2024 WNBA Season: Part 2 (August ---) | Page 9 | The Boneyard

2024 WNBA Season: Part 2 (August ---)

Status
Not open for further replies.
What was I saying about Atlanta catching Chicago? If the Dream beat the Merc and the Sky lose to the Sun tomorrow, they will be tied. Both things seems quite within the realm of likely outcomes.
 
Two starters down, the Liberty managed to overcome the Dallas Wings at home 79-71. a team they beat by 20 two days ago, with Sabrina playing. Although their defense has gotten better, maybe the coach has gotten the bench to play better as well. Maybe, just maybe, they are rounding out on both sides of the ball and their bench is playing more confidently. If so, the title drought may be in jeopardy.
 
BlueSkyGLW said:
Two starters down, the Liberty managed to overcome the Dallas Wings at home 79-71. a team they beat by 20 two days ago, with Sabrina playing. Although their defense has gotten better, maybe the coach has gotten the bench to play better as well. Maybe, just maybe, they are rounding out on both sides of the ball and their bench is playing more confidently. If so, the title drought may be in jeopardy.
Expand ...
Sabrina didn't play two days ago either. Both games against Dallas were without Sabrina.
 
Dillon77 said:
My jaw keeps dropping watching this game. This is ugly, ugly, ugly.
  • Like you said, the Liberty are shooting horribly, but they're grabbing offensive rebounds as if Dallas is playing a JV team. The Liberty have 16 or 17 offensive rebounds and have taken 10 more shots than Dallas, according to the broadcast team. Can Dallas put a body on someone? Or hustle on 50-50's.
  • I feel there have been some really sketchy foul calls against Dallas. Jonquel Jones just -- IMO -- ran over Natasha Howard and got an "and one" call. Howard is a good defensive player and can't buy a whistle.
  • Fiebich was player of the game for me....
Expand ...
Really a weird game.....and Dallas front court is not small (McCowan, Sabally, Brown) but the Libs wanted it more.....maybe it is the hopelessness of their season. Well, the Libs breathed a sigh of relief, I guess.

I agree about Fiebich. I noticed in the prior game when she took Betnijah's place the kind of player she is: shoots well, passes well and, although not a great on-ball defender, she is fairly good position defender.
 
GirlBoo1020 said:
Sabrina didn't play two days ago either. Both games against Dallas were without Sabrina.
Expand ...
Oh, I thought she did but then I didn't watch that game.....busy with something else. Should we give credit to Dallas, then for making this a competitive game? Or, should we say the Libs managed to overcome their own incompetence on offense with excellent board work.
 
www.indystar.com

Lin Dunn had 3-year plan to fix Fever. Her faith in a first-time head coach is paying off.

Fever GM Lin Dunn is confident in coach Christie Sides, who is in the middle of her second season, leading Indiana back to WNBA playoffs.
www.indystar.com www.indystar.com

Interesting article about Coach Sides by the Indy Star. Considering where they were in 2022, she didn't have much to work with. The 2023 season saw improvement even though it was minor. Now, per ESPN they have a 94% shot of making the play-offs. Lexie Hull is even quoted in the article that there's a feeling of hope within the team which wasn't the case in previous years.

So here's the question, what do most think of her performance at this point compared to the beginning of the season? I recall there were those who didn't think she was up to the job and that Indy should move on. Is that still the case now or does she deserve credit for the team's performance and should remain the coach?
 
.-.
cancontent said:
www.indystar.com

Lin Dunn had 3-year plan to fix Fever. Her faith in a first-time head coach is paying off.

Fever GM Lin Dunn is confident in coach Christie Sides, who is in the middle of her second season, leading Indiana back to WNBA playoffs.
www.indystar.com www.indystar.com

Interesting article about Coach Sides by the Indy Star. Considering where they were in 2022, she didn't have much to work with. The 2023 season saw improvement even though it was minor. Now, per ESPN they have a 94% shot of making the play-offs. Lexie Hull is even quoted in the article that there's a feeling of hope within the team which wasn't the case in previous years.

