DULUTH, Ga. - Tennessee coach Pat Summitt extended her bench just far enough to seize the SEC tournament championship Sunday night at the Gwinnett Arena.
Freshman guard Kamiko Williams was the final link in the championship chain. Her timing was as significant as her production in UT's 70-62 victory over Kentucky.
Williams came off the bench to revitalize a stagnant offense and shift the momentum from Kentucky to UT late in the first half. She hit four consecutive shots as the Lady Vols turned a two-point deficit into a six-point halftime lead.
"I thought she was fantastic," Kentucky coach Matthew Mitchell said. "She had some nice shot fakes and got us out of position.
"That was a big, big run in the game."
And it was a big, big surprise if you had observed UT's first two victories in the tournament. In lopsided victories over Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, Williams didn't score and took only one shot in 16 minutes of play.
"The last two games, she played scared, played like a freshman," UT associate head coach Holly Warlick said.
That was a kind assessment compared to Summitt's critique, which left Williams visibly upset after Saturday's victory over Vanderbilt.
Williams has been in and out of Summitt's doghouse this season while trying to adjust to the college game. She was even kicked out of a practice last month.
Despite that history, she wasn't expecting Summitt's harsh appraisal in front of the team Saturday.
"That's her way of telling me how much (the team) needs me," Williams said. "I didn't see it that way at first, because she was hard on me. But Tyler opened my eyes to it."
Tyler Summitt, Pat's Summitt son, sought out Williams after the game. They talked for an hour and a half Saturday night.
"Every once in a while I'll sit down with a player," said Tyler, who serves as a male-practice player and travels with the team. "I think sometimes it helps to hear it from a peer, rather than a coach.
"(Williams) was frustrated about some things. But we figured it out."
He told his mother as much later that evening.
"He came to me and said, 'You don't have to worry about Kamiko not playing hard (Sunday) and not being ready,' " Summitt said.
"So I give Tyler the credit. I'm not even gonna coach Kamiko anymore. I'm gonna let my son do all the talking."
Williams' confidence was apparent as soon as she entered the hotly contested tournament championship game with 4:38 left in the first half. Seven seconds later, she hit a jump shot to tie the game.
Her third basket registered the highest in style points. She drove the baseline, then changed her shot in mid-air when confronted by a Kentucky defender.
"I was so proud of how Tamiko responded," teammate Angie Bjorklund said. "She came in ready to go. She attacked."
In a best-case scenario, Williams' performance could result in more than a conference tournament championship. It could boost her confidence for the NCAA tournament to come.
"If she can commit to going all out all the time, she can be a really good player," Warlick said. "That's what we see in her.
"She's just got to see it in herself."
John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 61
orangecountyvols writes:
Well deserved comments about Kamiko. In fact, to show her appreciation for the great job Williams did, Pat might visit the doghouse next week and join Kamiko for lunch. Could be a promotion from the doghouse to the pent house.
Seriously, she's just a freshman and should have a great future with the Lady Vols.
SoddyVol writes:
When I posted yesterday that Kamiko would be desperately needed owing to how far we go in the big dance, in no way did I think it would be so soon and in the SEC tourney to boot. Just keep going Kamiko, you are needed. All other LVols, great game!!!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Thank you Tyler, for taking the time to talk with Kamiko. Whatever you said or did, obviously worked out well. You are a class act, just like your Mom! Keep up the faith Kamiko! You were the spark when it was needed. You have the potential to be one of the greatest. Believe and trust yourself and more good things will come your way!
VolWoman writes:
That's just a sweet story. I was very proud of Kamiko tonight. Keep it up young lady and you'll be a Lady Vol great like so many before you. If Pat didn't see your potential, she wouldn't bother with you. I see tons of it and I know she does too.
Melveen writes:
"I was so proud of how Tamiko responded," teammate Angie Bjorklund said. "She came in ready to go. She attacked."
"Tamiko"??? So either KNS doesn't proofread or Angie doesn't know her teammate's name.
