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Message: [QUOTE="bballnut90, post: 5121279, member: 2117"] It hasn't been a steady rebuild--Indiana was 5-31 two years ago. It's been a 2 year improvement after drafting Boston and Clark. The previous years they were consistently in last place and badly botched draft picks, similar to Dallas (more on that below). Dallas's franchise has been far more consistent and successful than the Fever since Catchings left. This year they were absolutely decimated by injuries and had a bad year. Last year (2023) they were the 4th best team in the league and made the semifinals. No they haven't made a finals or been a true title contender, but they're a far more successful franchise than Indiana has been in recent years. Dallas botching draft picks is 100% on coaching and GM, both of which are different this year. The GM is brand new after 9 years with Bibb. Last year the Wings sold out their season ticket allotment, and majority of their home games. The had one of the highest in demand Final Fours two years ago when LSU beat Iowa for the title. Dallas is the 4th biggest metro area in the country and their NBA franchise is consistently top 2-3 in attendance. The pieces are in place for the Wings to grow immensely as a franchise with or without Paige, but adding Paige takes them to new heights. Fever's track record aside from Clark/Boston (who were obvious #1 picks) is on par or arguably worse: 2023 - #7 Grace Berger, has rode the bench in 2 years 2022 - #2 Nalyssa Smith, hasn't developed and will not play for Indiana next year 2022 - #4 Emily Engstler, waived after 1 season 2022 - #6 Lexi Hull, has turned into a solid 3 and D role player, the lone success story 2021 - #4 Kysre Gondrezick, played 19 games and was waived 2020 - #3 Lauren Cox, waived in the middle of her 2nd year 2019 - #3 Teaira McCowan, played 3 years, didn't improve much and was traded away for Engstler/Hull Despite the graveyard of high draft picks, Clark and Boston were the first players with real expectations to be stars in the league. The same is true for Dallas when they pick Paige, she's the first draft pick that has truly high expectations in years. And as mentioned below, she has a different coach and GM running the show so it'll be a clean slate and a different franchise. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach