Chicago defeats Tulsa 91 - 72

[RadyLady]

Boxscore

 

[HuskyNan]

Swin with 14, 2 & 5

 

[RadyLady]

Swin had a terrific game, all of the starters did for the Sky. I am still not a huge fan of Vandersloot yet as I am stymied by some of her in game decisions. Still she had a tough assignment against SD, and did well with that. I thought that Big Syl got more points, but maybe I was counting rebounds for points - she had 13! The Sky look very good,, but it will be interesting to see how they adjust with Prince off to the land of vodka and blinis for the rest of the month!

 

[chrissaran]

Let's be fair. Who was there to guard Sylvia Fowles with Liz Cambage out? Nobody. Courtney Vandersloot is an excellent point guard. It's only her second year, but her stat line looked pretty good, especially 6 rebounds for a point guard. Also, 4-6 and four assists. They will make a lot of noise this year.

 

[EricLA]

I think the Sky could win the east. They got exactly what they needed in EDD, and IIRC, weren't Prince AND Fowles injured at different times last year? I don't think Griner would have been a good fit for Chicago (not that they were going to get her anyway), but some thought maybe Skylar should be taken over EDD. No way!

 

[VAMike23]

Chicago looks like they would be #1 in the power rankings if held today.......their scoring balance is very good, and I like their rebounding efficiency. It gives them an edge when the offense is having an off night, and should allow them to make it through June without EP. Not that they will be as good without her but they will certainly win their share of games regardless.

We will have to see how long it takes DT and the Mercury to figure out how to utilize Griner, and for her to get the swing of things....the season is young.

 

[RadyLady]

Let's be fair. Who was there to guard Sylvia Fowles with Liz Cambage out? Nobody. Courtney Vandersloot is an excellent point guard. It's only her second year, but her stat line looked pretty good, especially 6 rebounds for a point guard. Also, 4-6 and four assists. They will make a lot of noise this year.

Fair about what? Big Syl had a double double, but her point total was lower than I would think for someone who didn't have Cambage as a match up. And I didn't diss Vandersloot, I just view her differently from you apparently.

The Sky appears to be terrific and a team to do well, but you must agree that Prince has played an important role in these first three games, and it will be interesting to see how the Sky adjusts when she goes off to Russia.

 

[RadyLady]

Chicago looks like they would be #1 in the power rankings if held today.......their scoring balance is very good, and I like their rebounding efficiency. It gives them an edge when the offense is having an off night, and should allow them to make it through June without EP. Not that they will be as good without her but they will certainly win their share of games regardless.

We will have to see how long it takes DT and the Mercury to figure out how to utilize Griner, and for her to get the swing of things....the season is young.

While Phoenix has loads of talent on paper, we have seen many examples in the last few years - on the college level - where "loaded" teams did not live up to perceived expectations - Rutgers and Tennessee come to mind immediately. Yes they have Griner, but what, if anything are they going to do with her? Everything points to the coach, and to whether or not the players buy into what he has to say. BTW, although Chicago looks terrific, I watched Minny play and I must say they are an exciting and well coached bunch. I cannot wait to see the two play each other, but it appears I must because the first time they meet will be in August (?) which is good I guess because Prince should be back from Russia.

 

[VAMike23]

While Phoenix has loads of talent on paper, we have seen many examples in the last few years - on the college level - where "loaded" teams did not live up to perceived expectations - Rutgers and Tennessee come to mind immediately. Yes they have Griner, but what, if anything are they going to do with her? Everything points to the coach, and to whether or not the players buy into what he has to say. BTW, although Chicago looks terrific, I watched Minny play and I must say they are an exciting and well coached bunch. I cannot wait to see the two play each other, but it appears I must because the first time they meet will be in August (?) which is good I guess because Prince should be back from Russia.

I'll be the first to acknowledge that the Merc looks pretty underwhelming so far, but re: 'what if anything are they going to do with her?', I'd say it's still early and this team will look much different later in the year. Griner is much more of a raw talent than EDD but I think as the year wears on she will start coming into her own, and DT will be working hard to make that team go.

RE: Minny, they are my favorite team but I look at Chicago and I just see a stronger group overall. I think Minny is loaded with talent but that in a playoff series, they are going to have trouble on the glass against a team like the Sky, and that kind of team can wear them down. Also remember that the Sun was on the second game of a back-to-back when they played Minny.

When McCarville gets in real game shape and logs a few games, she will be better, so that will help. I just wish Amber Harris liked mixing it up in the lane as much as she likes facing up and shooting jumpers

 

[MilfordHusky]

Chicago looks good. We'll see what happens when Piph is gone.

Skylar shot a low percentage for the 4th game in a row.

 

[bruinbball]

Epiph goes down in her first Russian game:

http://lovewomensbasketball.com/201...urts-ankle-in-her-first-game-with-russian-nt/

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Chicago better hope for the best. From what I saw at their game with Phoenix - and based on everything I heard - it is really the multiple options of Prince, EDD, Fowles and other players that might step up that makes the Sky so dangerous.

 

[Coler]

Update: According to team’s manager Oksana Rakhmatulina, the exams revealed that there are no tears or fractures and she has only a sprain. Rakhmatulina couldn’t give an ETA on Prince’s return, only saying she will not step on the court for a couple of days.