WNBA 2023 Season, Part 2 | Page 32 | The Boneyard

WNBA 2023 Season, Part 2

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MilfordHusky said:
Just a guess, but I see SDS going home to Indiana or Chicago.
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That's my guess, too, but I'm thinking more Route 80 to Chicago than 31 to Indy.
  • Indy has both Erica Wheeler and Grace Berger under contract, with Wheeler's being by far the larger. Christie Sides, in effect, brought Wheeler with her from Atlanta. While many of us thought the flow wasn't there, did Sides or GM Dunn view it that way? And Berger looks like she's a keeper (for a lot of reasons).
  • Now Chicago is in flux with no general manager or coach or Courtney Williams, who was the de facto point guard last year now an unrestricted free agent. Do they double down on Williams being with Copper and Mabrey? Or try SDS? (Or a less expensive version with Lindsay Allen or slightly younger version with Jordin Canada?)

With two children and her affinity for her hometown, I think Sky will work to stay close to South Bend.
 


If this rumour proves to be true, the timing couldn't be better. I'll be celebrating this big time over our Thanksgiving weekend along with the Bills game in England on Sunday. The hangover will be painful but worth it. :)
 
cancontent said:


If this rumour proves to be true, the timing couldn't be better. I'll be celebrating this big time over our Thanksgiving weekend along with the Bills game in England on Sunday. The hangover will be painful but worth it. :)
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Maybe Nat Achonwa will work her way to have her last years be spent on the Toronto team.
And/or work for the team in another capacity.

If true, those would be two solid choices.
 
cancontent said:


If this rumour proves to be true, the timing couldn't be better. I'll be celebrating this big time over our Thanksgiving weekend along with the Bills game in England on Sunday. The hangover will be painful but worth it. :)
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Well said. I am sure the Toronto expansion team will be a solid group for the WNBA as well as the Bay area ownership group. I am excited. Been way too long for expansion for the WNBA.
 
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cancontent said:


If this rumour proves to be true, the timing couldn't be better. I'll be celebrating this big time over our Thanksgiving weekend along with the Bills game in England on Sunday. The hangover will be painful but worth it. :)
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I don’t mean to speculate, but I’m wondering if this is an incentive for the last group that has COVID eligibility to use it.

I’m sure Cameron Brink or Azzi Fudd (‘25) would love to play for Steph’s Warriors’ sister-squad.
 
Dillon77 said:
Maybe Nat Achonwa will work her way to have her last years be spent on the Toronto team.
And/or work for the team in another capacity.

If true, those would be two solid choices.
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Considering all that she has done for Canada Basketball on and off the court, that would be awesome. She has a lot of things going on in the background, with branding that would make it easier. Plus as one of the long standing Canada Basketball vets, getting a chance to rep at home would be a great way to finish her career.
 
darrell said:
I don’t mean to speculate, but I’m wondering if this is an incentive for the last group that has COVID eligibility to use it.

I’m sure Cameron Brink or Azzi Fudd (‘25) would love to play for Steph’s Warriors’ sister-squad.
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It's a possibility but not sure if they really have any control in landing there as a draft pick.
 


Interesting fly in the ointment which pushes the advantage to Portland for a 2nd expansion team.

Where most of us looked at taxes and exchange rates, losing access to hosting concerts at Scotiabank arena is a large sticking point. That's a lot of revenue they would lose. The summer concert season in Toronto is no joke.
 
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nwhoopfan said:
Well on the subject of PGs, going back to 2009 every WNBA Champ except one had Bird, Whalen, Gray, Sloot, Taurasi (I know, sometimes more a 2G than PG) or Cloud, and this year will be either Gray or Sloot again. Very few of those players were selected as MOP for the playoffs, but it appears you have to have a premier guard to win a Title.

Anyway Hiedeman isn't a PG at all, she's a small 2G. Career average of 2.4 apg. Hasn't cracked double digit scoring average yet in her career. They'd really be well advised to upgrade at that position.
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The thing about Taurasi is that even when she was the de facto PG, Phoenix always had a secondary facilitator from the frontcourt in Penny Taylor.
If you look at the post-Cappie Pondexter era, Lady Penelope Jane (the Mercury Brigade's nickname for Taylor), averaged over 4.7 assists per game combined in 2010, 2011, and 2014 (she only played in a total of ten games in 2012 and 2013 combined).

This is similar to what Connecticut did with Alyssa Thomas -- as a secondary facilitator -- when Jasmine Thomas was there. This year, however, it was clear Alyssa Thomas was the team's starting point guard.
 
From The Athletic:
"WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said at a Bay Area news conference that the league’s goal “is to have a 14th team by 2025 as well.” When asked about potential cities, she said she’s visited Portland, Denver and Toronto."

So, if that's the case, there should be a minimum 24 extra positions available in 2025 than will be in 2024. Now, not all of those will go to rookies, but a number of them will. Seems like one reason why players who can use the Covid Exemption (or medical extension) might want to stay in college beyond this season. if they're not certain of going pro (for whatever reasons).
 
