Dallas Wings, part 2

[Crossover]

Good one, Pengy! Yeah, she hasn’t had much luck with coaches, thats for sure! I forgot that I praised the “superb tutelage” of Koclanes,
Oh wait! Well, maybe Dallas will hire a different coach that can actually coach. There’s a thought.
I don’t have the “in” about Tara’s last year and Close is clearly a genius with one final four (a blowout loss) in 14 seasons in spite of highly ranked recruiting classes including two #1 classes. Clearly you have a different idea about who Dallas should choose with their hoped for #1. I just hope they can get Paige some help.

We can definitely agree on your last sentence!

 

[Bald Husky]

I believe that the Wings envision Paige as a shooting guard and not a point guard. If they can get a veteran Big, their priority would be a point guard to help Paige get her looks without having to be guarded the full length of the floor. Ty Harris is one answer, but they need another guard that can be point or off the ball when Paige wants to take over. Grace isn't it; JJ isn't it either. It's going to come down to who Paige can convince to come to Dallas as a free agent, and that will determine which way they lean in the draft. Miles may be the answer as the best pick, but Betts is an option if they cannot secure a veteran Big.

 

[Basingstoke]

I believe that the Wings envision Paige as a shooting guard and not a point guard. If they can get a veteran Big, their priority would be a point guard to help Paige get her looks without having to be guarded the full length of the floor. Ty Harris is one answer, but they need another guard that can be point or off the ball when Paige wants to take over. Grace isn't it; JJ isn't it either. It's going to come down to who Paige can convince to come to Dallas as a free agent, and that will determine which way they lean in the draft. Miles may be the answer as the best pick, but Betts is an option if they cannot secure a veteran Big.

I actually think that it's actually the reverse: I think that they think of her as THE point guard, but, since they need her on the court for virtually the entire game (& don't have other intimidating scoring options), they've played her off the ball to reduce wear-and-tear on her body.
They might also have been curious to see how the team functions with Berger, JJ, et al as point guard while Paige is off the ball (& they're getting their answer - although, if Harris was healthy it might look a lot better).

 

[Bald Husky]

I actually think that it's actually the reverse: I think that they think of her as THE point guard, but, since they need her on the court for virtually the entire game (& don't have other intimidating scoring options), they've played her off the ball to reduce wear-and-tear on her body.
They might also have been curious to see how the team functions with Berger, JJ, et al as point guard while Paige is off the ball (& they're getting their answer - although, if Harris was healthy it might look a lot better).

A lot better with Ty Harris. JJ has the same disease that Moriah had, and Chrystal had. That is running into the paint with no plan, not looking at the floor and running into trouble that they cannot get out of. The UConn guards are learning to control that by their sophomore or junior year. JJ has not learned that, so she is not an advantage for playing with Paige. Paige plays at her own pace, and the Wings have to look at that if Paige is going to be the top dog. I have faith in Curt Miller, but not necessarily Koclanes. Next year will be a new team again with many very young players. The Wings need a no-nonsense coach that knows defense, and a system that knows how to develop young players. Hmmm, Geno and CD come to mind. How about Dawn?

 

[oldude]

Watching the Wings vs the Valkyries on the WNBA League Pass. Every game is broadcast by the respective home team’s broadcast crew. During a break in the action in the first qtr, the following trivia question was asked:

“Who is the winningest coach in the history of women’s college basketball?”

• Dawn Staley
• Tara Vandever
• Kim Mulkey
• Pat Summit

Huh?????????

The answer they gave was Tara, which would have been the correct answer 2 years ago. I realize that Tara coached not far from SF. But I was incredulous that any basketball broadcast team, anywhere in the country could get that question so obviously wrong, particularly after Geno and the Huskies just won their record 12th national championship.

 

[YKCornelius]

Watching the Wings vs the Valkyries on the WNBA League Pass. Every game is broadcast by the respective home team’s broadcast crew. During a break in the action in the first qtr, the following trivia question was asked:

“Who is the winningest coach in the history of women’s college basketball?”

• Dawn Staley
• Tara Vandever
• Kim Mulkey
• Pat Summit

Huh?????????

The answer they gave was Tara, which would have been the correct answer 2 years ago. I realize that Tara coached not far from SF. But I was incredulous that any basketball broadcast team, anywhere in the country could get that question so obviously wrong, particularly after Geno and the Huskies just won their record 12th national championship.

Oldude, since I can't listen to the replay until after the game is over, are you sure they didn't ask: "Who is the winningest woman coach in the history of college basketball?

