2024 WNBA Discussion Thread

[DarkPhoenix]

I don't worry too much about Nurse and Clarendon bc both are on their way to more and more bench time. Can't keep Ari McDonald off the court, and though Rae got almost no time last night, I think Miller likes her alot.

Sky have that problem too, and along w Mabry's inability to hit a clutch free throw, cost them the game last night. Look how open Angel is:

Not only was the player who took this shot 1-3 fm 3 for the night, she's 1-9 for the whole season fm 3 and a career 20 ish % 3 pt shooter!

I wonder if this is a bit of a quiet protest against the attention given the rookies. Not overtly knocking them down, but subtly ignoring them, If so it's totally on the coaches to put a stop to it esp when it cost a game.

TSpoon, for all her good points, is struggling right now. She stormed out of her presser last night after being asked for about the 8th time about changing her starting lineup. Meaning taking Diamond out and putting Carter in. I get she was mad about the game and tired of the questions, but she needs to be more professional.

That’s why these games are so hard for me to watch, Rickea and Reese are at the mercy of their guards getting them the ball, and they refuse to pass it to them. Not everyone is a Pg and can jack up shots whenever they want.

 

[glv98]

That’s why these games are so hard for me to watch, Rickea and Reese are at the mercy of their guards getting them the ball, and they refuse to pass it to them. Not everyone is a Pg and can jack up shots whenever they want.

RIckea has a huge advantage over Angel in that aspect - she can create fm anywhere on the court she happens to finally get the ball. Angel is much more dependant on being fed in the post.

Also, to be fair to Curt Miller, he runs plays for Rickea to go 1 on 1 all the time, esp when he really needs a bucket (sound familar?) I knew she'd have a good night last night when I saw the Lynx had Bridget Carlton or Kayla McBride guarding her. No way, no how and Curt ran the very first play of the game as an iso for her and RJ scored and established that mismatch. Then took advantage of it the rest of the game.

One thing really encouraging was how active Rickea was, esp on the boards. Almost no standing in the corner. She said postgame rebounding was a big point of emphasis for her. Has to contribute more when her shot isn't falling. That's something Angel is really good at, probably bc her shot is so often not falling lol.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

RIckea has a huge advantage over Angel in that aspect - she can create fm anywhere on the court she happens to finally get the ball. Angel is much more dependant on being fed in the post.

Also, to be fair to Curt Miller, he runs plays for Rickea to go 1 on 1 all the time, esp when he really needs a bucket (sound familar?) I knew she'd have a good night last night when I saw the Lynx had Bridget Carlton or Kayla McBride guarding her. No way, no how and Curt saw that and ran the very first play of the game as an iso and RJ scored and established that mismatch. Then took advantage of it the rest of the game.

One thing really encouraging was how active Rickea was, esp on the boards. Almost no standing in the corner. She said postgame rebounding was a big point of emphasis for her. Has to contribute more when her shot isn't falling. That's something Angel is really good at, probably bc her shot is so often not falling lol.

I’m not going to compare them 2 but Reese is a good ball handler and that’s all I’ll say. Reese fights for position all night long and calls for the ball, and the guards don’t pass it to her unless she’s in traffic. Maybe things are turning the corner for Rickea going forward and I hope that continues. And she did look more comfortable out there in this game, a lot more confidence showed in her movements, maybe she can find a way to be rookie of the year, she’s the most polished offensive player in this class, she just needs to show it more consistently.

 

[VolBall09]

RIckea has a huge advantage over Angel in that aspect - she can create fm anywhere on the court she happens to finally get the ball. Angel is much more dependant on being fed in the post.

Also, to be fair to Curt Miller, he runs plays for Rickea to go 1 on 1 all the time, esp when he really needs a bucket (sound familar?) I knew she'd have a good night last night when I saw the Lynx had Bridget Carlton or Kayla McBride guarding her. No way, no how and Curt ran the very first play of the game as an iso for her and RJ scored and established that mismatch. Then took advantage of it the rest of the game.

One thing really encouraging was how active Rickea was, esp on the boards. Almost no standing in the corner. She said postgame rebounding was a big point of emphasis for her. Has to contribute more when her shot isn't falling. That's something Angel is really good at, probably bc her shot is so often not falling lol.

