2025 WNBA Regular Season | Page 13 | The Boneyard

2025 WNBA Regular Season

Put some respect on Coach Quinn's name!! Well done, Seattle!! They finally look like they actually care about the game, each other, and their playing ability! Energy and Effort. Even their body language looked better. Well done, Seattle.

Las Vegas. Now they gotta figure their situation out. We love Kiah but my word if she won't try to score, you gotta look at another option. 5v4 is not good especially with a team with so much talent. Come on, now Coach Hammon. This has been an issue for the last three years. You guys could hide it before. Not anymore. Elizabeth Kitley might be an option. Plently of season left to figure things out.

Chicago/LA- The Sparks are looking much better than last year and you throw in the fact that they are misses so many key players or potentially key players! Kelsey Plum and that 3rd quarter. Holy smokes!! I know all of the media attention is on Indiana but the OG that is KP is like, don't forget about me! And the addition of Sarah Ashlee Barker, who is starting her 2nd or 3rd game, is getting comfortable and cooking!! This rookie class is phenomenal! Azura Stevens. She showing she can get it done. Well done! For Chicago, Coach Spoon & Chennedy Carter are like "Until You Do Right Be Me"....The Sky messed up on letting Coach Spoon go and now they are going through some thangs. The Chennedy Carter thing could have been worked out, IMOP. But overall, the Sky showed some progress out there. The rotations looked a little better. Baby steps. Plenty of games left in the season.
 
JellyBean said:
Just about to say the same thing! Man, we had some suits in the 90s!! :D
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Someone reposted it with the quote "Coach Kaleah Harvey"...I had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard.
Bigboote said:
I was thinking of David Byrne’s “big suit” in Stop Making Sense.
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Talking Heads was an influential band to me as a kid in the 80s. Great comparison.
 
WBBTakeover said:
This time last week, people were sure that Seattle was finished (the 81-54 beatdown they experienced at Phoenix wasn't that long ago, you know), Washington was a sure-fire playoff team, Indiana was the odds-on favorite to win it all, and Golden State was the worst team in the league.

Today's game was a drubbing and it stinks to lose in that fashion to anyone. However, the Aces play this very same Storm team in exactly one week--with FAR MORE on the line. If they lose that one as well (especially in similar fashion), then you may want to question what's going on with the team. Winning this game and then losing the Commissioner's Cup game would not have been a satisfactory result, IMO.

Oh, and you may want to revisit the "Minnesota is a top tier" take. They could very well be sitting at 2-2 (which is where Vegas and Indiana are) right now with losses to Dallas and Connecticut (have only played LA, Dallas x 2, and Connecticut so far). Maybe we learn a little more about them on Tuesday.
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Minnesota needs a healthy McBride to be among the elite. Her shooting opens up the floor for everyone else.
 
baggerbob said:
Minnesota needs a healthy McBride to be among the elite. Her shooting opens up the floor for everyone else.
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I agree, especially considering how Courtney Williams' play has cratered in two games (went from 19 assists and zero turnovers through two games to 10 assists and nine turnovers in the next two--and all games were played against substandard competition).

The problem I have with the McBride conversation is that she ends up being criminally underrated. Kayla is a legit All-Star who plays like one (unlike the ones who play for V...you know what--nevermind). Sure, Phee is Phee. But Phee ain't doing it by herself--not even close.
 
baggerbob said:
Minnesota needs a healthy McBride to be among the elite. Her shooting opens up the floor for everyone else.
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Along with New York and Seattle, Minnesota's already among the elite.

I do agree they need a healthy McBride to be the elite.
 
JellyBean said:
Put some respect on Coach Quinn's name!! Well done, Seattle!! They finally look like they actually care about the game, each other, and their playing ability! Energy and Effort. Even their body language looked better. Well done, Seattle.
Expand ...
I was scared for her job after the first two games, but it looks like they may have regained their footing--at least momentarily. This is a big week for the Storm, with the trip to Minny, hosting the new-look Dream (BIG), and having to face Vegas again (and unlikely to hit 68% from the field in that game). I--don't know that they're in the clear just yet. They need to win at least two of those games. They're certainly capable.

