Which raises a side bar question: If you were a WNBA coach, would you take a chance on DeShields?
On the plus side, widespread acknowledgement that she has talent galore.
On the downside, she hasn't improved a whole lot since her freshman year. How much of that is injury related, how much is lack of good coaching at Tennessee, and how much is her moodiness and at times apparent lack of enthusiasm for playing?
The analogy is by no means perfect but I think the Cleveland Browns were absolutely torched by betting that Manziel's athletic skills would triumph over his personality issues.
Make no mistake,
she will be drafted into the league, and will go in the
first round. It would depend on
my needs when our turn came up. If I have a desperate need at another position, I must draft to fill THAT need first. If DeShields is available and I don't have a real "need" at any particular position, then
YES. I'd take a chance on her............................depending on who else is available in the draft pool. Just for the record, I like DeShields, I always have. But if
Kelsey Plum is available (she's a senior), I'm taking her. I have not been overly impressed with some of her decisions (as you noted above), but I don't know all of the circumstances influencing them either. She can flat out ball, and I like her moxie. I'd be willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. You can
always cut her, and bring someone else in.
Her attitude and outlook would have to change upon arrival to the W as a professional. And that's a conversation the team's GM and I would have with her and her agent
BEFORE draft day. If she expresses a willingness to learn how to play at this level, an interest in playing for our organization, and to do whatever we ask her to, I'd take her. BUT........If she's not sure or refuses, then I'd remove her name from our draft board, and move on. Bottom line,
I'm trying to keep MY JOB!! I'm looking for players that will help me do that.
There are always other players available who want to play in the W, and for you. There are more players than spots available. She can be coached to play within a new system, with new teammates. She has the basic skills and talents (she's 6'1") to be a productive player at the next level. She just needs the right coach/teammates (atmosphere) to bring out the best in her. AND.............she must understand that now, this is business. She's being PAID!!! As
Randy Moss once said: "
Straight Cash Homie"!! No one is going to stroke you, pamper you, hold your hand, and tell you how good you are. You've got to work you butt off, prove you belong there, and make the cut, or go home and get a real job, like the kind we have/had. I could have answered your question with a simple yes or no, but brevity has
never been my strong suit.
Extra point: Your Cleveland Browns/ Manziel reference was spot on. They were not the only ones impressed with his talents and skill. Remember Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys) wanted him real bad, and was going to draft him on draft day, until his son made a scene, and refused to let him pull the trigger. I know Jones is glad his son talked him out of what would have been a monumental, and costly mistake for the cowboys.
Your
top tier organizations like the
Steelers and
Patriots (that have a long and storied history of winning and success), don't permit themselves to have have those types of lapses in judgement on draft day. I'd bet the farm that
Bill Belichick never for a moment considered drafting ol' Johnny Football.
