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

[GamecockFam]

Another game winner today by the MVP. I'll take her cooling off everyday of the week and twice on Sunday.

I should have waited an hour before I thought about posting that.

She sure had a MVP moment but 7-28 shooting for 20 points isn't up to her standards.

 

[Reypl21]

I'd suggest you watch her play more closely.

Her reputation as a shooter requires the defense to close out on her shot. When teams do that then she is relegated to being a passer. That's all I see from her. She doesn't hit the open 3's that she gets. I've seen her take someone off the dribble one time all season. Her defense is nothing to write about, in fact it's probably a weakness.
Indiana paid her as if she was starting material. And that investment has shown to be bad so far. Her and Hull are competing for that 3 spot. If KLS doesn't hit 3s(which she isn't), then what else does she do? What are you seeing that we aren't seeing?

 

[GirlBoo1020]

I like Angel but the stats are far prettier than the play on the court is. She’s missing so many point blank layups lately and it’s just ugly basketball even if it means a lot of rebounds. 7-28 shooting her last 2 games is atrocious even if she’s dominating the glass.

I mean I disagree in terms of aesthetics. She is very fun to watch, her rebounding in particular. One play I think she got 4 rebounds in a row over A'Ja Wilson and missed three times but got two free throws. That shows up as an 0-3 in the box score but she still walked away with 2 points without losing possession.

She certainly needs to become more efficient but she is a masterclass on rebounding and heart on that court that is just exciting to watch. She has that it factor. At this point I am only watching the Sky to say "how did she manage that??".

And 7-28 is pretty much in line with the "unanimous" MVP in the league had in just this one game so maybe efficiency is overrated?

 

[Dillon77]

It's only halftime, but Odyssey Sims has shot 5-6 from the field and 6-6 from the FT line in helping LA to a 55-45 lead over -- you guessed it --- Dallas.

Sims might've been Dallas most effective guard pre-Olympic break. And did GM Greg Bibb try to free up a roster spot with a trade? Nah.

This has been a cha-cha team for so long (few steps forward, few steps back...some sideways) that at some point Dallas ownership needs to let someone else try a new dance.

 

[azfan]

Minnesota has to be the favorite to win the title, they have an above average coach who has been there.
Good outside shooting, good backcourt play, guards who can defend, and depth.

I'd say the Liberty are the clear favorite but the final series with Minnesota is going to be fantastic

 

[Baller29]

It's only halftime, but Odyssey Sims has shot 5-6 from the field and 6-6 from the FT line in helping LA to a 55-45 lead over -- you guessed it --- Dallas.

Sims might've been Dallas most effective guard pre-Olympic break. And did GM Greg Bibb try to free up a roster spot with a trade? Nah.

This has been a cha-cha team for so long (few steps forward, few steps back...some sideways) that at some point Dallas ownership needs to let someone else try a new dance.

Sims is the real deal. Dallas loss for sure

 

[azfan]

It's only halftime, but Odyssey Sims has shot 5-6 from the field and 6-6 from the FT line in helping LA to a 55-45 lead over -- you guessed it --- Dallas.

Sims might've been Dallas most effective guard pre-Olympic break. And did GM Greg Bibb try to free up a roster spot with a trade? Nah.

This has been a cha-cha team for so long (few steps forward, few steps back...some sideways) that at some point Dallas ownership needs to let someone else try a new dance.

Remember Odyssey is operating against the league's worst defense giving up 90 points per game.

The announcers indicated that Odyssey was released due to League rule, that is there was no discretion on the part of Dallas management to retain her as players returned from injury.

 

[Baller29]

 

[Dillon77]

It's only halftime, but Odyssey Sims has shot 5-6 from the field and 6-6 from the FT line in helping LA to a 55-45 lead over -- you guessed it --- Dallas.

So, Dallas comes back from a 22-pt. deficit that comes down to a missed Steph Talbot FT with 2+ seconds left to win 113-110. Arike O. (33) and N. Howard (30) combine for 63.

Well, three of the four teams playing today may have losing records, but the games came down to the last few ticks in both instances.

 

[WBBTakeover]

That has to rank up there as one of the worst collapses ever for the LA Sparks.

Simply pathetic. Very unserious franchise.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I'd say the Liberty are the clear favorite but the final series with Minnesota is going to be fantastic

Is?

