August WNBA thread

[Tangential]

Arike should return tonight. Even though it is vs the Fever, it'll be interesting to see how Johnson divvies the minutes between playing Harris/Burton & playing Ogunbowale, Gray, and Mabrey together.

 

[Tangential]

WNBA shifting all-league teams to positionless format

All-WNBA teams, which previously consisted of two guards, two forwards and a center for the first and second teams, are moving to a positionless format.

www.espn.com

I got Stewie, A'ja, Nneka, A Thomas, & Plum 1st team. Crazy not to include a member of the Sky, but their top 4 are so balanced. Speaking of Sky, I think she was up there for most of the year, but fell to 2nd team recently.

 

[Dillon77]

Arike should return tonight. Even though it is vs the Fever, it'll be interesting to see how Johnson divvies the minutes between playing Harris/Burton & playing Ogunbowale, Gray, and Mabrey together.

Should be very interesting, indeed. As you and I have discussed, I think she should keep the lead/point guard duties to Burton/Harris and rotate Marike and Gray in the other two slots.
Also, keep Big T involved hard, which should open space for all those guards.

Now, let's see what happens.

 

[bbsamjj]

WNBA shifting all-league teams to positionless format

All-WNBA teams, which previously consisted of two guards, two forwards and a center for the first and second teams, are moving to a positionless format.

www.espn.com

I got Stewie, A'ja, Nneka, A Thomas, & Plum 1st team. Crazy not to include a member of the Sky, but their top 4 are so balanced. Speaking of Sky, I think she was up there for most of the year, but fell to 2nd team recently.

I think Stewie, A'ja, Plum are locks for first team. You could go make an argument for A. Thomas, SDD, Nneka, EDD, Ionescu, Arike in the other two spots (I'd say in that order), and I wouldn't be too upset.

 

[JellyBean]

Dallas getting out played by Indiana right now. Wow

 

[JellyBean]

Dallas finally putting things together. Once down by as much as 20 points to Indiana, are now down by three points in the 3rd quarter.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Hull is having back to back solid games. Maybe the Fever (and some posters here ) gave up on her too soon.

 

[eebmg]

Ok, I am on the Destanni Henderson bandwagon. Looks like Crystal in her ROY campaign. Love these mighty mites.

Ind. forces OT.

Arike out with a hip injury. Severity unknown

 

[Tangential]

They should play Hull & Henny starter's minutes the remainder of the year. No reason to play Vivians, Robinson, & T Mitchell many minutes.

It is great to see these two get a lot of action. Lexie would have gotten more minutes if she wasn't in foul trouble. Vivians had a couple good circus shots, but was 4-16 from the field. Robinson did have the best game of the year that I saw (reminiscent of last year), but you want to let the youngsters grow. No reason to play Khayla.

 

[Tangential]

Dallas finally putting things together. Once down by as much as 20 points to Indiana, are now down by three points in the 3rd quarter.

I don't think that Dallas cut it to 3 in the 3rd, but they did pull it out. Thornton's and to a lesser extent Harrison's play kept them afloat in the 1st half. Big Tea and Marina came alive late to avoid a letdown loss after beating Chicago & LV.

I didn't like Johnson's rotations, not playing Burton nor Harris much and actually playing them together when she did. Ogunbowale's injury necessitated more time for Burton and with Henny guarding Burton, Mabrey was able to create and rack almost all of her assists late without Henderson on her.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Box score showing Laney actually playing tonight for NY.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Not only no Taurasi, but no Diggins-Smith either. Merc have been up double digits almost the whole game. If Lib drop this one, they absolutely don't deserve to make the playoffs.

 

[nwhoopfan]

This whole season is just so weird. Any time any team has gotten any kind of momentum, they fall flat on their face in spectacular fashion. Looks like Ionescu is the only starter who did anything for the Lib. DeShields and Peddy went off, w/ some help from Cunningham. An absolutely horrible loss for NY, and a big win for Phoenix.

 

[socal613ws]

jumped on the Mercury +130, really weird odds the Mercury gets always seem to be underdog at home and to me they look like a really good home team, it's when they go on the road where they look totally like they don't belong in the lg. Seems like the liberty/dream/sparks are gonna have a fun race to see who gets in the playoffs. Pick your poison on which team gets in I doubt any of them do much, but at least Atlanta has impressed me with Aari Mcdonald/Wheeler. Today's matchup vs the lynx will tell me more.

 

[azfan]

Not only no Taurasi, but no Diggins-Smith either. Merc have been up double digits almost the whole game. If Lib drop this one, they absolutely don't deserve to make the playoffs.

The best ability is availability.

 

[eebmg]

Is SDS injured or some punishment?

 

[Tangential]

This whole season is just so weird. Any time any team has gotten any kind of momentum, they fall flat on their face in spectacular fashion. Looks like Ionescu is the only starter who did anything for the Lib. DeShields and Peddy went off, w/ some help from Cunningham. An absolutely horrible loss for NY, and a big win for Phoenix.

