2024 WNBA Discussion Thread

[glv98]

Rickea's just trying to learn a million plays, the terminology, and how to play D at this level. Not thinking about scoring. Somehow, I doubt that, but it's good she's not putting pressure on herself. Hope she has a good, solid game tonight.

 

[th2421]

I think Angel will do better than her skeptics think in her rookie year due to having the right coach in Teresa Weatherspoon. I read a good article in which talked about the apparent bond between them given their shared background and Angel's stated need for a strong mother figure. She mentioned how she wants to "please" Weatherspoon. While it could be a honeymoon phase, Angel does thrive when she has a strong coach. She needs someone to hold her accountable and I think she knows this even if she doesn't always submit to it.

Yeah, I'm finding it way easier to cheer for Angel tonight under Weatherspoon than it ever was with Mulkey and LSU.

 

[glv98]

Being without Izzy and Kamilla has really hurt the Sky against Williams and McCowen.

Diamond hasn't played enough after a nice first half.

Arike took the heck over in the second half for the Wings. They'll be tough when they get Satou Sabally back.

 

[VolFuture]

Rickea having to do the little things like screen is so funny to me. Also funny those who thought she was ahead of Brink. Ik it was an unpopular opinion but I knew the transition would be hard for her bc she’s not used to playing team basketball

 

[VolFuture]

Rickea having to do the little things like screen is so funny to me. Also funny those who thought she was ahead of Brink. Ik it was an unpopular opinion but I knew the transition would be hard for her bc she’s not used to playing team basketball

Skill is not the issue. It’s game sense and playing a role

 

[chuckiepoo]

Skill is not the issue. It’s game sense and playing a role

Yer talking to yersef again…

 

[VolFuture]

Yer talking to yersef again…

Always do.

 

[glv98]

That's what I'm talking about! First W points on the last play of the first half on a steal and score to tie the game. That's one for the confidence.

Rickea is clearly not comfortable offensively and no wonder, the Sparks are a total one on one team. She'll be ok , she'll settle in. She'll get plenty of mins bc Cam is so very foul prone.

No Rae the first half. Zia wasn't very good in her mins, maybe Rae will get the call in the second half.

 

[VolFuture]

Much better on the baseline benefitting from the doubles being sent to Hamby.

 

[VolFuture]

Much better on the baseline benefitting from the doubles being sent to Hamby.

But not surprising for offense. Getting eaten alive on D

 

[Volfaninfl2]

Have never particularly watched WNBA games, other than Candace in the Chicago Finals, but wanted to watch Rickea. She and Brink are a pretty fun duo to watch. I think they’ll bring fans and viewers to the Sparks. Now, looking around for all the possible free Sparks games.

 

[knoxvol52]

But not surprising for offense. Getting eaten alive on D

 

[VolFuture]

No player is perfect or immune from scrutiny. Many act like she’s the god of basketball with many claims she’ll outshine all her other draft picks. She hasn’t

Love her upside tho! But she needs less minutes more action to adjust.

 

[VolBall09]

That's what I'm talking about! First W points on the last play of the first half on a steal and score to tie the game. That's one for the confidence.

Rickea is clearly not comfortable offensively and no wonder, the Sparks are a total one on one team. She'll be ok , she'll settle in. She'll get plenty of mins bc Cam is so very foul prone.

No Rae the first half. Zia wasn't very good in her mins, maybe Rae will get the call in the second half.

Zia still just doing Zia things, she’s so good but her shot selection is so bad. She drove into the paint and got swatted 4-5 times in every game I’ve seen of theirs so far.

She’s so quick and such a nice handle, she really needs to be a pass first guard though. She’s too short to score at the rim and her deep ball has just never been there. Even in college

 

[glv98]

Now, looking around for all the possible free Sparks games.

Click on schedule, it shows all games and where they're broadcast. Games are all over the place, for 39$ you can get league pass and have pretty much all of them.

