Paige Doing Paige Stuff

[oldude]

The Wings seriously lack defensive discipline and skills at their "core". It looks many times like playground ball with opposing players haphazardly defended and many times able to make it to the basket unguarded due miscommunication or worse no communication. Agree about Carrington. Carrington supposedly prides her defense but watching her performance in the last several games those skills seem applied irregularly. Sometimes good; most times not. Not a keeper IMO.

As for Siegrist, when she's on she can be a good 3-pt shooter and especially with Paige able to spot and feed her when she's open, I think worth retaining.

Wings have many problems to be solved besides just Carington and Siegrist, however. They really need to scrap whatever it is they thought they needed, go back to the drawing board having some very pointed, uncomfortable discussions and start over with Paige as the building block.

One of the internet guys just posted a video analyzing the Wings defense. It is currently setting a record for fast break baskets given up at almost 20 ppg. There were several lowlights shown. Typically, Paige runs back on D and everyone else lollygags, leaving Paige to defend 2 & 3 on 1 breaks.

One particular play highlighted Arike forcing up a 3 when she was guarded. She did get back on defense, but then stopped dead at the 3-pt line as an opponent ran right by her and received a pass for an easy layup.

McCowan is another problem. She’s probably the slowest player in the W. Whoever she’s guarding always beats her down court, frequently for an easy layup.

I feel really bad for Paige. She’s playing her heart out, which is all she knows how to do. Unfortunately, a lot of her teammates are just going through the motions and I don’t know if anyone is listening to the HC.

 

[oldude]

"What you need here is an all out strip down.
That's not going to be cheap."​

The Wings don’t need to spend a lot of money. They just need to spend their money smartly. Every team has the same salary cap and just about every veteran will be a free agent next season.

Just a few games back I was really impressed by Held & Laksa on Phoenix. Neither is a big name star. Both are smart. They play hard and they can knock down shots from the arc. Surely there are comparable players in the W that the Wings can sign who would be great complementary players with Paige.

 

[CL82]

The Wings don’t need to spend a lot of money. They just need to spend their money smartly. Every team has the same salary cap and just about every veteran will be a free agent next season.

Just a few games back I was really impressed by Held & Laksa on Phoenix. Neither is a big name star. Both are smart. They play hard and they can knock down shots from the arc. Surely there are comparable players in the W that the Wings can sign who would be great complementary players with Paige.

I actually think the first thing they need to do is replace their coach. I also think they need to bring in "culture" players, because right now they don't seem to have a particularly good culture right there.

For what it's worth the post that you quoted was just me reacting to the phrase "all out strip down". It sounded like something you didn't wanna hear your mechanic tell you you needed.

 

[oldude]

I actually think the first thing they need to do is replace their coach. I also think they need to bring in "culture" players, because right now they don't seem to have a particularly good culture right there.

For what it's worth the post that you quoted was just me reacting to the phrase "all out strip down". It sounded like something you didn't wanna hear your mechanic tell you you needed.

You have to wonder what Curt Miller was thinking when he put this team together. He lost Howard & Sabally, 2 solid veterans off last year’s team, along with a number of role players. He brought in a bunch of journeymen to fill the roster.

Surely Miller didn’t think the Wings were going to set the W on fire this season with the roster he put together. I do suspect that he hoped that Paige & Arike would comprise a formidable backcourt that he could build off of next season. Paige has done her part but the jury is still out on Arike.

You also have to wonder what he was thinking by giving a mild mannered individual like Koclanes his 1st HC gig. Lack of talent is a problem for the GM. Lack of hustle and execution is a HC issue.

 

[CL82]

You have to wonder what Curt Miller was thinking when he put this team together. He lost Howard & Sabally, 2 solid veterans off last year’s team, along with a number of role players. He brought in a bunch of journeymen to fill the roster.

Surely Miller didn’t think the Wings were going to set the W on fire this season with the roster he put together. I do suspect that he hoped that Paige & Arike would comprise a formidable backcourt that he could build off of next season. Paige has done her part but the jury is still out on Arike.

You also have to wonder what he was thinking by giving a mild mannered individual like Koclanes his 1st HC gig. Lack of talent is a problem for the GM. Lack of hustle and execution is a HC issue.

Could it be that he is saving money while he attempts to bank high draft picks?

