Dallas Wings, part 2

[BRS24]

 

[RockyMTblue2]

All those years Geno; now I get this.

 

[Bigboote]

All those years Geno; now I get this.

From that perfect coif to a man bun?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Abandon all hope. A short interview with the Dallas CEO. His view of what's to come will really depress you.



This team is Groundhog Day if you've kept your eye on them.

 

[WiseWillie]

Abandon all hope. A short interview with the Dallas CEO. His view of what's to come will really depress you.



This team is Groundhog Day if you've kept your eye on them.

Agree, Rocky, not exactly an inspiring look ahead. What's left to say that hasn't already been said on this forum? Right now a shout out of well done to Paige as the season ends, she becomes the ROTY with some historic firsts and she gets some time off before Unrivaled begins.

Off season and next season for the Wings? Some hard decisions (hopefully by those qualified) so they don't end up playing Groundhog Day II in 2026.

 

[oldude]

Abandon all hope. A short interview with the Dallas CEO. His view of what's to come will really depress you.



This team is Groundhog Day if you've kept your eye on them.

Not sure what you would expect Bibb to say. He was extremely positive about Paige and upbeat about the future of his young team and the new arena. Would it be better if he said, “We aren’t very good and the future is dark?” Keep in mind that this guy’s #1 job is to get fans in the seats, and I understand that the Wings last home game tonight is a sellout, at 9-34, as they give away “Paige Bueckers for ROY” t-shirts.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Not sure what you would expect Bibb to say. He was extremely positive about Paige and upbeat about the future of his young team and the new arena. Would it be better if he said, “We aren’t very good and the future is dark?” Keep in mind that this guy’s #1 job is to get fans in the seats, and I understand that the Wings last home game tonight is a sellout, at 9-34, as they give away “Paige Bueckers for ROY” t-shirts.

He said we have an excellent core, which is demonstrably incorrect. He's saying we get a 1, 2, or 3 and we'll be fine. Demonstrably incorrect. This man has been the man of bad trades for years, so maybe we should settle for not changing things up and let him rest on his laurels? 9 wins right? Are you saying they can stink and float as long as they sell tickets?

 

[cancontent]

Regarding Bibb and his influence the roster, how does that work with Miller being the general manager? Don't general managers typically have more say in personnel than CEO's?

 

[WiseWillie]

Regarding Bibb and his influence the roster, how does that work with Miller being the general manager? Don't general managers typically have more say in personnel than CEO's?

Yes, the GM is typically the one responsible for the day-to-day management of the franchise including drafting players, making trades, negotiating player contracts, hiring and firing the head coach and coaching staff all under the direction of the CEO who has overall responsibility for the financial health and major decisions on the franchise's broader business issues. While certainly aware of what is going on, doubtful Bibb gets very involved in roster decisions. But in general successful franchises in any professional sport requires a close knit organization with frequent and candid communication between the CEO, GM and front office staff.

 

[Huskee11]

He comes across as a real lightweight, IMHO.

As referenced in previous posts, he lauds the number of really skilled, talented young players on the roster, and later notes in the same vein for emphasis that it is a very talented young team. None of that is true. Basically, a team of cast-offs plus Paige. Maybe he is blowing smoke, but I suspect he actually believes it.

In referencing Paige's contributions, he states that MOST importantly, she has been a fantastic addition to the team relative to how they try to make a positive impact in the community. He rates that higher than on court performance. In fact, of the three things he mentions, on court performance ranks third.

Really? That is most important? If that is your highest priority, it is no wonder you are 9-34.

 

[baggerbob]

Honestly, it was amazing that Paige managed to get off 8 shots against a junk defense that doubled and tripled her every time she had the ball, and then started doubling her when she didn’t have the ball when she was trying to get open in the paint.

The defense the Sparks played last night was a defense you would never see against any other team in the W with at least one more capable shooter besides Paige. LA dared anyone not named Paige Bueckers to beat them.

The Sparks literally chose not to defend the 3-pt line other than when Paige had the ball. Paige did not attempt a 3-pt shot against LA’s smothering defense. But she frequently passed to wide open teammates who took uncontested 3’s.