 

[oldude]

Oldude, since I can't listen to the replay until after the game is over, are you sure they didn't ask: "Who is the winningest woman coach in the history of college basketball?

Well, I guess that’s a possibility. But even if that was the question, why exactly would you ask that question which would clearly imply that Tara is the winningest coach all time, when she’s not?

 

[RoadMaster]

 

[Basingstoke]

Since they noted it in the broadcast but didn't show a replay: did anyone catch how Paige wound up on the floor in pain with around 5:10 left in the 4th quarter?

 

[YKCornelius]

Since they noted it in the broadcast but didn't show a replay: did anyone catch how Paige wound up on the floor in pain with around 5:10 left in the 4th quarter?

She tripped over Carla Leite's lower leg as Carla was defending Grace Berger with her back to Paige. Carla took a step backward, and Paige, trying to get to the top of the key, tripped over Carla's right leg hitting the floor pretty hard. Unfortunate but no doubt inadvertent.

 

[YKCornelius]

Well, I guess that’s a possibility. But even if that was the question, why exactly would you ask that question which would clearly imply that Tara is the winningest coach all time, when she’s not?

Oldude, your umbrage is justified. The actual trivia question put on the screen (as part of Coaches Night, no less) was: "Which women's basketball coach is the all-time winningest coach in NCAA Division 1 history?"

Pretty embarrassing....

 

[Basingstoke]

She tripped over Carla Leite's lower leg as Carla was defending Grace Berger with her back to Paige. Carla took a step backward, and Paige, trying to get to the top of the key, tripped over Carla's right leg hitting the floor pretty hard. Unfortunate but no doubt inadvertent.

Thanks for the info

 

[Cuango]

I believe I would shut Paige down to 10-15 minutes per game at this point. I think they should have done so five or six games ago. In fact, if I could, I’d just shut her down altogether. Nothing she does from here on out is going to make any difference. She’s already wrapped up ROY honors, she’s had one of the great rookie seasons ever, so why take any chance that she gets injured in these last two games? The only thing she should be doing at this point, is signing autographs for the fans!

 

[Bald Husky]

Well, I guess that’s a possibility. But even if that was the question, why exactly would you ask that question which would clearly imply that Tara is the winningest coach all time, when she’s not?

I thought the same thing about the question. Even in my sleepiness I had to read the question again, thinking why they would even ask a question like that. When Paige made that move, I needed to see it again, but the angle didn't show how shifty she was on that attempt. If you really want to laugh, don't watch Paige but the two defenders being completely faked out. They looked like a couple of 8th graders defending on that play. Love it.

 

[oldude]

Oldude, your umbrage is justified. The actual trivia question put on the screen (as part of Coaches Night, no less) was: "Which women's basketball coach is the all-time winningest coach in NCAA Division 1 history?"

Pretty embarrassing....

Thanks for confirming my initial take. It’s difficult to imagine that anyone who has anything to do with basketball anywhere in the world would not know who Geno Auriemma is and what he has accomplished. But I never cease to be amazed by the level of ignorance that is out there.

 

[WiseWillie]

Oldude, since I can't listen to the replay until after the game is over, are you sure they didn't ask: "Who is the winningest woman coach in the history of college basketball?

I would hope that we don't start into a dialogue of "winningest" contrasting between male and female coaches. Does it make any difference whether the X's and O's come from a female or a male? Never mind those clueless commentators, but please let's at least get real here.

 

[WiseWillie]

A lot better with Ty Harris. JJ has the same disease that Moriah had, and Chrystal had. That is running into the paint with no plan, not looking at the floor and running into trouble that they cannot get out of. The UConn guards are learning to control that by their sophomore or junior year. JJ has not learned that, so she is not an advantage for playing with Paige. Paige plays at her own pace, and the Wings have to look at that if Paige is going to be the top dog. I have faith in Curt Miller, but not necessarily Koclanes. Next year will be a new team again with many very young players. The Wings need a no-nonsense coach that knows defense, and a system that knows how to develop young players. Hmmm, Geno and CD come to mind. How about Dawn?

Koclanes is more of an assistant coach. This season shows he lacks the knowledge or experience of a head coach in integrating multiple personalities and skills into an integral unit. As far as the GM, I am afraid I am not high on him either since he picked Koclanes to coach this team.

 

[Bald Husky]

Koclanes is more of an assistant coach. This season shows he lacks the knowledge or experience of a head coach in integrating multiple personalities and skills into an integral unit. As far as the GM, I am afraid I am not high on him either since he picked Koclanes to coach this team.

