2025 WNBA Regular Season | Page 104 | The Boneyard

2025 WNBA Regular Season

darrell said:
My thing is, the MVP race wasn’t a big conversation until Phee’s injury. She was the best player in the league (by a wide margin) and just happened to get injured in the game that coincidentally turned the Aces’ season around. If I had a vote, it’d be 1. Phee, 2. A’ja, 3. AT. The streak has been impressive, but there was a lot of games prior to that.

I also think the “voter fatigue” thing is a huge insult to Phee, as if she isn’t just as (if not more) deserving.
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A’ja is the best player in the league and has been for a half-decade.

Voter fatigue is real, whether you find it insulting or not.
 
darrell said:
My thing is, the MVP race wasn’t a big conversation until Phee’s injury. She was the best player in the league (by a wide margin) and just happened to get injured in the game that coincidentally turned the Aces’ season around. If I had a vote, it’d be 1. Phee, 2. A’ja, 3. AT. The streak has been impressive, but there was a lot of games prior to that.

I also think the “voter fatigue” thing is a huge insult to Phee, as if she isn’t just as (if not more) deserving.
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Basically half of the season Phee was the clear front runner. The back half, Wilson has emerged as the clear best player while Phee has missed about half of it due to injury.

Looking at the season on a whole, Collier and Wilson have strikingly similar stats. Collier’s team is better, but Wilson is undoubtedly more important to her teams success and Collier has missed almost a quarter of the season. Looking at this season in a nutshell, Wilson is the right pick IMO. I don’t think a player should be able to miss nearly a quarter of the season and be considered for MVP when other players have had comparable seasons. I’d it was a scenario where everyone else was far behind, then sure, but that isn’t the case this year.
 
Geew1992 said:
Imma disagree. Her wanting better should not be punishment. She needs to demand a trade. Paige needs help
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Please (re) read my post: I've got no issue with the sentiment (and the facts, for that matter).

She's entitled to her opinion as a player on the team and for taking charge of her own career...but shouldn't do so at the expense of others as a strategy of first resort. Talk to players at practice (in private), call a team meeting and, after the season is over, let all this be known to management at end-of-season interviews. Reese -- any player really -- should be aware of the I/we balance in sports (actually in many elements of society, but that's me).
 
bballnut90 said:
Basically half of the season Phee was the clear front runner. The back half, Wilson has emerged as the clear best player while Phee has missed about half of it due to injury.

Looking at the season on a whole, Collier and Wilson have strikingly similar stats. Collier’s team is better, but Wilson is undoubtedly more important to her teams success and Collier has missed almost a quarter of the season. Looking at this season in a nutshell, Wilson is the right pick IMO. I don’t think a player should be able to miss nearly a quarter of the season and be considered for MVP when other players have had comparable seasons. I’d it was a scenario where everyone else was far behind, then sure, but that isn’t the case this year.
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Well-reasoned.
Here's my gut: Collier would gladly trade individual recognition to win the WNBA championship. You can hear it in her comments and all the players in the Lynx rotation when they're interviewed.
 
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Early this season there was an interesting and thoughtful discussion about the impact of travel on performance - east - west and west - east. We have a good example of the latter as the million dollar coach makes that trip from the valley of soul crushing heat to Sun land. As the 4th quarter opens with an 8-0 Merc run, perhaps Phoenix will offer counter evidence. . .oh no, as I write this Tina stuffs DB followed by a powerful move by Edwards. The announcer for the Sun gives a great Charles in Charge reference as the game tightens with a Rivers block.

This is a game with A TON of second half whistles most against the Sun.

In pre game the million dollar coach indicated his big 3 is clicking on all cylinders for the first time this season in time for the playoffs. I will say, Tina is clicking on all cylinders. I don't imagine anyone thought that this game would be close . . . except Tina.
 
Soooooo


The result in Conn

west to east travel

the Big 3 in Phoenix not really clicking

karma for Lucan

The million dollar coach can't do a hard thing

or

CHARLES IN CHARGE - GREAT post game interview - class
 
Dillon77 said:
Well-reasoned.
Here's my gut: Collier would gladly trade individual recognition to win the WNBA championship. You can hear it in her comments and all the players in the Lynx rotation when they're interviewed.
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We're exchanging ideas on the UConn fan forum, so I'm sure the vast majority of readers here will agree with that sentiment, Dillon 77, but I suspect both A'ja and AT would feel the same... that's what I've gathered in interviews I've heard from A'ja, anyway. Having won MVPs before and been edged by Stewie another time, Wilson might actually be more of that inclination than anyone else.
 
