July WNBA thread

[UConnCat]

True

 

[baggerbob]

Storm now a full game up on Connecticut and only 2 games back of Chicago. Creeping up. Have a showdown with the Sky coming up soon.

If by chance Mercedes Russell is cleared to play and gets in game shape, Seattle could be 10 deep for the playoffs.
That would give Seattle Stewie, Ezi, and Gabby to start, Russell, Tina, and Talbot off the bench. Bird, Jewell, January, and Prince a good rotation.

 

[bbsamjj]

Sun made it interesting, but Aces hold on. Plum/Gray/Wilson all w/ 20 or more.

With that, Seattle slips 1/2 game ahead of Connecticut for #3 in the standings.

I'll give a shout out to Gray. I'm far from her biggest fan, but she was really good today. 21 points, 9 assists, several of her dishes were sick. Really had control of this game, especially in the 2nd half.

Curious why you're not a fan of Chelsea Gray. She's been a top 3 PG in the WNBA for half a decade now, and is one of the most clutch shot makers in the league. She also had a pretty good Olympics in 2021, and I wouldn't be surprised if she starts for the team at PG in the upcoming world cup (In fact, I would not be surprised if it's an all aces backcourt with Plum).

 

[nwhoopfan]

Curious why you're not a fan of Chelsea Gray.

She takes unnecessarily difficult shots ALL THE TIME. Loves the fadeaway, even when a defender is nowhere near. Does it with her passing too. She likes to go w/ the spectacular rather than what will get the job done. It makes highlight reels, but it also leads to some missed shots and turnovers. The last 2 years w/ LA in the playoffs, I felt like both her and Parker mailed it in and pretty much quit on their team. Maybe they both needed a change of scenery and have gotten a new lease on life, but I don't forget about stuff like that. Also I know they are very different players and I can't expect everybody to be the same, but Plum is all out energy all game long, every moment she is on the court. Gray picks and chooses her moments and to me she is guilty of loafing sometimes. Gray is also a chronic over dribbler. She'll pound the life out of the ball on some possessions. Plum usually makes the decision to shoot, drive or pass fairly quickly. And Plum drives w/ purpose. Sometimes Gray likes to take a nice scenic tour of one entire half of the court, not really getting anywhere during the process.

There, am I crazy or are some of those criticisms legit?

 

[triaddukefan]

 

[nwhoopfan]

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My eyes are playing tricks on me. Something looks seriously wrong w/ that cat.

I'm sure I just got on your bad list for my comments about Chelsea.

 

[triaddukefan]

My eyes are playing tricks on me. Something looks seriously wrong w/ that cat.

I'm sure I just got on your list for my comments about Chelsea.

No, you're fine...no list. There are lists for other things, but making criticisms about my favorite player isn't one of them.... as least not yet.

I'm just thrilled she has stayed healthy for the most part since she arrived in the WNBA, and has gotten the experience of winning both a WNBA title and an Olympic Gold Medal. Definitely rooting for the Aces to win it this season.

 

[bbsamjj]

It was obvious no one was happy at the end of the Fisher/Parker/Gray tenure in LA. If you want to hold that against them, that's fine I guess, I just think their overall careers speak much more to who they are/style of play than a couple bad years.

Gray and Plum are very different players; totally fine to prefer one's style of play over the other. I'm glad Plum is peaking and showing how awesome she can be. As I said, I'd be happy if they are the starting Olympic backcourt.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Gray and Plum are very different players; totally fine to prefer one's style of play over the other. I'm glad Plum is peaking and showing how awesome she can be. As I said, I'd be happy if they are the starting Olympic backcourt.

I agree that Gray showed well in the last Olympics and would expect her to be on the team next time around. I certainly hope Plum gets to join the 5X5 team after a successful stint with 3X3.

 

[baggerbob]

I agree that Gray showed well in the last Olympics and would expect her to be on the team next time around. I certainly hope Plum gets to join the 5X5 team after a successful stint with 3X3.

I would expect Gray, Plum, Loyd, and wait and see on a 4th guard. Hopefully EDD is healthy so the World has to worry about EDD and Stewie on the wings with A'ja in the middle. Those six would probably beat anyone in the world.

 

[Bigboote]

View attachment 77619

I saw Freaks. It had half a person who walked on his arms, but I don’t remember half a cat.

