Stef Gussies Up for WNBA

[huskyd]

Here's a pretty sight from the Washington Post this morning: Stef Dolson sans purple hair (Washington Mystics are waiting for more than half their team to arrive.) The article notes that the Mystics' Big Girl, now in her third year in the WNBA (and an All-Star last season) is in the "best shape" of her life. Those of us who watched Stef go from a heavy breathing freshman at UConn to the player through whom the offense ran in her senior (championship) year can enthuse in Dolson's physical evolution. Geno saw a toughness and determination in her and, as usual, brought out her best. Stef, you look mahvelllous . . .

In a related matter, I wonder how some of you decide for which team to root in the WNBA. I have a particular interest in the Mystics, as my wife's family owned the team, but I'm conflicted by the scattering of UConn stars throughout the league. Maya's up there, Dee's down there, Bre's out there with Sue, and Stef's here. I just can't get excited for any one team because I want all of the former Huskies to succeed. How do you decide?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I wonder how some of you decide for which team to root in the WNBA

You said it. I'm an eclectic follower of UConn stars, no matter the team. But my team is DT's team (once again).

 

[RockyMTblue2]

sans purple hair

Don't be so sure. She may have a purple swath on the left side; she's worn that look just recently.

 

[CL82]

Yep.

 

[UcMiami]

I wonder if this is it for Lawson - sad if it is, but I think this is the first time she has selected broadcasting duties over WNBA duties and with her age and missing training camp, Washington may move on to younger players. She might be a mid-season pick up for another team that suffers injuries.

 

[Carnac]

I wonder if this is it for Lawson - sad if it is, but I think this is the first time she has selected broadcasting duties over WNBA duties and with her age and missing training camp, Washington may move on to younger players. She might be a mid-season pick up for another team that suffers injuries.

Lawson is getting a little long in the tooth (Born: February 14, 1981 - age 35). She may be headed for her last round-up. Kara is a smart savy veteran who can still help a team if the passion and fire to compete is still lit. She's not going to score 20 points a game, or consistiently pull down double diget rebounds, but she can still be an asset to a team. She is a floor general. Not only can she be an excellent mentor to younger players that may be dealing with off the courts issues, but a team leader in gereral. An additional coach if you will. I like Kara Lawson. I hope she remains visible in the league, either on the court, or behind a microphone.

 

[bags27]

Lawson is getting a little long in the tooth (Born: February 14, 1981 - age 35). I like Kara Lawson. I hope she remains visible in the league, either on the court, or behind a microphone.

At this point, we need to vote her an honorary Husky for life. She's been a terrifically insightful and accurate announcer, who easily transcends her own college loyalties to give praise where praise is due. She really made half-times part of the incredible year-long celebration of our fabulous team known as UConn Coronation 2015-16.

 

[vtcwbuff]

So what does Dolson's tat say?

I saw a nice looking young woman last week that had a tattoo that ran the full length of the inside of her fore arm. It said "remember to remember". What a deep, insightful thought. Certainly worth carrying around for the rest of your life.

 

[j66kicker]

You said it. I'm an eclectic follower of UConn stars, no matter the team. But my team is DT's team (once again).

Me too. Which is convenient, as I now live in.....

PHOENIX!!!

 

[bags27]

Me too. Which is convenient, as I now live in.....

PHOENIX!!!
View attachment 13452

She's palming the ball! But of course, everyone does these days....

 

[BISweet]

Here's a pretty sight from the Washington Post this morning: Stef Dolson sans purple hair (Washington Mystics are waiting for more than half their team to arrive.) The article notes that the Mystics' Big Girl, now in her third year in the WNBA (and an All-Star last season) is in the "best shape" of her life. Those of us who watched Stef go from a heavy breathing freshman at UConn to the player through whom the offense ran in her senior (championship) year can enthuse in Dolson's physical evolution. Geno saw a toughness and determination in her and, as usual, brought out her best. Stef, you look mahvelllous . . .

In a related matter, I wonder how some of you decide for which team to root in the WNBA. I have a particular interest in the Mystics, as my wife's family owned the team, but I'm conflicted by the scattering of UConn stars throughout the league. Maya's up there, Dee's down there, Bre's out there with Sue, and Stef's here. I just can't get excited for any one team because I want all of the former Huskies to succeed. How do you decide?

I thought only Gussies got gussied up!!

 

[BISweet]

Lawson is getting a little long in the tooth (Born: February 14, 1981 - age 35). She may be headed for her last round-up. Kara is a smart savy veteran who can still help a team if the passion and fire to compete is still lit. She's not going to score 20 points a game, or consistiently pull down double diget rebounds, but she can still be an asset to a team. She is a floor general. Not only can she be an excellent mentor to younger players that may be dealing with off the courts issues, but a team leader in gereral. An additional coach if you will. I like Kara Lawson. I hope she remains visible in the league, either on the court, or behind a microphone.

