Will Jefferson replace Bird on UCONN's All-Time Starting 5?

[BroadwayVa]

I reluctantly concede the points made so often and so persuasively that Moriah's demonstrated skills, records established and overall achievements at UConn (especially if she collects a fourth NC ring) transcend those of Sue Bird. HOWEVER. . .

There are some people who are simply irreplaceable, seemingly larger than life in their field. The sports world has its share (Babe Ruth, Cy Young, Vince Lombardi, Muhammad Ali, to name a few who leap to mind). In other endeavors, consider Thomas Edison. Henry Ford, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Mark Twain, Martin Luther King, Clarence Darrow or Norman Borlaug(!) -- and many others (including Ludwig, Wolfgang, etc.).

So it is with Sue Bird. She is so revered by UConn fans like me that I can't bear the thought of her being somehow "replaceable" (like a dead car battery), so I abstain from voting.

I wish I had written that--just perfect. Some people are simply irreplaceable, seemingly larger than life

 

[BroadwayVa]

Ah but you didn't say that originally.

You said if Jefferson played with Moore, "we" (UCONN) would have 2 more titles. I believe Rocky's making the point if Jefferson had played with Moore, we wouldn't have had Jefferson for any of the last 3 years (i.e. eligibility). Hence we may not have won in these last 3 years, or maybe 1 of 3, etc. Hence, UCONN wouldn't have won "2 more" and might have even won 1 less.

You gotta read what you write.

If DT played with Jefferson, if Thomas had played with Jefferson, If Moore had played with Jefferson, If Rene had played with Jefferson,
iIf Bird had played with Jefferson, If Griner had played with Jefferson, etc all hypothetical near impossible situations--yet we discuss them.

 

[boontonbomber]

Sue was orchestrating against better competition. Moriah simply has not had to run the show against that many strong teams. She's certainly quicker than Sue, and is a better defender. But Sue's running of a team is unmatched . That's the great intangible. There may never be another point guard like Sue Bird.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Sue was orchestrating against better competition. Moriah simply has not had to run the show against that many strong teams. She's certainly quicker than Sue, and is a better defender. But Sue's running of a team is unmatched . That's the great intangible. There may never be another point guard like Sue Bird.

I beg to differ on M.J. NOT running any show against STRONG teams? Define STRONG TEAM!!! In my less than humble OPINION--the talent of the last 8 years on many team has been very high. No she never got to play Tenn--mostly because Tenn failed to make the final4. She played the best available and Uconn won.
What team did Sue play that exceeded those teams played by a Moriah led team?? Parker/Griner neither played them.
I have loved Sue Bird since she arrived at Uconn--she alone put Christ the King on the map of WBB--she was leading a team of top STARS and at times taking over the game to win. WNBA and Olympics and European (Russian) playing has vaulted her to the top of Excellence.
I shall always love SUE.
I'm not one for using Dogmatic undefinable statements even about SUE. If you can't quantify "running a team" you really can't use that in comparing Sue to Moriah as College (4 years or) Seniors.
The Jefferson I have seen, since she arrived on campus, TO ME, was equal to Sue in many way--.
Yet we are speaking of two of the GREATEST POINT guards ON Floor Generals to ever wear a UConn uniform. That has to be enough for any fan and Jefferson has a full season ahead of her!!!

 

[baggerbob]

My starting five is (are? Please correct) Charles, Stewart, Moore, Taurasi, Jefferson.

I have a problem with the bench.

Bird, Dolson, Hartley, Cash.

Who is the 5th?

Ralph? Tuck?

Due apologies to Lobo and Sales.

My Starting 5 would be Jefferson, Bird, Taurasi, Moore, and Stewart the best 5 Uconn players.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

My Starting 5 would be Jefferson, Bird, Taurasi, Moore, and Stewart the best 5 Uconn players.

Baggerbob, I'll second your starting 5!

 

[j66kicker]

My Starting 5 would be Jefferson, Bird, Taurasi, Moore, and Stewart the best 5 Uconn players.

Now THAT'S diplomacy! (Who plays the point? You could make a case for DT, a 2-time Lieberman winner....?)

 

[Phillyconn]

Sue was orchestrating against better competition. Moriah simply has not had to run the show against that many strong teams. She's certainly quicker than Sue, and is a better defender. But Sue's running of a team is unmatched . That's the great intangible. There may never be another point guard like Sue Bird.

She's quicker, a much better defender. MOJeff penetrates at will, where she can finish or dish off for an assist. She can shoot the three with the best of them. Sue, runs the show better? Sue had some pretty good players in her years. So, how does Sue run the show better? Mo has 3 titles to show for her efforts, with another on the way. Geno said that she controls the pace, on both sides of the floor. Mo is the best pg that we have ever had, period.

 

[boontonbomber]

She's quicker, a much better defender. MOJeff penetrates at will, where she can finish or dish off for an assist. She can shoot the three with the best of them. Sue, runs the show better? Sue had some pretty good players in her years. So, how does Sue run the show better? Mo has 3 titles to show for her efforts, with another on the way. Geno said that she controls the pace, on both sides of the floor. Mo is the best pg that we have ever had, period.

Mo will have 4 titles, but as j66kicker said above, Sue is the only woman to win 3 Liebermans . Period.

 

[Phillyconn]

Mo will have 4 titles, but as j66kicker said above, Sue is the only woman to win 3 Liebermans . Period.

Small consolation. I'm sure Sue would rather have titles, than Liebermans. Period.

 

[Nuyoika]

Sue Bird is irreplaceable. Also Sue really only played 3 years so where does that factor in to what she did while at UConn? Is there a sliding scale or something for this?

 

[MilfordHusky]

Small consolation. I'm sure Sue would rather have titles, than Liebermans. Period.

Agreed. But Mo can tie Diana and Skylar as the only 2-time Lieberman Award winners. If she wins, that will give us 8 of the 17 Liebermans: Sue 3, Dee 2, Renee 1, Moriah 2. We already are the only school with more than 1 player winning a Lieberman, and we have FOUR. Point Guard U.!

 

[Geno-ista]

Analytically I think that you have go with MoJeff, but I just can't vote against Bird, ever, for pretty much anything. I love that kid (who is now nearing the end of her pro career.) Of course I can't vote against Moriah either so....

These types of Kemba vs. Shabazz debates are tough on the fans. How can you pick a favorite?

Well stated!!!

 

[Geno-ista]

I reluctantly concede the points made so often and so persuasively that Moriah's demonstrated skills, records established and overall achievements at UConn (especially if she collects a fourth NC ring) transcend those of Sue Bird. HOWEVER. . .

There are some people who are simply irreplaceable, seemingly larger than life in their field. The sports world has its share (Babe Ruth, Cy Young, Vince Lombardi, Muhammad Ali, to name a few who leap to mind). In other endeavors, consider Thomas Edison. Henry Ford, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Mark Twain, Martin Luther King, Clarence Darrow or Norman Borlaug(!) -- and many others (including Ludwig, Wolfgang, etc.).

So it is with Sue Bird. She is so revered by UConn fans like me that I can't bear the thought of her being somehow "replaceable" (like a dead car battery), so I abstain from voting.

Kibitzer- you just nailed it!!!! That's why I voted for Susie!