WNBA 2024 May 2024

[Dillon77]

OK, the pre-season WNBA thread was cut off a bit prematurely for getting into topics that wouldn't resolve themselves.

I think of us -- particularly "over here" on the General Thread -- as being a collective of well-meaning basketball enthusiasts.
Can we keep our comment on thread/theme, at least here? (I'm not against social commentary, but in the right place and time.)

That said, I'll drop a few right after this. Enjoy the season, which is on the other side of the weekend.

 

[Dillon77]

Recent transactions, via the WNBA Website.

May 7th

Atlanta Dream
- Waived Khaalia Hillsman

Las Vegas Aces
- Waived Angel Jackson

May 8th

Seattle Storm
- Waived Alaina Coates

• Waived Kaela Davis
• Waived Quay Miller

 

[Dillon77]

Richard Cohen and his panel of experts continue their "Best in the WNBA" countdown and spend extended thumbnails on the Top 10. In fact, he/they split up these with a 10-6 and 5-1. This post has the former and I'll list them. If you want to go into a detail, click on the link. I'll drop the Top 5 manana.

10) Arike Ogunbowale
9) Jonquel Jones
8) Jackie Young
7) Nneka Ogwumike
6) Napheesa Collier

Ranking the W 2024: Nearing the summit, from 10 to 6

Our expert panel's anticipated best 50 players in the WNBA for 2024 reaches the top 10 as the results of #RankingTheW continue to be revealed

herhoopstats.substack.com

 

[cancontent]

 

[GamecockFam]

Richard Cohen and his panel of experts continue their "Best in the WNBA" countdown and spend extended thumbnails on the Top 10. In fact, he/they split up these with a 10-6 and 5-1. This post has the former and I'll list them. If you want to go into a detail, click on the link. I'll drop the Top 5 manana.

10) Arike Ogunbowale
9) Jonquel Jones
8) Jackie Young
7) Nneka Ogwumike
6) Napheesa Collier

Ranking the W 2024: Nearing the summit, from 10 to 6

Our expert panel's anticipated best 50 players in the WNBA for 2024 reaches the top 10 as the results of #RankingTheW continue to be revealed

herhoopstats.substack.com

Hmm...who will be in the top 5? A'ja, Stewie, and AT are givens. I haven't seen Boston on the list so I'm almost certain she is one of those five (a symptom that this list was determined by fan vote if that turns out to be true...). I don't believe that Jewell Loyd has been mentioned either.

My guess...
5. Aliyah Boston
4. Jewell Loyd
3. Alyssa Thomas
2. A'ja Wilson
1. Breanna Stewart

 

[cancontent]

Interesting selections with respect to guards. Would have thought Gray could get consideration

Hmm...who will be in the top 5? A'ja, Stewie, and AT are givens. I haven't seen Boston on the list so I'm almost certain she is one of those five (a symptom that this list was determined by fan vote if that turns out to be true...). I don't believe that Jewell Loyd has been mentioned either.

My guess...
5. Aliyah Boston
4. Jewell Loyd
3. Alyssa Thomas
2. A'ja Wilson
1. Breanna Stewart

What about Chelsea Gray? Or is your list based on those who are healthy to start the season as her status is unknown?

 

[Dillon77]

Hmm...who will be in the top 5? A'ja, Stewie, and AT are givens. I haven't seen Boston on the list so I'm almost certain she is one of those five (a symptom that this list was determined by fan vote if that turns out to be true...). I don't believe that Jewell Loyd has been mentioned either.

My guess...
5. Aliyah Boston
4. Jewell Loyd
3. Alyssa Thomas
2. A'ja Wilson
1. Breanna Stewart

 

[triaddukefan]

Interesting selections with respect to guards. Would have thought Gray could get consideration


What about Chelsea Gray? Or is your list based on those who are healthy to start the season as her status is unknown?

She was #12

 

[GamecockFam]

Interesting selections with respect to guards. Would have thought Gray could get consideration


What about Chelsea Gray? Or is your list based on those who are healthy to start the season as her status is unknown?

She was already listed. It was a fan vote so results will be slightly chaotic.

 

[triaddukefan]

She was already listed. It was a fan vote so results will be slightly .idiotic

Fixed it for you

 

[Orangutan]

Richard Cohen and his panel of experts continue their "Best in the WNBA" countdown and spend extended thumbnails on the Top 10. In fact, he/they split up these with a 10-6 and 5-1. This post has the former and I'll list them. If you want to go into a detail, click on the link. I'll drop the Top 5 manana.

