Paige's Wings Page (merged thread)

[Basingstoke]

I appreciate that trying to change her game has to be very difficult for Arike, but can you imagine (for Paige's sake) substituting Mitchell for her on the Wings...
Lucky Caitlin.

 

[Bald Husky]

Paige can’t get any assists because, as we witnessed last night, the Wings are a one on one team. They need team players, and the two that play that way are injured. (Ty Harris and Maddy). I hope the Wings management are looking at other players across the league for next years free agent fiasco. Paige needs help.

 

[oldude]

Paige can’t get any assists because, as we witnessed last night, the Wings are a one on one team. They need team players, and the two that play that way are injured. (Ty Harris and Maddy). I hope the Wings management are looking at other players across the league for next years free agent fiasco. Paige needs help.

Paige did lead the Wings with 6 assists and 0 turnovers for an A/TO ratio of infinity? Yes she could have had more, even on the team she played with last night if there was a little more organization to their chaotic offense.

I have watched most of the Wings games this season and they are just not a good team. Some of the mistakes they make look like a bad pickup basketball game.

On the other hand, Paige had a wonderful all-around game with 27 pts, a rebound, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks while shooting 50/67/100 for the night. Her shooting stats were amazing considering that she had a really bad shooting 1st half, up until hitting that 30 footer at the halftime buzzer with Boston closing on her.

As I watch this team, I honestly don’t know which if any of the players not named Paige Bueckers are worth keeping for next season. That might also apply to the HC & GM as well.

 

[HuskyNan]

Paige did lead the Wings with 6 assists and 0 turnovers for an A/TO ratio of infinity? Yes she could have had more, even on the team she played with last night if there was a little more organization to their chaotic offense.

I have watched most of the Wings games this season and they are just not a good team. Some of the mistakes they make look like a bad pickup basketball game.

On the other hand, Paige had a wonderful all-around game with 27 pts, a rebound, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks while shooting 50/67/100 for the night. Her shooting stats were amazing considering that she had a really bad shooting 1st half, up until hitting that 30 footer at the halftime buzzer with Boston closing on her.

As I watch this team, I honestly don’t know which if any of the players not named Paige Bueckers are worth keeping for next season. That might also apply to the HC & GM as well.

Paige was aggressively double teamed most of the night. You’d think the coach would tell her teammates to go get the ball (someone must have been unguarded) but, no, they stood around until Paige could work herself somewhat free

 

[oldude]

Paige was aggressively double teamed most of the night. You’d think the coach would tell her teammates to go et the ball (someone must have been unguarded) but, no, they stood around until Paige could work herself somewhat free

I agree to a point. But the key is the ball and player movement for the other 4 players on the team. If the other 4 players can handle the ball, get open and most importantly hit their shots, that will shut down opponents blitzing Paige with double teams. Last night, whenever someone other than Paige handled the ball, they frequently drove into trouble or threw the ball away.

Contrast that with UConn’s symphony of ball and player movement where everyone would pass, set screens and hit open shots. At UConn, it was not incumbent upon Paige to handle the ball all the time, which made her equally effective with the ball in her hand and off the ball.

 

[ucbart]

I appreciate that trying to change her game has to be very difficult for Arike, but can you imagine (for Paige's sake) substituting Mitchell for her on the Wings...
Lucky Caitlin.

I actually think that Paige and Arike could do very very well together, if the coaching was better. Dallas has a complete lack of talent in the frontcourt offensively and defensively, but their main problem is coaching....and it's not close. He has absolutely no idea what he's doing. NONE.

 

[oldude]

I actually think that Paige and Arike could do very very well together, if the coaching was better. Dallas has a complete lack of talent in the frontcourt offensively and defensively, but their main problem is coaching....and it's not close. He has absolutely no idea what he's doing. NONE.

You never truly know what a player is thinking. Arike will be a free agent next season. After 7 turbulent years in Dallas, maybe she’ll want a change of scenery. The money will be pretty much the same wherever she ends up. But maybe she’ll fully buy in to being Paige’s wingwoman for the next few years.

