San Antonio with first pick in 2017 WNBA draft

[BIGMAC]

Then their worst ever move may be taking Banham instead of Jones and needing to trade Chelsea Gray and this year's #4 overall for her.

If Jones is prime rib, what does that make the players who made the all-rookie team?

Filet Mignon , with German chocolate cake for dessert.

 

[easttexastrash]

Riley hinted that there were other teams interested in the number 1 pick. I think they trade the number 1 pick for a big who can immediately help the program.

 

[xHunt3r]

DeShields hasn't, to me at least, shown enough to be a #1 pick... that may change after this season, but I don't think she is at the top of a draft list going into the season.

I think the list would start with returning AAs that are seniors...

Nina Davis
Kelsey Plum
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough

 

[HardHatGuy#2]

Then their worst ever move may be taking Banham instead of Jones and needing to trade Chelsea Gray and this year's #4 overall for her.

If Jones is prime rib, what does that make the players who made the all-rookie team?

I say their worst ever move was getting rid of Thibault.
I was simply comparing what JJ has to offer against what I see in this year's offerings, based on their performance last year.

I don't speak to anything else that team has done. They are a hot mess of misplaced (and over/under appreciated) talent. BUT...their business model is primarily about attracting people to come to the casino, winning championships is of lesser importance. In that they do well; the Sun is profitable.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I agree that the top of the draft is unclear, Diamond likely will leave, and she may have the biggest upside. But is she coachable?

Let's see who emerges over 30+ games this season. I think both San Antonio and Seattle could use a big. Coates? Russell?

Though she is not what San Antonio needs, I like Walker-Kimbrough.

Between DeShields and Kimbough ---Give me Kimbrough everytime. You know what you'll get, the kid scores, play some pretty good D,
she can score off the dribble, or in set up plays---. DeShields can be great --or she can disappear. She's like the little girl with the little curl in the middle of her forehead.

 

[BroadwayVa]

DeShields hasn't, to me at least, shown enough to be a #1 pick... that may change after this season, but I don't think she is at the top of a draft list going into the season.

I think the list would start with returning AAs that are seniors...

Nina Davis
Kelsey Plum
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough

I like all of what you write. I'd choose 3 and 1 on your list--Kelsey I don't think is capable of taking over big games as 3 and 1.
From the USC games I've seen K-W is the most dangerous--she can go off on teams.

 

[Carnac]

DeShields hasn't, to me at least, shown enough to be a #1 pick... that may change after this season, but I don't think she is at the top of a draft list going into the season.

I think the list would start with returning AAs that are seniors...

Nina Davis
Kelsey Plum
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough

Riley and staff have some hard choices to make. Any of of these three would be a welcomed addition to the Stars. All 3 of them should be first round selections. IF any or them were still available in the second round, I would grab them quick. I think they'll all be gone by the 10th pick in the first round. They all play hard and can score. I've liked Nina Davis from day one.

 

[BroadwayVa]

On when Dillon77 will do a better job proofreading!

If proofreading was still an active occupation---they still wouldn't be WANTED on the BY. (OK I know one or 2 that gets their jollies picking nits on what was or wasn't written but this isn't 3rd grade.)

 

[cbraarj]

DeShields hasn't, to me at least, shown enough to be a #1 pick... that may change after this season, but I don't think she is at the top of a draft list going into the season.

I think the list would start with returning AAs that are seniors...

Nina Davis
Kelsey Plum
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough

Brionna Jones of Maryland

 

[BroadwayVa]

Riley and staff have some hard choices to make. Any of of these three would be a welcomed addition to the Stars. All 3 of them should be first round selections. IF any or them were still available in the second round, I would grab them quick. I think they'll all be gone by the 10th pick in the first round. They all play hard and can score. I've liked Nina Davis from day one.

So you like Davis, so do I, what position in the WNBA would you player her?? The little I've seen of Diamond D she can be very good--(I believe) when the mood strikes her--I'm I mistaken ?? I think SA (Ruth) needs scoring to take the pressure from Moriah and maybe a big.

 

[BroadwayVa]

So can Lexie Brown.

On a serious note, the Mystics needed Diamond Deshields really badly. She is the only player in this draft that has superstar potential and that is the one thing the Mystics don't have. This draft reminds me of the Angel McCoughtry, Melissa Coleman, Kristi Toliver draft. Only AM became a superstar. I wouldn't be surprised if the Mystics take Kelsey Plum.

Kristi may not be a superstar nor Coleman--they were good enough to give you guys an NC. Kristi is still a top WNBA guard. Angel was always a "volume" shooter --I'm not sure how to make her a superstar--you may be right but i don't see her as one.. I see her asset as her defense --and she scores from it.

 

[Carnac]

So you like Davis, so do I, what position in the WNBA would you player her?? The little I've seen of Diamond D she can be very good--(I believe) when the mood strikes her--I'm I mistaken ?? I think SA (Ruth) needs scoring to take the pressure from Moriah and maybe a big.

