Gus Mahler
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That's the salient point.For now, she'll excel against average teams, but struggle to get quality minutes in the big games until she develops more weapons.
That's the salient point.For now, she'll excel against average teams, but struggle to get quality minutes in the big games until she develops more weapons.
Nailed it.When Gabby is playing "freely," she's truly fun to watch. Catches the ball, then quickly does something impressively athletic with it, or sometimes makes a nice pass (her passing has always been a bit hit-or-miss, but when on-target she's thrown some nice ones).
Sometimes she has looked a bit indecisive lately, though. Not for an entire game at a stretch. But certainly there are segments of the games, even against a team like Colgate, where the bouncy grasshopper shows that she has much to learn.![]()
I think it has to do with Gabby's lack of a consistent outside shot......Playing against a zone defense limits Gabby's effectiveness. Not so with Napheesa or Lou. Both Lou and Napheesa can hit the outside jumper with more consistency. Creating problems for the other team. So until Gabby's jumper improves to the point of being a more consistent threat we may see more Napheesa or Lou. But on the flip-side , as long as the other team plays man-to-man , look for Gabby.
JMHO.
How many "big games" will there be this season?Accurate observations. My brother and I thought the same things. Gabby is a great athlete, but not yet a great basketball player. She's playing out of position. Even with her jumping ability, she gets lost around the basket with bigger/stronger players. She's either unable or uncomfortable shooting the 15 footer. If she develops that shot, it will open up other opportunities.
For now, she'll excel against average teams, but struggle to get quality minutes in the big games until she develops more weapons.
Geno does not seem to work that way at all. He's much more inclined to pull a player against a weak team for making errors than to let them "play through". I don't know if he's ever expounded on this, but Bob Knight used to say something on the order of that if you keep practicing badly, you're learning how to do it badly.a game against Colgate, isn't this a great time for Gabby to "practice" on being creative against "a zone"... its not like UConn was going to lose
How many "big games" will there be this season?
Don't forget a probable three games against South Florida.Not many now. Maybe Fla St. and Maryland. SCAR will be a challenge for her. After that, we'll have to wait for the Sweet Sixteen.
Don't forget a probable three games against South Florida.
Kiah would have made it difficult of those driving to the basket to score--she did that regularly and well. As a down low scorer she was exceptional as she proved in her final (NC) game against ND, while accepting passes and scoring (good hands). She had proven that she could score the 3 and shoot from 10 feet but got chewed pretty good from Geno in the Stanford game after taking and missing (rolled around the rim) a 10 ft shot.I can understand how KML would help break the Zone. I'm not sure what Kiah Stokes would have done for us on offense- she was terrible with the ball in her hands, and couldn't hit shots consisrently from outside of 4-6'?
BTW, after 7 games Gabby's shooting % is .612 compared to last year's .637. That is hardly something to scoff at while she has been playing the role of starter.
Once doesn't measure shooting performance by halves. It is always possible to select a period to show bad performance.I would be interested to see her %'s against Neb., DePaul and ND...especially in the first half of those games.
Once doesn't measure shooting performance by halves. It is always possible to select a period to show bad performance.
Not by much. Gabby's at 58% this year in the 1st quarter, a pct. that most players would be happy with even if it doesn't quite reach her 61% overall average. Make one more shot in the 1st quarter and she's above her season's average. And why did you exclude Ohio State on Gabby's breakdown against good teams since they're a Top 10 team and the Huskers aren't even ranked? Against the three you cited she's only 7-15, but throw in the Buckeyes and she's 12-24, and most players would be happy enough to shoot 50% against those four strong teams. She's often been a beast out there early on.Why not? Those games were more competitive in the first half...maybe thru 3 quarters. Her shooting % seems to improve once the game is out of reach.
