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Michelle89
Joined: 17 Nov 2010 Posts: 16464 Location: Holland
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Posted: 06/23/21 3:18 am ::: |
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Bob Lamm wrote: |
Shades wrote: |
June 22, 2021
New York Liberty: Kiah Stokes – Set Active
New York Liberty: Reshanda Gray – Hardship Release |
I feel bad for Reshanda Gray, who always gives her all out there and has at times made some important contributions. But she's caught in a numbers game and can't win. |
Yeah i always like her effort. She deserves to be on a roster somewhere
_________________ "Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson were and are the dynamic duo. They're the one-two punch. They're all the clich�s possible to describe people that perfectly complement each other, who make each other better and also bring out the best in the team." �Karen Bryant
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Bob Lamm
Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 5065 Location: New York City
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Posted: 06/23/21 3:42 pm ::: |
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I just watched (virtually) an excellent one-hour discussion of OWN YOUR PRIDE sponsored by the New York Liberty. Former Liberty executive Kristin Bernert moderated. The panel included Angela Taylor (a former WNBA executive and now a diversity and inclusion advocate), Sami Whitcomb, and Jazmine Jones.
You should be able to find it by going to YouTube, hitting in "New York Liberty," and scrolling down. But hopefully this link will work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E86UAknTOhY
_________________ Remember Roe v. Wade. Work for and support legal abortion all over the world and full reproductive rights for everyone.
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Randy
Joined: 08 Oct 2011 Posts: 10911
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Posted: 06/23/21 4:00 pm ::: |
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In the unlikely event anyone else was wondering what ever happened to Taylor, I found this:
https://www.idahostatesman.com/living/treasure/article168466472.html
She is doing culinary tourism helping people enjoy the foods of Idaho.
“The most profound experiences I’ve had have revolved around music, food, history. (That) really gives you a good idea of the character of that neighborhood,” Taylor says. “I thought that if I could incorporate culture, art, history and food into an experience here in Boise that it would be the same profound experience whether you were a visitor in Boise or a local.”
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Bob Lamm
Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 5065 Location: New York City
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Posted: 06/23/21 6:20 pm ::: |
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Randy wrote: |
In the unlikely event anyone else was wondering what ever happened to Taylor, I found this:
https://www.idahostatesman.com/living/treasure/article168466472.html
She is doing culinary tourism helping people enjoy the foods of Idaho.
“The most profound experiences I’ve had have revolved around music, food, history. (That) really gives you a good idea of the character of that neighborhood,” Taylor says. “I thought that if I could incorporate culture, art, history and food into an experience here in Boise that it would be the same profound experience whether you were a visitor in Boise or a local.” |
I got the impression from the discussion that she is also working as a consultant on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
_________________ Remember Roe v. Wade. Work for and support legal abortion all over the world and full reproductive rights for everyone.
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019 Posts: 4701
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Posted: 06/25/21 12:41 am ::: |
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Queenie wrote: |
I keep telling myself this team can't possibly be as bad as they've been, but I just don't know. (That being said, if y'all bring up "oh, they're so much better than they were last year!" YES I KNOW. So is an unflushed toilet. Neither is acceptable and both should be dealt with.) |
I think the Liberty get healthy post-Olympics, but other teams also getting healthy post-Olympics will sort of cancel that out. With that said, I think at this point, this team's best-case scenario this year is a 6th-place finish and 0-1 playoff wins max., and their worst-case is still an 11th-place finish. At that rate, they won so few games in 2020, would it not be better in the long run to finish in the middle of that prediction at, like, 9th or 10th, and then likely have the 2nd-best odds at the #1 overall pick? ...I guess it would depend on how one views the intangible value of this group experiencing a playoff game or two.