 

[baggerbob]

Could it be that he is saving money while he attempts to bank high draft picks?

Don't be surprised if he fires the coach and takes over himself. I guarantee he would light a fire under Arike or she would find a seat at the end of the bench.

 

[oldude]

Could it be that he is saving money while he attempts to bank high draft picks?

Sabally was vehement that she wanted out of Dallas. I’m not sure about Howard. The salary cap in the W for 2025 is $1.5 million. So how much are you going to save by running off a couple veterans?

Maybe he’s tanking for a high draft pick. But he’s still got to put together a team that can compete, if not this season, then he damn well better by next season.

 

[oldude]

Don't be surprised if he fires the coach and takes over himself. I guarantee he would light a fire under Arike or she would find a seat at the end of the bench.

When the Wings hired Miller, I’m sure he could have been both the HC & GM. I’m guessing he doesn’t want the HC job. As for Arike sitting on the bench. Don’t hold your breath. Either she gets the job done or she’ll be gone.

 

[Bald Husky]

The Wings don’t need to spend a lot of money. They just need to spend their money smartly. Every team has the same salary cap and just about every veteran will be a free agent next season.

Just a few games back I was really impressed by Held & Laksa on Phoenix. Neither is a big name star. Both are smart. They play hard and they can knock down shots from the arc. Surely there are comparable players in the W that the Wings can sign who would be great complementary players with Paige.

Isn't Held the player that had a problem with Nika? I can't remember her team, maybe Villanova or DePaul.

 

[oldude]

Isn't Held the player that had a problem with Nika? I can't remember her team, maybe Villanova or DePaul.

Everyone had a problem with Nika.
Held played at DePaul. She’s made a nice adjustment to the pro game.

 

[PacoSwede]

Isn't Held the player that had a problem with Nika? I can't remember her team, maybe Villanova or DePaul.

caitlin clark? juju watkins? everyone?

off the court, they adore her.

 

[Skeets]

Paige got drafted and sent to the "island of misfit toys"

Yeah, but that's the island #1 draft picks go to unless they are drafted as NFL quarterbacks.

 

[Skeets]

caitlin clark? juju watkins? everyone?

off the court, they adore her.

Well one of them said in a huddle get that #10 outa my face. I wonder who that could be?

 

[Audi1954]

Good news! Not sure if posted elsewhere, but Dallas picked up Haley Jones. That should help some. Haley and Paige played together many years on USA Olympic teams. Hopefully she can play tonight.

 

[Dogstar]

Yeah, but that's the island #1 draft picks go to unless they are drafted as NFL quarterbacks.

Well CC went to a team tht already had a #1 overall pick ...ms Aaliyah Boston

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

I actually think the first thing they need to do is replace their coach. I also think they need to bring in "culture" players, because right now they don't seem to have a particularly good culture right there.

Arike Ogunbowale was drafted in 2019. During that time frame (seven seasons, including this one), Dallas has had four head coaches -- and only one season above .500:

• Brian Agler
• Vickie Johnson
• Latricia Trammell
• Chris Koclanes

The primary issue is not coaching.
Rather, one of the main questions is whether Ogunbowale is a player around whom a championship contender can be built. Four coaches have not been able to harness Arike's immense talent into being an efficient player who makes her teammates better.

Given how ball dominant she is, her career shooting averages (39.1% from the floor, 34.8% from three), effective field goal percentage, and true shooting percentages do not translate into a player for a team with championship aspirations.

The question I have is if Dallas is willing to build around Bueckers and make the decision to trade Ogunbowale, possibly to one of the expansion franchises (Portland and Toronto) for next year in exchange for a package including first round picks.

 

[BobbyJ]

Arike Ogunbowale was drafted in 2019. During that time frame (seven seasons, including this one), Dallas has had four head coaches -- and only one season above .500:

• Brian Agler
• Vickie Johnson
• Latricia Trammell
• Chris Koclanes

The primary issue is not coaching.
Rather, one of the main questions is whether Ogunbowale is a player around whom a championship contender can be built. Four coaches have not been able to harness Arike's immense talent into being an efficient player who makes her teammates better.

Given how ball dominant she is, her career shooting averages (39.1% from the floor, 34.8% from three), effective field goal percentage, and true shooting percentages do not translate into a player for a team with championship aspirations.

