Nika's first WNBA basket

[topogigio]

There are a lot of players who led their teams, including recent NCAA championship winning programs who are sitting on the bench or getting minimal minutes. Which team would take her in a trade considering the current landscape of the WNBA? She could end up with a team where the situation is much worse for her.

Like in AAU, high school and college basketball, sometimes going to a team for playing time isn't always the best solution. In Seattle, she's getting mentored by some of the best guards in the game while waiting for her opportunity. This will serve her well as she continues her professional career.

I like to post stuff just for the reactions! As for a trade, the Sky (aka Cry) could use a model teammate!

 

[Jackalope]

And even if that's the case, where would you want Nika being mentored in the meantime? Seattle is a good fit as any from that perspective.

Mentoring doesn't mean anything if you don't have opportunity. If she is last on the bench in Seattle next season, then Seattle isn't a good fit. The bay area franchise is scheduled to start playing in 2025, and Toronto and Portland in 2026. Expansion drafts usually cut into the better second string players. If that results in the opportunity for Nika to get playing time, any team that she can get to be 1st or even 2nd off the bench would be a good fit.

 

[cancontent]

Mentoring doesn't mean anything if you don't have opportunity. If she is last on the bench in Seattle next season, then Seattle isn't a good fit. The bay area franchise is scheduled to start playing in 2025, and Toronto and Portland in 2026. Expansion drafts usually cut into the better second string players. If that results in the opportunity for Nika to get playing time, any team that she can get to be 1st or even 2nd off the bench would be a good fit.

And where exactly would she be in a better position to play right away in the current landscape of the WNBA? Some quip about Chicago and I cringe at the idea because I don't think the coaching style would benefit her. Dallas? LA? Atlanta? All of them have question marks. Everyone wants her to go somewhere else but what if it ends up being worse than Seattle?

When you see who hasn't been able to stick around in the WNBA after being drafted in recent years, I believe Nika's in a good situation. She'll get time to get better over playing overseas too. Right now, I don't see a better location for her while the expansion teams get up off the ground.

 

[WiseWillie]

A trade is in order! You don't drive the bus in CT for 4 seasons, and then sit the pines in the WNBA!

Makes you wonder what Seattle was thinking and expected when they recruited Nika. "Mentoring"? Really? How much "mentoring" does someone who defended usually the best scorer of our opponents including giving the rookie phenom ESPN labeled the savior of women's basketball fits need? Not to give Nika some meaningful minutes at least sometime during the regular season when they had a comfortable lead makes absolutely zero sense if you want to develop a player. Sitting on the bench can only go so far. Although we all would hope not, Nika may eventually end up playing only in Europe.

 

[HopJim]

This is all related to coaching styles, virtually all of which today are 100% focused on offense. If a contrarian comes along and sees the value of defense, particularly against the many high volume shooting teams, I can see Nika getting 20+ minutes a game. Saw a few short clips and Nika will likely be more productive next year based on confidence and experience defending top players. This year, she appeared to be uncharacteristically hesitant at times, seemingly unsure of how to guard the quicker players. Suspect just knowing the league and players better will give her that split second quicker reaction time that she needs. Guessing with her energy and aggressiveness, she is a great practice player, which might keep her in the league as long as her current skill set.

 

[WiseWillie]

Makes you wonder what Seattle was thinking and expected when they recruited Nika. "Mentoring"? Really? How much "mentoring" does someone who defended usually the best scorer of our opponents including giving the rookie phenom ESPN labeled the savior of women's basketball fits need? Not to give Nika some meaningful minutes at least sometime during the regular season when they had a comfortable lead makes absolutely zero sense if you want to develop a player. Sitting on the bench can only go so far. Although we all would hope not, Nika may eventually end up playing only in Europe.

... plus someone who set a UConn assist record. Again, there certainly are more questions surrounding this than answers. All we can hope for is the very best of luck to Nika as she lives out her dream.

 

[WiseWillie]

This is all related to coaching styles, virtually all of which today are 100% focused on offense. If a contrarian comes along and sees the value of defense, particularly against the many high volume shooting teams, I can see Nika getting 20+ minutes a game. Saw a few short clips and Nika will likely be more productive next year based on confidence and experience defending top players. This year, she appeared to be uncharacteristically hesitant at times, seemingly unsure of how to guard the quicker players. Suspect just knowing the league and players better will give her that split second quicker reaction time that she needs. Guessing with her energy and aggressiveness, she is a great practice player, which might keep her in the league as long as her current skill set.

I don't think Nika's dream is to be a practice player in the WNBA. She wants and deserves to be part of a team that values her defensive and PG assist skills. Looking at Seattle's assists they can certainly use Nika feeding the scorers.

 

[Huskee11]

A few random thoughts:

Unlike the NBA, WNBA games are only 40 minutes long.

