Paige's Wings Page (merged thread)

[ctbro1999]

On Paige’s ankle-breaking moves, there were a couple times when she was isolated, one-on-one with an LA Big after a switch, either Z or Brink. The Bigs can’t back off Paige, or she’ll drop a 3 on them. So they have to guard her out on the floor, at which point she immediately starts dealing with her handle, behind her back, between her legs. This typically leads to Paige’s defender getting mesmerized, at which point she blows by them for an easy layup, as if their feet are nailed to the floor. It’s a beautiful thing……

Some of her moves from last night reminded me of Kemba Walker's legendary ankle breaker in the BET against Pitt. Not quite Kemba's level, but pretty dang close!

 

[Basingstoke]

On Paige’s ankle-breaking moves, there were a couple times when she was isolated, one-on-one with an LA Big after a switch, either Z or Brink. The Bigs can’t back off Paige, or she’ll drop a 3 on them. So they have to guard her out on the floor, at which point she immediately starts dealing with her handle, behind her back, between her legs. This typically leads to Paige’s defender getting mesmerized, at which point she blows by them for an easy layup, as if their feet are nailed to the floor. It’s a beautiful thing……

For better or worse, the only way to defend Paige when she's hot is to throw multiple defenders on her at one time or to have multiple defenders close and ready for when she keeps turning and faking (as it would for virtually any superstar).
Eventually, even this will not be successful when she us surrounded by real scorers who can receive a timely pass and make the opposition pay on a consistent basis.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

Bueckers shot 17-of-21, making her the first player in WNBA history to shoot at least 80% from the field while scoring 40 or more points.

 

[ShmiCO]

For better or worse, the only way to defend Paige when she's hot is to throw multiple defenders on her at one time or to have multiple defenders close and ready for when she keeps turning and faking (as it would for virtually any superstar).
Eventually, even this will not be successful when she us surrounded by real scorers who can receive a timely pass and make the opposition pay on a consistent basis.

There was one amazing play last night where LA had 4 defenders in the paint and Paige just slipped through right down the middle for a layup. It was a beautiful rebuttal of the "pile on more defenders" tactic.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

Man, I hope they make some big changes in Dallas. I just feel like they got everything wrong in the offseason. The coach, MHA, Carrington, Smith, the expansion draft. Paige is pretty much the only thing they did right. And I am dreading her being stuck there for three more seasons.

Of the 13 rookies averaging at least 6.5 ppg, Dallas has four of them - Paige Bueckers, Luisa Geiselsöder, Aziaha James, and JJ Quinerly. Geiselsöder was a second round pick (in 2020), while Quinerly was a 2025 third round pick (and is the only third round pick to appear in over 25 games so far this year).

The Carrington and Smith acquisitions were not great for the Wings, but the franchise quickly rectified those decisions. And Dallas trading for Li Yueru and Diamond Miller gives the team younger players who have shown flashes of potential.

Honestly, the biggest issue is finding a way for Bueckers and Ogunbowale to just not co-exist but to thrive together. Last year, the Caitlin Clark-Kelsey Mitchell took time to develop, but after the Olympic break, the two were incredible together. Arike's injury has prevented that from happening (remember, Paige played the NC game less than six weeks before the opening game of the WNBA season, which is not a lot of time to develop chemistry).

And the offseason focus needs to be what to do with Arike. She is an absolute dynamic scorer with incredible crossover moves. But her shooting efficiency has plagued her, only shooting at or above 40.0 percent from the floor twice in seven seasons. After a slight post-ASG bump in shooting in July, she crashed down in August before being out with injury. And for someone who shoots over 86 percent from the line -- and who can get there by blowing past defenders -- she does not incorporate getting to the line into her repertoire as much as she could or should, often settling for ill-advised three-point attempts (she has shot over 35 percent in three of seven seasons from three, but not since 2022).

 

[BobbyJ]

Of the 13 rookies averaging at least 6.5 ppg, Dallas has four of them - Paige Bueckers, Luisa Geiselsöder, Aziaha James, and JJ Quinerly. Geiselsöder was a second round pick (in 2020), while Quinerly was a 2025 third round pick (and is the only third round pick to appear in over 25 games so far this year).

The Carrington and Smith acquisitions were not great for the Wings, but the franchise quickly rectified those decisions. And Dallas trading for Li Yueru and Diamond Miller gives the team younger players who have shown flashes of potential.

