Stokes guarding EDD makes me smile

[boontonbomber]

Kiah playing alongside Tina is pretty good for Kiah -- Tina misses a ton of shots so Kiah should be able to get some offensve rebounds and put-backs.

Overall, Kiah isn't really doing things much differently than she did at UConn though the competition is much better. Defensively she's the same: excellent on defense, shot-blocking and rebounding. On offense she's still not looking to aggressively post-up on the block -- something she chose not to do at UConn either. She's been able to get a few layups off of pick-and-rolls and some put-backs since her pro teammates miss a lot more shots than her college teammates did.

She's playing 6 more mpg than she did at UConn while averaging 1.3 more points/gm, 0.5 fewer rebounds/gm and about 1.7 fewer blocks/gm. The competition is much tougher so good for Kiah for stepping up her game. Looks like she had excellent preparation for defending at the pro level.

nice try.

 

[UConnCat]

"The steal of the draft," said Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer. "She's a solid defender, shot-blocker. She has great timing and is a solid rebounder. … I looked at her as a glue player alongside Tina [Charles] or in the worst case, a third post. But she's proven herself. She's going to be a really good WNBA player for a lot of years. I don't think spectacular, but in theory she can be a double-double, 10-11 points and 10 rebounds."

Solid defender, shot-blocker...great timing ... solid rebounder. Where did we hear that before?

 

[MilfordHusky]

Yes but fewer players are in Kiah's class defensively!!! Looks like Lambear really got the STEAL of this WNBA Recruiting class!! Isn't it great to see the player we cheered all year at UConn getting big results in the WNBA???

Kiah is still learning. I don't know if the is the 2nd best defender yet, but in a few years, only Griner will be a better defender. And Kiah is the better rebounder.

 

[UConnCat]

nice try.

You too.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Success as a rookie is as much about team fit as it is skill and ability. Stokes is being asked to do what she does best...ball facilitate, screens, rebounding, and putbacks. The difference is she is asked to do this on a heightened level, as New York does not have great shooters.

Stokes is 10th among rookies in scoring, but 1st in rebounds and 1st in blocks. And she is tied for 13th among all players in rebounds per game while being 2nd in the entire WNBA in blocks per game.

And she is doing this in only 24 minutes per game.

Cam is spot-on about success depending on the team fit. Some of the Huskies, like Tiffany, have been a good fit. Kelly probably has not had as good a fit.

 

[MilfordHusky]

In the same article Rebecca also said: “She is good enough finishing off around the basket that she should be able to score six or eight points a game,” Lobo said. “And I think she knows how to play with superstars. She knows how to impact the game without demanding [offensive] touches. …. She’s not going to be a Tina Charles-MVP type player, but she can be pretty good for a long time.”
Very prescient of her.

Playing with superstars? Teammates Stef, Bria, Moriah, Kaleena, and Breanna combined for 9 first team All-American selections whole playing with Kiah.

 

[Orangutan]

Kiah playing alongside Tina is pretty good for Kiah -- Tina misses a ton of shots so Kiah should be able to get some offensve rebounds and put-backs.

Overall, Kiah isn't really doing things much differently than she did at UConn though the competition is much better. Defensively she's the same: excellent on defense, shot-blocking and rebounding. On offense she's still not looking to aggressively post-up on the block -- something she chose not to do at UConn either. She's been able to get a few layups off of pick-and-rolls and some put-backs since her pro teammates miss a lot more shots than her college teammates did.

She's playing 6 more mpg than she did at UConn while averaging 1.3 more points/gm, 0.5 fewer rebounds/gm and about 1.7 fewer blocks/gm. The competition is much tougher so good for Kiah for stepping up her game. Looks like she had excellent preparation for defending at the pro level.

I agree with your assessment. One quote from Kiah to add about her offensive game from the post-game presser last night:

“When Tina [Charles] gets it and she’s doubled, I can dive. There were times when I missed that and I could have had a few more baskets but in the end it’s just getting used to playing with each other especially with Tina [Charles]. As long as I’m just moving when [Charles] gets doubled and finishing around the basket that’s what I need to do.”

