Speaking of Griner, the Phoenix coach is using her very effectively while playing an impressive power forward and three guards. Griner now weighs 240 pounds and much of it is muscle, so her constant screens on the perimeter are very impressive, as is her judgment in passing out of a fluid high post. She is deadly out to eighteen feet with a beautiful shot that takes full advantage of her height, which is said to be 6'9". She moves very effectively in the paint and uses excellent judgment in passing out of it, again using her height to good advantage.
It was interesting that when they interviewed Taurasi after her personal play off game record 37 points, they asked her to comment on Griner, and without hesitation she ran off a list of things that she did for the team and ended the interview by a simple declaration, "She is the best basketball payer in the world." If we are talking about women, as Taurasi was, I could not disagree with that statement.
I think that what Collen has in mind for Baylor is something similar to what Phoenix is doing. Queen and Nalyssa can move out away from the basket and screen, shoot, or drive when the matchups favor that for them. I have watched several of Phoenix's games this season and I don't recall a single offensive foul called against Griner due to her screens. She positions herself and holds it, using her size as effectively as any WNBA player I have ever seen. Her game has grown to fill the demands of the new style of play. She is a pleasure to watch.
There is definitely a place for a player of size in the college game, but they must be efficient in terms of mobility and willing to sacrifice for the team. Griner is double teamed in the paint, of course, but knows when to pass and when to free herself up for a shot. This is the key at the offensive end, and at the defensive end the capacity to move out side and defend will require an extraordinary amount of dedication and work. The staff should record the Phoenix games and have all their interior players watch how Griner handles her assignments because she is the standard for her position.
