Candace Parker and LA SPARKS

[ThisJustIn]

I think it's also harder to "make other players better" if you're a post player... Such a different role v. guard.

As for the Whalen v. Parker "lovefest." Meh - Parker was amazing, and she was an LA player. Maya was amazing, and she was a Minny player.... Whalen got her love ("back to the basket guard). I was more impressed with this CP performace v. her performance over an overmatched French team (or Tina's performance over an over-matched Louisville team).

I'm rather fond of all three teams left -- really want Douglas and Catch to get rings.... Though I'd get a kick out of Erin getting one! Yah, like anyone saw HER career coming!

 

[wire chief]

I think it's also harder to "make other players better" if you're a post player... Such a different role v. guard.

As for the Whalen v. Parker "lovefest." Meh - Parker was amazing, and she was an LA player. Maya was amazing, and she was a Minny player.... Whalen got her love ("back to the basket guard). I was more impressed with this CP performace v. her performance over an overmatched French team (or Tina's performance over an over-matched Louisville team).

I'm rather fond of all three teams left -- really want Douglas and Catch to get rings.... Though I'd get a kick out of Erin getting one! Yah, like anyone saw HER career coming!

I grant you Parker is amazing. I'm bothered by what seems a WNBA or ESPN "plot" to promote her, and, in so doing, others
get little. I admit I am not relying on a scientific content analysis, just my ears hearing so much profuse praise instead of calling the game.

 

[OneTrickPony]

This is the big question mark for Minny next year.

Taj has been a bit up and down in the post season, but in numerous games her contributions have been priceless. Last year, Adair was really starting to play well and was a force off the bench. Amber is always a little more of a question mark but despite limited minutes she has been fairly effective of late. Dev is good but does not have the length to bother the top forwards like Parker, who is 6'4".

Adair *has* to return to form next year for the Lynx to be a contender because I am pretty sure Taj is gone, as you pointed out. Even then Taj's departure is a huge loss. If Amber can figure some things out and play with more fire on the defensive end, then Minny will have as good a shot as anyone next year. She just needs to do more of the basics: boxing out, hands up for rebounds, hands up to block shots, etc. Battle for putbacks and finish. Unfortunately (as far as Minny's team needs are concerned) she looks like she would rather try to be the next DeWanna Bonner ...

Maybe it's wishful thinking, but it looked like Amber was getting fitter...if so, that's a good sign!

 

[VAUConnFan]

"Making others better" seems to me to be a lazy cop out analysis, especially if it's not followed up by specific examples of how or where or when the player did or didn't do it. Much less of an analysis of the players AROUND said players.

In this game, Parker had a double-double in the first half, shot over 50%, including 50% from beyond the arc. She played all 40 minutes. She had 5 assists. Toliver shot 50%. Nneka shot over 50%. They holy carp stat? Her bench played 27 minutes and shot o-for-3.

Beard was the "weak link "THIS game - if you look at her turnovers and shooting %. But, if you've followed her pro career, you know what an amazing season she's had.

Minny was one point better than LA -- that's a combo of youth, skill and bench play, and not necessarily superior defense throughout the game: LA shot 46.7% and Minny 47.1% - The difference was their defense on Beard that last play -- and it was great defense.

LA needs better bench folks. We'll see if Ross can dig some up...

I still think the Tulsa coach K was the COY.

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! And that's just for the comments that are not bolded. Beyond excellent for the bolded comments.

 

[VAMike23]

Reeve and Ross, post-game remarks:
.
LINK

 

[NoelAustin]

It would not surprise me if Minnesota makes a trade for a true center. They have a surplus of bench players (Wiggins, Wright, Peters, Harris) who would be playing more minutes on another team. It would surprise me if they don't trade for a Big. With Taj gone, who do they have who could defend Fowles, Griner, or Charles?

 

[easttexastrash]

I grant you Parker is amazing. I'm bothered by what seems a WNBA or ESPN "plot" to promote her, and, in so doing, others
get little. I admit I am not relying on a scientific content analysis, just my ears hearing so much profuse praise instead of calling the game.

The WNBA is a tad short on players with superstar potential. Parker has the game, the looks, is married to an NBA player and is a mother. So she gets marketed heavily. It's no surprise. The league needs big personalities and so many of the great players lack charisma, like Parker and DT have. Angel may be a head case at times but boy does she make it worth watching.