bballnut90
LV Adherent. Topic Crafter
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Gotta hand it to the league for working their tail off to come up with a solution that most players seem somewhat comfortable with. We have a very unusual season ahead, with only 22 games, a lot of key players sitting out and a lot of older players returning who dealt with injuries a year ago. Here's my guess for standings and general awards:
Standings:
1. Seattle-they strung together a very respectable 6th place finish last year without Bird and Stewart, plus Loyd never seemed fully healthy. All 3 are back, but the big question is can they return to their stellar 2018 form with Stewart coming off an Achilles tear and Bird turning 40 this season. Even if those 2 aren't quite as good as they were in 2018, Howard blossomed into an All-WNBA player a year ago, Canada improved steadily over the season along with Mercedes Russell. They have a nice combination of youth and experience that should serve them well this year.
2. Las Vegas-this might be a little aggressive putting them at 2, but I think this is a breakout year given the lineup they have. A'ja Wilson does best being the only post on the floor and should flourish like she did as a rookie not having to share the paint with Cambage. Hamby pairs excellently with her and has turned into a very good PF. Vegas has a fantastic trio of wings too in Angel McCoughtry, Kayla McBride and possibly Jackie Young if Bill moves her off the ball. She had an underwhelming rookie campaign, but with more experience under her belt I think we'll see more of the ND Jackie Young than the rookie version.
3. Chicago-another team that looks loaded and primed to make a legitimate run for the title. Diamond Deshields might be the best open court player in the league and is a more consistent jumpshot away from becoming an MVP candidate. Sloot is the best passer in the league, Quigley one of the best shooters. They have strong backup guards in Gabby Williams and Kahleah Copper. Front court is the cause for concern. Dolson, Parker and Lavender make for a solid trio but none of them are stalwart defenders or particularly athletic. I think they will likely struggle defending top posts in the league. They did bring in some nice athletic bigs in Stevens and Hebard, both have their pros and cons. Stevens appears to like playing on the wing more than inside, and Hebard isn't a top tier defender despite having great quickness and good size at 6-4. I think the season likely hinges on Deshields ability to rise to stardom and if they can slow down opposing bigs.
4. Phoenix-they have a 3 headed monster in Griner/Diggins-Smith/Taurasi, but it's pretty slim pickings after that. Lots of filler players like Hartley, Walker-Kimbrough, and Vaughn who can contribute but have histories of inconsistency. They need more than those 3 to be in competition for a title, so someone has to rise to the occasion. Of those 3, question marks exist, too. DT is coming off a season of sitting out with injury and is 38 years old. Griner's passion, focus, and general attitude has been a big question mark the last few years, and SDS is a ball dominant point guard. All 3 like the ball in their hands, so I think it'll be a bit of an adjustment early. This team is more of a wild card IMO...they could be in the title mix or a 7/8 seed IMO.
5. LA-I might be underrating LA, but I'm just not "wowed" by their roster considering trades and sit outs. Gray and Nneka have proven to be consistent top level players. Parker never seemed like herself last year, whether it's age or decline in play is unknown at this point. They have athletic wings in Sykes/Williams, but no one else on the roster stands out to me much. Players like TRP, Wiese, R. Gray, Cooper and Augustus could elevate their play but I think they're going to be pretty out manned by a lot of opposing benches. Having one of Chiney, Kalani Brown or Vadeeva would've made a big difference. If Parker returns to pre-2019 form, LA is a title threat. If not, I don't think they'll be great.
6. Connecticut-I thought the Sun last season vastly overachieved and the team was better than the sum of its parts. The actual roster looks pretty darn different this season with Courtney Williams, JJ, and Stricklen all gone. I also think they lack quality size and have a plethora of not very efficient scorers in Jasmine Thomas, Bonner and January. Alyssa Thomas will need to take on a prominent role once again, and I think KML needs to elevate her play to replace Stricklen as a 3pt bomber. I can't see this team being nearly as good without JJ/Williams, but if Bonner can play efficiently, Connecticut can compete
7. Indiana-possibly a bold pick, but they have a very good, young roster that I think makes big improvements this year if players like Kelsey Mitchell and McCowan continue to improve. Big T was a monster at the end of last season and likely continues to build off of that. Everyone else is back, including Victoria Vivians who was stellar as a rookie. They have good vets in Dupree/Wheeler, but I think Kelsey Mitchell is the player who makes or breaks this team. If she can score more efficiently, they'll be incredibly difficult to match up with. Cox is also a great pick at 3, although my guess is she plays more of a backup role this year behind McCowan/Achonwa.
8. Washington-perhaps a bit low for the defending champs, but this just straight up is a VERY different team. Cloud, EDD, and Toliver are all gone. The team's success hinges largely on Meesseman, Atkins, and how well Mitchell incorporates as the new PG. Powers had a very good year last season too and is back. I think they'll look somewhat like Seattle did last year, where a lot of different faces elevate their play in the absence of stars. They can make the playoffs but I just can't see them being a deep playoff threat unless Meesseman puts together an MVP type of season and Atkins flourishes in a larger role.