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
I was proud of Kamiko the way she came in and attacked. That is what you have to do to an over playing defense. You can't stand and dribble! I was grasping for anyone at that time to be the agressor and there she came, Kamiko! And in another article I was saying that I think she was unsure of herself, so happy she did not feel that way tonight. I hope she is back to the kamiko that we all know she can be. She provided Stricklen with the time to get herself together. Kamiko will be needed tournament time. Thanks Tyler!
MissUT writes:
Very nice article. Pat should be proud of both Tyler and Kamiko. Thank you, Tyler, for your insight and caring.
Great game, Lady Vols! SEC Champions!!!
flatrock writes:
Give the ball to Kamiko! I saw Kamiko in her cameo
appearance versus MTSU last fall and came away very impressed with her athleticism, savvy and
court vision. It is very clear she was not pushed nor expected to play defense in high school and, I suspect, did not face really good
competition. It is also clear she flat-out knows
how to play. The only ingredient missing is
confidence. If she ever gets her confidence to
the level of Bjorklund or Manning, I believe she will turn loose and play hard every possession...and the SEC will be in huge trouble!
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
I hope Kamiko gets more playing time! It will boost her confidence. I hope she finally realizes what an asset to the team she is. This is the second time she has bailed the lady vols out of a doozy. Keep it up Kamiko!
tonyvick#213307 writes:
I am so proud to tears...
dvhill100 writes:
Hard fought championship game. Kentucky played well, but didn't have the same talent. Good for the lady vols to get pushed. Good luck in the tournament.
Biggie writes:
Williams is a great player and excellent ball handler. She'll get better with each game.
Ironcity writes:
Thought this article was going to be about Brian Williams and Tyler Smith.
patsvolsrgr8 writes:
Great job Lady Vols and Pat and the coaching staff. It was a great tournament; which I think will help going into the NCAA games. Keep fighting hard Kamiko and keep talking with Tyler if that's what it's going to take; you are a spark for the team, so keep it up.
SoddyVol writes:
Mike,we have good reason to celebrate when we look on the court and see Freshmen & Sophomores, one Junior and no Senior anywhere.
kingwoodtx_vol writes:
First, UConn is very good, no question. However, I hope they play with the overconfidence that you talk with.
If you care to review history, there have been lots of teams that were unbeatable that somehow lost. Does anyone remember Duke-UNLV in 1991? UNLV was undefeated and beating the stew out of everyone. Closest regular season game was 12 points, they did squeek by Georgetown by 8 in the tournament.
Duke was 30-7 at that point and No 6 ranked before the tournament. That year ended up being Duke's first NC. That's why they actually play the game! Who gave Tennessee any chance against Kansas!
So, here's to UConn continuing to think themselves unbeatable. I don't know about Nebraska, but I think Stanford and Tennessee CAN beat UConn if they play their best and UConn has any kind of off game. Note I said CAN, not WILL.
tnqball writes:
Mike,
You better hope that Connecticut blows out everyone. If they have a close gave, them will not know how to respond and may end up getting beat. The Lady Vols have been battle tested and would be up for the challenge. See you in the NCAAs!!!
phhome writes:
I don't know if you'll ever see this Kamiko, but keep your head up, keep your faith in GOD, pray, and put everything at his feet, and go play, you'll be just fine. Pat is smart in what she is doing, but when Kamiko is in the game, she needs to put Shekinna at the point with Angie, becaue of the fact that Kamiko can take a player off the dribble, but I would like them to get Ball state in the first round, to exact that bad taste they had to endure, then continue to pounce the rest of the field on their way to the NCAA Championship!!
VolunteerLifer writes:
The Volunteers are gaining momentum. They are getting better with each game, and getting unexpected contributions from their deep bench. Our freshmen ar becoming sophomores and our sophs are becoming juniors in front of our eyes. They are starting to hit on all cylinders. This is the one team you don't want to face in the ncaa, because they're unpredictable as to just how good they might get in the next few weeks.
orangecountyvols writes:
For this U Conn troll on the Vols message board,
let me just say when the house of cards for you starts to fall, your presence anywhere near this board will be extremely scarce.