There are also only 40 games in the season and very very rare to be playing back to back nights, maybe a couple of times for Seattle.

Nika was the sixth guard. The two starters are future hall of famers. One played all 40 games, the other missed three at the end of the season. They averaged 31.6 and 33.1 minutes per game respectively. The coach obviously trusted them and probably played them as much as they wanted to play.

The others, Horston, Whitcomb, and Vivians, also missed very few games.

A few blowouts but a lot of close games and a lot in the 10-13 point range where the game was still arguably in doubt down the stretch.

Seattle was in a position where every game meant a lot and they were fighting for playoff position. As it turned out, they were barely unable to secure home court advantage against Las Vegas and they are now on the brink of elimination.

I would loved to have seen Nika play more but her attitude about the situation is very upbeat and that makes me happy. I am sure she is looking forward to playing in Turkey and I am sure that she will get lots of playing time there and will show everyone how her behind the scenes work in Seattle has paid off.

She is a great teammate, her fans and teammates obviously love her, she appears to be doing very well with endorsements and on social media, and is only 23 years old. She has an incredibly bright future.

Just being on a roster in the WNBA right now is a major accomplishment. The addition of three new teams in the next two years will help the situation significantly. I don't expect that Nika will ever be a star in the WNBA but I think she will have a roster spot in the league for quite some time, if that is what she wants.

 

[Dugway]

Recall, Nika was the 14th player selected in the draft. Maybe we should look at other players who were drafted similarly, their volume of use, and progress?

So, since Nika was 14th, what do you say we start at #9; who was #9? Carla Leite selected by the Dallas Wings. She never showed up to training camp, simply remained overseas. It was an Olympic year, she is from France, but I don’t believe that she played for the French team (neither 3x3 nor the 5x5 team). She just knew that she was not playing in the WNBA.

Moving on, who was the tenth player selected? Leila Lacan who was drafted by the Connecticut Sun. Oddly, exact same as with Leite, Lacan didn’t show up to training camp, simply remained overseas. She is also French, however unlike Leite, she did actually play for the national team winning Silver in the Olympics. A step up from riding the pine here in the WNBA!

Moving on, who was the eleventh player selected? Marquesha Davis drafted by the New York Liberty. Davis, made the team, same as Nika. Davis is by in large the last player off their bench, averages 3.6 minutes per game … sound familiar?

Who was the twelfth player selected? Nyadiew Puoch was the 12th and last player drafted in the first round, by the Atlanta Dream. Similar to the way Leite, and Lacan, didn’t show up to training camp, Puoch simply remained overseas, electing not play in the WNBA. Australian, however did not play for the Olympic national team.

Moving onto the 13th selection, Brynna Maxwell, selected by the Chicago Sky – cut from the roster in training camp.

Nika was of course 14th; subject of this thread.

15th was Celeste Taylor, selected by the Indiana Fever and cut from the roster in training camp. Midseason, she signed with Phoenix Mercury for seven days. A month or so later, she signed with the Connecticut Sun for seven days. Guess how many minutes per game she played?

Summary; #9 through 36th … the ONLY player who has any contribution of any significance is Kate Martin for the Las Vegas Aces. Nika Muhl and Marquesha Davis both made the cut, and nobody else even made a cut.

NIKA IS DOING JUST FINE!

 

[donalddoowop]

Pili is getting very little time also and she was a highly regarded college player. I believe that the team that gives Nika more playing time will get rewarded.

 

[cancontent]

Recall, Nika was the 14th player selected in the draft. Maybe we should look at other players who were drafted similarly, their volume of use, and progress?

So, since Nika was 14th, what do you say we start at #9; who was #9? Carla Leite selected by the Dallas Wings. She never showed up to training camp, simply remained overseas. It was an Olympic year, she is from France, but I don’t believe that she played for the French team (neither 3x3 nor the 5x5 team). She just knew that she was not playing in the WNBA.

Moving on, who was the tenth player selected? Leila Lacan who was drafted by the Connecticut Sun. Oddly, exact same as with Leite, Lacan didn’t show up to training camp, simply remained overseas. She is also French, however unlike Leite, she did actually play for the national team winning Silver in the Olympics. A step up from riding the pine here in the WNBA!

Moving on, who was the eleventh player selected? Marquesha Davis drafted by the New York Liberty. Davis, made the team, same as Nika. Davis is by in large the last player off their bench, averages 3.6 minutes per game … sound familiar?

Who was the twelfth player selected? Nyadiew Puoch was the 12th and last player drafted in the first round, by the Atlanta Dream. Similar to the way Leite, and Lacan, didn’t show up to training camp, Puoch simply remained overseas, electing not play in the WNBA. Australian, however did not play for the Olympic national team.

Moving onto the 13th selection, Brynna Maxwell, selected by the Chicago Sky – cut from the roster in training camp.

