Posted this on another thread. Probably belongs over here.
KO is a great player. The points totals are not the whole story though. Last year's 100 goal scorer proves that. I don't think anyone would argue that CM should have been in the "best player in the game" argument last year. Now KO is different. She IS one of the best players in the game. But the point totals put up against a decent, but not great, schedule, should not be the only determinant.
Here is a breakdown. and yes this matters:
Stony Brook played 22 games. 12 of the games were against weaker opponents. Many ranked well down in the rankings. In those 12 games KO had 46 goals and 57 assists = 103 points = 8.6 points/game.
In the 10 games against tough opponents (including Albany twice which is a stretch), KO had 31 goals and 29 assists. Still very, very good numbers, but the average drops to 6 points a game split evenly between goals and assists.
Now, if you compare the "tough games" by SB to a Maryland, UNC or NU schedule, for examples, the game quality still does not measure up. So there is still one more level of difficulty in schedule that KO still didn't play.
But extrapolating the 6 points a game for KO to a full schedule somewhat more representative of the #4 team in the country, KO still puts up an amazing 132 points. 68 goals and 64 assists. Fantastic numbers by anyone's account, but not record-breaking and now much more debatable relative to the Tewaaraton.
Add-in a Maryland schedule adjustment factor of say .85 to that final total to account for what is still a schedule difficulty disparity, and you end up at 112 points. 58 goals and 54 assists.
So there you have it, KO is a great player. she benefits statistically a great deal by playing a weaker schedule than top players on other teams. Fact, not opinion.
Great illustration. i will take it a step further. Before i start, let it be known that I think KO is a GREAT player. One of the best if not the best offensive player in the country. That being said, giving her the Tewaaraton to her is like giving a Designated hitter the MVP in MLB. It just isn't justified. If you take the previous post into account regarding the points, you also have to take into account that JS leaves his studs on in blow outs longer than any coach I have seen. This also contributes to the huge amount of points. In addition the philosophy that points should be the biggest factor determining this award is downright silly. There are many aspects of the game which contribute to a teams success. If you look at ZS and KO in the other facets of the game, it really isn't close. Therefore I think the right decision was made (from someone who has no love for Maryland Lax). KO had 15 gb's 3 DC's 7 ct's and 40 to's. Those numbers are not very good to say the least. Throw in the fact that she is not very good in the ride and the picture becomes more clear. as for ZS she had 84 pts. as a middie (very good) 74 DC's (she didn't take the draw), 27 CT's and only 21 TO's. She also was great in the clearing game and played great defense. In addition she did all of this against a much tougher schedule and her team WON. They both are great players but KO only effects one part of the game and ZS controls the whole game! Congrats to both ion a great season!
I disagree. That's like saying the Jerry Rice should never have be considered for the MVP award in '87 because he only caught passes. He was the most dominant player at his position (ever) and there wasn't a close second. KO was the most dominant player at her position (ever) last season and there wasn't a close second.
