[2006alum]

Take another former Stanford star Brook Lopez. Brook didn’t make a three his first 8 years as a pro.  Last 9 years he has averaged about 1.7 per game at about 36%

Bobk, great point - even late in his career Brook was still growing as a player. And Brook started all but a handful of games his first 6 years in the league, averaged 20ppg, was a nearly 80% ft shooter (as a big), shot roughly 50% and averaged around 7rbs per game. In other words, he did everything he was asked to do as a big, and as his role shifted to more of a stretch forward 3-and-D type player, he added the three ball to evolve into a new role. 

The problem for Jones has just been that she doesn't serve any role especially well. By comparison, she started more than half of her games last season (during a very depleted roster) but averaged only around 4ppg, 70% ft shooting, 2RBs, 2As (paired with 1.7TOs), and an effective fg% of. 418, including 21.4% from outside. Those stats don't suggest she was serving any particular role well, and her most obvious role (as a wing who can also drive to the basket) requires better shooting.

Again, I really like Haley, and I'm looking forward to her future off the court. But as BC said, the W is a very competitive league and requires a player to evolve their game over time. For whatever reason, that hasn't happened with Jones the way it has with other players, including Brook.

[2006alum]

Take another former Stanford star Brook Lopez. Brook didn’t make a three his first 8 years as a pro.  Last 9 years he has averaged about 1.7 per game at about 36%

Bobk, great point - even late in his career Brook was still growing as a player. And Brook started all but a handful of games his first 6 years in the league, averaged 20ppg, was a nearly 80% ft shooter (as a big), shot roughly 50% and averaged around 7rbs per game. In other words, he did everything he was asked to do as a big, and as his role shifted to more of a stretch forward 3-and-D type player, he added the three ball to evolve into a new role. 

The problem for Jones has just been that she doesn't serve any role especially well. By comparison, she started more than half of her games last season (during a very depleted roster) but averaged only around 4ppg, 70% ft shooting, 2RBs, 2As (paired with 1.7TOs), and an effective fg% of. 418, including 21.4% from outside. Those stats don't suggest she was serving any particular role well, and her most obvious role (as a wing who can also drive to the basket) requires better shooting.

Again, I really like Haley, and I'm looking forward to her future off the court. But as BC said, the W is a very competitive league and requires a player to evolve their game over time. For whatever reason, that hasn't happened with Jones the way it has with other players, including Brook.