Stokes Posts Double Double in her Debut

[Gus Mahler]

Can you recall even one time where that happened in a game? It should have been pretty obvious. Yes, Geno wanted her to be more aggressive scoring the basketball. He also wanted her to know her role and play perfect basketball and definitely pulled her a number of times when she missed a few shots.

Now Kiah could have taken that as a challenge and shot more, but Kiah was self-aware of her place in the pecking order. She knew she was usually the 5th most talented offensive player on the floor and played accordingly. There's two ways for success at UConn prove Geno wrong or accept your role and Kiah chose the latter, which is fine for carving out a career as a WNBA role player.

The WNBA should actually suit her offensive skill set better than UConn. I think people forget what a good jump shooter she actually is and showed at times at UConn, especially in her junior season. And that's likely to be her offensive role in the more pick and roll/pick and pop based professional game. There not going to ask her to be a post scorer. And the calculus is going to change. At UConn Kiah faced the decision of taking an open shot for herself or waiting for a likely open shot for Stewart, KML or another player. In the pros if she passes up a shot the next opportunity isn't likely to be an open shot. She's self-aware enough to recognize that difference.

Agree.

 

[Carnac]

Given Kiah's earlier struggles with offense and the staggering scoring talent among other players on the team, I wonder if the team simply didn't develop a habit, from Geno on down and including Kiah, of just not using her much on offense. Gabby, being a freshman, wouldn't have had that habit ingrained over multiple seasons.

Allow me to preface what I'm about to say, by saying this: I love Kiah Stokes....period. I want to make that crystal clear!!! I'm a huge fan of hers. I'll continue to root and cheer for her in every one of her WNBA games. I became a Liberty fan on draft day. Now that she's in the big apple, Kiah will be just fine!!!

Now, that being said... here's my take.......Kiah had difficulty finishing underneath the basket. She never mastered the art of finishing (scoring) consistently under the basket. That's not an opinion, that's a fact. Gabby as a freshman, was much better at finishing underneath than Kiah ever was, and Gabby is going to get better. Gabby can shoot facing the basket. She was a very prolific shooter in high school. Let's not forget, she was recruited as a guard. Guards shoot facing the basket. As we all know, Geno needed her to play in the 5 hole with her back to the basket, so that's what she did.

Look at Brianna Turner of Notre Dame. She was much better underneath the basket, and finished plays better AS A FRESHMAN, than Kiah did at any time during her four years of play. A reason for Turner's success could be that no one at Notre Dame ever told her not to shoot. Kiah's career high was 19 points 2 years ago in a preseason game against St. Bonaventure. Turner's is 29.....and counting.

Because of Loyd's premature departure for the WNBA, don't be surprised if Turner becomes the leading scorer for ND next year. Remember, she was the leading scorer for the Irish in the national championship game with 14 points.....all in the second half. She consistently scored in double figures the entire season....again as a freshman! I only used Turner to provide some contrast. This comment almost got away from me. I started talking about Kiah, and finished talking about Turner, which was not my intent.

IMHO, Turner will be an All-American by the end of her junior year. I'll bet my turban and cape on that prediction!! BTW, I'm NOT a Notre Dame fan!!! I'm a dyed in the wool UConn fan!! I bleed blue. I want UConn to give the Irish a 30 point beat down EVERY time they meet. I want those ladies from South Bend to get served.

I can see greatness in Turner, and I'm not ashamed to say that I still wish she had come to UConn. When I picture her in a UConn uniform, I can put envelopes to my head and see visions of grandeur. (Don't YOU try that at home) ;-)

 

[Kibitzer]

Allow me to preface what I'm about to say, by saying this: I love Kiah Stokes....period. I want to make that crystal clear!!! I'm a huge fan of hers. I'll continue to root and cheer for her in every one of her WNBA games. I became a Liberty fan on draft day. Now that she's in the big apple, Kiah will be just fine!!!

Now, that being said... here's my take..Kiah had difficulty finishing underneath the basket. She never mastered the art of finishing (scoring) consistently under the basket. That's not an opinion, that's a fact. Gabby as a freshman, was much better at finishing underneath than Kiah ever was, and Gabby is going to get better. Gabby can shoot facing the basket. She was a very prolific shooter in high school. Let's not forget, she was recruited as a guard. Guards shoot facing the basket. As we all know, Geno needed her to play in the 5 hole with her back to the basket, so that's what she did.

Look at Brianna Turner of Notre Dame. She was much better underneath the basket, and finished plays better AS A FRESHMAN, than Kiah did at any time during her four years of play. A reason for Turner's success could be that no one at Notre Dame ever told her not to shoot. Kiah's career high was 19 points 2 years ago in a preseason game against St. Bonaventure. Turner's is 29.....and counting.

Because of Loyd's premature departure for the WNBA, don't be surprised if Turner becomes the leading scorer for ND next year. Remember, she was the leading scorer for the Irish in the national championship game with 14 points.....all in the second half. She consistently scored in double figures the entire season....again as a freshman! I only used Turner to provide some contrast. This comment almost got away from me. I started talking about Kiah, and finished talking about Turner, which was not my intent.

IMHO, Turner will be an All-American by the end of her junior year. I'll bet my turban and cape on that prediction!! BTW, I'm NOT a Notre Dame fan!!! I'm a dyed in the wool UConn fan!! I bleed blue. I want UConn to give the Irish a 30 point beat down EVERY time they meet. I want those ladies from South Bend to get served.

I can see greatness in Turner, and I'm not ashamed to say that I still wish she had come to UConn. When I picture her in a UConn uniform, I can put envelopes to my head and see visions of grandeur. (Don't YOU try that at home) ;-)

I'm convinced. You think ND's Turner is pretty good.

 

[boontonbomber]

I quoted you in my post so I thought I made it perfectly clear what I was asking. Again you said:



Can you recall any time when Geno clearly made an effort to specifically get Kiah shots?
No, I don't. Do you agree with me that Kiah should have had the green light in many of those blowouts?
The rest of what I posted was not intended for you specifically.[/QUOTE

 

[tonehill68]

I'm not surprised. I love her

This ^^^^

I have the same thought.