Typically, a reflection of their coach who, by the way..........has to resort to coaching WOMEN'S basketball. Some of his girls may just be shorter than those he would find in the MEN'S game, and a few of them even have to look up to him ( if they are shorter than 5 feet.)
Everyone knows the talent U Conn has, but to be smug and arrogant about it is asking for T R O U B L E.
Should they play, don't get your hopes up about pushing this team around, as you will find out what physical is.
Rockytop98 writes:
Mike why can't you stay on your team's site or are your rants even TOO MUCH for UCONN fan? Just a question....inquiring minds just want to know!
It's GREAT to be a TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERR! End of story!! GO LADY VOLS!!
rdberry#654521 writes:
When was the last time Geno had the class to give bouquest to Seniors on the oposing team on senior day like Coach Summitt did for the Ole Miss players last week! Or does he just give miniatures of liquor instead! No amount of your sniping will diminish the pride ALL UT fans take inthe progress of this year's team. I think we're about a year away from serious contention. However, ANY team that fails to bring their "A" game against this year's LV's is in for a fight. The improvement comes in ability, cohesiveness, and character!
orangecountyvols writes:
RDberry........
Very well said.
Go Lady Vols. Gosh, wish I could see them this year. Living 400 miles away makes it tough, but fortunately the 2 times I did see them play, in 1997 with Chamique against UVA in Charlottesville and with Candace in Athens against Georgia in 2007..........all they did those two years was win the N C !
The_Truth_and_nothing_but_the_Truth writes:
Hi Gainsville:
UCONN is not smug, but Mike may be. He is an ardent fan and expresses his views as a true believer. I wish he could not be so direct. There is probably better ways of showing support to your team.
Geno and the whole team are playing one game at a time; actually the team is playing one possession at a time. Every possession is a mini-game and Geno wants his team to win every possession.
Gaines, you are so right, anything can happen. One of the UCONN Men's Championships were won against Duke and no one had a prayer for the UCONN team. Somehow, some way they dug it out and won against a then, unbeatable Duke team.
Don't attribute Mike's comments to UCONN or Geno, that's not who they are.
The_Truth_and_nothing_but_the_Truth writes:
For Lady Vol Fans that want to see Tennessee kick UCONN's butt you can do so March 13 on ESPN Classics. It is my understanding that they are going to feature Tennessee/UCONN games throughout the years.
So, if you want to catch some of those old games you can certainly do so. I would suspect there will be some games of Tennessee thumping UCONN and then some of UCONN thumping Tennessee.
Jephry writes:
I'm afraid revenge on Ball State will have to wait...they are 14-16 and only seeded 7th in the MAC tourney. However, if you look at it another way, we might oughtta thank Ball State...without that loss, I'm not sure our LVs would be the awesome team they have become...
98reax writes:
Mike_In_Connecticut should be a billboard on Kingston Pike. The phrase gets so much attention. Too bad its used for advertising a personal hygiene product. Names we shouldn't respond to, EVER. Do not allow the bag to spoil our joy for our team.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Excellent point! If the LVs had somehow managed to make the Sweet Sixteen or something last year, Pat may not have taken them back to boot camp after their loss and the girls might not have realized how far they had to go to get to be a championship-caliber team. They might not have bought into the strength and conditioning work and individual skill development they needed.
