July WNBA thread

[bbsamjj]

It's pretty hard to distinguish between 1-5 in the league right now (especially if you think about what the Mystics' record might be if EDD was playing every game); and then 6-11. the Fever are...still the Fever.

 

[Iluvacc2]

Holy smokes! What time did the Sun & Fever play their game today? Also, hats off to Sophie and Skylar for keeping Phoenix in the game against Minnesota. Watching the game, as a Lynx fan, I never know what Lynx teams is going to show up. When the Lynx were up 13 with roughly 4 pr 5 minutes left in regulation, I actually thought that the team would win it, but it is Minnesota. Anyway, props to Sophie and Skylar. Mad respect for Rachel Banham and Aerial Powers. Aerial has been playing lights out the last 3 games or so.

I watched the game, very entertaining. If the Lynx can get Collier back this season they can go far in the post season.

What are your thoughts on the DT/Fowles incident?

 

[eebmg]

I watched the game, very entertaining. If the Lynx can get Collier back this season they can go far in the post season.

What are your thoughts on the DT/Fowles incident?

DT's groin kick on Syl was really bad. No way can it be called a basketball move. Straight out of Karate Kid.

Clearly, DT was frustrated after really playing poorly after a good start. Cunningham and Skylar had to do the heavy lifting in the 2nd half and both OT's

I got to say it is getting harder to justify DT on these things and I find myself often wishing Geno was still coaching her instead of these apparent enablers.

Video in link

Diana Taurasi kicks at Sylvia Fowles as Lynx take 2OT win - Just Women's Sports

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeves said afterward that the win could be “costly,” as a banged-up Sylvia Fowles played well past her 25-minute limit.

justwomenssports.com

 

[azfan]

Actually that would be Tina Charles

Skylar’s very intense, but her play on the floor suggests nothing of the sort. Anyone that has watched her play this season can see how she’s pretty much willed that team to victories and in even their losses she always looks like she gives her all out there.

From what I’ve seen from some of the Merc fans they seem to be very appreciative of her effort.

Actually Tina has both feet out.

I couldn't help but thinking about Skye as I read this excellent article about the WNBAs sister league.

A league of grumps and a fanbase with issues​

A league of grumps and a fanbase with issues

Today’s NBA players often come across as salty and unhappy, while fans’ antipathy is nothing to cheer about

www.deseret.com

Sky is a grump of her own.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I got to say it is getting harder to justify DT on these things

I used to like DT, and I really don't at this point in her career. She's probably one of my least favorite players in the league. I wish she would just retire.

 

[Bigboote]

Absolutely.

Imagine if Sky was presented with the teeny tiny MVP trophy, would she have been as gracious as Kelsey? Hmm. When I think of Sky I really never think of gracious.

That said @TheFarmFan makes the key point: Sky's been behaving not like the face of the franchise but like someone who has one foot out the door.

The contrast between Skyler and Plum is both informative and breathtaking. I can't imagine there are many Mercury fans who wouldn't make a straight trade in a New York minute. Plum oozes joy and Skyler oozes that cloud that always trailed Pigpen.

Agreed, but I'm not sure about the Mercury players. There is still quite a bit of the personality that Sandy Brondello instilled into it.

There was a game last year that really stood out to me. Taurasi and Brondello both got technical fouls in the first half. Maybe Diggins-smith too, but I'm not sure about that. On the way out at halftime, about five of the Mercury surrounded the chief official and shouted at her for about 30 seconds. Taurasi, Diggins, and Cunningham (lately of the Tina Charles curse) were among them. I couldn't believe there weren't multiple T's assessed for that.

I think this team to some extent equates bellyaching, berating, and bombast with toughness.

 

[JellyBean]

I watched the game, very entertaining. If the Lynx can get Collier back this season they can go far in the post season.

What are your thoughts on the DT/Fowles incident?

I am of the mindset of, and I am in a small group on this one, letting Collier just shut it down for the rest of season. No idea of where she is at mentally and physically. We have seen her at some games, and she has been practicing with the team, getting back into game shape with conditioning and whatever. Collier is a valuable piece to the team, but I just want to make sure that she is ready mentally and physically, and only she knows that answer.

On that DT/Fowles incident. I was disappointed in Diana. Kicking Fowles was not called for. Definitely intentional. She traveled and then kicked Fowles. Not a good look at all.

