Very Early Draft Question

[doggydaddy]

What I'm hoping is that Phoenix gets the #1 pick, takes Griner, and then NY gets #2 and takes EDD. Cappie & EDD? That would be an amazing combo.

Not quite as amazing as Griner and Taurasi.

 

[pinotbear]

I have to wonder how DT would feel about having a player like BG on the same team. DT and PT like to jack up a lot of shots so the offensive game plan would obviously have to be revamped a bit. Would there be enough shots to go around and keep them all happy?

I would love to see BG play with a great PG who knows how to put the pass on the money. The Baylor guards still struggle with their entry passes at times and I want to see BG play with some guards that focus on getting her the ball and have the passing ability to do so.

If memory serves, when DT graduated, she did not hold the UConn scoring record: she did hold the UConn assist record. That alleviate any concerns about "jacking up a lot of shots"?

 

[easttexastrash]

If memory serves, when DT graduated, she did not hold the UConn scoring record: she did hold the UConn assist record. That alleviate any concerns about "jacking up a lot of shots"?

I'm just stating that DT and PT take a lot of shots and that the offense would have to be revamped a bit. DT did take the second most shots in the WNBA last season, trailing on Tina Charles, who took 80 more shots than DT. The Sun obviously ran their offense through Charles and I am just not sure that Phoenix is ready to do that with BG.

Sorry if the "jack up a lot of shots" phrase sounded insulting, as it was not intended that way. I was just stating the obvious, which is that she and PT take a large number of shots from the perimeter.

 

[tnvolfan65]

I totally disagree with most of those players. Most can hit the permeter jumper.

You say that none can draw a player out of the paint, yet you say they can hit the 18-20 footer. Makes no sense.

The W is a running league. You don't play 2 centers.

It makes sense if you read the entire post...

Yes most of them can shoot a standing jumpshot but if Griner had Cambage in the paint, she would be right there to block it. They couldn't shoot over her. Catchings could create her own shot, but like I said she's really a 3.

Most teams don't have two centers worth starting. Chicago has done it the past two years with Snow and Riley teaming with Fowles. Honestly there is really only one true dominant center in the league in Fowels. And I think even Chicago would draft Griner first to team with her. Parker, Charles, and LJ would all slide to the four if Griner were drafted by their team.

 

[easttexastrash]

It makes sense if you read the entire post...

Yes most of them can shoot a standing jumpshot but if Griner had Cambage in the paint, she would be right there to block it. They couldn't shoot over her. Catchings could create her own shot, but like I said she's really a 3.

Most teams don't have two centers worth starting. Chicago has done it the past two years with Snow and Riley teaming with Fowles. Honestly there is really only one true dominant center in the league in Fowels. And I think even Chicago would draft Griner first to team with her. Parker, Charles, and LJ would all slide to the four if Griner were drafted by their team.

I agree that other than Chicago, every other team would move their current center to the 4 or to the bench in exchange for Griner. I would love to see Griner and Charles on the same team.

 

[easttexastrash]

There is no way that Griner and Cambage are on the same team and of they were, play at the same time. Along with Johnson? At the 3? I don't think so. That's a scoring position. 42.9% won't cut it.

Glory cannot play the 3 unless she improves her shot. She simply doesn't have a dependable jumper at this point in her career. She has to be close to the basket to be effective.

 

[doggydaddy]

It makes sense if you read the entire post...

Yes most of them can shoot a standing jumpshot but if Griner had Cambage in the paint, she would be right there to block it. They couldn't shoot over her. Catchings could create her own shot, but like I said she's really a 3.

Most teams don't have two centers worth starting. Chicago has done it the past two years with Snow and Riley teaming with Fowles. Honestly there is really only one true dominant center in the league in Fowels. And I think even Chicago would draft Griner first to team with her. Parker, Charles, and LJ would all slide to the four if Griner were drafted by their team.

I read the entire post. These mobil forwards would drive by Griner and if Cambage left her man to block the shot they would pass to the player left open. This isn't college anymore. These are the best players in the world.

I just don't see them keeping Cambage if they get Griner. They would be better off with with a more traditional lineup. And they probably could get someone pretty good for Cambage.

Parker, Charles and LJ all have forward skills. Cambage does not.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I agree that other than Chicago, every other team would move their current center to the 4 or to the bench in exchange for Griner. I would love to see Griner and Charles on the same team.

Thanks for answering my question.

It seems highly unlikely, but suppose that Chicago gets the #1 pick somehow. They have Big Syl. What do they do in the draft?

