Well said. Dorka has such a high bball IQ it is scary, especially on the defensive end. Folks, at the home games in my row, are always yelling for her to shoot the ball. I am like, "She is impacting the game in so many ways besides scoring."
For example, passing!
Hmm. I thought Stewie's primary contributions late were draining her free throws, which were imperative at those junctures.
That's one item. Something about this team seemed off throughout the season, with respect to effort/heart. Last night's game it felt like they put up the white flag in the first half. The announcers kept saying the management is still high on Wright, but the result on the floor doesn't show it. Definitely improved from last season, but again, something doesn't seem right.
They are both bigs in their late twenties. They both have maybe 3-5 years left in their prime before the athleticism that gives them both a big advantage starts to fall off a cliff. They'll definitely be the core of the 2024 Olympics but they'll both legacy additions in 2028 with a new crop of a talent being the core. I don't see either playing after 35 fwiw.
I get the gist of what you're saying, but I'll nit pick a little with your projections.
I think the shipped has sailed with Kalani. She was a part of that 2021 team with all the drama and they previously dropped her. She made some comment following their win on Twitter that makes me believe she still has bad blood for the organization.
I'd expect a pretty steep decline from both her and Stewie post 30, they'll still be great but I don't think they'll be competing for MVPs too much longer. That's what I mean by legacy, still contributors to the team but no longer the stars or focal points. Advance knowledge of playing shape and being able to play longer won't help the step they'll both lose pretty quickly post 30, age is undefeated after all. Swin Cash has spoken about it as a player in the WNBA and also as a current development scout for the NBA. It effects bigs much more than guards because guards can still control a game outside their athleticism.I get the gist of what you're saying, but I'll nit pick a little with your projections.
Wilson just turned 27 (August) and will be 28 at this time next year when she heads to Paris. Four years after that in 2028-- at the next Olympics -- she'll be 32. In this day and age with advancing knowledge on how to stay in playing shape for longer periods of time, I think she'll be just fine. If she's gong to be a legacy, that will be in 2032. She'll be 36. I don't know how old you are, but I look forward to being able for both of us to debate "I told you so" at that time.
BTW, Stewie -- also born in August -- is two years older than A'ja. I think she'll be good in 2024 and 2028, too (and not on the legacy card). The one after that? Hmm.
Um. Leslie played 12 years, with the same amount of productivity throughout. Fowles played 15 years, also maintaining her productivity. Both are taller than Stewart. Neither are as versatile and play as much time on the perimeter.
Phee will be in the mix for USA Basketball. She had a terrific season.
Totally agree. Her ability to score at multiple levels (ranges) will give the U.S.A. team an extremely versatile player.
chicago.suntimes.com
Will be interesting to see what the Sky do in the offseason. They gave up their first round draft pick this year to get Mabrey, so they were highly incentivized to get to the playoffs. The Copper/Williams/Mabrey guard/wing trio is super dynamic and fun to watch, and A. Smith showed she can be a contributor at the WNBA level, but they just didn't have the talent to compete with the elite teams. Getting Isabelle Harrison and Rebekkah Gardner back from injury will help, but they're not "Game changers" that get you competing for a title.Emre Vatansever Out as GM and Head Coach of Chicago Sky.
- Position will be split going forward.
- Senior Management, not Vatansever, negotiated Kahleah Copper's two-year extension. She wanted -- and supposedly got -- information on the team's plans going forward. It was she who announced the job split, not management.
- Sky have supposedly drawn up a list of potential coaches, including -- but not limited to -- Teresa Witherspoon.
Here's an article by Annie Costabile, the Chicago Sun-Times reporter who is the Sky beat reporter.
Emre Vatansever out as coach/general manager of Sky
According to multiple sources, the Sky have spoken with Hall of Famer Teresa Weatherspoon regarding the coaching position.
Yup, the new General Manager will have to make a few major decisions.