I wouldn’t go as far as suggesting that Kokclanes has no idea what he’s doing. I do think that as a first time HC he’s out of his depth and, other than Paige, he’s been dealt a terrible hand that he has to make the best of. I actually feel sorry for him rambling on about the “positives” in his post game pressers. It can become tedious constantly trying to make chicken salad out of chicken .

 

[BobbyJ]

You never truly know what a player is thinking. Arike will be a free agent next season. After 7 turbulent years in Dallas, maybe she’ll want a change of scenery. The money will be pretty much the same wherever she ends up. But maybe she’ll fully buy in to being Paige’s wingwoman for the next few years.

I wouldn’t go as far as suggesting that Kokclanes has no idea what he’s doing. I do think that as a first time HC he’s out of his depth and, other than Paige, he’s been dealt a terrible hand that he has to make the best of. I actually feel sorry for him rambling on about the “positives” in his post game pressers. It can become tedious constantly trying to make chicken salad out of chicken .

Dallas fans can only hope not but PB is probably too nice to.

 

[diggerfoot]

From my point of view, I see @HuskyNan @oldude and @ucbart as mostly in agreement. The Wings have an offense needing more ball movement, player movement and screens. It is up to the coach to change that.

Ironically, I feel much the same about the Fever, except that they are faster paced, especially when Clark is in there, and Mitchell and Boston are studs, with or without Clark. I do think Ogunbowale could return to stud form and be more efficient when teamed with Bueckers, but there has to be more flow to the offense. Ogunbowale is very skilled, but her performance is more dependent on both who is coach and lead guard than Mitchell’s.

Even so, the weakness for both the Wings and the Fever lies more with defense. I have no idea whether fixing that is more the coach, the roster or a little of both in either case.

 

[oldude]

Dallas fans can only hope not but PB is probably too nice to.

When you think back to Paige’s freshman year at UConn, she became the unquestioned leader of the team within a game or two, despite the presence of Christyn, Liv and other veterans on the team. Part of that was Paige is simply a great natural leader. But the other part was that was what Geno wanted and expected from the moment he recruited Paige. When it comes to leadership, Geno really doesn’t care what class you’re in or how old you are.

In Dallas, Paige is clearly the team leader up to a point. However, I sense in her a reluctance to get in the face of veteran players when they screw up and it appears that Koclanes as a first year coach is unwilling to hold everyone accountable.

One thing that continues to bother me is when Paige is being defended by a smaller, quicker guard, she often posts up in the lane calling for the ball. None of her teammates seem to even acknowledge her request or attempt to get the ball to Paige in an obvious mismatch situation.

That should end immediately. All it would take is for Koclanes to call one timeout and tell everyone to, “Get the damned ball to Paige in the low blocks.” Although I’m not sure if Koclanes would ever say “damned.”

 

[YKCornelius]

Paige did lead the Wings with 6 assists and 0 turnovers for an A/TO ratio of infinity? Yes she could have had more, even on the team she played with last night if there was a little more organization to their chaotic offense.

I have watched most of the Wings games this season and they are just not a good team. Some of the mistakes they make look like a bad pickup basketball game.

On the other hand, Paige had a wonderful all-around game with 27 pts, a rebound, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks while shooting 50/67/100 for the night. Her shooting stats were amazing considering that she had a really bad shooting 1st half, up until hitting that 30 footer at the halftime buzzer with Boston closing on her.

As I watch this team, I honestly don’t know which if any of the players not named Paige Bueckers are worth keeping for next season. That might also apply to the HC & GM as well.

Olddude, I have become a fan of Luisa Geiselsoder, and look forward to her return to the line-up when she comes back from Eurobasket. IMO, she is a keeper.

I am also a fan of Ty Harris, but will have to see how she bounces back from knee surgery. As a six-year player, she might not even be available next year.

Finally, given the paucity of bigs in the league who can guard other bigs, I think Li Yueru is also worth keeping as a back-up center. I think she is really enjoying playing with Paige.