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bluedevilaztecfan5
Joined: 16 Mar 2010 Posts: 796 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: 06/25/21 2:31 am ::: |
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Stormeo wrote: |
Queenie wrote: |
I keep telling myself this team can't possibly be as bad as they've been, but I just don't know. (That being said, if y'all bring up "oh, they're so much better than they were last year!" YES I KNOW. So is an unflushed toilet. Neither is acceptable and both should be dealt with.) |
I think the Liberty get healthy post-Olympics, but other teams also getting healthy post-Olympics will sort of cancel that out. With that said, I think at this point, this team's best-case scenario this year is a 6th-place finish and 0-1 playoff wins max., and their worst-case is still an 11th-place finish. At that rate, they won so few games in 2020, would it not be better in the long run to finish in the middle of that prediction at, like, 9th or 10th, and then likely have the 2nd-best odds at the #1 overall pick? ...I guess it would depend on how one views the intangible value of this group experiencing a playoff game or two. |
Who knows how it will play out, with so many teams and players health post Olympics. But I prefer the intangible value of the group getting playoff experience!
Plus I don’t know if there are any impact/game changer players in the draft other than Rhyne who are ready to contribute next season.
So I prefer to get that playoff taste, and add another piece through FA (MHA is my hope, as I’ve mentioned , and then a solid potential player with the 5th or 6th pick.
Ionescu+Whitcomb+Laney+Hines-Allen+Howard, still undersized down low but much stronger in the post and with rebounding.
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root_thing
Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 7365 Location: Underground
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Posted: 06/25/21 9:55 am ::: |
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A large component of success in sports is confidence. I just wonder how much getting blown out every night is destroying the confidence of these players. 6 of their 8 losses have been by 20 points or more. They hang their hat on 3-point shooting, but that’s been mediocre to bad for six straight games:
Phoenix 31.3%
Las Vegas 32.1%
Las Vegas 26.3%
Los Angeles 32.3%
Chicago 29.2%
Chicago 16.0%
Hopkins admits that the Liberty struggle guarding big post players, but he likes to say “They have to guard us on the other end!” as if the two factors are equal and offset. So, if Onyenwere is getting destroyed by Jonquel Jones, A’ja Wilson, or Candace Parker on defense, is she supposed to match their output on offense? And this is after expending extra energy trying to defend those bigger players. How much pressure are you putting on your undersized post defenders? Is it any wonder that Onyenwere seems to have lost her confidence and her performance has tanked? And lets not forget that the size disadvantage also affects the perimenter defenders who have to sag back to help. As a result, they find themselves scrambling to close out after the ball is kicked back to outside shooters. All that extra running around requires that they too expend more energy. Hopkins said after the first Chicago loss that both teams were tired but that the Sky were able to dig deeper and push themselves. Well, maybe the Liberty have to dig deeper all the time just to play their normal game. So, when it comes time to push even more, they’ve got nothing left.
Hopkins is also nonchalantly casting players into unfamiliar roles. Last year, it was Stokes shooting 3s. Kiah hasn’t been around much this season, but we’ve seen Gray and Richards shooting 3s. We’ve seen Jaz Jones at point guard for two seasons now. Laney is forced to play point with Ionescu out. Sabrina herself was never the primary point guard in college, meaning New York has NO true point guard on the roster. In a bit of a reversal, we see Allen mostly defending against smaller players – usually the point guard. She’s actually doing a pretty good job on defense. However, Hopkins revealed after the LA game that he’s been telling Bec that he expects her to put up 10 3pt attempts per game. Now, Allen has always been a 3 and D player. However, it’s one thing to shoot them when the opportunity arises naturally, but it’s another to enter each game knowing that you’re expected to put up a lot of shots. After shooting a solid 45.6%/38.9% in the Spanish League and a stellar 49.4%/53.2% in Eurocup, Allen is now struggling at 32.1%/30.1% for New York. Yes, WNBA defenders are tougher, but from what I’ve seen Bec is getting a lot of wide-open shots. Maybe Allen is feeling the pressure of knowing her coach expects her to produce in a big way. In his mind, Hopkins thinks he is showing confidence in Bec by telling her to shoot even if she is missing. However, is she reacting to the orders as “encouragement” or as heavy expectations?
