“As long as we put her in situations where she can succeed. She is not a great low post player.”RICH ADUBATO
Rebecca Lobo is quickly becoming the women’s version of Patrick Ewing. Having already lost a championship to Houston, she is looked on by many Liberty fans as the woman who doesn’t give them enough. The player who might not have what it takes to get her team a ring. The Big Engine that almost could.
But there is a difference. While Ewing is a sure-fire Hall of Famer, Lobo, a standout at UConn, has not been a great professional in her first two seasons.
So as the Liberty headed into yesterday afternoon’s exhibition opener at the Garden against the Comets – whom they lost to in the inaugural WNBA Finals two years ago – the 25-year-old Lobo is the center of contention.
Maybe it is a coincidence, but even when you ask her new coach, Richie Adubato, the 19-year NBA veteran, he gives special mention to the popular local product, Sue Wicks (Center Moriches), and fails to praise the 6-foot-4 Lobo. So you ask about Lobo, and this is what her new coach says.
“She’s been OK,” said Adubato, who returned to the Garden sideline for the first time in 13 years, when he was an assistant to Hubie Brown. “As long as we put her in situations where she can succeed. She is not a great low post player.”
Maybe that’s why Lobo and the Liberty finished 18-12 and failed to make the playoffs last season: Nancy Darsch, who was fired, didn’t use her right.
“It is hard for me to determine that because it has only been a week,” the 61-year-old Adubato said.
The fans can be less than forgiving. To many, the first-year averages of 12.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game were insufficient. Add that to the 11.7 ppg and 7 rpg last season and you could see how Lobo could become Lo-boo this year.
“When you are in New York City, you are certainly going to be scrutinized,” Adubato said.
If only the veteran coach can put Lobo in the right spots, utilize her to the best of her undefeated, National Championship-winning abilities.
“Her strength is running the floor, beating her opponents down the court,” Adubato said.
Adubato has implemented an offense that’s 90 percent new. He wants to run; that suits Lobo fine.
As far as the low post, Adubato has definitely noticed a strength and a weakness in Lobo’s game. She does not belong on the left block; she’s much better on the right.
“Because she has a nice left going to the lane,” Adubato said.
Wicks, 32, in some ways is the antithesis of Lobo. Very popular at the Garden, the 6-foot-3 forward is thought of as an overachiever. She received irregular minutes from Darsch last season and ended up averaging 15 minutes per game. She only scored 4.4 points per outing. Adubato had every right to think that Wicks would not be much of an offensive player.
“Sue Wicks has been a pleasant surprise,” Adubato said.
Willing to set a strong pick, Adubato’s half-court sets may work to Wicks’ advantage.
Players who pick double their effectiveness by being able to take advantage when opponents double-team the ball. This leaves the pick setter open.