Aces fans will learn a great deal about the resiliency of their team over the upcoming week. Of the 4 games facing LV 3 will be a challenge. Having Young back even at less than 100% will be helpful and I'm looking toward the Mercury Aces game as the bellwether.... for both teams.
May 2024 WNBA Thread, part II
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"The Fever, who fell to 3-10, have been outscored by 159 points this season, the fifth-worst point differential through the first 13 games of a campaign in WNBA history."
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An analysis of this lack of performance must go beyond lack of effort. Clearly that was the case yesterday but examining roster makeup it's clear this team is not constructed to be anything more than me joker defensively.
Smith has never demonstrated a commitment to defense it's clear from her history that that type of effort is not within her.
Wallace is worthy of a roster spot down the bench.
So at tip you have two starters who are either incapable or uninterested in defense. I'm not sure effort on the part of the other three starters, the bench, the coach can resolve that issue.
Christie Sides blasts Fever over lack of effort in blowout loss
Fever coach Christie Sides decried her team's effort in a blowout loss to the Sun, benching most of the starters -- including Caitlin Clark -- in the third quarter.
An analysis of this lack of performance must go beyond lack of effort. Clearly that was the case yesterday but examining roster makeup it's clear this team is not constructed to be anything more than me joker defensively.
Smith has never demonstrated a commitment to defense it's clear from her history that that type of effort is not within her.
Wallace is worthy of a roster spot down the bench.
So at tip you have two starters who are either incapable or uninterested in defense. I'm not sure effort on the part of the other three starters, the bench, the coach can resolve that issue.
It’s worth noting that Clark, Smith, and Boston have the three worst +/- stats in the entire league. Part of that is being on one of the worst teams, but it’s alarming. Those are your 3 recent lottery picks. Washington may have a worse record, but they are more competitive in games."The Fever, who fell to 3-10, have been outscored by 159 points this season, the fifth-worst point differential through the first 13 games of a campaign in WNBA history."
Christie Sides blasts Fever over lack of effort in blowout loss
Fever coach Christie Sides decried her team's effort in a blowout loss to the Sun, benching most of the starters -- including Caitlin Clark -- in the third quarter.
An analysis of this lack of performance must go beyond lack of effort. Clearly that was the case yesterday but examining roster makeup it's clear this team is not constructed to be anything more than me joker defensively.
Smith has never demonstrated a commitment to defense it's clear from her history that that type of effort is not within her.
Wallace is worthy of a roster spot down the bench.
So at tip you have two starters who are either incapable or uninterested in defense. I'm not sure effort on the part of the other three starters, the bench, the coach can resolve that issue.
You have to wonder if they land in the lottery again this year, if they’ll consider trying to expedite the rebuild through trading players/picks and free agency over another young draftee.
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On behalf of all lottery picks next year, we can certainly hope.
This franchise can’t develop young talent though I’m also not sure they can attract experienced talent in free agency either. I could see Clark being just as much of a repellent as an attraction to top talent and I’d be curious if the personalities that would want to play with Clark are the kinds of personalities that you’d want to surround Clark with on the court. I could see it going both ways but regardless you need a strong front office to make those decisions and I don’t think that’s Indiana’s.
Indianas in a tough spot, they got two number 1 draft picks who thrive is distinctly different styles of play and struggle in the style the suits the other. They hired a new inexperienced coach before they even drafted Boston before they could ever predict the situation she’d be coaching in. They are making a ton of money on ticket and merch sales (i assume) but at some point they need to start winning to keep the gravy train going. They’ve already had a ton of turnover in the last few years but turning it around now likely means they need even more coaching and likely massive roster changes. And their front office doesn’t seem equipped to build a winning roster through free agency or the draft given the last decade of history.
There does seem to be a lot of money up for grabs so maybe they can hire a very capable GM to navigate the next few years for them.
Bigboote
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"We know we're headed in the wrong direction, but we're compensating for it by accelerating." -- Stanislaw Lech"The Fever, who fell to 3-10, have been outscored by 159 points this season, the fifth-worst point differential through the first 13 games of a campaign in WNBA history."
Christie Sides blasts Fever over lack of effort in blowout loss
Fever coach Christie Sides decried her team's effort in a blowout loss to the Sun, benching most of the starters -- including Caitlin Clark -- in the third quarter.
