WNBA Off-Season

[cancontent]

Last time I remember a coach encouraging folks who'd tried two 3-pointers in 10 seasons was 2020 in New York. Walt Hopkins had everyone, including Kiah Stokes, launching threes. They went 2-20.

I'm not saying it can never work, but citing Williams really seems to be stretching it to me.

Hence why I said "if they can do it". I don't see the harm in working on expanding range, however there has to be some realistic expectations as to who should and who shouldn't take the shot.

 

[Dillon77]

Hence why I said "if they can do it". I don't see the harm in working on expanding range, however there has to be some realistic expectations as to who should and who shouldn't take the shot.

@Bigboote

He's just following the Mike Budenholzer/Kenny Atkinson model who got Tito Horford (then, in Atlanta) and Brook Lopez (then, in Brooklyn) to start expanding their ranges, which worked for them. And for the Boston Celtics (Horford) and Milwaukee Bucks (Lopez) who benefitted from those expanded shooting ranges.

Sure, it won't work for all players, but it doesn't hurt to try. On the WNBA side, for every Kiah Stokes, there's a Megan Gustafson, who has gone from a George Mikan sweep-hook only, to a pretty good three-point shooter.

As for the Sky, if he could get Angel Reese to improve her footwork when she shoots (and maybe her release point), that would be a great start. As noted, Marsh did a great job working with Jackie Young. Why not Reese or Cardoso?

 

[Iluvacc2]

One statement that caught my attention with Tyler Marsh's introductory press conference. I like the fact he's open to players like Williams shooting 3s if they can do it.

He worked wonders with Jackie Young and her shooting technique. She went from an average W player to one of the best two way guards in the world.

 

[cancontent]

He worked wonders with Jackie Young and her shooting technique. She went from an average W player to one of the best two way guards in the worlds.

Agreed. Seeing that this is one of his main points of emphasis is great to see. Shooting accuracy wasn't great for Chicago as a whole.

 

[Dillon77]

Her Hoops Stats Add "WNBA Prospectology"
...which takes a look at various possible draftees in 2025, including Azzi Fudd, Rori Harmon, Raven Johnson, Gianna Kneepkens and Olivia Miles. The common aspect? These are "several top players where some uncertainty lies due to previous injuries that qualified them for a medical redshirt." This discusses the injury, how things are/no progressing and what could lie ahead.

WNBA Prospectology

Additional eligibility to use

herhoopstats.substack.com

 

[Geew1992]

 

[cancontent]

What did you post? It shows "Not Found" when I view it.

 

[cancontent]

What did you post? It shows "Not Found" when I view it.

@Geew1992 Nevermind. I think I found what you may have been referring to.

 

[Geew1992]

@Geew1992 Nevermind. I think I found what you may have been referring to.

Yes. This is it.

 

[GoChips20]

WOW. He’s always done more with less at FGCU although their system style couldn’t be any more different than Atlanta’s. But I like the hire a lot.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I gotta admit I'm fairly shocked by this. He's turn down bigger college jobs before, I thought he wanted to stay at FGCU long term. Maybe the changing landscape of college sports recently changed his mind.

 

[Dillon77]

I gotta admit I'm fairly shocked by this. He's turn down bigger college jobs before, I thought he wanted to stay at FGCU long term. Maybe the changing landscape of college sports recently changed his mind.

- That could be part of it.
Plus:

• As a mid-major coach, he's not probably at the higher level of pay grades (compared to P5), so he probably got an increase.
• I think his preference for an upbeat style can work very well. Grey, Howard and Canada, in particular, will love to run and gun. The question: does Charles fit in? Or want to?

In any case, here's his explanation for taking the post.