FLAVOLS writes:
Tyler Summit - Heading down the path to take over for Mom in 7-10 years. He only coaches AAU now but lookout.
gladiator06 writes:
What a pity to have the coach on the opposing team mention how fantastic Kamiko was during this game and not have Pat Summitt mention it. Pat mention how Glory, Kelley and Angie stepped up for the team. It's no wonder Kamiko's confidence is suffering. She's a freshman and it doesn't matter how much she gives, you rarely see that pat on the back from her coach. When the moderator asked Bjorklund what Kamiko's stepping up means to her, Bjorklund stated that Pat got onto Kamiko a little bit last night, Pat interjected..."most every day". When given the opportunity to say something positive about Kamiko, she didn't! I for one have seen Kamiko confused on the court because anytime she makes a mistake Pat takes her out the game. Kamiko made mistakes in the game yesterday, but it was crunch time and Pat couldn't fathom losing to Kentucky. Kamiko's play was any different yesterday, she was just left in the game longer. Anytime she's given a fair chance, we'll see how productive she can be. In the early rounds of the NCAA tournament, you can bet Kamiko won't see much playing time, but as soon as the Lady Vols have a close game, Kamiko's minutes will increase. Things that make you go Hmmm!!! Kamiko played a total of 16 minutes in the games against Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, but gets 15 against Kentucky. It's all because Pat needed her and didn't see a way to win without her. To not be too hard on Pat, I also see Kamiko take off too many possessions. She gets winded too quickly. For her sake, she needs to get in the gym and improve her conditioning. With Kamiko's talent, she should have been on the all freshman team. Kamiko's best will only be seen when she's allowed to stay in the game for more than two minute segments. I don't know that she needed Tyler for that, but thanks anyway. Hopefully they're on the right track, but I'm still skeptical.
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
I thought Kamiko came in because Glory J. and Cain were in foul trouble with 3 each. Wow. Tyler Summitt taking an ever-increasing role in his moms team. I remember watching LV games when he was too young to walk. Glad he travels with them also. Maybe someday before his mom is gone he can join her as an assistant!
Sovol writes:
You have about as much class as as your coach, who has none.
orangecountyvols writes:
Yankee Mike,
Time to have a little discussion about your passion for this Tennessee message board. Let's begin with something you are dying to hear...that U Conn is an excellent team. We assume that's what will turn you on.
Now having said that, consider this. Every school in the country has its fans who loyally support their teams as well, and adamently believe their team is the best too. Schools like Murray State, Duke, Swarthmore, Slippery Rock, Texas, Wellesley, Bowdoin, Wake Forest,
Tennessee, etc, etc..........you name it, all are loyal to their school and think their's is the best.
However, most are mature, intelligent fans who win and lose together, who don't flaunt themselves on other school's message boards. No doubt, many may visit another school's sites just to read what is being said, but to barge in and instigate insults is pretty much a sign of not only immaturity but also insecurity.
On this board, there have proven to be some classy fans of Kentucky, for instance. Even after a heart wrenching defeat with Tennessee, several U K fans have shown true sportsmanship and earned respect accordingly. You might say some of that is due to the SEC family relationship and we respect each other, will battle like heck but still respect each other.
Anyway, the presence on someone else's boards with intent to just make a nuisance of yourself speaks volumns for you. It's sort of like going to a Michigan - Ohio State game and jumping up and down and yelling "go Penn State" and waving all sorts of blue and white costumes.
So, if U Conn doesn't have its own message board, you might want to initiate one.....
good luck against Notre dame, just be gracious
to them hopefully.
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Dang, you mean Pat hasn't offered you a position on her staff yet? It seems she needs someone like you to keep her straight.
By the way, Pat's won over 1000 games using her screwed up logic and inability to handle players. And you've won...how many?
GO LADY VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
rclarkfork#639958 writes:
Great speech and I'm sure you are real proud of it but get real, you have no clue what you are talking about. You say Pat knew she couldn't win the game without her and that's the only reason she left her in...Pat has been through these situations hundreds of times and seems to make the right decision the majority of the time but I'm sure she could do it a lot better with input from you. Don't know what kind of drugs you do but they sure don't help that 6th grade education much.
gladiator06 writes:
I'm glad you admit it, she definitely needs someone else on her staff; unfortunately, i wouldn't qualify because i wouldn't always agree with Pat as some people have a tendency to do.
