Pheesa with Another ROY Game

[psconn]

Great game versus the Aces. Phee's efficiency, versatility, scoring AND defense... there's no other legitimate ROY contender at this point.

 

[Alydar]

How many votes does ESPN have?

 

[eebmg]

How many votes does ESPN have?

ESPN would vote for Arike.

They will milk her ball dominating (Kobe) style.

 

[Carnac]

Great game versus the Aces. Phee's efficiency, versatility, scoring AND defense... there's no other legitimate ROY contender at this point.

Correct, if they look at other factors and contributions as you have stated, instead of selecting the winner strictly on points scored or scoring average.

 

[eebmg]

ROY article from the Lynx camp (before tonight's results which just reinforces the storylines). I have to admit the ROY battle is quite an interesting story with McCowan probably out of the running.

Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier Starting to Separate Herself in WNBA Rookie of the Year Race | Zone Coverage

These coach quotes are interesting (following the head to head)

“I think Napheesa’s having a great year. She’s playing well and she’s playing a great role for Minnesota. She does a lot of things for them in a positive way,” Dallas head coach Brian Agler said after the game. “My hat’s off to (Collier), for as much attention as she gets and her ability to still produce, that says a lot. She has greatness in her future.”

“Obviously our rookie was even better, 19 points, five rebounds and four steals. She just does it all,” Lynx head coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve said post-game. “I thought (Thursday’s game) was a statement game for Napheesa.”

 

[Bigboote]

As I’ve said often about Napheesa, she was everywhere on the floor tonight. I don’t remember having that impression but once or twice about Arike.

 

[bballnut90]

Massive games too for Arike (29 points) and McCowan (22/19). All 3 are playing like all stars right now.

 

[Carnac]

ROY article from the Lynx camp (before tonight's results which just reinforces the storylines). I have to admit the ROY battle is quite an interesting story with McCowan probably out of the running.

Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier Starting to Separate Herself in WNBA Rookie of the Year Race | Zone Coverage

These coach quotes are interesting (following the head to head)

“I think Napheesa’s having a great year. She’s playing well and she’s playing a great role for Minnesota. She does a lot of things for them in a positive way,” Dallas head coach Brian Agler said after the game. “My hat’s off to (Collier), for as much attention as she gets and her ability to still produce, that says a lot. She has greatness in her future.”

“Obviously our rookie was even better, 19 points, five rebounds and four steals. She just does it all,” Lynx head coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve said post-game. “I thought (Thursday’s game) was a statement game for Napheesa.”

Pheesa is having a phenomenal year. Of course we expected nothing less. We watched and enjoyed her play fro 4 years. We know what she can do. She does have greatness in her future. This season is her period of adjustment. The "quality" of her play will increase in the coming years. She wants to be great.

Have you noticed how many minutes she’s averaging lately? (34+). She’s also learned how to play at this level without fouling. Reeves knows the Lynx are at their best when Collier is on the floor. The great thing is her teammates trust her. Pheesa continues to display her "great hands". She rarely muffs an entry/fast break pass. The state of Minnesota has fallen in love with their newest rookie.

 

[Dokey]

Pheesa is doing great. I admit I didn’t think her game would translate to the pros but circumstances gave her a chance to shine and shine she did.

 

[MSGRET]

Even if she doesn't make ROY I believe that out of all the other contenders for ROY she is the only one that has any chance of making the US team for the Olympics.

 

[msf22b]

Has anyone noticed her new blow-by move...quick step, straight in and gone
Very effective.
Alway thought that would work for Kiah (back in the days)
But Phee is the one who has has added it to her continuing repertoire.

 

[eebmg]

Pheesa is doing great. I admit I didn’t think her game would translate to the pros but circumstances gave her a chance to shine and shine she did.

I think Coach Reeve thought she could only play (offensively) in the WNBA from the outside but look what moving without the ball can do. She is getting free so much in the post, her driving is better and her outside shooting will keep improving.

And her defense is beautiful. Beyond steals and BS, her help defense and positioning is like poetry.

That translates at any level.

 

[JellyBean]

Naphessa has been playing some incredible basketball this season. Her transition to the WNBA feels and appears seamless. The thing that impresses me the most, is her BBall IQ. There are plays where you her make that extra pass or sees a cutting player and threads the needle with a perfect pass. A lot of vets would force a shot in some situations. Naphessa just reads what the defense is giving her and makes the right read, about 80% of the time. She does not force the action a lot. Solid player and I am just glad that she is playing in Minnesota so that I can watch her play. She is going to be a solid player for the league.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Both Pheesa and Arike are on fire. Over the past eleven games, Pheesa has scored in double figures each game, and is averaging 15.5 ppg. Over the same period, Arike has averaged 21 ppg. During that stretch Arike has dished out 35 assists. But Pheesa, though a forward, isn't far behind, having recorded 31 assists.

