2025 WNBA Regular Season

[The deacon]

MVP seems to be a three woman race with Collier waaay out in front but I don't think it is impossible for Wilson or AT to catch up if they have a magical end to the regular season, especially while Phee is out.

MVP rankings IMO (threw in a 4-5 for kicks):
1. Collier
2. Wilson
3. AT
4. K. Mitchell
5. Stewie

Not so sure I'd say Napheesa is way out in front, except in the minds of so many so-called experts who had her pegged as the MVP before the season had started.

A'ja is statistically right with Napheesa and, the way she's played lately, is quite possibly going to finish ahead of Napheesa by the numbers.

AT is right where she was two seasons ago, offering a unique, three-pronged case for her to be MVP (which I believe she deserved back then). She wouldn't win a congeniality contest, so likely I'll predict Napheesa will get the edge come selection time, depending on when she returns.

As for your 'kicks' category, GamecockFam, some Fever fans might consider Aliyah Boston a better choice than Kelsey, and, knowing it won't be a popular choice here on the Boneyard, I'd have Sabrina ahead of Stewie as the Liberty's MVP.

 

[Jonathan14]

I don't understand the underlying narrative in the above conversation that first rounders are not team players. Can someone explain to me what I am missing?

Oh, that wasn't my understanding at all. I thought the point being made was that it's all the more impressive/surprising when a team finds success without being loaded with lottery picks and other first-round talent. (Like looking at the starting line-ups of the Aces or the Liberty, you'd expect them to be good, but you look at the Valks and you wouldn't expect as much.)

 

[baggerbob]

Like Courtney Williams said during the game, everyone has to step it up while Collier is out. The Lynx's roster without Collier isn't exactly chopped liver. And for how dominant NY is supposed to be, they've had their fair share of games where they've lost when they shouldn't.

And Sabrina shoots too much, this year she is starting to get like Loyd. She should never be taking more shots then Stewie, and even before Stewie got hurt she was taking 2 more shots per game.

 

[Bigboote]

Oh, that wasn't my understanding at all. I thought the point being made was that it's all the more impressive/surprising when a team finds success without being loaded with lottery picks and other first-round talent. (Like looking at the starting line-ups of the Aces or the Liberty, you'd expect them to be good, but you look at the Valks and you wouldn't expect as much.)

Yep, that was my intent with the first post on the subject. For the Lynx and Valks to be playing as well as they are with the (originally perceived) quality of players is a testament to Coaches Reeve and Nakase, as well as the execs (including Reeve) who put the teams together. (I'm not sure what the difference is between general manager and president of basketball operations wrt Reeve, but I'm sure she had a hand in the makeup of the team.)

 

[Geew1992]

No argument from me, but I'd like to point out:

Their starting lineup last night has three first-round draft picks, but two of those (Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith) played for four different teams in the previous four seasons, so while they were first-rounders, they were castoffs when the Lynx got them. Shepard and Carleton were second-rounders, and Shep has spent two seasons out of the W. KMac is the only first-round pick who's been in a reasonably steady situation.

Off the bench, Hiedemann and Carrington were second rounders, and while Kliundikova was first-round, she'd only spent parts of two seasons in the W, and that was many years ago.

I wonder how many teams have lower-round draft picks as half their contributors?

Williams was not a cast off when she got to Minnesota. She was a starter for the teams she played for

 

[bballnut90]

Not so sure I'd say Napheesa is way out in front, except in the minds of so many so-called experts who had her pegged as the MVP before the season had started.

A'ja is statistically right with Napheesa and, the way she's played lately, is quite possibly going to finish ahead of Napheesa by the numbers.

AT is right where she was two seasons ago, offering a unique, three-pronged case for her to be MVP (which I believe she deserved back then). She wouldn't win a congeniality contest, so likely I'll predict Napheesa will get the edge come selection time, depending on when she returns.

As for your 'kicks' category, GamecockFam, some Fever fans might consider Aliyah Boston a better choice than Kelsey, and, knowing it won't be a popular choice here on the Boneyard, I'd have Sabrina ahead of Stewie as the Liberty's MVP.

A'ja's numbers are climbing, Collier differentiates herself for her team going 27-5 where Vegas is 18-14. Team success matters, and if you have a team that's far ahead of the rest of the pack with a clear standout, more often than not the standout wins. Only thing holding Collier back is if she misses too many games.

I'd probably put AT at number 2. She's having a heck of a season. 16/9/9 with 54% FG and solid team success puts her in the conversation. Again, Minnesota is 27-5 where Phoenix is 19-12, but I'd probably have her #2 right now.

