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Message: [QUOTE="ballerfan, post: 4329769, member: 11596"] I agree that players other than Paige will provide leadership. Nika in particular with the energy she gives the team, her all-out effort on the floor, her defensive skill and presence, her passing ability, and her role in running the floor especially when Paige is on the bench. She’s smart, and the team listens to her. But Nika will not provide anywhere near the same level of leadership that Paige will (despite Geno’s comment about Nika’s leadership when Paige was injured) because of Nika’s more limited skill set and playing time compared with Paige, Paige’s off the charts BBIQ and court vision, Paige’s presence as a role model and the general respect the team has for Paige, Paige’s increasing role in demanding hard work from other players, and Paige’s unofficial role as a member of the coaching staff. Also, as Geno says, Paige gives the team a lot of confidence. Unless something dramatically changes, Paige will be the overwhelming, unquestioned leader of UConn both on and off the court next season. But there will still be leadership roles for Nika, Azzi, and the other amazing players on the team. It’s a team game, not a solo act. Imagine, for example, the great feeling that everyone, including Paige, has when at the end of a close game Azzi is fouled and goes to the free throw line. Azzi, given the confidence the team has in her, will provide leadership as well. [/QUOTE]