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Message: [QUOTE="psconn, post: 3981546, member: 293"] So here we are about two weeks into the WNBA season and the Sun are 7-2 and sit in 2nd place in the overall standings and in 1st place in the Eastern Conference Commissioner's Cup race. Only 2 OT losses mar a perfect start. Literally NO ONE predicted that, especially considering the BRUTAL schedule the Sun has endured. They've played more games (9) than almost anyone else (tied with the 1-8 Fever) through this period. By contrast, LA and Minny have played 5 games... a 4 game difference in just over 2 weeks of season - crazy. The Sun have beaten Phoenix twice, Vegas twice, Washington once and played a great game against Seattle before falling in OT. The one really bad loss they had (a late collapse at Minny in OT) came near the end of this really difficult travel and game schedule. All of these teams were seen as better than CT in the preseason punditry. The Sun's identity appears to be defense and rebounding. They are holding teams to just 73.4 ppg While averaging about 81. They maintain a +7.2 rebounding differential. Jonquel Jones is the [B]only player in the league averaging a double-double[/B] (20.6/10.1). Bri Jones has continued to play very well at center despite having a size disadvantage every night. She's the 3rd best scorer and rebounder on the team after JJ and Bonner. The front court continues to be the strength of the Sun even without Alyssa Thomas. The guard-gang have been very good on D (as expected) and have contributed adequately on offense, even excelling on a few occasions. IMO it was this group that sputtered in the post season the last 2 years at key moments. They have to be solid for the Sun to be a real threat. Among the kids, DiJonai Carrington seems to be taking minutes from Kaila Charles. DiJonai is an active, hard-nosed defender, is fearless and has a bias toward activity and impact. This doesn't always end well but it's better than being passive. She scored the reverse layup over Jewel that sent the Seattle game to OT. When the Sun started flat against Washington she went in after only about 5 minutes and within a minute she scored a driving "and-one" and sunk a 3 to re-energize the team. I'm a little disappointed in Kai Charles, from whom I expected a sophomore leap. She's still a solid defender and good rebounder, but I've seen no step up on the offense. Bea Mompremier does not have the strength to deal with most centers in the W. Cambage and Wilson pushed her around like a mop... it wasn't pretty. Natisha Hiedeman has stepped up a bit this season and is averaging double figures in a backup role. When January went down just before the west coast swing, she started and played great. She always brings the energy and hustle but seems like a streaky shooter. As I said after the first Aces win, its always a good day when you can send Laimbeer and Cambage away unhappy. The team is in a good place overall and seems able to compete with any team in the league. How that will translate going forward (especially in the playoffs) we'll have to see. The weakness of the team may be the bench at this point. There is no backup for JJ. If AT were playing it might be a different story, but the Sun have precious little margin for error to cope with injury and foul trouble. The Sun FINALLY are getting a day off today, but the resurgent Liberty are up next. No easy games in the W. [/QUOTE]

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