Rickea is an actual athlete. Reese is a gimmick.

 

[glv98]

I’m not going to compare them 2 but Reese is a good ball handler and that’s all I’ll say

Angel cannot create from the perimeter. Yet. Maybe someday, she seems a very hard worker since she got to the W..

Reese fights for position all night long

Like almost no one I've ever seen. Her relentlessness and positioning are her best asset. She's a very smart player too, sees the court well.

maybe she can find a way to be rookie of the year,

Nah. That's almost certainly CC, esp since she didn't make USA. They'll go by scoring avg, and that will be CC. IMO Angel has an outside chance and has the numbers to support it. My Dark Horse is Edwards who is really coming on. She's playing like a little more fit and mobile Boston fm last year.

 

[glv98]

Rickea is an actual athlete. Reese is a gimmick.

It's hard to imagine two more different type players than Angel and Rickea.

I'd say Reese is a niche, not gimmick. Hard to deny her success; she's a freaking double double machine. She gets it done consistently.

Outside stuff aside, you could find Angel downright inspirational. Never has a player gotten more out of less.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Angel cannot create from the perimeter. Yet. Maybe someday, she seems a very hard worker since she got to the W..

Like almost no one I've ever seen. Her relentlessness and positioning are her best asset. She's a very smart player too, sees the court well.

Nah. That's almost certainly CC, esp since she didn't make USA. They'll go by scoring avg, and that will be CC. IMO Angel has an outside chance and has the numbers to support it. My Dark Horse is Edwards who is really coming on. She's playing like a little more fit and mobile Boston fm last year.

I know it’s already rigged for Clark, but I’m glad the world is getting to see who Rickea is, it’s been a long time coming.

 

[glv98]

I know it’s already rigged for Clark

Good Lord.

Rigged: the current most overused word in the English language.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

LOL of course the Sparks would be my first choice but realistically the Lynx have a better chance.

I wonder what the Sparks will look like when Azuri Stephens comes back. I don't know anything about her at all, don't know if she's any good.

I’ve been wondering about her, too. She looks pretty good, she’s 6’6. Here’s a lot to look at, wonder how rusty she will be. She’s supposed to return June 22nd.

Azura Stevens WNBA Stats | Basketball-Reference.com

Statistics, history, awards and achievements for WNBA player Azura Stevens

www.basketball-reference.com

 

[Mafiaboss]

Rickea is an actual athlete. Reese is a gimmick.

Rickea is also a leader.

 

[glv98]

Rickea is also a leader.

Actually Angel seems to embrace that role more vocally and publicly. She seems naturally a little bossy lol. But you never know what goes in behind locker room doors.

I think Hamby's pretty clearly the Sparks' leader but the Sky really didn't have one so it was open for AR.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Actually Angel seems to embrace that role more vocally and publicly. She seems naturally a little bossy lol. But you never know what goes in behind locker room doors.

I think Hamby's pretty clearly the Sparks' leader but the Sky really didn't have one so it was open for AR.

Her AAU coach gave her the nickname Bossy, so you’re right about that. But Reese has always been a leader and that’s going back to high school. Rickea is great, bit I won’t be comparing them at all.

 

[VolBall09]

Actually Angel seems to embrace that role more vocally and publicly. She seems naturally a little bossy lol. But you never know what goes in behind locker room doors.

I think Hamby's pretty clearly the Sparks' leader but the Sky really didn't have one so it was open for AR.

Angel runs her mouth. That doesn’t make her a leader. It makes her a loud mouth. Very tired of Sid the Sloth.

 

[NashVol11]

Angel runs her mouth. That doesn’t make her a leader. It makes her a loud mouth. Very tired of Sid the Sloth.

This is weird and seems personal. She’s been very good so far and has stood up for teammates on several occasions. Hell, she even stood up for Alyssa Thomas after being thrown to the ground headfirst

 

[Rooster1]

This is weird and seems personal. She’s been very good so far and has stood up for teammates on several occasions. Hell, she even stood up for Alyssa Thomas after being thrown to the ground headfirst

She has been a pleasant surprise, she is a league player no doubt.

 

[Rooster1]

Rikea and Clark will battle for ROY along with a few others. Reese will be in the discussion.

