WNBA 2023 Season, Part 2

[maccca3232]

After Chelsea left the game it was like a lightbulb went on for them, shots that hadn't been falling for weeks started going in, Sloot actually made a lay-up... in general it looked like they got a shot of adrenaline in their arms. Not sure if it will carry over to game for game 4 but something shifted halfway through that fourth quarter for them.

Gray left the game at 4:15 with the score 69-61 and Hammon brought in her bench at 1:31 with the score 82-67. So that 2:44 where the Liberty outscored them 13-6 was enough for the above observations?

Note: Sloot made the layup at 1:23 after subs came in.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Gray left the game at 4:15 with the score 69-61 and Hammon brought in her bench at 1:31 with the score 82-67. So that 2:44 where the Liberty outscored them 13-6 was enough for the above observations?

Note: Sloot made the layup at 1:23 after subs came in.

The Liberty scoring 13 in 2:44 in minutes is indeed enough for me to draw those conclusions. Not sure they scored that many points in that little amount of time since August but not sure how to fact check that. Doesn’t matter to me when Sloot made her layup but she has missed every layup (essentially) since they played the Mystics.

It was a total shift of energy. Don’t know if it will last but to me it looked like a totally different team out there.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Gray left the game at 4:15 with the score 69-61 and Hammon brought in her bench at 1:31 with the score 82-67. So that 2:44 where the Liberty outscored them 13-6 was enough for the above observations?

Note: Sloot made the layup at 1:23 after subs came in.

Yeah, they shot 52% overall and 43% from 3. They were hitting shots all game long (except from the charity stripe, where they were a putrid 50%). They didn't magically only start making shots after Gray left.

 

[bballnut90]

The first half of the season, I'd agree. The second half she was much more consistent and the player we have come to expect out of Jones.

Looking at box scores, JJ largely no showed the end of the regular season too. She was in single digits for 7 of the last 10 games.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Yeah, they shot 52% overall and 43% from 3. They were hitting shots all game long (except from the charity stripe, where they were a putrid 50%). They didn't magically only start making shots after Gray left.

No one said that, but they certainly played with different energy in those minutes 2 and half minutes. I hadn't see 5 players on the court playing in sync together since the regular season for the Liberty. Laney got a steal and an easy lay-up, Laney hit a 3, JJ hit a three, Stewie hit two free throws, Sab hit a three and then Sloot made a lay-up. They shot 100% after the injury, including shots they'd been struggling with.

 

[Dillon77]

Mercury to Hire Magic Assistant Coach Nate Tibbets

Will Apparently Become the Highest Paid WNBA Coach; Has No Experience in the WNBA

Not only does he not have any experience with the WNBA, he's also never been a head coach. And, for this, he's now the highest-paiid coach in the WNBA? Hmm, can't wait to see the press release and hear the press conference on this one. (Sorry for being so skeptical, but seems like an overcorrection from the last hire..)

Magic's Nate Tibbetts becomes new Mercury coach

Orlando Magic assistant Nate Tibbetts is the new coach of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.

www.espn.com

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Mercury to Hire Magic Assistant Coach Nate Tibbets

Will Apparently Become the Highest Paid WNBA Coach; Has No Experience in the WNBA

Not only does he not have any experience with the WNBA, he's also never been a head coach. And, for this, he's now the highest-paiid coach in the WNBA? Hmm, can't wait to see the press release and hear the press conference on this one. (Sorry for being so skeptical, but seems like an overcorrection from the last hire..)

Magic's Nate Tibbetts becomes new Mercury coach

Orlando Magic assistant Nate Tibbetts is the new coach of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.

www.espn.com

Eh I understand why so many W fans were pissed by this but I think this is a net win for the W. Raising the salary standard for coaches is a good thing no matter how you slice it. Is it annoying that it’s a white man that set the standard? Yes.

I also think Matt Ishiba has proved he’s not messing around in Phoenix with both the Sun but also the Phoenix practice facility. There’s no reason to believe they don’t believe this was the best hire available.

 

[bballnut90]

Mercury to Hire Magic Assistant Coach Nate Tibbets

Will Apparently Become the Highest Paid WNBA Coach; Has No Experience in the WNBA

Not only does he not have any experience with the WNBA, he's also never been a head coach. And, for this, he's now the highest-paiid coach in the WNBA? Hmm, can't wait to see the press release and hear the press conference on this one. (Sorry for being so skeptical, but seems like an overcorrection from the last hire..)

Magic's Nate Tibbetts becomes new Mercury coach

Orlando Magic assistant Nate Tibbetts is the new coach of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.

www.espn.com

Interesting to see. Becky was making $1m last year I believe so he’s likely topping that. Hopefully other coaches like Reeve use it as leverage to negotiate contracts.

