2025 WNBA Regular Season | Page 18 | The Boneyard

2025 WNBA Regular Season

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FormerCTrez said:
I see your point. And while I don’t like to see people losing their jobs, I believe something needs to be done about the Dallas Wings. I also realize that this is (probably) the coach’s first position as a head coach, so lots of growing pains will present themselves. Additionally, there needs to be a better assembly of players, who can complement each other. But, it may be too late now to make such changes.
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This roster will change over time. Miller did what he could for his first year, including a trade for last year's MIP and executing the 4th year option on Siegrist. He's taking a chance on Smith, in my opinion, which doesn't hurt for one season.

Miller unfortunately has more focus on his front office decisions because of Bueckers being on the roster. Personally, I don't know how much better he could have made the roster. When I look at teams like LA, Connecticut, and GS, the same could be said about each team to an extent.
 
azfan said:
Career record in the W. lol


19-21 last year as a head "coach" in Phoenix and as you point out 5-3 this year with wins over Sparks, Mystics and Sky *( by 5 points) and is under .500 against the Lynx 1-5 last year and 0-2 this year. Against the Liberty 1-2 last year and . . . well we know how the 1.2 million dollar coach will fare against the Liberty this year)

Hope spring eternal . . .

I agree on salaries

Sandy Brondello - coach of defending W champs - 500,000
Cheryl Reeves 4 WNBA championships 650,000

If Nate Tibbets is a 1 million dollar coach, those two champs are worth 4 million.

Nate Tibbets in his first head coaching job and first time coaching women with a career record as a head coach of .500 - 1.2 million

I would like to see compensation that reflects results.

As a Mercury fan I expect that the highest paid coach in WNBA history, the first coach to "earn" 1.2 million, a coach who makes more that every WNBA championship coach in history - well I expect more than a .500 team. A team that consistently losses to the elite teams and coaches in the league.
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Doesn't Becky Hammon make about $1 million per year? She left the NBA (and its pay scale) for the WNBA.
 
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Just give me 40 minutes of Pheesa. No BS. Teamwork. All aspects of the game. makes every teammate better. & wins!
A'ja Wilson, too. Just compete & win.

WNBA becoming a laughingstock. Promoting drama! Becoming unwatchable.
 
MilfordHusky said:
Jewell Loyd was very unhappy and eager to get out of Seattle. This week, Li Yeuru asked to be traded.
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Same store, but think there's a case of apples and oranges:
- Loyd -- who had only spent her entire career there -- wanted out because of a culture of administrative intimidation. The Storm's own investigation -- surprise, surprise -- didn't find this to be the case but traded her to a Western rival. Why is it not a surprise that the alleged incident took place between the Aces (where Ms. Loyd currently plays) and a coach from the Storm. On the same staff that was investigated? And Ms. Quinn says we all learn and take it forward. Yeah, right.

- The Sonics -- if I have the time order right -- picked up Li Yeuru in a trade with Sparks and probably intended here to be a prime backup in the paint. Then, in no short order, Olivia Miles decides to go pro -- but in college -- and doesn't enter the draft; thereby having the Storm pick up Ms. Malonga, who just happens to play the same position.

So, will the Storm respect this request and ship her out? Don't hear about these kinds of trades often, but is there a player that the Storm might want to get for either this season and/or would be able to hold onto in 2026? Here's a thought: Ezi Magbegor is an unrestricted free agent (like so many players), while Li Yeuru is an ERFA (exclusive rights). Magbegor seems to have hit a Plateau-like season. Malonga - Magbegor look like the same player from a functional standpoint at this time in their careers. Perhaps the Storm could see what deal would help most. Yeuru can play....look at her work for the Chinese National Team. But does anyone want to put the time into it in a condensed season?

Well, at least she's not accusing the coaching staff of intimidation....:rolleyes:
 
MilfordHusky said:
Jewell Loyd was very unhappy and eager to get out of Seattle. This week, Li Yeuru asked to be traded.
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Those situations are separate from the investigation. Per ESPN, it's not focused on the Storm specifically.

And to top up on the Yeuru trade, per sources it's due to playing time, which makes sense considering the roster this season. Playing time isn't an unusual reason.

"Li, 26, is an important part of the Chinese national team. She led China in scoring (17.7) and rebounding (11.0) at the Paris Olympics last year. According to the source, the Chinese federation prefers Li get more playing time if she is to remain in the WNBA."
www.espn.com

Source: Storm's Li seeks trade over playing time

Center Li Yueru has requested a trade from the Seattle Storm as she seeks more playing time, a source told ESPN on Wednesday, confirming a GirlsTalkSportsTV report.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
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Dillon77 said:
Same store, but think there's a case of apples and oranges:
- Loyd -- who had only spent her entire career there -- wanted out because of a culture of administrative intimidation. The Storm's own investigation -- surprise, surprise -- didn't find this to be the case but traded her to a Western rival. Why is it not a surprise that the alleged incident took place between the Aces (where Ms. Loyd currently plays) and a coach from the Storm. On the same staff that was investigated? And Ms. Quinn says we all learn and take it forward. Yeah, right.

