July WNBA thread

[nwhoopfan]

Seattle put a tiny bit of window dressing on it. 94-78 final. It wasn't that close. Absolutely abysmal 4th quarter.

 

[bballnut90]

That 4th quarter was an absolute romp. Taurasi, Cunningham and Diggins-Smith all looked laser focused and like they were playing with more motivation tonight. Had to feel good getting a win like that over Charles and Seattle. When DT is dialed in it's quite impressive what she can do at 40 years old. 28 points, 7 boards and 7 assists.

The decision to move Magbegor to the bench tonight is puzzling at best by Quinn. Seattle has talent but I think they'll have a hard time in the playoffs matching up against teams that are younger and better balanced. And I don't think Quinn is a championship coach, but we'll see how it all plays out.

 

[nwhoopfan]

And I don't think Quinn is a championship coach

Let us know if you find anyone who actually does think she's a championship coach.

 

[Dillon77]

Lindsey Allen was, in fact, signed to a 7-day contract by Cheryl Reeve and the Minnesota Lynx and got just under 19 minutes of action, finishing with a line of 9 pts., 7 assists and 4 rebounds. Damaris Dantas is listed as out for "personal reasons." Somewhat surprised to see a point guard signed as a replacement for a stretch forward, but maybe Coach Reeve wants some strictly pg-backup for MoJeff. Who knows.

In any case, Allen has been on the shelf since being a late cut by the Fever, who probably decided to go with Danielle Robinsons and Destinni Henderson. Allen had a great year in the Aussie league, winning the championship for the Melbourne Boomers, being named playoff MVP and overall 2nd-team All-League.

Weill see what happens for a smart, professional point guard.

 

[Tangential]

I think that Quinn started Charles to appease her for the "homecoming." Agree that with your top 2 scorers (that take a lot of shots) starting, it makes more sense to start an exceptional defender (Ezi) and have your 3rd most productive scorer providing punch from the bench. It seems as though Seattle has 2 of the best front court defenders in the WNBA, but have been susceptible to guards going off during their last 3 losses (Chicago & Atlanta had guard scoring off the bench as well the starters).

Dillon77, do you think that the acquisition of Allen is a sign that because of Collier's body's recovery/Minnesota's position in the standings, that she won't rejoin the team until next year?

 

[baggerbob]

Let us know if you find anyone who actually does think she's a championship coach.

She never should have gotten the job, the guy who ran the team in 2020 should have been given the job.

 

[baggerbob]

It's just one game, but the move to the bench is absolutely not working for Ezi. Charles had been providing some scoring punch from the reserves, today they have none.

I Don't mind Tina in the starting lineup, but the offense has been the problem all year.
The person who should have sat is Gabby, she has no offensive talent at all. They don't need a a 4th ball handler starting, and that's all she gives them offensively.
There's a reason she hasn't started on any championship teams.
Her lack of offensive production makes it easier to defend teams she is on.
They know if they shut others down she can't be them.
Jewell is having her worst shooting year, and Stewie is close. They both end up with more defenders, and because Gabby can't shoot from any distance, there are less driving lanes.

 

[JellyBean]

Rewatching the Sky/Wings game and I could not help but notice how Charli Collier (did not play coach decision) and Awak Kuier are not playing much for the Wings this season. I just remember how a few years ago, there was much debate on how or what Collier was going to do in the WNBA. Kuier was a surprise pick because she did not have any NCAA playing experience just some solid overseas playing experience, which is still pretty decent IMHO. Just glad that they are still on a team and hopefully one day get some minutes out there.

 

[Dillon77]

I think that Quinn started Charles to appease her for the "homecoming." Agree that with your top 2 scorers (that take a lot of shots) starting, it makes more sense to start an exceptional defender (Ezi) and have your 3rd most productive scorer providing punch from the bench. It seems as though Seattle has 2 of the best front court defenders in the WNBA, but have been susceptible to guards going off during their last 3 losses (Chicago & Atlanta had guard scoring off the bench as well the starters).

Dillon77, do you think that the acquisition of Allen is a sign that because of Collier's body's recovery/Minnesota's position in the standings, that she won't rejoin the team until next year?

I don't know how the Allen signing plays off either the Napheesa Collier and/or the Damirs Dantas personal absence. Those two are both bigs, but the Lynix have Natalie Achonwa back, Nikolina Milic signed and Jess Shepard willing and able to play both power forward and/or back-up center.

Thus, I think Allen's signing is not the effect of a decision, per se, on Coller or Dantas.

