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I think I must now agree that our pre-South Carolina schedule could have used at least one game with stiffer competition.  These are great games for such a deep team like ours since so many players get to play, but there is a point of diminishing returns to playing weaker teams and we have passed that point.  It may not have been clear how dominant our third string was going to be when the schedule was put together.  But the fact that we are pummeling opponents while our two all-Americans are having mediocre performances makes me uncomfortable.  We need to do more to get Jones and Brink up to top form before Nov 20th.

 



  If this pattern continues, expect a resounding defeat next Sunday when South Carolina comes to town. 

I agree; it would have been great if we had a Top-25 opponent scheduled in before our bout with South Carolina next Sunday. It's going to be a severe step up in competition going from Pacific and Cal Poly to the defending national champions. I hope (and think) our veterans will be able to make that big leap.

I am hoping that Brink and Jones can make that instant adjustment next Sunday. They haven't had to perform well in these first few games but hopefully something clicks a week from tomorrow on the national stage against the Gamecocks. They know how good Boston and co. are and as a result, they can elevate their games accordingly.

My wife and I were at the game last evening and we sat next to Haley's parents.  It's become clear to me that both Haley and Cam are having difficulty adjusting to their new positions.  There is very little spacing for either of them to operate and most important, very few opportunities in the current offense for them to take advantage of their elite skill sets and dominate.  I'm watching them closely and at times they both look uncomfortable, whether it's Haley trying to drive the ball or Cam trying to make a play when she's out on the perimeter. 

Pacific was hurt by our size and our depth, but neither Haley nor Cam hurt them.  After 4 games, their performance has been much less than we expected.  When they have thrived and dominated in past seasons.

I don't believe Tara will make any adjustments in the offense.  I think she believes that Haley and Cam will adjust to their new positions as the season goes along- and she may be right.  But from my vantage point, here are two All-Americans (and ESPN has rated them 2 of the top 6 players in the country), who are struggling.  If it was only Cam or only Haley- that would be one thing, but it's both.  That suggests to me that the plan (moving Haley to PG and Cam to a 3), is not producing results.

We will be in Portland tomorrow and I'm hoping to heck (somehow) Haley and Cam will find a way to impose their will on the opponent.  Otherwise, we are in for a long afternoon against South Carolina.

The team has played three games, all of which were large blowouts where nobody played more than 17-20 minutes or so.  Nobody has to impose their will in a blowout like that.  The team as a group imposed their will.  I don't think Brink played the three very much at all.  She starts at the 4 and has played down low and on the perimeter.  Jones is not in that much of a different role either.  Yes, she plays point and runs the team some (not my favorite use of her either), but she also slides to the wing frequently.  There is a vast difference between a game where the team is up big very early and ends up winning by 50 or 60 and one where the starters need to play a lot more minutes against a better opponent.

The changes for Brink - playing outside a bit more, driving from outside a bit more, etc., are to her personal benefit.  In the WNBA it will help her immensely if she can play inside and outside, hit threes, defend outside, etc.  The same is true for Jones.  It will only help her game for the future if she can shoot threes more and better, control her turnovers more, and run a team sometimes.  Versatility is a big help for the pros.  The idea that they are unhappy that they are being asked (being allowed?) to expand their games is strange to me.  

You seem to be implying by saying you sat next to parents, that they are unhappy or said Jones is unhappy.  If that is not what you are implying you really should clarify.  I know someone who knows the family and has told me that Jones has been extremely happy with her Stanford career and her choice to attend.  I do not at all see unhappiness or frustration on court.  These players are smart.  They know that such a deep team requires a willingness to let others play when a game is a blowout.  That's how a team can develop.  Not a time to just ride your stars, not this early and not against the likes of Pacific.

My last point is the same one I keep harping on - it is very early.  The rotation is far from set.  Roles are far from set.  Things will change.  They always do.  Both Jones and Brink are proven players who will show out plenty.  If things are not working well, changes will be made.

I'm not implying anything.  I'm sorry that my comments bother you, but I never wear rose-colored glasses when I watch the games.  I will agree with you on one thing:  The positions Brink and Jones are playing now are most likely the positions they will be playing in the WNBA and to Tara's credit, she is preparing them for that transition.  That's wonderful, but I'm focused on the present.

Where I disagree with you is that these two players (when they're in the game), should dominate (even in blowouts) and hurt the other team- and they are not.  With Haley, there are multiple defenders who are stopping her dribble drive, causing turnovers, or forcing Haley to reverse pivot and try to pass.  With Cam on the perimeter, there is almost always a defender in front of her- and no Stanford player is setting a screen for Cam to drive and do her thing.  There is little or no spacing on the court that would allow Haley and Cam to operate effectively.  

I hope we agree that we both love these players as with every Stanford player and we want them to succeed, but I will always call it like it is when it comes to performance and I will never make excuses for them.  In fact, in this case, I don't think Cam and Haley are at fault.  They are simply having trouble adjusting to their new roles which (currently) are limiting their performance. I want to defeat South Carolina next Sunday, but the current offensive pattern we play and the roles Haley and Cam are playing will make this extremely difficult.  Dawn Staley is watching our game film and in particular where we are playing Haley and Cam - and she's not worried at all.