As a team, the Wings were an abysmal 5/23 from the arc. Maddy hit one then went cold. Hines-Allen is not a 3-pt shooter. But she seems to frequently end up with the ball in her hands at the arc with nobody guarding her. She may have hit one and then clanked a bunch. Haley Jones is not a 3-pt shooter either. She missed a bunch and also turned it over a bunch.

This Wings team is just not very good. As for Miller and Koclanes, the jury is still out imo. The Wings have had 20 different players on their roster this season. Of the 9 players who played last night, 6 were not on the roster at the start of the season.

Miller needs to core the right 6 players in the expansion draft. I don’t know if that includes Arike or not. Then he needs to draft an “impact player” with his lottery pick. I don’t know if that is Betts. Finally, he needs to bring in a group of solid, talented veterans in free agency with the significant cap space the Wings will have.

Paige is really the only person to keep, use the remaining money to attract good free agents to play with her. No one else is good enough to start in the league, so build a new team.

 

[oldude]

He said we have an excellent core, which is demonstrably incorrect. He's saying we get a 1, 2, or 3 and we'll be fine. Demonstrably incorrect. This man has been the man of bad trades for years, so maybe we should settle for not changing things up and let him rest on his laurels? 9 wins right? Are you saying they can stink and float as long as they sell tickets?

Here again, it’s not Bibb’s job to handle trades or anything to do with the roster. His job is to hire that guy (Miller) and then do his level best to promote the team to fans.

Obviously, Bibb wants a winner. It makes his job a hell of a lot easier. But getting pissed off at a guy for doing his job of promoting the team is just plain silly.

 

[oldude]

Paige is really the only person to keep, use the remaining money to attract good free agents to play with her. No one else is good enough to start in the league, so build a new team.

I would add Maddie as a player to keep. After that the Wings will likely keep 4 other players on rookie contracts and then add 1-2 draft picks and 4-5 veteran free agents.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Here again, it’s not Bibb’s job to handle trades or anything to do with the roster. His job is to hire that guy (Miller) and then do his level best to promote the team to fans.

Obviously, Bibb wants a winner. It makes his job a hell of a lot easier. But getting pissed off at a guy for doing his job of promoting the team is just plain silly.

The best and most have both positions on board and of a common mind. Are you saying Bibb is just blowing smoke and not reflecting the position of Miller? Do I expect either to give a list of what theyey are looking for, no. But do I expect them to say we'll get someone pretty good in the draft and run witth that, decidedly not. You don't grow a fan base by acting the fool.

 

[Basingstoke]

To refresh our collective memory:
the Wings currently have only 3 unrestricted free agents - Arike, Harris and Hines-Allen.
They also have 3 "exclusive rights free agents" (Li, Luisa and Jones) & one on a club option (LLS).
Under the current CBA, they are not contractually tied to any of these players, but can choose to retain LLS and have initial exclusive bargaining rights with Li, Luisa and Jones).
I haven't seen any articles or posts with inside info with regard to behind the scenes dynamics (with the exception of Sabally's complaints regarding lack of pre-game catering) relating to how the team views the players in terms of what goes on in practice, team chemistry and possibilities for individual growth potential, so, only time will tell who their internal priorities are.
Because no one knows what the new CBA will dictate, there are so many questions that will only be answered in time...

 

[Bald Husky]

I read an article saying the Wings should trade for Angel Reese. To do that, they probably would have to give up the #1, or #2 overall draft pick in 2026, which ever one they get. That would be a tricky decision since Angel is a great rebounder and all-star, but I read another article quoting Maddie saying how great the locker room is, but what would it turn into if they added Reese? Angel could actually be the Big they need, and I think her and Paige could do some really good things together. It should be an interesting off season, but if the Wings don't do something BIG, well some of us don't know how much time we have, so it better be quick. LOL

 

[WiseWillie]

I would add Maddie as a player to keep. After that the Wings will likely keep 4 other players on rookie contracts and then add 1-2 draft picks and 4-5 veteran free agents.

