Recent content by bbsamjj

It will depend on the team, but for any team, getting the NPOY Strong in foul trouble and being hot from 3 will make the task a lot "easier." The bigger unknown is how does UConn respond if it gets down to the wire and the game is close? They have not had a meaningfully close game since Nov. 21...

I would also rank UConn #1, but I don't get why everyone hates on Close. Yes, UCLA looked BAD in last year's final four, but UConn also dominated SC in the title game (yes, not as bad, but no one was beating UConn last year). UCLA also beat UConn pretty handedly the previous year in the Cayman...

The fact that UCLA has beaten two top 15 teams without Gardiner and the younger Betts shows how deep and good they are and will be. It's going to be hard to rattle them I'd think, starting 5 seniors, including three (Betts/Rice/Jaquez) who have played together for three years. Kneepkens seems...

Last night, the Mercury ourscored the Lynx 21-9 in the 4th quarter. Collier got just one FG attempt. In game 2, between Q4 and OT, the Mercury outscored the Lynx 35-21. Collier was just 2-6 in the 4th Q and OT combined. Hopefully Napheesa is good to go for game 4; and if so, the Lynx need to...

I dont' have any dog in this fight, but Brondello's last two coaching jobs she has been in a "WIN NOW" position that yes, she had a lot of talent to work with, but also a lot of pressure. I wonder if the appeal of an underdog situation would appeal to her at this time as a change of pace. She...

The playoffs are kind of the first time you are starting to see the Big 3 for Phoenix all click together. Last night was their best collective showing--scored 65 of the team's 84 points while shooting 23/43 from the field (and 16/18 from the FT line). Vets like Bonner and Whitcomb are going to...

Hillmon as 6th woman of the year is a bit of a cheat, since she was a full time starter by the end of the year, but I'm not mad at it! I'd think it's a pretty safe bet the 5 MVP finalists are your WNBA all first team too, and I don't think you'll get a lot of complaints there. Second team will...

Attendance stats are skewed by the fact that several teams play in very small arenas. Atlanta's arena only fits 3,500 for basketball Washington's arena only fits 4,200 Dallas's arena only fits around 7,000. Mohegan Sun is 8,500 Chicago Sky is around 10,000 These teams do play in bigger...

Wow, every deciding game of the first round of the playoffs was a nail biter. You certainly saw the parity in the league this year. Really great series. RE: NY--they just never seemed to "have it" this year. Kind of similar to how Vegas backslid after their 2023 title--just never looked like...

The way the Mystics have been playing this year has been inspiring; but you have to think that their management probably prefers to just miss the playoffs as opposed to getting a #8 seed. Assuming that everyone who misses the playoffs gets into the draft lottery, you give yourself an option to...

Meanwhile...LA Sparks have won 7 of 8, and 8 of their last 10. And are now tied in the standings with Golden State for the last playoff spot. And guess what? Their next game is against each other this Saturday, though with 15 games to go, anything can happen. Seems like it took LA a minute to...

I bet it's more of DC deciding to go all in on their future. With all vets being free agents next year, there was no guarantee they would keep Sykes, so they lose her in advance (and likely giving up on a playoff run) while getting a first round pick in return, fully embracing the youth rebuild...

Agree, though I think it's a combo of player "fit" and players simply getting better after several years in the WNBA. Aari definitely seems to be thriving in Indiana, but she's had an upward trajectory in FG% and APG her 5 years in the league. Another great example is Naz Hillmon, who has made...

If Arike does decide to leave Dallas, I could see Chicago being a good fit. She'd be an upgrade over Banham/Nurse, and their two post offense is closer to what Dallas had with McCowan/Sabally back when they were a top 4 team. She's also from Milwaukee, so would be a "homecoming" of sorts. If...

I am a huge Kelsey Mitchell fan, and agree that along with McBride she's probably the purest shooting guard in the league. If you need someone to get you a bucket, she might be at the top of my list in the league this year (maybe after Collier). My hangup with Kelsey is scoring is about all...