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After Ionescu, Which Rookie Will Impact New York The Most? |
Jazmine Jones |
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11% |
[ 5 ] |
Leaonna Odom |
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17% |
[ 8 ] |
Kylee Shook |
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6% |
[ 3 ] |
Megan Walker |
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44% |
[ 20 ] |
Jocelyn Willoughby |
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20% |
[ 9 ] |
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Total Votes : 45 |
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019 Posts: 4701
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root_thing
Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 7365 Location: Underground
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Posted: 05/28/20 9:48 am ::: |
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I went with Willoughby. Walker may be more talented and in the long-run end up with a better career. However, at the moment, I think Jocelyn is readier for pro ball. She has a balanced all-around game, and I really like her intangibles. Willoughby seems poised and super smart. You get the feeling that if something isn’t working she’ll figure it out. On the court, Jocelyn plays with high energy – more like a scrappy bench player than someone who just led the ACC in scoring. I like the whole package. Also, I’m guessing that head coach Tina Thompson and assistant Monica Wright prepared Willoughby for what to expect at the pro level.
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019 Posts: 4701
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Posted: 05/29/20 12:58 am ::: |
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I'm a little surprised so many people went with Walker, mostly because it seems pretty well-documented on this board how much she struggled in games against players/teams of equal or higher level. Well, bad news for her: every game for the Liberty, for the foreseeable future, is going to be against players/teams of equal or higher level. Hopefully for her sake she'll learn to adjust sooner rather than later.
It could really be anyone, but I think it's least likely to be Shook. To me, she wasn't really an 'imposing' player in college, and she might end up playing behind both Zahui B. and Stokes if the true post players on the roster will only end up playing the 5 in Hopkins' system. The other rookies should have an easier time competing with each other for rotation spots.
Willoughby could be the best choice, given that she put up good numbers, playing against a lot of higher-level teams, despite being the clear-cut go-to option on a bad team. She seems at least more battle-tested than Walker.
I myself am hopeful and intrigued for it to be Odom, cuz what on earth would that look like?
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bluedevilaztecfan5
Joined: 16 Mar 2010 Posts: 796 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: 05/29/20 2:45 am ::: |
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I’ll be happy if multiple Liberty rookies are impactful, I’m sure Sabrina will be one but one more would be a pleasant surprise. I see Ionescu, Durr, Nurse, Allen, and Zahui B getting a lot of minutes. I’m sure Clarendon will get backup lead guard minutes.
I see most minutes going to Walker, then Willoughby, then Jones and Shook, lastly Odom. But I can see that fluctuating throughout the season.
The reason I picked Walker, is because I think her 3pt accuracy and shooting touch will get her time on the court. I think the outside shooting part of her game will translate right away.
I know she struggled against tougher competition. But she had to become UCONNs go to option this past season, and she won’t have that pressure to get buckets like that with the Liberty. Ionescu, Durr and Nurse are going to be the players relied upon first to create both for themselves and their teammates.
Whether Walker subs in first for Allen, or she starts with Ionescu, Durr, Nurse and Zahui B, she’s possibly the 5th option. So I think she can succeed in being a sniper (I know she is more than that, but I think that skill is what gets her playing tike).
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snlMINAJ
Joined: 21 Jan 2010 Posts: 1216
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Posted: 05/29/20 6:48 am ::: |
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i kind of envision megan walker's career to be like tiffany hayes. she is not the kind of player, in my opinion, who can be the go-to and succeed... but as a second or third option will be great. i think that lends to why she could get 25-30 in games that weren't close, but struggled in competitive situations.
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root_thing
Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 7365 Location: Underground
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Posted: 05/29/20 11:11 am ::: |
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The reason why Shook could receive significant minutes is because Stokes can’t shoot and Zahui gets into foul trouble. If Hopkins wants to have five shooters on the floor at all times, then Kylee would be the logical sub for Amanda. For the same reason, Shook is the better option to pair with Zahui if Walt decides to employ a conventional two big line-up on a situational basis.
_________________ You can always do something else.
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Rock Hard
Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 5376 Location: Chocolate Paradise
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myrtle
Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 32335
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Posted: 05/29/20 12:43 pm ::: |
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Whenever I watched Louisville, Shook was pretty much not visible. I think her best game of the year was against Oregon, which is about the only good sign I can see. Not sure why anybody would think someone who is the third or fourth option on her college team (unless that team was UConn and even then it's a pretty iffy proposition) would suddenly be able to produce in the W. I would have thought that if they had an actual training camp, she wouldn't even be on the roster.
_________________ For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
- Amanda Gorman
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myrtle
Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 32335
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Posted: 05/29/20 12:49 pm ::: |
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I would think if Walt really wants to play only one post, the emphasis for that post would be on rebounding. If the only post on the team is floating around on the perimeter, then the team needs to make about 70% of its shots since there will be almost no rebounds. At the other end, any team will just pound it inside against the midgets.
_________________ For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
- Amanda Gorman
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root_thing
Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 7365 Location: Underground
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Posted: 05/29/20 3:16 pm ::: |
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Shook is essentially a 3 and D player. No one expects her to be a big scorer. Kylee’s job is to help spread the floor and keep the opposition honest so they can’t double on other players. All she has to do is hit wide-open shots. Shook was a 38.2% career 3-pt shooter in college. No doubt it was only moderate volume (89-233), but nonetheless statistically significant. Furthermore, it was not a one year fluke. Shook shot over 38% from 3pt range in her first three seasons before falling to a still-respectable 36.8% in her senior year (after a slow 3-14 start).