[stopandpop]

I think I must now agree that our pre-South Carolina schedule could have used at least one game with stiffer competition.  These are great games for such a deep team like ours since so many players get to play, but there is a point of diminishing returns to playing weaker teams and we have passed that point.  It may not have been clear how dominant our third string was going to be when the schedule was put together.  But the fact that we are pummeling opponents while our two all-Americans are having mediocre performances makes me uncomfortable.  We need to do more to get Jones and Brink up to top form before Nov 20th.

 



  If this pattern continues, expect a resounding defeat next Sunday when South Carolina comes to town. 

I agree; it would have been great if we had a Top-25 opponent scheduled in before our bout with South Carolina next Sunday. It's going to be a severe step up in competition going from Pacific and Cal Poly to the defending national champions. I hope (and think) our veterans will be able to make that big leap.

I am hoping that Brink and Jones can make that instant adjustment next Sunday. They haven't had to perform well in these first few games but hopefully something clicks a week from tomorrow on the national stage against the Gamecocks. They know how good Boston and co. are and as a result, they can elevate their games accordingly.

My wife and I were at the game last evening and we sat next to Haley's parents.  It's become clear to me that both Haley and Cam are having difficulty adjusting to their new positions.  There is very little spacing for either of them to operate and most important, very few opportunities in the current offense for them to take advantage of their elite skill sets and dominate.  I'm watching them closely and at times they both look uncomfortable, whether it's Haley trying to drive the ball or Cam trying to make a play when she's out on the perimeter. 

Pacific was hurt by our size and our depth, but neither Haley nor Cam hurt them.  After 4 games, their performance has been much less than we expected.  When they have thrived and dominated in past seasons.

I don't believe Tara will make any adjustments in the offense.  I think she believes that Haley and Cam will adjust to their new positions as the season goes along- and she may be right.  But from my vantage point, here are two All-Americans (and ESPN has rated them 2 of the top 6 players in the country), who are struggling.  If it was only Cam or only Haley- that would be one thing, but it's both.  That suggests to me that the plan (moving Haley to PG and Cam to a 3), is not producing results.

We will be in Portland tomorrow and I'm hoping to heck (somehow) Haley and Cam will find a way to impose their will on the opponent.  Otherwise, we are in for a long afternoon against South Carolina.

The team has played three games, all of which were large blowouts where nobody played more than 17-20 minutes or so.  Nobody has to impose their will in a blowout like that.  The team as a group imposed their will.  I don't think Brink played the three very much at all.  She starts at the 4 and has played down low and on the perimeter.  Jones is not in that much of a different role either.  Yes, she plays point and runs the team some (not my favorite use of her either), but she also slides to the wing frequently.  There is a vast difference between a game where the team is up big very early and ends up winning by 50 or 60 and one where the starters need to play a lot more minutes against a better opponent.

The changes for Brink - playing outside a bit more, driving from outside a bit more, etc., are to her personal benefit.  In the WNBA it will help her immensely if she can play inside and outside, hit threes, defend outside, etc.  The same is true for Jones.  It will only help her game for the future if she can shoot threes more and better, control her turnovers more, and run a team sometimes.  Versatility is a big help for the pros.  The idea that they are unhappy that they are being asked (being allowed?) to expand their games is strange to me.  

You seem to be implying by saying you sat next to parents, that they are unhappy or said Jones is unhappy.  If that is not what you are implying you really should clarify.  I know someone who knows the family and has told me that Jones has been extremely happy with her Stanford career and her choice to attend.  I do not at all see unhappiness or frustration on court.  These players are smart.  They know that such a deep team requires a willingness to let others play when a game is a blowout.  That's how a team can develop.  Not a time to just ride your stars, not this early and not against the likes of Pacific.

My last point is the same one I keep harping on - it is very early.  The rotation is far from set.  Roles are far from set.  Things will change.  They always do.  Both Jones and Brink are proven players who will show out plenty.  If things are not working well, changes will be made.

I'm not implying anything.  I'm sorry that my comments bother you, but I never wear rose-colored glasses when I watch the games.  I will agree with you on one thing:  The positions Brink and Jones are playing now are most likely the positions they will be playing in the WNBA and to Tara's credit, she is preparing them for that transition.  That's wonderful, but I'm focused on the present.

Where I disagree with you is that these two players (when they're in the game), should dominate (even in blowouts) and hurt the other team- and they are not.  With Haley, there are multiple defenders who are stopping her dribble drive, causing turnovers, or forcing Haley to reverse pivot and try to pass.  With Cam on the perimeter, there is almost always a defender in front of her- and no Stanford player is setting a screen for Cam to drive and do her thing.  There is little or no spacing on the court that would allow Haley and Cam to operate effectively.  

I hope we agree that we both love these players as with every Stanford player and we want them to succeed, but I will always call it like it is when it comes to performance and I will never make excuses for them.  In fact, in this case, I don't think Cam and Haley are at fault.  They are simply having trouble adjusting to their new roles which (currently) are limiting their performance. I want to defeat South Carolina next Sunday, but the current offensive pattern we play and the roles Haley and Cam are playing will make this extremely difficult.  Dawn Staley is watching our game film and in particular where we are playing Haley and Cam - and she's not worried at all.