WNBA June 2019 Musings, scores, pictures, etc

[Orangutan]

As of now, Washington is my pick to win the title if they get to playoffs reasonably healthy. Though maybe that will change when I get a better look at the Sun on Sunday.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Aces looked dead in the water, were down 15. Had trimmed it down to 7 for a moment.

What's w/ Tolliver and technical fouls? Last time I watched them she picked up a pair and got tossed. She just got another one, didn't see what led to it.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Aces had a little rhythm going, now looking utterly like crap again. Just not their night. Their trio of perimeter starters are just way off. Mystics cooled off after their scorching hot start. 46-36 approaching halftime.

edit--Washington scored a couple buckets inside the last minute of the half, leading 51-39. Aces got a late 3 to maybe gain a tiny bit of momentum...only to give up a 3 at the other end w/ a few seconds left.

 

[nwhoopfan]

LV started out Q3 all out of sorts, but somehow they've got a 15 point deficit down to 6. McBride is thawing out and hitting some buckets. Mystics forced to call a TO.

 

[bballnut90]

Question....why wasn't Latoya Sanders in the league for like 8 years after she graduated? She was stellar at NC and seemingly came out of nowhere to become one of the best defensive posts in the league. Was she just always under the radar and finally broke through last year? Or was it due to injuries?

 

[triaddukefan]

Concerning Phoenix. How the heck does a All-Star Center who stands 6'9 or so.... go 3-15 from the field? Thats trash. Did she use up all her energy dunking the other day?

 

[nwhoopfan]

Mystics are impressive. Efficient. With the exception of a few short stretches, the Aces have been hot garbage. Really ugly game for them.

 

[Plebe]

As of now, Washington is my pick to win the title if they get to playoffs reasonably healthy. Though maybe that will change when I get a better look at the Sun on Sunday.

They definitely look like the best team right now. Just blew out LA and Vegas back-to-back. I will say, both of those two teams stand to improve a lot before the end of the season, and their ceiling is very high. Washington might be the only team with a stable and complete returning core.

 

[bballnut90]

Concerning Phoenix. How the heck does a All-Star Center who stands 6'9 or so.... go 3-15 from the field? Thats trash. Did she use up all her energy dunking the other day?

She missed a ton of chippies and got stuffed 3-4 times by Azura Stevens. Griner just hasn't looked as good this year on either end, and a lot of that is due to Phoenix having just 2 viable threats offensively in her and Bonner. She's getting more attention than she has in the past. Phoenix could be lethal when DT comes back but they look atrocious offensively right now.

 

[bballnut90]

They definitely look like the best team right now. Just blew out LA and Vegas back-to-back. I will say, both of those two teams stand to improve a lot before the end of the season, and their ceiling is very high. Washington might be the only team with a stable and complete returning core.

Don't forget about Connecticut. Since they got rid of Chiney they have the same core from the overachieving 2017 squad, and Jonquel Jones is playing at an MVP level. They're tops in the league right now at 8-1.

 

[Plebe]

Question....why wasn't Latoya Sanders in the league for like 8 years after she graduated? She was stellar at NC and seemingly came out of nowhere to become one of the best defensive posts in the league. Was she just always under the radar and finally broke through last year? Or was it due to injuries?

This article by Voepel covers some of her history: Even-keeled Sanders keeps things calm for Mystics

"I haven't had the most traditional WNBA career. In the early part, I bounced around a bit and didn't get much playing time until I ended up here in Washington a couple of years ago. And even when I joined Washington, from a mixture of injuries, to family things I had to take care of, to commitments with the Turkish national team, I've been in and out."

Sanders was drafted by Phoenix in 2008, then was in Minnesota in 2009 and Los Angeles in 2011. She didn't come back to the WNBA until 2015 with Washington, playing 23 games with the Mystics that season, four in 2016 and none last year. During all that time, though, she played in Turkey, where she became fluent in Turkish and was on the national team.

 

[bballnut90]

This article by Voepel covers some of her history: Even-keeled Sanders keeps things calm for Mystics

"I haven't had the most traditional WNBA career. In the early part, I bounced around a bit and didn't get much playing time until I ended up here in Washington a couple of years ago. And even when I joined Washington, from a mixture of injuries, to family things I had to take care of, to commitments with the Turkish national team, I've been in and out."