As far as defense goes, Hopkins has his own theories. He says that statistics show post-ups are low percentage shots. He believes height disadvantages can be offset with aggressive ball denial. On the offensive end, if you pull the opposing post players out to guard three-point shooters, then it will be guards and wings fighting for rebounds underneath the basket. You are spreading the floor not only to shoot 3’s but also to create driving lanes. If you make enough lay-ups (or resulting foul shots), then you don’t need to shoot ultra-high percentages from outside. Obviously, it is unconventional thinking. Most fans, including me, are skeptical. But at least it sounds like the coaches have thought this through. Time will tell whether or not they’re right.
_________________ You can always do something else.
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Bob Lamm
Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 5065 Location: New York City
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Posted: 05/29/20 3:59 pm ::: |
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root_thing wrote: |
As far as defense goes, Hopkins has his own theories. He says that statistics show post-ups are low percentage shots. He believes height disadvantages can be offset with aggressive ball denial. On the offensive end, if you pull the opposing post players out to guard three-point shooters, then it will be guards and wings fighting for rebounds underneath the basket. You are spreading the floor not only to shoot 3’s but also to create driving lanes. If you make enough lay-ups (or resulting foul shots), then you don’t need to shoot ultra-high percentages from outside. Obviously, it is unconventional thinking. Most fans, including me, are skeptical. But at least it sounds like the coaches have thought this through. Time will tell whether or not they’re right. |
In my view, it's going to be quite intriguing to watch. It's not common for a rookie head coach to articulate and presumably attempt to implement an approach that's so different from accepted practices. It's actually daring. Hopkins is leaving himself open to lots of criticism if this approach flops. Having watched two deadly seasons under Katie Smith, I'm eager not only to look at a roster with seven new players but to see how WaltBall actually works out on the court.
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bluedevilaztecfan5
Joined: 16 Mar 2010 Posts: 796 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: 05/29/20 4:55 pm ::: |
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I might be totally doing the per 40 math wrong, but I think x/8.2=40/27 which leads to 12.1rpg per 40 for Kylee and her senior year.
What excites me about Shook is, as root pointed out, the 3 and D aspect of her game. I really don’t care that she scores a ton of points, I like her ability to stretch the other teams shot blocker to the 3pt line, opening up lanes for Ionescu, Durr, Nurse etc, as well as her shot blocking and defensive instincts. I didn’t watch the game but she seems to have played a big hand in shutting down Sabrina when Louisville beat Oregon. The defensive versatility and potential there is what I look forward to, and she’s not a terrible rebounder either.
She might not be on the square come 2022, or even next year, but I like her fit with this system over Gray’s.
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Curt_NY
Joined: 22 Apr 2020 Posts: 4
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Posted: 05/30/20 6:15 am ::: |
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Did Walker really struggle that much going against good teams? Honestly asking. She did light it up vs. a star studded team USA though, no?
I could see the reasoning that she is not great as a #1 option because she seems a shooter first and foremost without the same ability to get to the rim and FT line at the same level as someone like Willoughby.
That’s why I’m going with Willoughby in this poll, because she can shoot the 3 and get to the FT line, as well as playing with a lot of intensity. I think both Walker and Willoughby will get lots of mins though.
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mavcarter #NATC
Joined: 02 Sep 2010 Posts: 5935 Location: Chicago
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Randy
Joined: 08 Oct 2011 Posts: 10911
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019 Posts: 4701
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Posted: 05/30/20 9:44 pm ::: |
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mavcarter wrote: |
Curt_NY wrote: |
Did Walker really struggle that much going against good teams? Honestly asking. |
If my math is correct, UConn faced 5 ranked opponents(DePaul - my alma woot woot , Baylor, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee).
I got 13.4 PPG & 31.7 FG% for Walker. |
One thing I'll add: UConn has traditionally had DePaul's number (17-1 all-time, with DePaul only winning the teams' very first matchup back in '83). Walker shot 10-20 in their matchup last season. So take out the DePaul game, and in those other four games, Walker averaged 11.3 PPG while shooting a staggeringly bad 25.8% from the field.
Another thing I'll add: UConn played nine ranked teams in Walker's sophomore year. Walker, as the at-best third option given Collier & Samuelson, averaged 10.4 PPG and 41.2% FG in those nine games (which do include another matchup with DePaul fwiw). She never shot more than 12 FGAs in any of those games, and she never shot better than 50% in any of those games. If nothing else, one can conclude that while she shot better in her sophomore-year big games as a role player than she did in her last-season ones as a 'star' player, her shooting still wasn't great.
So with all this said, I have no reason to believe Walker will be much of a contributor in her rookie season as a professional, despite UConn of course being regarded as a program that well preps their players to be professionals. Imo she has a higher risk of flaming out than it may seem; and by her falling to #9, I'd say that coaches/GMs thought that as well. But if she does find her way, I think it'll still take her more than the standard couple years it typically takes for college players coming into the League. (I really was planning on only adding that first paragraph but *bada boom bada bing* it turned into three. )
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Bob Lamm
Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 5065 Location: New York City
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Luuuc #NATC
Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 21927
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Bob Lamm
Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 5065 Location: New York City
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root_thing
Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 7365 Location: Underground
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Bob Lamm
Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 5065 Location: New York City
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Randy
Joined: 08 Oct 2011 Posts: 10911
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Posted: 05/31/20 2:44 pm ::: |
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Somehow, giving out sympathy votes doesn't seem like the NY fans I know and love......
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Bob Lamm
Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 5065 Location: New York City
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PUmatty
Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 16358 Location: Chicago
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Posted: 05/31/20 9:30 pm ::: |
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Who do I vote for if I don't think any of those players are going to be any good?
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019 Posts: 4701
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