WNBA discussion thread?

#1,426
#1,426
37620VOL said:
What is the reason for that? I find it counterintuitive.
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As female athletes age they get stronger, smarter, more experienced, are usually more concerned about proper nutrition and generally understand their own body's strengths and limitations much better. Maturity usually results in more focus, and that results in better performance.
 
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#1,427
#1,427
This discussion needs to be contextualized via a comparison to the NBA.

1. NBA teams also struggle when they lose key players to injury. If you build your team around a Steph Curry or a KD and those players go down, there aren't easy plug and play replacements waiting in the wings. Last year, the Dallas Mavs were a lot like the Fever in that they had a injury riddled season that derailed their championship hopes and they could not magically replace those lost players. [PS everyone said, the Fever were done yesterday but their injury decimated roster did stage a historic comeback victory.]

2. The NBA has the advantage of carrying a 15 players roster, versus the W which only allows for 12 (and some W teams only roster 10-11). That roster limit structurally impedes development of younger players as well hurting the depth chart for role players. With a small roster, when teams get by hit injuries they have scramble to find available unsigned players who are ready to go and available NOW. Rather than a lack of talent, it is more of distribution problem. In contrast, the NBA has the G-league which allows them sign players to two way contracts to fill temporary gaps and these players have been playing competitively, are available and scouted.

3. Last but not least, a lot of people expected the GSV to be terrible since they were an expansion team with a roster of basically cast off players from other teams. Lo and behold, they are .500 team battling for a play off spot. The talent pool is there.
 
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#1,428
#1,428
lvocd said:
As female athletes age they get stronger, smarter, more experienced, are usually more concerned about proper nutrition and generally understand their own body's strengths and limitations much better. Maturity usually results in more focus, and that results in better performance.
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That same dynamic holds for male athletes as well. When you research the topic, you will find for both men and women, peak athlete performance tends to be mid 20s for most sports but it can be later for endurance sports (where early 30s is often the peak point).

The critical time frame is early 30s because that is the point where the body naturally starts to lose muscle mass. That effect can be delayed through training, nutrition etc but, physically you are at the point of trying not to lose what you have rather than gaining more physical proficiency, as per a younger athlete.

So, athletes who compete at high level into their late 30s and 40s have adapted their games and rely more on knowledge and experience to compensate for the physical declines (which for highly trained athletes may only be about 10% from their peak, as per the case of say LeBron James, Messi, or Cristiano Ronaldo, or Serena Williams).
 
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#1,429
#1,429
lvocd said:
As female athletes age they get stronger, smarter, more experienced, are usually more concerned about proper nutrition and generally understand their own body's strengths and limitations much better. Maturity usually results in more focus, and that results in better performance.
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Would Alysha Clark (of Mt Juliet, TN) be a fitting example of this? She didn't really catch on in the W until her late 20s and is still a contributor at age 38.
 
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#1,430
#1,430
37620VOL said:
Would Alysha Clark (of Mt Juliet, TN) be a fitting example of this? She didn't really catch on in the W until her late 20s and is still a contributor at age 38.
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Not really a fitting example. Shes always been mid, got lucky to catch on w a championship team that could see a role for her. I’d consider her barely a contributor anymore and would be very surprised if she sticks on a roster next year. Shes an exception for sure.
 
#1,431
#1,431
glv98 said:
Not really a fitting example. Shes always been mid, got lucky to catch on w a championship team that could see a role for her. I’d consider her barely a contributor anymore and would be very surprised if she sticks on a roster next year. Shes an exception for sure.
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What I was getting at was that it took her until 27-28yo to even make a W roster and then she was able to carve out a solid 10 year career.
 
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#1,434
#1,434
Sophie Cunningham done for the season with an MCL tear, which is less severe injury than an ACL. Fever looking for players on Craig's list.....
 
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#1,437
#1,437
Another must win against the wings tonight. This would be a great time for RJ to raise it to the next level and regain her efficiency and consistency. The talent level is apparent, just got to bring the shot making more consistently.

After tonight, the Sparks have five full days to practice before their next game, which is also at home. Plenty of time to work on things, like rebounding and defense,while watching the others in the 6-10 tangle tear each other apart.

What they’ve already accomplished since the All-Star break has been impressive. They’ll go from an eight win team to a 20+ win team. This year they’ve beat the Liberty, the Aces, the Fever twice, and the Storm twice, plus all the ‘others’. But making the playoffs is also an important benchmark, although it probably means facing the one team they have not been able to keep it close with, the Lynx.

