Paige final season

[ConnMotors]

Yes it would be interested with the Fever getting three number one picks in a row. Am sorry she is an unbelievable talent and deserves the praise but I tired of the whole Clark thing. You can add Reese to this comment. The thing with the W is any player can take a year off at will. Then their team sucks. The rules were changed because of this. But I think that it should be a three year look back. I’ll keep hoping for a Mystics Sparks draw.

 

[PacoSwede]

a few here are missing the point of the article. 'no more passive paige' is not about her becoming a scoring machine -- shooting more and being the focal point of the offense. it's entirely about her taking command by not being shy about leading the team and doing what she does best rather than giving teammates 'a chance to shine' by deferring -- a selfish thing to do when she has an opening to impact the game. she's not going to try to score more but to do whatever allows the team the best chance to win -- the #1 objective, with personal achievements, of paige and her teammates, only a secondary, tertiary -- or last -- goal.

 

[BIGMAC]

I guess by this time next year Uconn fans will have turned the 'Page'

 

[Huskies990411]

As we fans begin to assimilate what Paige has stated and her conversion to a more "shoot first" kind of guard one cannot help but think of it in the context of a previous thread that was titled: "Are there enough minutes to go around". In that thread, we were hard-pressed to be able to spread the minutes around so that our players could all play meaningful minutes. I was criticized by some because I cut Paige's minutes down to 21. With Paige's recent declaration that she is going to be more aggressive, I will have to double-down on my statement because if Paige is more aggressive as she says she will be...then we can assume that UConn will burst out to early leads and will go up big early which will cause Geno to have to substitute bench players earlier. We could see Paige Bueckers averaging around 22-24 points a game because she will only average 21-24 minutes per game.

Here is my minute allocation from the previous spread:

Paige Bueckers..............................21
Azzi Fudd........................................21
KK Arnold.......................................13
Jana El-Alfy....................................17
Qadence Samuels.......................12
Allie Ziebel.....................................10
Ashlyn Shade................................13
Kaitlyn Chen.................................16
Sara Strong...................................17
Morgan Cheli...............................10
Ice Brady........................................17
Carolyn Ducharme.....................11
Ayanna Patterson.......................10
Aubrey Griffin..............................12
Total..............................................200

Point Guard / Shooting Guard total minutes: 94 Total available minutes at the point guard and the shooting guard = 80
Small Forward / Power Forward total minutes: 72 Total available minutes at small forward, power forward = 80
Center total minutes: 34 Total available minutes at Center = 40

Analysis: There are 14 excess minutes at point guard and shooting guard. This analysis is 8 minutes short at the small forward and the power forward position and 6 minutes short at the center. So, one or more of the guards will have to put some time in a small forward. Some of the point guards will have to give up minutes to the Power forwards and the Center positions. Or, the coaching staff will run with a 3-guard line-up or they may decide to play big...at the end of the day there are 200 minutes available and these 14 players will divvy them up among them. Some days they will play more minutes other days they will play less. The above list is simply an average over the year. Minutes will be adjusted if players miss games because of injuries.

You understand this isn’t the way it works, right?

 

[hoophuskee]

a few here are missing the point of the article. 'no more passive paige' is not about her becoming a scoring machine -- shooting more and being the focal point of the offense. it's entirely about her taking command by not being shy about leading the team and doing what she does best rather than giving teammates 'a chance to shine' by deferring -- a selfish thing to do when she has an opening to impact the game. she's not going to try to score more but to do whatever allows the team the best chance to win -- the #1 objective, with personal achievements, of paige and her teammates, only a secondary, tertiary -- or last -- goal.

In other words what she has always done but a year older a year better.

 

[Bone Dog]

'no more passive paige' is not about her becoming a scoring machine -- shooting more and being the focal point of the offense. it's entirely about her taking command by not being shy about leading the team and doing what she does best

I agree completely. Paige is a winner. That's what she knows how to do. It's not about scoring, but about doing whatever is necessary. And that's the most important example she can set for the youngsters.