10) Arike Ogunbowale
9) Jonquel Jones
8) Jackie Young
7) Nneka Ogwumike
6) Napheesa Collier

Ranking the W 2024: Nearing the summit, from 10 to 6

Our expert panel's anticipated best 50 players in the WNBA for 2024 reaches the top 10 as the results of #RankingTheW continue to be revealed

herhoopstats.substack.com

Funny, I was just thinking this morning about the 2019 draft close and how Jackie seemed like a questionable #1 pick for a couple years. A year or two ago you would have said that Collier and Ogunbowale are clearly better. Now, I think it's a close debate between Jackie and Phee for best player from that class.

It seems the folks at HHS agree!

 

[Dillon77]

And, The Washington Mystics waived Honesty Scott-Grayson.

 

[jdote33]

Sounds crazy but I low-key think Phee is the second best player in the world. I wanted to say best but didn't want smoke from SC fans

 

[Dillon77]

And, here are the Top 5 in HerHoopStats voting of the Top 50 players in the W.
A number of you put your votes in and, yes, you were accurate on who was in that group. Maybe not the order, but the top 5.
Richard Cohen, who heads up the organization, commented on them in the attached.

Ranking the W 2024: The best of the best, from 5 to 1

The final installment of results from #RankingTheW, as we reveal the top 5 of our expert panel's list of the expected best players in the WNBA for 2024

herhoopstats.substack.com

 

[GamecockFam]

Sounds crazy but I low-key think Phee is the second best player in the world. I wanted to say best but didn't want smoke from SC fans

I think A'ja is the best player in the world but I didn't want smoke from the UConn fans so I guessed that Stewie would be ranked #1 on that list.

 

[Dillon77]

I think A'ja is the best player in the world but I didn't want smoke from the UConn fans so I guessed that Stewie would be ranked #1 on that list.

Take a look at the poll..... (but I think you already did....)

 

[triaddukefan]

Sounds crazy but I low-key think Phee is the second best player in the world. I wanted to say best but didn't want smoke from SC fans

I think A'ja is the best player in the world but I didn't want smoke from the UConn fans so I guessed that Stewie would be ranked #1 on that list.

If you scared, say you scared

 

[cancontent]

Sounds crazy but I low-key think Phee is the second best player in the world. I wanted to say best but didn't want smoke from SC fans

Heck you may get smoke from fellow UConn fans

 

[WBBTakeover]

I've said on here before that I believe A'ja is the best player on the planet and will stick to that. Good to see that she's starting out the season ranked where she belongs.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I think A'ja is the best player in the world but I didn't want smoke from the UConn fans so I guessed that Stewie would be ranked #1 on that list.

I hear ya, but I don't think most people (those who don't have UConn or NY Liberty ties) who saw last year's WNBA Finals would've felt comfortable voting for anyone other than A'ja #1 to start out the season. She outplayed Jonquel and Stewie (some would say combined) in that Game 4 and had those Liberty beat writers shook (some of them are still trying to recover).

I'm pleasantly surprised to see Aliyah at #5!

I may have reversed the order of AT and Stewie, but I also don't think it's that big a deal at this point in the season.

 

[bballnut90]

My guess for top 5 is:

#5 Aliyah Boston
#4 Jewell Loyd
#3 Alyssa Thomas
#2 Breanna Stewart
#1 A'ja Wilson

I like Jewell Loyd's game but think top 5 is a stretch. Same with Boston (at this juncture). I'd replace those two with Collier/Sabally.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I'm pleasantly surprised to see Aliyah at #5!

I think it's too early after only 1 year in the league. She had a good rookie season, but #5 in the league, I don't think she's there yet.

 

[WBBTakeover]

My guess for top 5 is:

#5 Aliyah Boston
#4 Jewell Loyd
#3 Alyssa Thomas
#2 Breanna Stewart
#1 A'ja Wilson

I like Jewell Loyd's game but think top 5 is a stretch. Same with Boston (at this juncture). I'd replace those two with Collier/Sabally.

@Dillon77 already posted the Top 5. AT was 2 and Stewie was 3.

I do agree that Aliyah is too high (too young, not enough accolades). I'd replace her with Phee. I actually like Jewell at 4, and I'm interested in seeing how she looks on her new superteam.

 

[MilfordHusky]

ESPN rankings:

Wilson, Stewart and more of the 25 best WNBA players in 2024

In the preseason edition of our top 25 rankings, here are the players -- from A'ja Wilson to Aliyah Boston -- we expect to be the best in 2024.

www.espn.com

I love Stewie, and I think she is more versatile than A'ja, but I think A'ja out-played her last year.

The ESPN rankings:

1. A'ja
2. Stewie
3. AT
4. Jonquel
5. Phee

I don't think Stewie and Jonquel have adjusted to playing together. I'd put Phee ahead of Jonquel right now.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Did we know Ivana Dojkic is with the Liberty currently? I still can't believe Seattle cut her midseason last year, that was so nonsensical.