WNBA discussion thread?

[madtownvol]

I'm not insinuating that Wilson doesn't deserve MVP of League but Collier becoming only the second one to accomplish 50/40/90 is very impressive.. only Della Donne has done it before..

Both Wilson and Collier have good cases to be named MVP, The award can't capture one important nuance. Collier was hands down the MVP in the first half of the season (and before her injury) and the same can be said for Wilson during the 2nd half of the season.

Collier has her historic stat line in her favor plus I think there is an impetus to name someone new to the MVP. On the downside, no MVP has ever missed as many games as Collier did this season.

Wilson led a historic closing run to the season and she averages more points, rebounds, and blocks than Collier plus a lot of 30+ double-doubles this season.

I think the momentum seems to be leading toward Collier but if I had a vote, I would go Wilson.

 

[Terrells Bay88]

 

[VolBall09]

Sophie Cunningham Ignites Feud With Caitlin Clark's Rival Angel Reese As Her Time In Chicago Hits New Low​

Sophie Cunningham has hit out at Angel Reese for threatening to quit the Chicago Sky, telling her fellow WNBA player there are 'some things that you can't say'.

Reese was forced to issue a groveling apology to her teammates last week after saying she 'might have to move in a different direction and do what's best for me' after Chicago failed to make the playoffs for a second straight year.

On the latest episode of her 'Show Me Something' podcast with Bravo personality West Wilson, Cunningham took aim at Reese and stressed that she would 'always put the team before my feelings'.

'It’s not great,' the Indiana Fever star told Wilson. 'There’s just some things that you can’t say.

'I’m a very team first type of person. I always put the team before my feelings and I think that should be a standard. You got to protect your locker room.'


View attachment 772701

View attachment 772702

Sophie Cunningham rips into Angel Reese over Chicago Sky threat

Reese was forced to issue a groveling apology to her Chicago teammates after saying she 'might have to move in a different direction and do what's best for me' after they missed out on the playoffs.

www.dailymail.co.uk

I had mizzou Sophie. I love WNBA Sophie lol.

Tough chick.

 

[madtownvol]

Guess the Sky management is not following this board, strange.....

GM: Sky keeping Reese despite late-season strife

 

[knoxvol52]

Quarterinal matchups are mostly 2 and a que

Minnesota over Golden State in 2
Las Vegas over Seattle in 2
Dream over Fever in 2
Mercury over Liberty in 3..

 

[lvocd]

I'm highly impressed by what the Fever has managed to accomplish, taking the first series in the playoffs, without some of their top players. Good for them.

 

[madtownvol]

I'm highly impressed by what the Fever has managed to accomplish, taking the first series in the playoffs, without some of their top players. Good for them.

That is impressive. The Dream looked like a real contender going into the playoffs. Fever's first play off series win a loooong time.

The Fever is going to have reconsider Clark's role. A lot of evidence to suggest they have been better without her (not a dig at Clark but how she has been used).

With Clark, the Fever's offense seemed designed first and foremost to let Clark put up eye popping stats. Without her, the Fever have better ball movement, a more diversified attack and fewer TOs. Plus, it turns out the analytics on shooting 20% from the logo are not that great (even if it gets fans excited).

When Clark comes back, White needs to integrate her into this system (where CC can be a net asset) but not go back to world where Clark has the ball in her hands for 70% of the time, generates a ton of TOs and takes statistically bad shots just because logo 3s are her "trademark."

[Last night, Aja Wilson 38 points in an elimination game to help the Aces advance.]

 

[LV renaissance]

That is impressive. The Dream looked like a real contender going into the playoffs. Fever's first play off series win a loooong time.

The Fever is going to have reconsider Clark's role. A lot of evidence to suggest they have been better without her (not a dig at Clark but how she has been used).

With Clark, the Fever's offense seemed designed first and foremost to let Clark put up eye popping stats, Without her, the Fever have better ball movement, a more diversified attack and few TOs. Plus, it turns out the analytics on shooting 20% from the logo are not that great (even if it gets fans excited).

When Clark comes back, White needs to integrate her into this system (where CC can be a net asset) but not go back to world where Clark has the ball in her hands for 70% of the time, generates a ton of TOs and takes statistically bad shots just because logo 3s are her "trademark."