 

[hoophuskee]

Amazing what a player can do when the coach demonstrates confidence in that player, not only in words, but in actions. Laimbeer has been Kiah's biggest fan since day 1, and has really done a great job in having her get comfortable on the floor. I'm thrilled for her.

I sort of laugh every time I read this type of post. This just illustrates how spoiled us UCONN fans are.

So Kiah Stokes was "the 6th man" on what is arguably one of the greatest wcbb teams of all time two years ago and this year she played comparable minutes somehow this is twisted into / implied that Geno didn't have ANY confidence in her?

So Geno randomly plays a 6th man consistently like he did two years ago even though he has no confidence, right? SO we're supposed to totally disregard the ND game in which we walloped ND on their home court in which Kiah was a star, and instead hold it against Geno for not playing her vs UC in which UCONN played near perfect?

A few problems I have is that one - some believe that if all players get 20+ minutes it means they will be better each year. IMO that is a fallacy. If you need big minutes in college to be a successful pro player than explain Kiah Stokes? The explanation is that she got enough minutes and enough practice to hone her skills as a pro ball player. You can't twist your way around that but some will try.

Secondly, most of us UCONN fans predicted Kiah should be a 1st round pick. She was drafted around the spot she was rated coming out of h/s. Many of us WE KNOW WHAT WE SAW. She didn't much of the media criticism. Further, many of us didn't believe Laimbeer at all when he said Kiah was going to be a significant type of scorer on this team. So "believe the hype?" Really? Haven't we been UCONN fans long enough to know what is hype and what isn't?

Third- I know many like her- but Doris Burke's type of comments of how futile Stokes is on offense was way out of hand. Then at the pre-draft you read some articles suggesting the same it twists reality. It was near criminal the statement she said "they are leaving her wide open." - sure they are - from 15 feet and out --yes they were leaving her wide open. Does this make her an incompetent offensive player? No. Heck with the shooters and scorers UCONN had on this team the opposing team would have left a young Willis Reed, Dave Cowens, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kevin McHale, Karl Malone and Tim Duncan all wide open that far away. UCONN had 2 50% shooters from 3, 1 40% shooter and two elite scorers. You think they're going to worry about 15 foot jump shots from Stokes with the type of firepower we had? Please.

Then we get shoved down our throats that "she is being left wide open so she must be an awful offensive player."

 

[Striper69]

Not bad Kia -- double double, 5/6 on FTs in 32 minutes (more minutes than 4 starters), Liberty beat the Sky 89-81!

Double-double.

I could make her do triple doubles every game. She has that much of an upside.

I sit in the front row at Mystic games and a lady next me gave me grief cause I was yelling encouragement to Kiah when they came here. LOL!

Rookie Of The Year.

 

[msf22b]

I sort of laugh every time I read this type of post. This just illustrates how spoiled us UCONN fans are.

So Kiah Stokes was "the 6th man" on what is arguably one of the greatest wcbb teams of all time two years ago and this year she played comparable minutes somehow this is twisted into / implied that Geno didn't have ANY confidence in her?

So Geno randomly plays a 6th man consistently like he did two years ago even though he has no confidence, right?

There was much noise throughout Kiah's career at UConn, a lot of it emanating from Geno, that he could not "get" to Kiah; and it was well-documented that she was perennially in the doghouse (for transgressions never completely explained...we never get the practice story, just the staff's conclusions...sometimes).

One quote in particular (which I will paraphrase, too lazy to go back and find it) noted how he "loved" her off the court
and sometimes "hated her" on it.

To conclude that this was a normal (love-in) type UConn relationship between player and coach runs counter to substantial evidence.

And the change in her demeanor is what is charming so many of her fans. She has a new look about her.

We cheered her like mad (at the TV) the other night

Good on you, Kiah.

 

[Aluminny69]

To those who believe that Kiah should have started her last two years, please name whom exactly she should have replaced. Steph Dolson? Morgan Tuck? Both will have better pro careers than Kiah. Perhaps UConn had more star players than the Liberty.

 

[CocoHusky]

There is no good reason to look back at Kiah days at UCONN with any regret. Here father has the right perspective about het time at UCONN:

"I'm proud of her, because she said it's the hardest thing she ever had to do. Coming from Iowa, where she was the big fish, she could get away with some things because she athletically could cover it up. At Connecticut, everybody is a big fish. She had to figure out who she is as an individual and learn to fight and play hard, not just one possession, but the entire time on the court."