What happens if neither of them make it? This is an Olympic year, so we've seen the favorites fall before the Finals.

 

[The deacon]

Weird competition between Wilson and Reese: who can grab the most rebounds while simultaneously missing the most shots. Wilson 7-27 18 reb, Reese 4-16 22 reb.

Unusually poor shooting night for A'ja; business as usual for Angel.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I mean I disagree in terms of aesthetics. She is very fun to watch, her rebounding in particular. One play I think she got 4 rebounds in a row over A'Ja Wilson and missed three times but got two free throws. That shows up as an 0-3 in the box score but she still walked away with 2 points without losing possession.

How is watching her tap at balls and miss point-blank layups "fun"? She has to be the most frustrating player to watch because she's, right now, the 4th-best player on the team yet she's getting almost all of the positive press. Kamilla, Lindsay, and Chennedy were better than Angel today.

She certainly needs to become more efficient but she is a masterclass on rebounding and heart on that court that is just exciting to watch. She has that it factor. At this point I am only watching the Sky to say "how did she manage that??".

If you're watching the Sky just to see Angel miss point-blank lay-ups, then you're missing a lot. The story of today's game centered around Chennedy, Kamilla (especially her defense on A'ja), and Lindsay (triggered the late come-back almost singlehandedly until Chennedy got back into the game).

And 7-28 is pretty much in line with the "unanimous" MVP in the league had in just this one game so maybe efficiency is overrated?

Considering that last year's regular season MVP shot 7% from the field in a game in 2023 and still walked away with the trophy, then yeah--efficiency can be seen as being overrated by some.

I look at it this way. If you're not your team's primary offensive weapon, then you have no business shooting 25% from the floor unless you're in a major slump. Comparing A'ja being the focal point of every defense in the world (leading to double and triple teams that no other player in the WNBA receives--including the MVP runner-up who plays for the Lynx) to a rookie who can't make a wide-open lay-up is nasty work.

 

[JellyBean]

"MVP" or "MV-Phee" as some posters like to say?

Ahh! So true.

 

[Baller29]

I hope someone gives Sims a legit contract this offseason

 

[WBBTakeover]

40-18 (!!!) Wings in the 4th quarter! 22-point lead BLOWN! Curt Miller has to see a pink slip because...wow.

I'm not the biggest Rickea Jackson fan in the world, but she deserves better than the Sparks, Curt, etc. This is just a mess.

 

[JellyBean]

Angel with three straight 20 rebound games is insanity. Might be one of the greatest rebounders of all time already and she's just a rookie.

Angel reminds me of Moses Malone with her rebounding. Her quick jump. Long arms. Her timing. That desire to outwork people for the rebound. What a legend in the making. Angel is a beast on them boards!

 

[WBBTakeover]

I hope someone gives Sims a legit contract this offseason

With expansion coming, I see that as more than a possibility.

 

[JellyBean]

I hope someone gives Sims a legit contract this offseason

She definitely deserves a contract. A legit contract.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I'm hoping that the Mystics get Paige and become the third team in the "East" to tap into the youth movement. After what I saw today, the Sparks are a no-no.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

Considering that last year's regular season MVP shot 7% from the field in a game in 2023 and still walked away with the trophy, then yeah--efficiency can be seen as being overrated by some.

Sigh. It's impossible to pay a compliment to Angel these days anywhere on the internet without a whole bunch of people jumping up to tell you why you are wrong. Truly exhausting.

I personally find Angels style of play really fun. Watching her fight down low, get crazy rebounds seemingly against all odds. The best play of the game for me was when she got 4 offensive rebounds over Wilson and finally got the foul. Carter as well at times but she's not as consistent at what she does well as Angel imo. No one else on that team really grabs my interest, and some I actively hate watching (Harrison for one).

I thought the wink made it obvious that was a joke, but just to clarify, that was joke.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

Angel reminds me of Moses Malone with her rebounding. Her quick jump. Long arms. Her timing. That desire to outwork people for the rebound. What a legend in the making. Angel is a beast on them boards!

Yea its the desire for me! Just 100% effort 100% of the time. She really captures the spirit of what I love about sports and I wasn't even a fan of her's in college. What she is doing in the W has really won me over.

 

[Baller29]

I'm hoping that the Mystics get Paige and become the third team in the "East" to tap into the youth movement. After what I saw today, the Sparks are a no-no.