JellyBean said:
Las Vegas. Now they gotta figure their situation out. We love Kiah but my word if she won't try to score, you gotta look at another option. 5v4 is not good especially with a team with so much talent. Come on, now Coach Hammon. This has been an issue for the last three years. You guys could hide it before. Not anymore. Elizabeth Kitley might be an option. Plently of season left to figure things out.
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I agree, for the most part. However, in the past, Kiah has stepped into the role of the starter and didn't start out as the starter.

2022: Dearica Hamby, All-Star, was the starter. However, Hamby had injury issues throughout her Vegas career (got injured during this season, her last one in Vegas) and had to sit out. Kiah stepped in and did an admirable job. To me, she earned a spot on next year's team.

2023: Won't get into the Hamby part, but it was apparent that the Aces believed they could upgrade that spot to someone who was more skilled and less injury-prone. Enter Candace Parker (thanks to Nikki Fargas), the future HOFer. Fargas convinced Candace to take a major pay cut to play for one more shot at a ring. Kiah, meanwhile, went back to being a back-up. Vegas looked invincible (19-2) until July 7, when Candace broke her foot. Enter Kiah Stokes (again). And again, Kiah did an admirable job as a fill-in. No, we didn't look invincible with her as the starter. However, we maintained the #1 seed and went on to win the title.

The problem with Kiah came in 2024, when Candace retired abruptly before the season (in May--during training camp). Kiah, who broke her foot against the Liberty in the 2023 Finals, was supposed to be the back-up again. But because Candace committed to returning in February and waited until May to announce that she was done, the Aces had to roll with Stokes as the starter from the beginning of the season. That's when her issues were magnified. Instead of just having Sandy Brondello ignore Stokes, we saw that from Seattle (Noelle Quinn), Minnesota (Cheryl Reeve), Chicago (Teresa Weatherspoon), Phoenix (Girl Dad), etc. This was the first season under Becky Hammon that the Aces entered the season without a fifth starter, and it showed. It didn't help that there were other issues (injuries, KP not being motivated, Becky's lack of accountability, A'ja doing too much and not giving herself grace, and the front office being content with sitting on their hands). We heard all offseason how the Aces would commit to improvement, only to see them enter 2025 with Kiah as the starter ONCE AGAIN. You know what they say about the definition of insanity...

TL;DR: Having Kiah as the fill-in starter in 2022 and 2023 due to injuries to Hamby (2022) and Parker (2023) was fine/okay. Having Kiah as the penciled-in starter for 2024 and 2025 was/is inexcusable/coaching and FO malpractice. No other team in the league would do that to a team that is supposed to contend for a title. Kiah's shorcomings have finally caught up to Becky, and she seems to be visibly broken because of it (because a player she has a lot of faith in is letting her down, and she doesn't know what to do at this point).

Becky is now in her Cheryl Reeve era. Remember when the media would give Cheryl a hard time because she tried to take on personnel decisions--and oftentimes made poor decisions? She was famous for making some huge decisions (trading for Whalen in 2010 and Fowles in 2015, selecting Brunson, drafting Maya and, much later, Phee), but she also had a lot of blunders. When that situation was rectified, Minnesota took off again. With Kiah slated to be a free agent in 2026 (well, she's got an unprotected contract this season--so she can be cut up until the deadline to guarantee contracts), maybe Becky can finally move on.
 
baggerbob said:
Minnesota needs a healthy McBride to be among the elite. Her shooting opens up the floor for everyone else.
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Oooweee! If McBride's shooting is like it was last season, everybody is going to eat. Like you said, the floor just opens up when McBride is able to knock down shots. Space is what it is all about in the end. Space and Pace. Her and Courtney. We got Jessica back here in Minnesota. Let's do this, Minnesota!! We still don't give our Minnesota Lynx enough respect here in Minnesota.
 
azfan said:
Along with New York and Seattle, Minnesota's already among the elite.

I do agree they need a healthy McBride to be the elite.
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New York is elite--and they appear to be peerless at the moment. That may not always be the case, but it is right now. This time last week, people had Indiana up there. Looks like they won't be due to Caitlin's injury.