- The Sonics -- if I have the time order right -- picked up Li Yeuru in a trade with Sparks and probably intended here to be a prime backup in the paint. Then, in no short order, Olivia Miles decides to go pro -- but in college -- and doesn't enter the draft; thereby having the Storm pick up Ms. Malonga, who just happens to play the same position.

So, will the Storm respect this request and ship her out? Don't hear about these kinds of trades often, but is there a player that the Storm might want to get for either this season and/or would be able to hold onto in 2026? Here's a thought: Ezi Magbegor is an unrestricted free agent (like so many players), while Li Yeuru is an ERFA (exclusive rights). Magbegor seems to have hit a Plateau-like season. Malonga - Magbegor look like the same player from a functional standpoint at this time in their careers. Perhaps the Storm could see what deal would help most. Yeuru can play....look at her work for the Chinese National Team. But does anyone want to put the time into it in a condensed season?

Well, at least she's not accusing the coaching staff of intimidation....:rolleyes:
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I think you mean the Storm, not the Sonics. ;)
 
Bigboote said:
I shout profanity at my TV all the time and TV security isn’t investigating me. As far as I know. :oops:
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im watching you look at me GIF by I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Australia
 
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MilfordHusky said:
Jewell Loyd was very unhappy and eager to get out of Seattle. This week, Li Yeuru asked to be traded.
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Li Yeuru is asking for a trade because the Chinese National team, which has a lot of influence on how their players are utilized in the WNBA, wants more playing time for their players. Pretty much the same thing happened in Chicago. Her stint in LA was a combination of things.
 
JellyBean said:
Li Yeuru is asking for a trade because the Chinese National team, which has a lot of influence on how their players are utilized in the WNBA, wants more playing time for their players. Pretty much the same thing happened in Chicago. Her stint in LA was a combination of things.
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She can go as far as I'm concerned. She's not terrible, but not great either. You don't like the minutes you are getting in the league? Get better. Honestly I hope no one wants her. Let her go back to China.
 
So, in a post above, I looked at who the Dallas Wings would have in terms of young players under contract before next season.
ESPN took it one step further and took a look at the teams that have the most promising/solid group of young 'uns coming back.
They're going with Clark and Boston of the Indiana Fever as their #1, but the Washington Mystics (Citron, Iriafen, Edwards, Melbourne, Austin and the injured Amoore) are right behind. Citron, btw, is still only 21 years old (22 in September).

www.espn.com

Ranking every WNBA team's roster core, 1-13: Which team has the best young players?

Let's stack every WNBA team's core by the youth of its roster, leading off with the Fever and Caitlin Clark.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
Dillon77 said:
Dang...old favorites reside hard in my mind! :)
Loved that franchise and still moderately po'ed that the NBA hasn't gotten a franchise back in there.
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The new/renovated arena is extremely nice.
 
EricLA said:
She can go as far as I'm concerned. She's not terrible, but not great either. You don't like the minutes you are getting in the league? Get better. Honestly I hope no one wants her. Let her go back to China.
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Not a good thing to say. :confused:
 
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azfan said:
Whose losing streak ends tonight in Phoenix?
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Well, it sure as heck wasn't pretty, but it was (kinda) competitive. Phoenix won the 4th by nine and so they did the game, 86-77.
Lexi Held took the driver's wheel today with 24 points on 4-9 from three and 6 of 6 from the FT line.
 
Dillon77 said:
Well, it sure as heck wasn't pretty, but it was (kinda) competitive. Phoenix won the 4th by nine and so they did the game, 86-77.
Lexi Held took the driver's wheel today with 24 points on 4-9 from three and 6 of 6 from the FT line.
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Ikr

When an expansion team comes to your home court and is leading late in the 4th you do feel very very very fortunate to win
 
azfan said:
Ikr

When an expansion team comes to your home court and is leading late in the 4th you do feel very very very fortunate to win
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OK, my fellow WNBA poster, everybody who frequents this thread knows of your, ahem, skepticism for the "million dollar coach" and, ostensibly, the administration that hired him. But, at some point, the question must be asked: are you still a fan of the Phoenix Mercury team (as in, the players) or just using them as a springboard to ostensibly "in-house" troll the administration?

