2025 WNBA Regular Season

[GamecockFam]

The Fever started out strong and still look like they have tons of room for improvement. Clark with a triple double to start the season! Adding Natasha Howard was such a good move for remediating their defensive woes from last season. This team looks 100x better on defense and is taking their offense up another level with all the weapons. One thing that I think will be critical for their playoff run is that Kelsey Mitchell doesn't have to carry the offense when things get rough. I think she'll get more rest throughout the season and I think that'll help her keep her legs in the playoffs. Anyways I'm getting ahead of myself. This team has the chess pieces to win it all.

 

[Gus Mahler]

How is Nalyssa Smith still in the league? Minimal effort. Thinks she’s a guard and her defense is just…TRBLLLL!

Robin Lundberg referred to her defense as "cone" defense, a la traffic cone. Ha!

 

[WBBTakeover]

Dana Evans contributed as much (if not more), in 18 minutes, as Chelsea Gray did in 35. That's what you'd want from a player who can be 6th Woman of the Year, but that's not what you want from a starting PG who's supposed to be the best in the league at her position (well, she clearly isn't anymore, but you get it).

 

[Jonathan14]

The MVP discussion is going to be interesting to me because those who relentlessly vilified last year's favorite will be perfectly fine with this year's favorite going for the award.

I'm sure I'm being dense here, but would you mind stating this another way? I read you as saying, "Those who vilified A'ja last year will be perfectly fine with her winning it this year." But, as I said, I think I'm missing something. (This happens to me all the time; just ask my kids.)

 

[WBBTakeover]

I'm sure I'm being dense here, but would you mind stating this another way? I read you as saying, "Those who vilified A'ja last year will be perfectly fine with her winning it this year." But, as I said, I think I'm missing something. (This happens to me all the time; just ask my kids.)

Sure--I'll clarify.

A'ja took a ton of heat for what opposing fans (and some members of a major media market) considered to be "chasing an MVP" last year. This year, because Phee is the favorite, those same fans seem to be okay with her "chasing an MVP".

It's a double standard to me, but fans will vilify who they want.

SN: I think it'll be interesting if the MVP race comes down to Caitlin versus Phee, especially considering that the former just had a triple double on national TV and more than held her own defensively (a huge knock on her last year). I, personally, don't believe that A'ja will drop off like many are predicting, so stay tuned.

 

[Dillon77]

Hey, it's only one game but sure like to see this respect/admiration & affinity between new teammates.
Yes, they'll run into roadblocks but the two seem to be in a good place. Now, if they can get Aaliyah Edwards and Shakira Austin back!

 

[GamecockFam]

Hey, it's only one game but sure like to see this respect/admiration & affinity between new teammates.
Yes, they'll run into roadblocks but the two seem to be in a good place. Now, if they can get Aaliyah Edwards and Shakira Austin back!

Those are two great pieces to build a future off of, especially Citron.

 

[cancontent]

 

[ochoopsfan]

The rosters include...

The following schools...
UCONN.....16
Notre Dame....12
South Carolina...9
Baylor...6
Tenn....5
Texas...5
Maryland...5
Stanford....5
UCLA....5

The rest have less than 5.
The who's who of WBB....

Nneka, Smith, Samuelson, Hull, Brink, Carrington, Iriafen.
The last two played at Stanford, but transferred elsewhere

 

[JellyBean]

Sure--I'll clarify.

A'ja took a ton of heat for what opposing fans (and some members of a major media market) considered to be "chasing an MVP" last year. This year, because Phee is the favorite, those same fans seem to be okay with her "chasing an MVP".

It's a double standard to me, but fans will vilify who they want.

SN: I think it'll be interesting if the MVP race comes down to Caitlin versus Phee, especially considering that the former just had a triple double on national TV and more than held her own defensively (a huge knock on her last year). I, personally, don't believe that A'ja will drop off like many are predicting, so stay tuned.

Well said.

 

[JellyBean]

Welp. I guess I will watch this Fever/Sky game later. I saw the box score and some of the comments/video clips of the foul by Caitlin Clark on Angel Reese. I am looking forward to watching that and drama. Right now, Seattle/Phoenix. Let's see what Seattle does.

 

[jumpstart]

Nneka, Smith, Samuelson, Hull, Brink, Carrington, Iriafen.
The last two played at Stanford, but transferred elsewhere

That is how it is listed on the WNBA web site. They go by where they were playing when drafted.