 

[ConnMotors]

There will be a bright spot for the Wings next season. They will be a lottery team and will get the chance to get additional help. This upcoming class of seniors is full of talent. Plus whatever comes from overseas.

 

[Basingstoke]

I was concerned about how Paige might fare in anticipation of tonight's 2nd of back-to-back games (after playing 36 minutes last night), so I checked the box scores for the Big East Tournament this Spring.
UCONN actually played 3 games in 3 days (3/8-3/10).

3/8 (St John's): 30 mins, 20 pts, 9/16 FG, 0/4 3pt,
2/2 FT, 5 Reb, 3 Ast, 2 Stl, 2 Blk, 1 TO

3/9 (Villanova): 33 mins, 23 pts, 10/17 FG, 2/4, 1/1 FT, 1 Reb, 6 Ast, 1 Blk, 0 TO

310 (Creighton): 38 mins, 24 pts, 7/14 FG, 3/5 3pt, 7/7 FT, 8 Reb, 3 Ast, 2 Stl, 2 Blk, 0 TO

Needless to say I'm feeling a bit more upbeat in thinking about tonight.

 

[Bone Dog]

I think Li Yueru is also worth keeping as a back-up center. I think she is really enjoying playing with Paige.

Who doesn’t enjoy playing with Paige?

 

[BRS24]

Paige out tonight. Hopefully just precautionary with b2b games, along with the ding she took a few games ago.

 

[oldude]

Paige out tonight. Hopefully just precautionary with b2b games, along with the ding she took a few games ago.

Paige hit the floor a bunch of times in last nights game. There was one play in the second half when she was dragged down in the lane by a Fever player. There was no foul called and Paige was a little slow getting up. Hoping it’s minor. But I don’t like the sound of anything having to do with a knee, particularly considering Paige’s history.

 

[CL82]

Who doesn’t enjoy playing with Paige?

"Friendship is her superpower."

 

[CL82]

I was concerned about how Paige might fare in anticipation of tonight's 2nd of back-to-back games (after playing 36 minutes last night), so I checked the box scores for the Big East Tournament this Spring.
UCONN actually played 3 games in 3 days (3/8-3/10).

3/8 (St John's): 30 mins, 20 pts, 9/16 FG, 0/4 3pt,
2/2 FT, 5 Reb, 3 Ast, 2 Stl, 2 Blk, 1 TO

3/9 (Villanova): 33 mins, 23 pts, 10/17 FG, 2/4, 1/1 FT, 1 Reb, 6 Ast, 1 Blk, 0 TO

310 (Creighton): 38 mins, 24 pts, 7/14 FG, 3/5 3pt, 7/7 FT, 8 Reb, 3 Ast, 2 Stl, 2 Blk, 0 TO

Needless to say I'm feeling a bit more upbeat in thinking about tonight.

Still, one would think her legs would be tired, given that she's carrying her whole team.

 

[Jonathan14]

There was a very nice article about Paige in The Athletic yesterday, "Don’t let the Dallas Wings’ record fool you: Paige Bueckers’ rookie season is phenomenal." (Unfortunately, The Athletic doesn't allow gift links like the rest of the New York Times so I apologize that many of you will find it behind a paywall.) Here are some of the highlights:

The Dallas Wings have been mostly off the radar to start the 2025 WNBA season, after a massive offseason overhaul left them short of their expectations in the win column.

But the lack of overall team success has obscured an otherwise impressive campaign from Paige Bueckers. The No. 1 draft pick is quietly having one of the best rookie seasons in league history. The offensive creation, ease in the half court and tough shot-making that defined Bueckers’ UConn career have all quickly translated to the pro level. Her averages of 17.7 points and 5.8 assists are both in the top 15 league-wide.

