WNBA Playoffs Thread

[bbsamjj]

Conn is no different from Seattle or Vegas. They are even deeper than both those teams in comparison. Chicago is Elite at every positio

Agree CT cannot be compared to NY, they are a much better team in nearly every area.

Interesting that Chicago has lost both game ones of its two series at home, and then played gang busters in game two (or at least through 3 quarters last night). We'll see if like NY they can carry this intensity into game 3.

 

[bbsamjj]

I looked up her stats. Her scoring has decreased significantly in the post season all but one year during her career. Not exactly what you're looking for from one of the best players in the league.

Year regular season/post season

2019 16.5/13.4
2020 20.5/20.8
2021 18.3/14.2
2022 19.5/11.0

Do the math and tell me what that tells you. It certainly isn't stepping up.

Again, these are all very small samples sizes (5 games in 2019 and 2021, 8 games in 2020, 4 games thus far in 2022), but scoring is only one way to judge a player's performance. Wilson's playoff rebounds and assists tell a different story.

Rebounds:
2019: 6.4/7.8
2020: 8.5/8.9
2021: 9.3/9.2
2022: 9.4/10.3

Assists:
2019: 1.8/1.6
2020: 2.0/2.4
2021: 3.1/3.2
2022: 2.1/3.3

 

[MSSportsGuy]

From the numbers, Stewie, Aja, Gray, and Parker played outstanding last night. It's good when the best players rise to the occasion (as they should in the playoffs).

Loyd is better than she showed last night. Seattle will need her to win the series.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

I'm so glad Vegas finally decided to play through their MVP. It's crazy to me how often they would go an extended period of time without giving her a touch. Some of it was her not being assertive enough to demand the ball more but some of it was some of the guards looking for their own shot over playing team ball.

I like Plum but I think she often forces too many shots that aren't in the flow of the offense and it has cost them some games including Game 1 of this series. I'm finally glad Becky benched her for once after she took an ill advised step back airball shot against Stewie of all people during a crucial part of the 4th quarter. It wasn't for long but enough to get the point across and stop the successive bad shot attempts we have been accustomed to at times.

 

[GoChips20]

I'm so glad Vegas finally decided to play through their MVP. It's crazy to me how often they would go an extended period of time without giving her a touch. Some of it was her not being assertive enough to demand the ball more but some of it was some of the guards looking for their own shot over playing team ball.

I like Plum but I think she often forces too many shots that aren't in the flow of the offense and it has cost them some games including Game 1 of this series. I'm finally glad Becky benched her for once after she took an ill advised step back airball shot against Stewie of all people during a crucial part of the 4th quarter. It wasn't for long but enough to get the point across and stop the successive bad shot attempts we have been accustomed to at times.

I agree with everything you’ve written but want to note that that tunnel vision/recklessness Plum displays is characteristic of many of the league’s hottest-scoring guards (Loyd can play similarly and don’t get me started on Arike). I think it’s part of the scorer mentality; always being ready to hunt your shot. I agree it can cost you as many games as it can win you but I’m not sure you can reign it in without curbing that much-needed aggressiveness, either.

 

[cancontent]

I agree with everything you’ve written but want to note that that tunnel vision/recklessness Plum displays is characteristic of many of the league’s hottest-scoring guards (Loyd can play similarly and don’t get me started on Arike). I think it’s part of the scorer mentality; always being ready to hunt your shot. I agree it can cost you as many games as it can win you but I’m not sure you can reign it in without curbing that much-needed aggressiveness, either.

Question, as this is something I ponder on occasion. Is it a style of the current generation of scoring guards or scoring guards in general?

Reason why I ask is when I think of players like Moore and Whelan, I don't recall this being their style. At the same time, being a fan of them, my recollection is likely biased.

 

[FridaFriend]

I thought Sue Bird looked tired last night. I wish she would look for her shot more.

Gray played some great defense for Vegas. She took the ball away from Seattle players so many times.

 

[baggerbob]

From the numbers, Stewie, Aja, Gray, and Parker played outstanding last night. It's good when the best players rise to the occasion (as they should in the playoffs).

Loyd is better than she showed last night. Seattle will need her to win the series.

Jewell has had a lackluster season this year, more bad games then good games.
She needs to elevate her game or people are going to feel she has lost a step.

 

[willtalk]

I thought Sue Bird looked tired last night. I wish she would look for her shot more.

Gray played some great defense for Vegas. She took the ball away from Seattle players so many times.

Gray does not get the credit for being the defensive player that she is. She anticipates players movements and uses that skill to draw charges and her quick hands to get strips. She gives the appearance of being slow, but she is far from it. She is very quick, but only shows it when going for steals. Her game is all about deception and she hides her quickness for that purpose.

