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WNBA Off-Season

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ConnMotors said:
My friend, it’s all about location, perks and benefits. All team players are Mohegan Sun employees. So the players are mandated to follow all casino employee rules and regulations. The nearest airport or ports are an hour away. Very little to no social life. You can only go the Mystic Seaport and the Aquarium so many times. So for players to go out and enjoy they either take the train or drive to Boston or NYC. Their locker rooms are old. Am not sure when the last time that they were updated. No mass transit. The tribe has more than enough wealth to attach or make a true practice facility at anytime.
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They need an owner willing to invest in the team like the Liberty have.
 
ConnMotors said:
My friend, it’s all about location, perks and benefits. All team players are Mohegan Sun employees. So the players are mandated to follow all casino employee rules and regulations. The nearest airport or ports are an hour away. Very little to no social life. You can only go the Mystic Seaport and the Aquarium so many times. So for players to go out and enjoy they either take the train or drive to Boston or NYC. Their locker rooms are old. Am not sure when the last time that they were updated. No mass transit. The tribe has more than enough wealth to attach or make a true practice facility at anytime.
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Thanks, I learned something. However, while I no longer live in CT, having grown up there, I have a great appreciation for the Seaport, Aquarium and the sub base, as well as boating and fishing on the Sound, hanging out at the beach, etc.
 
GoUconn7961 said:
They need an owner willing to invest in the team like the Liberty have.
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Sadly, they would relocate before that takes place which is what the league wants. You have markets like Houston, Cleveland and now Tennessee that want franchises. I don’t want to loose the Sun. As much as I dislike driving to the Southeast corner of our state they are still our Pro Team and I will always support them.
 
Geew1992 said:
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@cancontent

So, Coach Steph White now has Natasha Howard (back) in the fold, along with Dantas and Smith.
Do they want to see if Howard can set an example/become a mentor to Smith? Or does front office look for a trade possibility?
Stay tuned.
 
ConnMotors said:
Sadly, they would relocate before that takes place which is what the league wants. You have markets like Houston, Cleveland and now Tennessee that want franchises. I don’t want to loose the Sun. As much as I dislike driving to the Southeast corner of our state they are still our Pro Team and I will always support them.
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Detroit has entered the chat.
 
oldude said:
Thanks, I learned something. However, while I no longer live in CT, having grown up there, I have a great appreciation for the Seaport, Aquarium and the sub base, as well as boating and fishing on the Sound, hanging out at the beach, etc.
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I like living in Connecticut and I enjoy bringing my young granddaughters to the area. However, all the thoughts and plans that were hatched out when the casinos opened few became realities. There are things to do with children, which I enjoy. I actually rented a room in the area last year so the three of us could do things and not have to drive to the western part of the state. I am a Navy vet who served onboard submarines and went to school in Groton. Even, brought my two girls to see the Nautilus.
 
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Dillon77 said:
@cancontent

So, Coach Steph White now has Natasha Howard (back) in the fold, along with Dantas and Smith.
Do they want to see if Howard can set an example/become a mentor to Smith? Or does front office look for a trade possibility?
Stay tuned.
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Was thinking about these same things. Howard being a mentor to Smith could be invaluable to both the team and Smith long term.
 
sivad40 said:


Detroit has entered the chat.
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Will Laimbeer and Mahorn come back? :):eek:

The interest here is great. There's no timeline on this franchise, is there?
 
cancontent said:
I'd be down with this, and their "Tap-Tap" defensive approach. ;)
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I would be happy if Laimbeer never gets anywhere near the WNBA again. I was totally turned off by how he coached/managed the Aces.
 
nwhoopfan said:
I would be happy if Laimbeer never gets anywhere near the WNBA again. I was totally turned off by how he coached/managed the Aces
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I keep in mind that:
  • Laimbeer and Dan Padover were largely responsible for building the core group of the team that won two consecutive championships.
  • Did he know how to coach it correctly or maximize the players? Obviously not, which is where Becky Hammons comes in.
  • However, I sure as heck don't see that much solid work being done by the ensuing iteration of the Aces' front office following Laimbeer/Padover.
  • I doubt Trader Bill is coming back (he's had a solid run) but Padover is going for it in Atlanta in a major way.

You also know most of this, so I'd look forward to why you were "turned off" -- personality, coaching style, you name it. I'm interested.
 
