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

[nwhoopfan]

I still see a whole lot of "You got 5 shots. My turn to jack up 5 shots"

Plum didn't participate in that this game. Didn't take her first shot til about midway thru Q2. She did have a stretch where she scored 9 points in less than 3 minutes right before halftime (shooting 4-5), but it was a key time of the game. Aces had led pretty much the whole way, but Sun had surged ahead. Plum's outburst staked them to an 8 point lead at the break and Connecticut never really challenged in the 2nd half. She only had 3 more FGA in the 2nd stanza.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Gabby can be a difference-maker. She's also a stat-stuffer.

Took her and the team several games to adjust, but she's really playing well now.

 

[cancontent]

Way too short of a clip to post by ESPN. It sounds like Lobo had more context to put around her statement. Now I gotta see if there's a replay of NBA today to hear the entire piece.

 

[bballnut90]

I agree. I'm going to go back to what I mentioned earlier this season. It wouldn't hurt Indiana to run the offense through Aliyah at times while Caitlin can play off of her. The offense does not have to be initiated by Caitlin and orchestrated 100% by Caitlin. Aliyah has good vision and is an adept enough passer for the offense to run through her for stretches.

Also, 36 mpg for a rookie PG is an insane stat! That mark should've been lowered to 32 mpg. Here's where having a veteran PG worth a darn would've helped immensely. Cutting down on the rook's minutes leads to cutting down on the mental fatigue and results in a reduction in the number of TOs.

They have been running more offense through Boston since the All Star break. She’s been terrific passing the ball and they consistently run backdoor for Mitchell via Boston which has worked great. The chemistry between those two is excellent. If the Fever can add in Sabally next year with CC/AB as facilitators, they’re a real title threat.

 

[GamecockFam]

Not disagreeing with you here: Clark (and Mitchell, btw) can use some breathers.

It's not as if Lin Dunn and Christy Sides didn't plan for this, to some degree. Erica Wheeler followed Sides from Atlanta and Dunn signed her to a large two-year contract. Wheeler played last year; this year, ehhh. She was in the game yesterday for 14 minutes, spelling both Clark and Mitchell....barely.

And then there's Grace Berger, who is firmly planted on the bench.

Now, as noted by many, Sides has really cut her rotation in the last few weeks in the chase for the playoffs. Now that they have 6th, let's see if Clark gets some air.

As per next year, Wheeler's contract is done and that frees up a lot of cash. Berger is still on that initial rookie contract.

I would like to see Berger, Saxton and Wallace get 10+ minutes while the starters only put in like 20 minutes of play against the Mystics on Thursday. The Fever are stuck in the 6th seed no matter the outcome, so they might as well get the reserves some meaningful experience.

 

[Bigboote]

I would like to see Berger, Saxton and Wallace get 10+ minutes while the starters only put in like 20 minutes of play against the Mystics on Thursday. The Fever are stuck in the 6th seed no matter the outcome, so they might as well get the reserves some meaningful experience.

I don’t get Berger being stuck to the bench. Last year she averaged 4/1.5/2 in 15 minutes with decent shooting percentages and played almost every game.

 

[Dillon77]

They have been running more offense through Boston since the All Star break. She’s been terrific passing the ball and they consistently run backdoor for Mitchell via Boston which has worked great. The chemistry between those two is excellent. If the Fever can add in Sabally next year with CC/AB as facilitators, they’re a real title threat.

Don't want to be a kill joy, but there's an "if" there: If I read my Her Hoop Stats off-season preview for the Dallas Wings correctly, GM Greg Bibb can core Ms. Sabally.

Will he? I've got to think "yes" if he intends to try moving forward with the Sabally, Arike, Big T/Brown, Siegrist approach (Howard's contract is finished).

 

[ochoopsfan]

Nice

 

[cancontent]

I don’t get Berger being stuck to the bench. Last year she averaged 4/1.5/2 in 15 minutes with decent shooting percentages and played almost every game.

Add me to that list. Just as stumped.

 

[Dillon77]

Add me to that list. Just as stumped.

Cube it.
Berger is a cool, calm customer who could pick up on what is needed at that time in the game and perform accordingly.
If Sides/Dunn don't want her, maybe Berger can be made available to Golden State in the expansion draft (can people under rookie contracts be offered up?).

