Sarah Strong - Her March to Mt Rushmore

[DRBackup]

Why Bird?

I can't even believe I'm reading that question on this forum. BLASPHEMY

 

[EricSD]

People are really giving this a thumb's down ?! Good lord

Paige is 100% deserving as it is, but then keep in mind she lost a large part of one year to injury and an entire second season. And virtually every team she was on was diminished by significant injuries - including last season when multiple players were working their way back to full health during the season

Thanks LOL. Only Zanzsman gave it a thumbs down. No idea why but OK. And you are right - Paige really only played 29 games in her first season, and 17 the next season, missing the entire following year due to her injuries. She played 115 college games whereas a player like Sarah will likely play 140-150.

For reference, Diana played 144. Maya played 154. Stewie played 152.

 

[meyers7]

People are really giving this a thumb's down ?! Good lord

Paige is 100% deserving as it is, but then keep in mind she lost a large part of one year to injury and an entire second season. And virtually every team she was on was diminished by significant injuries - including last season when multiple players were working their way back to full health during the season

And for me, availability is very important for Mt Rushmore. Along with stats, titles, awards. That's kind of what happened with Bird. She missed most of that Fr year....so only got really 3 years.

It doesn't matter how good you are (or what you "would" have done) if you can't play ( don't actually do it.)

 

[meyers7]

I can't even believe I'm reading that question on this forum. BLASPHEMY

How so?

 

[GampelGladiator]

At present, ZERO women's basketball players (of any team) have career per-game averages that meet or exceed those of Sarah Strong in Points, Rebounds, Assists, Blocks and Steals.

There are 7 players (including Maya) that meet the criteria if Sarah's averages are rounded down to the nearest whole number.

courtesy of https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/.

 

[GampelGladiator]

While Mt. Rushmore only includes 4 presidents...I think it is more than fair to have 5 players when doing a 'Mt Rushmore' designation for basketball.

As I see it...at present...

there are 4 UConn players that are 'locks':

• Paige Bueckers
• Maya Moore
• Breana Stewart
• Diana Taurasi

these are the 5 'strongest' candidates for the 5th spot:

• Svetlana Abrasimova
• Sue Bird
• Tina Charles
• Napheesa Collier
• Gabby Williams

Sarah Strong is on pace to be the 5th 'lock'.

Locks statistically defined as:

2,000+ points
500+ rebounds
400+ assists
100+ blocks
100+ steals

 

[Zanzman]

Thanks LOL. Only Zanzsman gave it a thumbs down. No idea why but OK. And you are right - Paige really only played 29 games in her first season, and 17 the next season, missing the entire following year due to her injuries. She played 115 college games whereas a player like Sarah will likely play 140-150.

For reference, Diana played 144. Maya played 154. Stewie played 152.

Thumbs down for 5 players MT Rushmore

 

[boontonbomber]

We might have enough room if we make it the UConn Congress. 😂

Hardly, since the " Congress" never accomplishes anything. Oh, and when considering accomplishments keep in mind the level of competition each player faced. The Big East was a whole lot tougher conference at one time. Not sure how the numbers of those players who played in the AAC and recent Big East hold up against those who played in the old Big East. Just another thing to consider if you're gonna talk stats.

 

[AzzisBraids]

Sarah is still writing her story and though she makes such a good case, her story is still being written. She shouldn't even be in these convos yet, primacy vs recency has a strong hold on this topic (excuse my pun)

Maya
Diana
Stewart

are there and you can shuffle whomever else you'd like based on whatever criteria you have there but those 3 are the titans that are etched in stone imo.