remember when Graves was a really good player?

#26
#26
madtownvol said:
Players need to be evaluated in terms of their individual capacities but also their place in the context of a team as well.

Bashaara is comparable to Glory Johnson

As a freshman, I think Bashaara was more effective than Glory. She lacked the athletic gifts of Glory (sprinter speed and phenomenal jumping ability) but she was stronger and had a much better level of effort. And her footwork in the post was much better than Glory's.

Since then, I agree that Bashaara has not improved her game that much. Her mid-range shot is better but she still is not consistent enough. However, she has not just gone from a good to bad player.

As a freshman, she had Simmons, Miko Williams, and Spani as the keys to the offense. That attack was perimeter oriented so teams (or at least many teams) did not pack the paint against the LVs. That defensive approach allowed Graves to have a lot more space and to face fewer double teams. As the attack has become more centered around Izzy (and Graves), teams are now crowding the lane and daring the LVs to beat them on the perimeter. Under these conditions, as noted by other posters, Bashaara's lack of a consistent go to move and limited hops, makes it hard for her to consistently score down low. All I can say for Bashaara, is develop a jump hook shot and a really good pump fake.

Glory's game did not evolve that much either (though she became more polished as an offensive player) but she was such a phenomenal athlete that she could jump over and blow by defenders, even in a crowd.
Click to expand...

A huge difference, Glory had to just do what she does cos all the injuries at the 4 & 5 spot, which didn't allow her to expand her game.(hmmmm kinda similar to Graves now that I think about it). Glory played well in the big games, which I loved.

Sometimes players have to sacrifice their game for the team, and Glory was one of those players, but now look at her an All Star. I can respect that.

Graves needs to get in the gym. Glory athleticism and fight was top notch, Graves don't even come close, its like comparing apples to a grapefruit.
 
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#27
#27
The first half today is the perfect example of how I thought Graves would be playing all season with Harrison back....
 
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#28
#28
Bashaara cannot handle double teams down low. That is what happens when you don't put any pressure on from the outside shooters.
 
#29
#29
Bash is a true 4. She is more suited and can excel in a triangle offense. She can hit the 10 footer if you play off of her, she can (needs more work) but can drive to the basket if you are playing her tight. She can make feed Izzy as well. Bash is a team player and she excels in a well ran offense. She isn't a show flash player. She isn't an all state high jumper or all state sprinter. She is Bash. She is a great offensive teammate and true asset to any true center. She knows her role.

When Bash is the only offensive threat in the post of course she is going to be double teamed and tripled team. When she is paired with another post that can score, makes teams guard them both, opens them up, and they can showcase their talent ... point in case, Stanford. In the beginning of the year she was paired with a talented back up center who had no experience on the floor.
 
#30
#30
It was good to see Graves shoot the 10-footer against Stanford. The only way to gain confidence is to shoot the freakin' ball when you are open. Bash is not a dependable scorer--after her early flurry against Stanford, she didn't do a whole lot--but she is playing more aggressively and with a bit more confidence on offense. Still, like Jones, she has a ton of room for improvement. She and Izzy need to work together more. The thing about playing inside is that, when you get the ball, you need to think and play quickly--you can't hold onto the ball. Graves, Jones, Burdick and Carter--all need to be better offensively. They need to be more aggressive, make good decisions, make sharp passes, make shots. It is important that UT become a better passing team--which shouldn't be do hard since we've been a pretty bad passing team for years. Out of better, quicker passing will come better shots, and better shots generally means better shooting.
 
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#31
#31
Graves is, and always has been, a good player. She has never been a great player.

Graves was injured a lot last year. She is playing well now.
 
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