Sun Might Be Blowing Another Game

[Wbbfan1]

Game is on ESPN2

Sun had an 11 point lead in the 3rd Qtr and led by 7 starting the 4th.

Dream turn up defensive intensity and Sun are starting to fall apart. Poor Shot Selection, turn overs and no physical presence. Sun are not scoring inside the paint and relying on their jump shots.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Sun down 3 points with 2 minutes left in the game. The Sun are a soft team with no physical inside presence. Even Tina is shooting 15 foot jump shots, can't get down low to score.

 

[UConn990411]

Mike Thibault should be looking for employment when he wakes up tomorrow.

The only thing consistent about his teams are that they underachieve.

 

[Dairyair]

Looks like another SUN collapse...sad

 

[Wbbfan1]

Sun down 6 points 47 seconds left. The Fat Lady has started singing.

 

[Dairyair]

Mike Thibault should be looking for employment when he wakes up tomorrow.

The only thing consistent about his teams are that they underachieve.

I have to agree...I'm no coach, but it seems like the likely last game of the season, he's still trying to figure out his lineup. I don't usually tend to blame the coach, but Jeez. Of course, it didn't help that TC didn't score in the first half...how can that happen? On the plus side, it was nice to see Jess Moore get some good minutes, and respond.

Well, it's over--69-64

 

[Wbbfan1]

Sun going home for the year after another second half collapse. At one time the Dream had an 18-4 run to take the lead and from that point on the game was lost. Missed free throw, poor defense, poor shot selection and no physical play let Atlanta win this game like they did on Friday.

Many on this board like Coach T, but IMHO he's not the coach for this team. I'm sure Sun management will give him another year, but I hope its his last if he's not in the WNBA Finals.

 

[Ctpaul0825]

Disappointing end to the season, we'll get em next year.

 

[UConnCat]

Atlanta played in the WNBA finals last year and I wouldn't be surprised if it's back in the finals this year. Atlanta is really good and a better team than the Sun both in terms of talent (especially on the perimeter) and experience.

 

[speedoo]

Disappointing end to the season, we'll get em next year.

Not without a new coach & GM imo.

 

[speedoo]

I have to agree...I'm no coach, but it seems like the likely last game of the season, he's still trying to figure out his lineup. I don't usually tend to blame the coach, but Jeez. Of course, it didn't help that TC didn't score in the first half...how can that happen? On the plus side, it was nice to see Jess Moore get some good minutes, and respond.

Well, it's over--69-64

And TC blew a layup at around the 1 minute to go mark, which led to an Atlanta runout & layup. A 4 point swing that killed the Sun's chances.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Stats of the Game

Turn overs Sun 17 Dream 9
Steals Sun 5 Dream 10
Offense Rebounds Sun 7 Dream 12
Ashja Jones taking 21 shots and only making 7. Many of the shots were jump shots.

 

[rocky rococo]

Thibault seems to have a lifetime contract with the Sun. Casino doesn't see the team as a competitive enterprise anyway, more as a Public Relations expense, using the special place of wbb in CT to soften their image. Actually challenging for WNBA championships? Not a requirement.

 

[EricLA]

not surprising at all. i predicted Atlanta in 3, but when they won the first game, i knew it'd be over in 2. good season for the Sun, but a very disappointing finish. something is certainly missing. most seem to think it's the head coach.

 

[UConnCat]

I found it interesting that Kara Lawson hardly played in the 4th quarter in a must-win game for the Sun. She was inserted very late when the Sun needed to make 3-pointers. Kara's game has not grown during the past few years and I wonder if not playing overseas is the reason. I recall reading an article in which Asjha Jones said that although not playing overseas in 2010-2011 helped her body heal, she discovered that she was rusty when WNBA camp opened up. Asjha said she needs to play overseas to get better.

My intent is not to question Kara's decision to stay home and further her broadcasting career. She obviously has a great future in broadcasting if that's what she wants to do. It's just that it's difficult to have the best of both worlds. Something has to give and she is no longer among the elite players in the league.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

Very frustrating to see the SUN go down like this!!

 

[uconn_nyc]

Very frustrating to see the SUN go down like this!!