So here's the question, what do most think of her performance at this point compared to the beginning of the season? I recall there were those who didn't think she was up to the job and that Indy should move on. Is that still the case now or does she deserve credit for the team's performance and should remain the coach?
Expand ...
I was one of a few people who voiced support for Coach Side at the start of the season when many were saying that she was in over her head coaching. Coach Side is in her 2nd year coaching and it takes a minute to build a winning team and with the Fever, they have been struggling for a while with some decent coaches (Marianne Stanley) and things just never took off. Hopefully Linn Dunn let's Side coach and continue to build Indiana into a powerhouse. They are close.
 
JellyBean said:
I was one of a few people who voiced support for Coach Side at the start of the season when many were saying that she was in over her head coaching. Coach Side is in her 2nd year coaching and it takes a minute to build a winning team and with the Fever, they have been struggling for a while with some decent coaches (Marianne Stanley) and things just never took off. Hopefully Linn Dunn let's Side coach and continue to build Indiana into a powerhouse. They are close.
Expand ...
I think so as well, especially considering how long the team has been struggling to find the right coach. The start of their season didn't do them any favours either.
 
cancontent said:
I think so as well, especially considering how long the team has been struggling to find the right coach. The start of their season didn't do them any favours either.
Expand ...
What I'm most interested in is what GM Lin Dunn does in the .5 of the third year she references. In short, what offseason moves will she make?

Kelsey Mitchell is an unrestricted free agent (if memory holds) and she's having a second straight solid season, shooting 45% from the field (39% from three), while tag-team leading the team in scoring with Clark (17.7 ppg to CC's 17.8).

As I've posted, they'd also be smart of whittle down the logjam at small forward (Hull and KLS appear to be in play now, with Wallace sitting, but you never know). And are they happy with the Boston-Smith combination or do they want to find a different power forward for Boston to play off of.
 
Dillon77 said:
What I'm most interested in is what GM Lin Dunn does in the .5 of the third year she references. In short, what offseason moves will she make?

Kelsey Mitchell is an unrestricted free agent (if memory holds) and she's having a second straight solid season, shooting 45% from the field (39% from three), while tag-team leading the team in scoring with Clark (17.7 ppg to CC's 17.8).

As I've posted, they'd also be smart of whittle down the logjam at small forward (Hull and KLS appear to be in play now, with Wallace sitting, but you never know). And are they happy with the Boston-Smith combination or do they want to find a different power forward for Boston to play off of.
Expand ...
Yes, their off-season moves are going to be something to watch closely. Personally, I think Dunn is the one we should be focusing on because her decisions will impact what Sides is able to do next season. Will be interesting to see what happens in 2025.
 
cancontent said:
Yes, their off-season moves are going to be something to watch closely. Personally, I think Dunn is the one we should be focusing on because her decisions will impact what Sides is able to do next season. Will be interesting to see what happens in 2025.
Expand ...
Absolutely. As previous posters have observed the current roster construction and allocation of salary budget limits the ceiling for the club.

As a husky fan I'm very grateful that Lou has a roster spot but it's a head scratcher that she starts and she's indeed fortunate. The key is what to do with Smith particularly as the club has improved so dramatically and Boston certainly would benefit from a more traditional paint partner.

Wheeler, Wallace, Smith, Berger.....hum.

Dantas and Fagbenle turn 32 in the offseason.

Lots of opportunity to make changes. I often hear on the boneyard about the limited number of slots in the w and the huge number of talented players who don't get a shot. It seems to me some of those players could and should get a shot in Indiana.
 
JellyBean said:
I was one of a few people who voiced support for Coach Side at the start of the season when many were saying that she was in over her head coaching. Coach Side is in her 2nd year coaching and it takes a minute to build a winning team and with the Fever, they have been struggling for a while with some decent coaches (Marianne Stanley) and things just never took off. Hopefully Linn Dunn let's Side coach and continue to build Indiana into a powerhouse. They are close.
Expand ...
I will say she finally has gotten Mitchell to become a very good team player. She has finally with Clark, and Boston, let the game come to her, rather then try to do it all.
They will be a dangerous team in the first round of the playoffs.
 
.-.
I thought some of her coaching and decision making was atrocious starting the year but they’ve really turned it around, so I’ll give her props. Team chemistry looks much stronger, Clark’s decision making and shot selection have improved which Sides deserves some credit for. Is she the coach to lead them back to the finals? I’m not sure, but I think they’d be foolish to let her go at this juncture.
 
azfan said:
Absolutely. As previous posters have observed the current roster construction and allocation of salary budget limits the ceiling for the club.