I'd put A'ja at 3, Allisha Gray at #4 and Ionescu at 5. Mitchell/Boston/Plum in the next tier are having really strong seasons but not MVP worthy.

 

[TRest]

. Knock on wood, both teams appear to have selected keepers in the backcourt.

Ya think?

 

[GamecockFam]

A'ja's numbers are climbing, Collier differentiates herself for her team going 27-5 where Vegas is 18-14. Team success matters, and if you have a team that's far ahead of the rest of the pack with a clear standout, more often than not the standout wins. Only thing holding Collier back is if she misses too many games.

I'd probably put AT at number 2. She's having a heck of a season. 16/9/9 with 54% FG and solid team success puts her in the conversation. Again, Minnesota is 27-5 where Phoenix is 19-12, but I'd probably have her #2 right now.

I'd put A'ja at 3, Allisha Gray at #4 and Ionescu at 5. Mitchell/Boston/Plum in the next tier are having really strong seasons but not MVP worthy.

I would argue that Allisha Gray's numbers have somewhat stagnated since the All-star break, whereas Mitchell's are climbing (with exception to the most recent Mercury game) which is why I chose Mitchell over Gray. Either way, Gray and Mitchell are the top two SG in the league this season, so you really cannot go wrong with picking either. Ionescu is good but she needs to up her efficiency and consistency to be in serious contention (same with Plum concerning efficiency).

 

[GamecockFam]

Not so sure I'd say Napheesa is way out in front, except in the minds of so many so-called experts who had her pegged as the MVP before the season had started.

A'ja is statistically right with Napheesa and, the way she's played lately, is quite possibly going to finish ahead of Napheesa by the numbers.

AT is right where she was two seasons ago, offering a unique, three-pronged case for her to be MVP (which I believe she deserved back then). She wouldn't win a congeniality contest, so likely I'll predict Napheesa will get the edge come selection time, depending on when she returns.

As for your 'kicks' category, GamecockFam, some Fever fans might consider Aliyah Boston a better choice than Kelsey, and, knowing it won't be a popular choice here on the Boneyard, I'd have Sabrina ahead of Stewie as the Liberty's MVP.

I want to put Boston up there but she faces similar issues as AT where some of the lesser weighted metrics say she should be up there despite not putting up 20 points each night.

 

[baggerbob]

And Sabrina shoots too much, this year she is starting to get like Loyd. She should never be taking more shots then Stewie, and even before Stewie got hurt she was taking 2 more shots per game.

Not a fan of Sabrina or Clark so I really don't care. With the new contract would like to see Stewie, JJ, and Messeman go to Dallas to play with Paige.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Reporting in from Ballhalla where we got the win and Violet the Valkyrie made her birthday debut. She needs to work on her layups, but dang can she cut it on the dance floor...

Ellie, we're coming for you, girl.

 

[GamecockFam]

Caitlin Clark's injury status has gone from "out" to "game time decision" 👀

 

[cancontent]

Reporting in from Ballhalla where we got the win and Violet the Valkyrie made her birthday debut. She needs to work on her layups, but dang can she cut it on the dance floor...
View attachment 111058
Ellie, we're coming for you, girl.

Ooooooh, the thought of a dance off between them is tempting.

 

[Dillon77]

Ya think?

I probably set myself up from a talent perspective (given Bueckers was #1 and Citron #3), but......

• Some choices just don't work out, from the individual to the fit with the team (that doesn't appear to be the case(s) here).
• Hoping for good health for both on a consistent basis. Both are coming off long college seasons.

 

[cancontent]

 

[GamecockFam]

Caitlin Clark's injury status has gone from "out" to "game time decision" 👀

Apparently it was causing too much of a ruckus so she is now listed as out. Either way, it seems that her return is imminent.

 

[cancontent]

@TheFarmFan Did they explain this when Violet was introduced to the fans? Learned something new about ravens today. 🙂

 

[Bigboote]

Other than not being able to hit a shot, I think Berger has been playing really well. The Wings need defense and heady play, and she’s been giving them both.

 

[Bigboote]

@TheFarmFan Did they explain this when Violet was introduced to the fans? Learned something new about ravens today. 🙂

The flock together in unkindnesses, or possibly conspiracies.

I’d assumed the mascot was a chicken. When I saw the dance, I was thinking, they do the Funky Chicken in some arenas, they HAVE the Funky Chicken in Ballhala.

 

[TheFarmFan]

The flock together in unkindnesses, or possibly conspiracies.