Frustrating indeed. It seems the Sun needs a powerful, physically imposing type of center like Erika DeSouza.
I like the Sun because of the UConn connection but it seems a change is needed for the team to go to the very top.
It was painful seeing both Jones and Charles taking so many jump shots! They need to attack the basket. Well, they'll need to do that next year. But then again, what do I know, my coaching experience is limited to sitting in the couch and yelling at the TV.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Frustrating indeed. It seems the Sun needs a powerful, physically imposing type of center like Erika DeSouza.
I like the Sun because of the UConn connection but it seems a change is needed for the team to go to the very top.
It was painful seeing both Jones and Charles taking so many jump shots! They need to attack the basket. Well, they'll need to do that next year. But then again, what do I know, my coaching experience is limited to sitting in the couch and yelling at the TV.

couldnt attack with Erika and Allyson in the paint thats why they settled for jumpers.

 

[lrams]

Mike Thibault should be looking for employment when he wakes up tomorrow.

The only thing consistent about his teams are that they underachieve.

I agree...time for new leadership.....!!!!!

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

After playing in the WNBA Finals last year, Atlanta started out 3-9, then went 17-5 to close the season. The Dream was the hottest team in the league over the last half of the season. Atlanta went 4-0 against Indiana, which finished first in the East.

Connecticut lost both games by five points. The team was not blown out. Honestly, had the seedings worked out differently, Connecticut would have been playing the Liberty and likely would have advanced. It just so happens that the Sun lost to the hottest team in the league.

 

[speedoo]

After playing in the WNBA Finals last year, Atlanta started out 3-9, then went 17-5 to close the season. The Dream was the hottest team in the league over the last half of the season. Atlanta went 4-0 against Indiana, which finished first in the East.

Connecticut lost both games by five points. The team was not blown out. Honestly, had the seedings worked out differently, Connecticut would have been playing the Liberty and likely would have advanced. It just so happens that the Sun lost to the hottest team in the league.

OK, but I think the Sun would have had a very hard time with the Liberty also. Cappie scored at will against them in a recent game and I don't see that changing in the playoffs. The Sun simply blow too many leads and that's coaching imo. The trade for that girl from Nebraska was idiotic. Picture Amber Harris coming off the bench to rotate with Tina and Jones.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

Speedoo, Connecticut went 3-1 against the Liberty this year.

And Harris, who has a lot of potential, only averaged 3.3 points while shooting 39 percent this year. Those numbers were basically the same as Kelsey Grifin's numbers (though I would not have made that trade).

 

[speedoo]

I don't think the 3-1 record means much now. The Liberty have been playing very well lately, and I won't be surprised if they knock off the Fever. What is your opinion of Thibalt (sp)?

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

I don't think the 3-1 record means much now. The Liberty have been playing very well lately, and I won't be surprised if they knock off the Fever. What is your opinion of Thibalt (sp)?

The Liberty had not been playing well as of late. New York went 6-6 in it last 12 games. During the same stretch, Atlanta went 10-2. Atlanta was clearly the hotter team, which is what the Sun found out. And Connecticut's 3-1 record was significant, as New York clearly had trouble with the Sun.

Thibault makes some questionable decisions, but his teams win, for the most part. He has a lot of young talent. He just needs a little more depth and to develop the players he has. Whether he can do that is another story. Players eventually get tired of Thibault (Taj, Katie Douglas, Sales, etc.).

 

[EricLA]

The Liberty had not been playing well as of late. New York went 6-6 in it last 12 games. During the same stretch, Atlanta went 10-2. Atlanta was clearly the hotter team, which is what the Sun found out. And Connecticut's 3-1 record was significant, as New York clearly had trouble with the Sun.

Thibault makes some questionable decisions, but his teams win, for the most part. He has a lot of young talent. He just needs a little more depth and to develop the players he has. Whether he can do that is another story. Players eventually get tired of Thibault (Taj, Katie Douglas, Sales, etc.).

what specifically do they get tired of? i'm by no means disagreeing - i don't know enough of how he coaches to say one way or the other, but there have been several posters who have been vocal on here regarding Thibault's short comings as a coach...