.

BTW, blocks are more than just being tall, too. It has a lot to do with timing and positioning. Tall kids that just swipe at the ball usually get called for fouls but BG averages only 2 fouls a game and has not fouled out this year.

I understand all that Nan, but I don't think she is fluid as you do. Her ht and wing span is a huge plus.

 

[cardfan]

Just wanted to add that none of the above should detract from Nneka. She, too, is a great player that just has the misfortune of playing the same year as a transcendent player, much like Nicole Powell.

agree somewhat. Nneka has the misfortune of not being on ESPN.

 

[Vowelguy]

funny guy. It's not like the Big 12 is that great.

5 to 7 Big12 teams will make the tournament. Add in the WNIT, and I bet 9 of the 10 teams make the postseason.
The PAC will get 3 in the NCAAs and probably 6 of 12 in the postseason.

Also, Baylor had 21 games against the Sagarin top 50. Stanford just 10.

 

[Scotter]

agree somewhat. Nneka has the misfortune of not being on ESPN.

She's on Fox Sports frequently enough. People have seen Nneka play.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Agreed. Wasn't excluding them from the discussion; was just listing other teams that could be strong next yr.

Does ND have the possibility of Diggins being the 2 next year? I suspect not without something changing fast and remarkably, but (and I cannot claim it as an original idea) I think her talents are much better suited to the 2.

 

[msf22b]

Going back to UTENN, like ND, they are losing a lot, especially forecourt and gaining little.
They may be the team, that for a season or two has a measurable drop.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I know. 6'8" is a huge advantage. pun intended.

And accurate, but BG has advanced tremendously from where she was as a Frosh and she clearly is the POY because she is such a game changer in so many ways.

 

[Vowelguy]

Going back to UTENN, like ND, they are losing a lot, especially forecourt and gaining little.
They may be the team, that for a season or two has a measurable drop.

I will be surprised if they don't. They may end up better than the ill-fated 2009 team only because they'll have better guards than they did then. But they will also not intimidate teams they way they used to -- everyone will see this as their chance to finally beat them.

And with a 9-player roster, they are very vulnerable if there are injuries.

 

[bbsamjj]

RU will be in a unique situation next year in that, for the first time in the CVS years, I believer their two best players (Oliver and Lee) will be in the post. This year, RU has Oliver in the post and that's about it. Next year, they'll at least have some size to back up the starters--even if Hollivay and Butts are raw.

RU's freshmen this year certainly got plenty of time on the court, but they never found a groove. I still think they all have a lot of potential (especially Laney), but they will need to step up.

The question will be who will be RU's point guard next year. Shakeena Richardson? Wheeler? Canty? Someone will also need to step up and knock down outside shots to free up the post.