Whoa. This one caught me a bit unawares.
Take a look at these two paragraphs from Chantel Jennings, WNBA and women's college basketball senior writer for the Athletic.
"Wubble Wrap Up" Top Takeaways:
1. Dallas is going to be good. Like really, really good. Like, damn-how-did-they-get-so-good-so-fast kind of good. As long as (and this is the key part, so pay attention) they can keep this core group together and stay healthy. Arike Ogunbowale is one of the most clutch players in the WNBA right now and Satou Sabally is going to keep making major strides with the more minutes she gets. Add in Marina Mabrey, Allisha Gray, Bella Alarie and a healthy Isabelle Harrison, and this young team could build something special in the next few seasons. Are you looking for a bandwagon? Look no further.
Now, a few days later:
Chantel Jennings, WNBA and women's college basketball senior writer: When Agler was hired, Bibb said: “Brian’s record as a coach and reputation as one of the premier developers of basketball talent make him the ideal person to lead our young and talented team moving forward.” But even with this season — which felt like a good building block — it wasn’t enough. ESPN’s Mechelle Voepel reported that there were “different philosophies” between Agler and the organization regarding how to bring this young team along to a championship level.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agler and his staff certainly rode a few waves during his first two years in Dallas. In year one, Liz Cambage forces a trade and MoJeff, who comes along in the trade, can't play. Diggins-Smith sits out the whole year, the forces a trade herself.
In year two. MoJeff is injured yet again as is Isabelle Harrison. On top of that, there is a huge influx and exodus of players, both via trades and draft choices. And roster decisions were made sans the practice court.
End result: a very young team comes down to the last day before not making the playoffs.
I'm not quite as high on them as Jennings, but I think there are a lot of building blocks. Upon reflection, maybe too many. And there are more draft choices to be chosen this year.
As Voepel says, there were "different philosophies" on next steps between Agler and Wings president and CEO Greg Bibb. But were't they working together on the construction of the team roster? Or was it the way Agler used it and/or wanted to go forward?
Or, was there some friction between coach and players? (No idea there, but living in a contained environment for a few months has got to be tough on everyone.)
If this has to do with player and roster development/utilization, a lot of eyes on Bibb and how me moves going forward. There is a solid core group here. If MoJeff can come back, she can offer a calming presence for a young team. Perhaps she can be joined by another vet who can help out at center (another possible place for Natalie Achonwa).
And a good coach needs to figure out how to get KLS and Alarie into the mix.
Stay tuned...I'll be interested in who gets to take this one on...