May 2024 WNBA Thread, part II

[WBBTakeover]

Chelsea Gray adds much more to the Aces than just her stat line. She is the brains of the team and keeps them playing right. Plumb, Young and Wilson often revert to one on one hero ball. It works when you are hot, but keeps you in the hole when you are not. Notice at the end of the game, after Chelsea was taken out seemingly for the remainder of the game, she was put right back in when the Aces began to commit one bad play after the other allowing the opposition to close the gap.

Another thing I noticed is that Young seems totally focused on creating shots for herself and has lost focus on her defense. Her defense was not very good. Its noticable because, unlike Plum it usually is. I could see where the players could feel they need to pick up some of the offensive void left by Chelseas absence. I could see times that even when Chelsea was in the game they froze her out and played like she wasn't.

A'ja Wilson is a 2-time MVP (and one of those came without Chelsea being on the team). I'm okay with her playing "hero ball" when necessary because she's a proven HERO. KP and Jackie do not have that cachet (though Jackie could approach that level some day), and while Chelsea is more clutch than they are, she hasn't had any stretch remotely approaching her July 2022-September 2022 run. The offense needs to go through A'ja because she's the centerpiece. And if that means she has to call her own number a few too many times for some folks' liking, so be it. I trust her way more than the guards right now.

I'm not okay with Jackie and KP freezing A'ja out during long stretches and then trying to come back to her when their shots aren't falling or when the team loses a lead. That's where Chelsea's value offensively comes into play for me. She keeps the ball moving and gets it where it needs to be most of the time (whether that's to the hot hand, including herself, or to the undisputed franchise player).

While I do think that Jackie gets tunnel vision and takes some quick shots (and yes, her defense has been lacking right along with KP's atrocious defense this season), I don't think she was trying to freeze out Chelsea last night. I believe that Chelsea was out there strictly for crisis prevention towards the end of the game. Had the Sky been able to draw closer, she would've had the ball in her hands orchestrating the offense more.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Reese on arguably a team of equal or greater mediocrity is clearly leading ROY as we approach the break.

It appears that she continues to perform on the court to her strengths and doesn't seem to be overthinking either her role or her performance. It appears Clark is consciously making adjustments to her game. I'm not sure if this is a result of coaching or self reflection or both but it's clearly had an impact statistically for her.

In fact if I were a GM reflecting at this point of the season I might think Reese would be a player to build a team around. Clark on the other hand seems to be at the beginning of a journey in identifying how to lead a team.

Anyway you're absolutely correct definitely a change in viewing these two players.

Re bold: it's both. She's thinking too much on the court (last night, she passed up several good looks in the 4th) and her coach is not helping her out enough. Christie Sides probably won't be there next year, but Caitlin will still have to work on developing a better feel for the PG position at the WNBA level.

I do agree that Angel just gets after it on the court. She's not doubting herself or second-guessing her decisions. She just does what she does and is playing at a much higher level than I thought was possible from her this early in her career. I'm actually impressed and I didn't expect to be prior to the season.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Jewell can lead to those kind of analogies:

• Feast or Famine
• On or Off the tracks
• Sadness or Euphoria (tip of the hat to Billy Joel)

66% from both overall field and three-point land and 100% on 8 free throws.

Ezi Magbegor and Nneka Ogwunike also both shot more than 50% from the field, while Skylar Diggins-Smith had 9 assists. Sky probably benefited from some hot shooting but I saw one or two nice dimes from her, as well.

I watched part of the game last night. The announcers noted that Ezi shot FTs at 69% last year, but is up to 91% this year!

 

[azfan]

There's an interesting story line developing for the Aces heading into the Olympic rank. Since losing to Stewie and the Liberty the Aces have won three in a row. Their nine remaining games before the break are all against losers with the exception of a game against the Storm.

So one possibility the Aces win out generating a winning streak of 12 games going into the break. Then they send four members to the Olympics. The question becomes how much stress is placed on those four athletes. Returning from Paris the Aces first four games pit them against Stewie, the lLynx twice sandwiched between the one over the Spark.

The aces could take a 12 game winning streak into the post-Olympuc schedule and follow that with losses in three of the next four games.

 

[cancontent]

There's an interesting story line developing for the Aces heading into the Olympic rank. Since losing to Stewie and the Liberty the Aces have won three in a row. Their nine remaining games before the break are all against losers with the exception of a game against the Storm.

So one possibility the Aces win out generating a winning streak of 12 games going into the break. Then they send four members to the Olympics. The question becomes how much stress is placed on those four athletes. Returning from Paris the Aces first four games pit them against Stewie, the lLynx twice sandwiched between the one over the Spark.

