Very Early Draft Question

[ed4ourgirls]

If Tulsa wins the lottery, do they take Griner and peddle Cambage?

Or do they keep the big Aussie and take EDD with the 1st pick?

A number of sub questions suggest themselves. Could Griner play
the 4, and would you want her to? Is EDD strong enough to play
the 4, or would the wing be her most effective position?

 

[Goodies07]

Griner will be the #1 pick. Any team would be foolish not to grab her. If Tulsa were to get the first pick, I don't see it being a bad idea to take some trade offers for Cambage. They could certainly get something valuable for her. Possibly a veteran wing player which they sorely need.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Griner is the #1 pick whichever team gets the pick. She's a game changer and instant star in the WNBA.

The interesting pick is the 2nd pick. Is it the Diva Skylar or the more laid back quiet EDD? Skylar is the media darling and has marketing appeal and played against better competition, but is she the better player? EDD is a great talent with a great outside shot who needs to get stronger to withstand the physical play of the WNBA. The other question is will EDD have the motivation and want to play at the next level or prefer to stay close to her family and take care of her sister.

I guess if its me, and especially if I'm the NY GM, I take Skylar over EDD. However, if EDD decides she wants to play at the next level she will probably end up the better player.

 

[easttexastrash]

It would be nice to see BG get into a big market where she could really be marketed. I know that she has always wanted to play for LA but I don't see that possibility coming about. However, NY is looking pretty dismal at this point so she could end up in the Big Apple. Nothing against Tulsa but it would just seem a waste for her to end up there as the marketing possibilities would seem pretty limited. And there aren't too many people in OU country who care much for Ms. Griner.

 

[Wbbfan1]

If NY does win the lottery and they will be in it, the conspiracy theorists will have a ball saying the draft lottery was fixed. It looks like the lottery teams will be Tulsa, Phoenix, NY and Washington. Of these teams Phoenix probably has the best management and adding Griner to a lineup that includes Penny Taylor and DT would make them a title contender. I'm not sure Griner added to the other teams makes that team a title contender without other pieces being added.

 

[easttexastrash]

If NY does win the lottery and they will be in it, the conspiracy theorists will have a ball saying the draft lottery was fixed. It looks like the lottery teams will be Tulsa, Phoenix, NY and Washington. Of these teams Phoenix probably has the best management and adding Griner to a lineup that includes Penny Taylor and DT would make them a title contender. I'm not sure Griner added to the other teams makes that team a title contender without other pieces being added.

I have to wonder how DT would feel about having a player like BG on the same team. DT and PT like to jack up a lot of shots so the offensive game plan would obviously have to be revamped a bit. Would there be enough shots to go around and keep them all happy?

I would love to see BG play with a great PG who knows how to put the pass on the money. The Baylor guards still struggle with their entry passes at times and I want to see BG play with some guards that focus on getting her the ball and have the passing ability to do so.

 

[easttexastrash]

Phoenix would be very interesting. Just looking at stats for the WNBA and I see that Prahalis leads the league in assists with 6.2 a game. She is up there with some good company: Bird, Whalen, Hammon and Johnson.

 

[ThisJustIn]

I have to wonder how DT would feel about having a player like BG on the same team. DT and PT like to jack up a lot of shots so the offensive game plan would obviously have to be revamped a bit. Would there be enough shots to go around and keep them all happy?

Sounds like you're talking about the scenario of Cappie and NY more than Phoenix.

If you knew D's game, you'd realize she'd be dancin' the Dougie to have a real post player on her team.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Guess he doesn't remember that DT shared the ball and made everyone around her better when she won her three championships. She's probably the best passer in the WNBA and would have a ton of assists with someone like Griner on her team. She would make Griner better and make her transition into the WNBA easier. What he might not like, is that Griner would have to share her publicity with DT and who knows DT might still get more. Another market that probably wouldn't happen.

Sounds like you're talking about the scenario of Cappie and NY more than Phoenix.

If you knew D's game, you'd realize she'd be dancin' the Dougie to have a real post player on her team.

 

[easttexastrash]

Guess he doesn't remember that DT shared the ball and made everyone around her better when she won her three championships. She's probably the best passer in the WNBA and would have a ton of assists with someone like Griner on her team. She would make Griner better and make her transition into the WNBA easier. What he might not like, is that Griner would have to share her publicity with DT and who knows DT might still get more. Another market that probably wouldn't happen.

That is something that never crossed my mind. DT has earned all of the attention that she garners. Griner has plenty of time to get more attention after some of the current stars retire. I do agree that BG's transition would be easier with a player like DT to take some of the pressure off of her. It would put her in a position of not being the player expected to take the team to a championship, much like Nneka is in now in LA with Parker.