An analysis of this lack of performance must go beyond lack of effort. Clearly that was the case yesterday but examining roster makeup it's clear this team is not constructed to be anything more than me joker defensively.
Smith has never demonstrated a commitment to defense it's clear from her history that that type of effort is not within her.
Wallace is worthy of a roster spot down the bench.
So at tip you have two starters who are either incapable or uninterested in defense. I'm not sure effort on the part of the other three starters, the bench, the coach can resolve that issue.
Celeste Taylor has played 15 minutes this season. That's how much defense matters to coach Sides.
MilfordHusky
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If Indiana gets a high lottery pick yet again, it's a sign that the last 3 top picks (plus multiple other picks) haven't worked out very well. I'd say it's time for a new coach and/or GM. Either they drafted the wrong players or they didn't develop them.
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I thought Boston played some of her best basketball this season when Clark was benched in the second half of yesterday's game against the Sun. The type of offense that Clark likes to play just does not maximize the skill set that Boston has to provide. Boston looked so much better because they basically reverted to last year's offense with the last 15 minutes of the game and I noticed that Boston was better positioned for offensive rebounds as well as receiving the ball in a place where she can actually use her footwork to get an easy bucket.
I think the issue is that they are basing their whole offense off of what is best for Caitlin Clark and I think that needs to be reconsidered because the rest of the team is not on the same page...
Blue Huskie
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Washington finally wins. Beat Atlanta 87-68. Hitting 17 threes will do that for you. Of course Sykes is back and hit 4 of them. Dolson pitched in with a couple. Not much from AE after she picked up 3 fouls early on trying to guard Tina.
2 thoughts:
1 Boston and Clark likè to play together. They are longtime friends and mixed well on USA youth teams. Boston likè Wilson is a prototype modern center, comfortable underneath or out on the perimeter screening. On pick and roll she can shoot a 3, or drive to the basket.
2 At Iowa Clark thrived with both a traditional, immobile, paint-bound big in Czinano and then this year with the mobile Stuelke.
I think they will be able to get this to work.
MilfordHusky
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Vegas's defense continued to struggle, giving up 100 to Minnesota. The Aces are now 5-5. Last year, they finished 34-6. Can they go 29-1 to match that? I think not.
Both Washington and Minnesota excelled from the arc tonight. When 50 points or so come from deep, a win is very likely.
Both Washington and Minnesota excelled from the arc tonight. When 50 points or so come from deep, a win is very likely.
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The Aces will improve tremendously on both sides of the ball once Gray returns imo.
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Yes! People just do not comprehend what a good defender she actually is. On the ball and especially with off the ball help defense. She knows how to use spacing. On offense when the guards start to play hero ball she gets them back on track.
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MilfordHusky
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She also improves the defense by not turning the ball over. Last night's game looked like a track meet at times, with Minnesota pushing the ball hard against Vegas.
bbsamjj
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Pretty much everyone for MN played well last night, but especially the Chicago duo: Alanna Smith and Courtney Williams.
Alanna Smith completely reinvigorated her career with the Sky last year and is shooting even better with the Lynx. Last year was first time Williams was asked to play a PG role, and she did surprisingly well. Now she's able to step into that role for MN too.
Alanna Smith completely reinvigorated her career with the Sky last year and is shooting even better with the Lynx. Last year was first time Williams was asked to play a PG role, and she did surprisingly well. Now she's able to step into that role for MN too.
TheFarmFan
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Funny to think Phoenix had a first crack at both of them out of the draft, and clearly whiffed the development assignment. I'm so delighted to see Smith come into her own - she was Stanford's most successful versatile big in the years between Nicole Powell and Cameron Brink, so it's been so great to see her flex her chops in the W now too.
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WBBTakeover
WHO CAN GUARD TESSA???!!!!
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Most people know that while Chelsea's not the best perimeter defender on the team in terms of ability (Jackie is, even though we haven't seen much of it this season) on the team, she's far from being the worst (KP is, hands down). Due to her size and ability to read the opposing team's offense, she's the leader defensively for the team.
Dillon77
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I think the "of course" was the capper: Having Brittany Sykes back for this team is vitally important, for her presence on both offense and defense. Offensively, she can help with spacing and, if last night is any indication, allow Atkins to get some cleaner looks at the basket. Looks like she's on a time restriction, which is smart. Vanloo has been playing well and keeping her around low 20-minutes per game is probably smart, too. maximize both players.