Sanders was drafted by Phoenix in 2008, then was in Minnesota in 2009 and Los Angeles in 2011. She didn't come back to the WNBA until 2015 with Washington, playing 23 games with the Mystics that season, four in 2016 and none last year. During all that time, though, she played in Turkey, where she became fluent in Turkish and was on the national team.

Thank you....I enjoyed Sanders when she was at NC and was thrilled to see her finding success in the league last year. That 2008 draft class was exceptional.

 

[stwainfan]

 

[triaddukefan]

Maybe Candace Parker needs to go back to the Injured List

 

[bballnut90]

Stricken has been stellar this year for Connecticut. She was a strong all around player in college, but has found her stride turning into a specialist.

Connecticut looks great this year. Would be great irony if Chiney/Sparks struggle while Connecticut goes on to win a title or get to the finals without her.

 

[Plebe]

Maybe Candace Parker needs to go back to the Injured List

She's definitely proven better at bloviating and anger-tweeting than actually playing ball this year.

 

[Orangutan]

Color me shocked that coaching genius Derek Fisher is struggling to successfully integrate a gimpy Parker into his already forward-heavy lineup.

That team needs another shotmaker from the guard spot in the worst way - preferably not a domestic abuser.

 

[nwhoopfan]

The first game w/ Parker back she started along w/ both of the Ogwumikes. The next game Beard returned and Chiney came off the bench. Looks like they got curb stomped by an injury depleted Seattle team last night.

 

[j66kicker]

The first game w/ Parker back she started along w/ both of the Ogwumikes. The next game Beard returned and Chiney came off the bench. Looks like they got curb stomped by an injury depleted Seattle team last night.

They did. Alana Beard looked pretty good for just getting back, but she had no help. Parker was worthless (1-9 for 2 points, no effort on defense at all) and Chelsea Gray didn't have her normal great game. Seattle didn't miss Jordan Canada at all, much less Sue & Stewie, although Sue was coaching on the bench in street clothes.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Is it crazy to think that Natasha Howard might be a legit MVP candidate at this early juncture of the season?

 

[JoePgh]

Is it crazy to think that Natasha Howard might be a legit MVP candidate at this early juncture of the season?

Yes, but she will have to contend with Jonquel Jones and EDD, among others. As in other leagues, the success of the team enhances the MVP chances of the team's best player.

 

[baggerbob]

Yes, but she will have to contend with Jonquel Jones and EDD, among others. As in other leagues, the success of the team enhances the MVP chances of the team's best player.

If Seattle can make the playoffs, Russell getting a lot of playing time. Getting Sue, Stewie, back, and adding Ezi, and a draft pick, Seattle will be a favorite for years to come.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Yes, but she will have to contend with Jonquel Jones and EDD, among others. As in other leagues, the success of the team enhances the MVP chances of the team's best player.

Yeah, not saying she's the favorite. The Sun have the best record, I wasn't even sure which of their players would be the leading candidate for MVP honors, they seem to do it by committee. EDD just had a monster game against the Aces. If Las Vegas can get on track either Wilson or Cambage could emerge as a candidate.

With Howard a lot of it is based on the team staying afloat despite the massive impact of injuries, that's gotta work in her favor. They don't have to be the best team in the league, but if they can still make the playoffs that would be huge. By contrast look at Phoenix w/out DT. Bonner is doing what she can, but it doesn't seem like Griner is stepping up in DT's absence.

 

[eebmg]

Liberty @ Lynx 8PM on NBA Network. Just looking for good UConn performances all around.

For me, a big Conflict with the USMNT participating in the Gold Cup against Trinidad @ Tobago who knocked the US out of the Mens world cup on FS1 8PM

 

[Plebe]

That team needs another shotmaker from the guard spot in the worst way - preferably not a domestic abuser.

Spotted on job boards:

Open position: Guard
Minimum qualifications: Ability to make shots
Preferred qualifications: Ability to refrain from felonious assault and terroristic threats