I’d assumed the mascot was a chicken. When I saw the dance, I was thinking, they do the Funky Chicken in some arenas, they HAVE the Funky Chicken in Ballhala.

 

[nwhoopfan]

There can be anomalies in any giving game...but why in this particular game did Rickea Jackson lead the Sparks in shot attempts? She was 7-20 overall and 2-10 from 3. Looks like she shot them out of the game. Plum was 8-13, Hamby 8-15, Stevens 7-11. Those 3 should've taken more shots and Jackson less.

Did Brink get hurt again? She played 5 minutes.

 

[Dillon77]

There can be anomalies in any giving game...but why in this particular game did Rickea Jackson lead the Sparks in shot attempts? She was 7-20 overall and 2-10 from 3. Looks like she shot them out of the game. Plum was 8-13, Hamby 8-15, Stevens 7-11. Those 3 should've taken more shots and Jackson less.

Did Brink get hurt again? She played 5 minutes.

Did you watch the game live or checking out the boxscore?
I watched the first half and it was one of those "grab the ball, get downcourt and let it' rip" games. Plus, when it did settle into half-court sets, New York was packing that middle with Meeseman, JJ and Fiebich (boy, is she long). Jackson was open on breaks and those "packed sets," so she let the three rip: unfortunately, she was 2-10. My thought is that she should've been working more in the 2-pt. range (she was 5-10 there).

On the Liberty side, Meesseman works so well with Fiebich and JJ, it's seamless. If she gets the ball at the elbow, cut weakside and she'll find you, as Fiebich did. Like you said, this is just one game, but the Liberty won this one up front to me.

 

[oldude]

There can be anomalies in any giving game...but why in this particular game did Rickea Jackson lead the Sparks in shot attempts? She was 7-20 overall and 2-10 from 3. Looks like she shot them out of the game. Plum was 8-13, Hamby 8-15, Stevens 7-11. Those 3 should've taken more shots and Jackson less.

Did Brink get hurt again? She played 5 minutes.

Shooters need to keep shooting regardless of whether or not their shot is going in, and Jackson is a shooter on the Sparks. Often times, a team is running plays specifically for that player to take the shot, or an opponent is playing off a particular player, effectively giving them an open look. If I’m the Liberty, I’m doing everything I can to keep Plum from beating us.

In the other WNBA game last night, Paige lead the Wings in shots, shooting a mediocre 6/19, while both Siegrist & Yueru were hot. Paige also lead everyone in assists with 8 as the Wings got themselves a nice road win against a playoff team.

Each game in the W is something of a puzzle with the coach having to figure out who’s hot? Who’s not? Which lineup do I need on the court. What in game adjustments do I need to make? Etc. That is why they get paid the big bucks….

 

[Bigboote]

Shooters need to keep shooting regardless of whether or not their shot is going in, and Jackson is a shooter on the Sparks. Often times, a team is running plays specifically for that player to take the shot, or an opponent is playing off a particular player, effectively giving them an open look. If I’m the Liberty, I’m doing everything I can to keep Plum from beating us.

In the other WNBA game last night, Paige lead the Wings in shots, shooting a mediocre 6/19, while both Siegrist & Yueru were hot. Paige also lead everyone in assists with 8 as the Wings got themselves a nice road win against a playoff team.

Each game in the W is something of a puzzle with the coach having to figure out who’s hot? Who’s not? Which lineup do I need on the court. What in game adjustments do I need to make? Etc. That is why they get paid the big bucks….

Actually, Hines-Allen had 9 assists. 😉

 

[baggerbob]

Did you watch the game live or checking out the boxscore?
I watched the first half and it was one of those "grab the ball, get downcourt and let it' rip" games. Plus, when it did settle into half-court sets, New York was packing that middle with Meeseman, JJ and Fiebich (boy, is she long). Jackson was open on breaks and those "packed sets," so she let the three rip: unfortunately, she was 2-10. My thought is that she should've been working more in the 2-pt. range (she was 5-10 there).

On the Liberty side, Meesseman works so well with Fiebich and JJ, it's seamless. If she gets the ball at the elbow, cut weakside and she'll find you, as Fiebich did. Like you said, this is just one game, but the Liberty won this one up front to me.

That is the way the Liberty need to play, punish teams inside out.
Sabrina has by far the worst shooting percentage on the team yet is taking the most shots. She will be more effective letting the game come to her and so will the Liberty.
When you have JJ, Emma, and Stewie when she gets back, along with Fiebich punish teams, force doubles, then get the open looks.