[Last night, Aja Wilson 38 points in an elimination game to help the Aces advance.]

Agreed. Mitchell is too good not to have the ball in her hands quite a bit. She has become one of my favorite players and has been the key to their good season.

 

[knoxvol52]

Liberty gets knockout of playoffs. I hate to see it.

 

[madtownvol]

Liberty gets knockout of playoffs. I hate to see it.

I feel for Ellie the elephant! The Liberty started the season like they were going to steam roll everyone and even added Meeserman for more punch but they struggled over the 2nd half of the season and those problems carried over to the playoffs.

The Aces have the opposite trajectory and are suddenly looking like they may be the team (as long as Wilson keeps playing like the second coming of Wilt Chamberlain !!!) . I think it will be a Lynx vs. Aces final. I feel like the Lynx have more margin of error and will prevail in a series that will likely go 7 games.

 

[madtownvol]

Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson won her fourth WNBA Most Valuable Player award on Sunday, becoming the first player to achieve the milestone at age 29. She led the league in scoring with 23.4 points per game, rebounds at 10.2, and blocks at 2.3, while also averaging 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals, shooting 50.5% from the field and 42.4% from three. Wilson's performance included a record 13 games with 30-plus points and propelled the Aces to the playoffs, marking her second sweep of MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors.

 

[madtownvol]

Significant upset with the Fever dominating the Aces in game one of their series. I don't think they can beat the Aces over a 5 game series but they are punching above their weight!

 

[madtownvol]

Holy moly batman. The Liberty just fired Sandy Brondello!! She led them to a title just last season but a first round stumble was too much to tolerate apparently.

Okay, Sparks here is your Golden opportunity (of course, the Sparks will stick with Roberts who led the Sparks to their 5th consecutive non-playoff season)

 

[lvocd]

Brondello fired? Wow! There must have been something pretty darn big other than them just going out in the first round to cause top brass to fire her. Wow!

Yeah, the Sparks need to make change. I felt sorry for Rickea this season having to play for the same coach two years in a row when she's so used to having a fresh new staff every season. She is probably feeling antsy and getting tired of so much same-coaching, so hopefully the Sparks will pick up Brondello to RJ back to her routine.

 

[madtownvol]

Brondello fired? Wow! There must have been something pretty darn big other than them just going out in the first round to cause top brass to fire her. Wow!

Yeah, the Sparks need to make change. I felt sorry for Rickea this season having to play for the same coach two years in a row when she's so used to having a fresh new staff every season. She is probably feeling antsy and getting tired of so much same-coaching, so hopefully the Sparks will pick up Brondello to RJ back to her routine.

Actually, Roberts is in her first year with the Sparks, replacing Curt Miller. She has not been there long enough for Rickea to even know her name.

My WNBA attention is already focusing on next season. I think Rickea should have a genuine break out All-Star season if Roberts will tweak her system a bit (as she seemed to do in the 2nd half of the season). I am hoping Rae will be with the team next season as well and that seems more likely given how she took charge of the 6th player energizer off the bench role.

 

[Hoosier_Vol]

 

[lvocd]

Actually, Roberts is in her first year with the Sparks, replacing Curt Miller. She has not been there long enough for Rickea to even know her name.

My WNBA attention is already focusing on next season. I think Rickea should have a genuine break out All-Star season if Roberts will tweak her system a bit (as she seemed to do in the 2nd half of the season). I am hoping Rae will be with the team next season as well and that seems more likely given how she took charge of the 6th player energizer off the bench role.

Oh yeah! I can't believe I forgot about Curt Miller.

 

[lvocd]

P.S. There's still a little ... something ... lacking in Rickea's game that keeps holding me back from giving her future WNBA legend cred yet. I'll admit to seeing her play very few times this season, and one of those times she was spectacular. But I keep waiting for her to show me more consistency. And maybe I'm being totally unfair since I didn't see the majority of their games this season ... and also because her staff and teammates are also major factors in what RJ can do.

But... still. Hopefully you're right, madtown, and Rickea can have a breakout season coming. I know she has it in her.