As was the case in college for Bueckers, it starts with the midrange. She is supremely confident and smooth at beating defenders to her spots at the elbows, creating space with a jab and elevating for the jumper. Bueckers has been devastatingly effective in that zone; defenders know where she wants to go, and they still can’t stop her. The average WNBA player takes 10 percent of her shots between 10 and 16 feet — Bueckers has attempted 31.4 percent of her field goals from the midrange and made 58.2 percent, making her the highest-volume midrange scorer in the league.

Perhaps it’s the shadow cast by last year’s Rookie of the Year that has dimmed Bueckers’ present accomplishments. A year ago, Bueckers’ statistics would have been historic; now, she’s merely following a pattern of first-year excellence, and even falling a little short of the bar Clark set.

Maybe the current generation of college stars will continue to adjust to the WNBA at a rapid pace and produce at All-Star levels early in their careers. Or maybe Bueckers, like Clark before her, is a special talent who should be recognized as such, a relative rarity even in a star-studded era.

 

[Basingstoke]

There was a very nice article about Paige in The Athletic yesterday, "Don’t let the Dallas Wings’ record fool you: Paige Bueckers’ rookie season is phenomenal." (Unfortunately, The Athletic doesn't allow gift links like the rest of the New York Times so I apologize that many of you will find it behind a paywall.) Here are some of the highlights:

I actually think that Paige has raised the bar regarding efficiency, as her assist to turnover ratio is far better than Clark's (& she's doing it without a Boston or Mitchell to pass to).

 

[RoadMaster]

Paige out tonight. Hopefully just precautionary with b2b games, along with the ding she took a few games ago.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

If she's healthy I don't get the point of sitting a 22-year-old because it's a back-to-back. Sounds like the con they do in the NBA.

 

[cancontent]

If she's healthy I don't get the point of sitting a 22-year-old because it's a back-to-back. Sounds like the con they do in the NBA.

The WNBA schedule is much more notorious for back-to-back games compared to the NBA. Considering it's her knee, taking precautions make sense in my opinion.

Just because she's 22, it doesn't mean they shouldn't be pragmatic about her minutes. She played a heavy load with UConn and had less than 2 months to get ready for the WNBA. I'd rather them err on the side of caution versus seeing her have a nagging issue like Clark seems to have right now with her groin injury.

 

[Plebe]

Didn't Koclanes also say at the start of the season they were going to "manage" her minutes coming off a long college season? If by "manage" he meant playing her 35-40 minutes per game, then I guess he kept his word.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

The WNBA schedule is much more notorious for back-to-back games compared to the NBA. Considering it's her knee, taking precautions make sense in my opinion.

Just because she's 22, it doesn't mean they shouldn't be pragmatic about her minutes. She played a heavy load with UConn and had less than 2 months to get ready for the WNBA. I'd rather them err on the side of caution versus seeing her have a nagging issue like Clark seems to have right now with her groin injury.

Does she have a nagging injury? If not they are sitting a top pick on the idea that playing back-to-back is an issue. Just eliminate consecutive games.

 

[Basingstoke]

I just checked the Wings' schedule and, unless I'm mistaken, this was the only back-to-back for the team this season.

 

[fireford]

Strange couple of days for the Wings. Lose to Fever without Clark after the Fever got blown out the night before without her. Then turn around the next night and beat a surging Mystics team without Paige.

 

[hoopsfan22]

If she's healthy I don't get the point of sitting a 22-year-old because it's a back-to-back. Sounds like the con they do in the NBA.

She'll be 24 in a few months.

 

[Basingstoke]

Strange couple of days for the Wings. Lose to Fever without Clark after the Fever got blown out the night before without her. Then turn around the next night and beat a surging Mystics team without Paige.

It's funny, I just made the same observation on the WNBA 2025 Season thread on the general board...

 

[cancontent]

Does she have a nagging injury? If not they are sitting a top pick on the idea that playing back-to-back is an issue. Just eliminate consecutive games.

I'm with you there as the WNBA scheduling is a hot mess. There was an article that did a great breakdown on the problem. Will post it if I can find it again.

With respect to nagging injury, not that I'm aware of, but she's had her fair share of knee issues over the years. That's why I don't see the harm in them doing this because her injury history.