I didn't like Kara (holding up her index at the XL center after beating Uconn, yuk) but as an analyst I don't think there is any better--she pulls few punches and has an intelligent approach--she knows her game and the teams. I LIKE KARA!!!I can't speak for Kara, but by 35 my legs felt a lot of pain after playing a game. And it doesn't get better. Kara should become a permanent WNBA/WBB voice as an analyst

 

[Carnac]

I didn't like Kara (holding up her index at the XL center after beating Uconn, yuk) but as an analyst I don't think there is any better--she pulls few punches and has an intelligent approach--she knows her game and the teams. I LIKE KARA!!!I can't speak for Kara, but by 35 my legs felt a lot of pain after playing a game. And it doesn't get better. Kara should become a permanent WNBA/WBB voice as an analyst

I like the Kara Lawson TODAY. I understand if you were offended by a 18-21- year old who just won a big game, being a little over the top, and displaying some pent-up emotion. In fairness, I remember Taurasi doing the same thing a time or two, especially after winning one of the championships games. She came off as brash and cocky. Other teams hated her, UConn and her antics. We loved it.

Sometimes it's very hard to keep one's emotions tightly harnessed and under control. Two of the recent UConn players we've had that rarely showed any emotion was Kiah Stokes and Morgan Tuck. They always stayed under control, never lost it and acted silly or mugged for the camera. That was their personality. They never felt the need to be "out front". I have no problems with our other girls that do show a little emotion sometimes. One of the things most coaches tell their player during their last minute locker room pep-talks is to go out there and have fun. Basketball is suppose to be fun. This is NOT the NFL..........the no fun league.

I agree with your take on Kara becoming a permanent fixture in the women's game. You want honesty and objectivity in your analysts. She does that. She knows the game inside and out, on the college and pro level. She's become one of the best, and I think ESPN realizes that. She's made her money ON the court, now it's time to make her money OFF the court.

Good post, thanks.

 

[Carnac]

She's palming the ball! But of course, everyone does these days....

That's true. Bria Hartley palmed the ball constantly, and seldom got called for it. So does LeBron. Here's the thing. When EVERYBODY is palming the ball, it becomes the norm. Referees don't call fouls on the "norm". They calls fouls or blow the whistle when an act is done that is outside of the norm. The rule is when you're driving to the basket, you can take TWO (2) steps after you pick up the ball.

Today, so many guys in the NBA take 3 steps, and have been doing it for so long, they don;t even call it anymore. If you take 4 steps they'll call it, but not 3. The rule book still says two steps however.
Rule interpretation changes over time. As I'm sure you've noticed, they don't play the game today like they did 35-45 years ago.

 

[bags27]

I well remember the Cooz walking up the parquet floor talking to referee Sid Borgia, probably discussing where they were going for dinner that night, and I, a 6ers fan, was screaming: "he's palming the ball!" Yeah, right...as if anyone cared whether the Cooz palmed the ball.

 

[Gus Mahler]

That's true. Bria Hartley palmed the ball constantly, and seldom got called for it. So does LeBron. Here's the thing. When EVERYBODY is palming the ball, it becomes the norm. Referees don't call fouls on the "norm". They calls fouls or blow the whistle when an act is done that is outside of the norm. The rule is when you're driving to the basket, you can take TWO (2) steps after you pick up the ball.

Today, so many guys in the NBA take 3 steps, and have been doing it for so long, they don;t even call it anymore. If you take 4 steps they'll call it, but not 3. The rule book still says two steps however.
Rule interpretation changes over time. As I'm sure you've noticed, they don't play the game today like they did 35-45 years ago.

Amen, Brother.

 

[Carnac]

I well remember the Cooz walking up the parquet floor talking to referee Sid Borgia, probably discussing where they were going for dinner that night, and I, a 6ers fan, was screaming: "he's palming the ball!" Yeah, right...as if anyone cared whether the Cooz palmed the ball.

Bags........you're really dating yourself. For you youngsters that don't know who the "Cooz" is, here's a little background info on him: Bob Cousey (Cooz), aka "Houdini of the Hardwood" played for the Boston Celtics between 1950-1970. But he hasn't palmed a ball since. He's 87 now. Cooz was one of the NBA's greats.

He was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971, and in his honor, the Celtics retired his #14 jersey and hung it in the rafters of Boston Garden. Cousy was named to the NBA 25th Anniversary Team in 1971, the NBA 35th Anniversary Team in 1981, and the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996, making him one of only four players that were selected to each of those teams. He was also the first president of National Basketball Players Association.

 

[BISweet]

I like the Kara Lawson TODAY. I understand if you were offended by a 18-21- year old who just won a big game, being a little over the top, and displaying some pent-up emotion. In fairness, I remember Taurasi doing the same thing a time or two, especially after winning one of the championships games. She came off as brash and cocky. Other teams hated her, UConn and her antics. We loved it.

Sometimes it's very hard to keep one's emotions tightly harnessed and under control. Two of the recent UConn players we've had that rarely showed any emotion was Kiah Stokes and Morgan Tuck. They always stayed under control, never lost it and acted silly or mugged for the camera. That was their personality. They never felt the need to be "out front". I have no problems with our other girls that do show a little emotion sometimes. One of the things most coaches tell their player during their last minute locker room pep-talks is to go out there and have fun. Basketball is suppose to be fun. This is NOT the NFL.....the no fun league.