With regard to games I've won, how about all of them.
gladiator06 writes:
First, you should by now know how to read a passage and be able to summarize what was said in that passage, especially when you have it in front of you. Secondly, the 1st amendment to the Constitution gives me certain rights - learn what they are? In closing, there is a familiar quote I remember from about the time of 3rd grade, that went a little like this..."little people talk about other people, average people talk about things, great people talk about ideas." might i add...small people always talk about him/herself. if the shoe fits, wear it!!!
flatrock writes:
Give the ball to Kamiko! I have watched (and admired) Pat coach for as long as anyone on here
and watched her version of tough-love being
administered in every possible dosage; and I can
honestly say I have never seen her treat a
player as rudely as she treats Kamiko. Pat
absolutely refuses to say anything positive
to her or about her. In the other direction,
she never misses an opportunity to pull Kamiko
after a mistake and Pat's body language is
totally different than at any other time in the
game. My take: Kamiko must be the sorriest
practice player in the history of organized
sports because her game-time effort certainly doesn't deserve the harsh treatment that she receives. My take 2: the Lady Vols don't
beat Kentucky without her. My take 3: my fellow
Big Orange kool-aid gulpers need to lighten
up when someone offers some critique of
Pat. My take 4: she is without a doubt one of the top 2 or 3 hoops coaches (Wooden, Pat, etc.) of all time, but she ain't perfect. My take 5: Pat needs to find a way to give Kamiko
a high-five every now and then. My take 6:
the Lady Vols won't go very far in the NCAAs
without a confident Kamiko.
YankeeVol writes:
Where did Tyler get his soft touch from? Sometimes that works just as well, if not better.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
You are certainly entitled to your opinion, and you make some good points. That said, you answer many of your own questions about why Pat gets so exasperated with Kamiko, and therein it seems to me you contradict yourself. No one denies Kamiko's talent; not Pat and no fans on here. What people question, including Pat, is Kamiko's dedication and willingness to take coaching. In one sentence you say she takes too many possessions off and seems to get winded quickly, yet your answer is to give her more minutes. Like Pat, most coaches value players who they think are giving their best effort even if they are not the most talented.
There are very few coaches except maybe for some pro coaches who will admit to a different set of standards for stars than for the rest of the team. If the stars aren't held accountable for lack of effort, on what basis can the coach insist that less-talented players must give their all? When coaches talk about leadership from within the team, they are usually talking about the most-talented players setting the example for the rest of the team when it comes to hard work and accepting correction from from the coaches.
If you have followed the Lady Vols for long, you know this situation is hardly unprecedented. We fans may forget this now, but even Chamique Holtsclaw came in for her share of criticism for not going all out all the time. Pat's war of wills with Michelle Marciniak was epic. In both cases, the players involved came around and became championship performers. Chamique of course won three; who knows how many Marciniak's teams might have won had she come around sooner?
Who knows what goes on in the minds of teenagers, even if they aren't highly-touted athletes? Kamiko and her father had to know what Pat's expectations were before she signed, because I am certain Pat would have told them even if they weren't well enough informed to know that going in. Did they think, "Oh, well, she's just blowing smoke like all coaches do sometimes. Once she sees how Kamiko can really play, she'll come off that hard-driving stuff."?
I'm afraid what is happening with Kamiko is that when she has a hard day in practice, she calls Daddy and cries, and Daddy says, "There, there, baby, you're fine. That mean ol' coach just doesn't understand or appreciate you yet. Just do the best you can and everything will be fine." "But, Daddy, I AM trying hard, I really AM. I've never worked so hard in my life, but she just doesn't like me." "There, there, sweetie. WE know how good you are; if you don't like it there, we'll find you someplace else after this year." That may be one reason why Kamiko may not seem to be buying in to the degree Pat expects. I don't know this for sure, of course, but SOMETHING is stopping Kamiko from showing what Pat feels she HAS to have from Kamiko before she feels she can count on her. Given Pat's lifetime record, my guess is that most of the adjusting has to come from Kamiko.