The other two teams you named? Please. One lost by almost 30 to the Mercury (and should have lost to Dallas) and the other hasn't played a playoff team and still only managed to squeak by twice (Dallas and Connecticut).
 
cancontent said:


Plot twist to the Fever's season. How do they pivot from Clark being the focal point? As our friend @Dillon77 would say, stay tuned.
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Yikes! Hate to see anyone suffer any type of injury. Hoping for a speedy recovery. The Fever should be okay during this stretch. They got a solid coach in White and she will put the players in the right position to help the team moving forward.
 
Geew1992 said:
Who’s the backup?
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They got Kelsey, Sophie, Sydney, and Lexie. Going by the Fever fans reactions to Kelsey being used as a "point guard" against Atlanta at some parts of the game, it is going to be fun. I can see Sydney getting some minutes at the spot. Heck they might just go point guard by committee. But those names I mentioned are more than capable of running the point until Clark gets cleared to play again. The only thing, it is going to take time some adjusting and patience.
 
WBBTakeover said:
New York is elite--and they appear to be peerless at the moment. That may not always be the case, but it is right now. This time last week, people had Indiana up there. Looks like they won't be due to Caitlin's injury.

The other two teams you named? Please. One lost by almost 30 to the Mercury (and should have lost to Dallas) and the other hasn't played a playoff team and still only managed to squeak by twice (Dallas and Connecticut).
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The 4 -0 w leading lLynx enter tomorrow's contest against Seattle with the number two point differential in the league at just under 10 points per game.

In opening the season 4-0 Minnesota has the second scoring offense in spite of the absence of McBride and injuries to Smith.

This outstanding performance reflects both a deep and talented roster and outstanding coaching. Minnesota has demonstrated tremendous poise in their undefeated streak to open their quest to defeat the Liberty for the championship.

They're favored by over six points at home against Seattle in what should be an interesting matchup between the second and third most elite teams in the w.

Jess Shepherd has filled in admirably when Alana Smith has been injured again illustrating the importance of roster construction and the depth that Minnesota brings into this season.

Coach Cheryl Reeves has a long time reputation for instilling a culture of accountability and winning and this Minnesota team is no different.



Following tomorrow's match up at home against the Storm Reeves leads her team to a home and away series against the million dollar coach and his squad. As the highest paid coach in WNBA history the million dollar coach is struggling to bring his career record .500. That would be the most he can hope for in these two games.

Those two games will be revealing as we'll see a contrast in coaching competence, a contrast in roster construction, and a clear difference in culture.

Phoenix almost certainly have the most uniquely dressed sub sitting on the bench leading one to wonder how many point guards would fit inside that jacket.

Cheryl Reeves has emphasized the importance of the home court and we all know how challenging it is to win on the road in the w. Phoenix escaped with a home win against the Mystics in a home game that did not distinguish either the million dollar coach's acumen or the play of the big two.

It will indeed be interesting if the million dollar coach is able to sort out those issues before encountering the w leading Minnesota Lynx

I guess the question is at this time next week will the lLynx still be undefeated?
 
Last edited:
Interesting stuff particularly his take on the Fever and the degree to which there's been improvement.

open.substack.com

Tulin's Treasures: A Question I Have For Each WNBA Team

It’s never too early to share some of my internal monologue’s rhetorical questions
open.substack.com open.substack.com
mail
mail


Tulin asks

Here are some of the things I’ve been pondering so far this season

New York Liberty (3-0) — Is Jonquel Jones the most important player for Liberty opponents to stop?

Atlanta Dream (3-2) — Is Rhyne Howard slumping or miscast?

Indiana Fever (2-2) — How significantly improved are the Fever?
 
azfan said:
Tulin asks

Here are some of the things I’ve been pondering so far this season

New York Liberty (3-0) — Is Jonquel Jones the most important player for Liberty opponents to stop?

Atlanta Dream (3-2) — Is Rhyne Howard slumping or miscast?

Indiana Fever (2-2) — How significantly improved are the Fever?
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Re NYL: Yes--not even close. Minnesota was able to handle her last year (play her off the floor), which is why they were Commissioner's Cup champs and almost beat them for a title. Seattle and Atlanta might be able to do something similar--we'll see.

