[sheriand]

Lyndy couldn\'t guard.  Toni couldn\'t go.  Mel contributed more than any of us had any right to expect from her.

The statistical analysis is interesting, and becomes more meaningful over time.  It\'s cited frequently in hockey, for example.

We expected some mistakes from Mel.  We didn\'t expect all those minutes and all those positive contributions.

I\'m still shaking my head over Danielle Adams being a 1st team all-American, while Nneka was on the second team.  I\'ve seen Adams on TV before, but this was the first time I saw all the bad body language, the pouting and the like.  I\'ve watched Nneka all year, and she always brings tremendous positive energy.  The difference is hard to quantify.

My friend Larry (who is brilliant) thinks Amber Harris is better than Nneka. I disagree.  Harris flashes tremendous ability at times, but she does not bring the effort 100% of the time, the way Nneka does.

Fantasy baseball players hate Jeter, but in Torre\'s book he wrote how that even has a rookie, Jeter had the ability to inspire his teamates.  When the going got tough he stayed cool and confident.  He was able to relax seasoned veterans, who were in tight spots, with his attitude.

I want to stress that the stats approach is interesting and helpful.  But, Mel\'s play was inspirational, which doesn\'t show up at any particular time on the tape/DVR.  There is no point in the following exercise in self torture, but I think she stops the ball, if she is in there on that last possession,  Kayla doesn\'t have to leave her player...

I am feeling slightly better this morning.  It was a great year, and there is reason to be optimistic about the future!

[sheriand]

Lyndy couldn\'t guard.  Toni couldn\'t go.  Mel contributed more than any of us had any right to expect from her.

The statistical analysis is interesting, and becomes more meaningful over time.  It\'s cited frequently in hockey, for example.

We expected some mistakes from Mel.  We didn\'t expect all those minutes and all those positive contributions.

I\'m still shaking my head over Danielle Adams being a 1st team all-American, while Nneka was on the second team.  I\'ve seen Adams on TV before, but this was the first time I saw all the bad body language, the pouting and the like.  I\'ve watched Nneka all year, and she always brings tremendous positive energy.  The difference is hard to quantify.

My friend Larry (who is brilliant) thinks Amber Harris is better than Nneka. I disagree.  Harris flashes tremendous ability at times, but she does not bring the effort 100% of the time, the way Nneka does.

Fantasy baseball players hate Jeter, but in Torre\'s book he wrote how that even has a rookie, Jeter had the ability to inspire his teamates.  When the going got tough he stayed cool and confident.  He was able to relax seasoned veterans, who were in tight spots, with his attitude.

I want to stress that the stats approach is interesting and helpful.  But, Mel\'s play was inspirational, which doesn\'t show up at any particular time on the tape/DVR.  There is no point in the following exercise in self torture, but I think she stops the ball, if she is in there on that last possession,  Kayla doesn\'t have to leave her player...

I am feeling slightly better this morning.  It was a great year, and there is reason to be optimistic about the future!