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WNBA Predictions

Depending on good health.

1. Mystics
2. Storm
3. Aces
4. Sparks
5. Sun
6. Mercury
7. Sky
8. Lynx
9. Wings
10. Fever
11. Dream
12. Liberty


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Mystics, Aces, Mercury if healthy should be top three.

At the bottom, I think the Fever may jump into the 6 to 8 range. They had a lot of close losses last year and have everyone healthy this year, plus Stanley should be a big upgrade.
 
I'm pretty sold on the top 4 if they are all healthy and available, which is likely wishful thinking but they seem to be the best teams.

The Sun made their run off of great chemistry and having played a lot of games together. Two starters are gone and while Bonner is very talented but it all depends on how the team meshes together. If Taurasi is healthy and can make a go of it then Phoenix will hang in there but they have a few deficiencies to address.

Even with Ionescu the Liberty are probably still out of the top 8. Indiana will be one to watch to see if some new coaching and pieces take them to the playoff level. I'm not sure Dallas, even with all of their draft choices added enough to climb in the playoffs.
 
after the top 3 or 4, it could be most any team rising up. So look up Ee! Maybe the Liberty gel quickly and surprise everyone.
 
Depending on good health.

1. Mystics
2. Storm
3. Aces
4. Sparks
5. Sun
6. Mercury
7. Sky
8. Lynx
9. Wings
10. Fever
11. Dream
12. Liberty


`
I agree with this but I feel like 1-5 can all be shuffled depending on how the season plays out.
Also I wouldn’t surprised to see the Fever sneak in the playoffs ahead of Minnesota.
 
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Don’t forget about the Storm.

And the Sparks.

Merc have been underachieving for years. They've shuffled the lineup around somewhat, but I'm not sure why they would be expected to be top 3 in the league. I can absolutely see them not even being in the top 3 in the Western Conference.
 
Just a few thoughts. Lavender the best Chicago can do at the 4? She can be a decent sub but really not good enough to be a starter I don't think. I'd probably go with either Stevens or Parker. Plus they have rookie Hebard? That's a bit crowded, somebody isn't going to be playing much in that frontcourt rotation.

I'm really not a fan of Ruffin-Pratt for LA, but you have her not even in the rotation? She's been a starter there for several years. I honestly don't see them starting both Ogwumikes and Parker, even though it puts the most talent on the floor. Bring Chiney off the bench, have at least 2 of them in the game most of the time. The starter at the 3 might be kinda by default. TRP brings more defense and Augustus even in her twilight brings more offense. Also Wiese will probably be in the guard rotation too. I forgot about Sykes joining them, that's a pretty crowded rotation as well.

I think Parker is a better player than Lavender, but since she and Dolson split the center minutes for Chicago, it makes sense to me that Parker starts on the bench.

I don't expect Hebard to play much this year. That was a pick for next year. Parker and Lavender are both on the last year of their contracts and I don't think Chicago can afford to bring back both. That's where a player who already knows the system and is on a cheap contract will come in handy.
 
With all the opt-outs & recent signings, I thought it would be cool to re-visit the starting lineup predictions- specifically for the Sun, Dream, Mystics & Sparks.
Originally I had
Atlanta Dream

PG- Renee Montgomery
SG- Courtney Williams
SF- Tiffany Hayes
PF- Glory Johnson
C- Elizabeth Williams
Now I’m thinking Chennedy C., Williams, Stricklen, Johnson & Williams.

Originally I had
Connecticut Sun

PG- Jasmine Thomas
SG- Briann January
SF- DeWanna Bonner
PF- Alyssa Thomas
C- Jonquel Jones
Now i’m thinking Brionna Jones finally gets a shot to show what she has or Plaisance. Rest of the lineup stays the same.

Originally I predicted
PG- Chelsea Gray
SG- Kristi Toliver
SF- Candace Parker
PF- Nneka Ogwumike
C- Chiney Ogwumike
Now I’m sure Augustus slides in at SF, Gray at PG, Sykes or Williams at SG, Nneka at PF & Parker at C.

& last originally I predicted
Washington Mystics

PG- Natasha Cloud
SG- Ariel Atkins
SF- Elena Della Donne
PF- Emma Meesseman
C- Tina Charles
Now I’m sure Leilani Mitchell slides in at PG & rest of the lineup stays the same.

What do you guys think? & does anyone have a good feel about the NY Liberty? Still clueless how that lineup will pan out.
 
With all the opt-outs & recent signings, I thought it would be cool to re-visit the starting lineup predictions- specifically for the Sun, Dream, Mystics & Sparks.
Originally I had

Now I’m thinking Chennedy C., Williams, Stricklen, Johnson & Williams.

Originally I had

Now i’m thinking Brionna Jones finally gets a shot to show what she has or Plaisance. Rest of the lineup stays the same.

