This might be opening a can of Worms... But
Ticha's disappearance was rather noticeable.
I was actually rather pleased at how Kara ran the point. I was very surprised at how many minutes Kim Smith got. As much as I like her personally, she didn't really impress. Perhaps the fact that she was a shooter forced Conn to do different things.
I think something became apparent tonight.
I think there is a changing of the guard.
One that many have been reluctant to face.
Including Whiz.
Yo is laboring. That is a fact. We have been so use to her being a work horse that we forget, she is Laboring.
Ticha is 2 dimensional. She is fantastic at what she does, but her inability to score is costing her playing time. When we need points, she can't be on the floor. It is unfortunate because she is the floor general.
I think what we saw at the end of this game is the future of the franchise. And we should be very pleased with it. I think we have been going thru an identity crisis.
Nicole defers to Yo and Ticha. As she should. DeMya's absence has caused a bit of instability in the post. Yo is the emotional leader, but the reality is DeMya is the Post Stud now. So It is my opinion that we will need to see leadership come from Kara, Nicole and DeMya. And Yo and Ticha my need to defer to/encourage them.
This is not to say that they should be put out to pasture. No one is questioning their impact on the game. That is not the case. But I do believe that the younger players have so much respect for them that they defer when they should take advantage of their opportunities. Yo and Ticha need to play a greater role as teachers, and mentors. More than they already have.
Tonight Nicole showed us she could shoot us back into a ball game. That is something I think we have all been waiting for her to show us. Bekkah is putting the Offense with the Defense. Erin is doing her thing. DeMya is Getting really good. She wont have her speed back til next year, but the moves and the game is there. And it is getting more and more consistent. Kara isn't shooting the ball... Which totally frustrates, but I still think she is damn near the smartest person on the floor. And her ability to score, changes defenses.
I think Whiz needs to feel more comfortable about going to that line up. When Ticha drives to the basket and tries to score. She is fine. When we gridlock he can't wait til we are 15 points down to change.
We will beat a lesser opponent, but against the elite teams, like the ones that are coming up, we will get hurt. I love that our team is unselfish, but it is crunch time and Shooter need to be shooter. And scorers need to be scorers.
And yes I know...
The WHITE LINE NEEDS TO BE THE WHITE LINE.