Honestly, the biggest issue is finding a way for Bueckers and Ogunbowale to just not co-exist but to thrive together. Last year, the Caitlin Clark-Kelsey Mitchell took time to develop, but after the Olympic break, the two were incredible together. Arike's injury has prevented that from happening (remember, Paige played the NC game less than six weeks before the opening game of the WNBA season, which is not a lot of time to develop chemistry).

And the offseason focus needs to be what to do with Arike. She is an absolute dynamic scorer with incredible crossover moves. But her shooting efficiency has plagued her, only shooting at or above 40.0 percent from the floor twice in seven seasons. After a slight post-ASG bump in shooting in July, she crashed down in August before being out with injury. And for someone who shoots over 86 percent from the line -- and who can get there by blowing past defenders -- she does not incorporate getting to the line into her repertoire as much as she could or should, often settling for ill-advised three-point attempts (she has shot over 35 percent in three of seven seasons from three, but not since 2022).

IMO they need to trade her before the end of the season and get whatever they can or let her walk. What points she produces don't impact winning because she gives them back. They need a guard with some size that can defend against scorers. Asking your best offensive player (Bueckers) to be your best defender against quick scorers isn't sustainable.

 

[ctbro1999]

Most articles about Paige's night say she tied the rookie record for most points scored in a game, which is technically true, but the person she's tied with, Cynthia Cooper, was 34 when she set the original mark because she set it during the W's inaugural season where ALL players were officially rookies even though the vast majority had years playing professionally overseas and a decade or more separated from their college ball days.

So among true rookies in WNBA history, Paige stands alone at the top of the hill.

 

[quavik]

I've only been able to watch game highlights; but from what i saw she looked like a woman among girls. Just amazing!

 

[Bald Husky]

Incredible game, the Sparks threw everyone on Paige at some point, but not one of them were able to guard her. Geno was right, she is a player that is unguardable. In the second half, it seemed like whenever Paige scored the crowd reacted to her the same as whenever the Sparks scored. Although I think the players and coaches of the W concede how good Paige is, maybe this game will wake up some of the fans that still haven't gotten it how good she is. Maybe it might shut up some of those Indiana podcasters that don't think anyone is as good as CC, and take every opportunity to say so. Congrats to Paige, especially making me stay up past midnight to see her play. It was so worth it. (I have watched every Wings game this year)

 

[Dogstar]

Paige was showing out for the Hollywood crowd in LA tonight with one of those amazing games where she was making everything from everywhere, including one tough fall away, where she was fouled and issued her now familiar, “and f— one!”

Paige hit a new career high, scoring 44 pts on 17/21 shooting, along with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal. She played one of her very best games ever, at any level, but it still wasn’t enough to carry the Wings to victory as they lost a heartbreaker to LA 81-80 on a last second shot by Plum.

The Wings are really not a very good team right now and they are also beat up with several players out with injuries. But so long as Paige is on the court, they are fun to watch and they hang around in games, even though they are usually overmatched.

Paige had 44 of Dallas’s 80 points, tying the WNBA rookie scoring record set by Cynthia Cooper 28 years ago, during the inaugural season in the W when Cooper was 34 years old. The true, just out of college record, for a rookie was set by Candace Parker who scored 40 pts during her rookie season.

Paige got some help from Siegrist and Geiselsoder. But aside from those 3 players, there was some truly ugly, head scratching basketball played by the rest of the Wings team.

Paige will win ROY in the W this season and then Curt Miller can overhaul his roster with a lottery pick in the draft and some veteran free agents to surround his franchise player with.

I see Betts or Fudd in their future, either way they should be better next year

 

[oldude]

I see Betts or Fudd in their future, either way they should be better next year

Yea. That’s why I’m hoping the Wings sign a Big like Tina Charles in free agency and then draft Azzi. Paige and Azzi together again in the Wings backcourt would be the best young backcourt combination in professional basketball.

 

[oldude]

IMO they need to trade her before the end of the season and get whatever they can or let her walk. What points she produces don't impact winning because she gives them back. They need a guard with some size that can defend against scorers. Asking your best offensive player (Bueckers) to be your best defender against quick scorers isn't sustainable.

I have to believe that Miller shopped Arike before the trade deadline, but got no takers. They can’t trade her now and she’s a free agent after the end of the season, so she walks or they resign her.

