Watched some of the Aces game and Russell played with a higher motor. Seattle ran some pick and roll with Russell from the high post and it was effective. She was more active on defense. She contested more shots.
She still needs to be more aggressive but she has improved in some areas since UT.
I think shes in a great position to learn from vets like Bird and Stewart. Im interested to see how Russell continues to progress because Seattle will make the playoffs so shell get acclimated to WNBA play and tempo.
I agree! She landed with the team that could not only use her the most but that she could sit and learn for a season and then take over the starting lineup next season.
Seattle has been looking for a starting caliber 5 who could be a compliment to Stewie and Loyd who would rebound and score when needed. She fits in well with what they are building there and they are young.
If they could ever get a return on their investment of KML they would be a team to watch out for in the league with a lineup of;
PG-Canada (I think Sue has 1 season left after this one)
SG-Loyd
SF-Clark (is there now but it should be KML)
PF-Stewie
C-Russell
Seattle would've been able to fix their need at the 5 spot without drafting one and could use next seasons draft/free agency to upgrade at the 3 spot (Katie Lou or Collier are more than likely to be available when they select in my opinion as this upcoming draft is loaded in the top 12 and someone with a late pick is going to get a steal)
Injuries happen, so if the Seattle coach decides that Mercedes is a project worth investing in, I could see her as a a permanent "insurance policy" big that averages under a handful a minutes per game (if needed).
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Shekinna Stricklen was all smiles after hitting her first career winning shot.
She had a four-point play at the buzzer to give the Connecticut Sun an 88-86 victory over the New York Liberty on Thursday night.
"I've never hit a game-winner; that was my first time," she said.
Connecticut vs. New York - Game Recap - June 7, 2018 - ESPN
I agree! She landed with the team that could not only use her the most but that she could sit and learn for a season and then take over the starting lineup next season.
Seattle has been looking for a starting caliber 5 who could be a compliment to Stewie and Loyd who would rebound and score when needed. She fits in well with what they are building there and they are young.
If they could ever get a return on their investment of KML they would be a team to watch out for in the league with a lineup of;
PG-Canada (I think Sue has 1 season left after this one)
SG-Loyd
SF-Clark (is there now but it should be KML)
PF-Stewie
C-Russell
Seattle would've been able to fix their need at the 5 spot without drafting one and could use next seasons draft/free agency to upgrade at the 3 spot (Katie Lou or Collier are more than likely to be available when they select in my opinion as this upcoming draft is loaded in the top 12 and someone with a late pick is going to get a steal)
As I have always believed, the talent is there, she just needed a coach that demands excellence and quit giving her empty praises. I am glad that she seemed to have possibly landed with the right team and the right situation. We have to teach our players to play tougher and to be more aggressive. We are having too many players graduate from our program and end up having difficult times making it in the WNBA. I know a lot of us want to take credit for Diamond, however, she credits playing ball oversees for developing toughness and aggressiveness. We simply do not prepare our players for the next level.
TODAY: Chicago Sky At LA Sparks:
FINAL: LA 77 Chicago 59
Diamond DeShields 19 Minutes, 1-9 FG, 0-4 3 PT, 4 Points, 3 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 0 Turnovers. +/- (-15)
Candace Parker: 27 Minutes, 10-14 FG, 1-1 3 PT, 24 Points. 6 Rebounds 3 Assists, 1 Steal, 3 Blocks. +/- (+15).