May 2024 WNBA Thread, part II

[Dillon77]

Thanks. Season is still young, but she’s putting up insane numbers: 27.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.3 steals. Efficiency needs to improve and Dallas needs to consistently win but I think she’s a top 7-8 candidate right now.

Even as an ND fan, I'm used to spikes and dips with Arike, particularly in regards to efficiency, volume and volatility. However, as noted in my earlier post on Maddy Siegrist, I think Dallas will greatly benefit from the returns of Howard and Sabally, which will relieve pressure on AO.

At some point, it would help if the Dallas front office and coaching staff have some degree of patience with a point guard who can be in place long enough for the team to get in sync. Last year's trio are in Connecticut (Harris), Atlanta (Dangerfield) and out of the league (Burton). A first-year Turkish player is now starting while the first-round draft choice barely surfaces. Arike's covering a lot of ground right now....which can make for an, ahem, interesting ride.

 

[Dillon77]

She's got Reese egging her on. At least she did today.

Which was duly noted by fans on other boards to the late afternoon SportsCenter.

It looked like words were exchanged at some point, but the non-basketball play is just not right....for a whole variety of reasons.
Sky Coach Witherspoon encourages tough defense and aggressive play, but it's got to be smart. Off-ball fouls resulting in techs? Not so much.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Which was duly noted by fans on other boards to the late afternoon SportsCenter.

It looked like words were exchanged at some point, but the non-basketball play is just not right....for a whole variety of reasons.
But, my, she can get to the hoop.

It's funny, TAMU played better without her.

She probably thinks she was Caitlin Clark before Caitlin and got no respect, but she wasn't.

 

[Blueballer]

More fallout from the Carter / Reese antics. Retroactively upgrading the foul (LOL)

WNBA upgrades foul on Caitlin Clark by Chennedy Carter, fines Angel Reese for no postgame interview

 

[WBBTakeover]

Looks like my #2 team forgot that there was a game today. The "OMG! We beat VEGAS!!!!" hangover is real.

 

[BigTenGuy]

More fallout from the Carter / Reese antics. Retroactively upgrading the foul (LOL)

WNBA upgrades foul on Caitlin Clark by Chennedy Carter, fines Angel Reese for no postgame interview

They fine Reese for skipping the press conference so she can avoid having to dodge questions about celebrating Carter’s cheap foul, but won’t fine Carter for her cheap foul. Makes perfect sense.

 

[Dillon77]

Looks like my #2 team forgot that there was a game today. The "OMG! We beat VEGAS!!!!" hangover is real.

And the Sun keep rising....
Thomas with a double-double of assists (11) and rebounds (14), along with 50%+ field-goal shooting by Bonner & Carrington.

 

[azfan]

The worst coach at the present time is Sandy of the Liberty. She is underperforming with the Liberty, just like she did in Phoenix. One title and had DT, Griner. Had a lot of talent and won 1 Title.
Had Bonner, and Breland with them at one time, and Penny Taylor.

A case can be made for the million dollar coach in the valley of the sun. First witness the perimeter defense that he continues to attempt to refine. Second while he's been given a completely deformed roster think about how he's used those players particularly on the recent o and 4 road trip. Finally and most importantly the culture of losing seems to be accelerating and the dumpster fire intensifying.

Compare that with a coach who was in the w-finals last year, is at the top of the League this year, and seems to have a consistency in culture.

In terms of incompetence, inability to make lemonade out of lemons, and a bizarre response to the opposition I think I vote for the million dollar coach.

The ultimate measure of a coach is the one loss record.

 

[Dillon77]

A case can be made for the million dollar coach in the valley of the sun. First witness the perimeter defense that he continues to attempt to refine. Second while he's been given a completely deformed roster think about how he's used those players particularly on the recent o and 4 road trip. Finally and most importantly the culture of losing seems to be accelerating and the dumpster fire intensifying.

Compare that with a coach who was in the w-finals last year, is at the top of the League this year, and seems to have a consistency in culture.

In terms of incompetence, inability to make lemonade out of lemons, and a bizarre response to the opposition I think I vote for the million dollar coach.

The ultimate measure of a coach is the one loss record.

"The ultimate measure of a coach is the won-loss record."

You and a football coach named Bill Parcells are in total agreement on that last line....

 

[WBBTakeover]

And the Sun keep rising....
Thomas with a double-double of assists (11) and rebounds (14), along with 50%+ field-goal shooting by Bonner & Carrington.

As long as they stay healthy, they'll be in the WNBA Finals.

I just wonder who they'll meet.

Also, a rebounds-assists double-double is WILD!

 

[WBBTakeover]

A case can be made for the million dollar coach in the valley of the sun. First witness the perimeter defense that he continues to attempt to refine. Second while he's been given a completely deformed roster think about how he's used those players particularly on the recent o and 4 road trip. Finally and most importantly the culture of losing seems to be accelerating and the dumpster fire intensifying.

It took a while, but I think I'm finally convinced. Without BG, this Mercury team is not good--at all. Tibbets is a stubborn half-wit.

That said, can your front office find a way to acquire Hamby so that she isn't stifling the growth of LA's rookies anymore? As much as I like Lexie Brown, y'all can take her, too.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Full slate of non competitive games today. Oof.

 

[azfan]

"The ultimate measure of a coach is the won-loss record."

You and a football coach named Bill Parcells are in total agreement on that last line....

Fever defense at the end of the latest stretch of games is embarrassing.