Meanwhile, Vegas can't handle NYL because of the lack of a second starting post/fifth starter. As long as that continues, the Liberty will continue winning games over the Aces.

Re ATL: Both

Re IND: Too early to tell, and now we have to deal with CC's injury.
 
Caitlin to Boston ( and back)
was really looking smooth this year. The high lob and pick and roll ( both ways) were looking unstoppable at times. I just don’t see anybody else ready to feed Boston’s offense - especially the high lob - during Clark’s absence. Kelsey has never shown herself to have much more than a scorer’s mentality. Maybe Lexie.
 
visitingcock said:
Caitlin to Boston ( and back)
was really looking smooth this year. The high lob and pick and roll ( both ways) were looking unstoppable at times. I just don’t see anybody else ready to feed Boston’s offense - especially the high lob - during Clark’s absence. Kelsey has never shown herself to have much more than a scorer’s mentality. Maybe Lexie.
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I'm not ready to see more Point Kelsey :oops:.

I honestly don't know how y'all can watch the Kelseys (Mitchell and Plum) play without needing Pepto Bismol.
 
azfan said:
The 4 -0 w leading lLynx enter tomorrow's contest against Seattle with the number two point differential in the league at just under 10 points per game.

In opening the season 4-0 Minnesota has the second scoring offense in spite of the absence of McBride and injuries to Smith.

This outstanding performance reflects both a deep and talented roster and outstanding coaching. Minnesota has demonstrated tremendous poise in their undefeated streak to open their quest to defeat the Liberty for the championship.

They're favored by over six points at home against Seattle in what should be an interesting matchup between the second and third most elite teams in the w.

Jess Shepherd has filled in admirably when Alana Smith has been injured again illustrating the importance of roster construction and the depth that Minnesota brings into this season.

Coach Cheryl Reeves has a long time reputation for instilling a culture of accountability and winning and this Minnesota team is no different.



Following tomorrow's match up at home against the Storm Reeves leads her team to a home and away series against the million dollar coach and his squad. As the highest paid coach in WNBA history the million dollar coach is struggling to bring his career record .500. That would be the most he can hope for in these two games.

Those two games will be revealing as we'll see a contrast in coaching competence, a contrast in roster construction, and a clear difference in culture.

Phoenix almost certainly have the most uniquely dressed sub sitting on the bench leading one to wonder how many point guards would fit inside that jacket.

Cheryl Reeves has emphasized the importance of the home court and we all know how challenging it is to win on the road in the w. Phoenix escaped with a home win against the Mystics in a home game that did not distinguish either the million dollar coach's acumen or the play of the big two.

It will indeed be interesting if the million dollar coach is able to sort out those issues before encountering the w leading Minnesota Lynx

I guess the question is at this time next week will the lLynx still be undefeated?
Expand ...
Minnesota hasn't played anyone with a pulse and still almost lost to a bad Connecticut team that Atlanta and Vegas both pounded.

Seattle got slaughtered by Phoenix in the first game. Washington almost beat Phoenix despite Sykes shooting 1 for 50.

These are not elite teams. NY is, though--the only one.
 
Geew1992 said:
Who’s the backup?.
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Thinking/typing out loud:

Last year, Erica Wheeler -- who had been signed the year before Clark arrived to be the point guard -- was a very expensive, underused back-up PG. Now she's a not as highly paid back-up PG to Skylar Diggins out in Seattle.

Sydney Colson is the ostensible back-up but don't see her being the full-time floor general. As noted, by making Kelsey Mitchell the PG, do you also cut down on her ability to be a scorer? While Cunningham and Hull move the ball when needed, don't really think of them as shooting guards/wings that can take over a half-court offense, as a Marina Mabrey has done.

The old Indy regime might've brought Grace Berger back for a series of hardship contracts but this is a new group of administrators, coaches and players.

If CC is really only going to be out four games, maybe some combination of all of those will get through, but if it lasts longer, maybe there's someone out there....I'm still in lacrosse mode after watching Cornell win the NC in guys lacrosse, so my WNBA files aren't quite functioning yet. ;)
 
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