2024 WNBA Season: Playoffs
- Thread starter snlMINAJ
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I am surprised he apparently thought Seattle would sweep.
I think the Aces look like they are going to win three titles in a row. They are on a roll right now.
Dillon77
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The Aces-Storm game was close enough at the end of the third quarter to merit staying up later than I wanted to watch the 4th quarter.
From a fan's and (still) sometime player's perspective, that was a mistake. The first five minutes was some of the ugliest basketball I've seen in quite some time. I'd love to buy that both teams were applying spectacular defense, but it wasn't the case: missed bunnies, sloppy passing, was that really a shot? Ugh.
BTW, those two points -- yes, 2 -- that Seattle score look even worse when you consider they were free throws. Not one field goal was scored by the Storm. Whatever was ailing Jewel Loyd is still ailing her because she looked halfway there, if that. Diggins-Smith and Gabby Williams were valiant until the 4th, then the air came out of the tires. And the team misses Ezi Magbegor in a major way. Her defensive presence -- or absence last night -- cannot be understated. Tiffany Hayes would just blow by people for a layup into areas that Ezi usually patrols.
Credit where credit is due: Hayes was great, Wilson had a fine second half, Chelsea Gray was solid and Coach Hammon got to play her Wilson + four guards/wings lineup given Magbegor's absence. And just think: Plum was utterly off last night. That won't happen two nights in a row.
Aces got the W but I'm not ready to annoint that they're totally back based on this game....
From a fan's and (still) sometime player's perspective, that was a mistake. The first five minutes was some of the ugliest basketball I've seen in quite some time. I'd love to buy that both teams were applying spectacular defense, but it wasn't the case: missed bunnies, sloppy passing, was that really a shot? Ugh.
BTW, those two points -- yes, 2 -- that Seattle score look even worse when you consider they were free throws. Not one field goal was scored by the Storm. Whatever was ailing Jewel Loyd is still ailing her because she looked halfway there, if that. Diggins-Smith and Gabby Williams were valiant until the 4th, then the air came out of the tires. And the team misses Ezi Magbegor in a major way. Her defensive presence -- or absence last night -- cannot be understated. Tiffany Hayes would just blow by people for a layup into areas that Ezi usually patrols.
Credit where credit is due: Hayes was great, Wilson had a fine second half, Chelsea Gray was solid and Coach Hammon got to play her Wilson + four guards/wings lineup given Magbegor's absence. And just think: Plum was utterly off last night. That won't happen two nights in a row.
Aces got the W but I'm not ready to annoint that they're totally back based on this game....
nwhoopfan
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I counted at least 3 shots that were halfway in and then rattled back out, 2 of them were behind the arc. She was unbelievably unlucky is what she was.
Dillon77
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It's ok, @nwhoopfan....I'm not dissing her overall value
. Call it "unlucky" or call it "utterly off," Plum went 1 for 8 last night.I also noted that probably won't happen again in this series....she's too good.
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The game of the day was Lynx/Mercury. Phee played out of her mind.
I didn't think any of the games were boring like a couple of other posters said. I loved them. Best Sunday I've had in a while.
I didn't think any of the games were boring like a couple of other posters said. I loved them. Best Sunday I've had in a while.
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The NY-ATL was the only game I struggled paying attention to from the third quarter onwards. Having a full slate of WNBA to watch instead of some of the dredge called NFL games that were on was delightful.
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Yeah, I struggled with this one too. I was getting ready to shut it off in the 4th when Amihere hit the court, so I had to stay and watch her play. She looked like she deserves a few minutes of play each game. Defensively, she was frustrating Stewie in a way that I don't see happen that often and she helped extend some plays by grabbing some offensive rebounds.
Absolutely. Digging deep near the end of games and fourth quarters demonstrates the resilience and character of the team. The Aces responded Storm did not.
Judging by the now completed first set of games the Liberty and Sun looked consistently outstanding. The Aces demonstrated the type of resilience one would expect from a two time champion. The Lynx were merely befuddling.
A "vaunted" defense giving up 95 points at home to a staggering Mercury team. Based upon regression to the mean I expect Reeves will adjust and Minnesota will hold the million dollar coach's squad to under 75 on Tuesday and comfortably win. But still...... 95 at home, wow.
To paraphrase the apt truism
Offense wins fans defense wins championships.
Liberty well they took care of business gave up 69 points.
Sun shut down CC..... And Kelsey.
Storm a 2-point closing quarter.
The Lynx seemed to be bamboozled by the million dollar coach in giving up 95 at home.
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In a game where KP only scored 2 points and A'ja only shot 1-8 in the first half I was pleasantly surprised that the Aces were able to secure the win. Chelsea Gray and Tip Hayes really came in clutch the whole game.
I'm glad Tip seems to really enjoy her time in Vegas, it's hard to believe that this type of talent was really about to retire for good from the WNBA. Tip's big game was made sweeter knowing her mom was in attendance.