 

[easttexastrash]

Guess he doesn't remember that DT shared the ball and made everyone around her better when she won her three championships. She's probably the best passer in the WNBA and would have a ton of assists with someone like Griner on her team. She would make Griner better and make her transition into the WNBA easier. What he might not like, is that Griner would have to share her publicity with DT and who knows DT might still get more. Another market that probably wouldn't happen.

Would DT be considered a better passer than Bird? That's a tough call.

 

[EricLA]

It would be nice to see BG get into a big market where she could really be marketed. I know that she has always wanted to play for LA but I don't see that possibility coming about. However, NY is looking pretty dismal at this point so she could end up in the Big Apple. Nothing against Tulsa but it would just seem a waste for her to end up there as the marketing possibilities would seem pretty limited. And there aren't too many people in OU country who care much for Ms. Griner.

Kevin Durant seems to be doing pretty well in Oklahoma City. i realize the WNBA is not the same, but Griner's going to be a star wherever she goes. and Tulsa is not that bad this year. AND there's no guarantee that they will get the first pick. LA had the best record of the 4 lottery teams but got the first pick and hit a home run with Nneka. i don't see anyone else in that class being a star. solid contributor for sure, but Nneka is the only sure fire star in that class...

i think Washington and NY are pretty much guaranteed to be in the bottom 2 in the east, but Phx and Seattle will fight it out for the other bottom spot. it depends how well Seattle does when LJ comes back and how well Phx does when DT comes back. i'd LOVE to see Griner in Phoenix with DT.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Irrespective of standings, is there any team that wouldn't or shouldn't take Griner as the first pick? Could she play with Tina or Big Syl?

(Ok, Washington could have a brain cramp and pick someone else, but they shouldn''t do that.)

 

[HGN]

Griner will be the top pick.....She has ALL the necessary qualities you look for in a top pick. Talent ; Motivation ; and the ability to make players around them better. I am not so sure EDD brings all that to the table. Talent she has . But it remains to be seen if she will have the Motivation to play in a city that she deems too far from the State of Delaware. I believe the ability to make players around her better really lies in if she is Motivated to play for the Team that picks her.

Therefore , if I am the General Manager , the Best and Safest pick is Brittany Griner.

 

[tnvolfan65]

A frontcourt of Griner and Cambage would definitely compliment their backcourt of TJ and Latta. I think if you put Glory at the 3 with that group, they could be the best defensive team in the league.

The guards apply relentless pressure all game long, Glory is all over the place with her athleticism and ability to guard multiple positions, and Cambage and Griner would be incredibly hard to score on inside.

The paint might get a little clogged on the offensive side of the ball, but BG and EC have shown the ability to score over people, and I'm sure TJ and IL would be more than happy to shoot the open 3 all game long if their defenders leave to help down low. Not sure where Glory could fit in other than her usual pounding the offensive glass. Prederson would probably be the better 3 on this side of the ball if she can start hitting her shots again.

 

[rjp172]

I say if you're Tulsa you draft Griner and experiment with a line-up with her and Cambage for at least a season. They both will have lower salaries so it doesn't affect the cap. See what that front court can do for you before you readily give it up. No one in the league is ever going to have another front court like it. All trade value will still be there in the future. I also get the sense that Griner might be more comfortable in the south closer to friends and family.

People like to bring up EDD and not wanting to leave Delaware, but I don't see too much difference in Griner and Texas. She's avoided almost all opportunity. She just recently accepted her first invitation. EDD went to China last year for the WUG and had traveled with US basketball when she was younger. A side note about talent... EDD was the best player on the floor at the WUG leading the team in scoring and rebounds...and that includes Nneka. The players themselves pretty much said so.

 

[doggydaddy]

A frontcourt of Griner and Cambage would definitely compliment their backcourt of TJ and Latta. I think if you put Glory at the 3 with that group, they could be the best defensive team in the league.

The guards apply relentless pressure all game long, Glory is all over the place with her athleticism and ability to guard multiple positions, and Cambage and Griner would be incredibly hard to score on inside.

The paint might get a little clogged on the offensive side of the ball, but BG and EC have shown the ability to score over people, and I'm sure TJ and IL would be more than happy to shoot the open 3 all game long if their defenders leave to help down low. Not sure where Glory could fit in other than her usual pounding the offensive glass. Prederson would probably be the better 3 on this side of the ball if she can start hitting her shots again.