If Kiah Stokes was as great offensively with everything you stated above- she would have been the first pick in the draft. And the brick she took in the Stanford game was the shot that won the game for Stanford. She received the ball near the 3 pt line, panicked like she did most of the time with rhe ball in her hands. And we were only 8-10 seconds into our shot clock, and all we needed to do was run the clock and get fooled. Rushing up a shot that she proved over 4 yr's in college she couldn't make, was worse than the brick she threw up. Geno was as pissed about her panicking early in the clock and taking the dumbest shot in the world. She would have played 35 minutes a game if she could play offense. You are dreaming with your revisionist history. Great athlete, great rebounder, great shot blocker. She didn't have exceptionally great hands. And our offensive flow was not near capacity because she never developed any consistency on offense. She did not want the ball in her hands more than 4 ft from the basket- period. I love her, met her numerous times. Class act, beautiful girl and she's doing great in wnba. Good for her. It was probably Geno's fault.Kiah would have made it difficult of those driving to the basket to score--she did that regularly and well. As a down low scorer she was exceptional as she proved in her final (NC) game against ND, while accepting passes and scoring (good hands). She had proven that she could score the 3 and shoot from 10 feet but got chewed pretty good from Geno in the Stanford game after taking and missing (rolled around the rim) a 10 ft shot.
-ista, Reality--perception!! She could, she does hit the long shot. Lambeer didn't teach her to shoot that shot, she had it--he only gave her the green light to shoot it. Comfortable with it?? Who knows. She scored those shot regularly in HS. Perception?? REality?? Playing in the shadows of KML and Stewie it wasn't necessary for her to shoot beyond a layup. Reality?? Perception??
a game against Colgate, isn't this a great time for Gabby to "practice" on being creative against "a zone"... its not like UConn was going to lose
guess Gabby didnt need that much practiceThe other players have to practice too.
Kiah would have made it difficult of those driving to the basket to score--she did that regularly and well. As a down low scorer she was exceptional as she proved in her final (NC) game against ND, while accepting passes and scoring (good hands). She had proven that she could score the 3 and shoot from 10 feet but got chewed pretty good from Geno in the Stanford game after taking and missing (rolled around the rim) a 10 ft shot.
-ista, Reality--perception!! She could, she does hit the long shot. Lambeer didn't teach her to shoot that shot, she had it--he only gave her the green light to shoot it. Comfortable with it?? Who knows. She scored those shot regularly in HS. Perception?? REality?? Playing in the shadows of KML and Stewie it wasn't necessary for her to shoot beyond a layup. Reality?? Perception??
guess Gabby didnt need that much practice
cant play better sitting down... Colgate game was perfect time to get a few reps in during "real time" but Im not Geno who has 10 titlesI guess she needs to play better.

cant play better sitting down... Colgate game was perfect time to get a few reps in during "real time" but Im not Geno who has 10 titles![]()
Because both teams, also, make adjustments and defenses change, personal on the court changes, etc.Why not? Those games were more competitive in the first half...maybe thru 3 quarters. Her shooting % seems to improve once the game is out of reach.
Because both teams, also, make adjustments and defenses change, personal on the court changes, etc.
It is more valid to discuss her play against zone vs man to man. It can be more important to discuss shot location. Many things are more important than just choosing half of any given game.
You use your description and I'll use mine I don't force people to use my terminology I'm not stupid enough, like some, to demand you use specific wording in your posting. Nothing so lacking in intellect as pseudo intellectuals.I don't know. First off in the title game she was 2-2 scored 4 points. SO I wouldn't say "She was exceptional." One of her 2 baskets was off an offensive rebound. And the other it's questionable if it was a low post or because a guard drove and forced her defender which meant Kiah received a pass and hit a wide open layup. I wouldn't call this "exceptional."
Secondly, listen to Doris Burke in that championship game. She was RIPPING Stokes for not even looking at the basket. Then we have to read after season is over all the "experts" criticize Stokes offense when it came to draft day. When you have people like Doris on National TV over-exaggerating Stokes deficiencies- that is the point I'll agree with you "reality vs perception."