Minny vs Phx

[easttexastrash]

Very slow start for Phoenix but they have it down to a three point deficit.

Minny has nobody who can stop BG.

 

[Huskies990411]

Agree, she can't be stopped when she's going to the hoop aggressively and her turnaround set shot is falling. Not just by Minnesota though; by anyone.

Ugly game so far made uglier by the refs. I liked how early on it looked like they were going to let them play and allow the game to have a natural flow. That ended midway through the first quarter with some terrible calls on both ends. Too good of a matchup for the refs to take over.

Maya and Diana both struggling with their shots. Diana needs to play as though they aren't going to blow the whistle. A few times she shot it as if it would have to be either an incredible finish or a foul called in order to get some points, but it's clear that the refs aren't going to help out any shooters in this game. As usual, she is finding opportunities for her teammates though with 4 or 5 assists. Hope she and Maya both turn it on in the second half.

 

[j66kicker]

Coaches frustrated with the officiating - Brondello just got T'd up.

 

[UCONNfan1]

Dee seems to be shooting her team right out of the game. 2-16? Maya hardly better at 3-13. Not a good showcase for the 2 leading candidates for MVP...

 

[ctmom04]

Hello Maya Moore!

 

[UCONNfan1]

Hello Maya Moore!

Right? Just after my post she promptly drains 3 baskets and suddenly has 16 points! Dee is up to 4-19 though.

 

[j66kicker]

Hello Maya Moore!

She has seemed to have woke up. Lynx rolling

 

[j66kicker]

Starting to come over to ETT's point of view - if Merc could just keep throwing it in to Griner like THAT. Griner and-one to cut it to 6

 

[RadyLady]

Yeah, but Minny started crowding the paint so the second half for BG wasn't as good as the first.
That game was hard to watch at times - I couldn't believe how many shots hit the mark. I couldn't believe how close it was at times given the number of shots that missed.

Gotta give Minny their props and credit for great D.

 

[easttexastrash]

Phoenix lost this game because they did not run the offense through Griner. There was nobody on the Minny roster who could stop her but instead of going to her, she got TWO shots in the second half. It was run down and shoot the first open shot, just like last year. This was the Phoenix team of last year...the guards shooting and shooting and Griner largely being ignored on offense.

 

[RadyLady]

There was a lot of run and gun, one and done, I agree.
The game was hard to watch.

Oh well.....next time

 

[easttexastrash]

Round 4 next week. I have a feeling that Phoenix and DT will play a lot better.

That was ugly! DT did more complaining than anything else tonight. That game was hard to watch.

 

[ctmom04]

Phoenix lost this game because they did not run the offense through Griner. There was nobody on the Minny roster who could stop her but instead of going to her, she got TWO shots in the second half. It was run down and shoot the first open shot, just like last year. This was the Phoenix team of last year...the guards shooting and shooting and Griner largely being ignored on offense.

I am loving BG this year. Actually I am loving how Phoenix is utilizing her talents this year. She could be the X factor that Phoenix needs IF they consistently go to her.

 

[Striper69]

one word...Maya...

 

[msf22b]

A strange game with Diana, Maya and Seimone missing so badly.
But at crunch time, Maya and Seimone made some shots and Maya's aggressive D was rewarded.
And that was the difference.
Terrible officiating, they almost lost control of the game.
Candice, (so quietly) played well on both ends, especially in the first half, Bonner was tough throughout.
Lindsey doesn't look right.
Phoenix has so many weapons, they don't look enough inside for the big girl.
Big mistake.

 

[calpedaler]

I thought Griner looked tired near the end of both halves.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Phoenix lost this game because they did not run the offense through Griner. There was nobody on the Minny roster who could stop her but instead of going to her, she got TWO shots in the second half. It was run down and shoot the first open shot, just like last year. This was the Phoenix team of last year...the guards shooting and shooting and Griner largely being ignored on offense.

thank you, I was wondering what has changed since last season... I guess more touches by BG is needed if they want to win the title

 

[Striper69]

Phoenix lost this game because they did not run the offense through Griner. There was nobody on the Minny roster who could stop her but instead of going to her, she got TWO shots in the second half. It was run down and shoot the first open shot, just like last year. This was the Phoenix team of last year...the guards shooting and shooting and Griner largely being ignored on offense.

They lost the game because they weren't hitting their shots, plain and simple. Minny shot badly also but got the rebounding edge.

 

[easttexastrash]

They lost the game because they weren't hitting their shots, plain and simple. Minny shot badly also but got the rebounding edge.

BG was hitting shots...they simply didn't get her the ball. DT took a LOT of bad shots early in the shot clock and was not looking to get the ball inside, which is where Phoenix had the advantage.

Maybe Brondello needs to take a page out of Mulkey's book and stand on the sidelines and scream "Get the ball to Griner!"

 

[Striper69]

It didn't look like BG was open very much which is why DT took the shots. She was open a lot as were most of the perimeter players but they couldn't hit.

 

[easttexastrash]

It didn't look like BG was open very much which is why DT took the shots. She was open a lot as were most of the perimeter players but they couldn't hit.

Many of DT's shots were EARLY in the shot clock, not even trying to work the ball around for a better shot. That was true of several players. Phoenix needs to learn the art of the lob pass, because if BG is near the goal, she is going to go up and get the ball. The problem is that they still don't know how to utilize BG' unique skills. She does not have to be "open" like the typical center. If she is near the basket, she is open.

 

[wallman]

It didn't look like BG was open very much which is why DT took the shots. She was open a lot as were most of the perimeter players but they couldn't hit.

Agree. It was a combination, McCarville is a wide load and she was not letting BG get any position to score, add in no calls by the refs and she became a non factor even on rebounding.

 

[easttexastrash]

Agree. It was a combination, McCarville is a wide load and she was not letting BG get any position to score, add in no calls by the refs and she became a non factor even on rebounding.

Hogwash. To imply that McCarville was keeping BG from getting the ball is absolutely inaccurate. The Phoenix players simply were not making an attempt to get BG the ball. It had nothing to do with the defense that McCarville was playing. It was about other players wanting to shoot more than they should have.

I bet you dollars to donuts that BG gets a lot more touches in the next game. At least she will if Phoenix wants to win. McCarville cannot stop BG, neither can any other Minny player and she should be the focus on offense when these two teams match up.

 

[wallman]

Hope she does, but McCarville bodied up BG pretty well, with the help of no calls from the refs.

Plus, BG needs to start giving it back, she lacks that nasty element that when she gets it - there will be no stopping her.

 

[ctmom04]

There were some no calls for both teams last night, and a very bad travel call on Seimone that resulted in a 3 pointer for Phoenix on the very next play.

It was an ugly game but the better team won last night. I have really enjoyed watching the offense of the Mercury this year but give credit to the Lynx for making really good shooting teams look out of sorts.