Stokes Posts Double Double in her Debut

[UcMiami]

I always felt that Kiah just never quite understood the offense at Uconn - certainly in her first two years - and so never felt really comfortable on that end of the floor. She got better the last two years, but it still was a struggle. She just had no confidence that taking a shot was the right thing at any given moment. Surprisingly, she seemed to play her best offensive ball this last year working with Gabby.

 

[jsloanjr]

Lookout Kiah Stokes, please stand up.........YEAH!!!!!

 

[johnnyc]

Well, I can't imagine Geno saying, "Kiah, I want you taking the shot rather than Stewie/Kaleena".

Exactly. Kiah found her place on the team, knew what she could do to help the team win and focused on that. And she was dominant. One of my all time favorites.

 

[EricLA]

Ken is right - the only nit to pick is 5-14. For a kid who mostly makes shots around the basket, that needs to improve. Other than that, though, for her first game, fantastico!!

 

[Gus Mahler]

I always felt that Kiah just never quite understood the offense at Uconn - certainly in her first two years - and so never felt really comfortable on that end of the floor. She got better the last two years, but it still was a struggle. She just had no confidence that taking a shot was the right thing at any given moment. Surprisingly, she seemed to play her best offensive ball this last year working with Gabby.

I agree that she never looked comfortable. I always thought part of it was the high post aspect. So often she was out away from the basket, whereas her comfort level was in the low post.

 

[ursusminor]

I always felt that Kiah just never quite understood the offense at Uconn - certainly in her first two years - and so never felt really comfortable on that end of the floor. She got better the last two years, but it still was a struggle. She just had no confidence that taking a shot was the right thing at any given moment. Surprisingly, she seemed to play her best offensive ball this last year working with Gabby.

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.

 

[Carnac]

Great start for Kiah. She took 14 shots in 25 minutes. They must have told her
to "shoot the ball if you want to make this team." A nice double double to start
her pro career off. Sometimes a change of scenery does wonders for you.
Her confidence must be pretty high right now. Good for her, I'm rooting for her
to have a great rookie season.

When I saw the box score, I was thinking the same thing: "Shoot the ball Kiah. Show us you can score". I echo your sentiments word for word.

I'm pretty sure Kiah will make the cut. Most first round picks usually do. Like a college freshman, I expect her to show significant improvement by this time next year, after a full season of WNBA, and overseas play. Expect her field goal percentage to go up as the season progresses.

Her father is talking to her in one ear, her coaches in the other. She's getting a steady stream of positive reinforcement and encouragement. She'll be fine.

The game will slow down for her towards the end of the season, after she gets a few games under her belt, and finds her niche. Kiah has the body, and all the tools to be great. All she needs is the opportunity and the motivation. In the months to come, she'll get both. We're ALL rooting for you Kiah. Go get 'em!!!

 

[Carnac]

According to Jim Fuller, She took more shots last night than in any game during her UConn career. Also....news to me, she wears #15? Is there a 41?

That picture is her first team promotional picture taken on draft day. The "15" represents the year (2015) (note her hair style, the nails and the jewelry). 'm pretty sure she's wearing her usual #41 (as a tribute to her father. He wore #41 throughout his playing career in college and the NBA).

 

[Goodgood]

Ken is right - the only nit to pick is 5-14. For a kid who mostly makes shots around the basket, that needs to improve. Other than that, though, for her first game, fantastico!!

For sure she needs to improve offensively away from the basket.

She didn't get a chance (justified or not) to do it in her 4 years at UConn, now, Laimbeer wants her to shoot whenever she is open to gain confidence. I bet she will be pretty good at season's end.

Or not and Geno may be right. It is hard to adjust overnight.

 

[JavaMan]

Also....news to me, she wears #15? Is there a 41?

Kiah is listed on the Liberty roster page as having number 41 ...but no pic of that yet. (Maybe Biff can rectify that with the pic that we do have.)

[LINK]
______________________________

And... guess what number KML is wearing in Seattle. Aww, how'd ya know? Yup ...23.

[LINK]

 

[lanieer]

I am so excited to see Kiah realize that she needs to score and also do her defensive blocks in order to make a WNBA TEAM. There are so many "defensive specialists" out there but it's great that she accepts that and is doing whatever it takes to make a WNBA team and add a bit of offense.

 

[Biff]

Kiah is listed on the Liberty roster page as having number 41 ...but no pic of that yet. (Maybe Biff can rectify that with the pic that we do have.)

 

[Striper69]

What section is by their bench out of curiosity?

They had seats right next to the bench courtside.

 

[Striper69]

Ken is right - the only nit to pick is 5-14. For a kid who mostly makes shots around the basket, that needs to improve. Other than that, though, for her first game, fantastico!!

She didn't start the game but came off the bench. She got several put back baskets and one free throw. She did great compared to all the other rookies. She was getting boxed out a lot and needs to work around those box outs.

Bill seemed to complain a lot about the guard play.

 

[Striper69]

According to Jim Fuller, She took more shots last night than in any game during her UConn career. Also....news to me, she wears #15? Is there a 41?

She wears #41.

 

[JavaMan]

View attachment 9608

MAGNIFICO! As usual. Thanks, Biff.

 

[delawarehusky]

UConn career. Also....news to me, she wears #15? Is there a 41?

Kiah wore 41 last night

 

[HuskyNan]

Rookies Shine, but Liberty Fall to Chicago in Preseason Opener

 

[HuskyNan]

From the Liberty's Facebook page:

 

[BroadwayVa]

I always felt that Kiah just never quite understood the offense at Uconn - certainly in her first two years - and so never felt really comfortable on that end of the floor. She got better the last two years, but it still was a struggle. She just had no confidence that taking a shot was the right thing at any given moment. Surprisingly, she seemed to play her best offensive ball this last year working with Gabby.