BigRMan writes:
Certainly Mike, that's a possibility. However, it is also a possibility that Pat Summitt would be gearing up for her greatest coaching achievement, being the one to knock Humpty Dumpty off the wall. It's rare as a blood red steak the Lady Vols are underdogs, but would surely be if playing UCON. Your team is a killer squad, no doubt. However with what this year's LVS have accomplished and how it has galvinized the team-NEVER sell a Pat Summitt coached UT (and no one else has ever coached UT) short. It would be perhaps the crowning achievement of her coaching career to be the team to end UCON's streak. It's just a shame Mya and her Mom took the under the table stuff and ran north to Storrs. At some point, at least in Mya's life she will not have a solid moral fabric and set of values to rely upon like former Lady Vols get from Coach Summitt. I'm sure there are more NCAA titles down the road for Geno and UCON, just as Coach Summitt is not finished coaching teams brining home National Titles. The difference between the two is that Coach Summitt imparts values and work ethic that makes Lady Vol alumni shinning citizens of any community they choose to inhabit, and a tribute to Coach Summitt, the legend that transcends sports!
The_Truth_and_nothing_but_the_Truth writes:
Hi Big Guy:
Your correct in that the Lady Vols could beat anyone on a given night. Champions can do that, even in years they are not #1. I also appreciate that you give UCONN credit for being a good team/great team. Where we disagree is the innuendo this board uses against UCONN with examples like Maya Moore.
When it comes to Maya Moore and all the other rumors about UCONN there hasn't been one shred of substance that mirrors the vitriolic hyperbole.
Even some of your most respected Tennessee bloggers are tired of the misinformation and sour grapes.
The media loves to expose frauds, cheats, and deceivers. They are pretty good at it. So far there hasn't been any news about Maya and her mother.
If we were to believe this rhetoric we would have to believe the NCAA, USA and Olympic Committees as well as coaches across the United State are very poor judges of character as they continue to respect Geno and the UCONN Program.
Tennessee is a great team so is UCONN.
BigRMan writes:
Truth: Media also likes to cover up and give free passes to whomever it deems liberal or in their best interest to let slide. Look at who's in the Oval Office! How would it look for the Coach of the Women's National Team to be embedded in scandal? The media gave Van Chancellor a pass on his stupidity! Thank the Lord for FOX News! Fair & Balanced!
VOLFORLIFE writes:
John, I do believe you've nailed it. Pat has stated publicly on more than one occasion how talented a player Williams is, but has also emphasized that she needs to "show up" in both practice and in games. I believe that when she decides to do that, she'll receive the accolades from Pat that she's been expecting to receive with less than 100% effort.
GO LADY VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
VOLFORLIFE writes:
No, I'm glad you admit you wouldn't qualify for a position on Pat's staff, but I don't believe it has anything to do with whether or not you would agree with her. But to set the record straight, as much as I admire Pat Summitt and the insane record she's put together as coach of the Lady Vols, I don't always agree with some of her moves or tactics either. But I'll give her this--she's been successful. So who am I to try to tell her how she should coach.
"With regard to games I've won, how about all of them". Boy, you sure got me there! Would that be 1, 10, 100, 1000, or what? Nah, don't even bother. You're beginning to sound ridiculous.
GO LADY VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
RLL59 writes:
John, I think you've gone a bit over the edge with your speculation as to conversation between Kamiko and her father. Isn't he career military? If he is, and gives his kids a pass on discipline, persistence and fortitude, he'll be the first I ever heard of. Disagreement with the coach over how a son or daughter is being handled happens all the time, and doesn't mean that either the parent or the athlete is wimpy, as your narrative suggests.
