What is up with Mosqueda-Lewis?

[CamrnCrz1974]

Kaleena, if she wanted to be (and sometimes is depending on the lineup), absolutely would be an undersized power forward and rebounding machine. Durant is not exactly a small forward, nor does he exactly do everything. But what he can do is shoot the crap out of the ball. I think my comparison is apt.

I think there is a difference between saying "if she wanted to be" and "actually is," especially when making a comparison to Charles Barkley. Sir Charles averaged 11.70 rebounds per game for his entire NBA career. In 16 years, he only had three seasons when he averaged less than 11.10 rebounds per game - and in two of those seasons, he still averaged double-digit rebounds per game. And Barkley did this irrespective of who his teammates were and how good the centers were on those teams - or how good the opposition was. For all of her talent, KML has not displayed that rebounding prowess to date. She may in the future, but she has yet to be a "rebounding machine."

Regarding Durant, he is a small forward, rotating only to the four in certain lineups. In his first season in Seattle (before the move), there were experiments with him at power forward and at shooting guard. Part of what cost P.J. Carlesimo fired is the over-experimentation with Durant at positions other than small forward; it was an inefficient and unsuccessful means of using Kevin Durant.

As far as Durant and your statement ("nor does he exactly do everything"), I respectfully disagree. Durant averages 28 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. As a comparison, LeBron James is averaging 27 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. Durant ranks 3rd in the NBA in assists by "non-point guards/primary ballhandlers." He is in the top 25 in the entire league in rebounding and top four at his position (though why Kenneth Faried is classified as a small forward by the NBA is beyond me).

For these reasons, I do not believe your comparison is apt. If forced to make a comparison, I would say KML is a hybrid of Katie Douglas, Kara Lawson, and Seimone Augustus. Douglas is a great shooter, always among the leaders in three-point shooting (in terms of made threes per game). For the past three seasons, Douglas has shot 42 percent from three while making 2.2 three-point baskets per game. KML has the frame of Kara Lawson, someone with a strong legs, a sturdy base, and broaders shoulders. Also, in 2012, Lawson showed she could really rebound well for her size (ranked 4th in the WNBA for rebounds by a guard in 2012). There is also a comparison to Seimone Augustus. Seimone is a a very good shooter from three (career 39 percent), but she does not attempt as many threes as Lawson or Douglas. Augustus is known for the ability to create off the dribble and go into a silky-smooth mid-range jumper, the best in the WNBA (even better than Holdsclaw, who had a stellar mid-range jumper). KML's greater creativity off the bounce and accuracy from 12-17 feet is that flash of Augustus in her game.

 

[winlots]

Lewis obviously the team's best shooter at present....and has the mindset to shoot as well. She's also mature enough at this point to want to broaden her game and has done that beautifully this year. And that broadening has been a very important part of our terrific accomplishments as a team. My take on the issue is that, with too many of our other players not looking to shoot or shooting poorly, teams that have enough talent and enough coaching have recently been able to back off others and smother Lewis. (Not to mention that they are holding her like a koala holds a tree trunk.)