The question I have is if Dallas is willing to build around Bueckers and make the decision to trade Ogunbowale, possibly to one of the expansion franchises (Portland and Toronto) for next year in exchange for a package including first round picks.

I agree with your point that this is a management problem, not a coaching one. I would also add that the numbers you provided don't describe a "immense talent". They describe a below average volume shooter who does nothing else to impact winning. I don't even think there's a market for her that would return first round picks. I'd trade her tomorrow if I thought there was any market at all.

 

[oldude]

Arike Ogunbowale was drafted in 2019. During that time frame (seven seasons, including this one), Dallas has had four head coaches -- and only one season above .500:

• Brian Agler
• Vickie Johnson
• Latricia Trammell
• Chris Koclanes

The primary issue is not coaching.
Rather, one of the main questions is whether Ogunbowale is a player around whom a championship contender can be built. Four coaches have not been able to harness Arike's immense talent into being an efficient player who makes her teammates better.

Given how ball dominant she is, her career shooting averages (39.1% from the floor, 34.8% from three), effective field goal percentage, and true shooting percentages do not translate into a player for a team with championship aspirations.

The question I have is if Dallas is willing to build around Bueckers and make the decision to trade Ogunbowale, possibly to one of the expansion franchises (Portland and Toronto) for next year in exchange for a package including first round picks.

Ogunbowle is on a 1-yr contract like just about every other veteran in the W. Unless she dramatically picks up her play during the rest of the season, I can’t see the Wings resigning her.

 

[CL82]

Arike Ogunbowale was drafted in 2019. During that time frame (seven seasons, including this one), Dallas has had four head coaches -- and only one season above .500:

• Brian Agler
• Vickie Johnson
• Latricia Trammell
• Chris Koclanes

The primary issue is not coaching.
Rather, one of the main questions is whether Ogunbowale is a player around whom a championship contender can be built. Four coaches have not been able to harness Arike's immense talent into being an efficient player who makes her teammates better.

Given how ball dominant she is, her career shooting averages (39.1% from the floor, 34.8% from three), effective field goal percentage, and true shooting percentages do not translate into a player for a team with championship aspirations.

The question I have is if Dallas is willing to build around Bueckers and make the decision to trade Ogunbowale, possibly to one of the expansion franchises (Portland and Toronto) for next year in exchange for a package including first round picks.

I don't disagree with your point, however, Kolcanes doesn't seem to be doing much with the talent he has. I think he's in over his head.

 

[oldude]

I don't disagree with your point, however, Kolcanes doesn't seem to be doing much with the talent he has. I think he's in over his head.

It’ll all get fixed tonight. I notice that Curt Miller is sitting in the front row, deeply engaged in conversation with Geno, who has 3 former players to check out: Paige, Kaitlyn & Tiffany.

 

[Bald Husky]

The coach in the season opening presser said they would control Paige's minutes, but that did not occur. You are right to be concerned. The game I saw had her in the mid 30s.

Last night against Golden State Paige played 39 minutes. As Geno once said, it looks bad out there if Paige isn't on the court, and that's when she played with good players. LOL

 

[HuskyNan]

I agree with your point that this is a management problem, not a coaching one. I would also add that the numbers you provided don't describe a "immense talent". They describe a below average volume shooter who does nothing else to impact winning. I don't even think there's a market for her that would return first round picks. I'd trade her tomorrow if I thought there was any market at all.

Geno recruited Arike. He seemed to think she has talent.

What could she have been if she’d been coached at UConn?

 

[BobbyJ]

Geno recruited Arike. He seemed to think she has talent.

What could she have been if she’d been coached at UConn?

There's a large difference between talent and "immense talent". GA probably believes that every player he recruits has talent but I doubt that he thinks they all have immense talent. That would be delusional as he likes to say. At UConn she would have had to learn to play defense or she would've been gone in a year due to lack of PT.

 

[HuskyNan]

There's a large difference between talent and "immense talent". GA probably believes that every player he recruits has talent but I doubt that he thinks they all have immense talent. That would be delusional as he likes to say. At UConn she would have had to learn to play defense or she would've been gone in a year due to lack of PT.

Fair enough. But I think Arike would have been more effective as a more well-rounded basketball player rather than a shooter. She’s forcing shots now and when they don’t go in, doesn’t have another effective facet to her game to go to.