I'd play her at the 3.

 

[dtbtbtb]

I would take DD with the first pick as she does have the most talent and you hope that in the right environment and coaching she'll flourish especially if she will not be the number 1 option on offense. Have my doubts about Nina D. in the WNBA...to me it seems that she reached her sealing in college as she is not a 3 and way too short and slim for the 4 at the WNBA.

 

[HardHatGuy#2]

...to me it seems that she reached her sealing in college...

...here come the Grammar Nazis....

I haven't seen enough of Davis to form an educated opinion, but I haven't seen the Star that people talk about. I hope I don't 11/17.

 

[easttexastrash]

I say SA trade with LA the number 1 pick for number 4 and Lavendar. They can get their post and draft high for more frontcourt help. If Diamond goes pro then LA can add youth to the LA's perimeter and create one of the most ridiculously athletic trios in women's basketball with Parker, Nneka and Diamond. LA has the rights to Tolo and a number of other veteran foreign players that are more likely to play next season with no Olympics going on.

I say that SA fire Riley and hire you! That is a brilliant idea.

 

[easttexastrash]

I would take DD with the first pick as she does have the most talent and you hope that in the right environment and coaching she'll flourish especially if she will not be the number 1 option on offense. Have my doubts about Nina D. in the WNBA...to me it seems that she reached her sealing in college as she is not a 3 and way too short and slim for the 4 at the WNBA.

I would put Davis in the same category as Alysha Clark in Seattle, who is a starter at the same height. And I would say that Davis is a better athlete. I don't think Davis is worthy of a number 1 draft pick but I think she will have a solid WNBA career. And let's not forget, she has another year left in her college career. He place in the draft my be determined by how much she has been working on her outside shot this summer and how much time Mulkey gives her at the 3. With the addition of Cox, Davis may be at the 3 a LOT.

 

[easttexastrash]

I am just hoping that Alexis Jones is available when Phoenix drafts and that they have the common sense to draft her if she is. I am not sure where they will draft but they need a good PG so that they can keep DT on the wing.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I would take DD with the first pick as she does have the most talent and you hope that in the right environment and coaching she'll flourish especially if she will not be the number 1 option on offense. Have my doubts about Nina D. in the WNBA...to me it seems that she reached her sealing in college as she is not a 3 and way too short and slim for the 4 at the WNBA.

I always thought the ceiling was the limit for Nina Davis--but it depends on the position she is required to play. At NC she had moment of which I was impressed--at the time I said she had the LOOK and body style of Maya Moore and shot the three well-- some poster took offense with her Body, Look and shooting 3's compared with Maya --WHY'"
Who knows--! I'm not as high on Diamond as I once was but --POTENTIAL is still there.

 

[BroadwayVa]

...here come the Grammar Nazis....

I haven't seen enough of Davis to form an educated opinion, but I haven't seen the Star that people talk about. I hope I don't 11/17.

He who makes no spelling errors --plz stan up.

 

[GoCardinal]

Maybe more players declare early? Vivians maybe? Or Kaela Davis?

 

[sivad40]

Apparently Kelsey Mitchell( DOB 11/11/95) is eligible to enter next year's draft if she chooses to do so. Would SA draft her even though they have Jefferson and Robinson?

 

[VAUConnFan]

Ruth Riley, three years removed from her last WNBA game is already a GM? How did that happen? Did she serve an apprenticeship of sorts? Is she related to the owner? The press release indicates that Dan Hughes personally chose Ms Riley to succeed him in the front office. My question is what qualified Ms Riley so highly in Mr Hughes' eyes to place the fortunes of a WNBA franchise in her inexperienced hands? It was not as if Ms Riley was an assistant coach or was even involved in the organization. What's the 411 here? Then again, it is not as if Ms Riley has been handed the keys to a Cadillac.

 

[CocoHusky]

Apparently Kelsey Mitchell( DOB 11/11/95) is eligible to enter next year's draft if she chooses to do so. Would SA draft her even though they have Jefferson and Robinson?

No. SA needs SF or more pressingly size in the post. KMac and MoJeff are good enough guards to build around.
IMO Mitchell is gone!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Some background on Ruth:

She was the BE POY, Naismith winner, AP POY, national academic POY, Final Four MOP, and NCAA champion in 2001.

She is a 14-year veteran of the WNBA. She's a 2-time champion and was a Finals MVP. She was an Olympic gold medalist in 2004.

Ruth won the Iba Citizen of the Year Award in 2010 and Perrot Sportsmanship Award in 2011. She was chosen to the CoSida Academic AA HOF in 2012 and Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World by the JCI in 2012.

She graduated from ND Summa Cum Laude and got an Executive MBA there Magna Cum Laude.

Ruth has been part of the Nothing But Nets and No Kid Hungry programs.

She was the WNBA Players Union VP and served on the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.