Rather, I think Reeves is trying to fine-tune her backcourt. In her first game, I see Allen was distributing the ball (7 assists) while Rachel Banham was concentrating on shooting, which is her forte. Maybe Reeve wants to have a 1 (MoJeff) 2 (Allen) rotation at PG. Heck, the two probably know each other's games inside out from college to now

!

 

[nwhoopfan]

and Awak Kuier are not playing much for the Wings this season.

She's at least in the rotation and has had some good moments. She had a nasty twisted ankle yesterday that ended her night early.

 

[Bigboote]

I hope she recovers

I had never heard of a low-pressure headache. Evidently it's due to a leak of cerebrospinal fluid that leads to a low pressure or volume of CSF, allowing the brain to slosh around too much. From what I read it's difficult to determine just where the leak is due to a number of confounding factors. The standard treatment is injection of some of the patient's blood near the base of the spine. That's generally effective (I can't find how long it's effective for), but side effects are not uncommon. It sounds really scary.

I've been really impressed with how Russell has grown her game the last few years. She seems to be genuinely good-natured, and I hope she makes a speedy and full recovery.

 

[eebmg]

Liberty up 61-55 over Sky after 3Q. Can the Liberty hold on or will they go thud?

 

[eebmg]

81-80 Liberty lead with 8 seconds Left. Will Sky put a dagger in the heart like last time.?

Edit 83-80 with 1.8 seconds left.

Edit. Woo Hoo. Meeseman misses 3pt shot for tie. .. Sky 3-24 from 3.

Sabrina had one of those near triple doubles. 17-9-8 but 5 TO's. Luberty as a team had 19 to Sky 8

 

[nwhoopfan]

Sky have been flirting with a loss like this lately. Lib really needed a W.

Back to back games w/ a 4:30 am flight is just STUPID. Why?

 

[JellyBean]

That New York/Chicago game was pretty exciting to watch. When New York was up 10 and let Chicago get back in the game. I figured New York would give the game away but they held on for the win.

 

[JellyBean]

Liv is in 2K game mode tonight! 7 points & 2 rebounds and gave the Sparks some solid minutes. This was all in the 1st quarter. Great job out there, Liv!!

 

[ochoopsfan]

Liv is in 2K game mode tonight! 7 points & 2 rebounds and gave the Sparks some solid minutes. This was all in the 1st quarter. Great job out there, Liv!!

Liv with the moves

 

[ochoopsfan]

Good article on KLS and Lexie Brown

Sparking Los Angeles’ Success: An Interview with Lexie Brown and Katie Lou Samuelson - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA

Lexie Brown and Katie Lou Samuelson talk to Mark Schindler about their ongoing seasons in Los Angeles as they establish new highs in nearly every category of the game, and do so efficiently.

www.wnba.com

From the article
Samuelson operates more with outside-in playmaking, utilizing her vision and height to draw the defense from off-ball movement in sets.
She’s adept at quick decisions and clearouts, relocating into space and moving the ball emphatically. It seems minute, but it’s integral to good offense and spacing. Few players move the ball and then move themselves quite like Samuelson.

 

[nwhoopfan]

LA and Las Vegas are 2 of the worst defensive teams in the league, would've expected more scoring than 39-39 at the half.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Game was close til the 4th quarter, then the Aces ran away. Plum bounced back from maybe her lowest scoring game of the season to drop 29 (on 14 FGA, pretty efficient). She's in a dog fight (or maybe that's a Husky fight ) w/ Taurasi for most made 3 pointers this year.

 

[JellyBean]

Liv with the moves

Love it! Liv was productive out there.

 

[JellyBean]

I cannot wait for the Las Vegas/Chicago matchup on the 26th.

 

[bballnut90]

Kelsey Mitchell has real star potential (put up 34 today) and skillwise I think she's on par with someone like Jewell Loyd but she's never had a teammate like Bird/Stewart to help shoulder the load. If Indiana lands Boston and gets some development out of Engstler/Smith/Egbo/Vivians, they could be dangerous in a few years. But they have a LONG way to go at this juncture.

 

[eebmg]

Tina with a monster game watch. 15 pts, 6 Rebounds (3-4) from 3. halfway through 2nd Q. Storm needs it since no one else can make a shot Reaches 7000 pts

 

[Tangential]

Kelsey Mitchell has real star potential (put up 34 today) and skillwise I think she's on par with someone like Jewell Loyd but she's never had a teammate like Bird/Stewart to help shoulder the load. If Indiana lands Boston and gets some development out of Engstler/Smith/Egbo/Vivians, they could be dangerous in a few years. But they have a LONG way to go at this juncture.

I thought that it was an incorrect decision to have R Howard participate in the all-star game instead of K Mitchell