Every UConn fan knows when shots don’t fall, players work to tighten up the defense, set a screen for a teammate, focus on rebounding, or drive to the hoop- anything that helps the team. Geno harps on this. Coaching matters

 

[oldude]

As a naysayer, I’ll give Arike her due. She had a nice all-around game last night. Yes, she took the most shots (1 more than Paige) but she also distributed the ball, rebounded and forced some turnovers.

The woeful CT Sun are up next. Let’s see if the Paige/Arike combo can continue to play well off each other and maybe the Wings can have their first 2-game winning streak of the season.

 

[BobbyJ]

Fair enough. But I think Arike would have been more effective as a more well-rounded basketball player rather than a shooter. She’s forcing shots now and when they don’t go in, doesn’t have another effective facet to her game to go to.

Every UConn fan knows when shots don’t fall, players work to tighten up the defense, set a screen for a teammate, focus on rebounding, or drive to the hoop- anything that helps the team. Geno harps on this. Coaching matters

I agree and that’s why I described her game as doing nothing to impact winning on a regular basis. Dallas is paying for nothing but a big name from college.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

I don't disagree with your point, however, Kolcanes doesn't seem to be doing much with the talent he has. I think he's in over his head.

In terms of the talent he has, Nalyssa Smith has never been a reliable shooter from the midrange or beyond the arc. That tempers the offensive options for a team with a true center (Teaira McCowan) whose game is in the restricted area.
And while DiJonai Carrington is a very good perimeter defender, she is not a consistent shooter.
Pairing them with a ball dominant and inconsistent shooter in Arike Ogunbowale is not a recipe for success, even with Arike's immense talent and Paige's elite point guard skills.

Kolcanes did not put the roster together.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

Fair enough. But I think Arike would have been more effective as a more well-rounded basketball player rather than a shooter. She’s forcing shots now and when they don’t go in, doesn’t have another effective facet to her game to go to.

Every UConn fan knows when shots don’t fall, players work to tighten up the defense, set a screen for a teammate, focus on rebounding, or drive to the hoop- anything that helps the team. Geno harps on this. Coaching matters

The thing is, at Notre Dame, Arike Ogunbowale was a far more efficient shooter/scorer --- 44% from the floor, 39.3 percent from three, and 77.0 percent from the line.
She also averaged 4.6 rebounds per game for her career. And in her last two seasons, she put up 3.3 assists per contest with a career A/TO of nearly 2-to-1.

But after four coaches (Agler, Johnson, Trammel, and Kolcanes) have been unable to harness her tremendous talent into being a highly efficient player (or even a moderately good efficient one) in the professional ranks, one wonders if this is just who she is going to be as a WNBA player.

 

[BobbyJ]

In terms of the talent he has, Nalyssa Smith has never been a reliable shooter from the midrange or beyond the arc. That tempers the offensive options for a team with a true center (Teaira McCowan) whose game is in the restricted area.
And while DiJonai Carrington is a very good perimeter defender, she is not a consistent shooter.
Pairing them with a ball dominant and inconsistent shooter in Arike Ogunbowale is not a recipe for success, even with Arike's immense talent and Paige's elite point guard skills.

Kolcanes did not put the roster together.

Again I agree with your overall points except for Ogunbowale. Between being as you say an inconsistent shooter and playing no defense, where or what is her immense talent?

 

[CL82]

In terms of the talent he has, Nalyssa Smith has never been a reliable shooter from the midrange or beyond the arc. That tempers the offensive options for a team with a true center (Teaira McCowan) whose game is in the restricted area.
And while DiJonai Carrington is a very good perimeter defender, she is not a consistent shooter.
Pairing them with a ball dominant and inconsistent shooter in Arike Ogunbowale is not a recipe for success, even with Arike's immense talent and Paige's elite point guard skills.

Kolcanes did not put the roster together.

On the other hand, in the games, I've watched there are a lot of questionable decisions, including drives into three defenders on the break while the trailer has an open lane to the basket, jacking up logo threes instead of swinging the ball or looking for the cutter. I've seen multiple times where Paige cuts to the basket hands up only to be ignored. That's what I mean when I talk about not doing much with the talent he has. Basically, the team plays like a boys AAU summer team.

I haven't seen a game for a while, so that may have changed. I noticed in the most recent box score. The scoring was more or less equally split between Paige and Arike, and Arike had five assists. That's a good sign.