As a husky fan I'm very grateful that Lou has a roster spot but it's a head scratcher that she starts and she's indeed fortunate. The key is what to do with Smith particularly as the club has improved so dramatically and Boston certainly would benefit from a more traditional paint partner.

Wheeler, Wallace, Smith, Berger.....hum.

Dantas and Fagbenle turn 32 in the offseason.

Lots of opportunity to make changes. I often hear on the boneyard about the limited number of slots in the w and the huge number of talented players who don't get a shot. It seems to me some of those players could and should get a shot in Indiana.
Expand ...
baggerbob said:
I will say she finally has gotten Mitchell to become a very good team player. She has finally with Clark, and Boston, let the game come to her, rather then try to do it all.
They will be a dangerous team in the first round of the playoffs.
Expand ...
bballnut90 said:
I thought some of her coaching and decision making was atrocious starting the year but they’ve really turned it around, so I’ll give her props. Team chemistry looks much stronger, Clark’s decision making and shot selection have improved which Sides deserves some credit for. Is she the coach to lead them back to the finals? I’m not sure, but I think they’d be foolish to let her go at this juncture.
Expand ...

Appreciate the feedback from all of you. The team's development since the start of the season has shown several flashes of potential and thought Sides' influence had impact. It's a great story for Indiana from several different angles.
 
So, what will Indiana Fever GM Lin Dunn be working with this postseason?
I went over to Spotrac for a review at salaries of several of the players and this is what I found.
Based on that, I made added some thoughts (or "druthers" as I call them). Do you have any?

Contracts Done After 2024; Free Agents in 2025
  • Kelsey Mitchell (making $212,000 this year)
  • Erica Wheeler (making $202,154 this year)
  • Temi Fagbenle (RFA in 2025; making $76,525 this year)
Druthers:
  • Mitchell and Clark are getting stronger as a backcourt pair. Cheat on Clark, Mitchell makes you pay. Keep her at all costs.
  • Wheeler came from Atlanta but isn't on court to justify huge contract. Use money on other needs (forward!)
  • Dunn should count lucky starts she's now free of Wheeler's salary (which she gave).
  • Fagbenle is 32 and after a good start, was injured, plus Dantas is under contract through 2025.

On Contract Through 2025 Season

Club exercised 4th year option on:
  • Lexie Hull (makes $88,201 this year)
  • Kristy Wallace (makes $80, 823 this year)
  • Nalyssa Smith (makes $91,981 this year)
And these run until end of '25:
  • Katie Lou Samuelson (will make $180,250)
  • Damaris Dantis (will make $100,00 this year)
Druthers:
  • So the logjam at small forward will not have any subtractions from Hull, KLS or Wallace. Could one be traded?
  • If Dantis can stay healthy, she could provide depth up front.
  • There are a lot of Free Agents in the frontcourt which run the gambit in salaries Nneka O. and Satou Sabally on one tier to Myisha Hines-Allen and Jessica Shepard at others. Will be interesting to see what Wheeler's salary turns into.
 
Last edited:
Dillon77 said:
So, what will Lin Dunn be working with postseason. I went over to Spotrac for a gander at salaries of several of the players and this is what I found:

Contracts Done After 2024; Free Agents in 2025

  • Kelsey Mitchell (making $212,000 this year)
  • Erica Wheeler (making $202,154 this year)
  • Temi Fagbenle (RFA in 2025; making $76,525 this year)

Druthers:
  • Mitchell and Clark are getting stronger as a backcourt pair. Cheat on Clark, Mitchell makes you pay.
  • Dunn should count lucky starts she's now free of Wheeler's salary (which she gave).
  • Fagbenle is 32 and after a good start, was injured, plus Dantas is under contract through 2025.

