Sparks @ Lynx - 9/24/17

[Striper69]

Gray is just that good. Her season numbers are 48% 3 pt and over 50% total. She was no hotter than usual. She also is an exceptional passer , a big bruiser and she shows repeatedly she does not get rattled. She always seems to hit that first rainbow 3 which acts like a right hook across the jaw. Not sure how to play her other than to try and keep the ball from getting into her hands.

She's on the perfect team for her game now.

 

[easttexastrash]

I wish we could have a format like this for an NCAA final. How much fun would that be? Anyone who watched this game and was not impressed is not a fan of good basketball, regardless of gender. These women are DAMN good and this is the best competition we may have ever seen in the women's game.

 

[triaddukefan]

Gray is just that good. Her season numbers are 48% 3 pt and over 50% total. She was no hotter than usual. She also is an exceptional passer , a big bruiser and she shows repeatedly she does not get rattled. She always seems to hit that first rainbow 3 which acts like a right hook across the jaw. Not sure how to play her other than to try and keep the ball from getting into her hands.

Of course Im a bit biased..... but she is a joy to watch.... her playing style... her fearlessness... and the passion for the game she exhibits. Some thought that losing Toliver would set back the Sparks a bit.... but I had confidence in Gray taking her game to the next level with increased minutes. But of course... Im a bit biased

 

[willtalk]

Gray is just that good. Her season numbers are 48% 3 pt and over 50% total. She was no hotter than usual. She also is an exceptional passer , a big bruiser and she shows repeatedly she does not get rattled. She always seems to hit that first rainbow 3 which acts like a right hook across the jaw. Not sure how to play her other than to try and keep the ball from getting into her hands.

Actually in respect to her season numbers that is true. It's not like she had an extra ordinary game shooting game. And the fact that she had her season high is just because the other scorers on the team were not doing that well so the ball went to her -- the player that had the hot hand. Where as usually CP or Nanika would be the players taking those shots. Or last season it was Toliver. When she is in sync she is very capable of stepping it up when it becomes necessary.

Even though a player might be playing to their season average on any particular game, they still have hot and cold games. It is just that those games average out over the season. Now a player might be hot but not taking that many shots. When circumstances dictate that they get more shots then that is usually when they score career highs. Usually it is circumstances that decides how many shots a player gets each game. Unless they are a high volume shooters who just takes shots whether they are hitting or not.

Although I have observed Gray since she was a soph in high school, I always attempt to put aside bias and be objective in my evaluations on every player, even if they are personal favorites. The thing about Gray that people who have not watched her a lot probably can't recognize, is that she has an impact on a team that transcends her stats. She adds those intangibles that were discussed on another Boneyard thread a while back. She adds a stabilizing and unifying influence on what ever team she is on. Often her greatest influence on a team happens when she isn't focused on scoring.

This game just showcased what she is capable of doing in respect to scoring. But there are more games to play and players production will vary from game to game. Heck it even varies from quarter to quarter. Players will have games when they are on and score more than their average, but to me the over all value of a player is what they bring when they are not lighting it up on the scoreboard. This was just one game but lets wait and see how it plays itself out the remainder of the series.