 

[madtownvol]

P.S. There's still a little ... something ... lacking in Rickea's game that keeps holding me back from giving her future WNBA legend cred yet. I'll admit to seeing her play very few times this season, and one of those times she was spectacular. But I keep waiting for her to show me more consistency. And maybe I'm being totally unfair since I didn't see the majority of their games this season ... and also because her staff and teammates are also major factors in what RJ can do.

But... still. Hopefully you're right, madtown, and Rickea can have a breakout season coming. I know she has it in her.

I think it is a lack of aggressiveness that comes from uncertainty about her role. In this system, she is not the main option, that seems to be Hamby and the Plum, and so RJ is third fiddle and often plays pretty deferentially except in spurts and then Roberts rewards her good stretches by keeping her on the bench for extended periods. GLV98 has often commented (and lamented) this maddening coaching tendency.

In contrast, when Rae comes in, she is always in full on attack mode. Does that difference reflect that Rae comes in with a different player rotation or something about the players' mindsets. Maybe it is a little of both.

Rickea is also having to learn the 3 role since Hamby owns the 4 position. Hamby is an excellent player but I think (biased perception alert) that RJ would be an upgrade in that position,

 

[LV renaissance]

Holy moly batman. The Liberty just fired Sandy Brondello!! She led them to a title just last season but a first round stumble was too much to tolerate apparently.

Okay, Sparks here is your Golden opportunity (of course, the Sparks will stick with Roberts who led the Sparks to their 5th consecutive non-playoff season)

The Brondello news is astounding. NY has been the team I have watched closest the past two years. The injuries have been extreme in their impact this year, but on top of this there were several games in which the fire just didn't seem to be there. I thought it might just be due to complacency that can happen after a championship year, but this move makes me feel like something else as going on.

 

[glv98]

Brondello fired? Wow! There must have been something pretty darn big other than them just going out in the first round to cause top brass to fire her. Wow!

Yeah, the Sparks need to make change. I felt sorry for Rickea this season having to play for the same coach two years in a row when she's so used to having a fresh new staff every season. She is probably feeling antsy and getting tired of so much same-coaching, so hopefully the Sparks will pick up Brondello to RJ back to her routine.

Wow, talk about what have you done for me lately! Didn't really see this coming,however I think there may be problems in that locker room. Apparently they had some problems last year, seems Stewie and Sabrina more or less ran Vander Sloot off. I think Sandy totally lost control in the middle of the summer this year. Rumor is Liberty may try to make a super splashy hire, maybe someone from the NBA.

The league just moves so fast. One year after the Championship, they probably need a pretty big reshuffle. Stewie is definitely on the decline and Sabrina remains streaky and inconsistent as ever. And Jonquil Jones remains the biggest baby in the history of the league perhaps the world. They need some fresh blood at their core.

 

[glv98]

I am hoping Rae will be with the team next season as well and that seems more likely given how she took charge of the 6th player energizer off the bench role.

I'm certain the Sparks want to keep Rae, however, she's really good trade bait. Rae is always going to play with abandon and unfortunately at times, recklessness. Right now that fits her role with the Sparks really well so hopefully she'll still be around. IMO players most likely to not be back next year are Julie A and Azuri. I'd really like to see them keep the whole core together plus add a couple of defensive gems.

Regan Pebbley, the GM, says they've spent two yrs planning for this offseason where everyone's a free agent and there's likely to be huge turnover. Also says the team will have an announcement on the start of their practice facility very soon which should help lure possible trade.s Hopefully they'll make the right moves. I don't see KP, hamby, Rckea or Coach Roberts going anywhere The rest is TBD.

 

[lvocd]

Wow, talk about what have you done for me lately! Didn't really see this coming,however I think there may be problems in that locker room. Apparently they had some problems last year, seems Stewie and Sabrina more or less ran Vander Sloot off. I think Sandy totally lost control in the middle of the summer this year. Rumor is Liberty may try to make a super splashy hire, maybe someone from the NBA.

The league just moves so fast. One year after the Championship, they probably need a pretty big reshuffle. Stewie is definitely on the decline and Sabrina remains streaky and inconsistent as ever. And Jonquil Jones remains the biggest baby in the history of the league perhaps the world. They need some fresh blood at their core.

Jonquil Jones remains the biggest baby in the history of the league perhaps the world.