The deacon said:
We're exchanging ideas on the UConn fan forum, so I'm sure the vast majority of readers here will agree with that sentiment, Dillon 77, but I suspect both A'ja and AT would feel the same... that's what I've gathered in interviews I've heard from A'ja, anyway. Having won MVPs before and been edged by Stewie another time, Wilson might actually be more of that inclination than anyone else.
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Very well said.

AT is in the same vein of thinking as Wilson and Phee - personally very, very modest - team oriented.
 
Finally a game where we're already in the bonus and just playing for a +1. If we were to somehow win (which I doubt), we'll lock up the sixth seed. Given that that would put us against Phoenix, I'm not actually sure if we would want that...
 
Wonder what the over-under is the Aces win out.... A very favorable schedule.

But then again the million dollar coach had a million dollar schedule and they stumbled today
 
TheFarmFan said:
Finally a game where we're already in the bonus and just playing for a +1. If we were to somehow win (which I doubt), we'll lock up the sixth seed. Given that that would put us against Phoenix, I'm not actually sure if we would want that...
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It was full-on playoff vibez energy in Ballhalla tonight, and the Valks gave the Lynx a legit test all the way to the buzzer. I can't think of a better compliment from the Lynx than that Cheryl kept her starters in all the way to the buzzer when there was literally nothing at stake for the Lynx in winning. I suspect she knew this was the best preparation her players could get for the playoffs around the corner. Phee played 36 minutes and the outcome had zero implications for the Lynx for the playoffs!
 
TheFarmFan said:
It was full-on playoff vibez energy in Ballhalla tonight, and the Valks gave the Lynx a legit test all the way to the buzzer. I can't think of a better compliment from the Lynx than that Cheryl kept her starters in all the way to the buzzer when there was literally nothing at stake for the Lynx in winning. I suspect she knew this was the best preparation her players could get for the playoffs around the corner. Phee played 36 minutes and the outcome had zero implications for the Lynx for the playoffs!
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Take a bow, Valks....they kept coming at the Lynx.

I'll add two slightly different perspectives:
  • The Lynx were down one of their most trusted players in Alanna Smith. 'Phee went for 36 minutes and Jess Shepard -- the third key link in the Lynx paint -- played 38 points (notching a double-double). Would've expected Klundikova to play more than 6 minutes.
  • If Coach Reeve has one coaching trait that I'd send Vulcan-eque mind waves to alter, it's that she plays her starters/trusted subs a tinge more than necessary.
That said, the Valks forced the issue, kept it close in the 4th quarter and Reeve didn't feel comfortable bringing in Cam Taylor and Sherrod.
 
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Just looking though the remaining games once more. In the 2-4 race, the Mercury look to be on the lower end because of that unexpected loss against the Sun. The Aces hold tie breakers against the Mercury and Dream, so if they win out, they'll be the #2 seed. All three teams should win out, but as shown by the Mercury, weirder things can happen.

I'm still holding steadfast to Aces #2, Dream #3, Mercury #4.

In the 6-8 race, the Valkyrie are slightly pulling away but they have two hard games left against the Storm and Lynx. With so much on the line for both teams, that Valkyrie @ Storm game on Tuesday may be must watch tv.

The Fever have two games left against the Mystic, and Lynx. They should go 1-1 but there is no easy game for the Fever anymore, but I think they win one more to get to 23 wins on the season.

The Storm just have one game left against the Valkyrie, and really need to stop the bleeding. If the Storm win, there is high potential that there could be a 3 way tie at 23 wins. For a 3-way tie the teams will have to have the following face-to-face records: Fever 3-3, Valkyrie 5-2, and Storm 2-5. I'm not exactly sure the tiebreaker rules but I assume that would put the Valkyrie in 6th with any tiebreaker scenario.

I think the most likely scenario is Valkyrie #6, Fever #7, Storm #8.