There is no way that Griner and Cambage are on the same team and of they were, play at the same time. Along with Johnson? At the 3? I don't think so. That's a scoring position. 42.9% won't cut it.

 

[UConnCat]

With as many needs as Tulsa has, there's no point to experimenting with a post combination a decent talent evaluator knows will never work. Build around Griner and use Cambage to try fill other needs.

 

[rjp172]

Well I'm apparently not a "decent evaluater", but I'm not 100% sure there isn't something you can do with it. I think you keep Cambage still. Even if it's just for her to up her game some so you can get full value. Right now with how hot and cold she was last year I'm not sure she can get Tulsa all they could get a year later. I don't think you're going to get a superstar for her. Might be better off seeing what you can do to get Sims the following year. Then again maybe you need to strike while the iron is hot because who knows her interest in staying in the WNBA all together.

 

[tnvolfan65]

There is no way that Griner and Cambage are on the same team and of they were, play at the same time. Along with Johnson? At the 3? I don't think so. That's a scoring position. 42.9% won't cut it.

Why? How are you going to defend them? It's going to be hard enough for teams to figure out how to deal with Griner. Put another 6'8 post on the opposite side of the paint or at the high post and they become unstoppable. Who's going to stop those passes?

You may be able to counter their size on defense with speed but we've seen Griner control the paint by herself. Add another shot blocker like Cambage and it's going to be VERY difficult to score inside. Put the midgets on their ball handlers all night and have Johnson roaming everywhere and they would be extremely imposing on defense.

I admitted I'm not sure what Glory would do on the offensive end, but she is the perfect defensive compliment. On offense they would probably want a long-range sniper at the three.

 

[doggydaddy]

Why? How are you going to defend them? It's going to be hard enough for teams to figure out how to deal with Griner. Put another 6'8 post on the opposite side of the paint or at the high post and they become unstoppable. Who's going to stop those passes?

You may be able to counter their size on defense with speed but we've seen Griner control the paint by herself. Add another shot blocker like Cambage and it's going to be VERY difficult to score inside. Put the midgets on their ball handlers all night and have Johnson roaming everywhere and they would be extremely imposing on defense.

I admitted I'm not sure what Glory would do on the offensive end, but she is the perfect defensive compliment. On offense they would probably want a long-range sniper at the three.

 

[doggydaddy]

Teams would just draw one of them out away from the paint with a player that can shoot from the outside.

On defense, you just pack the paint and double the posts.

Griner is so unique, so it just could be effective at times, but teams would run that lineup into the ground.

It's just not good basketball strategy.

 

[tnvolfan65]

Teams would just draw one of them out away from the paint with a player that can shoot from the outside.

On defense, you just pack the paint and double the posts.

Griner is so unique, so it just could be effective at times, but teams would run that lineup into the ground.

It's just not good basketball strategy.

It's hard to shoot over 6'8...Griner is mobile enough to guard outside the paint as well. Also, what four is going to draw them that far out of the paint?

Brunson? No. Nneka? No. Catchings? Yes but she would have equal problems trying to guard one of them. Jones? No. Riley? No. Sancho? No. Young? No. Langhorn? No. Camille? No. Pierson? No. Dupree? No.

Many of those forwards can shoot...maybe even out to 18-20 ft, but with another anchor in the paint, Griner will be out there to swat it. Catchings could get past her but she's really a three just playing the four for Indy.

Also, Cambage may not be a speedster, but no team would run a group including Latta, Johnson, and Johnson in the ground. Griner isn't that slow either.

 

[doggydaddy]

It's hard to shoot over 6'8...Griner is mobile enough to guard outside the paint as well. Also, what four is going to draw them that far out of the paint?

Brunson? No. Nneka? No. Catchings? Yes but she would have equal problems trying to guard one of them. Jones? No. Riley? No. Sancho? No. Young? No. Langhorn? No. Camille? No. Pierson? No. Dupree? No.

Many of those forwards can shoot...maybe even out to 18-20 ft, but with another anchor in the paint, Griner will be out there to swat it. Catchings could get past her but she's really a three just playing the four for Indy.

Also, Cambage may not be a speedster, but no team would run a group including Latta, Johnson, and Johnson in the ground. Griner isn't that slow either.

I totally disagree with most of those players. Most can hit the permeter jumper.

You say that none can draw a player out of the paint, yet you say they can hit the 18-20 footer. Makes no sense.

The W is a running league. You don't play 2 centers.

 

[Coler]

What I'm hoping is that Phoenix gets the #1 pick, takes Griner, and then NY gets #2 and takes EDD. Cappie & EDD? That would be an amazing combo.