Dillon77 said:
I keep in mind that:
  • Laimbeer and Dan Padover were largely responsible for building the core group of the team that won two consecutive championships.
  • Did he know how to coach it correctly or maximize the players? Obviously not, which is where Becky Hammons comes in.
  • However, I sure as heck don't see that much solid work being done by the ensuing iteration of the Aces' front office following Laimbeer/Padover.
  • I doubt Trader Bill is coming back (he's had a solid run) but Padover is going for it in Atlanta in a major way.

You also know most of this, so I'd look forward to why you were "turned off" -- personality, coaching style, you name it. I'm interested.
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I definitely give him some credit for gathering the pieces, but as you point out he didn't figure out how to use them together very well.

I guess most of it stems from my bias as fan of Plum, but I feel like he mismanaged her at every step for what, 4 years? It wasn't as bad, but I felt like he did similar with Young. Both of those players thrived instantly once he was gone and Hammon let them be the players they are and utlized their strengths.

Having two potentially dominant posts together can be a confounding problem, he wasn't the first coach to fail at it, but the Wilson/Cambage pairing certainly didn't flourish together.

Just generally speaking I think during his tenure players' roles either weren't very well defined, or were changed constantly which is really hard to adapt to. And like I said earlier he didn't play to their strengths in my view.
 
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A new sign of the apocalypse? Dropped at McDs today for a coffee and what is the new big promo? The Angel Reese Meal Deal.

I knew the Clark/Reese rivalry was big in W, but Reese has gone completely mainstream along with Clark if McDonald's is picking her up!

Good for her and for WBB. Stewie, Phees, Clark, Sabrina, Aja and Angel all becoming household names.

The Meal? A double double, 4 mcmissed layups, 4 offensive boards and a putback.:p
 
Bill Lambieer would be a great front office piece but not so much as a coach. I think his approach to game is outdated but his eye for talent is undeniable. He believed in the long term prospects of KP and Jackie despite their initial slow starts.
 
GCKSFN4L said:
He believed in the long term prospects of KP and Jackie despite their initial slow starts.
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My feeling is he was a contributor to those slow starts for both.
 
I'm trying to figure out why Atlanta and Phoenix seem to be desirable destinations during the free agent sweepstakes. Sabally going from Dallas to the Merc...just wow. I thought she was destined to be joining a title contender.
 
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Okay, I thought Smith would be leaving Indiana since late last season. Looks like it will finally be official. I think Howard will fit in much better. I also like acquiring Cunningham. Can fight it out w/ Hull for a starting role, whichever one doesn't start will be energy/hustle off the bench. Also Howard and Cunningham both bringing some toughness they seemed to be lacking last year. I'm liking what the Fever are doing.

edit--let's see if anyone tries head hunting against Clark, I don't think Cunningham is gonna take any of that against one of her teammates; she'll give just as good as they do
 
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nwhoopfan said:
Okay, I thought Smith would be leaving Indiana since late last season. Looks like it will finally be official. I think Howard will fit in much better. I also like acquiring Cunningham. Can fight it out w/ Hull for a starting role, whichever one doesn't start will be energy/hustle off the bench. Also Howard and Cunningham both bringing some toughness they seemed to be lacking last year. I'm liking what the Fever are doing.

edit--let's see if anyone tries head hunting against Clark, I don't think Cunningham is gonna take any of that against one of her teammates; she'll give just as good as they do
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As a Gamecock who has grown attached to the Fever because of my girl Boston, I'm very conflicted about the acquisition of Cunningham. She is public enemy #1 to many Gamecock WBB fans for all the dirty play she did against the Gamecocks while at Missouri. If I had to pick a least favorite player in the W, it would probably be her just because of that history. With that said, all your points are valid, and I guess I'll have to grow to tolerate her if I am going to watch all the Fever games.
 
GamecockFam said:
As a Gamecock who has grown attached to the Fever because of my girl Boston, I'm very conflicted about the acquisition of Cunningham. She is public enemy #1 to many Gamecock WBB fans for all the dirty play she did against the Gamecocks while at Missouri. If I had to pick a least favorite player in the W, it would probably be her just because of that history. With that said, all your points are valid, and I guess I'll have to grow to tolerate her if I am going to watch all the Fever games.
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I feel like she’s toned down her dirty play quite a bit in the pros though? I think it’s a good fit personnel wise. A backcourt rotation of Clark/Mitchell/Hull/Cunningham is excellent, and front court is bolstered too with Howard/Boston/Dantas. Indiana should be really good this year.
 