Kiah is doing the same thing in the WNBA- working hard.

 

[snlMINAJ]

kiah has been posting up aggressively and shes probably showed more back to the basket moves in 10 games w/ Liberty than i saw her in 4 years at uconn.

 

[JudgeSCR]

I am a Kiah fan. But that means accepting who she is and not blaming others (Geno) for her production or dreaming her to be someone she isn't . Last year I predicted that she would average a double-double at UConn. I quickly had to reassess and accept and appreciate her for the player she is.

She is a complementary player with exceptional defensive skill and elite athletic ability. She does not have elite offense talent or mentality. She likes to fit in. She is also a player who does not have a selfish bone in her body. That is good and bad. To be a go-to player offensively you need to be a little selfish. You need to want the ball. You need to say to yourself "I am going to score when I get the ball." And you need the skills to pull it off. Kiah's first instinct when she gets the ball is not to try a move or two to see if she can score. That's just not who she is.

If you don't think, Diana, Maya, Tina, or Stewie have a bit of a selfish mentality you are kidding yourself. Having that mentality doesn't mean you aren't a team player. In fact Diana, Maya, Tina and Stewie are exceptional team players because they also understand that to win you can't do it alone. Team concepts are also apart of their make-up. But to score consistently you have to want to, believe that you can and have the talent to do it.

If Kiah is ever to become a productive offensive player she needs to change her mentality and think about offense more than just an adjunct to her game (crashing the boards or cutting to the basket when someone else is double teamed) In my view she will never consistently post her man up in the blocks and demand the ball with the mentality that she will score. She doesn't see herself that way.

I am not sure she will ever fully make that transformation. So I continue to accept and appreciate her for who she is.

 

[Bgillon]

Amazing what a player can do when the coach demonstrates confidence in that player, not only in words, but in actions. Laimbeer has been Kiah's biggest fan since day 1, and has really done a great job in having her get comfortable on the floor. I'm thrilled for her.

I assume this is a backhanded slight at Geno. If that was your intent, I believe it is an over simplified and naïve comment. Kiah had a stellar career at UCONN and by her own admission focused on what she was comfortable doing; playing defense, rebounding and blocking shots. The fact that she is expanding her game to be more offensive minded is great and a credit to her. Blaming someone else is unnecessary.

 

[bschwartz]

One quote from Kiah to add about her offensive game from the post-game presser last night

Is either a transcript or video of the presser online? Thanks.

 

[Orangutan]

Is either a transcript or video of the presser online? Thanks.

I just read quotes posted on Hoopfeed: http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/201...wiggins-help-liberty-take-down-the-sky-89-81/

 

[boontonbomber]

I assume this is a backhanded slight at Geno. If that was your intent, I believe it is an over simplified and naïve comment. Kiah had a stellar career at UCONN and by her own admission focused on what she was comfortable doing; playing defense, rebounding and blocking shots. The fact that she is expanding her game to be more offensive minded is great and a credit to her. Blaming someone else is unnecessary.

It was not intended to be backhanded.

 

[UConnCat]

I am a Kiah fan. But that means accepting who she is and not blaming others (Geno) for her production or dreaming her to be someone she isn't . Last year I predicted that she would average a double-double at UConn. I quickly had to reassess and accept and appreciate her for the player she is.

She is a complementary player with exceptional defensive skill and elite athletic ability. She does not have elite offense talent or mentality. She likes to fit in. She is also a player who does not have a selfish bone in her body. That is good and bad. To be a go-to player offensively you need to be a little selfish. You need to want the ball. You need to say to yourself "I am going to score when I get the ball." And you need the skills to pull it off. Kiah's first instinct when she gets the ball is not to try a move or two to see if she can score. That's just not who she is.

If you don't think, Diana, Maya, Tina, or Stewie have a bit of a selfish mentality you are kidding yourself. Having that mentality doesn't mean you aren't a team player. In fact Diana, Maya, Tina and Stewie are exceptional team players because they also understand that to win you can't do it alone. Team concepts are also apart of their make-up. But to score consistently you have to want to, believe that you can and have the talent to do it.

