RebKell's Junkie Boards

awhom111 · Posted: 12/05/16 9:45 am :::

tfan · Posted: 12/05/16 10:59 am :::

awhom111 · Posted: 12/06/16 9:12 pm :::

Israel:
http://www.womensbasketball247.com/2016/12/israeli-league-round-4-december-5th/

China:
http://www.womensbasketball247.com/2016/12/chinese-league-2nd-stage-round-8-december-6th/

myrtle · Posted: 12/07/16 2:36 am :::

awhom111 · Posted: 12/07/16 9:35 pm :::

EuroLeague:
http://www.womensbasketball247.com/2016/12/euroleague-round-5-december-7th/

awhom111 · Posted: 12/08/16 9:36 pm :::

EuroCup:
http://www.womensbasketball247.com/2016/12/eurocup-round-5-december-7th-8th/

awhom111 · Posted: 12/11/16 12:24 am :::

China:
http://www.womensbasketball247.com/2016/12/chinese-league-2nd-stage-round-9-december-10th/

France:
http://www.womensbasketball247.com/2016/12/french-league-round-10-december-10th/

Jet Jaguar · Posted: 12/11/16 8:53 am :::

If anyone thinks overseas is not strictly for a paycheck, one can look no further than China. You don't improve yourself playing bad competition night after night.

_________________
Oderint dum metuant - Let them hate, so long as they fear

WfanFrJmp · Posted: 12/11/16 9:13 am :::

Yes indeed, I hear you. Honestly, I'm not mad at them for that particularly in China where the pay is good and the season is relatively short. The interesting thing is that more and more people are deciding to go over there, maybe for that reason; hence, in time, the competition level may increase. As I understand it, there is only one foreign player per team and they can only play limited minutes.

I do wonder and have been trying to figure out how to assess how players are improving from year to year in conjunction with overseas play. Does overseas play only benefit them financially (to the potential detriment to their health)? or Does it seem to help them expand their game? Enhance their confidence? Bird and Clarendon had interesting takes on the W off season on Above the Rim a few months ago. How do we measure that improvement (or lack thereof) particularly given the difference in the level of competition, roster balance, team roles, etc.?

Jet Jaguar · Posted: 12/11/16 11:18 am :::

I used to think if you played overseas it helped improve your game. I think it can to an extent, but I really think staying home and working with trainers is the best way now. If you're a player transitioning to a different position, say PG from SG, getting more reps in an actual game situation at PG will probably help you. But so many players are relied on for other things on overseas clubs that they aren't in the W that it doesn't necessarily help the areas they need improvement on.

I'm going to use Sammy Prahalis as an example because I know her best. Now after her rookie year she was slated to play in Israel but didn't end up playing because there was a lot of political unrest in the area and it was not safe so she left. She ended up staying in the US and training very hard. 2 a days. Sometimes 3 a days. Went to Phoenix a couple times to work with Corey Gaines and the staff as well. She came into 2013 the best shape of her life and an improved player. She didn't look like she improved to start the season, but there was a lot of stuff going on that team after the season started I won't get into that contributed to a bad start, and they didn't give her a chance to get past a rough start so no one here really saw it. But she really was much better. I don't think there would have been the same improvements playing overseas.

I'll use another example in Brittany Boyd. Obviously I don't know her that well. But she left Polkowice (I don't know why). But I think this is the best thing for her. Last year she didn't play overseas because of injury but much of her training had to do with getting healthy and in game shape. She shouldn't be playing overseas until she improves her jump shot which is absolutely horrendous. She also needs to work on a floater so when she penetrates, something she does well, she'll actually have a decent chance of making a basket and not rely on either getting fouled or making a crazy circus shot. If she plays her cards right and works hard this could really be beneficial to her.

_________________
Oderint dum metuant - Let them hate, so long as they fear

WfanFrJmp · Posted: 12/11/16 2:21 pm :::

I hear you and honestly have always been puzzled by the Sammy situation. I know it is definitely frustrating for you as a strong advocate for her game. She was tough when Phoenix was doing whatever they were doing that year.... Listening to some of the stories of former players like Candice Wiggins, there is definitely an "interesting" business side to the W that I think would shock and surprise us all.

Nice points about playing overseas vs. working out with trainers. I remember thinking that while BG was going to make a grip of money in China, I didn't feel she would get better at all unless she took her trainer. On the other hand, I look at Jewel and I think of how it seems to have really have helped her confidence to go overseas. Sometimes I wonder about the pressure of truly being the center of a team's hope for success and being essentially required for put up 40p and 20r a night in limited minutes. I know the competition level isn't as high but that is a lot to put on your body.

Of course EDD and Diggins are an exception but for the most part overseas play was the norm until the start of the W and now is par for the course for players to extend their earning potential. I know this is not an easy life...an easy choice...The only time they stayed home was because on injuries. On the "Above the rim" interview, Bird thought overseas was particularly important for younger players to which Clarendon disagreed on some level. For the older players, staying healthy and avoiding injuries are key to extending their careers, so there is definitely a trade off there. Clarendon said she realized that a lot of the things that she used to be able to do in college she couldn't do in the pros and she decided to stay home to train and work on her game. For her, going overseas would have simply been further ingraining bad habits that she wanted to break. I love her response and self awareness.