It should all be fun to watch, esp if RJ can just fulfill some of that talent level KP talked about a little more consistently.
 
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#1,440
#1,440
glv98 said:
Another must win against the wings tonight. This would be a great time for RJ to raise it to the next level and regain her efficiency and consistency. The talent level is apparent, just got to bring the shot making more consistently.

After tonight, the Sparks have five full days to practice before their next game, which is also at home. Plenty of time to work on things, like rebounding and defense,while watching the others in the 6-10 tangle tear each other apart.

What they’ve already accomplished since the All-Star break has been impressive. They’ll go from an eight win team to a 20+ win team. This year they’ve beat the Liberty, the Aces, the Fever twice, and the Storm twice, plus all the ‘others’. But making the playoffs is also an important benchmark, although it probably means facing the one team they have not been able to keep it close with, the Lynx.

It should all be fun to watch, esp if RJ can just fulfill some of that talent level KP talked about a little more consistently.
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First half looks like Rickea versus Page B. duel. RJ very efficient. Hope RJ can put together a full game like this!
 
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#1,441
#1,441
Holy hell what a roller coaster! After one of her best games, Rickea almost cost the Sparks not just the game but their season with an incredibly ill advised T with the game tied and seconds left. She missed a layup, probably got fouled, rebounded and got tied up. Some extra tugging went on in the tie up and Rickea boneheadedly threw the ball at the Wings player. The free throw gave them the lead but luckily for Rickea, Plum cooley pulled off her one on one move and hit a floater to save the Sparks playoff chances. They couldn’t lose this game. Rickea knows:


Would have been ashamed bc she had pretty much kept the Sparks in the game. Was 6-7 from 3, had 25 pts and 5 rebounds. Sparks went away fm her too much in the 3rd and got stagnant. Then Roberts kept her on the bench too long in the 4th. But except for the brain fart, one of her best games.

Paige couldn’t miss, no one could guard her tho everyone tried. 43 pts! And would those who say the middy is dead please closely watch this tape a few dozen times? PB’s middy is such an important part of her arsenal. Wish Roberts believed in Rickea middy that much. She’s not going to go 6-7 fm 3 that often.
 
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#1,443
#1,443
glv98 said:
Holy hell what a roller coaster! After one of her best games, Rickea almost cost the Sparks not just the game but their season with an incredibly ill advised T with the game tied and seconds left. She missed a layup, probably got fouled, rebounded and got tied up. Some extra tugging went on in the tie up and Rickea boneheadedly threw the ball at the Wings player. The free throw gave them the lead but luckily for Rickea, Plum cooley pulled off her one on one move and hit a floater to save the Sparks playoff chances. They couldn’t lose this game. Rickea knows:


Would have been ashamed bc she had pretty much kept the Sparks in the game. Was 6-7 from 3, had 25 pts and 5 rebounds. Sparks went away fm her too much in the 3rd and got stagnant. Then Roberts kept her on the bench too long in the 4th. But except for the brain fart, one of her best games.

Paige couldn’t miss, no one could guard her tho everyone tried. 43 pts! And would those who say the middy is dead please closely watch this tape a few dozen times? PB’s middy is such an important part of her arsenal. Wish Roberts believed in Rickea middy that much. She’s not going to go 6-7 fm 3 that often.
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Was there a reason you could see for the change in 3rd quarter? Rickea was rocking the first half but did not get that many shots in the 2nd. I figured the wings starting throwing double teams at her.

Gotta admit, Paige's mid range game is a thing of a beauty. I had been wondering what kind of numbers she might put if she really got aggressive on the offensive end.
 
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#1,444
#1,444
madtownvol said:
Was there a reason you could see for the change in 3rd quarter? Rickea was rocking the first half but did not get that many shots in the 2nd. I figured the wings starting throwing double teams at her.

Gotta admit, Paige's mid range game is a thing of a beauty. I had been wondering what kind of numbers she might put if she really got aggressive on the offensive end.
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Can’t figure it out, but I wish this Sparks coaches could. Rickea is a very fast starter, which really came in handy last night since no one else could throw it in the ocean the first quarter. But as soon as she goes out, which is usually early in the second quarter, they seem to forget all about her. By the time she comes back, Hamby and Plum are working to get theirs and it becomes hard for her to get a shot up. She did have some big baskets in the second half last night, but still only eight points after 17 in the first half. Probably doesn’t get half as many shots up in 2nd halves. It feels more self inflicted than about defensive adjustments. Also doesn’t seem physical. She plays heavy mins, at least 35 per gm. If they ever figure it out, she’ll average 20 +.

