Heartbreaking Loss for the Sun

[psconn]

Kelly played as good a game as she is capable of... a 12th player being forced to start. It was classic Kelly... all guts, grit and effort against superior size and talent (usually Curry or Bonner).

Jazz was punching above her weight also... 21 points and only 1 turnover... she may never be an all-star but she has a huge heart.

Camille worked extremely hard for her 16 points and 5 assists. Leader by example.

But 2 starters including the top scorer and all-star were watching from the bench along with last years #1 pick and ROY, and this years #1 pick and key bench player were in street clothes on the bench. Sun lose on a buzzer beater. There were a couple missed free throws down the stretch that kept the Merc hopes alive and the Sun paid for those. Absolutely sick.

If there were any justice in the world (and its pretty clear there isn't) the Sun would win the draft lottery and follow that with a healthy season. I just want a chance to see what these guys can do absent the absurd number of injuries.

From DiMauro:
http://www.theday.com/sports-columns/20150827/suns-donovan-deserves-to-be-able-to-see-this-through

 

[Kaizen]

Guess SUN is trying to get Stewie as much as possible .....

 

[DaddyChoc]

damn it...

 

[Beemer]

Guess SUN is trying to get Stewie as much as possible .....

Not at all. If they were they wouldn't fight as hard they do every single game.

 

[Beemer]

damn it...

Yeah Mitchell's 3 at the buzzer was a killer

 

[xHunt3r]

Hold on.. if Kelly was just a "12th player" she would not of started and played 29 minutes when there were 4 other players on the bench that could play...

 

[MattF]

Hold on.. if Kelly was just a "12th player" she would not of started and played 29 minutes when there were 4 other players on the bench that could play...

totally agree with this.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Yeah Mitchell's 3 at the buzzer was a killer

Coming that close to losing is a buzz killer for this Merc fan.

While I don't watch games on the net and not all that many games are televised, the best I can say about the Mercury is that they seem to have some really good games and sometimes lay some eggs. This may be a by-product of not having a "go-to" rescuer named DT around this year.

 

[psconn]

Technically she was never the 12th player because Cheney's situation left only 11 active spots once the season started, but Kelly was undeniably on the bubble in camp. The KT announcement, then a bit later Hightower and Griffin's exit kept Kelly on the roster. The injury situation saved her roster spot. At the start of the season, she was probably 10th ahead of Chiney (not playing) and Inga Orekhova, the S. Fla. sharpshooter who couldn't hit the broadside of a barn in the W and didn't play much D either. Now Alyssa and Alex are out. But apart from the injuries, Kelly has gained PT for doing all the things we know Kelly does, and Coach D has come to value (as she did in Kelsey Griffin). I'm taking nothing away from Kelly, but she is definitely not starting WNBA guard caliber and the Sun have been forced by circumstances to put her in that role. She starts ahead of Stricklen, a 6'2" G-F and Gray, a pure point guard, both are streaky and not great on D. Donovan knows what Kelly brings on D and has stated how she values those attributes. So despite her usually weak offense, (99th in the league compared to Strick at 39th and Gray at 61st... even just looking at the last 10 games she is <3ppg and well behind the other two) Kelly is starting.

I'm not sure of everyone's contract situation but looking ahead to next year, Kelly will likely slide back down (and maybe off) the depth chart... one big difference is she has now gotten a chance to show what she has to offer in a variety of situations over extended minutes, another thing she can "thank" the injuries for. It will be interesting to see how she does overseas after this experience.

As always, there will be some tough decisions to make for the Coach and GM next year... can't wish anything but the best for Kelly, she is a true role model for sports work ethic.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Technically she was never the 12th player because Cheney's situation left only 11 active spots once the season started, but Kelly was undeniably on the bubble in camp. The KT announcement, then a bit later Hightower and Griffin's exit kept Kelly on the roster. The injury situation saved her roster spot. At the start of the season, she was probably 10th ahead of Chiney (not playing) and Inga Orekhova, the S. Fla. sharpshooter who couldn't hit the broadside of a barn in the W and didn't play much D either. Now Alyssa and Alex are out. But apart from the injuries, Kelly has gained PT for doing all the things we know Kelly does, and Coach D has come to value (as she did in Kelsey Griffin). I'm taking nothing away from Kelly, but she is definitely not starting WNBA guard caliber and the Sun have been forced by circumstances to put her in that role. She starts ahead of Stricklen, a 6'2" G-F and Gray, a pure point guard, both are streaky and not great on D. Donovan knows what Kelly brings on D and has stated how she values those attributes. So despite her usually weak offense, (99th in the league compared to Strick at 39th and Gray at 61st... even just looking at the last 10 games she is <3ppg and well behind the other two) Kelly is starting.

I'm not sure of everyone's contract situation but looking ahead to next year, Kelly will likely slide back down (and maybe off) the depth chart... one big difference is she has now gotten a chance to show what she has to offer in a variety of situations over extended minutes, another thing she can "thank" the injuries for. It will be interesting to see how she does overseas after this experience.

As always, there will be some tough decisions to make for the Coach and GM next year... can't wish anything but the best for Kelly, she is a true role model for sports work ethic.

Anne is this you... and are you currently licking the envelope on Kelly's termination papers?

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Even my great buddy, Anne Donovan with all the injuries, when she looks down the bench knows which player will give her 40 minutes of 150% hustle, right or wrong, Kelly brings "IT" every second of every game! No one can deny that! She may not have much of a shot, and she may over-hustle into a turnover or foul but she is somehow involved in every play in some way!