On to the draft

[katiecrum1992]

The WNBA Draft is next Thursday, I believe.
I think Kaleena goes first to Seattle. The question is: where does Kiah go?

 

[JBMudd]

I'll be there!

 

[xHunt3r]

The WNBA Draft is next Thursday, I believe.
I think Kaleena goes first to Seattle. The question is: where does Kiah go?

I think the best fit for Kiah is Minnesota.

 

[katiecrum1992]

I think so too.

 

[Striper69]

Kiah needs to go to Chi-Town and play with EDD...(and Jewell).

 

[EricLA]

I think the best fit for Kiah is Minnesota.

Totally agree with this. They are in desperate need for an upgrade to 6'0" Janel McCarville as their starting center...

 

[DishNSwish]

Totally agree with this. They are in desperate need for an upgrade to 6'0" Janel McCarville as their starting center...

So Kiah Stokes will come in and replace Janel McCarville at center on a championship contender?

 

[EricLA]

So Kiah Stokes will come in and replace Janel McCarville at center on a championship contender?

Pretty much, yep.

 

[rocky rococo]

Couple thoughts on the draft. Zahui B. totally changes the dynamics of the draft. Pushes Williams and Harrison down. Makes it more likely KML gets drafted by "need", and thus into a defined role, rather than "best player available". (I'm hoping she falls to the Sun at #4.) No one's draft status helped more by the tourney than Ally Malott of Dayton. I don't think she was on many draft cards at all, now she may be late first round.

 

[DishNSwish]

Pretty much, yep.

I can say, without hesitation, I don't see a good chance of that happening any time soon.

 

[EricLA]

I can say, without hesitation, I don't see a good chance of that happening any time soon.

And I can say without hesitation that defensively, it would be an upgrade from day 1.

 

[katiecrum1992]

Kiah is more of a defensive post, while McCarville is more of an offensive post.
Maybe they'll help each other out?

 

[DishNSwish]

And I can say without hesitation that defensively, it would be an upgrade from day 1.

McCarville does so many little things that a veteran WNBA center does; Kiah has no idea how to do those things, make those passes, set screens like McCarville, etc etc.

I can see someone with a stud center like BG or Fowles taking Kiah to be a defensive backup for about 10 minutes per game. Until she gets some offensive game, she's not going to get big minutes in the WNBA.

 

[EricLA]

McCarville does so many little things that a veteran WNBA center does; Kiah has no idea how to do those things, make those passes, set screens like McCarville, etc etc.

I can see someone with a stud center like BG or Fowles taking Kiah to be a defensive backup for about 10 minutes per game. Until she gets some offensive game, she's not going to get big minutes in the WNBA.

Well that makes more sense and is a much better reply than your first one. Yes, Kiah has a ton to learn and maybe she will even get some offense along the way. But I disagree that Kiah "has no idea how to do those things" (set screens, for example). She's not the passer Dolson was, but she was much happier setting screens and assisting on the offense than she was planting herself in the lane and calling for the ball to score. Still, hardly any centers enter the league as all stars their first year so there's a lot of growth to be had.

I just think that Minny will never win another championship until they get an upgrade at the 5 spot. Not sure Kiah is the answer there either, but at 6'1", McCarville isn't the answer IMHO...

 

[DishNSwish]

Well that makes more sense and is a much better reply than your first one. Yes, Kiah has a ton to learn and maybe she will even get some offense along the way. But I disagree that Kiah "has no idea how to do those things" (set screens, for example). She's not the passer Dolson was, but she was much happier setting screens and assisting on the offense than she was planting herself in the lane and calling for the ball to score. Still, hardly any centers enter the league as all stars their first year so there's a lot of growth to be had.

I just think that Minny will never win another championship until they get an upgrade at the 5 spot. Not sure Kiah is the answer there either, but at 6'1", McCarville isn't the answer IMHO...

I saw a couple of things about Kiah that make me unsure of her WNBA future. The obvious one is her disinterest in shooting the ball. You have to be able to score in this league, that's what everyone at a minimum needs to do. Geno himself commented he just doesn't understand it, that she has more blocks than shot attempts it seems.

Second, as great a defender as she's been, she does swat at shots a lot, not just go straight up. In college, against some less athletic, or less aggressive, or even just shorter players, that works 99% of the time. In the WNBA though, against stronger and taller players, that are more athletic, those are frequently fouls, as the follow through hits the other player.

Would I take a chance on her UConn pedigree and hope I can correct the deficiencies? Absolutely. A few years back when Tiffany Hayes was sliding, I sat with Michelle Voepel at ESPN, shaking our heads and saying "why wouldn't you take the UConn kid here?" and we were right.