If Kiah is ever to become a productive offensive player she needs to change her mentality and think about offense more than just an adjunct to her game (crashing the boards or cutting to the basket when someone else is double teamed) In my view she will never consistently post her man up in the blocks and demand the ball with the mentality that she will score. She doesn't see herself that way.

I am not sure she will ever fully make that transformation. So I continue to accept and appreciate her for who she is.

Well said.

 

[MJL243]

Bill Laimbeer on the Liberty’s game plan against Elena Delle Donne:

“Our plan was to make her work for everything. We were always in her space. I thought Kiah [Stokes] did a tremendous with her length; Stokes blocked two of [Delle Donne’s] jump shots, which is unheard of for Delle Donne.

 

[msf22b]

Kiah was as much a reason the Liberty won that game as Tina, Candice and Sugar's hot shooting.
Making Delle Donne work for every possession is the key to beating Chicago.
Kiah is becoming much more than a complimentary player

 

[Striper69]

To those who believe that Kiah should have started her last two years, please name whom exactly she should have replaced. Steph Dolson? Morgan Tuck? Both will have better pro careers than Kiah. Perhaps UConn had more star players than the Liberty.

Kiah knew what her role was on the UCONN teams and kept her ego out of the way and played that role.

 

[Striper69]

I am a Kiah fan. But that means accepting who she is and not blaming others (Geno) for her production or dreaming her to be someone she isn't . Last year I predicted that she would average a double-double at UConn. I quickly had to reassess and accept and appreciate her for the player she is.

She is a complementary player with exceptional defensive skill and elite athletic ability. She does not have elite offense talent or mentality. She likes to fit in. She is also a player who does not have a selfish bone in her body. That is good and bad. To be a go-to player offensively you need to be a little selfish. You need to want the ball. You need to say to yourself "I am going to score when I get the ball." And you need the skills to pull it off. Kiah's first instinct when she gets the ball is not to try a move or two to see if she can score. That's just not who she is.

If you don't think, Diana, Maya, Tina, or Stewie have a bit of a selfish mentality you are kidding yourself. Having that mentality doesn't mean you aren't a team player. In fact Diana, Maya, Tina and Stewie are exceptional team players because they also understand that to win you can't do it alone. Team concepts are also apart of their make-up. But to score consistently you have to want to, believe that you can and have the talent to do it.

If Kiah is ever to become a productive offensive player she needs to change her mentality and think about offense more than just an adjunct to her game (crashing the boards or cutting to the basket when someone else is double teamed) In my view she will never consistently post her man up in the blocks and demand the ball with the mentality that she will score. She doesn't see herself that way.

I am not sure she will ever fully make that transformation. So I continue to accept and appreciate her for who she is.

She's just a rookie and has limitless potential to be one of the best WNBA players ever.

What was Bill Russell? A defensive/rebounding specialist who made his teams perennial winners.

Kiah could be much the same type of player and could add the offense that Bill never had.

 

[hoophuskee]

kiah has been posting up aggressively and shes probably showed more back to the basket moves in 10 games w/ Liberty than i saw her in 4 years at uconn.

I haven't seen them all. But the games I've seen she gets nothing from her post low post game. I'm with the poster "judge" here.

 

[Orangutan]

She's just a rookie and has limitless potential to be one of the best WNBA players ever.

What was Bill Russell? A defensive/rebounding specialist who made his teams perennial winners.

Kiah could be much the same type of player and could add the offense that Bill never had.

She's a good player but the Bill Russell comparisons may be a little (a lot) premature.

 

[hoophuskee]

There was much noise throughout Kiah's career at UConn, a lot of it emanating from Geno, that he could not "get" to Kiah; and it was well-documented that she was perennially in the doghouse (for transgressions never completely explained...we never get the practice story, just the staff's conclusions...sometimes).

One quote in particular (which I will paraphrase, too lazy to go back and find it) noted how he "loved" her off the court
and sometimes "hated her" on it.

To conclude that this was a normal (love-in) type UConn relationship between player and coach runs counter to substantial evidence.

And the change in her demeanor is what is charming so many of her fans. She has a new look about her.