Kiah's first two years her team mates wouldn't or couldn't pass it into her in the post--so no scoring. In the next 2 years Saniya passes to Stokes got the ball to where she needed it.. She didn't score much but she scored. She scored in the NC . She could score, even hit one three ball--I think she was like one for one from 3 for her career.
Lambeer telling her to keep shooting , may not have been a great game strategy but it was great of Kiah's ego and may have benefits in the long term. Maybe it was worth being "whopped" to create a positive atmosphere?? I love Kiah and loved her from day one at Uconn--like others I was unhappy she didn't reach her potential--maybe this is her new persona!!!

 

[j66kicker]

Kiah is listed on the Liberty roster page as having number 41 ...but no pic of that yet. (Maybe Biff can rectify that with the pic that we do have.)

[LINK]
______________________________

And... guess what number KML is wearing in Seattle. Aww, how'd ya know? Yup ...23.

[LINK]

Hmmm... Looks like Jewell didn't get her #32 (Alysha Clark has it - not her college #)

 

[JavaMan]

New York assistant Katie Smith, a seven-time All-Star who was voted one of the top 15 players in WNBA history in 2011, said she has noticed how polished Stokes' game became during her college career.

"Coming from UConn, we understand [Geno Auriemma's] players have already learned quite a bit and are detail-oriented," Smith said. "They understand the game and catch on very quick. If they've played for four years and done their part for that program, there is a built-in professionalism that comes to the WNBA with them. It shows, they catch on; they understand some of the nuances. So as a coach, you understand right from the start that they can handle it.

"Now we are asking Kiah to crack out of her accustomed role and spread her wings a little more. She has the skill set, and it's nice to have a young player who wants so much to grow."
___________________________________________

Much more in this very revealing John A. article titled: "Stokes' Offense Making Big Impression On Liberty Coach Laimbeer."

[LINK] (search article title if blocked using the link - coming in the back door via a Google search usually works well.)

 

[hussybulldog]

Well, I can't imagine Geno saying, "Kiah, I want you taking the shot rather than Stewie/Kaleena".

I am not doubting Geno's ability to teach. It just needs a good fits between the two people. Shade

Well, I can't imagine Geno saying, "Kiah, I want you taking the shot rather than Stewie/Kaleena".

I am not doubting Geno's ability to develop the players. But he cannot be the best coach for EVERY player. Two parties need to fit, temperament, teaching/learning/method, etc. Some players transferred, did well afterwards, some still did not go anywhere with new coaches. C Houston did better after graduation. We hope Kiah will do better as well.

 

[PhillyCoach]

New York assistant Katie Smith, a seven-time All-Star who was voted one of the top 15 players in WNBA history in 2011, said she has noticed how polished Stokes' game became during her college career.

"Coming from UConn, we understand [Geno Auriemma's] players have already learned quite a bit and are detail-oriented," Smith said. "They understand the game and catch on very quick. If they've played for four years and done their part for that program, there is a built-in professionalism that comes to the WNBA with them. It shows, they catch on; they understand some of the nuances. So as a coach, you understand right from the start that they can handle it.

"Now we are asking Kiah to crack out of her accustomed role and spread her wings a little more. She has the skill set, and it's nice to have a young player who wants so much to grow."
___________________________________________

Much more in this very revealing John A. article titled: "Stokes' Offense Making Big Impression On Liberty Coach Laimbeer."

[LINK] (search article title if blocked using the link - coming in the back door via a Google search usually works well.)

Thanks Java, you always find the good stuff to share - I just enjoy these insights from extraordinary basketball people (Katie Smith.) In a brief paragraph she revealed the threads of Geno-CD/UConn's success. She quickly mentioned--learned quite a bit, detail-oriented, understand the game, catch on quick, built in professionalism, **they understand some of the nuances, and they can handle it. Best summation of why there are 10 NC.

 

[PhillyCoach]

Your opinion of course, but I'm not sure how Kiah Stokes having a big game has anything to do with Laurin Mincy/Aleighsa Welch getting cut or SC/MD's talent level. If anything, it either shows that Stokes is a better player than the other two or a better fit on the roster. I'm going with the former, Mincy is okay but never came across as great to me and Aleighsa, while good at SC, never blew anybody away with her offensive output. Welch was always a longshot to make a WNBA roster. Stokes was always a better prospect than those two.

Most people that follow SC closely on this board can tell you that Aleighsa Welch, while talented and passionate, is nowhere near the most talented player on SC's roster. The same can be said about Mincey... She's clutch at times, but that only gets you so far. And it did.

Mr. Gamecock - You make some good points--Stokes is probably a better player and a better fit on the roster. Nevertheless, I like to make comparisons whenever I get some new info. You know the SC team -- Welch was the 4th best player in terms of statistics. But in the big moments Welch was the leader and carried the team in crunch time. With Mincy her numbers might surprise many. She was 1st in scoring ave., 1st in 3 pt. %. 1st in FT %, and second in assists and she showed senior leadership throughout. As a 6 ft. guard who was a clutch player at times this sounds like the best player to me. Lexie Brown could be tops too. Anyway, Mincy was pretty good.
The second part of this post relates to my reasoning. Akin to a Vegas handicapper, I look at all info to determine the strengths and weaknesses of a team (last years and this coming year.) When Stokes was drafted, made the team, and received positive feedback from Lambeer and Smith, well, that was a upside click for UConn. When I heard how fast Welch and Mincy were cut (for whatever reason) it had to be a downside click. I sure wouldn't be raving how good Maryland and SC were or will be when two good players were cut so fast.
Just my initial reaction based on the info I currently have.