Nika was of course 14th; subject of this thread.

15th was Celeste Taylor, selected by the Indiana Fever and cut from the roster in training camp. Midseason, she signed with Phoenix Mercury for seven days. A month or so later, she signed with the Connecticut Sun for seven days. Guess how many minutes per game she played?

Summary; #9 through 36th … the ONLY player who has any contribution of any significance is Kate Martin for the Las Vegas Aces. Nika Muhl and Marquesha Davis both made the cut, and nobody else even made a cut.

NIKA IS DOING JUST FINE!

Great summary.

 

[CL82]

Recall, Nika was the 14th player selected in the draft. Maybe we should look at other players who were drafted similarly, their volume of use, and progress?

So, since Nika was 14th, what do you say we start at #9; who was #9? Carla Leite selected by the Dallas Wings. She never showed up to training camp, simply remained overseas. It was an Olympic year, she is from France, but I don’t believe that she played for the French team (neither 3x3 nor the 5x5 team). She just knew that she was not playing in the WNBA.

Moving on, who was the tenth player selected? Leila Lacan who was drafted by the Connecticut Sun. Oddly, exact same as with Leite, Lacan didn’t show up to training camp, simply remained overseas. She is also French, however unlike Leite, she did actually play for the national team winning Silver in the Olympics. A step up from riding the pine here in the WNBA!

Moving on, who was the eleventh player selected? Marquesha Davis drafted by the New York Liberty. Davis, made the team, same as Nika. Davis is by in large the last player off their bench, averages 3.6 minutes per game … sound familiar?

Who was the twelfth player selected? Nyadiew Puoch was the 12th and last player drafted in the first round, by the Atlanta Dream. Similar to the way Leite, and Lacan, didn’t show up to training camp, Puoch simply remained overseas, electing not play in the WNBA. Australian, however did not play for the Olympic national team.

Moving onto the 13th selection, Brynna Maxwell, selected by the Chicago Sky – cut from the roster in training camp.

Nika was of course 14th; subject of this thread.

15th was Celeste Taylor, selected by the Indiana Fever and cut from the roster in training camp. Midseason, she signed with Phoenix Mercury for seven days. A month or so later, she signed with the Connecticut Sun for seven days. Guess how many minutes per game she played?

Summary; #9 through 36th … the ONLY player who has any contribution of any significance is Kate Martin for the Las Vegas Aces. Nika Muhl and Marquesha Davis both made the cut, and nobody else even made a cut.

NIKA IS DOING JUST FINE!

Kate Martin had a very solid rookie season. She comes off as very unpretentious and just enjoying the ride. Likable kid.

 

[Hedge]

Rarely has a post clarified a situation so neatly as your analysis of Nika and draftees #9 through 36. Thanks for your contribution.

 

[Bigboote]

Recall, Nika was the 14th player selected in the draft. Maybe we should look at other players who were drafted similarly, their volume of use, and progress?

So, since Nika was 14th, what do you say we start at #9; who was #9? Carla Leite selected by the Dallas Wings. She never showed up to training camp, simply remained overseas. It was an Olympic year, she is from France, but I don’t believe that she played for the French team (neither 3x3 nor the 5x5 team). She just knew that she was not playing in the WNBA.

Moving on, who was the tenth player selected? Leila Lacan who was drafted by the Connecticut Sun. Oddly, exact same as with Leite, Lacan didn’t show up to training camp, simply remained overseas. She is also French, however unlike Leite, she did actually play for the national team winning Silver in the Olympics. A step up from riding the pine here in the WNBA!

Moving on, who was the eleventh player selected? Marquesha Davis drafted by the New York Liberty. Davis, made the team, same as Nika. Davis is by in large the last player off their bench, averages 3.6 minutes per game … sound familiar?

Who was the twelfth player selected? Nyadiew Puoch was the 12th and last player drafted in the first round, by the Atlanta Dream. Similar to the way Leite, and Lacan, didn’t show up to training camp, Puoch simply remained overseas, electing not play in the WNBA. Australian, however did not play for the Olympic national team.

Moving onto the 13th selection, Brynna Maxwell, selected by the Chicago Sky – cut from the roster in training camp.

Nika was of course 14th; subject of this thread.

15th was Celeste Taylor, selected by the Indiana Fever and cut from the roster in training camp. Midseason, she signed with Phoenix Mercury for seven days. A month or so later, she signed with the Connecticut Sun for seven days. Guess how many minutes per game she played?

Summary; #9 through 36th … the ONLY player who has any contribution of any significance is Kate Martin for the Las Vegas Aces. Nika Muhl and Marquesha Davis both made the cut, and nobody else even made a cut.

NIKA IS DOING JUST FINE!

Celeste Taylor has played meaningful minutes in both of Phoenix’s playoff games, I’d call that some significance.

 

[Beemer]

That's my girl!!!!