 

[darrell]

Interesting to see. Becky was making $1m last year I believe so he’s likely topping that. Hopefully other coaches like Reeve use it as leverage to negotiate contracts.

If there’s any Coach that should negotiate contracts, Cheryl deserves it ten-fold.

 

[Dillon77]

Eh I understand why so many W fans were pissed by this but I think this is a net win for the W. Raising the salary standard for coaches is a good thing no matter how you slice it. Is it annoying that it’s a white man that set the standard? Yes.

I also think Matt Ishiba has proved he’s not messing around in Phoenix with both the Sun but also the Phoenix practice facility. There’s no reason to believe they don’t believe this was the best hire available.

Point taken on the "net win," but my skepticism lies not so much with the "white man" concept, but the NBA assistant coach that has never coached in the WNBA immediately getting the largest salary; and, Owner Matt Ishiba assuming this guy will be a smashing success with no growth curve needed. (Oh yeah,then the fact that he's a white guy just might draw even more attention to how things play out... )

Apparently, Nate Ebbetts is a first-rate NBA assistant coach. Kudos. Does that make him right for a head-coaching job in a WNBA franchise that is betwixt and between, to say the least? We'll see...and, as stated in a previous post, I can't wait to hear the press conference on this one.

 

[JellyBean]

I agree that Ionescu is the only questionable person on that list. I feel like there are other players on her own team, like JJ, that are more deserving of the recognition. I would probably switch Arike out with Ionescu.

 

[cancontent]

Yes but not enough to earn all-wnba team honors. Sab still out played her imo in the second half of the season. The Playoffs are another story though.

Jones and Ionescu positions aren't comparable to each other. Apples and oranges scenario.

Eh I understand why so many W fans were pissed by this but I think this is a net win for the W. Raising the salary standard for coaches is a good thing no matter how you slice it. Is it annoying that it’s a white man that set the standard? Yes.

I also think Matt Ishiba has proved he’s not messing around in Phoenix with both the Sun but also the Phoenix practice facility. There’s no reason to believe they don’t believe this was the best hire available.

Ishiba hasn't proved anything other than he has the money to invest. It's great that he does, but he's still a new owner learning the ropes.

New owners love to throw money around hoping to get results. Some have been successful, while others have failed. The proof will be in the pudding as they say in a few years.

 

[JellyBean]

Mercury to Hire Magic Assistant Coach Nate Tibbets

Will Apparently Become the Highest Paid WNBA Coach; Has No Experience in the WNBA

Not only does he not have any experience with the WNBA, he's also never been a head coach. And, for this, he's now the highest-paiid coach in the WNBA? Hmm, can't wait to see the press release and hear the press conference on this one. (Sorry for being so skeptical, but seems like an overcorrection from the last hire..)

Magic's Nate Tibbetts becomes new Mercury coach

Orlando Magic assistant Nate Tibbetts is the new coach of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.

www.espn.com

I am sure there is some rumblings among the other coaches. Probably a little about the hiring but more on the salary.

 

[cancontent]

I am sure there is some rumblings among the other coaches. Probably a little about the hiring but more on the salary.

And players.

 

[azfan]

Mercury to Hire Magic Assistant Coach Nate Tibbets

(Sorry for being so skeptical, but seems like an overcorrection from the last hire..)

Magic's Nate Tibbetts becomes new Mercury coach

Orlando Magic assistant Nate Tibbetts is the new coach of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.

www.espn.com

Given the track record over the last 8 years your skepticism is very well founded. In fact that should be the theme for Mercury mismanagement going forward ... skepticism.

Ahhhhh... Famous management. We all recall that the first step in this chain was firing of Sandy Brondello. So staggering through the past season Mercury "leadership" makes the decision to go with zero WNBA experience as head coach.

2024 was going to be a disaster or in the best of circumstances a rebuild. Certainly want to give the new head coach some experience so there will be a barrel full and lots of opportunities to learn.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

I definitely despise the fact that a man with no head coaching experience and absolutely zero connection to the WNBA is automatically the highest paid coach in the league history. Especially considering his career has no history of actually winning anything and the teams he's been on has been mostly subpar.

The optics of this looks bad in my opinion. It makes it appears that league values mediocre male/NBA success. It's extra bad when you consider how the previous Phoenix owner was a man who pushed out in part due to his misogynistic behavior. I hope it works out but it's a huge bummer optically.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Jones and Ionescu positions aren't comparable to each other. Apples and oranges scenario.



Ishiba hasn't proved anything other than he has the money to invest. It's great that he does, but he's still a new owner learning the ropes.

New owners love to throw money around hoping to get results. Some have been successful, while others have failed. The proof will be in the pudding as they say in a few years.