Why do I ask?
For all intensive purposes, the Mercury -- save for one Satou Sabally -- are playing with a roster that might be more "expansionish" than the Golden State Valkyreis. Sami Whitcomb is the best known name of W vets, but the others -- Haley Jones, Kalani Brown -- were hardly in steep demand. And the regular rotation includes new (or just having had a cup of coffee) players such as Kat Westbeld, Lexi Held, Monique Akoa Makani and Katija Laska.

They're 6-3. And they're doing this without Alyssa Thomas or Kaleah Copper. Don't really care who they're playing because they're all WNBA teams. A Mercury fan would accept the fact that it wasn't well played, but they woke up to win. And maybe admire how another misfit W'er won the day.

BTW, before you diss the opponent, the Valkyries -- after getting shellacked in the first game of an away and away with the Liberty (great scheduling there, home office) -- nearly won the second of the matches with the defending champs. So, that team can play from time to time.

Now, I have no vested interest in Phoenix (I live in northern New Jersey), but do enjoy watching Kat Westbeld play...a lot.. in her first year in the W. What I'm interested in is if you'll enjoy the success of -- at least -- the Merc players.
 
Dillon77 said:
OK, my fellow WNBA poster, everybody who frequents this thread knows of your, ahem, skepticism for the "million dollar coach" and, ostensibly, the administration that hired him. But, at some point, the question must be asked: are you still a fan of the Phoenix Mercury team (as in, the players) or just using them as a springboard to ostensibly "in-house" troll the administration?

Why do I ask?
For all intensive purposes, the Mercury -- save for one Satou Sabally -- are playing with a roster that might be more "expansionish" than the Golden State Valkyreis. Sami Whitcomb is the best known name of W vets, but the others -- Haley Jones, Kalani Brown -- were hardly in steep demand. And the regular rotation includes new (or just having had a cup of coffee) players such as Kat Westbeld, Lexi Held, Monique Akoa Makani and Katija Laska.

They're 6-3. And they're doing this without Alyssa Thomas or Kaleah Copper. Don't really care who they're playing because they're all WNBA teams. A Mercury fan would accept the fact that it wasn't well played, but they woke up to win. And maybe admire how another misfit W'er won the day.

BTW, before you diss the opponent, the Valkyries -- after getting shellacked in the first game of an away and away with the Liberty (great scheduling there, home office) -- nearly won the second of the matches with the defending champs. So, that team can play from time to time.

Now, I have no vested interest in Phoenix (I live in northern New Jersey), but do enjoy watching Kat Westbeld play...a lot.. in her first year in the W. What I'm interested in is if you'll enjoy the success of -- at least -- the Merc players.
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Great question. I'm a long time fan of the Arizona State Sun Devils, the Phoenix Mercury, the Grand Canyon Antelopes and NAU Lumberjacks.

For the college teams I'm a season ticket holder and admire the athletes and the excellent coaches. The not so excellent coaches let's think Natasha Adair and or the million dollar coach do not fall into the category of excellent.

Just as I enthusiastically celebrate the triumphs of my favorite teams and admire greatly the work of the athletes I do feel a responsibility to be consistent. That is when things are going well for the coaching staff I praised Charlize Turner Thorne and her 500 wins, Molly Miller a 30 season last year and Loree Payne who rebuild a program that was in shambles I express my admiration and praise those who are involved. Reviewing my postings last year of Grand Canyon and NAU there's joy, pleasure, celebration and a feeling of gratitude. In fact on the boneyard I received pushback from my support and admiration for CTT and her defense.

Trolling.

Well I think that the Phoenix Mercury who released a coach now with 2 WNBA championships in Sandy and made the decision to award one of the 13 rare spots of the head coach in the w to a coach would never coached women's basketball, never been a head coach, and clearly like Natasha Adair appears to be in over his head

AND

Made this coach the first million dollar earner and the highest paid coaching WNBA history I think it's both appropriate and responsible to expect results and when those results are not forthcoming to articulate it.

On balance I spend most of my time and energy so grateful for the Molly Millers and a Loree Paynes and now Laura Dinkins of the world and the impact they're having on their respective programs.

I had a sense that some members of the BY sympathized with the agony and the pain of Natasha Adair 3 years of results that don't even rise to mediocrity following the excellence dare I say it dare dare the greatness of Charlize Turner Thorne.

I celebrated the hirings of Winston Gandy and Laura Dinkins at the collegiate level and anticipate that their performance will align with expectations. In fact gandy has placed a structure in place to exceed expectations

My passion for the programs I support motivates my celebration of excellence and my condemnation of mediocrity.

I think professional athletes in particular after negotiate a number of challenges. I admire their athleticism and the way the majority of them handle these challenging situations with grace and class.

