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[QUOTE="jeff30189, post: 4761556, member: 11868"]
Nika showed an increased willingness to drive last season, and her 34% from 3-pt range is enough to be a threat to score.   Being the fifth scoring option isn't the same as being inept; it simply means that isn't her role.   But you can bet that Paige or Azzi will find her if she's sitting wide open and unguarded at the arc.  She CAN score when needed, she just won't be leaned on as much as she was last year (out of necessity).

Also take into account that Geno has his favorites, namely Paige and Nika.   Paige for her obvious generational talent and basketball IQ, and Nika for the inherent natural leadership skills and energy that makes the team GO.  It's not lost on him that there is NO WAY they do as well as they did last year without Nika playing 36 minutes a game and willing that team to the Sweet 16 in spite of only having 5 or 6 healthy players most nights.   Unless Nika suddenly forgets how to pass and defend, he won't pull her off the floor until the game is safely in-hand.
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