2024 WNBA Discussion Thread

[1reVOLver]

Arike Obunbowale took 28 shots in the Wings' loss. Next most prolific shooter took 11.

Arike of the Lost Composure, consummate team player. Only problem is that Arike is the only player on her team.

 

[Max Roguespierre]

Poor Zia Cooke is just buried on the bench.

Zia Cooke was an inefficient volume scorer in college who had the ability to go on occasional runs. Unfortunately, she is a poor shooter without other outstanding qualities to make up for her lack of touch. If she can't reinvent her shot and overall game, she is unlikely to stay in the league.

 

[Max Roguespierre]

Arike of the Lost Composure, consummate team player. Only problem is that Arike is the only player on her team.

Ogunbowale is another inefficient volume scorer (whose shooting percentages appear to be heading in the wrong direction this season). Fortunately for her, she is an ideal situation in Dallas with the team constructed around her. Not that the Wings will win anything with her shooting so much. Even when Sabaly was playing last season, Ogunbowale took by far the most shots on the team.

Interestingly, Maddie Siegrist has been playing much better of late and shot lights out against the Sparks (9 of 11 and 2 of 3 from 3). Amazing then that she saw so little of the ball during crunch time even with Arike missing every one of her 9 3-point attempts in the game. But that's just the way the Wings roll, I guess.

 

[glv98]

Interestingly, Maddie Siegrist has been playing much better of late and shot lights out against the Sparks (9 of 11 and 2 of 3 from 3). Amazing then that she saw so little of the ball during crunch time even with Arike missing every one of her 9 3-point attempts in the game. But that's just the way the Wings roll, I guess.

15 of Maddie's 21 pts were in the first half, it's why the Wings were ahead at halftime. Maddie got the defensive clamps put on her in the second half, don't think she got more than a couple of shots off between the D and Arike's ball hogging. Getting benched in the first few mins when Maddie hit her first 3 got the total attention of Ms RIckea Jackson. Miller said he challenged RJ at halftime and she stepped up. He said he'd give Arike 20+ points if it's going to take her 20+ shots to get it. Just can't let anyone else, like Maddie, beat you. Maddie has been playing very well lately but it won't matter as long as machine gunner Arike is on the loose.

Not sure why any team chooses to play that way, it's almost never successful, is no fun to watch, and has to be demoralizing to the rest of the team. Almost no one is a good enough scorer to justify that many selfish quick shots, and certainly not Arike. It will be interesting to see what it looks like when Saboly, who IMO is a much better player, returns.

 

[glv98]

Zia Cooke was an inefficient volume scorer in college who had the ability to go on occasional runs. Unfortunately, she is a poor shooter without other outstanding qualities to make up for her lack of touch. If she can't reinvent her shot and overall game, she is unlikely to stay in the league.

Unfortunately for Zia, the Sparks already have Lexie Brown in the role of poor shooter without other outstanding qualities, tho she did have a rare good game last night. I agree, I think Zia is in trouble.

BTW, Hamby said after the game last night they had a team meeting and decided they need to pass the ball to each other more. Really? Go figure! Seemed to work, they had 23 assists in the win.

 

[glv98]

Caitlin Clark did not make the Olympic team. It's apparently the end of the world as we know it, and Christine Brennan does not feel fine.

I'm still way more outraged that selfish ego maniac DT hogs up a spot yet again, giving the finger to many other deserving players who'd love just one of her five chances of a lifetime.

 

[VolBall09]

Caitlin Clark did not make the Olympic team. It's apparently the end of the world as we know it, and Christine Brennan does not feel fine.

I'm still way more outraged that selfish ego maniac DT hogs up a spot yet again, giving the finger to many other deserving players who'd love just one of her five chances of a lifetime.

It is total BS really, she’s being punished for being likable and good at her job. Hard to make sense of it.

Especially when you’re putting some salty old bag like Diana on there.

 

[Mafiaboss]

Caitlin Clark did not make the Olympic team. It's apparently the end of the world as we know it, and Christine Brennan does not feel fine.

I'm still way more outraged that selfish ego maniac DT hogs up a spot yet again, giving the finger to many other deserving players who'd love just one of her five chances of a lifetime.

Yes. I’m so freakin sick of DT. I can’t respect her achievements because of her incredible selfishness. How did she make the team any way?

 

[Mafiaboss]

It is total BS really, she’s being punished for being likable and good at her job. Hard to make sense of it.

Especially when you’re putting some salty old bag like Diana on there.

It’s almost as bad as the Candace snub.

 

[glv98]

It’s almost as bad as the Candace snub.

Nah, not close. CP was clearly the best player in the world at that time. That was like leaving off Aja Wilson would be now.

I don’t much care whether CC is on the roster or not. Her worldwide popularity and draw is being overrated here imo. It’s mostly honorary anyway, they’re going to win gold with just about any roster. There are other deserving young players who’ve paid more dues like Ryan Howard.

I just wish repeaters would show some class and grace.

 

[lvocd]

Even people from other countries would have flocked to see the phenom Clark in person, as well as getting way more TV viewers.

Nothing surprises me about USA Basketball anymore. Not that it matters one iota, but I'm done with them, and I don't know what it would take for me to ever care enough to watch again. NOT saying I want them to lose or anything, but the organization killed my joy for watching the woman's team.

 

[Terrells Bay88]

Even people from other countries would have flocked to see the phenom Clark in person, as well as getting way more TV viewers.

Nothing surprises me about USA Basketball anymore. Not that it matters one iota, but I'm done with them, and I don't know what it would take for me to ever care enough to watch again. NOT saying I want them to lose or anything, but the organization killed my joy for watching the woman's team.

It sounds like you're a Caitlin Clark fan more than a USA women's basketball fan.