I'm glad Tip seems to really enjoy her time in Vegas, it's hard to believe that this type of talent was really about to retire for good from the WNBA. Tip's big game was made sweeter knowing her mom was in attendance.
X-Factors for every WNBA playoff team
The postseason begins on Sunday so let's look at the key to a deep run for all eight teams
open.substack.com
On point takeaways as we look forward to the second round .....
NY
Road to a ring X-Factor: Ionescu’s shooting
Minn
Road to a ring X-Factor: Contributions from everywhere, swarming defense. (Hummmmmmmm.........)
Conn
Road to a ring X-Factor: Mabrey’s offense, forcing opponents to play their game (this should be a much bigger factor in the second round)
LV
Road to a ring X-Factor: Chelsea Gray being Chelsea Gray, playing on fumes
Phee's the reason the Lynx stayed afloat most of the season, hell, just last night, she had to score nearly 40 to beat the Mercury, who decided to play the best basketball of their lives. She's also the only player I know of who outrebounded the entire Aces team while also outplaying A'ja in B2B games.
Stevie's great and all, but compared to Phee? Not quite.
She showed why she earned that 6th WOTY award.
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Had me yelling!! That was a Big Time shot!
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Wife had me watching "Big Brother" that is why I missed the Aces/Storm game. I hope to watch the replay, if that is available on League Pass. later today. I saw some of the high lights.The Aces-Storm game was close enough at the end of the third quarter to merit staying up later than I wanted to watch the 4th quarter.
From a fan's and (still) sometime player's perspective, that was a mistake. The first five minutes was some of the ugliest basketball I've seen in quite some time. I'd love to buy that both teams were applying spectacular defense, but it wasn't the case: missed bunnies, sloppy passing, was that really a shot? Ugh.
BTW, those two points -- yes, 2 -- that Seattle score look even worse when you consider they were free throws. Not one field goal was scored by the Storm. Whatever was ailing Jewel Loyd is still ailing her because she looked halfway there, if that. Diggins-Smith and Gabby Williams were valiant until the 4th, then the air came out of the tires. And the team misses Ezi Magbegor in a major way. Her defensive presence -- or absence last night -- cannot be understated. Tiffany Hayes would just blow by people for a layup into areas that Ezi usually patrols.
Credit where credit is due: Hayes was great, Wilson had a fine second half, Chelsea Gray was solid and Coach Hammon got to play her Wilson + four guards/wings lineup given Magbegor's absence. And just think: Plum was utterly off last night. That won't happen two nights in a row.
Aces got the W but I'm not ready to annoint that they're totally back based on this game....
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Not sure what the heck Minny was doing out there. Letting Phoenix back into the game like that. Hopefully Minny closes it out on Wednesday.
They will.
nwhoopfan
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Sometimes you have good luck, sometimes you have bad luck. I think Hayes got at least 3 circus shots to go in.It's ok, @nwhoopfan....I'm not dissing her overall value
I also noted that probably won't happen again in this series....she's too good.
Dillon77
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Absolutely. Hayes also benefitted from having no Ezi Magbegor of Seattle in the lane. Once Hayes blew by a Storm defender, there was clear sailing to the hoop.
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donalddoowop
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ESPN replayed all four games today.
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Wow. Glad to read Tiffany Mitchell is doing a lot better.
MilfordHusky
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I agree with this. I was reacting to your saying that Stewie wasn't the #3 player this season. I predicted and thought the ranking would be: A'ja, Phee, Stewie, and Caitlin. Which player did you have at #3?
MilfordHusky
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That's impressive. She's 384 behind Sue's regular season record. Can she get there?
ochoopsfan
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These players get around.
Washington Mystics player Sika Kone played last Thursday in DC, before the biggest crowd in WNBA history.
Today, Monday, she is back with her Spanish team Avenida and practicing.
Players have to make a living. No break for the tired.
Washington Mystics player Sika Kone played last Thursday in DC, before the biggest crowd in WNBA history.
Today, Monday, she is back with her Spanish team Avenida and practicing.
Players have to make a living. No break for the tired.
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Hayes upping her game in the latter part of the season is why Becky could adjust her sub roster rotations. Towards the end of the regular season, except for the starting five, Becky has played Plumb and Young together sparingly. It made a big difference. This season, probably due to Chelsea being absent early one, those two together on the floor have not been very effective. Now, one or the other is usually sitting on the bench with either Hayes or Clark replacing them. Clark has also upped their game.
With Chelsea gone for the first half of the season and sub par for most of it, you had the ball being handled and dominated by three scorers. Especially, Plums and Youngs ball dominance hindered ball movement for players who were off ball scorers. Becky figured out that the team often functioned better with only one of the two on the court at the same time. As long as Hayes or Clark produces, this is possible and creates better offensive flow.
Young, though she has picked it up the last few games, has played poor defense most of this season. Plum never was a good defender, so it helps the teams defense not having them both on the floor at the same time. Becky expanding her rotations has been the difference. It allows her to keep non productive players off the floor. Sometimes the ball will just not drop and if what you bring to the table is limited to offense its better if you sit.