 

[Stagnant]

Fever looked really good. But Chicago is part of that. I think Chicago is going to stink this year. You can’t play Sloot this many minutes at this point in her career.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I thought the MVP contenders all started strong:

Phee
A'ja
Caitlin
AT
Stewie
Satou

 

[GamecockFam]

I watched every opening game but Aces/Liberty and I have to say that Seattle looked the most disorganized and least prepared for the season to start. It was an all around sloppy performance from them. They are a much better team than what they showed on the court today. If it wasn't for their length, it would have been a way uglier game.

 

[JellyBean]

How about that Phoenix squad!? Hats off to the coach for getting not 5 players double digit minutes. Not 7 players double digit minutes. How about 9 players double digit minutes out there! Wow!! Well done, Coach!! Satou and Alyssa never missed a beat! Of course, they were playing against Seattle, which I am disappointed in Seattle and their lack of effort! 59 points? Really, Seattle? It is going to be a long season for them, and I follow them like I follow my Minnesota squad. I can only imagine that post game conference.

 

[JellyBean]

I watched every opening game but Aces/Liberty and I have to say that Seattle looked the most disorganized and least prepared for the season to start. It was an all around sloppy performance from them. They are a much better team than what they showed on the court today. If it wasn't for their length, it would have been a way uglier game.

Which is crazy because they (Seattle) was posting their practice sessions online and the chemistry and flow was on point! Then you see them in an actual game, well like you said, they looked sloppy. They lacked effort. Golden State Valkyries played with more energy & effort than Seattle! The Seattle veterans gotta figure things out and get things on track. It is only one game but talk about bad first impressions. Holy smokes.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I'm...officially scared for Noelle's job. That performance was unacceptable, and too many more like that will have her out of a job (which is a shame). Too much playable post depth (seriously, send one Vegas' way, please--preferably Magbegor but will also take Li) and experience on the perimeter to look so disorganized. What were they running offensively? I have no idea. I'm floored by how nonchalant they looked playing against a Phoenix team that had two superstars surrounded by a bunch of newbies/journeywomen. Yes, Satou and AT were the best players on the court BY FAR (AT, especially, dominated the game on both ends and looked like an MVP). But given that Nneka is considered a Top 10 player by many (and Skylar Top 15)--that shouldn't happen.

Gabby (please consider sending her to Vegas kthx) is being forced to play a role that does not suit her skill set. She's a good two-way player--probably a more polished version of Jordan Horston due to her experience. But shooter she is not--so let's not force it, please!

Skylar looked great basketball-wise, but she's not doing well in other aspects (she was visibly shaking at times because she's having a hard time containing her anger). I wonder if she'd consider talking to a sports psychologist (if she hasn't already done so).

And look, I love AC. 2023 holds a special place in my heart in large part because of HER. But for all the talk about how Vegas was foolish for letting her go, she's not yet showing that she was worth $185,000 and a starting role (she didn't look any better than Aaliyah Nye, who is much, much younger and much, much cheaper). Like sis--you're the oldest player in the W. I can't justify giving you $185K at this stage in your career. And the fact that Seattle gave her that is just--mindblowing!

You know, the Storm could've used a scorer tonight. Could've sworn they had one at some point until Sky--you know what? Nevermind.

The Malonga hot takes will fly around, but considering that she's an international teenager who played in her first real WNBA game--she'll be fine.

I'm miffed that Phoenix beat what should be a good Seattle team largely through the efforts of two players while Vegas has four Olympians and could only get one to show up. You have to try REALLY hard to shoot as poorly (11 for 42) as those three perimeter players did today.

 

[baggerbob]

I'm...officially scared for Noelle's job. That performance was unacceptable, and too many more like that will have her out of a job (which is a shame). Too much playable post depth (seriously, send one Vegas' way, please--preferably Magbegor but will also take Li) and experience on the perimeter to look so disorganized. What were they running offensively? I have no idea. I'm floored by how nonchalant they looked playing against a Phoenix team that had two superstars surrounded by a bunch of newbies/journeywomen. Yes, Satou and AT were the best players on the court BY FAR (AT, especially, dominated the game on both ends and looked like an MVP). But given that Nneka is considered a Top 10 player by many (and Skylar Top 15)--that shouldn't happen.

Gabby (please consider sending her to Vegas kthx) is being forced to play a role that does not suit her skill set. She's a good two-way player--probably a more polished version of Jordan Horston due to her experience. But shooter she is not--so let's not force it, please!

Skylar looked great basketball-wise, but she's not doing well in other aspects (she was visibly shaking at times because she's having a hard time containing her anger). I wonder if she'd consider talking to a sports psychologist (if she hasn't already done so).

And look, I love AC. 2023 holds a special place in my heart in large part because of HER. But for all the talk about how Vegas was foolish for letting her go, she's not yet showing that she was worth $185,000 and a starting role (she didn't look any better than Aaliyah Nye, who is much, much younger and much, much cheaper). Like sis--you're the oldest player in the W. I can't justify giving you $185K at this stage in your career. And the fact that Seattle gave her that is just--mindblowing!