GamecockFam said:
As a Gamecock who has grown attached to the Fever because of my girl Boston, I'm very conflicted about the acquisition of Cunningham. She is public enemy #1 to many Gamecock WBB fans for all the dirty play she did against the Gamecocks while at Missouri. If I had to pick a least favorite player in the W, it would probably be her just because of that history. With that said, all your points are valid, and I guess I'll have to grow to tolerate her if I am going to watch all the Fever games.
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I could see that. You have to like the pairing of Boston and Howard though, right?
 
GamecockFam said:
As a Gamecock who has grown attached to the Fever because of my girl Boston, I'm very conflicted about the acquisition of Cunningham. She is public enemy #1 to many Gamecock WBB fans for all the dirty play she did against the Gamecocks while at Missouri. If I had to pick a least favorite player in the W, it would probably be her just because of that history. With that said, all your points are valid, and I guess I'll have to grow to tolerate her if I am going to watch all the Fever games.
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Some Connecticut Sun fans felt like that after the Mabrey trade. Maybe there's a support group you can join? ;)
 
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nwhoopfan said:
I'm trying to figure out why Atlanta and Phoenix seem to be desirable destinations during the free agent sweepstakes. Sabally going from Dallas to the Merc...just wow. I thought she was destined to be joining a title contender.
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Atlanta has a new coaching situation for one thing. And who knows how much recruiting Rhyne Howard has done while hanging with Griner in Miami for Unrivaled?

With Sabally, how much control did she have in choosing where she went? She was cored wasn't she? Anything would have had to be done via trade if I understand coring correctly.
 
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Here are the details of the Sabally Three-Way Trade:



  • Harris has gone all the way around the WNBA board back to Dallas.
  • One of Dallas twin towers -- Brown -- heads to Phoenix.
  • Sophie Cunningham -- the ever-feisty one -- will fit right in with the Fever.
  • And Indiana decides they don't want Smith to be mentored...just gone....to Dallas. Along with the #8 pick. If Paige was freaked about playing with Arike and Satou, she probably just paid room and board in Storrs for next season.
 
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cancontent said:
With Sabally, how much control did she have in choosing where she went? She was cored wasn't she? Anything would have had to be done via trade if I understand coring correctly.
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I have no idea if these cored players who were free agents, or players who make trade demands, have any say in where they get traded to.
 
nwhoopfan said:
I definitely give him some credit for gathering the pieces, but as you point out he didn't figure out how to use them together very well.

I guess most of it stems from my bias as fan of Plum, but I feel like he mismanaged her at every step for what, 4 years? It wasn't as bad, but I felt like he did similar with Young. Both of those players thrived instantly once he was gone and Hammon let them be the players they are and utlized their strengths.

Having two potentially dominant posts together can be a confounding problem, he wasn't the first coach to fail at it, but the Wilson/Cambage pairing certainly didn't flourish together.

Just generally speaking I think during his tenure players' roles either weren't very well defined, or were changed constantly which is really hard to adapt to. And like I said earlier he didn't play to their strengths in my view.
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All fair enough, but both Plum and Young were really able to be themselves when one Chelsea Gray came aboard to take over the lead guard duties once and for all.

I'll also give him credit for assembling and coaching the Detroit Shock to the championship "back in the day" with Ruth Riley, Deanna Nolan, et al.
 
bballnut90 said:
I feel like she’s toned down her dirty play quite a bit in the pros though? I think it’s a good fit personnel wise. A backcourt rotation of Clark/Mitchell/Hull/Cunningham is excellent, and front court is bolstered too with Howard/Boston/Dantas. Indiana should be really good this year.
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Yeah, she is an aggressive player who toes the line but I agree. From what I have seen she has gained some wisdom since going pro. I also think she is a good fit. The Fever desperately needed a energy player off the bench and Hull or Cunningham would be perfect for that role.
nwhoopfan said:
I could see that. You have to like the pairing of Boston and Howard though, right?
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I love the pairing of Boston and Howard! As good as Boston is, she could use some veteran mentorship and take a few things from Howard's game. That should be a great defensive duo!
cancontent said:
Some Connecticut Sun fans felt like that after the Mabrey trade. Maybe there's a support group you can join? ;)
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Sign me up! :p
 
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