Z the Big Jump coming to UConn

[BroadwayVa]

Being on the floor for a game in front of Geno is not the same as playing for anyone else, nor is it the same as being on the scout team in practice. You said it in the bold text above.

The external pressure when I play tennis is many orders of magnitude less than what the Husky ladies endure, but the pressures I sometimes put on myself make it simple to miss shots in matches I make easily in clinics or against my wife.---

She'll be fine. She wants this. Just has to come to terms with it. Consider the Tina Charles story.

hat

Now you are agreeing with my posting. But playing on one stage or being in front of one class is pretty much like the other; except when you have a hostile audience. \
Some of Z's audiences were friendly--except for Geno, possibly. Your assertions above fall in line with my original post---nerves (which are usually creating an internal story greater than the truth)/mental/wanting to please (whether that is to avoid the issues/trouble), trying too hard. All of which constitute pressure--and the greatest pressures usually come from within. \Geno uses that, or defeats the self doubt and tries to make one mentally stronger--because that is the true weakness.
Just for kicks---what external pressures did you have--or better were those pressures your perceived as external --coming from with in you? \
Some people can cope with external pressure unless they are physical --if you are trying to please, that's not external that is probably created by they way a person is raised--a family thing.
Think of the military that have on a daily basis ,some times live with external issues and then must perform at a high level --or die.
Thanks for the clarification--we probably agree more than you think.

 

[augustaTC]

Lots of BYers did it with Dangerfield, Z, and now Walker. They're subject to unrealistic expectations and then disappointment. Wish there was a rule against predicting what a new kid will do until they've played for three months. What is the point?

 

[BroadwayVa]

I'm with you Tony... It's early; too early to make a judgment. Coming to UConn was a step she took feeling it could make her a better player. Cut her some slack...

It is never too early or too late to make judgments. Of course, if you want good or even better judgments--then this may be too early. I'm not sure we fans are judging Azura Stevens as much as we are wondering, what's going on. We all read, heard, saw how good she was at Duke. Geno has spoken highly of her, even recently. So, some of us are second, triple , quad guessing to find the reasons for her not getting 30 points per game with another 25 rebound and 12 blocks per game. Ok, that's my fantasy!
But if you look at the UCLA game---her value in the game was evident, without scoring, rebounding or blocking (all of which she did); opponents cannot dump 3 players on Gabby and Napheesa down low with Azura in the game--her talent is widely known, she scores from the perimeter, or did at Duke.\
If they lay off of Z they do so at their peril, if they double her--Gabby or Napheesa score, rebound,etc. Z isn't the only factor in her not scoring easily--blame chemistry i.e. passers have to learn when where and how to pass effectively to Z. Nuff Sed.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

So Z is not living up to some fans expectations. Some expected her to come here and be a first team AA. Lets be patient guys. She's got tremendous potential that needs to be developed. Its a big jump to come from one team and then to come to UConn. UConn is the next level and Z transferred here for that reason, to get better, to be part of something special, to be developed and to become a better player and yes to be an AA. Now shes working on it and although you havent seen the results yet it will happen it takes time. Geno will develop Z and she will be great. You see her smile. Smiling is one of the greatest assets an athlete can have because it relaxes you and clears your mind.

There is a learning curve when you come to UConn and it takes time to get there. Do you have any idea how long it takes ? No I dont. But I know if you keep on practicing hard for a long time it will eventually come together. Remember my ole saying about being successful..."you will pay a huge price, and you will pay it in advance and there are no guarantees." Many of you thought when Diana got here, when Breanna got here when Maya got here they would walk in to the starting lineup and be great. They didnt. It took time.

When you see Z shooting treys and dont think she should remember this Geno wants her to shoot treys and if he didnt he would have her sitting on the bench. When you see Z running the fast break be happy we have a big who can handle the ball. Think about this. When Lou and Camara get back we will have the best high low game in WCBB.

So all I can say is...we were concerned about not having a big now we have a really good one. So be patient and watch her develop under the UConn system and Im sure by March she will be the prize many of you had hoped for.

GO Huskies

Tonyc- - - Very true! People should not forget that she was UNDERWHELMED at Duke! When She transferred to UCONN she said she wanted to take her game to a higher level and that wasn't ever gonna happen at Duke! So she did not get great coaching for her 1st 2 years and got by on her natural talent! Now with Geno and Staff she'll quickly pick up the skills and knowledge she hasn't gotten yet! With Coach McCallie that's the elephant graveyard athletes go to die (on the vine)!
Give Azura time she's a diamond just waiting to be polished!

 

[Buzzyboy]

Maya was amazing, but not perfect. Geno had issues with her; she wanted to be a perimeter or Jump shooter. Geno wanted her to attack and rumble under the basket. Then there is the omni-present ubiquitous Defensive issues of new to Uconn players--Maya had them too.

If Maya had issues, they were subtle and she was easily the most prepared freshman I've ever seen in Storrs. As you mentioned, Geno wanted her to penetrate more and get to the foul line more frequently but if Diana was playing in Storrs this season, Geno would still be making demands that she was falling short of. That is his nature, "no one is perfect" or can't improve in some aspect!

 

[BroadwayVa]

If Maya had issues, they were subtle and she was easily the most prepared freshman I've ever seen in Storrs. As you mentioned, Geno wanted her to penetrate more and get to the foul line more frequently but if Diana was playing in Storrs this season, Geno would still be making demands that she was falling short of. That is his nature, "no one is perfect" or can't improve in some aspect!

Agreed.

 

[Zorro]

Don't know about y'all, but MY unrealistic expectations re Azura were based on what Geno himself had to say about her. In at least couple of statements, he was pretty much over the top, as I seem to recall. All-American, best player in the country, etc. Maybe my recollection is faulty. However, I do think that she is going to show us a lot more than she has thus far.