 

[YKCornelius]

As great as Paige has been this season, this was the game she finally went into all-out "you can't stop me" mode. Just remarkable efficient scoring and shooting. As usual, though, her assist numbers were severely limited due to the fact that no one else on the Wings can consistently take advantage of receiving a well-timed and well-placed pass (including in the last minute of the game).
On the other hand, I am still stunned by the ineptness of refs in the W, ie the uncalled foul on a blitz in the first half which sent Paige violently to the floor resulting in a turnover (& finally drove Koclanes over the edge to get a technical for protesting the non-call) quickly followed by a foul called on Paige for allowing herself to get cleared out by a the off arm of Van Loo(?) (which was compounded by upgrading it to a clear path foul - actually, technically correct IF YOU IGNORE THE FACT THAT THE FOUL CALL WAS WRONG...- sorry for shouting).
End of rant.
Paige is extraordinary. Go in peace.

Basingstoke, I completely agree that the foul call on Paige against Julie Vanloo was wrong, and should never have been called, since Vanloo moved aggressively into Paige to keep Paige from getting to the ball. If Vanloo did not move into Paige and push her, I believe Paige would have let Julie gain control of the ball and then try to block her shot closer to the basket or try to strip Julie of the ball.

That said, I disagree on the upgrade to a "clear path foul". It was not technically correct because Vanloo never had control of the ball, which is one of the stipulations in the official rule book : "A clear-path-to-the-basket foul occurs if (i) a personal foul is committed on any offensive player during their team’s transition scoring opportunity; (ii) when the foul occurs, the ball is ahead of the tip of the circle in the backcourt, no defender is ahead of the offensive player with the scoring opportunity and that offensive player is in control of the ball or a pass to them has been released; and (iii) the defensive foul deprives the offensive team of a transition scoring opportunity."

Once again I am gobsmacked that three WNBA referees can gather, review the video, and because none of them know the rule well enough, they come to a bush league misinterpretation and award an upgrade. In other words, they botched the foul call, and after further review, completely botched the upgrade call.

I was hoping that at the conclusion of the review, the refs would come to the conclusion: "Jeez, we botched the initial call, but since the Wings didn't initiate the review, we can't change the call now." Now I can only hope they get recalibrated by the league so they don't botch the call or the review next time.

Even the LA announcers upon watching the review claimed "Paige Bueckers is not wrong." Sheesh.....

 

[WiseWillie]

On Paige’s ankle-breaking moves, there were a couple times when she was isolated, one-on-one with an LA Big after a switch, either Z or Brink. The Bigs can’t back off Paige, or she’ll drop a 3 on them. So they have to guard her out on the floor, at which point she immediately starts dealing with her handle, behind her back, between her legs. This typically leads to Paige’s defender getting mesmerized, at which point she blows by them for an easy layup, as if their feet are nailed to the floor. It’s a beautiful thing……

Watching Paige is almost like watching an eagle in flight, gliding, surveying the landscape, searching for an easy prey to pounce on and attack. OK, I can hear you saying enough of the simile you old bird, Willie.

Paige like any expert of a craft is simply amazing to watch. She is never satisfied with just being good at something. She wants to be the best and she trains hard to reach it. She is purely a generational talent.

 

[Stagnant]

I see Betts or Fudd in their future, either way they should be better next year

I don’t want either Betts or Fudd on the wings.

I am not convinced that Betts suits the modern WNBA. I wouldn’t take her with the first pick anyway.

And as a UConn fan. I don’t want to put all my eggs in the Dallas basket. I would rather see Azzi in Washington or Golden state or something.

I am intrigued by Awa Fam. And I think Flau might be a good pick too.

 

[oldude]

I don’t want either Betts or Fudd on the wings.

I am not convinced that Betts suits the modern WNBA. I wouldn’t take her with the first pick anyway.

And as a UConn fan. I don’t want to put all my eggs in the Dallas basket. I would rather see Azzi in Washington or Golden state or something.

I am intrigued by Awa Fam. And I think Flau might be a good pick too.

I don’t disagree with you on Betts. But I am struggling to understand your reasoning on Azzi. What exactly does not wanting to “put all my eggs in the Dallas Basket” mean?

 

[fireford]

Why only 22 minutes tonight for Paige? Injured or bench emptied early because of the rout?

 

[oldude]

Why only 22 minutes tonight for Paige? Injured or bench emptied early because of the rout?