 

[easttexastrash]

I read the entire post. These mobil forwards would drive by Griner and if Cambage left her man to block the shot they would pass to the player left open. This isn't college anymore. These are the best players in the world.

I just don't see them keeping Cambage if they get Griner. They would be better off with with a more traditional lineup. And they probably could get someone pretty good for Cambage.

Parker, Charles and LJ all have forward skills. Cambage does not.

I can't imagine Cambage and Grinder on the court together. You don't draft Griner to put her at the 4. She is like Big Syl and belongs under the basket.

 

[easttexastrash]

Thanks for answering my question.

It seems highly unlikely, but suppose that Chicago gets the #1 pick somehow. They have Big Syl. What do they do in the draft?

Draft Griner and make a trade. But who goes, Griner or Syl? I wouldn't want to have to make that decision. Of course, I would keep BG.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Draft Griner and make a trade. But who goes, Griner or Syl? I wouldn't want to have to make that decision. Of course, I would keep BG.

Griner looks like a sure thing. Sylvia is a sure thing. That would be tough.

 

[easttexastrash]

Griner looks like a sure thing. Sylvia is a sure thing. That would be tough.

Big Syl may be the best true center to ever play. BG may take that title some day but for now Syl gets my vote.

 

[Icebear]

It makes sense if you read the entire post...

No it doesn't. It would be torn to shreds in short order.

 

[tnvolfan65]

I read the entire post. These mobil forwards would drive by Griner and if Cambage left her man to block the shot they would pass to the player left open. This isn't college anymore. These are the best players in the world.

I just don't see them keeping Cambage if they get Griner. They would be better off with with a more traditional lineup. And they probably could get someone pretty good for Cambage.

Parker, Charles and LJ all have forward skills. Cambage does not.

The 4 and 5 both play under the basket. And Griner doesn't get blown by. That's what makes her so special. She's big but she's also mobile unlike Cain, Dydek, Feenstra, and Dehaan. And it's not like those forwards would have her out at half court sizing her up or even the 3-point line. Griner could definitely guard those fours with ease. Meanwhile with most of them 5-7 inches shorter than her, she can shoot her turnaround jumpers and out to the free throw line with ease.

And I never said Glory would be the ideal 3 on the offensive side. Once again, I was speculating about their defensive possibilities with the additions of Cambage and Griner. I am more aware than most people on this board that Glory doesn't have much of a perimeter game at this point in her career.

The league hasn't seen a player like Griner, ever. And we've barely have seen what Cambage can do. She may end up being one of if not the only post players who can compete with Griner. Why would you give her to another team?

In my opinion, it would be one hell of a twin towers experiment. Yes, EDD would probably fit into their traditional line up better, or trading Cambage and keeping Griner could give them some nice options, but good, even great wings and forwards are a lot more common than 6'8" post players...

 

[doggydaddy]

The 4 and 5 both play under the basket. And Griner doesn't get blown by. That's what makes her so special. She's big but she's also mobile unlike Cain, Dydek, Feenstra, and Dehaan. And it's not like those forwards would have her out at half court sizing her up or even the 3-point line. Griner could definitely guard those fours with ease. Meanwhile with most of them 5-7 inches shorter than her, she can shoot her turnaround jumpers and out to the free throw line with ease.

And I never said Glory would be the ideal 3 on the offensive side. Once again, I was speculating about their defensive possibilities with the additions of Cambage and Griner. I am more aware than most people on this board that Glory doesn't have much of a perimeter game at this point in her career.

The league hasn't seen a player like Griner, ever. And we've barely have seen what Cambage can do. She may end up being one of if not the only post players who can compete with Griner. Why would you give her to another team?

In my opinion, it would be one hell of a twin towers experiment. Yes, EDD would probably fit into their traditional line up better, or trading Cambage and keeping Griner could give them some nice options, but good, even great wings and forwards are a lot more common than 6'8" post players...

Well, I don't know what to say anymore if you think that in the WNBA the 4 only plays in the post. You are so wrong. And if you think that Griner can play these mobil 4's that can shoot, you are wrong again.

You trade Cambage because they play the same position and you can get someone good for her.

 

[easttexastrash]

No it doesn't. It would be torn to shreds in short order.

Like Shredded Wheat.

 

[asuwish]

If Tulsa wins the lottery, do they take Griner and peddle Cambage?

Or do they keep the big Aussie and take EDD with the 1st pick?

A number of sub questions suggest themselves. Could Griner play
the 4, and would you want her to? Is EDD strong enough to play
the 4, or would the wing be her most effective position?