Dream hire Florida Gulf Coast's Smesko as coach

The Atlanta Dream hired longtime Florida Gulf Coast coach Karl Smesko to lead the team Wednesday.

www.espn.com

 

[nickp91]

Never thought Smesko would leave FGCU

 

[cancontent]

Fever | By Kelsey Mitchell

The one thing I know for sure, is that whatever comes next, it‘ll suck not having my dad to do it with.

www.theplayerstribune.com

I highly recommend reading this piece from Kelsey Mitchell. It gives fans a better appreciation as to what she was dealing with this season. Per this quote, she's going to test the free agent market:

"When I look back at my journey with the Fever, from 2018 to now, and everything I went through, I feel like it was just supposed to happen this way. And it’s hard to know what the future holds. I’ll be honest, I don’t know what colors I’ll be wearing next year, which just makes me cherish this season and our group even more. I’ve never been through free agency, so I’m looking forward to the opportunity to explore that for the first time in my career and have a say in my future as a basketball player."

 

[packwrap]

Never thought Smesko would leave FGCU

Think it was just the right moment. WNBA on a roll, money and prestige now strong, Atlanta a good family fit, and if it goes sideways- he is young enough to get back in college game.

Yes he left mid season, but he has been incredibly loyal, and will turn over to assistant for continuity and most likely still available as a resource this year.

I like the hire for Dream, but up tempo will certainly be interesting with current roster.

 

[bballnut90]

He worked wonders with Jackie Young and her shooting technique. She went from an average W player to one of the best two way guards in the world.

Young always had a flat shot that improved immensely a couple of years ago. Hopefully he can help correct Angel Reese’s form and release. If she can consistently hit midrange I think everything opens up for her offensively

 

[Dillon77]

Young always had a flat shot that improved immensely a couple of years ago. Hopefully he can help correct Angel Reese’s form and release. If she can consistently hit midrange I think everything opens up for her offensively

While I hear and agree with you on the mid-range, I think he could -- and should -- initially help Reese more in her wheelhouse: putting up chippies following offensive rebounds (which god knows she's proficient at). Frequently, Reese just puts these right back up regardless of where she's facing, how she's standing, etc. Work on positioning, squaring (if possible) and following-through. Also, I think she's got to get that release point up higher. She gets blocked too often for someone as tall and athletic as she is. Lot of teaching and repetitions will help.

 

[Dillon77]

Think it was just the right moment. WNBA on a roll, money and prestige now strong, Atlanta a good family fit, and if it goes sideways- he is young enough to get back in college game.

Yes he left mid season, but he has been incredibly loyal, and will turn over to assistant for continuity and most likely still available as a resource this year.

I like the hire for Dream, but up tempo will certainly be interesting with current roster.

Your last line interested me, so I did some morning-coffee investigating, courtesy of Her Hoop Stats and the details of Richard Cohen.

Free agents: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (unrestricted free agent), Aerial Powers (unrestricted free agent), Tina Charles (uncoreable unrestricted free agent), Lorela Cubaj (reserved), Maya Caldwell (reserved).

Under contract for 2025: Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Nia Coffey, Rhyne Howard, Haley Jones, Laeticia Amihere, Naz Hillmon.

When GM Dan Padover made this hire, he surely knew of Smesko's on-court mission (three's and layups) and must've thought he multiple players who could play that way.

- Look at the "Under contract" players, I think all of them -- particularly Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray -- are tailor-made for this. Canada with running downhill; Howard for the bombs and Gray for both.

Hillmon and Amihere are slightly undersized big, but both are extremely athletic and can jump, which will help in this system.

If there's anyone, that might not be an outward fit, it's Haley Jones, whose primarily a mid-range player. Could se be offered up to Golden State in the expansion draft?

- As for the "Free Agents"
The big decision, of course, is Tina Charles, who did well this year, but in a somewhat glacial half-court offense that benefited her style. Mid-range and occasional three-pt. pops. Hmmm. Depending on options, might be time to move onto a rebounding center who can get up and down the court and/or doesn't need the ball (Brionna Jones?). On the other hand, could sign Charles to a one-year and see how it works out.