Held and Westfield have seized their opportunity. While I discount for petformance against expansion teams, and teams close to the expansion level a la the Wing and Connecticut I do find gratifying the ability of these young players to perform particularly with the knowledge that Coop and AT will return to the court and they will return to the bench.

So I'm not sure that I find trolling accurate or adequate description of my belief that when people do well and exhibit virtue they should be praised and when people fail to rise to expectations and exhibit a lack of virtue they should be condemned. Maybe I'm just channeling Seneca.
 
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azfan said:
Great question. I'm a long time fan of the Arizona State Sun Devils, the Phoenix Mercury, the Grand Canyon Antelopes and NAU Lumberjacks.

For the college teams I'm a season ticket holder and admire the athletes and the excellent coaches. The not so excellent coaches let's think Natasha Adair and or the million dollar coach do not fall into the category of excellent.

Just as I enthusiastically celebrate the triumphs of my favorite teams and admire greatly the work of the athletes I do feel a responsibility to be consistent. That is when things are going well for the coaching staff I praised Charlize Turner Thorne and her 500 wins, Molly Miller a 30 season last year and Loree Payne who rebuild a program that was in shambles I express my admiration and praise those who are involved. Reviewing my postings last year of Grand Canyon and NAU there's joy, pleasure, celebration and a feeling of gratitude. In fact on the boneyard I received pushback from my support and admiration for CTT and her defense.

Trolling.

Well I think that the Phoenix Mercury who released a coach now with 2 WNBA championships in Sandy and made the decision to award one of the 13 rare spots of the head coach in the w to a coach would never coached women's basketball, never been a head coach, and clearly like Natasha Adair appears to be in over his head

AND

Made this coach the first million dollar earner and the highest paid coaching WNBA history I think it's both appropriate and responsible to expect results and when those results are not forthcoming to articulate it.

On balance I spend most of my time and energy so grateful for the Molly Millers and a Loree Paynes and now Laura Dinkins of the world and the impact they're having on their respective programs.

I had a sense that some members of the BY sympathized with the agony and the pain of Natasha Adair 3 years of results that don't even rise to mediocrity following the excellence dare I say it dare dare the greatness of Charlize Turner Thorne.

I celebrated the hirings of Winston Gandy and Laura Dinkins at the collegiate level and anticipate that their performance will align with expectations. In fact gandy has placed a structure in place to exceed expectations

My passion for the programs I support motivates my celebration of excellence and my condemnation of mediocrity.

I think professional athletes in particular after negotiate a number of challenges. I admire their athleticism and the way the majority of them handle these challenging situations with grace and class.

Held and Westfield have seized their opportunity. While I discount for petformance against expansion teams, and teams close to the expansion level a la the Wing and Connecticut I do find gratifying the ability of these young players to perform particularly with the knowledge that Coop and AT will return to the court and they will return to the bench.

So I'm not sure that I find trolling accurate or adequate description of my belief that when people do well and exhibit virtue they should be praised and when people fail to rise to expectations and exhibit a lack of virtue they should be condemned. Maybe I'm just channeling Seneca.
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I've heard variations of the word "trolling," but I'm probably not using the most recognizable one.
So I'll go with a different tact: it seems to me that you're using the WNBA thread as a way of lashing out at the administration of the club, vis a vis the actual players themselves.

So, my apologies for that, but I still wanted to know if, hey, you enjoyed some aspects of being a Merc fan. ;)
(My thought is life's too short...enjoy the good of whatever is happening and this crew has at least a 6-3 record for now. Gosh, imagine being a Sun, Sky or Wings fan this season.)

BTW, I enjoy the coverage you give us all on all the AZ teams over the years....was just noting the discomfort with the Merc.
(And yes, the firing of Brondello in my mind was completely a knee-jerk reaction....)
 
Dillon77 said:
Dang...old favorites reside hard in my mind! :)
Loved that franchise -- the Sonics -- and still moderately po'ed that the NBA hasn't gotten a franchise back in there.
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Growing up in the late 70s, the Sonics were my team! I still remember watching their 78 and 79 Finals run against the Bullets. Taped delay games. Those were the days.
 
Dillon77 said:
Well, it sure as heck wasn't pretty, but it was (kinda) competitive. Phoenix won the 4th by nine and so they did the game, 86-77.
Lexi Held took the driver's wheel today with 24 points on 4-9 from three and 6 of 6 from the FT line.
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I think that Golden State has lost a few games in the last 3-4 minutes or less.
 
JellyBean said:
Growing up in the late 70s, the Sonics were my team! I still remember watching their 78 and 79 Finals run against the Bullets. Taped delay games. Those were the days.
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DJ (pre-Celtics), Gus Williams, Jack "Dutch-boy haircut" Sikma, Wally Walker. Coached by Lenny Wilkens.
 
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