 

[Galaxyshooter]

This is probably the one season Paige won't need to be a shoot first guard with the talent she will have around her.

this is true but with the game on the line I suspect she'll be looking for her shot and pass it up only if she's double or triple-teamed and her team can hit open shots but most definitely she'll look at shooting first. IMP

 

[PacoSwede]

In other words what she has always done but a year older a year better.

i recall that in the past she has often decided to reject a great opportunity when she clearly would have helped the team by being aggressive, not shamelessly passive. i'm hoping she now realizes that was a serious flaw in her generally impeccable game.

 

[meyers7]

I'm just hoping Geno puts her in the starting line-up.

 

[GoUconn7961]

I'd like to see Paige do a mind meld with DT and soak up some of that swagger

 

[Bone Dog]

I'd like to see Paige do a mind meld with DT and soak up some of that swagger

My favorite line of DT’s when asked about fans booing her at an away game:
“Booing? I thought they were mooing.”

 

[hoopsfan22]

Is anyone else sad that it's Paige's last season?

 

[ucbart]

She's probably more concerned about starting her pro career than landing at the right franchise. She's basically a lock to go #1 and is going to be ready for the next level. Plus she'll be 23 next summer.

Sparks would be an ideal landing place for her. Indiana would be really compelling too. I love the idea of her and Clark in the backcourt together along with Boston upfront in Indiana as much as a lot of people dislike the idea of her playing with Caitlin. If Fever are in the lottery, they'll likely be a favorite to land the #1 or #2 pick considering they had the second worst team record a year ago.

Washington wouldn't be a bad landing spot, though they're in rebuilding mode. Wings also will have a good shot at #1 since they have the right to swap with Chicago, so if either team lands #1, it's going to Dallas. Her playing alongside Arike isn't a great fit though IMO.

Agree:

A 6th year is just.....a lot. Unless it for someone like Aubrey, who needed it for her draft stock since she wouldn't have been able to play in the W this season, I can't imagine doing it if you're a high profile player like Paige.

Placed I do NOTTTTT want her:
Atlanta
Dallas
Chicago

I always though I wouldn't want her in Indiana, but why not? They would be absolute ratings gold together and along with Boston, would be an absolute dynasty starting in 3ish years. If I had to pick a place though, LA. The W needs that franchise to be electric and of all the "bottom tier" WNBA teams, Miller is the best coach, IMO

 

[browns]

I wonder if this past year that Paige's year is being massively underrated the same way Tina Charles used to be massively underrated. A lot of it has to do with "recency bias."

For UCONN to get to the Final Four and seconds away from a a Finals appearance - she did take over games. Leading up the FF game her average was 28 ppg in which Syracuse, Duke, and SoCal were all tight games. How is that not "taking over?"

I agree Paige has to be an A/A but one player probably can't do it alone vs these super teams. In Maya's last game she scored over 30 and was special - but she didn't get enough help. While in Stewie's last 3 years at UCONN they were challenged once in NCAA's and it was MoJeff that should have been the Fians MVP. And KML was huge too.

Paige will need help/ Just like Clark needed help. Jus like Maya in her sr year needed help.

Paige didn't take over the Iowa game when she scored 3 points in the final quarter when her team needed her to take over

 

[browns]

Why do people find any kind of way to bring up Clark?

Because they won't concede that Clark was a better player than Paige was last year

 

[oldhusky]

I think Paige will try to impact the game more this year, and will have the ball in her hands more to do so. That may also mean more assists with Nika gone, in addition to maybe more shot attempts.

Something that I think is sometimes overlooked, is how remarkable her numbers were given that she was totally playing out of position at the 4. Her assists were down, and rebounds and blocked shots up because of the new position. I expect those numbers to go in reverse this year as she presumably plays far more on the perimeter.