Amazing performances by two budding superstars. It's no wonder both of their college teams achieved such amazing results under their leadership.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

McGowan is also on fire. She has scored in double-digits in four of her last five games, and is averaging 11.8 ppg over that same 11-game stretch. Her rebounding has been amazing, average almost double-digits- 9.5 rpg, including 19 rebounds in her last game.

Teaira McCowan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and More | WNBA

Checkout the latest stats of Teaira McCowan. Get info about her position, age, height, weight, draft status, shoots, school and more on WNBA.com

www.wnba.com

So all three of these rookies are getting better and better, and showing that they're not only the three best rookies in the league, but three of the very best players in the world!

 

[eebmg]

I wonder if Asia Durr might have made the jump if she did not get hurt. She was really rounding into good form midway in season before falling off (the injury?) . Hope she is good for next year. So much time out due to hamstring injury.

 

[CocoHusky]

I wonder if Asia Durr might have made the jump if she did not get hurt. She was really rounding into good form midway in season before falling off (the injury?) . Hope she is good for next year. So much time out due to hamstring injury.

Both Asia Durr and Jessica Shepard would have been in the ROY conversation if it weren't for injuries.

 

[eebmg]

Both Asia Durr and Jessica Shepard would have been in the ROY conversation if it weren't for injuries.

Yes. Forgot about Shepard.

Historically, (outside the beginning of the WNBA of course) has there been 2 draft picks who challenged for ROY. ? Best dual players after year 1?

 

[mbr33ct]

Been tracking the 3 ROY candidates for the last 10 games. IMO the ROY will come down to only the first two players. For whatever reason McCowan got a late jump in this race. Arike's calling card in this race is the 17.1 pts/gm. Between Arike and Napheesa all other stats are in Napheesa's favor (AST? close)...except for the numbers in the Attempt categories (FGA, 3PA and FTA) but all percentages are in Napheesa favor.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Been tracking the 3 ROY candidates for the last 10 games. IMO the ROY will come down to only the first two players. For whatever reason McCowan got a late jump in this race. Arike's calling card in this race is the 17.1 pts/gm. Between Arike and Napheesa all other stats are in Napheesa's favor (AST? close)...except for the numbers in the Attempt categories (FGA, 3PA and FTA) but all percentages are in Napheesa favor.

View attachment 45931

So, Pheesa is out-shooting Arike by a small margin from both the 3-point line and the foul line. Plus, she is outshooting Arike by a substantial amount inside the arc. I like efficiency! Arike is taking almost 16 shots per game.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I like efficiency! Arike is taking almost 16 shots per game.

She's on a bad team and almost has carte blanche to do that. I have a bad feeling it's going to work though. Napheesa just seems to often get overlooked as she was her senior season and in the draft where 6th was way too low.

 

[bbsamjj]

Pheesa is the ROY because she has been good ALL SEASON long. Both Arike and McCowan have had very strong second halfs since the All Star Break, but Napheesa has gotten it done all year, and she's finishing real strong too.

These three are going to have VERY good careers though, and would not be surprised to see all three make the All Star game next year.

 

[bbsamjj]

To follow up, WNBA.com helpfully breaks down their stats pre and post all star break! Given that they all play different positions (guard/forward/center) where you expect higher stats for different players, it's pretty much a 3-way tie IMO post all star break, but Collier clearly has advantage across entire year.

	PPG	FG%	3-pt %	FT %	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG
Pre All Star: McCowan	7.0	50%	N/A	67%	8.0	0.1	1.4	0.6
Pre All Star: Collier	11.2	44.6%	32%	80%	6.2	2.3	1.0	1.9
Pre All Star: Arike	14.2	33.6%	28.3%	81.8%	2.7	2.4	0.1	0.9
Post All Star: McCowan	14.1	54.8%	N/A	70%	10.3	0.7	1.2	0.6
Post All Star: Collier	15.9	54.3%	40%	84.4%	6.8	3.0	0.8	2.1
Post All Star: Arike	22.3	43.9%	43.5%	77.6%	1.7	3.3	0	1.2