Could not take advantage of superior height advantage. Howard (before her 2nd half injury) and Dolson were not nearly as productive as needed and Han Xu looked lost and out of kilter. Betnijah was rusty and a little out of shape. Even though Ionescu had the best game, she made curious decisions as well. When R Allen is off, it's painful to watch.

As I referenced earlier, sometimes the 1st game or 2 missing your best player (SDS) the other players step up and the opposition relaxes. In the long term, there is reversion to the mean.

 

[Tangential]

Is SDS injured or some punishment?

They reported non-COVID illness. I know she is close to the mandatory game suspension for techs.

 

[Bigboote]

Is SDS injured or some punishment?

In the broadcast the other night, the announcers said Sky had been teed up for the seventh time this season, which would be a one-game suspension. Then they said two of those had been rescinded. I’d never heard of rescinded technicals.

 

[eebmg]

In the broadcast the other night, the announcers said Sky had been teed up for the seventh time this season, which would be a one-game suspension. Then they said two of those had been rescinded. I’d never heard of rescinded technicals.

I believe it is called a Draymond.

 

[Tangential]

In the broadcast the other night, the announcers said Sky had been teed up for the seventh time this season, which would be a one-game suspension. Then they said two of those had been rescinded. I’d never heard of rescinded technicals.

IIRC, they rescinded Astou Ndour's technical after the ridiculous referee overreaction after he walked into her.

It happens in the NBA as well. Pretty sure Luka has been the beneficiary.

 

[Tangential]

jumped on the Mercury +130, really weird odds the Mercury gets always seem to be underdog at home and to me they look like a really good home team, it's when they go on the road where they look totally like they don't belong in the lg. Seems like the liberty/dream/sparks are gonna have a fun race to see who gets in the playoffs. Pick your poison on which team gets in I doubt any of them do much, but at least Atlanta has impressed me with Aari Mcdonald/Wheeler. Today's matchup vs the lynx will tell me more.

Great contrarian play socal613ws. Agree that it will be fun and not likely resulting in a best of 3 playoff win.

I do not think Wheeler has been impressive this year. Most of her major statistics are below her last 5 year composite, some by a considerable amount. She has provided much needed leadership (especially mentoring McDonald) and has had some clutch plays (eg., 3 at the buzzer vs NY & terrific inbounds pass to Cheyenne vs. LA).

Speaking of inbounds plays, Chelsea Gray had a great, clutch one to A'ja vs. Dallas and a sick, successful behind the back a couple games before that.

 

[Dillon77]

I didn't like Johnson's rotations, not playing Burton nor Harris much and actually playing them together when she did. Ogunbowale's injury necessitated more time for Burton and with Henny guarding Burton, Mabrey was able to create and rack almost all of her assists late without Henderson on her.

Following up on our pre-game chat: we're in violent agreement per Johnson's rotations at the guard area.
Mabrey can run the lead guard, but is she has trouble at that position, it's against quick, low-to-the-ground PG's like Henderson. Once Arike went out and Johnson was pretty much forced back to inserting a regular PG (Burton, for the most part), Mabrey because a scoring off-guard who can also dish. And she took advantage from there.

Right now, Arike's injuries make Johnson's choices easy. The first half, with Arike back, make one scratch the head.

p.s. On a completely different note, I suspect GM Greg Bibb can do some dealing this offseason up-front. Izzy Harrizon has been vocal about lost time to Big T. Bella Alarie is due to come back and she's (surprisingly) become a solid rebounder/defender who could back up Big T well.

 

[Tangential]

Following up on our pre-game chat: we're in violent agreement per Johnson's rotations at the guard area.
Mabrey can run the lead guard, but is she has trouble at that position, it's against quick, low-to-the-ground PG's like Henderson. Once Arike went out and Johnson was pretty much forced back to inserting a regular PG (Burton, for the most part), Mabrey because a scoring off-guard who can also dish. And she took advantage from there.

Right now, Arike's injuries make Johnson's choices easy. The first half, with Arike back, make one scratch the head.

p.s. On a completely different note, I suspect GM Greg Bibb can do some dealing this offseason up-front. Izzy Harrizon has been vocal about lost time to Big T. Bella Alarie is due to come back and she's (surprisingly) become a solid rebounder/defender who could back up Big T well.

It will be interesting to see how they try to leap from 6th best to the level of the current top-5 in the off-season. I think that there is a place for those unsung 4s, like KT, as long as the surrounding talent is top notch.

It has become easy to malign Ogunbowale recently with the Wing's performance with and without her (not to mention, she took a couple of really forced, super-low % shots last night), but if she had an elite point guard, I think that people's eyes would be opened as to her talents. Even in college, with an embarrassment of riches starting lineup in '19 (and to a slightly lesser extent in '18), they still didn't have a pure point guard (imagine how she would be playing with Miles).

 

[azfan]

Is SDS injured or some punishment?

This is the second time this season Sky has taken a knee. After the well-publicized "discussion" with the GOAT earlier in the year which was captured and went viral she took a knee with a "non-covid" related illness. I was unsurprised to see her do a similar action after the press conference regarding GG.