I'm not agreeing with much of what Gladiator06 writes either, but it's not wrong to approach players in different ways to achieve their potential. If what is suggested about the conversation between Tyler and Kamiko is true, the approach taken is exactly what critics have suggested. I doubt that it was an in your face, you're the problem, type of discussion. I don't know if it'll work out in the long term, but even Coach Summitt appears to think it brought results she hadn't been able to achieve.
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Tyler got his soft touch from Pat for sure! He definitely did not get it from his Dad. Pat has a very special soft spot that most of you never see or will ever know. Pat would not have been on Kamiko if she had not cared about her. She is just trying to get her ready to play and she is well aware of how great Kamiko is and how great she will become!
Uhmm, thats why she recruited her and thats why she recruited Manning and we all know how she has turned out! GBO!!!
LCfastball writes:
U-Conn-victs !!!!!!!!!!!!! The best team Geno can BUY !!!!!!!!!!
gladiator06 writes:
i agree that i answered one question regarding why Pat gets so frustrated with Kamiko and i admit that i have been frustrated at times when Kamiko appeared noticeably winded. when Pat allowed Kamiko to start a couple games in February, she stated that if Kamiko gets winded she would allow her to rest. i didn't know that meant coming out the game for the remainder of the game.
I haven't seen anyone on this team who didn't get winded at some point during the game; however, they're allowed to rest and reenter the game. Even when they make mistakes, they continue to play. For whatever reason, Kamiko making a honest freshman mistake will not be tolerated.
To speak to your point regarding Chamique and Candace taking possessions off, you're absolutely right. In fact when other coaches were interviewed and asked about Candace being the best ever, most of them hesitated to say that she was better than Cheryl Miller, mainly because she took off too many possessions. This was one of Nicky Anosike's frustrations with Candace. Needless to say, Candace didn't get benched much for it and neither did Chamique.
Kamiko gets benched and I'm not saying that she shouldn't ever. Sometimes it warranted, but there have been too many games where it's as if Pat is waiting for her to make a mistake to pull her from the game. If Kamiko's taking possessions off is such a huge deal, I'm just wondering why in games like South Carolina and the recent Kentucky game, does it seem to matter less.
I'm not saying Kamiko is even in the same ballpark as a Candace or Chamique, but her offensive prowess is much needed by this team. Maybe and I'm saying just maybe, if Pat took the time to tell Kamiko "good job", her confidence would be boosted.
During the SEC final after four straight baskets by Kamiko, I saw Dean Lockwood and Holly Warlick mouth to her "good job" and at the same time Pat turned her head until Kamiko passed by her. Yeah Kamiko owns part of this, but she's a freshman and needs a boost of confidence from her coach so that she feels like she's doing something right.
By the way, I agree Kamiko needs to stop listening to Dad period. This may be the crux of the matter.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well, I did SAY I was speculating. It is well-known that Kamiko's father took a conspicuous role in her recruitment and that she talks to him often. She has said that her father was a strong influence on her as a player.
Also, I spent a good many years in the military myself and have known lots of military fathers. Contrary to the "Great Santini" image of strenuous discipline and emotional unavailability, many military parents go the other way with their kids. They see their families as a respite from the harsh, duty-driven lives they live every day. They often feel guilty over the family stresses imposed by repeated foreign deployments, the constant forced moves, and the extra-hours duty requirements faced at some time by nearly all military members. The common military ethos of sacrificing home and family for the good of others causes them to bend over backwards to be as "good" to their kids as possible in compensation. Some of them may even resent the often unavoidable fact that their kids often must spend more time with strangers as role models than the parents themselves.
I don't claim to know any more about what Kamiko is thinking than I do about any other person. I have no idea what stresses she experiences in her life. I DO know that it is unlikely that what she is experiencing right now is different in kind from what any other talented freshman athlete encounters in a vastly more demanding environment than any she has known before, and would not be the first to seek validation, support, and love from a parent when she seems not to get any, or at least not the kind she expects, from a coach. I sincerely hope she gets it all worked out, as most normal kids in her situation usually do.
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