 

[Geew1992]

I am of the mindset of, and I am in a small group on this one, letting Collier just shut it down for the rest of season. No idea of where she is at mentally and physically. We have seen her at some games, and she has been practicing with the team, getting back into game shape with conditioning and whatever. Collier is a valuable piece to the team, but I just want to make sure that she is ready mentally and physically, and only she knows that answer.

On that DT/Fowles incident. I was disappointed in Diana. Kicking Fowles was not called for. Definitely intentional. She traveled and then kicked Fowles. Not a good look at all.

Collier is tryin to get back so she can play with Fowles one last time. She has made that very clear. She has begun practicing with the team

 

[cancontent]

Collier is tryin to get back so she can play with Fowles one last time. She has made that very clear. She has begun practicing with the team

If she's able to balance being a mother and a player, I tip my cap to her. It's not easy, as I went back to work after 3 weeks and I wasn't facing the caliber of player or travel schedule. And to play with Fowles one last season, I get it.

 

[ochoopsfan]

Collier is tryin to get back so she can play with Fowles one last time. She has made that very clear. She has begun practicing with the team

If she's able to balance being a mother and a player, I tip my cap to her. It's not easy, as I went back to work after 3 weeks and I wasn't facing the caliber of player or travel schedule. And to play with Fowles one last season, I get it.

Regular season ends on 8/14. Minnesota is still on the outside looking in for the playoffs. I hope she doesnt rush it.

 

[eebmg]

My understanding is Naphessa's mother is coming to help and with hubby should keep the home front secure. She has to make the effort to try to get the Lynx over the hump for her own peace of mind as a competitor and team mate (and Syl's last year). This is not an injury where you worry about making it worse. If she gets into playing shape and they gradually get her minutes dependent on how she feels, it will be fine. There are plenty of examples where this was done successfully.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Kind of hard to think of a franchise that's imploded faster than Phoenix. Last year's runner ups have lost one starter to being unlawfully detained, another is sufficiently in decline that she's literally kicking other players out of frustration, one's openly feuding with her coach and is purportedly being shopped for a trade, another has already transferred, and one's still recovering from ACL surgery. Wowwie. Can they rise from the ashes like their namesake?

 

[nwhoopfan]

First of all, holy cow Round 3 of Las Vegas vs. New York is early!

So...71-36 LV at halftime?! I bet the Aces will squander much of it, but even they can't blow a 35 point lead can they?

Wilson has 20, Plum 17, Gray 16. At halftime. Howard has 17 and Johannes 10, basically nobody else from the Lib doing anything. The other 3 starters are scoreless. That's not a good look.

 

[eebmg]

First of all, holy cow Round 3 of Las Vegas vs. New York is early!

So...71-36 LV at halftime?! I bet the Aces will squander much of it, but even they can't blow a 35 point lead can they?

Wilson has 20, Plum 17, Gray 16. At halftime. Howard has 17 and Johannes 10, basically nobody else from the Lib doing anything. The other 3 starters are scoreless. That's not a good look.

Looking at the Box Score is making me ill. What is the deal with Crystal. 0's across the stat line and Sabrina left her 3'pt shot in the skill's competition.

And I am getting pissed that the next game I can go to on July 31 are the Dysfunctional Mercury vs the Losing Liberty

 

[nwhoopfan]

What is the deal with Crystal. 0's across the stat line and Sabrina left her 3'pt shot in the skill's competition.

Ionescu went off from deep in Q4 of the previous game.

Looks like Danger has gotten benched coming out for the 2nd half in favor of Whitcomb, who has come to life w/ 8 points in Q3. But the Lib are trading buckets, which doesn't work when you are trailing by 30+.

 

[nwhoopfan]

108-74 final. Yikes, that's a beat down. Starters for LV sat down around mid point of Q3 and never re-entered the game. 25 for Wilson, 21 for Plum. 16-33 shooting behind the arc will usually win you a game. I've been picking on the Aces lack of defense, but the Lib gave up 100+ in all 3 games against LV, so they also suck at D. 3 straight against the same opponent (1 before the ASG), WNBA scheduling is so dumb.