That would make the final seeding:

#1 Lynx / #8 Storm
#2 Aces / #7 Fever
#3 Dream / #6 Valkyrie
#4 Mercury / #5 Liberty
 
Dillon77 said:
Take a bow, Valks....they kept coming at the Lynx.

I'll add two slightly different perspectives:
  • The Lynx were down one of their most trusted players in Alanna Smith. 'Phee went for 36 minutes and Jess Shepard -- the third key link in the Lynx paint -- played 38 points (notching a double-double). Would've expected Klundikova to play more than 6 minutes.
  • If Coach Reeve has one coaching trait that I'd send Vulcan-eque mind waves to alter, it's that she plays her starters/trusted subs a tinge more than necessary.
That said, the Valks forced the issue, kept it close in the 4th quarter and Reeve didn't feel comfortable bringing in Cam Taylor and Sherrod.
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AND . . . . Heideman has been on a tear with 4 straight super games. Tied her career high last night and was key to the Lynx win on the road.

A great game!
 
Breezy AKA fists of stone confirms her affinity with Kiah Stokes. With one minute left in the first quarter she has a layup blocked gets her own rebound misses the bunny and then misses the rebound.

I know the Fever roster is limited but a breath taking sign when she's on the floor.
 
TheFarmFan said:
It was full-on playoff vibez energy in Ballhalla tonight, and the Valks gave the Lynx a legit test all the way to the buzzer. I can't think of a better compliment from the Lynx than that Cheryl kept her starters in all the way to the buzzer when there was literally nothing at stake for the Lynx in winning. I suspect she knew this was the best preparation her players could get for the playoffs around the corner. Phee played 36 minutes and the outcome had zero implications for the Lynx for the playoffs!
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Y'all gave my Minnesota Lynx a good run for their money. Minnesota just got lucky with that 3rd quarter run. If it wasn't for that, Golden State would have won easily. Great game. These are the type of games that show the mental makeup of a team and Golden State got a mentally tough team. Y'all got some Dawgs!! Janelle Salaun is going to another All-Star on that team. I can't wait to watch the continued growth of the Valkyries. If they stay this hungry and stay locked in as One Unit. Golden State is going to be a problem. Again, great game and congrats on another sellout crowd!! Golden State setting the STANDARD!!

For my shorthanded Lynx squad, thank goodness for that 3rd quarter run and Natisha Hiedeman. Her 24 points off the bench were huge. Not going to lie. Usually I am very critical of Coach Reeve playing Napheesa 34 plus minutes. Not in this matchup. We needed Napheesa out there every second. Same with Shepard. McBride struggled out there with her shot. Carleton is Carleton. She is consistent. But we needed Natisha big time. Great win for us and looking forward to the rematch in a few days in Minneapolis.
 
Dillon77 said:
Take a bow, Valks....they kept coming at the Lynx.

I'll add two slightly different perspectives:
  • The Lynx were down one of their most trusted players in Alanna Smith. 'Phee went for 36 minutes and Jess Shepard -- the third key link in the Lynx paint -- played 38 points (notching a double-double). Would've expected Klundikova to play more than 6 minutes.
  • If Coach Reeve has one coaching trait that I'd send Vulcan-eque mind waves to alter, it's that she plays her starters/trusted subs a tinge more than necessary.
That said, the Valks forced the issue, kept it close in the 4th quarter and Reeve didn't feel comfortable bringing in Cam Taylor and Sherrod.
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Always been my pet peeve with Coach Reeve but as close as the game was, we needed Naphessa out there. Same with Shepard.
 
Drama in Sin City tonight

Aces attempt to continue the streak at home against the Sky.

Bayou Barbie sits the first half so here's wondering if the Drama Queen comes off the bench to produce a dramatic upset. She'll have to overcome not only the odds but her teammates.....lol

While it would make a great Twitter story I think not.
 
azfan said:
Drama in Sin City tonight

Aces attempt to continue the streak at home against the Sky.

Bayou Barbie sits the first half so here's wondering if the Drama Queen comes off the bench to produce a dramatic upset. She'll have to overcome not only the odds but her teammates.....lol

While it would make a great Twitter story I think not.
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Sky announced during the game she is ruled out with back injury. But she was not on any pre-game injury report and the Sky coach said before the game he expected her to play. 10-1 she’s refusing to play. Don’t even see her on the bench.
 

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