Professional sports is one of those really odd labor markets in which the employee can say I just don't feel like working today and if you happen to be a star you're entitled.

In Sky's case the "illness" that led her to voluntarily taking a was I think attitudinal.

Interesting that no one else on the team took the same knee and non-covid illness route.

 

[Bigboote]

Following up on our pre-game chat: we're in violent agreement per Johnson's rotations at the guard area.
Mabrey can run the lead guard, but is she has trouble at that position, it's against quick, low-to-the-ground PG's like Henderson. Once Arike went out and Johnson was pretty much forced back to inserting a regular PG (Burton, for the most part), Mabrey because a scoring off-guard who can also dish. And she took advantage from there.

Right now, Arike's injuries make Johnson's choices easy. The first half, with Arike back, make one scratch the head.

p.s. On a completely different note, I suspect GM Greg Bibb can do some dealing this offseason up-front. Izzy Harrizon has been vocal about lost time to Big T. Bella Alarie is due to come back and she's (surprisingly) become a solid rebounder/defender who could back up Big T well.

I'm with you both on Johnson's in-game coaching. Indiana did a really good job on McCowan, but she only got something like three or four touches in the first half. Once the Wings put some effort in to getting the ball in to her, the game turned around.

I'm not surprised Izzy is complaining about lost playing time. But I really don't think Izzy is a WNBA center. I'd think about having McCowan and Alarie at the 5, Thornton at the 4/3, and Harrison at the 4/5. I dunno if that would be enough minutes to mollify everyone, but it would give them some different looks. Thornton is a good player and really strong, but she gives up at least a couple of inches to everyone she plays against at the 4. Think about having Burton, Allisha Gray, Thornton, Harrison, and McCowan on the floor at the same time. That'd be quite a defensive lineup and they could score some points, too.

 

[Bigboote]

This is the second time this season Sky has taken a knee. After the well-publicized "discussion" with the GOAT earlier in the year which was captured and went viral she took a knee with a "non-covid" related illness. I was unsurprised to see her do a similar action after the press conference regarding GG.

Professional sports is one of those really odd labor markets in which the employee can say I just don't feel like working today and if you happen to be a star you're entitled.

In Sky's case the "illness" that led her to voluntarily taking a was I think attitudinal.

Interesting that no one else on the team took the same knee and non-covid illness route.

What happened at the press conference?

 

[azfan]

What happened at the press conference?

Diggins-Smith after Griner sentencing: 'Nobody wanted to even play today' - ESPN Video via @ESPN App http://espn.com/app

Sky:

"Nobody wanted to play today."

Note:. A rather common Mercury attitude this season particularly on defense.

0bservation

While she asserted nobody wanted to play, she was the only one who decided not to play.

Conclusion

Evidently if you are employed by the Mercury you're allowed to place your personal preference about when to play or when not to play above the interest of the team.

Made me anticipate seeing Sky play the lead in an all-female production of Hamlet.

Oh wait she already is.

To be clear. The non-covid illness was Sky's decision not to play both after the GOAT disagreement and the BG incident. Even money in the last week that she has another non-covid illness.

Long odds her current non-covid illness extends for the rest of the year.

 

[eebmg]

Sky outclassing the Sun 31-14 after 1Q. Nearly flawless. Just give them the trophy.

 

[azfan]

After discussing current issues, players and playing as it impacts the Mercury, for some reason I watched Kevin Branagh's Hamlet, perhaps the most entertaining, engaging celebrity version of any of the Bard's plays.

Inspired by Branagh, Will of the World and Sky: The Mercury might stage an all woman Hamlet with help from the rest of the WBB community

Cast

Hamlet: Sky

Script adjusted to refer to the lead as Ham or Maybe

Famous soliloquy adjusted : To play or not to play

Understudy critical for this production and role given the likelihood of a non covid illness

First understudy

Vanessa Nygaard

Famous soliloquy adjusted : To coach or not to coach

Second understudy critical given the likelihood of a Beanie Feldstein situation

Second understudy

Kristine Anigwe

Famous soliloquy adjusted : To pass or not to pass

Note: given this "performer's" lack of value, Anigwe will also understudy the Ghost, Gertrude, attendant to Gertrude, the second gravedigger, the second sailor

Polonious - Vanessa Nygaard

Famous soliloquy adjusted

Give every player thy ear, but few thy coaching; Take each player's censure, allow non covid illness.

Understudy critical given the likelihood of a Beanie Feldstein situation

Robert Sawyer (In drag)

Ophelia - Candice Wiggins

Claudius - Tina Charles

Gertrude - Megan Gustafson

Fortinbras - Candace Parker

Horatio - Sophie Cunningham

First Gravedigger - Kelsey Plum

Orsic - Rebecca Lobo

Marcellus - Sue Bird

Bernardo - Sylvia Fowles

Rosencrantz - Paige Bueckers

Guildenstern - Azzi Fudd

Ghost - Nika Muhl

Laertes - Stewie