Dillon77 said:
From The Athletic:
"WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said at a Bay Area news conference that the league’s goal “is to have a 14th team by 2025 as well.” When asked about potential cities, she said she’s visited Portland, Denver and Toronto."

So, if that's the case, there should be a minimum 24 extra positions available in 2025 than will be in 2024. Now, not all of those will go to rookies, but a number of them will. Seems like one reason why players who can use the Covid Exemption (or medical extension) might want to stay in college beyond this season. if they're not certain of going pro (for whatever reasons).
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Some food for thought about players using their COVID year to wait until 2025. This Twitter thread provides good insight.

If needed, I can do screen shots but it won't be up until later today

 
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Geew1992 said:
I read Portland will be the other team
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Portland getting another shot at having a team? I really liked the Portland Fire back in the day. They only had a three year run but they had potential.
 
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cancontent said:
Some food for thought about players using their COVID year to wait until 2025. This Twitter thread provides good insight.

If needed, I can do screen shots but it won't be up until later today

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Thanks...I read it. I'm not saying the stars he mentioned or COVID players will go to expansion teams per se. All teams will lose a player (or two) in expansion drafts. The incoming players will be seeded around the league. I'm taking a look at the entirety. There will be 24 jobs that didn't exist for all hoopsters to take a shot at.....which is a good thing.
 
JellyBean said:
Portland getting another shot at having a team? I really like the Portland Fire back in the day. They only had a three year run but they had potential.
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The good thing about both franchises is Billionaire Owners, with money to spend on a team.
Minnesota or Dallas will probably shift to the east, to balance divisions.
 
Dillon77 said:
I

Thanks...I read it. I'm not saying the stars he mentioned or COVID players will go to expansion teams per se. All teams will lose a player (or two) in expansion drafts. The incoming players will be seeded around the league. I'm taking a look at the entirety. There will be 24 jobs that didn't exist for all hoopsters to take a shot at.....which is a good thing.
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No, but I thought piggybacking on your post would help expand the conversation. There's been a fair bit of chatter on social media speculating already.
 
cancontent said:
No, but I thought piggybacking on your post would help expand the conversation. There's been a fair bit of chatter on social media speculating already.
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Got it....variations on a theme can be an interesting way. Richard Cohen of Her Hoops Stats did a breakdown on -- if Golden State -- entered in 2024, how teams would protect certain players. Long, thorough read, but now that's in 2025...hmmm.

I was kind of excited about Toronto getting a franchise but looks like Toronto ownership/mgmt. was reluctant to have their top arena not be available for big events. That was partially Dolan's reasoning for kicking the Liberty out of MSG, if I recall correctly (there were zounds of other ones).
 
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Dillon77 said:
Got it....variations on a theme can be an interesting way. Richard Cohen of Her Hoops Stats did a breakdown on -- if Golden State -- entered in 2024, how teams would protect certain players. Long, thorough read, but now that's in 2025...hmmm.

I was kind of excited about Toronto getting a franchise but looks like Toronto ownership/mgmt. was reluctant to have their top arena not be available for big events. That was partially Dolan's reasoning for kicking the Liberty out of MSG, if I recall correctly (there were zounds of other ones).
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Correction, it's one person, Edward Rogers. This has been brewing for a while once Ted Rogers,who built the empire, passed away. Put it this way, Succession is a happy fairytale in comparison.

Regardless, two more WNBA teams on the horizon is great for the sport. Still will be a fan supporting any way I can.
 
cancontent said:
www.thestar.com

MLSE backs away from WNBA expansion bidding, leaving hopes of a Toronto franchise in doubt, sources say

The Star has learned that MLSE’s board has decided against bidding to add to its collection of franchises with the first WNBA team outside of the U.S.
www.thestar.com www.thestar.com

Welp, the infighting within the Rogers family is shooting the momentum gained this summer in the foot. Sigh. One of the most powerful families in media will be the reason sports in Toronto will suck for decades I fear :(
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Rogers owns the Blue Jays I think they’re content having a captive summer market for that investment vehicle
 
nickp91 said:
Rogers owns the Blue Jays I think they’re content having a captive summer market for that investment vehicle
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Blue Jays, Maple Leafs, Raptors, Toronto Argonauts & Toronto FC. Captive year is a better description.
 
Richard Cohen of Her Hoops Stats Breaks Down the WNBA Finals

He cites Laney, Young as X-Factors, with a particular focus on the Young-Ionescu matchup.

His take: Aces in 5.

herhoopstats.substack.com

WNBA Finals Preview

The Aces and Liberty battle for the WNBA title.
herhoopstats.substack.com herhoopstats.substack.com
 
I’m not sure I’ve seen a playoff game this year in which either team did a decent job guarding the 3-point line in the first quarter.
 
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