I'm obviously a big fan of Plum, but I think she's taken a step backward on D this year. She had become somewhat of a pesky defender maybe starting around year 3. But the whole team is just AWFUL on D this year, despite having some players who are supposed to be good defenders like Young, Hamby and Wilson. I think it's abundantly clear that Laimbeer put more emphasis on D than Hammon.
Yeah that’s been my observation as well. Three individuals known as upper-tier defenders in the league with another one coming off the bench in Stokes. But the intensity and cohesion just doesn’t seem to be there. Much was made about the improvement of the Aces due to their hot start but now they’ll finish with a worse record than last year.
I think she has been great but it seems she still has minute limitations (fitness?). What comes accross to me is that she does not show frustration if she thinks the refs blew calls.
I never really thought Big T would be a dominant player in the W and I believe her lack of conditioning has contributed to her inconsistent playing time. However, I do believe in the right envrionment she could become a contributor who is a difference maker. It appears she has improved greatly with the change of scenery in Dallas.
I have generally been advocating this. I would also have no problem with Marina & Arike sharing the floor with one of the true point guards while Allisha is getting her short periods of rest on the bench.
i always thought her bigger issue was fouls? either way, her last four games she's played 31, 28, 35, and 27 min respectively. so it seems like she "can" play major minutes, even though for her career, she's only average 22mpg.
You could be right, I just "assumed" (which we know what that does) that it was lack of conditioning that gets so many players when they make the jump. MSU as a team was constructed to play to McCowan's strengths and in the pros, few players get that luxury.
I shoulda put a smiley on my comment. I agree with you that they've really benefitted from having a true point guard on the floor and figuring out how to get McCowan involved.
When she was at MSSt, McCowan was in good shape. She played 35+ minutes in big games. I saw some folks talking about her jogging up the court, but that was always on offense. Nobody plays for Vic lollygagging up the court on defense, and T never did. Whether it's the case now, I dunno, but she's played effectively for 30+ minutes in a few games recently.
Yes, Bigboote, it was a clutch shot by KLS... nice to see her coach had the confidence in her to take that shot.
On choosing the Aces bench. In the off-season, the Aces lost their entire coaching staff, their GM, and Becky was coaching in the NBA up until right before training camp started. The newly hired President was Nikki Fargas. From the looks of the draft picks, she’s the one who picked them. #7 Mya Hollingshed (Colorado) CUT, #11 Bell, #13 Khalsa Pointer (LSU) CUT, and #23 Aisha Sheppard, and then another LSU girl was the last pick. Surely they have to strengthen the bench for next year. That’s a pretty deep draft class too so maybe they will at least be able to help. Hopefully it will improve for next year.
Fine by me. I love watching her play.
Yes they did and when I saw who they picked I couldn't believe it. Next year's draft is deep, deep so I think they'll be able to pick up some pieces anyway but whoever was in charge this year should have been fired....or maybe there was no one in charge.
Yup, I couldn’t believe they did that given the increased comparative talent of the 2023 draft.
Obviously, I am on the "Copper train" (represents my home town well) as well, as I have previously mentioned her season's progress multiple times on your other WNBA thread. This does make Chicago imposing, especially with their bench play of Stevens, Gardner, & Allemand. Nonetheless, I will still "buy low" on the Aces with their recent skid and say they will overcome their defensive regression, lack of bench, not having home court advantage nor momentum, and predict they will overcome this for the 1st title in LV.
As you previously stated, Fargas was in charge. She did draft her niece (KP) and Aifuwa from her LSU team.
Criticizing the Hollingshed pick at #8 is definitely not a case of hindsight is 20/20. No major publication's mock draft had her in the 1st round and I just found one that projected her #27 (many did not go beyond round 1). Unbelievable.