Coaching is pretty horrible

 

[WBBTakeover]

Coaching is pretty horrible

That's so true. GM is horrible as well. Makes sense since they're related.

 

[JellyBean]

That Aces/Sky game was exciting! Key plays down the stretch. I am glad that Gustafson got some minutes out there for the Aces. The Sky with Carter/Reese/Cardoso/Onyenwere could be a powerful team if they can keep those four together. Coach Spoon has a nice team for the future. Great game, Aces/Sky!!

 

[Baller29]

That Aces/Sky game was exciting! Key plays down the stretch. I am glad that Gustafson got some minutes out there for the Aces. The Sky with Carter/Reese/Cardoso/Onyenwere could be a powerful team if they can keep those four together. Coach Spoon has a nice team for the future. Great game, Aces/Sky!!

Sky badly need to revamp their bench. I like their core moving forward next year with Cardoso, Reese, Carter as the main core. The rookies should make jumps going into year 2. They need to draft a quality guard this coming draft, hopefully one that can add more perimeter shooting

 

[JellyBean]

I'm hoping that the Mystics get Paige and become the third team in the "East" to tap into the youth movement. After what I saw today, the Sparks are a no-no.

That would be an interesting blend of talent in Washington, if they were to draft Paige. I wonder if the drafting of Paige would spark an interest in Elena Delle Donne to come back for one more run, if they would want her back. The Mystics would have on paper, a pretty impressive roster of talent, provided they can keep everyone.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

That would be an interesting blend of talent in Washington, if they were to draft Paige. I wonder if the drafting of Paige would spark an interest in Elena Delle Donne to come back for one more run, if they would want her back. The Mystics would have on paper, a pretty impressive roster of talent, provided they can keep everyone.

I don't think EDD will ever play for the Mystics again after what they did to her this offseason, blocking her from joining another franchise by coring her against her wishes. I would hate to see Paige go to Dallas or the Mystics to be honest. Dallas is talent waste land. The WNBA would be dumb if they let anyone but LA have the number 1 pick. Having a competitive team in LA with a collection of young stars would be a huge boon for the league imo, though that ownership group is not good. Not sure any of the likely lottery teams have a better ownership group tbh.

 

[Zanzman]

Collier with another monster night. If Vegas keeps faltering she has a real shot at MVP. On paper Minnesota has no business being as good as they’ve been.

Indiana fought hard but their inability to slow down Napheesa and perimeter players cost them. Dantas taking (and missing) a barrage of perimeter shots didn’t help either.

Fagbenle returned tonight and looked solid, though not as impactful as she was earlier in the year. Very few Nalyssa Smith minutes. Clark with her typical great night, too many TOs though (7). Mitchell was fantastic, Hull was once again terrific coming off the benc

I don't think EDD will ever play for the Mystics again after what they did to her this offseason, blocking her from joining another franchise by coring her against her wishes. I would hate to see Paige go to Dallas or the Mystics to be honest. Dallas is talent waste land. The WNBA would be dumb if they let anyone but LA have the number 1 pick. Having a competitive team in LA with a collection of young stars would be a huge boon for the league imo, though that ownership group is not good. Not sure any of the likely lottery teams have a better ownership group tbh.

Sorry I disagree they owned her rights they didnt want to release , she wanted to play with them while younger she collected money while she sat out with injury, whynot stick with a team that stuck with you

 

[JellyBean]

I don't think EDD will ever play for the Mystics again after what they did to her this offseason, blocking her from joining another franchise by coring her against her wishes. I would hate to see Paige go to Dallas or the Mystics to be honest. Dallas is talent waste land. The WNBA would be dumb if they let anyone but LA have the number 1 pick. Having a competitive team in LA with a collection of young stars would be a huge boon for the league imo, though that ownership group is not good. Not sure any of the likely lottery teams have a better ownership group tbh.

Good point. I totally forgot about her getting the Core tag by the Mystics. Hopefully the Wings don't win that #1 pick. I would feel badly for Paige if they draft her. We will see what happens.

I thought Magic Johnson was on that ownership team of the Sparks? As for the most recent mock draft listings, it is between Washington and LA. One week Washington has the #1 pick. The next week LA has the pick. Paige, Rickea, and Cameron. That would be exciting to watch.