Originally I predicted

Now I’m sure Augustus slides in at SF, Gray at PG, Sykes or Williams at SG, Nneka at PF & Parker at C.

& last originally I predicted

Now I’m sure Leilani Mitchell slides in at PG & rest of the lineup stays the same.

What do you guys think? & does anyone have a good feel about the NY Liberty? Still clueless how that lineup will pan out.
Agree with most, maybe Sykes instead of Augustus in LA. It is interesting how many of the contenders were effected. I expected some vets to sit out if they were looking at a rebuilding non contender season, but the impact was as much or more on teams in the hunt. A team like Seattle looks to gain ground with two future hall of famers rejoining the team and no major players sitting out. Vegas benefits too but not as much because of the Plum injury.
 
Mystics fill out their roster

 
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Mystics fill out their roster

Not sure how much playing time either will get. Still think they could’ve picked Tea Cooper up before LA got her if they wanted a guard. But maybe Thibault wanted a player who knows his system already since Peddy filled in some last year.
 
Agree with most, maybe Sykes instead of Augustus in LA. It is interesting how many of the contenders were effected. I expected some vets to sit out if they were looking at a rebuilding non contender season, but the impact was as much or more on teams in the hunt. A team like Seattle looks to gain ground with two future hall of famers rejoining the team and no major players sitting out. Vegas benefits too but not as much because of the Plum injury.
Yeah I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sykes start either. Now with all the opt-outs, I think Seattle is the clear front runner. Vegas will still be very good without Plum but with her, I think they could’ve challenged the Storm & Mystics more.
 
Mystics fill out their roster

@eebmg Can you tell me how to insert the URL links with the picture in them on here? Everytime I add a URL it only allows me insert the link only without the picture. Thanks. Still fairly new on here.
 
@eebmg Can you tell me how to insert the URL links with the picture in them on here? Everytime I add a URL it only allows me insert the link only without the picture. Thanks. Still fairly new on here.

@LowkeyX Sorry. I do nothing special. Just paste the copied URL directly into the comment field. Maybe it is my browser (chrome) or some settings in my browser???
 
Personally, they should cancel the while season. With players sitting out at will it causes an unfair advantage to teams. Because of players not playing teams can loose more games than normal. So these teams will ultimately get a better draft pick. Then the following year these players return that are not playing. So you get better draft picks then possible all-stars returning. Total unfair advantage.
 
Personally, they should cancel the while season. With players sitting out at will it causes an unfair advantage to teams. Because of players not playing teams can loose more games than normal. So these teams will ultimately get a better draft pick. Then the following year these players return that are not playing. So you get better draft picks then possible all-stars returning. Total unfair advantage.
If there is WCBB season, the winner will be the team that is least impacted by Covid--fewer key players out or out at less important stretches--or lies about their players testing positive. Every roster is "partial" over the next year or so.
 
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Personally, they should cancel the while season. With players sitting out at will it causes an unfair advantage to teams. Because of players not playing teams can loose more games than normal. So these teams will ultimately get a better draft pick. Then the following year these players return that are not playing. So you get better draft picks then possible all-stars returning. Total unfair advantage.

The same argument could be made for teams who have their star injured or out for a year. DT sat out pretty much all of 2012 IIRC and Phoenix was rewarded with the #1 pick and Brittney Griner. Or last year with so many stars out due to injury or other obligations.

Draft lottery also now take 2 year records into account, so this helps prevent teams from tanking for high draft picks.

Also, have you looked at next year's mock draft? The class looks terrible.
 
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@LowkeyX Sorry. I do nothing special. Just paste the copied URL directly into the comment field. Maybe it is my browser (chrome) or some settings in my browser???
@eebmg Well thanks anyways, maybe it’s b/c I’m doing it from my phone.
 
The same argument could be made for teams who have their star injured or out for a year. DT sat out pretty much all of 2012 IIRC and Phoenix was rewarded with the #1 pick and Brittney Griner. Or last year with so many stars out due to injury or other obligations.

Draft lottery also now take 2 year records into account, so this helps prevent teams from tanking for high draft picks.

Also, have you looked at next year's mock draft? The class looks terrible.

