2024 WNBA Season: Playoffs

[nwhoopfan]

Aces/Liberty Game 3 was strange. Really entertaining back and forth first half. Lib were awful after halftime and Vegas ran away with it. Young and Plum combined for 44, 19/14 for Wilson, another good game for Hayes off the bench. Gray was dishing some sweet dimes.

Ionescu no showed. Vegas really made a point of defending her tightly. Stewie started hot and then cooled off.

 

[cancontent]

Aces/Liberty Game 3 was strange. Really entertaining back and forth first half. Lib were awful after halftime and Vegas ran away with it. Young and Plum combined for 44, 19/14 for Wilson, another good game for Hayes off the bench. Gray was dishing some sweet dimes.

Ionescu no showed. Vegas really made a point of defending her tightly. Stewie started hot and then cooled off.

Coach Hammon wasn't going to let Ionescu have the freedom she did with the lay ups like she did the first two games. Their defensive switching was much better compared to the previous games.

The guard play for Vegas was very impressive. Didn't Lobo say this was the first game that Hayes, Plum and Gray were clicking on all cylinders?

 

[JellyBean]

Gonna have to play Gustafson some this game. I can't see going small ball for 40 minutes. She hasn't appeared yet in this series.

Much like here in Minnesota when it comes to Dorka, I never understood why the Aces coaching staff won't play Megan more. Two or three possessions out there just to see what develops. It could payoff or it could not.

 

[JellyBean]

Hats off to my beloved Minnesota Lynx! The shots ( mid-range and layups) were falling. The three point shooting...we gotta work on that. But those mid-range shots were on fire! I loved that Dorka got some minutes out there. I am glad that Coach gave her a shot out there.

Mabrey. I hope she has one more bad shooting night. One more 6-20 shooting night. We will take it.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Much like here in Minnesota when it comes to Dorka, I never understood why the Aces coaching staff won't play Megan more. Two or three possessions out there just to see what develops. It could payoff or it could not.

In fairness, Aces were 20 minutes from their season ending. "could pay off or it could not" would not be my advised strategy in those circumstances.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Gustafson logged 12 minutes in the game. Some of it was at garbage time, but she had several stints throughout the game. Didn't really do anything statistically, but I don't think she hurt them while she was on the floor. Egbo even got 3 minutes at the end.

 

[JellyBean]

In fairness, Aces were 20 minutes from their season ending. "could pay off or it could not" would not be my advised strategy in those circumstances.

Totally understand.

 

[JellyBean]

Coach Hammon wasn't going to let Ionescu have the freedom she did with the lay ups like she did the first two games. Their defensive switching was much better compared to the previous games.

The guard play for Vegas was very impressive. Didn't Lobo say this was the first game that Hayes, Plum and Gray were clicking on all cylinders?

Something like that. They looked and played well out there.

 

[cancontent]

Much like here in Minnesota when it comes to Dorka, I never understood why the Aces coaching staff won't play Megan more. Two or three possessions out there just to see what develops. It could payoff or it could not.

I've wondered about Dorka's but the roster was very different last season. The depth at her position has made it tougher for her to crack the line up. The same thing is happening with Diamond Miller who started a fair bit last season. Reeves is relying on veterans big time this year.

 

[JellyBean]

I've wondered about Dorka's but the roster was very different last season. The depth at her position has made it tougher for her to crack the line up. The same thing is happening with Diamond Miller who started a fair bit last season. Reeves is relying on veterans big time this year.

Great points and I get that Coach is going with her vets out there and players, in this case Dorka, it is going to be tough cracking the line up, but for me, and thankfully I ain't coaching the Lynx right now. We might be out of the playoffs if I were coaching. But for me, sometimes that hidden piece that could win a game or title, could be sitting right on that bench and you will never know until you give them that chance. Dorka didn't hurt the team during her time out there and I believe at one point in the game, Reeve had four reserves on the court with Bridget, who has been a beast this season!! I am proud of her and for her!

 

[cancontent]

Great points and I get that Coach is going with her vets out there and players, in this case Dorka, it is going to be tough cracking the line up, but for me, and thankfully I ain't coaching the Lynx right now. We might be out of the playoffs if I were coaching. But for me, sometimes that hidden piece that could win a game or title, could be sitting right on that bench and you will never know until you give them that chance. Dorka didn't hurt the team during her time out there and I believe at one point in the game, Reeve had four reserves on the court with Bridget, who has been a beast this season!! I am proud of her and for her!

No argument there. I've been of the opinion that Dorka could contribute. My post was based on gut feeling with what I've seen this season. Reeve hasn't given rookies or 2nd year players as many opportunities compared to last year. Not sure why.

 

[cancontent]

A nice 2 minute clip of Ionescu breaking down what she experienced last night. The chess match tomorrow in how the Liberty responds will be fun to watch.

 

[Dillon77]

No argument there. I've been of the opinion that Dorka could contribute. My post was based on gut feeling with what I've seen this season. Reeve hasn't given rookies or 2nd year players as many opportunities compared to last year. Not sure why.

@JellyBean

In my straightforward and cut-to-the-chase mode today, Coach Reeve is going for it and the way she thinks this is going to get done is with her starters (she'll play Collier 45 minutes in a 40-minute game if she could) and her key subs. And, as noted, those subs are mostly vets (Hines-Allen) or ones that add some contrast (Zandalasini, for the most part).