 

[mudcat]

The WNBA Draft is next Thursday, I believe.
I think Kaleena goes first to Seattle. The question is: where does Kiah go?

I think they (Seattle) pick Zuhai B (sp?) first and KML with the third pick. Seattle has a lot of needs (including a point guard to eventually succeed Bird at some point).

 

[Dove]

The WNBA Draft is next Thursday, I believe.
I think Kaleena goes first to Seattle. The question is: where does Kiah go?

Uhhh, I'm still sipping Champagne!

Sheesh!

 

[katiecrum1992]

I think they (Seattle) pick Zuhai B (sp?) first and KML with the third pick. Seattle has a lot of needs (including a point guard to eventually succeed Bird at some point).

Now that Jewell Loyd has declared for the draft, I think KML drops a spot or two.
Seattle needs post players, too.

 

[hoophuskee]

I saw a couple of things about Kiah that make me unsure of her WNBA future. The obvious one is her disinterest in shooting the ball. You have to be able to score in this league, that's what everyone at a minimum needs to do. Geno himself commented he just doesn't understand it, that she has more blocks than shot attempts it seems.

Second, as great a defender as she's been, she does swat at shots a lot, not just go straight up. In college, against some less athletic, or less aggressive, or even just shorter players, that works 99% of the time. In the WNBA though, against stronger and taller players, that are more athletic, those are frequently fouls, as the follow through hits the other player.

Would I take a chance on her UConn pedigree and hope I can correct the deficiencies? Absolutely. A few years back when Tiffany Hayes was sliding, I sat with Michelle Voepel at ESPN, shaking our heads and saying "why wouldn't you take the UConn kid here?" and we were right.

What's the chance in your opinion of Tulsa now taking KML now that the two kids from ND and Minny declared ? I just think she'd be an amazing fit. Both Skylar and Odyssey one of their top attributes is penetration and can score from it. The weapon KML could be for a "double-headed penetration monster" in which either guard can look to exploit a matchup problem nearly vs any team - KML forces one player to not significantly help - night-in and night-out doesn't she? It's not like Tulsa is going to win a title next year.

I just think of the possbilities of an extreme penetration guard team with a player like KML. She automatically opens up both guards games. She makes them better just as they make her better and thus you have an extreme perimeter game. Phoenix won a title as a perimeter team.

 

[Striper69]

I saw a couple of things about Kiah that make me unsure of her WNBA future. The obvious one is her disinterest in shooting the ball. You have to be able to score in this league, that's what everyone at a minimum needs to do. Geno himself commented he just doesn't understand it, that she has more blocks than shot attempts it seems.

Second, as great a defender as she's been, she does swat at shots a lot, not just go straight up. In college, against some less athletic, or less aggressive, or even just shorter players, that works 99% of the time. In the WNBA though, against stronger and taller players, that are more athletic, those are frequently fouls, as the follow through hits the other player.

Would I take a chance on her UConn pedigree and hope I can correct the deficiencies? Absolutely. A few years back when Tiffany Hayes was sliding, I sat with Michelle Voepel at ESPN, shaking our heads and saying "why wouldn't you take the UConn kid here?" and we were right.

If she goes to Chi-Town I think she'll thrive. They have the big scorers at the other positions. Even Tulsa could use her for defense and rebounds. Not every team needs a gunner- most have that covered...

 

[Striper69]

Now that Jewell Loyd has declared for the draft, I think KML drops a spot or two.
Seattle needs post players, too.

Seattle taking Zowie B. and Jewell Loyd at 1 and 3!

Then signing Jude Schimmel to draw in fans and fill the house every home game!

 

[JBMudd]

I almost feel sorry for the WNBA coaches and GM's. They get their draft plan all set up and Zahui B declares herself for the draft. They just about finish shuffling the cards around and Loyd declares. Should be interesting!

 

[Striper69]

I almost feel sorry for the WNBA coaches and GM's. They get their draft plan all set up and Zahui B declares herself for the draft. They just about finish shuffling the cards around and Loyd declares. Should be interesting!

They're probably foaming at the mouth as we speak...

 

[asuwish]

Totally agree with this. They are in desperate need for an upgrade to 6'0" Janel McCarville as their starting center...

I think Janel is taller than 6'0, and Kiah would add youth while upgrading on defense, but Janel has passing skills like Dolson. She sees the court so well.

 

[katiecrum1992]

Seattle taking Zowie B. and Jewell Loyd at 1 and 3!

Then signing Jude Schimmel to draw in fans and fill the house every home game!

That's what I'm thinking.