The Storm were laying a beat down on the Wings, so Paige got an early seat on the bench.

 

[rt bb fan]

Of the 13 rookies averaging at least 6.5 ppg, Dallas has four of them - Paige Bueckers, Luisa Geiselsöder, Aziaha James, and JJ Quinerly. Geiselsöder was a second round pick (in 2020), while Quinerly was a 2025 third round pick (and is the only third round pick to appear in over 25 games so far this year).

The Carrington and Smith acquisitions were not great for the Wings, but the franchise quickly rectified those decisions. And Dallas trading for Li Yueru and Diamond Miller gives the team younger players who have shown flashes of potential.

Honestly, the biggest issue is finding a way for Bueckers and Ogunbowale to just not co-exist but to thrive together. Last year, the Caitlin Clark-Kelsey Mitchell took time to develop, but after the Olympic break, the two were incredible together. Arike's injury has prevented that from happening (remember, Paige played the NC game less than six weeks before the opening game of the WNBA season, which is not a lot of time to develop chemistry).

And the offseason focus needs to be what to do with Arike. She is an absolute dynamic scorer with incredible crossover moves. But her shooting efficiency has plagued her, only shooting at or above 40.0 percent from the floor twice in seven seasons. After a slight post-ASG bump in shooting in July, she crashed down in August before being out with injury. And for someone who shoots over 86 percent from the line -- and who can get there by blowing past defenders -- she does not incorporate getting to the line into her repertoire as much as she could or should, often settling for ill-advised three-point attempts (she has shot over 35 percent in three of seven seasons from three, but not since 2022).

The problem with Carrington and Smith the expectations from there play was high.They are both not superstars but supporting players who were not used correctly by the Coach of the wings!

 

[Stagnant]

I don’t disagree with you on Betts. But I am struggling to understand your reasoning on Azzi. What exactly does not wanting to “put all my eggs in the Dallas Basket” mean?

I don’t have a lot of faith in that organization. I would rather they not drag down two of our legends. If they continue to fail; at least Azzi has a chance to thrive elsewhere.

 

[oldude]

I don’t have a lot of faith in that organization. I would rather they not drag down two of our legends. If they continue to fail; at least Azzi has a chance to thrive elsewhere.

It’s basically a chicken or egg question. Is it the lack of players or a bad organization or both? This year is a write off for the Wings. Next year will be the proof of the pudding as to whether Curt Miller and the organization really know what they are doing. The Wings are extremely well positioned from a draft and free agent standpoint to substantially upgrade their team, and they have Paige.

Just like Paige, Azzi will thrive wherever she ends up in the W. Since Paige is stuck in Dallas for the next 3 seasons, I want to see the Wings build a competitive team around her.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I was hoping against hope that somebody decent would offer a package of players for the #1 pick. Though Dallas had said they were keeping #1 no matter what you never really know until you know. I thought maybe a chance Paige would say I won't go to Dallas but no. So heree we are finding comfort in her talents and hoping she doesn't get used up for nothing.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

It’s basically a chicken or egg question. Is it the lack of players or a bad organization or both? This year is a write off for the Wings. Next year will be the proof of the pudding as to whether Curt Miller and the organization really know what they are doing. The Wings are extremely well positioned from a draft and free agent standpoint to substantially upgrade their team, and they have Paige.

Just like Paige, Azzi will thrive wherever she ends up in the W. Since Paige is stuck in Dallas for the next 3 seasons, I want to see the Wings build a competitive team around her.

It's not like Dallas just sprung into existence. I'm afraid we have the answer about the organization and it is not good at all. Will they get a reasonably good big and a reasonably good wing? Assuming Azzi goes number 1 is she the answer for a contending team that has spare parts to bargain assuming Dallas gets the #1?

 

[Stagnant]

I would also try to trade the pick. But I am heavily monitoring Fam. If she is Malonga like some claim… the wings have to take her.

 

[ConnMotors]

I don’t have a lot of faith in that organization. I would rather they not drag down two of our legends. If they continue to fail; at least Azzi has a chance to thrive elsewhere.

There will be plenty of options next season. You have five lottery picks than two expansion selections. Another good class of players entering the W next season as well. Betts may go at #1 but I’m not sold on her just yet.

