WNBA discussion thread?

[1reVOLver]

I am an unabashed José Fernández fan. He has Ogunbowale learning to be a team player rather than a ball hog, and is bringing Fudd along step by little step.

 

[madtownvol]

I am an unabashed José Fernández fan. He has Ogunbowale learning to be a team player rather than a ball hog, and is bringing Fudd along step by little step.

View attachment 833847

I have watched two Wings games these season and for sure Ogunmbowale is playing more in the offensive flow, rather than just looking for her shot. It is a rather striking change.

 

[1reVOLver]

I have watched two Wings games these season and for sure Ogunmbowale is playing more in the offensive flow, rather than just looking for her shot. It is a rather striking change.

When she finally internalizes (with José's foot at her rump) the idea of passing to a teammate with a better shot opportunity, Dallas will have a formidable backcourt.

Interesting sidenote- in recent years, going back to the Old Big East and onwards, Notre Dame and Ct. have had a continuous and bitter rivalry. Muffet v. Geno, and many players duking it out. Now, Jess Sheapherd and Arike are close collaborators with Bueckers and Fudd. The kids grow up while the fans clutch their petty hatreds close.

 

[YankeeVol]

 

[stllvf]

Playing quality pool with the backboard. We boarders comment regularly on our favorite LVs who can make layups. the ability of professionals' use of the backboard angles to make layups. Obviously multiple years of practice and NEVER will be a stationary charge by a playor or called by a referee allows freedom, but superior knowledge of carooms.

 

[madtownvol]

Those stats indicate that Angel understands her role. 88% of her shots are near the rim because her role is to play in the paint and grab offensive rebounds. She should not be taking a lot of shots from outside. Her 47% from inside 5 ft. is not that bad because that area is crowded with bigger than her players and there is a lot of grappling that goes on there.

 

[LV renaissance]

My top 4 sport teams in terms of intensity of fandom did the following this past season: 1. LADY VOLS -you know the disaster. 2. LSU football - was in the top 5 and completely feel apart, fired their a--hole coach, lost most of their team, and hired the biggest a--hole coach in Kiffin. 3. LSU baseball - reigning champs and was #1 for first few weeks of season and then completely and inexplicably fell apart (was swept by 4 of the last 5 series with SEC opponent) and now won't even make the NCAAs. 4. LSU MBB - they didn't have a fall from the top, but looked better this year until lost best two players to injury and won only 2 or 3 SEC games, fired their coach, lost every player off the team like the LVs, and hired the biggest--hole coach this side of Kiffin in Will Wade who already ruined the program a few year ago.

Yes, this all is connected to the WNBA! I typically only watch a bit of it though somewhat more last year. This year, I so desperately need an enjoyable sports season that I got the WNBA pass so I can pick a couple of teams with talent and good team chemistry so maybe I can cheer for a team that doesn't crash and burn. I really enjoyed the games this past weekend, sampling several games. I know this is a generally disliked team but go Liberty . I like the Storm too, but they don't meet my above criteria. If the Liberty crash and burn this season, I will start cheering for UCONN!

I know at some level this is just magical thinking, but really! Ever since I posted this the Liberty have been playing atrocious and are considered the most disappointing team so far in the young season.

 

[Kenja]

The old commercial "Tradition never graduates" is all over some of the sour grapes comments about players that are 7-8 years removed from college.

Someone get a doll and have some of you point to where Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Arike, Van Lith and Flau hurt you.

 

[LV renaissance]

Guess who is leading the WNBA in rebounds, assists: turnover ratio among starters at an astounding 4.7 rate, top 5 in total assists, and shoots 57%? Try not to look at the hints below, as it might be fun to see who might guess this correctly.

Hints:
1. She is in her late 20s and has never been an all-star in the WNBA.
2. She had a triple double both this year and last.
3. Sceasij Predash (scrambled name )

 

[knoxvol52]

Guess who is leading the WNBA in rebounds, assists: turnover ratio among starters at an astounding 4.7 rate, top 5 in total assists, and shoots 57%? Try not to look at the hints below, as it might be fun to see who might guess this correctly.