Overall, Walt is trying to get his team to play a system not commonly used in the WNBA while also trying to remold many of his players into something they haven’t been. It’s a bit like reinventing the wheel and playing Dr. Frankenstein at the same time. In the academic world, the arts, and in the sciences, it is admirable to experiment and push boundaries. Brave failures are acceptable. I’m not convinced that’s true with sports. Hopkins keeps saying he is focused on improvement, not wins. Does that give him a perpetual excuse to keep failing? His players appear to be on board for now, but how many more soul-crushing defeats can they take? Yes, the team is missing Howard, and Ionescu isn’t 100%. However, Hopkins himself didn’t sound like he knew when and if Sabrina would be fully healthy again this season. That being the case, can Howard alone negate a 20 point loss margin by herself? IMHO, this roster construction, system of play, and approach to player development is inherently flawed. It feels like the Liberty start every game with a 10-point handicap. I’m just afraid that Hopkins and Kolb are two smart young guys who have outsmarted themselves.
_________________ You can always do something else.
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myrtle
Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 32336
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Posted: 06/25/21 10:04 am ::: |
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Bob Lamm wrote: |
Announcement from the New York Liberty: Ashley Battle has become a color commentator for the YES Network and presumably will be on the air for some Liberty games. |
I enjoyed her as a player. Not so much as a commentator.
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Lib Fan
Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 4593 Location: New York City
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Posted: 06/25/21 10:25 am ::: |
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Last night was one of the worst games I have seen The Liberty play!
Noticed how many on the Liberty are Ball Hogs
_________________ Lets Go Liberty
Brooklyn 2021
Bring Back Maddie!
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Lib Fan
Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 4593 Location: New York City
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Posted: 06/25/21 10:26 am ::: |
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myrtle wrote: |
Bob Lamm wrote: |
Announcement from the New York Liberty: Ashley Battle has become a color commentator for the YES Network and presumably will be on the air for some Liberty games. |
I enjoyed her as a player. Not so much as a commentator. |
Why the change ? What happened to Julie ?
_________________ Lets Go Liberty
Brooklyn 2021
Bring Back Maddie!
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Richyyy
Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 24361 Location: London
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Posted: 06/25/21 11:16 am ::: |
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Lib Fan wrote: |
myrtle wrote: |
Bob Lamm wrote: |
Announcement from the New York Liberty: Ashley Battle has become a color commentator for the YES Network and presumably will be on the air for some Liberty games. |
I enjoyed her as a player. Not so much as a commentator. |
Why the change ? What happened to Julie ? |
She just had a baby. |
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root_thing
Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 7365 Location: Underground
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Posted: 06/28/21 10:19 pm ::: |
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I think it's about time that more people on this board read Constructiondive.com.
Quote: |
According to Clarke, the new locker room incorporates touches focused not only on how the women athletes get ready for a game, but how they get ready for post-game activities. This translated into extended counter spaces, makeup mirrors and a bathroom with a "spa-like feel." Clarke said it was important to make sure the space was suited to the team's needs to enjoy New York's nightlife following a game. |
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/wnbas-liberty-gets-own-women-designed-locker-room-inside-barclays-center/601939/
_________________ You can always do something else.
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undersized_post
Joined: 01 Mar 2021 Posts: 2864
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Posted: 06/29/21 10:03 pm ::: |
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So what is up with Ionescu? Numbers have been way down since the season began. (Yeah, I know she gets assists.)
If her ankle isn't 100% like everyone says, maybe rest up and get healthy?
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019 Posts: 4701
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Posted: 06/29/21 10:26 pm ::: |
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undersized_post wrote: |
So what is up with Ionescu? Numbers have been way down since the season began. (Yeah, I know she gets assists.)
If her ankle isn't 100% like everyone says, maybe rest up and get healthy? |
There'll be time for her to rest in about two weeks. I think she knows how much she's needed, which is why she's still goin'. Even playing hurt, the team is simply better with her on the floor.
Luuuc wrote: |
Walt Hopkins on Kiah Stokes:
“We’ll have more on that tomorrow.” |
Hmmmmmm........