On Contract Through 2025 Season

Club exercised 4th year option on:
  • Lexie Hull (makes $88,201 this year)
  • Kristy Wallace (makes $80, 823 this year)
  • Nalyssa Smith (makes $91,981 this year)

And these run until end of '25:
  • Katie Lou Samuelson (will make $180,250)
  • Damaris Dantis (will make $100,00 this year)

Druthers:
  • So the logjam at small forward will not have any subtractions from Hull, KLS or Wallace. Could one be traded?
  • If Dantis can stay healthy, she could provide depth up front.
  • There are a lot of Free Agents in the frontcourt which run the gambit in salaries Nneka O. and Satou Sabally on one tier to Myisha Hines-Allen and Jessica Shepard at others. Will be interesting to see what Wheeler's salary turns into.
Expand ...
IMO they should:
1. Throw everything at Mitchell to convince her to stay. She’s a great compliment to Clark and they’re quickly emerging as one of the best backcourts in the league.
2. Off load Smith who hasn’t seemed happy in Indy. Trade for picks most likely.
3. Don’t resign Wheeler (love her attitude but she’s easily the most overpaid player in the league)
4. Part ways with Wallace. Keep KLS and Hull. Likely part ways with KLS after 2025.
5. Match any offer for Fagbenle, she was such a great fit prior to injury.
6. Focus on signing a top quality SF or PF player with Wheeler’s money. Nneka, Natasha Howard, and Satou are all available.
 
Last edited:
.-.
visitingcock said:
So, it’s not just the Clarkistas now:

www.sportingnews.com

Caitlin Clark stats prove she's played like the WNBA MVP with rest — and a struggling rookie without it | Sporting News

Caitlin Clark has looked like a different player when she hasn't faced the grind of compacted games.
www.sportingnews.com www.sportingnews.com
Expand ...
Interesting read. For a few years Candace Parker often struggled playing games with just 1 day rest in between playoff games but usually flourished when she got 2+ days of rest. I'd be interested to see what the numbers look like for other players aside from Clark, but love her or hate her, it's hard to deny that she's quickly establishing herself as one of the best players in the world in her first season.
 
The only first round playoff game of note will be Seattle versus the Aces which should be really interesting and an exciting series.

New York and the two and three seeds shouldn't have any problem with the bottom of the league.

The lack of excitement for these games is reflected in our discussion about the anticipated offseason moves by the Fever. One also wonders about changes in Chicago or do they have patience. And the deepest mystery of all will the million dollar coach in the valley of the Sun be extended so they can get him to 2 million a year.
 
bballnut90 said:
IMO they should:
1. Throw everything at Mitchell to convince her to stay. She’s a great compliment to Clark and they’re quickly emerging as one of the best backcourts in the league.
2. Off load Smith who hasn’t seemed happy in Indy. Trade for picks most likely.
3. Don’t resign Wheeler (love her attitude but she’s easily the most overpaid player in the league)
4. Part ways with Wallace. Keep KLS and Hull. Likely part ways with KLS in 2025.
5. Match any offer for Fagbenle, she was such a great fit prior to injury.
6. Focus on signing a top quality SF or PF player with Wheeler’s money. Nneka, Natasha Howard, and Satou are all available.
Expand ...
Agree... Her agent deserves a medal.

Is KLS the second most overpaid player in the league? Her agent also deserves props although he had the name and pedigree to work with.
 
.-.
azfan said:
Agree... Her agent deserves a medal.

Is KLS the second most overpaid player in the league? Her agent also deserves props although he had the name and pedigree to work with.
Expand ...
It’s her, or DT (235k/year) or Mercedes Russell (160k/year). KLS is locked in for another year, the other two are UFA next season.
 
Revenge game for Mabrey? Dropped 24 on Chicago. Sun only won by 2 though.

I'm sorry...I really don't care how many rebounds Reese grabs if she keeps shooting in the 25-30% range from point blank range. She had one efficient game since the break so I gave her props, but she was back to 3-12 tonight. 20 boards is a lot, but if you can't put the ball in the bucket, who cares?

Dream lost to the Merc so Sky hold a 1 game lead still, but that isn't going to last long.
 
Aces are so weird this year. Started 6-6 without Gray. Seemed to right the ship when she returned by winning 10 of 11, but then had a slip up against the Sky right before the break. Now 1-3 since play has resumed, so they've lost 4 of 5 and look completely mediocre. With Gray.
 
.-.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Forum statistics

Threads
168,195
Messages
4,556,370
Members
10,442
Latest member
Virginiafan


Top Bottom