 

[VolBall09]

This is weird and seems personal. She’s been very good so far and has stood up for teammates on several occasions. Hell, she even stood up for Alyssa Thomas after being thrown to the ground headfirst

Standing up for Alyssa Thomas is a laugh. Biggest bull in a China shop in the league. She stays plowing people over and getting no calls.

 

[NashVol11]

Standing up for Alyssa Thomas is a laugh. Biggest bull in a China shop in the league. She stays plowing people over and getting no calls.

So Reese should have started whining about it instead and that would make her more of a leader? Seems like you would find something to criticize either way

 

[StorrsCentral]

Standing up for Alyssa Thomas is a laugh. Biggest bull in a China shop in the league. She stays plowing people over and getting no calls.

Thomas is not your prototypical basketball player, and she deals with her shoulder injury as if it didn't exist. As a Sun fan it took some time to get use to her and the way she plays, but to the Sun fans and teammates, she is invaluable. Having all those triple=doubles means she is involved with every aspect of the game, and she just plays hard every minute she is in, sometimes 40 minutes. Because of her style, most fans of other teams cannot appreciate her style, but you cannot argue with her results and impact on the team. She may not be popular, but she is a great all round player.

 

[VolBall09]

Thomas is not your prototypical basketball player, and she deals with her shoulder injury as if it didn't exist. As a Sun fan it took some time to get use to her and the way she plays, but to the Sun fans and teammates, she is invaluable. Having all those triple=doubles means she is involved with every aspect of the game, and she just plays hard every minute she is in, sometimes 40 minutes. Because of her style, most fans of other teams cannot appreciate her style, but you cannot argue with her results and impact on the team. She may not be popular, but she is a great all round player.

It’s not basketball and shouldn’t be allowed. She should foul out of most games in the first few minutes. Her shoulders are jacked from lowering them and ramming them into people.

 

[glv98]

Rikea and Clark will battle for ROY along with a few others. Reese will be in the discussion.

Don't think so, think it's Reese and Clark for sure. Rickea would have to improve defensively alot to stay on the court enough to contend, even with her obvious scoring power. Miller has a very fast hook for Rickea defensively, you can see him immediately looking down the bench whenever she gets blown by or doesn't close out on a 3. She can sometimes play very good D, but still a work in progress other times. And Curt ain't having it. He's really got an unbelievably quick hook for both his prize rookies, the opposite of TSpoon. And will keep them on the bench like he did Cam the last game. That's a big advantage for Angel who gets to work through her subpar shooting.

It’s not basketball and shouldn’t be allowed. She should foul out of most games in the first few minutes. Her shoulders are jacked from lowering them and ramming them into people.

I can't stand it and can't stand to watch the Sun. That kind of bully ball is why I don't enjoy the NBA. Along with the incessant whining, which the Sun also specializes in (along w the Aces).

 

[glv98]

Chicago at Indy at noon today on CBS. This time it's the Sky who really need a win.

Jordy's Storm at Phoenix at 3 on ABC. Should be a good game.

The Sparks start their monster stretch of 4 games in 6 days. They play in Atlanta at 3 on ESPN3 and League Pass today and really need to pick up that W against the faltering Dream. Next is murderer's row, at the Sun on Tuesday and at NY Thursday and Saturday. Be pretty tough to get a win against either of those, the best two teams in the league.

 

[VolBall09]

Tamika Catchings on Caitlin Clark: 'There is a lot of weight on her shoulders.'

Fever legend Tamika Catchings discusses Chennedy Carter cheap shot on Caitlin Clark, and Indiana rookie's adjustment to WNBA.

www.indystar.com

As usual. Catch talking sense, such a poignant interview and thoughtful responses.

 

[glv98]

TSpoon is messy. After storming out of her presser bc of continually being asked about changing her starting lineup she changed her starting lineup. Unfortunately that means Diamond, along w Dana Evans is benched. Given the way they've been playing and the way Carter is playing it was a no brainer.

Interesting that Spoon appears to be conceding CC her points early, having Mabry guard her. She obviously can't and CC has already taken her off the dribble twice. Not sure what that strategy is about.

 

[VolBall09]

Smith is just a distraction at this point. They need to release her after the game.

3 fouls in 25 seconds and a terrible shot. She looks so dumb, clearly doing it on purposes. The immaturity is astounding.