I'm confused... you don't think Ishiba has shown that he is committed to making both franchises he just bought successful? The Suns offseason moves and the investment in the Mercury show that. Not saying he has shown he knows how to do it but I think its pretty clear he cares to try. To you disagree and think there are still questions about if he cares to invest properly in the Mercury?

 

[UConnCat]

 

[GamecockFam]

I think everyone knew that Gray was out...but Stokes too?! Yikes!

 

[cancontent]

I think everyone knew that Gray was out...but Stokes too?! Yikes!

Yup. This is a huge hit to Vegas. Can George and Coates step up in Stokes' absence? Oooh boy, tomorrow night is going to be interesting.

 

[Dillon77]

Yup. This is a huge hit to Vegas. Can George and Coates step up in Stokes' absence? Oooh boy, tomorrow night is going to be interesting.

Well, you know Alysha Clark will slot into the guard position. If any of Clark, Young or Plum gets into foul trouble and/or exhaustion, Kierstan Bell or Sydney Colson will come in for a few minutes. Period.

If Alaina Coates can rebound and play some defense, good enough. I've watched Cayla George in the Aussie league and with the Australian National Team Opals to know she'd be getting some time if Sandy Brondello was running the team: George can score and pass in addition to being a defensive cog. Now, will Hammon want her to get into some sort of rhythm offensively or just be another 6 fouls?

Will be mighty interesting. Stay tuned.

 

[nwhoopfan]

And now the Aces lack of quality depth is really gonna bite them. Bell, George and/or Coates actually playing meaningful minutes is going to be a disaster.

 

[bbsamjj]

This will be challenging for NY too from a mental perspective; they need to come out of the gate just as locked in as they were on Sunday, no matter who is in the Ace's starting lineup. Wilson/Young/Plum are enough to sink most teams on their own.

 

[wingsfan055]

Gray is on a scooter. I think she's done for the rest of the series. LV doing some gamesmanship not declaring it now, but it seems obvious. Wow. Collier news is a big surprise.

 

[nwhoopfan]

This will be challenging for NY too from a mental perspective; they need to come out of the gate just as locked in as they were on Sunday, no matter who is in the Ace's starting lineup. Wilson/Young/Plum are enough to sink most teams on their own.

Oh the poor Liberty. I hope they can overcome this difficult hurdle. Give me a break. Aces are going to have to give significant minutes to one or more of Bell, George, Coates or Colson. None have looked much like WNBA players this season.

 

[cancontent]

Oh the poor Liberty. I hope they can overcome this difficult hurdle. Give me a break. Aces are going to have to give significant minutes to one or more of Bell, George, Coates or Colson. None have looked much like WNBA players this season.

Hey, after seeing some of these upsets in the NFL this past week, it's fair to wonder if the Liberty lose focus. I doubt they will, but it's a fair question to ask.

 

[oldhusky]

Oh the poor Liberty. I hope they can overcome this difficult hurdle. Give me a break. Aces are going to have to give significant minutes to one or more of Bell, George, Coates or Colson. None have looked much like WNBA players this season.

Those players are closer to waiver wire than a spot in a decent rotation. Short of the 3 remaining stars playing out of their mind, little used subs having the game of their life, and a complete breakdown by the Liberty, this game and series are pretty much over IMO.

If Stokes can play in game 5 at home at home, maybe an big longshot, but the great finale everyone expected at the beginning of the season just isn't going to happen. Remember the Aces had significant issues before Gray and Stokes. The team was built spending money on an anticipated great 8 player rotation.

A star at every starting position (with Candace Parker instead of Stokes) and three high quality subs, one big in Stokes, a mid-sized player in Clark, and a sparkplug guard in Williams. But of course the rest of the roster (only 11) had to be filled with near minimum players.

Without Williams they were arguably as good as any WNBA team has been early in the season with mostly a great 7 player rotation. With Parker out they had a big drop-off, starting Stokes instead and with only one reliable sub in Clark. It was amazing they stayed around the top having to play Clark frequently at the 4. That team could be competitive with the Liberty although far below their early season level, but there was no margin for error at that point.

Any injury to the remaining 6 would be devastating. There is no viable game-plan to compensate for Gray or Stokes, much less both of them. The Liberty will be champs, or it will be an upset of monumental proportions at this stage. The dream match-up just didn't happen, it might have been great.

 

[GamecockFam]

I wonder if Coates and Wilson can reignite their college chemistry. They were a pretty good duo at South Carolina.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Hey, after seeing some of these upsets in the NFL this past week, it's fair to wonder if the Liberty lose focus. I doubt they will, but it's a fair question to ask.

Yeah, the Liberty have to avoid being overconfident and have to stay locked in mentally. However it pales compared to the mental/emotional task the Aces are facing.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

The Liberty have to get locked in before the STAY locked in. They looked good for a grand total of two minutes last game so we'll see how they turn out.