Delle Donne to win second WNBA MVP

[Carnac]

For the second time in her career, Washington's Elena Delle Donne has been voted the WNBA's MVP, a league source told ESPN.

An official announcement is expected today, and Delle Donne will receive her award from WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert before Game 2 of the semifinals on Thursday at the Mystics' Entertainment and Sports Arena.

Delle Donne was the runaway winner, receiving 41 of 43 first-place votes for a total of 420 points, according to a source. Phoenix's Brittney Griner was second with 167 points, followed by Connecticut's Jonquel Jones (145), Los Angeles' Nneka Ogwumike (128), Seattle's Natasha Howard (121) and Chicago's Courtney Vandersloot (81). Vandersloot got the other two first-place votes, a source said.

She is the sixth WNBA player to be named MVP more than once, joining three-time winners Lauren Jackson (Seattle), Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles) and Sheryl Swoopes (Houston) and two-time winners Cynthia Cooper (Houston) and Candace Parker (Los Angeles).

[Story]

Other WNBA news -
Lynx's Reeve named WNBA executive of year
Mercury's Leilani Mitchell wins Most Improved
Liberty rookie guard Asia Durr undergoes hip surgery.

 

[eebmg]

I'd say a good pick

The 6-foot-5 Delle Donne, who turned 30 earlier this month, led the Mystics to a 26-8 regular-season record and the top seed in the WNBA playoffs. She became the first WNBA player to have a 50/40/90 season, with her shooting percentage at 51.5 overall, 43.0 from behind the arc and 97.4 at the foul line. She made 114 of 117 free throw attempts.

Delle Donne was second in the league in scoring, at 19.5 points per game. She averaged 8.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocked shots per game.

In Tuesday's 97-95 Game 1 victory over Las Vegas, Delle Donne had 24 points, six rebounds and six assists. Her turnaround fadeaway shot with 32.9 seconds left ended up being the winning basket.


Also she broke the old record of 40 consecutive FT's in the playoffs.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

O to have seen her play in a Connecticut uniform!!!

 

[meyers7]

O to have seen her play in a Connecticut uniform!!!

If only.

 

[Reypl21]

O to have seen her play in a Connecticut uniform!!!

Its remarkable that she's such a dominant and incredible player, and she didn't get the UConn coaching. I cant imagine how amazing she would have been if she stayed and developed under Geno.

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

I understand why she got the MVP, with Maya, Diana, Sue, and Breanna not playing this year. However, the toliver trade was what made the Mystics a better team. I personally do no think Della Donne did anything amazing where we are thinking "MVP". but whatever. It has been a weird year in the wnba anyway.

 

[bballnut90]

O to have seen her play in a Connecticut uniform!!!

I think Tony's prediction of 195-0 would've been realistic. Kind of crazy how Moore, EDD, and Griner were all so close in age (graduated in 2007, 2008 and 2009) and all 3 have true greatness about them. Compare that to HS classes of 2010-2017, and only Stewart (and potentially Ionescu) are in that caliber of elitism.


Back to the main subject, congrats to EDD on a remarkable season. Well deserved.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Congrats to my neighbor, Elena!

Every year that Elena is healthy, she's in the running for the MVP. With Diana, Sue, Maya, Stewie, and Angel out this year, the top-level talent thinned considerably, but EDD is always in the conversation.

I would have picked Howard 2nd and Sloot 3rd, then Brit and Jonquel.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think Tony's prediction of 195-0 would've been realistic. Kind of crazy how Moore, EDD, and Griner were all so close in age (graduated in 2007, 2008 and 2009) and all 3 have true greatness about them. Compare that to HS classes of 2010-2017, and only Stewart (and potentially Ionescu) are in that caliber of elitism.


Back to the main subject, congrats to EDD on a remarkable season. Well deserved.

Yeah, Tina, Maya, and Elena, along with Tiffany, Kalana, Caroline, et al. would have been unreal. We have had teams that included the TWO best players in the nation (2002, 2010, 2016). Having the THREE best players is unthinkable.

 

[Plebe]

I understand why she got the MVP, with Maya, Diana, Sue, and Breanna not playing this year. However, the toliver trade was what made the Mystics a better team. I personally do no think Della Donne did anything amazing where we are thinking "MVP". but whatever. It has been a weird year in the wnba anyway.

Seriously? Becoming the first WNBA player to shoot 50-40-90 while leading the best team in scoring (and being #2 in ppg in the entire league) is "nothing amazing" to you?

Yikes. I hope you're not on my next performance evaluation committee.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Greatest FT shooting seasons in U.S. pro history:

1. Jose Calderon, 2008-9, 98.1%.

2. Elena Delle Donne, 2019, 97.4%.

3. Calvin Murphy, 1980-91, 95.8%.

Elena also had seasons of 95.3% and 95.0%.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I don't recall the entire graphic, but Elena helped the Mystics set several WNBA team records this year. I believe they included:

Points per game

Assists per game

3-pointers per game

Free-throw percentage

Margin of victory

That's an impressive list. Offensive juggernaut!

 

[Shorty Dee]

Congratulations to Della Donne on winning MVP of the WNBA!!