That is true as I forgot about the two year look back. This actually has bothered me since Sacramento went under and Minnesota had the first pick in the dispersal draft. They grabbed Brunson and had the No. 1 draft pick also. I'm brain dead right now and not sure if the pick was Simone or Maya. But damn you just got two No. 1 draft picks.
 
interesting, no mention of kiah stokes

Well, probably should not be surprised. Kiah has not made herself a central player after entering the WNBA as a strong defensive force. and I guess part of it was coaching




I think she more than most UConn players / alumnae needed to be continuously pushed and Lambeer seemed to do that in 2015-2016. I guess maybe Bill had his eye on Vegas in 2017 and when K. Smith was coach , the air went out of the tires
 
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Well, probably should not be surprised. Kiah has not made herself a central player after entering the WNBA as a strong defensive force. and I guess part of it was coaching




I think she more than most UConn players / alumnae needed to be continuously pushed and Lambeer seemed to do that in 2015-2016. I guess maybe Bill had his eye on Vegas in 2017 and when K. Smith was coach , the air went out of the tires

the reason I say that is because the article said Amanda B has played with the Liberty the longest. I thought it was stokes
 
the reason I say that is because the article said Amanda B has played with the Liberty the longest. I thought it was stokes


Aaah. Zahui B is another exasperating player. So inconsistent and just wants to take 3 pt shots. I guess that fits in with the coach's positionless spread the floor 3pt is better than 2pt philosophy but ...
 
That is true as I forgot about the two year look back. This actually has bothered me since Sacramento went under and Minnesota had the first pick in the dispersal draft. They grabbed Brunson and had the No. 1 draft pick also. I'm brain dead right now and not sure if the pick was Simone or Maya. But damn you just got two No. 1 draft picks.

They traded that pick (which would have been Tina Charles) plus Renee Montgomery for Lindsay Whalen and Monica Wright.
 
the reason I say that is because the article said Amanda B has played with the Liberty the longest. I thought it was stokes

Stokes joined the team in 2015 and Zahui in 2016, but Zahui always shows up so she’s played more games.
 
Lynx Analysis


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Heavy feedback on Naphessa and Crystal

Collier enters her sophomore campaign with great expectations.
Opponents likely will try to stall her effectiveness on offense. On the other end, they will scheme their attacks around her defensive presence. Her diversity and versatility will be tested and require that she adapt and adjust to remain effective, and she seems up to the task.
In a recent Zoom call, she shared the following about her offseason development focus:
I really focused on my perimeter game. Switching to the three position it showed me some things I needed to work on. So 3-pointers, specifically, is what I was really working on in the offseason and then ball-handling and things like that.
\

Crystal Dangerfield — point guard of now and tomorrow
Could Crystal Dangerfield be 2020’s Napheesa Collier?
While mocked in the top 10 on most draft boards, Dangerfield at first looked like one of the biggest “losers” of draft night 2020, falling to No. 16. Yet, she might be the biggest winner. With the Minnesota Lynx, Dangerfield should be put in position to succeed, with the opportunity to contribute right away.

Minnesota did not exactly replace the legendary Lindsay Whalen in 2019. Odyssey Sims operated as the primary ballhandler, but she is not a traditional point guard and serves teams best as a bucket-getter than a distributor. The Lynx acquired Shenise Johnson in the offseason to bolster the one guard spot and, while Johnson is a solid option, she is likely best as a backup.

Dangerfield, therefore, can establish herself as the point guard of the Lynx’s today and tomorrow


At UConn, Dangerfield increasingly excelled at conducting and calibrating an offense, balancing getting the ball to talented teammates (2.27 assist/turnover ratio) with taking and making her own shots (56.1 effective field goal percentage; 41 3-point percentage). When at her best, she reminds of Chris Paul, an absolutely in control and crafty offensive operator.

In Minnesota, she can take advantage of her pre-existing familiarity with her fellow former Husky Napheesa Collier as she builds trust with her new teammates. Although she might not put up big scoring numbers, she, like Collier before her, can put up efficient numbers that contribute to winning basketball.
Dangerfield also should be solid on the defensive end. While her height, or lack thereof, may have led to her draft night drop, she has the strength needed to fight through the punishing physicality of pro basketball.

Playoff prospects
The WNBA is a league loaded with exceptional talents and awesome teams. Making the playoffs thus is a tall task. Analyzing their roster, it is easy to question if the Lynx have enough for a playoff push. Their need for Dangerfield and Herbert Harrigan to be special right away underscores the precariousness of their playoff prospects. Yet, evidence suggests it is unwise to bet against the Lynx. Cheryl Reeve and company just find ways to make things work. And while Fowles and Collier likely will face challenges, this does not mean that they will not excel, forming the league’s fiercest vet-youngster tandem.

The co-captains also will do their best to ensure that their teammates maintain the right attitude during the adversities and absurdities of the 2020 season. On the Lynx approach, Fowles told reporters over Zoom:
Just keeping a positive mindset. It starts with our captains and coaches. Just making sure these younger players understand this is not normal, it’s not normal for anyone. But you pretty much have to roll with it. … We don’t want to be the team that complains.
Collier added:
It is really crazy. … We can’t control the things that are going on in the world, but we can control our attitude. … Everyone is in the exact same situation. There’s nothing we can do about it, we’re doing out best. We’re here to play, which is what we all wanted. … If you’re complaining then us as a team we can get ahead because while you’re busy doing that, we’re practicing, we’re making the best out of the situation.
 
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