In terms of scoring, it is a little hard to estimate the impact. She was an impossible matchup for bigs trying to guard her on the perimeter last year, but this year will be able to shoot over guards much more easily. Regardless asking her to play the 4 last year was a real stretch, but she made it work at All American level, but this year, Paige can spend most of her time at one of her three natural positions, namely 1-3, all of which are great for her.

 

[meyers7]

Is anyone else sad that it's Paige's last season?

Yeah, that's pretty much what I got out of that interview. I mean we pretty much knew, but to see it verified.... kinda sucks. What could have been.

 

[Bone Dog]

Places I do NOTTTTT want her:
Atlanta
Dallas
Chicago

I always though I wouldn't want her in Indiana, but why not? They would be absolute ratings gold together and along with Boston, would be an absolute dynasty starting in 3ish years. If I had to pick a place though, LA. The W needs that franchise to be electric and of all the "bottom tier" WNBA teams, Miller is the best coach, IMO

What about NY? Sloot is approaching retirement. Paige playing next to Sabrina and feeding Stewie and Jonquel looks pretty good. Plus it's a ratings powerhouse. I know, the draft order won't allow this blah blah blah. But it only means she won't start out there. If I ask myself where she'd thrive and who I'd like to see her playing with, it's NY first and foremost.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

My favorite line of DT’s when asked about fans booing her at an away game:
“Booing? I thought they were mooing.”

Dookeys I believe.

 

[yhun89]

What about NY? Sloot is approaching retirement. Paige playing next to Sabrina and feeding Stewie and Jonquel looks pretty good. Plus it's a ratings powerhouse. I know, the draft order won't allow this blah blah blah. But it only means she won't start out there. If I ask myself where she'd thrive and who I'd like to see her playing with, it's NY first and foremost.

my picks would be Mystics or Wings. Wings are in need of an efficient shooting guard (sorry, but Arike is the ultimate shot chucker and makes some bad shots even when there’s open players) , Mystics are a rebuild team and PB meshes perfectly with Aaliyah.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

What about NY? Sloot is approaching retirement. Paige playing next to Sabrina and feeding Stewie and Jonquel looks pretty good. Plus it's a ratings powerhouse. I know, the draft order won't allow this blah blah blah. But it only means she won't start out there. If I ask myself where she'd thrive and who I'd like to see her playing with, it's NY first and foremost.

I do wonder how she'll be received in the W. If the children ... er, mental cases... don't settle down who knows what next year will look like.

 

[Geew1992]

my picks would be Mystics or Wings. Wings are in need of an efficient shooting guard (sorry, but Arike is the ultimate shot chucker and makes some bad shots even when there’s open players) , Mystics are a rebuild team and PB meshes perfectly with Aaliyah.

No... not the Wings.

 

[ConnMotors]

No... not the Wings.

Please no not the Wings; the Sky; the Fever and if I could stretch add the Dream into the mix. No, No, No... It would be great to see a Top Tier Team trade up. Imagine Paige playing in Minnesota. But they would not trade Collier. Play in New Your but they would not trade Sabrina. If the Sun don't win this year then they should trade up with their starting five to grab Paige....

 

[hoopsnloops32]

We all better pray that the Sparks and Mystics have the top 2 picks next year because Paige ending up in Dallas would be a nightmare.

 

[Rixxx]

Ny fantasy would be Minnesota for Paige. Can you imagine Napheesa and Dorka? Then you have coach Reeve. Isn't McBride about ready to call it a career? Sigh. It will never happen.

 

[darkstar1]

Please no not the Wings; the Sky; the Fever and if I could stretch add the Dream into the mix. No, No, No... It would be great to see a Top Tier Team trade up. Imagine Paige playing in Minnesota. But they would not trade Collier. Play in New Your but they would not trade Sabrina. If the Sun don't win this year then they should trade up with their starting five to grab Paige....

Is there anyone the Lynx could trade beside Collier for the #1? Maybe a package. I would love to see Paige play with my favorite player, Phee. And yes, any team would be better than one with Arike on it.