9. Minnesota-I think they have a shot to sneak into the playoffs once again. Collier likely takes on a bigger scoring role this year without Sims in the lineup, as she's likely the face of the franchise going forward. Fowles is a very consistent post despite numbers dipping last year. After that it's slim though. Lexie Brown is a quality guard who likely starts in her 3rd year. Karima CK is another wild card who was excellent in 2017 but basically sat out the last 2 years with injuries. The combination of coaching, experience and Fowles/Collier gives them a shot to make the playoffs.
10. Dallas-I could see this team finishing as high is 4th or 5th if everything falls into place, or I could see them finishing 11th. They are incredibly young, but they look very good on paper. A lot has to go right though and I don't think it fully will. Jefferson was very very good as a rookie but hasn't been healthy since. Arike was one of the top players in the league the 2nd half of last season, but will shift over to playing off the ball more which likely will have some growing pains to work through. Players like Sabally/Alarie are very intriguing picks but I'm not sure either will light it up from day 1. Add in another intriguing player in KLS, but she barely played as a rookie. Post play is also a major issue, with Ndour being the likely starter and I just don't see the combination of her, Harrison and Gustafson competing well inside. Thornton/Gray are known commodities, and I think it's a relatively safe assumption that Harris will be a solid backup PG as a rookie even if she doesn't make a huge impact. If players flourish in new roles and stay healthy, this team could be very dangerous. If not, it may be a long season.
11. Atlanta-very likely a growing season for Atlanta as they will look completely different this upcoming year. They have some good players but no one who likes like a true star. Courtney Williams could be that star, so could Chennedy Carter, but I don't see the overall talent or depth to compete for a playoff spot here.
12. New York-just being frank, this roster looks pretty awful outside of Ionescu and Nurse. The team has 7 rookies on the roster, with only a couple of them being true WNBA caliber players IMO. Not all sold on Jazmine Jones, Shook, Holmes or Odom making any impact. Stokes and Zahui B I don't see as starter material posts. Walker I like as a pick but she's behind the curve right now due to covid. I think it'll be a long year for NY.
Awards:
MVP: A'ja Wilson (toss up between her and Stewart)
ROY: Satou Sabally (I think Ionescu struggles with a weak lineup)
COY: James Wade
All WNBA:
1st Team:
Vandersloot
Taurasi
Stewart
Wilson
Meesseman
2nd Team:
Deshields
Gray
Griner
Howard
Nneka
All Rookie Team:
Ionescu
Sabally
Carter
Hebard
Harris
Standings:
1. Seattle-they strung together a very respectable 6th place finish last year without Bird and Stewart, plus Loyd never seemed fully healthy. All 3 are back, but the big question is can they return to their stellar 2018 form with Stewart coming off an Achilles tear and Bird turning 40 this season. Even if those 2 aren't quite as good as they were in 2018, Howard blossomed into an All-WNBA player a year ago, Canada improved steadily over the season along with Mercedes Russell. They have a nice combination of youth and experience that should serve them well this year.
2. Las Vegas-this might be a little aggressive putting them at 2, but I think this is a breakout year given the lineup they have. A'ja Wilson does best being the only post on the floor and should flourish like she did as a rookie not having to share the paint with Cambage. Hamby pairs excellently with her and has turned into a very good PF. Vegas has a fantastic trio of wings too in Angel McCoughtry, Kayla McBride and possibly Jackie Young if Bill moves her off the ball. She had an underwhelming rookie campaign, but with more experience under her belt I think we'll see more of the ND Jackie Young than the rookie version.
3. Chicago-another team that looks loaded and primed to make a legitimate run for the title. Diamond Deshields might be the best open court player in the league and is a more consistent jumpshot away from becoming an MVP candidate. Sloot is the best passer in the league, Quigley one of the best shooters. They have strong backup guards in Gabby Williams and Kahleah Copper. Front court is the cause for concern. Dolson, Parker and Lavender make for a solid trio but none of them are stalwart defenders or particularly athletic. I think they will likely struggle defending top posts in the league. They did bring in some nice athletic bigs in Stevens and Hebard, both have their pros and cons. Stevens appears to like playing on the wing more than inside, and Hebard isn't a top tier defender despite having great quickness and good size at 6-4. I think the season likely hinges on Deshields ability to rise to stardom and if they can slow down opposing bigs.
4. Phoenix-they have a 3 headed monster in Griner/Diggins-Smith/Taurasi, but it's pretty slim pickings after that. Lots of filler players like Hartley, Walker-Kimbrough, and Vaughn who can contribute but have histories of inconsistency. They need more than those 3 to be in competition for a title, so someone has to rise to the occasion. Of those 3, question marks exist, too. DT is coming off a season of sitting out with injury and is 38 years old. Griner's passion, focus, and general attitude has been a big question mark the last few years, and SDS is a ball dominant point guard. All 3 like the ball in their hands, so I think it'll be a bit of an adjustment early. This team is more of a wild card IMO...they could be in the title mix or a 7/8 seed IMO.
