2025 WNBA Regular Season

[Dillon77]

Speaking of Berger (& not harping on her inability to shoot well), does anyone recall her frequently (or ever) playing point guard while in college?

Chloe Moore-McNeil was the primary point guard for the Hoosiers when Grace Berger was her backcourt running mate at IU.
However, I watched a number of those games and Berger would often run half-court sets for Coach Moren. I've often thought of her as a combo guard.

As of now, I'm guessing the Wings "braintrust" has made a decision that, with Arike O. out, Paige B. would be more valuable as the de facto scoring guard and that handling the ball all the time, too, would wear her out. Or cut down on efficiency.
And/or everyone on Dallas is getting a tryout for next season.

Until Berger figures out where the heck her shot was lost, I'd see how Serena Sundell does in the next few games. Dallas management can figure out who can fill out the floor next year with Paige B. leading the charge.

 

[cancontent]

BTW, Oscar returns with "The Paper" on Peacock, another "mockumentary" by the creative forces behind "The Office."

Saw the ad for this weekend and I'm low key geeked out about it.

 

[GamecockFam]

Saw the ad for this weekend and I'm low key geeked out about it.

Oooh, this is the first I'm hearing about this! The wiki makes it seem like a mix of the Office and Party Down. I think there is a lot of potential in its story telling as they could follow the Party Down method by covering a different local events each week using the documentary style of The Office... 100th birthday celebration interviews, high school sports coverage, investigating suspected business fraud, etc. Basically there are an endless variety of newspaper topics that could be prime for comedy.

 

[Basingstoke]

Chloe Moore-McNeil was the primary point guard for the Hoosiers when Grace Berger was her backcourt running mate at IU.
However, I watched a number of those games and Berger would often run half-court sets for Coach Moren. I've often thought of her as a combo guard.

As of now, I'm guessing the Wings "braintrust" has made a decision that, with Arike O. out, Paige B. would be more valuable as the de facto scoring guard and that handling the ball all the time, too, would wear her out. Or cut down on efficiency.
And/or everyone on Dallas is getting a tryout for next season.

Until Berger figures out where the heck her shot was lost, I'd see how Serena Sundell does in the next few games.

Thanks for the IU info.
I understand Dallas' rationale in "trying out" players for the future, however, since Paige (& Maddie) are the only sure holdovers (& Paige the absolute centerpiece), I think their decision is wrong headed in that Paige should be the pg in this process. What good does it do if multiple possessions go by without Paige touching the ball or ever having it returned to her. It's not that Paige should do all the scoring or passing, but she sets the tone and embodies the philosophy of intelligent team-first basketball - rather than the heroball and lack of awareness to compliment the talents of others as well as yourself. I believe that her teammates should be given this opportunity to show how well they can work with Paige.

 

[Bigboote]

Chloe Moore-McNeil was the primary point guard for the Hoosiers when Grace Berger was her backcourt running mate at IU.
However, I watched a number of those games and Berger would often run half-court sets for Coach Moren. I've often thought of her as a combo guard.

I was going to say something similar. She played something between combo guard and point forward in college. I think she led them in assists for three years or so.

Her rookie year the Fever played her quite a bit at point, then when Clark showed up, they forgot about Grace.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

The million dollar coach did what he was supposed to do - that is defend the home court. I think in society today we tend to over praise people who do what they're supposed to do. That said it was a great win for Phoenix and may well have assured them home court in the playoffs-until they meet the eventual champion.

And when posters have a personal dislike of a player/coach, there is a tendency to downplay said individual's accomplishments.
The leading COY candidate has a 12-7 record at home. It is impossible for every coach to win every home game unless every team wins a combined zero games on the road.
Winning a game against the defending WNBA champion who is neck-and-neck with the Mercury in the standings is something to celebrate. It is yet another step in a staircase.

 

[azfan]

And when posters have a personal dislike of a player/coach, there is a tendency to downplay said individual's accomplishments.
The leading COY candidate has a 12-7 record at home. It is impossible for every coach to win every home game unless every team wins a combined zero games on the road.
Winning a game against the defending WNBA champion who is neck-and-neck with the Mercury in the standings is something to celebrate. It is yet another step in a staircase.

Absolutely

I would characterize the view of the million dollar coach as skeptical. He is very well liked, perhaps, a la Sandy Bullock, he might receive Mr. Congeniality as an award.

In a 13 team league I suppose the adjective leading might be used for the coach with the 5th ballot for COY behind Nakase (home record 12-7 for an expansion team), Reeve,(home record 19-2 worthy of celebration), Smesko (home record 13-7) and Hammon (home record 14-5 with a long current winning streak).

Nate is very popular, running 5th in the league in performance and should be acknowledged for slightly above average work AND receive kudos for an agent that made him the highest paid coach in the W. If he has earned 1.2 million then the 4 coaches who have done a much better job this year all deserve raises - above the 1.2 million dollar salary Nate earns for being well liked.

Has he earned the highest salary in the league?

Not yet, but he is well liked.

 

[azfan]

Fun game on tap in the valley of soul crushing heat as the Merc host the reeling Fever (losing 3 out of last 5). Phoenix has won 6 out of 7 (the only loss to the streaking Aces) and a victory will lock in the coveted 4th seed as the Mercury final four games are against the bottom dwellers.