We cheered her like mad (at the TV) the other night

Good on you, Kiah.

You and I have a completely opposite view of what we're watching and what are expectations are.


1--- For example when you say "Much noise" - I don't think it was close to what he did to Tina. Tina Charles was a 3rd team all-American and was on all tourney team her soph year and he wound up benching her and tore into her after the loss. Two years Tina got whipped. Criticizing her for not having double-doubles by halftime.


Geno has had a history of being very frustrated with either players who are awful on Defense, or on offense they do nothing. He let Farris go because she was at least able to pass along with super effort and defense. A player like Stokes who was anemic offensively at times, I don't know why she'd get special treatment over players like Tina had in the past. So when you speak of "noise" imo it has no more relevance than any other player with gifts that were never totally tapped.


2-- When you speak of "perennially in the doghouse" imo it's a gross over-exaggeration. So she was 6thman 2 years ago, but she was "perennially in the doghouse?" Sixth man off the bench for one of the greatest team's ever for a coach like Geno and you categorize THAT as "In the doghouse?"


Is it because he "yelled at her" or used the word "hate?" Please. . . I don't mean this seriously but half-jokingly you should consider posting on the men' board for a time. I was told recently on the men's board that “I was an over-sensitive women's fan" - it was all because I criticized Doris Burke. You should explain to them that you don't like coaches who throw around the word "hate" such as Geno does- thus I assume that you'd have similar issues with Jim Calhoun which you could express on the men's side -who as a state employee JC cussed like a wild man I think, And would run out to half court to point at player down at the other end and point him to the bench right after going through histrionics calling a timeout because his team let up an easy basket even if the game wasn't close.


3--- When you speak of "we never get the practice story . . . Just the staff's conclusions . . Some of the time" No offense- but -well who are you? What entitles you to know every flaw and detail and tactic Geno is using? You've heard even CD and MC speak of how they break a player down, Geno and the staff have to give you all the details? Not to mention then- if not you- but others would say 'Geno should stop trashing or embarrassing all the kid's weaknesses publicly." Heck - when Geno says "I have the worst posts in America" you think he isn't following that up with the kids he's speaking of with further "negative" comments? Do YOU really need to hear that as a follow-up all the flaws why they are the worst in America? Is it good that he speaks openly that his kid for example isn't working hard in practices or can't shoot or pass worth a lick? In addition now Geno is telling the competition the weaknesses of his players too all because you want a little more scoop?


4-- From what I've seen of Kiah this year in WNBA - I see the same player I saw at UCONN. I don't agree at all with what you're suggesting that you see Kiah as different.


Final 2 points- One is that I guess you're just going to have to suffer through the one-loss and undefeated seasons, the multiple national championships, the players getting drafted in the pros and the many that go on to play in the Olympics and "endure his "hate comments" in that time span. Maybe after that you'll find that coach that has the exact perfect balance you seek as a fan. If that is what turns you on as a fan - great. It certainly isn't mine.


And as for Stokes- like you I am so proud. What I'm most proud about is that I recall how pumped I was on a play imo exemplified Kiah- the greatest defensive player in UCONN wcbb history coming from THE MOST DOMINANT wcbb Program over that past 10 years or so stretch in wcbb History. A player from AAC was coming down on a break she took a dribble or two looking like she was going to attack- she had an open floor looked up saw Stokes- Stokes immediately put her hands up to her shoulders in the paint to await the offensive player. The player stopped dead in her tracks, wanting no part of the greatest defender in our history. And now I see she her be a total menace at the pro level- the greatest defender in our history - I am so proud. OFC I would like to see a low post offense and more offense but I know what I saw these last two years and I am still seeing that fabulous defense today. It's a treat.

 

[triaddukefan]

Eliz Williams is playing 8+ minutes per-game and averaging 1.8 points
In a different league from Kiah's accomplishments

Different situation than Stokes. EW is playing behind a All-Star center in Bone.... not alot of minutes available. Bone was suspended for last night's game and EW got 22 minutes of play....... 8pts (4-7 shooting) 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block.

 

[snlMINAJ]

bone isnt an all star.

 

[triaddukefan]

bone isnt an all star.

Why wont she be this season? Name the Centers that are playing better than her in the east ?