This is fun! How about EDD and DT together? Let the 3's fly from everywhere. If Tulsa could trade Liz (and more) for the #2 pick EDD and Griner could be amazing. I don't see Diggins as a game changer the way EDD and Griner can be. Diggins is good, but I think there are at least 5 or 6 pg's with her skill set. Let's call her a Renee with more marketability. EDD in the WNBA would only have to be away from home for 4 months not 10+ and without the grind of homework maybe able to see her sister during the season more. Going oversees maybe the harder choice. If not basketball she still has to get a job. Washington would be the ideal spot for her to land. EDD could play the 4 at 6'5. She may struggle with the more physical 4's, but she's going to make them chase her all over the court and negate their ability to crash the boards. Lastly Seattle with 2 6'5 's taking 3's (Jackson and EDD) or Jackson and Griner playing high low inside being fed by Sue, can you say championship(s).

 

[asuwish]

Big Syl may be the best true center to ever play. BG may take that title some day but for now Syl gets my vote.

Even though I wasn't her biggest fan Lisa Leslie was the most dominant big in the WNBA.

 

[UConnCat]

Well, I don't know what to say anymore if you think that in the WNBA the 4 only plays in the post. You are so wrong. And if you think that Griner can play these mobil 4's that can shoot, you are wrong again.

You trade Cambage because they play the same position and you can get someone good for her.

The one area where Griner really needs to improve her defense is on the pick-and-roll and learning how to hedge on defense. Mulkey doesn't have her do that very often because her footwork is not really where it needs to be (and it's not where it will be with experience and practice). But there's no doubt that once she gets to the WNBA, opposing teams will draw her out and involve her in a lot of pick-and-rolls that will be executed better than anything she's seen at the collegiate level.

 

[asuwish]

I can't imagine Cambage and Grinder on the court together. You don't draft Griner to put her at the 4. She is like Big Syl and belongs under the basket.

Remember David Robinson and Tim Duncan played together. They had a defensive system designed to force players to the base line. One would trap the ball while the other covered the middle. It worked out pretty well. Griner would be free and can defend out to the arc while Liz held down the paint. On O I'm not sure what sets to run but it could be a nice problem. You would need good outside shooters to be most effective which maybe why Glory would not be a great fit.

 

[doggydaddy]

Remember David Robinson and Tim Duncan played together. They had a defensive system designed to force players to the base line. One would trap the ball while the other covered the middle. It worked out pretty well. Griner would be free and can defend out to the arc while Liz held down the paint. On O I'm not sure what sets to run but it could be a nice problem. You would need good outside shooters to be most effective which maybe why Glory would not be a great fit.

UConncat said it best - "The one area where Griner really needs to improve her defense is on the pick-and-roll and learning how to hedge on defense. Mulkey doesn't have her do that very often because her footwork is not really where it needs to be (and it's not where it will be with experience and practice). But there's no doubt that once she gets to the WNBA, opposing teams will draw her out and involve her in a lot of pick-and-rolls that will be executed better than anything she's seen at the collegiate level."

 

[easttexastrash]

Even though I wasn't her biggest fan Lisa Leslie was the most dominant big in the WNBA.

Definitely a great one.

 

[MilfordHusky]

This is fun! How about EDD and DT together? Let the 3's fly from everywhere.

Elena woould have to get in better shape to play Paul/Corey-ball in Phoenix, but she would thrive in the open court structure. She is a fabulous shooter when open, and Diana would find her.

 

[UConnCat]

Well, I don't know what to say anymore if you think that in the WNBA the 4 only plays in the post. You are so wrong. And if you think that Griner can play these mobil 4's that can shoot, you are wrong again..

A couple of additional points:

Nneka showed in the second half of the semi-final game that she could attack Griner and go right by her.

Also, the Shock needs good players who can put the ball in the basket. Right now, the Shock are the worst shooting team in the WNBA. I don't think the team has the luxury of enough talent that it can experiment with a twin tower lineup with Griner and Cambage. It needs to surround one of these centers with good guards and a good wing.

 

[tnvolfan65]

Tulsa has a strong trio of guards in Johnson, Williams, and Latta. Good wings are a dime a dozen. Johnson/Lacy/Pederson could still play the four with Griner/Cambage if the "experiment" doesn't work, and would probably see minutes anyways. It's not like they're going to play 40 minutes together.

And you can always trade Cambage later. But why give away one of two 6'8" centers in the league when you can have both of them at the same time? Like I said, the league has never seen a player like Griner before and the world has never seen a post combination like the two of them together. Nolan Richardson didn't utilize Cambage enough and she's young but they have the potential to dominate.