You know, the Storm could've used a scorer tonight. Could've sworn they had one at some point until Sky--you know what? Nevermind.

The Malonga hot takes will fly around, but considering that she's an international teenager who played in her first real WNBA game--she'll be fine.

I'm miffed that Phoenix beat what should be a good Seattle team largely through the efforts of two players while Vegas has four Olympians and could only get one to show up. You have to try REALLY hard to shoot as poorly (11 for 42) as those three perimeter players did today.

Skylar always gets her points regardless of anyone else. She has always been hard to play with where she has been.
That's why she has constantly moved on without wining any titles or coming close in the WNBA.

 

[cancontent]

Welp. I guess I will watch this Fever/Sky game later. I saw the box score and some of the comments/video clips of the foul by Caitlin Clark on Angel Reese. I am looking forward to watching that and drama. Right now, Seattle/Phoenix. Let's see what Seattle does.

It's a nothing burger that people are trying to make into a bigger deal because of who was involved. The call was correct, however I wish the term flagrant wasn't used for that type of foul. It should be seen as unnecessary contact, like in the NFL.

 

[Jonathan14]

Sure--I'll clarify.

A'ja took a ton of heat for what opposing fans (and some members of a major media market) considered to be "chasing an MVP" last year. This year, because Phee is the favorite, those same fans seem to be okay with her "chasing an MVP".

It's a double standard to me, but fans will vilify who they want.

Thanks. I knew I was missing something, so I appreciate your taking the time to explain it to me. I wasn't aware of the flak A'ja was getting last year, and honestly, I don't get it. Shouldn't all players be trying to chase an MVP? Of course, not everyone has the same tools and capacity as A'ja (or Phee, Stewie, Caitlin, AT, JJ, etc) to compete for one, but shouldn't every player compete as hard as she can every game?

Coincidentally, during the off-season, I saw two separate clips about A'ja's and Napheesa's off-season training regimens. It is unbelievable how hard these women work to stay elite and become even more so.

As for the MVP race, if anyone writes off A'ja at this point in the season, they don't know much about her, in my opinion.

 

[cancontent]

Thanks. I knew I was missing something, so I appreciate your taking the time to explain it to me. I wasn't aware of the flak A'ja was getting last year, and honestly, I don't get it. Shouldn't all players be trying to chase an MVP? Of course, not everyone has the same tools and capacity as A'ja (or Phee, Stewie, Caitlin, AT, JJ, etc) to compete for one, but shouldn't every player compete as hard as she can every game?

Coincidentally, during the off-season, I saw two separate clips about A'ja's and Napheesa's off-season training regimens. It is unbelievable how hard these women work to stay elite and become even more so.

As for the MVP race, if anyone writes off A'ja at this point in the season, they don't know much about her, in my opinion.

If anyone is writing her off after one game, they're biased and/or know nothing about the game itself. Having a favourite is understood, however it's impossible to say who will be MVP after one game in a season.

 

[JellyBean]

It's a nothing burger that people are trying to make into a bigger deal because of who was involved. The call was correct, however I wish the term flagrant wasn't used for that type of foul. It should be seen as unnecessary contact, like in the NFL.

Yeah. I watched the game and I agree, it was a nothing burger. I was more annoyed with Angel Reese flopping and trying to make it into something. Her post-game conference comments were solid. I also agree on the foul call. The flagrant one was over the top as well as giving Aliyah Boston a technical. I might have missed the reasoning behind the tech call but all I saw was Boston stepping between Reese and Clark. Sure she touched Reese but if that is the standard going forward, I see a whole bunch of techs being issued this season.

 

[Stagnant]

One thing that Seattle game tell me… Malonga probably won’t win rookie of the year. Used sparingly in a blowout. Some of the other rookie of the year contenders will start and play 30 minutes a game all year.

 

[cancontent]

Yeah. I watched the game and I agree, it was a nothing burger. I was more annoyed with Angel Reese flopping and trying to make it into something. Her post-game conference comments were solid. I also agree on the foul call. The flagrant one was over the top as well as giving Aliyah Boston a technical. I might have missed the reasoning behind the tech call but all I saw was Boston stepping between Reese and Clark. Sure she touched Reese but if that is the standard going forward, I see a whole bunch of techs being issued this season.

This should help clarify things. Technically, the flagrant one was the correct call because Clark's actions weren't basketball plays (e.g. no play on the ball, push in the back etc). It should be seen as unnecessary contact if it's upgraded because the word flagrant has a negative connotation to it.