The aces could take a 12 game winning streak into the post-Olympuc schedule and follow that with losses in three of the next four games.

Stewie instead saying Liberty. That has me chuckling.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Chelsea Gray adds much more to the Aces than just her stat line. She is the brains of the team and keeps them playing right. Plumb, Young and Wilson often revert to one on one hero ball. It works when you are hot, but keeps you in the hole when you are not. Notice at the end of the game, after Chelsea was taken out seemingly for the remainder of the game, she was put right back in when the Aces began to commit one bad play after the other allowing the opposition to close the gap.

Another thing I noticed is that Young seems totally focused on creating shots for herself and has lost focus on her defense. Her defense was not very good. Its noticable because, unlike Plum it usually is. I could see where the players could feel they need to pick up some of the offensive void left by Chelseas absence. I could see times that even when Chelsea was in the game they froze her out and played like she wasn't.

Yes, let's give all the credit to the player averaging 4 pts/4 assists per game, shooting 30% from the floor and with 0 made 3's so far. I'm sure they are all glad to have her back, but let's not pretend she's playing at a high level yet. She isn't.

 

[nwhoopfan]

What's going on with the Sun? Have lost 3 of their last 4, and barely won that one game.

 

[triaddukefan]

Yes, let's give all the credit to the player averaging 4 pts/4 assists per game, shooting 30% from the floor and with 0 made 3's so far. I'm sure they are all glad to have her back, but let's not pretend she's playing at a high level yet. She isn't.

 

[Geew1992]

What's going on with the Sun? Have lost 3 of their last 4, and barely won that one game.

Maybe they aren’t as good as their winning streak showed

 

[JellyBean]

Dang! This is the hard part about the WNBA and what is so frustrating to me as a fan. Only so many roster spots, limited minutes, and trying to crack the player rotation. I am hoping that Crystal is able to find another team.

 

[JellyBean]

What's going on with the Sun? Have lost 3 of their last 4, and barely won that one game.

I am sure, like Las Vegas, the Sun will figure things out and get back to their winning ways.

 

[JellyBean]

Shortly after arrival, Odyssey Sims plays for last place Dallas and helps her team secure a win over the Commissioner's Cup winner, Minnesota. She had 18/2/4/3 on 8-12 shooting.

Minnesota forgot to play defense. Something they prided themselves on, after winning the Commissioner's Cup. Probably still vibing off that win against New York.

 

[azfan]

Minnesota forgot to play defense. Something they prided themselves on, after winning the Commissioner's Cup. Probably still vibing off that win against New York.

Part of this and Sun loss may be due to travel and/or back to back. In the halftime interview last night the GOAT reiterated that in the w each team has world class elite athletes so sometimes it's the smallest of difference. Even with the rest and recovery employed by modern athletes this fatigue can be the smallest difference.

For example after the late mystics game in DC the sun evidently ran into massive DC traffic and were very late getting home. While it was a home game they had very little time before that next game.

 

[Bigboote]

View attachment 101998

I noticed in the box score that Lexie was listed as “out with Crohn’s disease.”. I knew she’d been diagnosed six monthe or so ago, but my heart just sank when I saw this. I lost a friend to it 20 years ago; it’s an ugly, ugly affliction. The treatment has really advanced, especially with biologics. I hope they find a 100% effective treatment for Lexie.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Dang, sorry to hear the news about Lexie.

 

[cancontent]

Part of this and Sun loss may be due to travel and/or back to back. In the halftime interview last night the GOAT reiterated that in the w each team has world class elite athletes so sometimes it's the smallest of difference. Even with the rest and recovery employed by modern athletes this fatigue can be the smallest difference.

For example after the late mystics game in DC the sun evidently ran into massive DC traffic and were very late getting home. While it was a home game they had very little time before that next game.

Playing overtime, getting back around 3 am to play at 7:30. I don't care who you are, that isn't easy. It was still a close game last night. A couple breaks in their favour, they may have been able to gut it out.

 

[cancontent]

Sigh. Talk about having a hard time sticking with a team.

 

[GoChips20]

The scoring streak finally ends for Wilson.

 

[Dillon77]

Playing overtime, getting back around 3 am to play at 7:30. I don't care who you are, that isn't easy. It was still a close game last night. A couple breaks in their favour, they may have been able to gut it out.

As for the Mystics, they had a two-pt. lead heading into the fourth against the Aces and get outscored 21-8 to lose by 11. They also ran out of gas in the OT in the prior game against the Sun. Hanging in well, but perhaps not enough of the top-line talent is available to push/pull them over the line.