 

[lvocd]

It sounds like you're a Caitlin Clark fan more than a USA women's basketball fan.

No, it's more about remembering Candace being left off and allowing Diana Taurasi's selfishness to ruin it for me.

Also, a person doesn't have to be a fan of Clark to understand that there will be lot of disappointed people, all over the world, because she won't be playing on the Olympic team.

Fact. Not fanship.

 

[Voltopia]

Caitlin Clark did not make the Olympic team. It's apparently the end of the world as we know it, and Christine Brennan does not feel fine.

I'm still way more outraged that selfish ego maniac DT hogs up a spot yet again, giving the finger to many other deserving players who'd love just one of her five chances of a lifetime.

Clark could have been the most amazing rookie of all time, scored 40 points per game, and they still would have left her off the Olympic roster. Everyone knows what's up with that situation.

And all those UConn players know exactly what they're doing. Actually, everyone knows what's up with that situation as well. There's just no one brave enough to stand up to it - or to the long reach of Auriemma.

 

[VolBall09]

Stefanie White’s voice is nails on a chalkboard to me. So hard to listen to her coach.

 

[madtownvol]

No, it's more about remembering Candace being left off and allowing Diana Taurasi's selfishness to ruin it for me.

Also, a person doesn't have to be a fan of Clark to understand that there will be lot of disappointed people, all over the world, because she won't be playing on the Olympic team.

Fact. Not fanship.

The expected line-up is Aja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper.

All those picks make sense except for past her prime Taurasi. Griner is maybe a little iffey given she has been out with an injury.

Clark missed a lot of training camp due to the NCAA tournament and I am not sure she is better than the other guards right now (excluding Taurasi), given their level experience and physicality.

I think 11 of the 12 spots are merit based and one is a weird entitlement spot for DT. From a marketing standpoint, it would absolutely make sense to have Clark on the team, rather than Taurasi, but that also creates some subtle pressures to play her.

 

[ShortyMac10]

I think rhyne should’ve been on the list and put Lisha on the 3x3 but cc gotta earn a spot she’ll be more polished for the next Olympics

 

[lvocd]

The expected line-up is Aja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper.

All those picks make sense except for past her prime Taurasi. Griner is maybe a little iffey given she has been out with an injury.

Clark missed a lot of training camp due to the NCAA tournament and I am not sure she is better than the other guards right now (excluding Taurasi), given their level experience and physicality.

I think 11 of the 12 spots are merit based and one is a weird entitlement spot for DT. From a marketing standpoint, it would absolutely make sense to have Clark on the team, rather than Taurasi, but that also creates some subtle pressures to play her.

I would have left Taurasi and Griner off. T because, well, it's time. And Griner because I feel like she's not at her best these days and I feel like her spot would have been another great opportunity to give a young player her first Olympic experience. And frankly, I'm a little surprised Griner even wants to go. If I were her I don't think I'd ever leave the continental U.S. again!

And let's get real. We didn't need a roster full of veteran players to win gold in Paris. SOME veteran leadership? Of course! But we still would have easily won gold if half the roster was made up of young first-timers.

 

[Mafiaboss]

Nah, not close. CP was clearly the best player in the world at that time. That was like leaving off Aja Wilson would be now.

I don’t much care whether CC is on the roster or not. Her worldwide popularity and draw is being overrated here imo. It’s mostly honorary anyway, they’re going to win gold with just about any roster. There are other deserving young players who’ve paid more dues like Ryan Howard.

I just wish repeaters would show some class and grace.

Yeah. Unlike DT, I was trying to be gracious.

 

[Mafiaboss]

Clark could have been the most amazing rookie of all time, scored 40 points per game, and they still would have left her off the Olympic roster. Everyone knows what's up with that situation.

And all those UConn players know exactly what they're doing. Actually, everyone knows what's up with that situation as well. There's just no one brave enough to stand up to it - or to the long reach of Auriemma.

I really wish I had made it my life’s mission to bring him down.

 

[Lucy]

Have never followed the WNBA much as I generally prefer college over professional sports. But with Rikea and Jordy both playing a lot I’m paying much closer attention and this thread is really helpful in getting the lay of the land. Thank you to all of the knowledgeable posters on here.
Agree re: Brink. Really like the young lady’s play and attitude!

 

[DarkPhoenix]

They only made 10k tickets available and there was massive demand, but they made the whole arena available for Indiana, I guess they didn’t wanna see the impact of Reese.

 

[BMvol27]

Even people from other countries would have flocked to see the phenom Clark in person, as well as getting way more TV viewers.

Nothing surprises me about USA Basketball anymore. Not that it matters one iota, but I'm done with them, and I don't know what it would take for me to ever care enough to watch again. NOT saying I want them to lose or anything, but the organization killed my joy for watching the woman's team.

I’ve rooted against them since 2016. I doubt I’ll ever root for them again.

 

[madtownvol]

I would have left Taurasi and Griner off. T because, well, it's time. And Griner because I feel like she's not at her best these days and I feel like her spot would have been another great opportunity to give a young player her first Olympic experience. And frankly, I'm a little surprised Griner even wants to go. If I were her I don't think I'd ever leave the continental U.S. again!

And let's get real. We didn't need a roster full of veteran players to win gold in Paris. SOME veteran leadership? Of course! But we still would have easily won gold if half the roster was made up of young first-timers.

Actually, USA basketball did Clark a favor. If she had made the team with all the attendant media hype the WNBA vets frustration/anger over her being the "golden girl" who ain't paid her dues would have gone through the roof.

 

[Mafiaboss]

They only made 10k tickets available and there was massive demand, but they made the whole arena available for Indiana, I guess they didn’t wanna see the impact of Reese.

Or they were trying to ensure a sell out.