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Message: [QUOTE="oldhusky, post: 5238148, member: 9844"] I think one thing about Paige leaving that is underestimated, is how much her amazing versatility allowed Geno to generally put the other 4 best players on the floor with her. Her being exceptional at 1-4 solved a lot of problems. She was largely a 3 this year and rebounds and blocks shots fine for a 3, but that is not the same for the other "guards". Ashlynn or Azzi at the 3 is completely different. They are both natural 2's and either at the 3 is far less effective than at the 2. Ashlynn rebounds at a rate that would be fine for a 2, but weak for a 3, and Azzi would not be an above average rebounder if she was playing the point, and would be severely weak as a 3. Both players are also significantly weaker trying to play the point, they are 2's pure and simple. Ashlynn could be the third best player on the team and not start as long as Azzi is ahead of her on the depth chart at the 2. KK, although she played off the ball her first year, is a natural 1 and other than Sarah and Azzi she has the easiest path to a starting role largely by default. Blanca looks like a 3 to me and I hope she is ready to be our 3 from day one. I know some would like to play her at the 4 and Ashlynn at the 3, but I have not seen enough rebounding in Blanca's stats or videos to suggest that is a strength for her, so I see that combo as weak on the boards and undersized at the 3 and 4, not just one position. If Blanca was out I could see Ashlynn playing some at the 3, vs, say the option of Morgan or even Allie, but more on a spot than regular basis. So I have KK starting over Ashlynn even though I think Ashlynn is the better overall player, because KK would be at her best position where she has little competition, and Ashlynn has Azzi at her natural position and a new player likely star player coming in at her next best position. Morgan might not have big time star potential, but if she turns out to be good enough to be in the regular rotation, she could like Paige provide 1-4 versatility (albeit at a different level) and reduce the need to use the other players outside of their natural position. I hope that happens and then Ashlynn and Morgan become the first guard and wing options off the bench, with Ice, Ayanna and Gandy competing for backup big minutes with Jana added to that group if we got Williams to start. [/QUOTE]

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