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Bob Lamm
Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 5065 Location: New York City
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Posted: 06/29/21 11:30 pm ::: |
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Dear Walt,
i don't know if you read our RebKell discussions like wonderful former LFO did. Just in case, here is a plea from a fan. Could you permanently ban Jaz Jones from shooting layups? A season and a half of this has been simply unbearable.
Jaz is really terrific at getting around and past defenders for terrific layup opportunities. But seriously, Walt, Jaz shooting a layup--even an open layup--is simply a different type of turnover.
Thanks, Walt, for considering my views.
Bob
_________________ Remember Roe v. Wade. Work for and support legal abortion all over the world and full reproductive rights for everyone.
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root_thing
Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 7365 Location: Underground
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Posted: 06/30/21 8:16 am ::: |
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Maybe the better suggestion is that they teach players how to shoot layups since a lot of them struggle around the rim. It starts with learning how to protect the ball with your body. Then you don't have to rush your shot or fling it up there wildly. After that, they need to learn a little about physics. When you go flying toward the rim, momentum is imparted from your body to the ball. You can practically flip the ball straight up into the air and momentum will carry it to the backboard. Consequently, you don't need to bang the ball off the glass. You kiss it off the glass. That's why it's called a layup.
Since Howard missed her second game, the Liberty have been entitled to a hardship player because they have two long-term injuries (Howard and Willoughby). Management has chosen not to take advantage of this provision. Consequently, they played with 9 players at least three times, and yesterday they only had 8. Since New York cut Clarendon, they haven't had a true point guard and yesterday they were down to one post player. Who cares about roster balance? Kylee Shook logged 38 minutes. I don't think any Liberty fan ever expected to see Shook play almost an entire game. It will indeed be interesting to see what happens with Stokes today. After barely being here all season, she needed a personal day. Is Kiah planning to sit out again? At this point, I'm ready to move on. Hopefully, she voluntarily misses the rest of the season and we're able to give someone else a look. I know the team is over the salary cap, and if I understand Richyyy correctly, that means they are essentially in salary cap debt. They have to offset that overage as well as create room for the player they're adding. I hope Stokes's salary is big enough so that they can do that.
_________________ 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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pilight
Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 66933 Location: Where the action is
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Posted: 06/30/21 9:15 am ::: |
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Stokes waived
_________________ I'm a lonely frog
I ain't got a home
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bluedevilaztecfan5
Joined: 16 Mar 2010 Posts: 796 Location: San Diego, CA
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root_thing
Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 7365 Location: Underground
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PUmatty
Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 16362 Location: Chicago
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Posted: 06/30/21 9:30 am ::: |
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I'm old enough to remember when people thought Stokes was better than Jewell Loyd.
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root_thing
Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 7365 Location: Underground
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Posted: 06/30/21 9:33 am ::: |
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PUmatty wrote: |
I'm old enough to remember when people thought Stokes was better than Jewell Loyd. |
Rookie year she was. It was a point in time. No one ever said Stokes had more potential than Loyd.
_________________ You can always do something else.
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WNBA 09
Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 12539 Location: Dallas , Texas
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Posted: 06/30/21 9:33 am ::: |
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So is she pregnant or was this a performance move ?
_________________ 3-Time WNBA Champion-3-Time National Champion-4-Time Olympic Champion....And Yes DT "We Got Confeti" lol
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root_thing
Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 7365 Location: Underground
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Posted: 06/30/21 9:43 am ::: |
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WNBA 09 wrote: |
So is she pregnant or was this a performance move ? |
Pregnant players can go on disability or pregnancy leave. I'd be surprised if the CBA allows you to waive anyone for being pregnant. I think it's treated like an injury.
_________________ 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: 06/30/21 9:56 am ::: |
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I'm assuming this will mean that Reshanda Gray is back on the team. If so, I'm really happy for her.
It's sad about Kiah Stokes. She showed so much promise as a rookie, but never was good again defensively and never developed any offensive game. The effort by Kolb and Hopkins to turn Kiah into a three-point threat was a disaster.
_________________ Remember Roe v. Wade. Work for and support legal abortion all over the world and full reproductive rights for everyone.
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