I think Miller has a good plan with regards to the future of the team, but I agree with you, his choice of coach was very head scratching.

 

[Zarathustra]

I think Miller has a good plan with regards to the future of the team, but I agree with you, his choice of coach was very head scratching.

Multiple Head Coaching changes after this "crazy" WNBA season? Maybe
someone has been "designated" and this was an "interim" year??? Maybe??

 

[Dugway]

Great game again last night!

Wings had outplayed the Valkyries throughout the first three quarters, then, just as many of them have turned out this season, they lose it in the end. Paige with all of that scoring, particularly late, was great to witness but not enough for them as the Valkyries made their free throws. Was hoping to see Christyn Williams, but she didn't receive any playtime, and I don't know exactly how much, but Chen didn't play many minutes either.

 

[Dugway]

I believe I would shut Paige down to 10-15 minutes per game at this point. I think they should have done so five or six games ago. In fact, if I could, I’d just shut her down altogether. Nothing she does from here on out is going to make any difference. She’s already wrapped up ROY honors, she’s had one of the great rookie seasons ever, so why take any chance that she gets injured in these last two games? The only thing she should be doing at this point, is signing autographs for the fans!

Selfishly, now that we have had the opportunity to see that game in person, I guess I don't care as much. But, as someone whose taken two days off of work, commuted 4 1/2 hours each direction and spent in the neighborhood of $2,000 for the opportunity to see it, we personally would have been disappointed had the Wings shut her down prior to last evening's game.

It is professional basketball. She is being paid to play. From the perspective of an WNBA fan, she has an entire offseason coming up. The fans are the ones who are buying tickets to watch the games, and there is an expectation that by doing so they would see her play. That said, I think it fair to a fan if she were to only play half of the minutes, particularly if the game was not close. But if the game is in the balance, I would expect the fans would want to see a complete effort by the entire franchise, regardless of the current record. Just my opinion.

 

[WFFL]

For Dallas. If all they have is one first round pick with out any other deals and they are stuck with Arike then for them I think the better choice is Betts. They need reliable mobile bigs who can score.

Now, if they deal Arike away (my wish) then you can take Azzi as the 2 guard replacement first and then get a different big later in the draft.

No one is stuck with Arike shes an UFA . And why always mention her when you want to backhand shade the team ? Shes leaving she owes us nothing and she put in great time as a Wing. That type of stuff has gotten old .

 

[WFFL]

I agree that Betts is the best Big in the draft. What is difficult to determine is whether or not she can be a dominant post in the W, where there’s a bunch of 6’5 - 6’8” posts. Griner, Jonquil Jones, Charles, Wilson, Boston and others are all bigs who are mobile and effective. My view on Betts is that she is “mobility limited” and her ceiling is more like Cardoso. If so, then the Wings could do better by signing a veteran center and using their lottery pick in the draft to sign another big time scorer: Azzi, Miles or another top g/w.

Trade the pick for Ezi Megbegor , Shakira Austin , Dominque Malonga , Cameron Brink , On the low end Leticia Amihere , Aaliyah Edwards. We need a big who can get up and down , MHA is not that . She's 5'11 . Lauren Betts is not that why do you think UCONN smoked them literally ran her off the court in the Final 4.

 

[WFFL]

I believe that the Wings envision Paige as a shooting guard and not a point guard. If they can get a veteran Big, their priority would be a point guard to help Paige get her looks without having to be guarded the full length of the floor. Ty Harris is one answer, but they need another guard that can be point or off the ball when Paige wants to take over. Grace isn't it; JJ isn't it either. It's going to come down to who Paige can convince to come to Dallas as a free agent, and that will determine which way they lean in the draft. Miles may be the answer as the best pick, but Betts is an option if they cannot secure a veteran Big.

This is a perfect assertion . #WingsFanForlife

 

[oldude]

Trade the pick for Ezi Megbegor , Shakira Austin , Dominque Malonga , Cameron Brink , On the low end Leticia Amihere , Aaliyah Edwards. We need a big who can get up and down , MHA is not that . She's 5'11 . Lauren Betts is not that why do you think UCONN smoked them literally ran her off the court in the Final 4.

Let’s see what the pick is first. Then the GM can shop it or keep it. Of the players you mention, the only one worth trading a lottery pick imo would be Malonga. None of the rest are difference makers, and that’s what you would expect from a lottery pick or someone you would trade a lottery pick for.