Yes, Mattie came on late in the season and seems to have developed a good playing relationship with Paige (So would I if I was given dimes like Paige's). To me the Wings need to think carefully about what is needed and what exactly each one brings before adding any veteran free agent (and hopefully quite a bit more time devoted to the analysis than some of the previous poor decisions), particularly how the vets will fit in with their goals as well as mesh both on and off the floor with Paige who is undoubtedly their in-the-bank future franchise builder. Am I saying that this is now Paige's team? Yup. The Wings must definitely think the same.

 

[HuskyNan]

Is Lou still under contract to the Wings?

 

[EricLA]

Not sure what you would expect Bibb to say. He was extremely positive about Paige and upbeat about the future of his young team and the new arena. Would it be better if he said, “We aren’t very good and the future is dark?” Keep in mind that this guy’s #1 job is to get fans in the seats, and I understand that the Wings last home game tonight is a sellout, at 9-34, as they give away “Paige Bueckers for ROY” t-shirts.

I agree with this 100%. Based on the negative comments, I was expecting that he said "we think we have a really great team and will make no off season adjustments - with the expectation that a top 3 draft pick will make us a title contender".

Yeah he said they have a good core of young players. Would you expect him to say "our young talent sucks"? I mean any fan can look at the roster and acknowledge that of the young players, Paige is great, Maddy is very good, Guiselsoder is solid, and the rest are role players. To have starters of Berger and Jones, who were WNBA castoffs from other teams, is a recipe for failure like we've seen.

He had great things to say about Paige, ROY, the fans, the 20K who came out to see the team when they played at the larger arena, and talked about the new arena for 2027.

At this point, if they are keeping Arike, then a core of Paige, Arike, Maddy, and that's really about it. I think Geiselsoder, Miller, and Okonwu (called up in August and has put up really good numbers) could be solid - decent bench players. I think they need to go all in on Betts, but Fudd would not be a terrible back up plan at all!

TBH I don't see Berger, Jones, Yeru, Hines-Allen, Quinnerly, Harris, or James as "must haves", or even good fits for the team. MAYBE Azia James. And maybe Christyn Williams.

It's clear they need elite starters. The need an elite wing and center IMHO. I'm not sure Miller, Geiselsoder, Okonwu, or any of the others, could grow into that. So much will happen this off season. I think their future is pretty bright unless they do decide to double down on ALL the young "talent".

 

[Huskee11]

I agree with this 100%. Based on the negative comments, I was expecting that he said "we think we have a really great team and will make no off season adjustments - with the expectation that a top 3 draft pick will make us a title contender".

It's clear they need elite starters. The need an elite wing and center IMHO. I'm not sure Miller, Geiselsoder, Okonwu, or any of the others, could grow into that. So much will happen this off season. I think their future is pretty bright unless they do decide to double down on ALL the young "talent".

The fear is that his comments can be interpreted to mean exactly that.

I get that he shouldn't be throwing his current roster under the bus, that would be unseemly at best. But they are 9-34 and have lost their last ten games. They are in last place and have the worst scoring defense in the league. Would it be too much to say that they are not happy being the league's patsy and that they will be looking to improve, with the obvious pathway being to add talent for next season via free agency?

As you note they need elite starters, including at wing and center. The problem is I didn't hear any of that through all of Bibb's happy talk. In fact, he sounds very comfortable adding a high draft pick and otherwise standing pat.

Would any NBA, NFL, or MLB fanbase put up with pablum like this?

 

[cancontent]

The fear is that his comments can be interpreted to mean exactly that.

I get that he shouldn't be throwing his current roster under the bus, that would be unseemly at best. But they are 9-34 and have lost their last ten games. They are in last place and have the worst scoring defense in the league. Would it be too much to say that they are not happy being the league's patsy and that they will be looking to improve, with the obvious pathway being to add talent for next season via free agency?

As you note they need elite starters, including at wing and center. The problem is I didn't hear any of that through all of Bibb's happy talk. In fact, he sounds very comfortable adding a high draft pick and otherwise standing pat.

Would any NBA, NFL, or MLB fanbase put up with pablum like this?

As a long suffering Bills fan, I can definitely say that some fanbases will tolerate a lot of pablum as you say. If you add the NHL into the list of leagues, the Toronto Maples Leads fan base is an excellent example of tolerating pablum, while paying handsomely for tickets every year.