 

[ochoopsfan]

108-74 final. Yikes, that's a beat down. Starters for LV sat down around mid point of Q3 and never re-entered the game. 25 for Wilson, 21 for Plum. 16-33 shooting behind the arc will usually win you a game. I've been picking on the Aces lack of defense, but the Lib gave up 100+ in all 3 games against LV, so they also suck at D. 3 straight against the same opponent (1 before the ASG), WNBA scheduling is so dumb.

Who says teams from the west cant play games at 8am of their local time?

 

[TheFarmFan]

Who says teams from the west cant play games at 8am of their local time?

It helps when four of their starters had spent the past week on central time.

 

[willtalk]

How does anyone ignore DT hitting that player from behind right before she gets the ball to knock her out of the play before she even gets to Syd. That should have been a foul right there. DT has to be the dirtiest player in the league. If that sort of stuff happened in the NBA someone would have taken her out already.

 

[azfan]

Agreed, but I'm not sure about the Mercury players. There is still quite a bit of the personality that Sandy Brondello instilled into it.

There was a game last year that really stood out to me. Taurasi and Brondello both got technical fouls in the first half. Maybe Diggins-smith too, but I'm not sure about that. On the way out at halftime, about five of the Mercury surrounded the chief official and shouted at her for about 30 seconds. Taurasi, Diggins, and Cunningham (lately of the Tina Charles curse) were among them. I couldn't believe there weren't multiple T's assessed for that.

I think this team to some extent equates bellyaching, berating, and bombast with toughness.

Absolutely. They've got the NBA disease. Last month when I checked the standings DT was first in the league in technicals and Sky was tied for a second.

Given the dynamics and limitation of this team a veteran coach is demanded. Placing a rookie coach in this situation to me is unfathomable and ownership and the front office really need to step up to make a much better choice next year.

This franchise will face tremendous task to begin rebuilding and it really can't begin until DT retires.

That said it's really sad to see the end for DT. I can't help but think of that last season by Willie Mays. Pathetic.

So unfortunate that newer fans to the game will have this memory of the GIAT as opposed to her stellar career. I also agree her behavior on the court over last two seasons has deteriorated to the point that I hope her wife urges her to step away.

 

[socal613ws]

Tina Charles quit on a team, Diana Taurasi airballs a 3 vs sparks throws tantrum and the breaks door after losing the finals and you're wondering why Skylar might want to leave? Credit tho to Sophie Cunningham, she has been balling and the beneficiary of Charles leaving, and even some parting words from Sophie to her after a win vs the Wings. Words I can't repeat on the forum.

 

[JellyBean]

Collier is tryin to get back so she can play with Fowles one last time. She has made that very clear. She has begun practicing with the team

I am hoping for the best for Collier. She is one heck of a player.

 

[Bigboote]

My understanding is Naphessa's mother is coming to help and with hubby should keep the home front secure. She has to make the effort to try to get the Lynx over the hump for her own peace of mind as a competitor and team mate (and Syl's last year). This is not an injury where you worry about making it worse. If she gets into playing shape and they gradually get her minutes dependent on how she feels, it will be fine. There are plenty of examples where this was done successfully.

Bingo! And I'll add, Napheesa and Alex are both very smart people who understand bodies very well. Pheesa won't do anything that will put her career or her family at risk. If she starts playing in games, she's ready to play in games.

Minnesota's been playing well, and getting Pheesa back will be a huge emotional boost even if she's only 90%.

 

[cancontent]

Didn't watch, but saw clips from the PHX-WAS game. How did it get so chippy? Did it stem from to what happened to Atkins when Taurasi ran into it?

 

[Iluvacc2]

Didn't watch, but saw clips from the PHX-WAS game. How did it get so chippy? Did it stem from to what happened to Atkins when Taurasi ran into it?

The Merc and Mystics both have volatile players (DT, Diggins, Sophie, Cloud, Hines-Allen) . Sophie and Hines-Allen got a double technical after Hines-Allen fouled Sophie on a 3 and stepped over her, Sophie pushed back and both players had to be separated.

DT had one of her vintage shooting nights, unfortunately Phoenix needs that on a regular, but it’s just not feasible for a 40 yr old. Even need rest.

No way they’re trading SDS this season, it was just talk and drumming up interest for when they can trade her in the off-season. Another good game from her, 24 pts, but I was more impressed with the 9 assists, 0 turnovers because Wash has a trio of great perimeter defenders in Cloud, Atkins, and Clark.