 

[ochoopsfan]

For tomorrows game Storm at Sky

 

[GoChips20]

Unpopular opinion and something that won’t happen, but I’d go Gardner over Howard for ROY. +18 in FG% (!) Howard is ahead in scoring by about 6 points but her FG% is poor, especially for a big guard, and Gardner has efficiently capitalized on what was at first a limited opportunity given Chicago’s extensive talent and depth.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Howard was way ahead in scoring, but now Smith isn't that far behind her, w/ better FG% and about double the rebounds. Indiana is really struggling and Atlanta is in the thick of the playoff race, but ROY seems to be the one award where team record isn't much of a factor.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

Unpopular opinion and something that won’t happen, but I’d go Gardner over Howard for ROY. +18 in FG% (!) Howard is ahead in scoring by about 6 points but her FG% is poor, especially for a big guard, and Gardner has efficiently capitalized on what was at first a limited opportunity given Chicago’s extensive talent and depth.

View attachment 77649

I can see how you can make that case, but when you look deeper into the numbers you see that Howard takes twice as many shots and about six times as many threes. Plus she is definitely often a main priority for the opponents defense. I really like what I have seen from Gardner but it's hard to overlook how impactful Rhyne has been with a traditionally bottom feeder (as of late) Dream team, that's is currently in the running of playoff contention.

 

[eebmg]

Tiffany Hayes with a monster game 31 pts. 11-14 (4-5 from 3) to take down Vegas down in the desert.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Just when I thought the Aces were back on track, they're getting handled at home by the Dream. Hayes and Howard going off. I really think Las Vegas' defense is gonna be their undoing, I don't think they've got what it takes to win a Championship.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Looks like Nneka is taking that young Indiana front court to school. She has 34 w/ a few minutes left.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

Just when I thought the Aces were back on track, they're getting handled at home by the Dream. Hayes and Howard going off. I really think Las Vegas' defense is gonna be their undoing, I don't think they've got what it takes to win a Championship.

Looks like some combination of their lackluster bench and their defense will be their demise. Hopefully they can turn it around before the playoffs, but props to the Dream for basically beating the Aces with their typical game plan of starting out hot in the 1st quarter and sustaining it with timely 3s for the rest of the game.

 

[cancontent]

Just when I thought the Aces were back on track, they're getting handled at home by the Dream. Hayes and Howard going off. I really think Las Vegas' defense is gonna be their undoing, I don't think they've got what it takes to win a Championship.

From what I watched last night, I was surprised how Atlanta was able to find open spots in the paint to get the ball in. While they weren't always able to score, like that 3 block sequence by Wilson, they remained committed and got points out of it.

Looks like some combination of their lackluster bench and their defense will be their demise. Hopefully they can turn it around before the playoffs, but props to the Dream for basically beating the Aces with their typical game plan of starting out hot in the 1st quarter and sustaining it with timely 3s for the rest of the game.

Atlanta being able to hold a lead from start to finish is a big step for the team this season. They've collapsed in most games when they've led late in the game against teams like Vegas.

Hillmon continues to impress me considering how some weren't sure if her game would translate at this level. She won a couple battles for loose balls against Wilson last night that turned into points. Her playing time also increased a fair bit too.

 

[eebmg]

Seattle forgot how to play basketball after an early 12-2 lead. Yuck

 

[nwhoopfan]

This one has been close throughout, but it looks like Seattle's inability to keep Chicago off the offensive glass is going to cost them the game.

 

[baggerbob]

This one has been close throughout, but it looks like Seattle's inability to keep Chicago off the offensive glass is going to cost them the game.

Gabby can't stay in the starting lineup, she is non existent offensively. She has no outside shot, and the offense stagnates with her in the game.
Start either Tina or Talbot, both of them can score, and create room offensively so everyone can get looks from the outside.

 

[nwhoopfan]

78-74 final. Seattle's schedule is fairly tough the rest of the way, and they are now 3 games behind Chicago. I think any chance of catching the Sky is gone. Now trying to hold onto #3 or move up to #2.

Charles and Bird got warm briefly, but for the most part Stewie and Loyd were the entirety of the offense. Gabby has gone back to providing absolutely no scoring in recent games.

Meesseman did some stat sheet stuffing. 16 pts/10 reb/6 assists. Quigley led them w/ 18. Chicago was chilly shooting from 3 and missing their starting PG, and still got the win against one of the best teams in the league. They're kinda scary.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Weird, box score shows O boards only 11-9 advantage for Chicago. It seemed like a lot more than that watching the game. Maybe it was more when they got 2nd chance points.