I agree with your take on Kara becoming a permanent fixture in the women's game. You want honesty and objectivity in your analysts. She does that. She knows the game inside and out, on the college and pro level. She's become one of the best, and I think ESPN realizes that. She's made her money ON the court, now it's time to make her money OFF the court.

Good post, thanks.

I'm like a tiger mom ---what your kids do you think is cute--but I see that as offensive---What DT did was proper (banging the Orange posts) and cute.
I think I liked that most about Morgan and Kiah--played without emotions (showing)==and you are right BB is a game--games are played for fun (mostly)
Compatico

 

[BISweet]

That's true. Bria Hartley palmed the ball constantly, and seldom got called for it. So does LeBron. Here's the thing. When EVERYBODY is palming the ball, it becomes the norm. Referees don't call fouls on the "norm". They calls fouls or blow the whistle when an act is done that is outside of the norm. The rule is when you're driving to the basket, you can take TWO (2) steps after you pick up the ball.

Today, so many guys in the NBA take 3 steps, and have been doing it for so long, they don;t even call it anymore. If you take 4 steps they'll call it, but not 3. The rule book still says two steps however.
Rule interpretation changes over time. As I'm sure you've noticed, they don't play the game today like they did 35-45 years ago.

Hartley greatest transgression and called often on her was stepping off before starting the dribble. Palming can be called 20 times in nearly every game---you can't make a behind the back dribble with out "carrying the ball" (between the legs sure)
Refs are supposed to call fouls that give one side an "advantage" or impeded or are physical in nature. Supposedly the player initiating contact is the one that fouled.

 

[Carnac]

Hartley greatest transgression and called often on her was stepping off before starting the dribble. Palming can be called 20 times in nearly every game---you can't make a behind the back dribble with out "carrying the ball" (between the legs sure)
Refs are supposed to call fouls that give one side an "advantage" or impeded or are physical in nature. Supposedly the player initiating contact is the one that fouled.

I agree with that premise. But how many times have we seen a player driving to the basket, and leap into the defender, and the foul is called on the defender. That scenario is often referred to as the offensive player drawing the foul. If that's the case, then the defending player, in theory does not have the right to occupy the space they're in, especially if the opposing play initiates the contact. I would love to see refs start calling fouls that way.

 

[Dove]

How did she get through 4 years here and not get tagged "Ham" for a nickname.

 

[BISweet]

Bags...you're really dating yourself. For you youngsters that don't know who the "Cooz" is, here's a little background info on him: Bob Cousey (Cooz), aka "Houdini of the Hardwood" played for the Boston Celtics between 1950-1970. But he hasn't palmed a ball since. He's 87 now. Cooz was one of the NBA's greats.

He was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971, and in his honor, the Celtics retired his #14 jersey and hung it in the rafters of Boston Garden. Cousy was named to the NBA 25th Anniversary Team in 1971, the NBA 35th Anniversary Team in 1981, and the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996, making him one of only four players that were selected to each of those teams. He was also the first president of National Basketball Players Association.

Let me join the DATING GAME. I was/ am an admirer of Bob Cousey starting while he played at BC. I think he was every little guys idol who played basketball. He could do things with the ball that amazed me, legal and illegal. He was truly amazing. He coached BC for a while.
But, I still love Cousey, Moriah Jefferson took what he and other great Point guards up about 10 notches.

 

[Striper69]

She's palming the ball! But of course, everyone does these days....

She may just be starting off on a drive so I doubt if she's palming.

One of the best basketball players in the world (including the men) doesn't palm the ball.

 

[BISweet]

At this point, we need to vote her an honorary Husky for life. She's been a terrifically insightful and accurate announcer, who easily transcends her own college loyalties to give praise where praise is due. She really made half-times part of the incredible year-long celebration of our fabulous team known as UConn Coronation 2015-16.

Honestly, I'd vote to make Lawson an honorary Huskie. As a true Orange Orange Vol it must have take lots of integrity, determination, for Kara to speak the truth in analyzing the Play of Uconn these past few years. Hardly ever did she have the opportunity to speak in glorious tones about the Vols. For a few brief moment in the NCAA tourney I suspected her team may meet Uconn--but those moments were fleeting.
I picked up these words from George Wills--I don't understand him either!!

 

[bags27]

She may just be starting off on a drive so I doubt if she's palming.
One of the best basketball players in the world (including the men) doesn't palm the ball.

But isn't that when palming happens most, when you take that final step (and dribble) before the drive? Palming (carrying the ball) is of course almost never called today, and that has changed the game....for better and worse. It's made it a lot easier to get that first explosive step and allowed players (maybe starting with the inimitable Dr. J) to do amazing things while elevated. It's also made playing man-to-man defense a lot harder. A more exciting game, but, like the 3 point shot, it further stretches the defense which, certainly in the men's game, has generally speaking (exceptions like the Spurs) made for sloppier basketball.