 

[Billineckz]

Question, as this is something I ponder on occasion. Is it a style of the current generation of scoring guards or scoring guards in general?

Reason why I ask is when I think of players like Moore and Whelan, I don't recall this being their style. At the same time, being a fan of them, my recollection is likely biased.

Every player is unique in what they bring to the table - individual styles. The 3 players you are talking about don't/didn't even play the same position. Plum has the Greenlight and plays that role well.

 

[willtalk]

I believe the key is deciding when to use that green light. That requires knowing when you are feeling it as opposed to when another player on your team has the hot hand. Knowing when to keep shooting when your ball is not dropping depends on when it the game it is. If it is in crunch time it might be better to defer your shot to someone else as opposed to earlier in the game. In respect to Plum, I suspect, being still relatively young, she will learn. Its hard to break patterns that were set when you were the primary scoring option in college and high school.

 

[nwhoopfan]

In respect to Plum, I suspect, being still relatively young

She just turned 28, she ain't that young. Gray is 29 (turns 30 in October). She deferred to McBride and Wilson a ton earlier in her career. Her patterns from college got broken at the beginning of her time in the WNBA. She just completed a regular season averaging 20 ppg w/ an effective FG% of almost 57%. I think you take that all day long, every day.

 

[JellyBean]

Gray does not get the credit for being the defensive player that she is. She anticipates players movements and uses that skill to draw charges and her quick hands to get strips. She gives the appearance of being slow, but she is far from it. She is very quick, but only shows it when going for steals. Her game is all about deception and she hides her quickness for that purpose.

Chelsea Gray is a smart player. She has a high basketball IQ.

 

[JellyBean]

Catching up with the Game Twos last night, all I gotta say is, these are the kinds of games that will add so much value to the WNBA going forward, if the WNBA and their marketing team can put the pieces together. Both series are shaping up to be epic and could go five games. But I am loving the intensity, the "star" players stepping up and showing up, and big time coaching moves by all of the coaches. I can not wait until Sunday.

 

[eebmg]

Catching up with the Game Twos last night, all I gotta say is, these are the kinds of games that will add so much value to the WNBA going forward, if the WNBA and their marketing team can put the pieces together. Both series are shaping up to be epic and could go five games. But I am loving the intensity, the "star" players stepping up and showing up, and big time coaching moves by all of the coaches. I can not wait until Sunday.

Especially if you like Unicorn Posts playing at the top of their games.

Stewie, Aja, Candace and Jonquel.

 

[Billineckz]

I believe the key is deciding when to use that green light. That requires knowing when you are feeling it as opposed to when another player on your team has the hot hand. Knowing when to keep shooting when your ball is not dropping depends on when it the game it is. If it is in crunch time it might be better to defer your shot to someone else as opposed to earlier in the game. In respect to Plum, I suspect, being still relatively young, she will learn. Its hard to break patterns that were set when you were the primary scoring option in college and high school.

Plum is way out of the High School and College days. She is going to go for hers any way you shape it. Her mentality and confidence is high.

 

[JellyBean]

Plum is way out of the High School and College days. She is going to go for hers any way you shape it. Her mentality and confidence is high.

Yup. Plum is shooter with the Green Light. Her confidence is off the charts. That is what I love about her game, and she is playing defense.

 

[darrell]

Storm's Williams, Aces' Hamby back for Game 3

Seattle Storm starting forward Gabby Williams will be back in action for Sunday's Game 3 against Las Vegas, while Dearica Hamby will return for the Aces.

es.pn

 

[ochoopsfan]

Good News!!

 

[socal613ws]

well that should do it for the series, Sun blew this game plain and simple.

 

[eebmg]

CT missed a boatload of shots inside. Bullyball is not going to cut it. Meeseman is a pleasure to watch.

 

[cancontent]

The mic'd up portions of Miller's timeouts were classic. Very true too as Connecticut missed a lot of close lay-ups. Would it have made the difference, don't know but they can't afford to miss shots against Chicago in close games like this one was.

 

[socal613ws]

Seattle forgot they had a game today I guess

 

[eebmg]

Aja playing at the top of her game. 20 pts. 8-12 shooting at half Stewie pretty rough half (shooting) although doing other things. 8 rebounds, 3 assists . Tina with 13 and Sue with 8 pts 4 assists

 

[nwhoopfan]

Sun got the pace and style of game they wanted, but didn't get the W. That game was UGLY. I really can't stand the Sun. Hope they get eliminated in Game 4.