Not everyone should have a mid game. I get the concept that three is worth more than two, but for certain players, and Rickea and Paige are among those playes, a midi is a valuable tool in the bag. not sure why you’d ever take a true three level scorer and turn her into a two level.

IMO a big part of Rickeas problems finishing at the rim this year is the elimination of her mid game. I know they say it’s not “eliminated“ but she very rarely uses it anymore. Defers to the 3. So when she drives, the defender doesn’t have to worry about her pulling up. I hope Paige’s masterclass in middy last night rang some belts for the Sparks coaching staff.
 
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#1,445
#1,445
glv98 said:
Can’t figure it out, but I wish this Sparks coaches could. Rickea is a very fast starter, which really came in handy last night since no one else could throw it in the ocean the first quarter. But as soon as she goes out, which is usually early in the second quarter, they seem to forget all about her. By the time she comes back, Hamby and Plum are working to get theirs and it becomes hard for her to get a shot up. She did have some big baskets in the second half last night, but still only eight points after 17 in the first half. Probably doesn’t get half as many shots up in 2nd halves. It feels more self inflicted than about defensive adjustments. Also doesn’t seem physical. She plays heavy mins, at least 35 per gm. If they ever figure it out, she’ll average 20 +.

Not everyone should have a mid game. I get the concept that three is worth more than two, but for certain players, and Rickea and Paige are among those playes, a midi is a valuable tool in the bag. not sure why you’d ever take a true three level scorer and turn her into a two level.

IMO a big part of Rickeas problems finishing at the rim this year is the elimination of her mid game. I know they say it’s not “eliminated“ but she very rarely uses it anymore. Defers to the 3. So when she drives, the defender doesn’t have to worry about her pulling up. I hope Paige’s masterclass in middy last night rang some belts for the Sparks coaching staff.
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I wonder if this is a coaching strategy thing. We want Plum to be more of a facilitator early in the game to get all players involved and then 2nd half "she takes over game." It seems like the Sparks have settled into a lead with Rickea finish with Plum model.
 
#1,446
#1,446
madtownvol said:
I wonder if this is a coaching strategy thing. We want Plum to be more of a facilitator early in the game to get all players involved and then 2nd half "she takes over game." It seems like the Sparks have settled into a lead with Rickea finish with Plum model.
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www.thenexthoops.com

Rickea Jackson's offensive impact is crucial to Sparks' success - The IX Basketball

While she's not the team's leading scorer, statistics prove that Jackson's impact is often the difference-maker for the Sparks.
www.thenexthoops.com www.thenexthoops.com
Don’t think it’s so much a purposeful strategy as it is just what happens at the pro level, and especially with players like Hamby and Plum who consider themselves go tos and team leaders.. They feed the hot hand as long as she’s in, but once she’s out it reverts to I better get mine. It’s not nearly as selfish as it sounds just kind of the way things work. Up to the coaches to call plays to get RJ reinvolved. And her to get herself open of course.

Interesting stat, Rickea is second in the league in first quarter points averaging 5 1/2 per game, second only to Aja Wilson. That’s very valuable as others are often slow starters. But here’s another interesting stat, the Sparks are 8-0 when Ricka scores at least 20 points. Thats the stat to hang their hat on. They have to find a way to keep her scoring consistently throughout the game.

lol of course Paige fell off the cliff in the next game. Shot 2-7, 11 pts, 6 of them off free throws. Only played 22 mins as the Wings lost by 35. Her moment against the Sparks was about her skill set, but also about the Sparks apparent hatred of any defensive adjustments, plus one of those magical nights, where she could have hit from the parking lot.

The sparks could really use another big game from her today as we really really need them to beat the Valks. Also need the Fever to lose to Minny (likely) and the Mystics to beat the Storm (maybe).
 
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#1,450
#1,450
Sky gave a good effort in trying to get the W on CP3's night but just could not make the plays down the stretch against the red hot Aces.

I had not seen AR play in a while. While her shot remains a work in progress, her passing game has gone way up. She did a solid job in slowing down the Aja Wilson juggernaut.
 
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