The Official Home of the WNBA | Women's National Basketball Association

The official home of the Women's National Basketball Association. Keep up to date with news, scores, and standings for your favorite teams.

www.wnba.com

But she needs less minutes more action to adjust.

Not sure how you get more action in less minutes. Rickea gets minutes because Brink can't stop fouling.

All the rookies struggled somewhat, all settled better in the second halves of their first games. The timeline from college season to draft to moving across the country to beginning training camp to actual games is insane. Most teams have had 10 or less practices and maybe a preseason game or two. Rickea said in an interview yesterday she is completely overwhelmed just learning plays and terminology. They all are. But they'll all be fine.

she really needs to be a pass first guard though

Someone needs to be for the Sparks. Those who complain about "hero ball" will hate this team. It's all they do. Fortunately, so far Hamby has been a hero.

Zia didn't get much time last night and Rae got almost none.

Ryan Howard, wow. The Dream is really good.

 

[glv98]

This Fever/Liberty game is an old fashioned butt whuppin so far. Jonquil Jones is not to be messed with. Stewart looking like an MVP again but who I'm impressing with is Laney. What a motor! Face guarded CC very effectively and also scored on all levels. CC with another first half struggle, just 2 pts but does have 5 assists.

Does Boston look slower? Maybe a little out of shape?

 

[VolFuture]

This Fever/Liberty game is an old fashioned butt whuppin so far. Jonquil Jones is not to be messed with. Stewart looking like an MVP again but who I'm impressing with is Laney. What a motor! Face guarded CC very effectively and also scored on all levels. CC with another first half struggle, just 2 pts but does have 5 assists.

Does Boston look slower? Maybe a little out of shape?

CC on triple double watch. She’s fine her team really needs to help all this pressure they are throwing at her. Double and triple teams as a rook is hilarious.

Boston has looked terrible all preseason… Smith is such a streaky player too.

With all this pressure on CC you think the Fever would play defense and rebound but CC is leading rebounding too it’s embarrassing.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

Click on schedule, it shows all games and where they're broadcast. Games are all over the place, for 39$ you can get league pass and have pretty much all of them.

The Official Home of the WNBA | Women's National Basketball Association

The official home of the Women's National Basketball Association. Keep up to date with news, scores, and standings for your favorite teams.

www.wnba.com

Not sure how you get more action in less minutes. Rickea gets minutes because Brink can't stop fouling.

All the rookies struggled somewhat, all settled better in the second halves of their first games. The timeline from college season to draft to moving across the country to beginning training camp to actual games is insane. Most teams have had 10 or less practices and maybe a preseason game or two. Rickea said in an interview yesterday she is completely overwhelmed just learning plays and terminology. They all are. But they'll all be fine.

Someone needs to be for the Sparks. Those who complain about "hero ball" will hate this team. It's all they do. Fortunately, so far Hamby has been a hero.

Zia didn't get much time last night and Rae got almost none.

Ryan Howard, wow. The Dream is really good.

Oh I have spent time on researching games. Watched some of CC’s last game, and some tonight. Makes me wonder if crowds will keep showing up when the Fever keep getting stomped. Crazy not to have more practice before these games.

On the other hand, and I know I’m biased, but to me, the game with Rickea and Brink was much more fun to watch.

 

[VolFuture]

Oh I have spent time on researching games. Watched some of CC’s last game, and some tonight. Makes me wonder if crowds will keep showing up when the Fever keep getting stomped. Crazy not to have more practice before these games.

On the other hand, and I know I’m biased, but to me, the game with Rickea and Brink was much more fun to watch.

Fever drawing 2/3 best teams in the league and the best defensive team game 1 was a terrible draw

 

[glv98]

Oh I have spent time on researching games. Watched some of CC’s last game, and some tonight. Makes me wonder if crowds will keep showing up when the Fever keep getting stomped. Crazy not to have more practice before these games.

On the other hand, and I know I’m biased, but to me, the game with Rickea and Brink was much more fun to watch.

I thought about all that money that’s been shelled out for all those tickets in all those cities. You can tell CC feels it too. Tons of pressure on her.