 

[YKCornelius]

It’s basically a chicken or egg question. Is it the lack of players or a bad organization or both? This year is a write off for the Wings. Next year will be the proof of the pudding as to whether Curt Miller and the organization really know what they are doing. The Wings are extremely well positioned from a draft and free agent standpoint to substantially upgrade their team, and they have Paige.

Just like Paige, Azzi will thrive wherever she ends up in the W. Since Paige is stuck in Dallas for the next 3 seasons, I want to see the Wings build a competitive team around her.

Oldude, your "chicken or egg" comment prompted questions in my mind regarding timing of the draft vis-a-vis the signing of a new CBA. Maybe you or other "yarders can answer?

Presuming when the current CBA runs out at the end of this year's playoffs, there will be a substantial number of Unrestricted Free Agents available for the Wings to pursue. Do the GMs need to wait for the signing of a new CBA before signing new players to contracts, or can there be clauses inserted to a new player contract that would adjust it to align with the new CBA terms once that is signed?

Going one step further, it doesn't make sense for teams to be approaching next year's draft with an idea of "building for the future" like teams apparently did at this year's and last year's drafts (i.e., Wings, Sky, Mystics and Valkyries). Instead, with the ability to sign free agents, teams (in theory) could/should be able to become competitive immediately. Hence, lottery picks don't need to be the cornerstone of a program right off the bat, which seemed to be the desire in most previous drafts. They could be "missing pieces to the puzzle", complementing FA's signed to 3-4 year contracts (Jackie Young comes to mind).

In this new paradigm, Lauren Betts could be the #1 pick to address a need by a team unable to sign a UFA big, or by a team who has a plan to develop her slowly. Likewise, Miles could be picked #1 by a team who needs a solid point guard, or Azzi #1 by a team who needs a reliable perimeter scorer.

Surely how a team approaches the draft would change depending on whether new player contracts are in place. I would hope that this is in the back of Curt Miller's mind as he looks ahead.

 

[oldude]

Oldude, your "chicken or egg" comment prompted questions in my mind regarding timing of the draft vis-a-vis the signing of a new CBA. Maybe you or other "yarders can answer?

Presuming when the current CBA runs out at the end of this year's playoffs, there will be a substantial number of Unrestricted Free Agents available for the Wings to pursue. Do the GMs need to wait for the signing of a new CBA before signing new players to contracts, or can there be clauses inserted to a new player contract that would adjust it to align with the new CBA terms once that is signed?

Going one step further, it doesn't make sense for teams to be approaching next year's draft with an idea of "building for the future" like teams apparently did at this year's and last year's drafts (i.e., Wings, Sky, Mystics and Valkyries). Instead, with the ability to sign free agents, teams (in theory) could/should be able to become competitive immediately. Hence, lottery picks don't need to be the cornerstone of a program right off the bat, which seemed to be the desire in most previous drafts. They could be "missing pieces to the puzzle", complementing FA's signed to 3-4 year contracts (Jackie Young comes to mind).

In this new paradigm, Lauren Betts could be the #1 pick to address a need by a team unable to sign a UFA big, or by a team who has a plan to develop her slowly. Likewise, Miles could be picked #1 by a team who needs a solid point guard, or Azzi #1 by a team who needs a reliable perimeter scorer.

Surely how a team approaches the draft would change depending on whether new player contracts are in place. I would hope that this is in the back of Curt Miller's mind as he looks ahead.

Good points all. The current CBA ends with the season. No one will be signed until a new CBA is in place.

Free agency precedes the draft, so presumably, a team could sign a veteran free agent or 2 and then decide whether to use or trade draft picks.

 

[Basingstoke]

Good points all. The current CBA ends with the season. No one will be signed until a new CBA is in place.

Free agency precedes the draft, so presumably, a team could sign a veteran free agent or 2 and then decide whether to use or trade draft picks.

Absolutely!

 

[AidanFan20]

Paige and the Wings play in a few minutes...

 

[AidanFan20]

Like the Wings, the Valkyries are really in bad shape with injuries... They have only 8 players for today.

Just in general, injuries have been an even bigger factor than usual in the 2025 WNBA. LOTS of stars have been out for a lengthy period, or out altogether for the year.

Back to Paige... the Storm (guess what? They have had lots of injuries also, but have become healthy) were able to double, faceguard. even triple Paige because they could afford to dedicate players to the task throughout the game without much danger of harm by the other Wings. I don't think that's the case with the Valkyries today. Paige goes crazy, scores a zillion points, and the Wings win.