WNBA Off-Season

[Geew1992]

 

[cancontent]

Giddy up. I like this move for the Fever.

 

[GamecockFam]

Giddy up. I like this move for the Fever.

Same. It gives them another defensive presence in the paint to pair up with Boston. Plus, it'll give them some veteran leadership and toughness.

 

[ConnMotors]

I’m struggling to understand your reference to, “rules, conditions and amenities,” other than the problems associated with the lack of a quality practice facility, a problem shared by a number of teams in the W, and one that the Sun’s ownership has committed to resolve at some point in the future. I get it. Who knows when that will happen.

Beyond that, the hard salary cap is the same for every team in the W, so it is what it is. Please inform me what you are referring to relative to problems with “rules and conditions” that would cause Sun players to look for greener pastures elsewhere?

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.

 

[Geew1992]

Lynx sighing French Olympic team member Mamieme Badiane. Resigning Natisa Hiedeman

 

[GoUconn7961]

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.

They need an owner willing to invest in the team like the Liberty have.

 

[oldude]

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.

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.

 

[ConnMotors]

They need an owner willing to invest in the team like the Liberty have.

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.

 

[Dillon77]

@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.

 

[sivad40]

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.

Detroit has entered the chat.

 

[ConnMotors]

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.

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.

 

[cancontent]

@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.

Was thinking about these same things. Howard being a mentor to Smith could be invaluable to both the team and Smith long term.

 

[Dillon77]

Detroit has entered the chat.

Will Laimbeer and Mahorn come back?

The interest here is great. There's no timeline on this franchise, is there?

 

[cancontent]

Will Laimbeer and Mahorn come back?

The interest here is great. There's no timeline on this franchise, is there?

I'd be down with this, and their "Tap-Tap" defensive approach.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I'd be down with this, and their "Tap-Tap" defensive approach.

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.

 

[Dillon77]

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

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.

 

[nwhoopfan]

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.

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.

 

[packwrap]

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.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

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.

 

[Geew1992]

 

[nwhoopfan]

He believed in the long term prospects of KP and Jackie despite their initial slow starts.

My feeling is he was a contributor to those slow starts for both.

 

[nwhoopfan]

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.

 

[darrell]

 

[nwhoopfan]

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

 

[GamecockFam]

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

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.