What has happened to Boston?

The Sparks games were more fun bc both were close, unlike this fanny kicking tonight. Remember when Rae used to be a baby deer on skates? That’s how Rickea is right now. Won’t get much better soon, next game is against the Aces in Vegas.

 

[lvocd]

This Fever/Liberty game is an old fashioned butt whuppin so far. Jonquil Jones is not to be messed with. Stewart looking like an MVP again but who I'm impressing with is Laney. What a motor! Face guarded CC very effectively and also scored on all levels. CC with another first half struggle, just 2 pts but does have 5 assists.

Does Boston look slower? Maybe a little out of shape?

Yes. And yes.

Poor Indy, just more of the same. Granted, they opened with one of the best teams in the league and the reigning MVP, but yikes. My gut tells me the Indy fans came in there thinking maybe they'd get the win tonight. Instead, they took their usual beating.

Gotta feel for them. As for Clark, she has done her best to prepare fans for the reality that she has a LOT of adapting and learning to do as a new pro but, again, I suspect their fans are probably thinking their superstar is just sandbagging and will step up and score 25-plus every night.

it'll be interesting to see who ends up being named ROY after this season. Right now I'd say Angel Reese is living up to her hype. Good for her.

 

[VolBall09]

Yes. And yes.

Poor Indy, just more of the same. Granted, they opened with one of the best teams in the league and the reigning MVP, but yikes. My gut tells me the Indy fans came in there thinking maybe they'd get the win tonight. Instead, they took their usual beating.

Gotta feel for them. As for Clark, she has done her best to prepare fans for the reality that she has a LOT of adapting and learning to do as a new pro but, again, I suspect their fans are probably thinking their superstar is just sandbagging and will step up and score 25-plus every night.

it'll be interesting to see who ends up being named ROY after this season. Right now I'd say Angel Reese is living up to her hype. Good for her.

I’m not understanding having Erica Wheeler out there so much.

They need to go smaller and quick. Less Samuelson as well, she is efficient, but just so slow.

I think they’d be more successful running Clark, Berger, Hull, Smith and Boston together. Their defense would be better also. Hull and Celeste Taylor are their best defenders and played some of the fewest (or no) minutes. When you lose 102-66 you might consider putting some better defense on the floor.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

I thought about all that money that’s been shelled out for all those tickets in all those cities. You can tell CC feels it too. Tons of pressure on her.

What has happened to Boston?

The Sparks games were more fun bc both were close, unlike this fanny kicking tonight. Remember when Rae used to be a baby deer on skates? That’s how Rickea is right now. Won’t get much better soon, next game is against the Aces in Vegas.

Part of the fun, too, was seeing Brink goes crazy when Rickea got the steal and basket. Lots more passion, Rickea and Brink were giving their all. They’ll get better and better, just like CC will.

 

[lvocd]

I’m not understanding having Erica Wheeler out there so much.

They need to go smaller and quick. Less Samuelson as well, she is efficient, but just so slow.

I think they’d be more successful running Clark, Berger, Hull, Smith and Boston together. Their defense would be better also. Hull and Celeste Taylor are their best defenders and played some of the fewest (or no) minutes. When you lose 102-66 you might consider putting some better defense on the floor.

But then you also have to score points. It's only the first game, but dang. I wouldn't be surprised if the Fever finished at or near the bottom again. Bless their hearts.

 

[VolFuture]

I’m not understanding having Erica Wheeler out there so much.

They need to go smaller and quick. Less Samuelson as well, she is efficient, but just so slow.

I think they’d be more successful running Clark, Berger, Hull, Smith and Boston together. Their defense would be better also. Hull and Celeste Taylor are their best defenders and played some of the fewest (or no) minutes. When you lose 102-66 you might consider putting some better defense on the floor.

I’ve been saying this for Samuelson this whole time.. KLS is killing them on D and is basically a stand around player on O..

The biggest issue is rebounding.. CC was the leading rebounder. That’s terrible. Smith Boston and Fagbele need to step up