As noted in an earlier post, I liked Dorka's play last year, but think Reeve thinks the Lynx can win it all and is playing accordingly. Plus, she traded for HInes-Allen, has liked what she's seen and knows Mish is basically a rented player for this season, who may or may not be back. Use her.

Dorka, like Gustafson, can give results if given time (and that could be somewheresville next year). But right now, the play for two coaches who are only going to go with whom they think will get 'em there.

 

[GamecockFam]

I have to give a shout-out to Courtney Williams! She has to be the most underrated PG in the league. The mid-range queen!

 

[Dillon77]

Coach Hammon wasn't going to let Ionescu have the freedom she did with the lay ups like she did the first two games. Their defensive switching was much better compared to the previous games.

The guard play for Vegas was very impressive. Didn't Lobo say this was the first game that Hayes, Plum and Gray were clicking on all cylinders?

Those three played well and Vegas' cause will be very well served if they continue to do so.
If Jackie Young - who might've played one of her most efficient games since prior to the OlympicS-- plays like she did last night, that's going to make this a "we're going back to New York series." In addition to a 55% (overall percentage) - 40% (from three) night, she was gliding again, which -- as a longtime Young watcher -- is key to her game.

 

[azfan]

@JellyBean



Dorka, like Gustafson, can give results if given time (and that could be somewheresville next year). But right now, the play for two coaches who are only going to go with whom they think will get 'em there.

Defending an equally slow post and/or operating against a weak defensive team a la.the Phoenix Mercury.

 

[cancontent]

I have to give a shout-out to Courtney Williams! She has to be the most underrated PG in the league. The mid-range queen!

Underrated LG (lead guard) you mean I chuckle when commentators talk about how she's adjusting to the PG label. Either way, she's had a great season and I'm happy for her.

 

[baggerbob]

Aces/Liberty Game 3 was strange. Really entertaining back and forth first half. Lib were awful after halftime and Vegas ran away with it. Young and Plum combined for 44, 19/14 for Wilson, another good game for Hayes off the bench. Gray was dishing some sweet dimes.

Ionescu no showed. Vegas really made a point of defending her tightly. Stewie started hot and then cooled off.

Sabrina had more turnovers then points.
Another case of a coach over her head.
The Liberty should behave shut the door last night.

A nice 2 minute clip of Ionescu breaking down what she experienced last night. The chess match tomorrow in how the Liberty responds will be fun to watch.

You can't be a star and get 4 pts and 5 turnovers in a playoff game.
She needs to play a lot better then that, if she expects to ever win a Championship in the WNBA.

 

[JellyBean]

@JellyBean

In my straightforward and cut-to-the-chase mode today, Coach Reeve is going for it and the way she thinks this is going to get done is with her starters (she'll play Collier 45 minutes in a 40-minute game if she could) and her key subs. And, as noted, those subs are mostly vets (Hines-Allen) or ones that add some contrast (Zandalasini, for the most part).

As noted in an earlier post, I liked Dorka's play last year, but think Reeve thinks the Lynx can win it all and is playing accordingly. Plus, she traded for HInes-Allen, has liked what she's seen and knows Mish is basically a rented player for this season, who may or may not be back. Use her.

Dorka, like Gustafson, can give results if given time (and that could be somewheresville next year). But right now, the play for two coaches who are only going to go with whom they think will get 'em there.

Solid points. Coaches doing what they think is best for their teams in these big moments.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Sabrina had more turnovers then points.
Another case of a coach over her head.
The Liberty should behave shut the door last night.

You can't be a star and get 4 pts and 5 turnovers in a playoff game.
She needs to play a lot better then that, if she expects to ever win a Championship in the WNBA.

Come on. Ionescu had been fantastic in the playoffs up until last night, and I haven't seen anything complimenting her from you. One bad game and you're back to this again? How about some balance?

 

[nwhoopfan]

If anyone from the Liberty should be getting questioned about their playoff performance, it's Laney-Hamilton. Her scoring is barely over half of what she scored in the regular season, and her shooting percentages are awful.

 

[cancontent]

If anyone from the Liberty should be getting questioned about their playoff performance, it's Laney-Hamilton. Her scoring is barely over half of what she scored in the regular season, and her shooting percentages are awful.

She has been playing in 5 minute spurts though since coming back from the knee surgery. Maybe something isn't right there that we aren't aware of.

 

[cancontent]

Sabrina had more turnovers then points.
Another case of a coach over her head.
The Liberty should behave shut the door last night.

You can't be a star and get 4 pts and 5 turnovers in a playoff game.
She needs to play a lot better then that, if she expects to ever win a Championship in the WNBA.

Are we watching the same play offs? One game where Vegas played a heck of a loy better defence was the reason behind this. Ionescu's performance throughout the play offs has been much better than what she was last season.

 

[nwhoopfan]

She has been playing in 5 minute spurts though since coming back from the knee surgery. Maybe something isn't right there that we aren't aware of.

Oops, wasn't taking that into account. She's played some tough defense on Gray most of the series. They are getting good minutes from Thornton and Fiebich has increased her scoring, so they aren't really missing Laney-Hamilton's offense that much.

 

[Hayven]

If anyone from the Liberty should be getting questioned about their playoff performance, it's Laney-Hamilton. Her scoring is barely over half of what she scored in the regular season, and her shooting percentages are awful.

She’s been playing great on defense so I don’t think it’s her knee. Everyone but Stewie played awful in game 3. They need everyone to contribute if they want to avoid a game 5.