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Dillon77
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Per Alanna's journey to Chicago and now Minnesota, I agree that she flourished by getting away from Phoenix. Ironically, she got the extra minutes in Chicago when Morgan Bertsch twisted her ankle (they had been splitting minutes.). Fast forward to the end of the season: Smith signs with Minnesota and the rights to Bertsch go to Phoenix in the Copper trade. And yesterday, Bertsch gets cut. Now, she's no Smith, but can give solid minutes at that forward position in the right situation. Apparently, the Valley of the Sun isn't it. Let's see if she can find the right place to get a chance (again) as Ms. Smith did.
P.S. As a Domer, I very much remember Smith beating up on the Irish for a few years, along with Karlie "Bank Shot" Samuelsson. Good matches, all. A lot of those players are in the W, for both sides.
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With Sykes on the floor Washington is an entirely different team. Unfortunately I'm not sure her ankle or foot is fully recovered as she did leave the game in the 4th quarter.
Minnesota truly is putting together an outstanding season. Reeves is to be commended for roster construction. While she may not be in the same league as the million dollar coach in the valley of the Sun she certainly made the right pickups in the off season.
In general always a positive to get out of phoenix. This is really a illustrative of the incompetence in the valley of the Sun. Let's see we'll trade Alana Smith away for nothing.
The dumpster fire in Phoenix stands in stark contrast to the outstanding professional management and coaching in Minnesota.
Over the past 5 years as the dumpster fire has intensified one can look at the moves made by the ownership and management in Phoenix and you just have to laugh. Start by getting rid of Sandy Brondello and let's see the revolving door includes Vanessa Nygaard, Nikki Blue, and now the million dollar coach.
Then let's trade away all the draft picks. I mean we have the GOAT and BG and they'll play forever right.
My evaluation of Phoenix is that they're the George Costanza of the w. Perhaps they should take George's direction and just do the opposite
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The reeling Sky encounter a buzz saw tonight.
Over under that Reese hits her numbers from the first encounter?
Over under that the Sky stay within four of the league leaders?
Over under that Carter cheap shots Reese in an effort to get all the high draft picks?
Over under that Reese hits her numbers from the first encounter?
Over under that the Sky stay within four of the league leaders?
Over under that Carter cheap shots Reese in an effort to get all the high draft picks?
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Huh?
nwhoopfan
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The next time you say anything even halfway complimentary about Plum will be the first time. You do realize she actually was an important cog in two Championships, right?
WBBTakeover
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If you can take digs at A'ja Wilson on here for years without any sort of blowback, I can point out legit criticism of a lesser player on the same team. Sounds like you're being a wee bit sensitive over a 30-year-old who knows she should be playing much better than she is right now.
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WBBTakeover
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Angel Reese talk starting to pick up steam:
I wasn't one who thought her game would translate right away, so good for Angel for continuing to improve.
I wasn't one who thought her game would translate right away, so good for Angel for continuing to improve.
WBBTakeover
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Starting to become a major factor in the ROY race.
?
Clark averaging 16.3 through 13 games.
Reese averaging 12.4 through 11 games
Perhaps the tweet was referring to rookies playing in Chicago.lol
If the Tweeter was referring to performance in June only the Sky have played five games and the Fever four games.
Maybe we'll see an update from this Tweeter after the Fever play tonight and each player has five games under their belt at the month of June.
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Boston finally had herself a game! 
I hope it's a tale of two halves to the season. Mitchell FINALLY was starting to look herself again and Samuelson looks like she is starting to get into a rhythm.
I hope it's a tale of two halves to the season. Mitchell FINALLY was starting to look herself again and Samuelson looks like she is starting to get into a rhythm.
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How about Seattle!!? First few games of the season, folks were saying how things would not workout. There would be chemistry issues. Coach Quinn was in over her head and other negative things. They are clicking now and playing some decent ball. 9-4. Not bad for a team with chemistry issues.
They are changing the pace and playing more through Boston. After the 2nd half of the last game it looks more like the Fever of the last year. Props to Sides for actually making the change because I know there's a ton of pressure to make Caitlin the focal point at all timesBoston finally had herself a game!
I hope it's a tale of two halves to the season. Mitchell FINALLY was starting to look herself again and Samuelson looks like she is starting to get into a rhythm.
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