As always, it will be fun to watch the well liked Tibbetts match wits with Stephanie.

Tonight's other game has Golden State with leading COY candidate coach Nakase hosting the Mercury's first round opponent. Nakase could not only burnish her COY credentials but do the million dollar coach a favor by beating Sandy Brondello's squad.

 

[ochoopsfan]

KLS and Aliya at the Storm game last night.
I saw Lou about 3 weeks ago for Aliya's 2nd Birthday Party. Lou is on schedule with the rehab of the ACL. If you didnt see the scar, you would think she was 100%

 

[JellyBean]

Speaking of Berger (& not harping on her inability to shoot well), does anyone recall her frequently (or ever) playing point guard while in college?

Oh yeah. She handled the point guard duties alot while at Indiana. Just a short clip of Indiana/Lady Vols but I am sure if you wanted to watch a full game, YouTube would have you covered.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

I would characterize the view of the million dollar coach as skeptical.

This very much feels like your view, not the view of the franchise, media, players, or season ticket holders.
JMHO ...

 

[cancontent]

This could help Vegas going into the play-offs. As @Dillon77 would say, stay tuned.

 

[Basingstoke]

For me, the true bottom line with regard to WNBA coaches' salaries is that virtually all of them are underpaid (along with the players).

 

[JellyBean]

JellyBean, what do you mean by "great to see Coach Reeve finally listen to the crowd and rest Phee"? Fans in the stands were calling out for Pheesa to sit? Or were they shouting for certain subs to go in? Legit question - one can't tell watching on WNBA League Pass.

I think when Minnesota was up 14-16 points, a small group of us fans started chanting "Get Phee some rest." Just for her to sit when we have those double-digit leads. We have some pretty decent players who could help so that Phee can rest some. Yeah, watching the games on League Pass it is tough sometimes to hear what the fans are saying or doing.

 

[azfan]

This very much feels like your view, not the view of the franchise, media, players, or season ticket holders.
JMHO ...

Of course!

I'm not certain I ever indicate I was speaking for anyone other than myself.

And myself is looking for the home teams to win tonight securing the four/five matchup and home court for the Merc.

 

[azfan]

Ih, watching the games on League Pass it is tough sometimes to hear what the fans are saying or doing.

I do love the league pass. It's much easier to cast than Prime and it's an unbelievable value.

Sure hope that doesn't go away as the W matures and evolves

 

[TheFarmFan]

@nwhoopfan My Friend, my Friend, NYet on the comments for another hour pleeeeeaase. =)

 

[nwhoopfan]

@nwhoopfan My Friend, my Friend, NYet on the comments for another hour pleeeeeaase. =)

Can I jinx AT by saying she almost has a triple double at halftime? Not even playing in the game you might be referencing.

 

[cancontent]

Can I jinx AT by saying she almost has a triple double at halftime? Not even playing in the game you might be referencing.

Considering it's not the Valkyries, I think I can post this without getting yelled at (virtually) by @TheFarmFan 😉 ☺️

 

[azfan]

Can I jinx AT by saying she almost has a triple double at halftime? Not even playing in the game you might be referencing.

Mack is sooooo good defensively and a lock for the Kia Stokes missed layup trophy. If only we could get Mack and Breezy on.the floor at the same time. That's an offensive show worth the price of admission.

OMG Breezy hits the lay up with 5 minutes remaining!!!!! The Fighting Irish fan goes crazy To bad Mack was on the bench

Best play of the game, third quarter Sammie pushes Sims and I mean shoves her on the way to the rim. Even the Phoenix appointments couldn't believe the no call. Another consequence of playing with the very physical AT, the refs let kiddos play. I mean, AT would foul out of every game if her 'contact" was called. AT makes Mabry look like a finesse player.

That said a great player. She and Wilson deserve co MVP.

Oh, the likeable and wealthy Merc coach and his squad defend the home court.

 

[nwhoopfan]

If I was a betting man, I wouldn't put a penny on the Liberty. They aren't right, and haven't been for a LONG time. Might put a penny, but not much more on the Fever.

 

[nwhoopfan]

the very physical AT, the refs let kiddos play. I mean, AT would foul out of every game if her 'contact" was called

Thank you! I've been saying this most of her career. It's ludicrous. What's worse is most of the time she commits a blatantly obvious offensive foul by plowing thru another player, her victim gets called for a blocking foul.

 

[nwhoopfan]

My jinx worked, sort of. Phoenix won, but AT finished 1 rebound and 1 assist shy of a triple double. She was so close at the half, I'm pretty shocked she didn't get there.

 

[MilfordHusky]

NY and Indiana are slipping. Meanwhile, Golden State has guaranteed a .500 season and probably a playoff berth.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Can I jinx AT by saying she almost has a triple double at halftime? Not even playing in the game you might be referencing.

My jinx worked, sort of. Phoenix won, but AT finished 1 rebound and 1 assist shy of a triple double. She was so close at the half, I'm pretty shocked she didn't get there.

Thank you for your service, sir. We gotta keep it in the West Coast fam, and after the Merc beat us 4 times, I'll take every petty stat I can get.