 

[TRuconnfan]

Ny fantasy would be Minnesota for Paige. Can you imagine Napheesa and Dorka? Then you have coach Reeve. Isn't McBride about ready to call it a career? Sigh. It will never happen.

McBride is having a great year and fits in nicely on the Lynx. I really like Cortney Williams but she is not a natural point guard so adding Paige to run the offence would be awesome. A pipe dream though as I don't think Minnesota could get that #1 pick.

 

[hoophuskee]

i recall that in the past she has often decided to reject a great opportunity when she clearly would have helped the team by being aggressive, not shamelessly passive. i'm hoping she now realizes that was a serious flaw in her generally impeccable game.

Often?
Reject great opprtunites?

In the above statement I highlighted in bold and the two above in italics-- I can only think you are taking into account "big opportunities" and "often" to also include the 1st bunch of games this past season? If that is the case - you consider those as "great opportunism?" She's had nine losses in her career in which she has played. Three of the 9 were at the beginning of the season in which UCONN was in search of dealing with many injuries, Paige coming back, and even Geno trying to figure things out. Once he changed the lineup more conducive to the team, they lost 3 games the rest of the way.

Her teams have always advanced to the Final Fours in which she was the clear leader thus she hasn't known Failure leading up to the Final Fours in her entire career. The year they didn't make the FF she was out. . So her NCAA record is something like 10-3.

DT had an awful frosh year in FF, and the following year her and Bird would have lost if not for the sensational play of UCONN's Frontcourt in the Finals. In Maya's frosh year she was outplayed by the Stanford Senior and while Maya had good "stats" but her efficiency was not good. Stewart's frosh year was disappointing until the Tourney. And in the Tourney she had players like Dolson and KML. In fact her jr year in Finals it was MoJeff and KML that had huge games. Stewie did very little.

So when DT has had early bad games we can say she was outplayed. The same with Maya and the same with Stewie. Yet when Paige has a bad game it's :she has rejected?"

 

[PacoSwede]

Often?
Reject great opprtunites?

In the above statement I highlighted in bold and the two above in italics-- I can only think you are taking into account "big opportunities" and "often" to also include the 1st bunch of games this past season? If that is the case - you consider those as "great opportunism?" She's had nine losses in her career in which she has played. Three of the 9 were at the beginning of the season in which UCONN was in search of dealing with many injuries, Paige coming back, and even Geno trying to figure things out. Once he changed the lineup more conducive to the team, they lost 3 games the rest of the way.

Her teams have always advanced to the Final Fours in which she was the clear leader thus she hasn't known Failure leading up to the Final Fours in her entire career. The year they didn't make the FF she was out. . So her NCAA record is something like 10-3.

DT had an awful frosh year in FF, and the following year her and Bird would have lost if not for the sensational play of UCONN's Frontcourt in the Finals. In Maya's frosh year she was outplayed by the Stanford Senior and while Maya had good "stats" but her efficiency was not good. Stewart's frosh year was disappointing until the Tourney. And in the Tourney she had players like Dolson and KML. In fact her jr year in Finals it was MoJeff and KML that had huge games. Stewie did very little.

So when DT has had early bad games we can say she was outplayed. The same with Maya and the same with Stewie. Yet when Paige has a bad game it's :she has rejected?"

i think paige is great ... she does not need to be defended.

but everyone can improve. no? she's indeed trying to do so. yay!

 

[hoy-ah!]

Please no not the Wings; the Sky; the Fever and if I could stretch add the Dream into the mix. No, No, No... It would be great to see a Top Tier Team trade up. Imagine Paige playing in Minnesota. But they would not trade Collier. Play in New Your but they would not trade Sabrina. If the Sun don't win this year then they should trade up with their starting five to grab Paige....

Golden State Valkyries - team begins play in 2025. Paige would be the face of the franchise. (Maybe they can team her up with the Splash Bros.)