 

[cancontent]

Cube it.
Berger is a cool, calm customer who could pick up on what is needed at that time in the game and perform accordingly.
If Sides doesn't want her, maybe she can be made available to Golden State (can people under rookie contracts be offered up?).

No idea but I like the idea.

 

[cancontent]

 

[nwhoopfan]

Tough blow for the Storm. I think they have to win that game to keep their hopes alive for the #4 seed.

 

[Dillon77]

Tough blow for the Storm. I think they have to win that game to keep their hopes alive for the #4 seed.

Yup...I read the same thing. With all due respect, beating LA without those two is one thing, taking on a seemingly focused Aces bunch is another.

 

[cancontent]

Yay for Emily. Drat for Aaliyah, but the comment that she's progressing is nice to read.

 

[cancontent]

If Atlanta can't capitalize on this tonight

 

[GoUconn7961]

This Lynx/Sun game has been fun. It’s such a shame that Phee doesn’t have a chance at MVP this season.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Yup...I read the same thing. With all due respect, beating LA without those two is one thing, taking on a seemingly focused Aces bunch is another.

Aces started and ended strong, in between Seattle made a close game of it.

Gotta like Plum and Young combining for 37 points on 14-21 shooting.

 

[12au]

Interesting how much Berger love there is around here. I've been frustrated with their handling of her as well, but for a different reason. I wish they'd cut her (and Saxton) to invest in players w/ actual development potential. Or someone who would've been useful during the season.

 

[12au]

Looks like the Fever will face the Sun in round 1. Or the Aces if LV wins and Conn loses on Thursday. I'll feel a lot better about the Fever if it's the Sun. Though anything can happen in a best-of-3

 

[cancontent]

Interesting how much Berger love there is around here. I've been frustrated with their handling of her as well, but for a different reason. I wish they'd cut her (and Saxton) to invest in players w/ actual development potential. Or someone who would've been useful during the season.

What gives you the impression that Berger doesn't have potential? Some here were thinking Hull wasn't going to do much either and look how she's doing during the second half of the season.

 

[cancontent]

Last night's game between Connecticut and Minnesota was a doozy! Carleton coming through with the 3 pointer to win the game was awesome to see. Hope we get to see a playoff series between these two teams.

 

[Dillon77]

Last night's game between Connecticut and Minnesota was a doozy! Carleton coming through with the 3 pointer to win the game was awesome to see. Hope we get to see a playoff series between these two teams.

Some serious back-and-forth action at the end. I can see what the Sun's Harris dropped down to help on Collier, given she had just previously hit a jump in that same area. That said, she was caught in no-women's land. Stil, great dagger by Carleton.

 

[azfan]

Last night's game between Connecticut and Minnesota was a doozy! Carleton coming through with the 3 pointer to win the game was awesome to see. Hope we get to see a playoff series between these two teams.

We will

 

[Ozimoto]

And Las Vegas seems to be rounding into form just in time to make a title run...

 

[GoUconn7961]

I am really rooting for the Lynx. They do have the Liberty's number.
as a UConn fan it's impossible to know who to root for when you're watching a game with so many of our players in the league.

Phee, Stewie and Tina have all been standouts this season.

 

[cancontent]

Bridget's analysis on her shot from last night.

 

[JoePgh]

Bridget's analysis on her shot from last night.

Bridget is a very nice person, always smiling and upbeat. Her personality reminds me of Katie Lou. And to think that the Sun once had her and cut her...

 

[cancontent]

Bridget is a very nice person, always smiling and upbeat. Her personality reminds me of Katie Lou. And to think that the Sun once had her and cut her...

Agreed. It also took her some time to get to the level of play she is at now. Time overseas in places like Israel and Spain have been a huge benefit.

This is the tough part of the WNBA with so few positions for players. Some players have the potential but we may not get to see it because teams may not have the ability to keep them on their roster to develop them.

 

[cancontent]

Guessing this move was made to deal with Aerial Powers not being available. She was a sparkplug during the Olympics. Hopefully she gets some playing time in this short window of opportunity.