 

[azfan]

As for the Mystics, they had a two-pt. lead heading into the fourth and get outscored 21-8 to lose by 11. They ran out of gas in the OT game against the Sun, as well. Hanging in well, but perhaps not enough of the top-line talent to push/pull them over the line.

Clearly the short roster has a cumulative impact. Austin, Sykes, Samuelson sitting on the bench. The team also expends a great deal of energy defensively so I think it's unsurprising that it takes it's toll presenting major challenges late in the game. Even with Edwards back it was telling in today's fourth quarter.

 

[bballnut90]

Sigh. Talk about having a hard time sticking with a team.

4 teams in the last calendar year, that's tough. Not sure why she isn't sticking.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Chelsea Gray found her shooting touch today. I'll go ahead and say that before I get called out.

 

[WBBTakeover]

As for the Mystics, they had a two-pt. lead heading into the fourth against the Aces and get outscored 21-8 to lose by 11. They also ran out of gas in the OT in the prior game against the Sun. Hanging in well, but perhaps not enough of the top-line talent to push/pull them over the line.

They're doing exactly what they need to do--be competitive just enough and still lose at the end to get more ping pong balls for the lottery.

As for my girls from the desert, they won a game that they would've lost in 2022 and 2023. Tip Hayes makes a HUGE difference!

 

[cancontent]

Chelsea Gray found her shooting touch today. I'll go ahead and say that before I get called out.

Nah. You just put it out there to see if the jinx is still in effect after the NCAA season.

 

[GamecockFam]

The Storm are a fun team to watch right now. Horston is surpassing my expectations for her. I thought she underperformed at Tennessee and I figured it would be the same in the pros. I believe the announcer said that she trained with Jewell Loyd over the off-season, and it sure seems to be showing.

 

[Dillon77]

The Storm are a fun team to watch right now. Horston is surpassing my expectations for her. I thought she underperformed at Tennessee and I figured it would be the same in the pros. I believe the announcer said that she trained with Jewell Loyd over the off-season, and it sure seems to be showing.

I believe Horston even spent time with Jewell in Chicago (Loyd's hometown) during the offseason and most certainly accompanied Jewell to South Bend for a visit to Notre Dame where they both worked out with the Irish and caught a game (Loyd brought people up to speed on these trips during a sideline interview).

Horston fit in with/helped facilitate the Storm's upbeat attack last night with 11 rebounds and Loyd's ability to get to -- and cash in -- at the free throw line was notable: 16-17 last night. Jacy Sheldon, a whirling dervish at Ohio State, was getting schooled and Odyssey Sims remembered getting those defensive steps back after a long layoff is essential, too.

 

[bballnut90]

I believe Horston even spent time with Jewell in Chicago (Loyd's hometown) during the offseason and most certainly accompanied Jewell to South Bend for a visit to Notre Dame where they both worked out with the Irish and caught a game (Loyd brought people up to speed on these trips during a sideline interview).

Horston fit in with/helped facilitate the Storm's upbeat attack last night with 11 rebounds and Loyd's ability to get to -- and cash in -- at the free throw line was notable: 16-17 last night. Jacy Sheldon, a whirling dervish at Ohio State, was getting schooled and Odyssey Sims remembered getting those defensive steps back after a long layoff is essential, too.

Horston always had the tools to be a really good player but seems to be thriving in a high energy/defense oriented role. No surprise Seattle is among the best defensive teams in the league with a roster including Skylar Diggins-Smith, Ezi Magbegor, Jordan Horston and Nneka Ogwumike. All are top 12 in steals per game.

 

[nwhoopfan]

New York was awful most of the first half, but closed on a 9-0 run to close the gap. They controlled the 2nd half for the most part. Good games for Stewie and Laney. JJ seemed to be taking the day off, she did nothing. Miserable game for Ionescu. Sloot was playing fairly well, but was on the bench the entire 4th quarter I think. Fiebich was big off the bench, maybe her best game so far.

 

[baggerbob]

New York was awful most of the first half, but closed on a 9-0 run to close the gap. They controlled the 2nd half for the most part. Good games for Stewie and Laney. JJ seemed to be taking the day off, she did nothing. Miserable game for Ionescu. Sloot was playing fairly well, but was on the bench the entire 4th quarter I think. Fiebich was big off the bench, maybe her best game so far.

Fiebich is starting to play fairly well. A nice addition off the bench. She is someone that they need to keep.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Fiebich is starting to play fairly well. A nice addition off the bench. She is someone that they need to keep.

I was shocked the first time I heard an announcer say she was 6-4. She just doesn't seem that tall, but certainly having that kind of length on the perimeter can be a problem for an opponent. She was disruptive on D today, got several steals. I always liked Johannes, but she's very hot and cold (and not always here), so Fiebich as a replacement is pretty good.