 

[bballnut90]

Fever were completely gassed today. Sides choosing to play Clark a full 40 minutes in a blowout loss 2 games ago knowing they had 3 games in 4 days was definitely a bold choice. Also, why on earth are back to backs not for home games only? Indiana finished around 2p yesterday, flew to NY and played there tonight. I'm not opposed to back to backs but they should be played at the same venue to make the wear and tear less significant. Glad Indy is getting 5 days off.

In other games, DT lit up LA with 31. Pretty incredible what she's capable of doing at almost 42 years old. Collier with a great game and led Minnesota to a win (and shoutout to Kayla McBride who is quietly having a phenomenal season). Arike with a monster statline of 21 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals, and 10 TOs (just 6-17 shooting). Dream with a dreadful offensive game, scoring just 50. These random low scoring games (47 from Phoenix earlier this year) are just bizarre.

 

[cancontent]

Fever were completely gassed today. Sides choosing to play Clark a full 40 minutes in a blowout loss 2 games ago knowing they had 3 games in 4 days was definitely a bold choice. Also, why on earth are back to backs not for home games only? Indiana finished around 2p yesterday, flew to NY and played there tonight. I'm not opposed to back to backs but they should be played at the same venue to make the wear and tear less significant. Glad Indy is getting 5 days off.

In other games, DT lit up LA with 31. Pretty incredible what she's capable of doing at almost 42 years old. Collier with a great game and led Minnesota to a win (and shoutout to Kayla McBride who is quietly having a phenomenal season). Arike with a monster statline of 21 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals, and 10 TOs (just 6-17 shooting). Dream with a dreadful offensive game, scoring just 50. These random low scoring games (47 from Phoenix earlier this year) are just bizarre.

The schedule for Indiana continues to irk me. And with Boston and Clark having the leave the game due to injuries, it just doesn't look good. Hopefully neither of them are serious and that the time off helps. Also hoping it's another 20+ years, per Lobo's comments one game, before we see something as asinine as that opening schedule again .

 

[Dillon77]

They fine Reese for skipping the press conference so she can avoid having to dodge questions about celebrating Carter’s cheap foul, but won’t fine Carter for her cheap foul. Makes perfect sense.

Yes, my daughter texted me basically the same thing. The medium is the message, right?

 

[Dillon77]

Fever were completely gassed today. Sides choosing to play Clark a full 40 minutes in a blowout loss 2 games ago knowing they had 3 games in 4 days was definitely a bold choice. Also, why on earth are back to backs not for home games only? Indiana finished around 2p yesterday, flew to NY and played there tonight. I'm not opposed to back to backs but they should be played at the same venue to make the wear and tear less significant. Glad Indy is getting 5 days off.

In other games, DT lit up LA with 31. Pretty incredible what she's capable of doing at almost 42 years old. Collier with a great game and led Minnesota to a win (and shoutout to Kayla McBride who is quietly having a phenomenal season). Arike with a monster statline of 21 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals, and 10 TOs (just 6-17 shooting). Dream with a dreadful offensive game, scoring just 50. These random low scoring games (47 from Phoenix earlier this year) are just bizarre.

'Phee and K-Mac just picking up from their great season for Fenerbahce in Europe. Turkey, Minnesota? Let it rip...

 

[cancontent]

Yes, my daughter texted me basically the same thing. The medium is the message, right?

Agreed, however if Thomas doesn't get fined for that flagrant 2 on Reese, this isn't surprising sadly. . I don't recall anything other than her ejection which didn't seem sufficient to me.

 

[Dillon77]

Agreed, however if Thomas doesn't get fined for that flagrant 2 on Reese, this isn't surprising sadly. . I don't recall anything other than her ejection which didn't seem sufficient to me.

Not going to argue there, for sure.
One would think a reel of egregious fouls (that were and were not called), could be edited and sent out to all refs with suggestions and guidelines on how to mitigate this. I don't know enough about the WNBA review situation to say whether a "Secaucus" could be involved in decisions.

 

[cancontent]

Not going to argue there, for sure.
One would think a reel of egregious fouls (that were and were not called), could be edited and sent out to all refs with suggestions and guidelines on how to mitigate this. I don't know enough about the WNBA review situation to say whether a "Secaucus" could be involved in decisions.

1). I don't get the "Secaucus" note.
2). Regarding review process, I'm curious about that myself. I know in the NFL, teams can send in clips of plays asking for clarification. Not sure what the NBA has beyond it's "last 2 minute review", which is painful enough as it is.

 

[cancontent]

Thanks for this. Will read the NYT article later.

 

[Blueballer]

I question if the WNBA has the funding to evaluate every call and non call "in depth" as is claimed. Administrators like Sue Blauch have one goal and that's to protect the people in her profession.

 

[oldhusky]

The Aces picking up Tiffany Hayes could wind up being very significant IMO.

 

[azfan]

Dream with a dreadful offensive game, scoring just 50. These random low scoring games (47 from Phoenix earlier this year) are just bizarre.

Ikr. One has to wonder what's going on with a veteran team. Clearly there are issues with chemistry, off-court preparation, and perhaps just the legacy of ongoing incompetencr over the past six years. Roster construction continues to be a head scratcher. The boneyard discussion repeatedly talks about the supremely talented players who cannot make a roster in the w. I wonder why Phoenix can't find anyone for the front court. Mack is making a heroic effort but clearly is limited offensively.

Aside from the Aces victory the Mercury opponent may also play in to the bizarre nature of performance. The Spark are as helpless as the Fever and much less talented and lack of point guard.

Remember the Mercury with a 3 win over an injury depleted Mystics team at home earlier showed how fragile team performance is under the tutelage of the million dollar head coach