Hints:
1. She is in her late 20s and has never been an all-star in the WNBA.
2. She had a triple double both this year and last.
3. Sceasij Predash (scrambled name )

Jessica Shepherd.... she and Fudd was the reason the Wings clipped the Aces last night.

 

[RetroVol]

I had hoped the watching the Fever would be a good way to pass the time waiting to see what happens with the Lady Vols next season. Instead, it's turning into way too much of the same. A coach committed to a system rather than to her players... Deep analysis of body language and interactions during games... Subbing out [some] starters early in the first quarter, even when they are hot (obvious difference to the LVs: this isn't a standard part of the Stephanie White's approach to basketball)... A defense that is giving up layups and racking up fouls on the team's best players... "Lost the locker room"... There was even last season's highly touted roster that blew apart mid-season, some from injury, some from quit.

Geez, Louise. What a mess.

 

[madtownvol]

I had hoped the watching the Fever would be a good way to pass the time waiting to see what happens with the Lady Vols next season. Instead, it's turning into way too much of the same. A coach committed to a system rather than to her players... Deep analysis of body language and interactions during games... Subbing out [some] starters early in the first quarter, even when they are hot (obvious difference to the LVs: this isn't a standard part of the Stephanie White's approach to basketball... A defense that is giving up layups and racking up fouls on the team's best players... "Lost the locker room"... There was even last season's highly touted roster that blew apart mid-season, some from injury, some from quit.

Geez, Louise. What a mess.

Yes, this situation is creating a lot of rage-bait on social media. Depending on your stance on CC, Stephanie White is on a personal mission to sabotage CC or CC is an uncoachable locker room cancer (again echoing the LV narrative).

But, so far CC has had a very up and down season, probably with more downs as she is getting exposed badly on defense. Other coaches might provide more double teaming and trapping help for CC to minimize her liabilities, much like teams on the men's side do for Luca Doncic and Steph Curry.

What is interesting is the rapid ascent of Raven Johnson who clearly is a better PG fit for how White wants her team to play. It will be interesting to see how this situation evolves over the course of the season.

 

[RetroVol]

But, so far CC has had a very up and down season, probably with more downs as she is getting exposed badly on defense.

I've seen defensive statistics that show she is not nearly as bad as she as the ". Caitlin can't play defense" narrative suggests. Not even the worst defensive player on the Fever.

What is interesting is the rapid ascent of Raven Johnson who clearly is a better PG fit for how White wants to play.

Yup. Weird. Spectacular talent, and the focus is on turning her into just another guard. Would love to see her with a coach that wanted to maximize her strengths. She's fun to watch. Love the court vision and passing, especially how she so often gets the ball to the open player in the perfect spot to catch and shoot.

Can't say I'm going to have much energy for watching Stephanie White try to move Raven into the starting PG role.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Yes, this situation is creating a lot of rage-bait on social media. Depending on your stance on CC, Stephanie White is on a personal mission to sabotage CC or CC is an uncoachable locker room cancer (again echoing the LV narrative).

But, so far CC has had a very up and down season, probably with more downs as she is getting exposed badly on defense. Other coaches might provide more double teaming and trapping help for CC to minimize her liabilities, much like teams on the men's side do for Luca Doncic and Steph Curry.

What is interesting is the rapid ascent of Raven Johnson who clearly is a better PG fit for how White wants to play. It will be interesting to see how this situation evolves over the course of the season.

Apparently White doesn’t see moving Clark to the two as an option.

 

[chuckiepoo]

I've seen defensive statistics that show she is not nearly as bad as she as the ". Caitlin can't play defense" narrative suggests. Not even the worst defensive player on the Fever.



Yup. Weird. Spectacular talent, and the focus is on turning her into just another guard. Would love to see her with a coach that wanted to maximize her strengths. She's fun to watch. Love the court vision and passing, especially how she so often gets the ball to the open player in the perfect spot to catch and shoot.

Can't say I'm going to have much energy for watching Stephanie White try to move Raven into the starting PG role.

CF implosion incoming…

 

[RetroVol]

Apparently White doesn’t see moving Clark to the two as an option.

Does Clark see herself as a two? She calls herself a PG and is confident of her skills in pushing pace and transition.