5. LA-I might be underrating LA, but I'm just not "wowed" by their roster considering trades and sit outs. Gray and Nneka have proven to be consistent top level players. Parker never seemed like herself last year, whether it's age or decline in play is unknown at this point. They have athletic wings in Sykes/Williams, but no one else on the roster stands out to me much. Players like TRP, Wiese, R. Gray, Cooper and Augustus could elevate their play but I think they're going to be pretty out manned by a lot of opposing benches. Having one of Chiney, Kalani Brown or Vadeeva would've made a big difference. If Parker returns to pre-2019 form, LA is a title threat. If not, I don't think they'll be great.
6. Connecticut-I thought the Sun last season vastly overachieved and the team was better than the sum of its parts. The actual roster looks pretty darn different this season with Courtney Williams, JJ, and Stricklen all gone. I also think they lack quality size and have a plethora of not very efficient scorers in Jasmine Thomas, Bonner and January. Alyssa Thomas will need to take on a prominent role once again, and I think KML needs to elevate her play to replace Stricklen as a 3pt bomber. I can't see this team being nearly as good without JJ/Williams, but if Bonner can play efficiently, Connecticut can compete
7. Indiana-possibly a bold pick, but they have a very good, young roster that I think makes big improvements this year if players like Kelsey Mitchell and McCowan continue to improve. Big T was a monster at the end of last season and likely continues to build off of that. Everyone else is back, including Victoria Vivians who was stellar as a rookie. They have good vets in Dupree/Wheeler, but I think Kelsey Mitchell is the player who makes or breaks this team. If she can score more efficiently, they'll be incredibly difficult to match up with. Cox is also a great pick at 3, although my guess is she plays more of a backup role this year behind McCowan/Achonwa.
8. Washington-perhaps a bit low for the defending champs, but this just straight up is a VERY different team. Cloud, EDD, and Toliver are all gone. The team's success hinges largely on Meesseman, Atkins, and how well Mitchell incorporates as the new PG. Powers had a very good year last season too and is back. I think they'll look somewhat like Seattle did last year, where a lot of different faces elevate their play in the absence of stars. They can make the playoffs but I just can't see them being a deep playoff threat unless Meesseman puts together an MVP type of season and Atkins flourishes in a larger role.
9. Minnesota-I think they have a shot to sneak into the playoffs once again. Collier likely takes on a bigger scoring role this year without Sims in the lineup, as she's likely the face of the franchise going forward. Fowles is a very consistent post despite numbers dipping last year. After that it's slim though. Lexie Brown is a quality guard who likely starts in her 3rd year. Karima CK is another wild card who was excellent in 2017 but basically sat out the last 2 years with injuries. The combination of coaching, experience and Fowles/Collier gives them a shot to make the playoffs.
10. Dallas-I could see this team finishing as high is 4th or 5th if everything falls into place, or I could see them finishing 11th. They are incredibly young, but they look very good on paper. A lot has to go right though and I don't think it fully will. Jefferson was very very good as a rookie but hasn't been healthy since. Arike was one of the top players in the league the 2nd half of last season, but will shift over to playing off the ball more which likely will have some growing pains to work through. Players like Sabally/Alarie are very intriguing picks but I'm not sure either will light it up from day 1. Add in another intriguing player in KLS, but she barely played as a rookie. Post play is also a major issue, with Ndour being the likely starter and I just don't see the combination of her, Harrison and Gustafson competing well inside. Thornton/Gray are known commodities, and I think it's a relatively safe assumption that Harris will be a solid backup PG as a rookie even if she doesn't make a huge impact. If players flourish in new roles and stay healthy, this team could be very dangerous. If not, it may be a long season.
11. Atlanta-very likely a growing season for Atlanta as they will look completely different this upcoming year. They have some good players but no one who likes like a true star. Courtney Williams could be that star, so could Chennedy Carter, but I don't see the overall talent or depth to compete for a playoff spot here.
12. New York-just being frank, this roster looks pretty awful outside of Ionescu and Nurse. The team has 7 rookies on the roster, with only a couple of them being true WNBA caliber players IMO. Not all sold on Jazmine Jones, Shook, Holmes or Odom making any impact. Stokes and Zahui B I don't see as starter material posts. Walker I like as a pick but she's behind the curve right now due to covid. I think it'll be a long year for NY.
Awards:
MVP: A'ja Wilson (toss up between her and Stewart)
ROY: Satou Sabally (I think Ionescu struggles with a weak lineup)
COY: James Wade
All WNBA:
1st Team:
Vandersloot
Taurasi
Stewart
Wilson
Meesseman
2nd Team:
Deshields
Gray
Griner
Howard
Nneka
All Rookie Team:
Ionescu
Sabally
Carter
Hebard
Harris
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