I thought maybe I was being silly for thinking that, but you get it, too. Not a fan of that. Also highly disappointed in the player Teira McGowan has turned out to be. She should be dominating, but she isn't. And I think Griner has only been a good, but never truly a great (IMO) pro player and I really thought she had a chance of becoming the W's Wilt Chamberlain with the wingspan she has -- and the sickening way she dominated Tennessee as a collegiate player. That girl ate our freakin' lunch, every time, and then had the audaciity to just be a slightly above average post in the W?! It ticks me off, honestly.

 

[th2421]

Wow, talk about what have you done for me lately! Didn't really see this coming,however I think there may be problems in that locker room. Apparently they had some problems last year, seems Stewie and Sabrina more or less ran Vander Sloot off. I think Sandy totally lost control in the middle of the summer this year. Rumor is Liberty may try to make a super splashy hire, maybe someone from the NBA.

The league just moves so fast. One year after the Championship, they probably need a pretty big reshuffle. Stewie is definitely on the decline and Sabrina remains streaky and inconsistent as ever. And Jonquil Jones remains the biggest baby in the history of the league perhaps the world. They need some fresh blood at their core.

I hope Laney-Hamilton is back (and healthy) next year. I think we missed her and Kayla Thornton - as LV renaissance said, the fire just wasn't there this year.

I'm okay with the Ionescu-Cloud backcourt but we desperately better guards off the bench. I'd also be fine moving on from Nyara Sabally - she just can't stay healthy, unfortunately.

 

[glv98]

P.S. There's still a little ... something ... lacking in Rickea's game that keeps holding me back from giving her future WNBA legend cred yet. I'll admit to seeing her play very few times this season, and one of those times she was spectacular. But I keep waiting for her to show me more consistency. And maybe I'm being totally unfair since I didn't see the majority of their games this season ... and also because her staff and teammates are also major factors in what RJ can do.

But... still. Hopefully you're right, madtown, and Rickea can have a breakout season coming. I know she has it in her.

I think it is a lack of aggressiveness that comes from uncertainty about her role. In this system, she is not the main option, that seems to be Hamby and the Plum, and so RJ is third fiddle and often plays pretty deferentially except in spurts and then Roberts rewards her good stretches by keeping her on the bench for extended periods. GLV98 has often commented (and lamented) this maddening coaching tendency.

In contrast, when Rae comes in, she is always in full on attack mode. Does that difference reflect that Rae comes in with a different player rotation or something about the players' mindsets. Maybe it is a little of both.

Rickea is also having to learn the 3 role since Hamby owns the 4 position. Hamby is an excellent player but I think (biased perception alert) that RJ would be an upgrade in that position,

Consistency. That's the huge thing. And to be a little less fragile emotionally. To not get in her own head when shots aren't falling or if she has a couple of bad games. Need Leslie Jones' hugs less. Also continue the strides on defense.

What the team can do for Rickea is let her full game loose. Let her be a true three level scorer. She's just not the same player if her mid range game is taken away. She is not going to be an All Star as a catch and shoot wing who mostly stands in the corner. She must be allowed the versatility that is her gift.

I truly believe Roberts sees all of this and is willing to compromise. She actually did use RJ at 4 some late in the season. She said she liked that smaller, quicker lineup. She's also improved her substitution pattern for Rickea, the one I railed about, going to a more Harper like pattern of shorter breaks squeezed around other time stoppages. That got messed up by a mins restriction the last few games.

The big adjustment for the Sparks coaches is going to be finding a way to ease the car keys out of KP and Hamby's hands and into Rickea's. That's a tough ask for All Stars and team leaders, but they're going to have to find a way to end the freeze outs of RJ that we saw this year when they were pursuing their own stats. Have to find a way to get the best blend of all three while aiming at the future.

Rickea said in exit interview she wasn't sure about playing Unrivaled this yr, but was in the first batch of players announced this week. I'm assuming Rae will also play but haven't heard her announcement yet. Unrivaled is gonna be all kinds of fun this year. They've added two extra teams and will have a developmental league like the NBA G Leagu,e where they'll keep a pool of 6 players who can be replacements, plus get developmental instruction during this season. Sounds like a great idea.