 

[madtownvol]

I've seen defensive statistics that show she is not nearly as bad as she as the ". Caitlin can't play defense" narrative suggests. Not even the worst defensive player on the Fever.



Yup. Weird. Spectacular talent, and the focus is on turning her into just another guard. Would love to see her with a coach that wanted to maximize her strengths. She's fun to watch. Love the court vision and passing, especially how she so often gets the ball to the open player in the perfect spot to catch and shoot.

Can't say I'm going to have much energy for watching Stephanie White try to move Raven into the starting PG role.

Gemini concludes that the eye test is pretty accurate in this case:

Caitlin Clark has significant defensive limitations—particularly in 1v1 matchups and screen navigation—often getting beaten off the dribble by quick guards. However, she compensates with high basketball IQ, solid off-ball anticipation, and excellent defensive rebounding for her position. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Key Strengths

• Defensive Rebounding: She uses her size and positioning well to grab boards and push the fast break.
• Anticipation & Steals: She reads passing lanes well, which allows her to generate steals. [1, 2, 3]

Main Weaknesses

• 1v1 Isolation: She struggles to keep quick, athletic guards in front of her, often getting blown by on drives.
• Screen Navigation: She has trouble fighting through screens, which leaves her team vulnerable to pick-and-rolls.
• Consistency: Her defensive effort and focus can fluctuate, and she occasionally gets targeted by opposing offenses when she has an off night. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

While she ranks on the lower end of some advanced metrics like defensive win shares, her offensive production generally outweighs these defensive shortcomings, though the Fever occasionally scheme around her to hide her 1v1 weaknesses. [1, 2, 3]

All in all, it is not a shock that CC is not a great one-on-one defender.

Caitlin is fast going north south but her lateral quickness is average at best so she struggles to keep quick guards in front of her.

But it is not like she is the first offensive oriented player to be suspect on defense. Opposing teams still attack Steph Curry though he improved his defensive game over the years.

Coaches can find ways to reduce the vulnerability but it does seem that CC does not put full effort in on the defensive side. Again, she is not the first offensive star to have that problem. Rickea had the same issues as a rookie.

The temper tantrums that CC has thrown when confronted about her lack of effort by the coaching staff are what is making this situation stand out as some kind of crisis point conflict.

 

[RetroVol]

Gemini concludes that the eye test is pretty accurate in this case:





All in all, it is not a shock that CC is not a great one-on-one defender.

Caitlin is fast going north south but her lateral quickness is average at best so she struggles to keep quick guards in front of her.

But it is not like she is the first offensive oriented player to be suspect on defense. Opposing teams still attack Steph Curry though he improved his defensive game over the years.

Coaches can find ways to reduce the vulnerability but it does seem that CC does not put full effort in on the defensive side. Again, she is not the first offensive star to have that problem. Rickea had the same issues as a rookie.

The temper tantrums that CC has thrown when confronted about her lack of effort by the coaching staff are what is making this situation stand out as some kind of crisis point conflict.

So, not a great defender, but also not the liability some are claiming.

I think this gets back to which path one sees as most fruitful for maximizing results. Leaning into strengths and putting safety rails around weaknesses, or fixing weaknesses. I've been sold on the maximize strengths view for decades, so I would prefer to see Caitlin with a team and coach that wanted her to do what she does best rather than something else.

That said, Caitlin's comments about Steph and vice versa portray a warm, respectful relationship of two competitive individuals who both have a stubborn streak.

 

[RetroVol]

Also funny to see Gemini citing social media opinions to support it's opinion! Feels right at home!

 

[madtownvol]

Also funny to see Gemini citing social media opinions to support its opinion! Feels right at home!

Careful, Gemini does not take criticism well!

 

[lvocd]

Just saw a comment on social media in which the CC haters were called “Haitlins.” Clever. I love it!

 

[madtownvol]

Watched storm v wings. Not much of a game.
Jordan played excellent defense and really contained Beuckers. However , her offensive game remains nonexistent. Shooting is typically the last aspect to regain after an ACL but she will need to start scoring to stay in the rotation (Seattle is injury depleted at the moment).