Inside The W with Michelle Smith: Postseason Award Predictions

[CamrnCrz1974]

Inside The W with Michelle Smith: Postseason Award Predictions

As a voter for the WNBA's postseason awards and the Associated Press's postseason awards, Michelle Smith shares her votes:

Rookie of the Year: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota.
This is going to be one of the closest votes of the year considering the remarkable season that Arike Ogunbowale had for the Dallas Wings as a go-to scorer.
That said, Collier’s team is in the playoffs and UConn product played a big part in getting them there and that is the edge here. Collier leads all rookies in minutes played and efficiency. She is averaging 12.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and is shooting better than 48 percent from the field. She can play defense, collecting 1.9 steals and nearly a block a game. She is one of six players in league history to collect 400 points, 200 rebounds, 80 assists and 60 steals in a season and that puts her in very impressive company. Some of the other players on that list …Tamika Catchings, Maya Moore, Sheryl Swoopes and Lisa Leslie. She is an integral part of a remodeling Lynx team that suddenly can feel really, really good about the future.


Click on the link to see Michelle Smith's other votes for postseason honors and awards.

Inside The W with Michelle Smith: Postseason Award Predictions - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA

WNBA insider Michelle Smith breaks down her picks for WNBA postseason awards, including MVP.

www.wnba.com

 

[UConnCat]

There will be a certain amount of pressure on EDD to cap off her (likely) MVP season with a championship. I don't know the status of Toliver but getting her back would help a lot.

 

[Plebe]

There will be a certain amount of pressure on EDD to cap off her (likely) MVP season with a championship. I don't know the status of Toliver but getting her back would help a lot.

Bone bruise. Timetable still uncertain.
Kristi Toliver could sit until the postseason. The Mystics’ season hinges on a bone bruise yet again.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Washington doesn't appear to be missing Tolliver at all. They've been killing teams and raining 3s without her.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Wow! When was the last time that there was no UConn alumna voted to the starting five All-WNBA team?

 

[UConnCat]

Washington doesn't appear to be missing Tolliver at all. They've been killing teams and raining 3s without her.

Playoff experience. It matters.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Playoff experience. It matters.

Sure. But the whole team is experienced. Got to the finals last year.

 

[Plebe]

Wow! When was the last time that there was no UConn alumna voted to the starting five All-WNBA team?

2001. In fact, no UConn alumna made 2nd team that year either.

The following year was the turning point. Through 2001, UConn's only all-WNBA selection was Lobo (2nd team 1997). Between 2002 and 2018:

Sue Bird (8): 1st team 2002–2005, 2016; 2nd team 2008, 2010–2011.
Swin Cash (2): 2nd team 2003–2004.
Diana Taurasi (13): 1st team 2004, 2006–2011, 2013–2014, 2018; 2nd team 2005, 2016–2017.
Nykesha Sales (1): 2nd team 2004.
Asjha Jones (1): 2nd team 2008.
Tina Charles (8): 1st team 2011–2012, 2015–2017; 2nd team 2010, 2013–2014.
Maya Moore (7): 1st team 2013–2017; 2nd team 2012, 2018.
Breanna Stewart (2): 1st team 2018; 2nd team 2016.

 

[bballnut90]

Wow! When was the last time that there was no UConn alumna voted to the starting five All-WNBA team?

Probably wont be a UCONN alum on 2nd team either unless Collier sneaks on. Charles/Hayes are both having down years, and Taurasi/Bird/Moore/Stewart have missed this season.

 

[bballnut90]

2001. In fact, no UConn alumna made 2nd team that year either.

The following year was the turning point. Through 2001, UConn's only all-WNBA selection was Lobo (2nd team 1997). Between 2002 and 2018:

Sue Bird (8): 1st team 2002–2005, 2016; 2nd team 2008, 2010–2011.
Swin Cash (2): 2nd team 2003–2004.
Diana Taurasi (13): 1st team 2004, 2006–2011, 2013–2014, 2018; 2nd team 2005, 2016–2017.
Nykesha Sales (1): 2nd team 2004.
Asjha Jones (1): 2nd team 2008.
Tina Charles (8): 1st team 2011–2012, 2015–2017; 2nd team 2010, 2013–2014.
Maya Moore (7): 1st team 2013–2017; 2nd team 2012, 2018.
Breanna Stewart (2): 1st team 2018; 2nd team 2016.

Hayes was 1st team in 2018, too.