The reason for the disappointment was simple: The Liberty should never have lost game four, and if Gray was out for game five, should have won the series.
And the reason for the game four loss is obvious: Sandy Brondello is an old-school WNBA coach who was completely exposed by Becky Hammon (and her NBA training). If Jonquel Jones leaves, blame Brondello for failing to take full advantage of her skills in the playoffs. And of course, listening to that panicked huddle, and nearly incomprehensible instructions, in the last few seconds would make any professional question the ability of the coach and the chances of delivering under pressure.
It is almost incomprehensible how New York lost game four. It's as if the Liberty went into the game without Vandersloot and Laney and still won. The talent edge for New York was massive, yet the end result was a loss, and thus the crushing disappointment of the fans and players.
I have to agree about Brondello. Not a terrible coach, but rigid and unimaginative. She's been blessed with numerous All-Stars during her career -- most of them future Hall of Famers -- but has managed only one championship. Her husband/chief assistant Olaf Lange won two Euroleague titles in five years with UMMC. That sounds good, but is actually disappointing when you consider Ekaterinburg usually has All-Star level talent even on the bench. So, that Brondello-Lange combination has a history of getting you into the playoffs but not finishing the job.
Las Vegas under Laimbeer was in a similar good-but-not-good-enough state. Hammon took the Aces that extra mile. Part of it was developing Wilson, Young, and Plum to their fullest. Those players were already good or very good, but Becky was able to raise them another level (two for Young). That's before we get to the X's and O's.
Coming into the season, NY's bench was viewed as their advantage. However, except for Thornton, Sandy didn't use anyone regularly. Players either lost effectiveness, confidence or both. I don't remember if it was Myles Ehrlich or Jackie Powell, but one of them said that Han was only scheduled to attend the University Games. Nonetheless, Han ended up being recalled for the Asia Cup and the Asian Games. I have to believe that Han being glued to the bench was at least partially responsible for China's decision. Note that the Chinese bureaurcrats were much more lenient with Li Meng. She departed for Asia Cup six days later than Han and didn't leave for the other tournaments. I'm sure the Chinese saw Brondello relegating Han to last on the bench behind Nyara Sabally despite Xu's good performance the season before. Then, Sandy lost confidence in Nyara, and she disappeared too. Johannes received a lot of playing time, but her production declined as the season progressed. There was talk about Marine feeling insecure. Dolson never fully reclaimed her playing time after a midseason injury, and Willoughby never found a role. Overall, except for Thornton, the bench was mosly a nonfactor.
As for rebuilding NY's bench with cheap young talent, Brondello has a poor history of developing young players. She mostly ignores them. Just ask Courtney Williams, Isabelle Harrison, Sophie Cunningham, Alanna Smith, and even Ezi Magbegor. I'm sure Han will do well for a WNBA team one of these days. It's ironic that Brondello quickly yanked Lauren Jackson in that semifinal against China last year when Han scored a couple of baskets. We're talking about LAUREN JACKSON! Yes, LJ was 41 years old, but she scored 30 in the next game against Canada. No confidence in LJ against Han, but no confidence in Han in the WNBA regular season. Weird.
I would think about looking for talent like Natasha Cloud, Skylar Diggins, Elene Delle Donne, Brionna Jones or Britney Griner either way I would think about bringing back Didi Richards because they need to be tougher physically and mentally for next year
i like this for the Liberty - especially Cloud - but hate it for the Mystics! Mystics would lose 1/3 of their Fort Knox outside defense plus team leader. But Cloud would turn the Liberty into winners. Her assist numbers are close to Slooty's and she got the most assists last season. Slooty is nearing retirement while Cloud is still peaking and her defense as PG is best in the league (apologies to Chelsea Gray and Jordin Canada).
The reason for the disappointment was simple: The Liberty should never have lost game four, and if Gray was out for game five, should have won the series.
And the reason for the game four loss is obvious: Sandy Brondello is an old-school WNBA coach who was completely exposed by Becky Hammon (and her NBA training). If Jonquel Jones leaves, blame Brondello for failing to take full advantage of her skills in the playoffs. And of course, listening to that panicked huddle, and nearly incomprehensible instructions, in the last few seconds would make any professional question the ability of the coach and the chances of delivering under pressure.
It is almost incomprehensible how New York lost game four. It's as if the Liberty went into the game without Vandersloot and Laney and still won. The talent edge for New York was massive, yet the end result was a loss, and thus the crushing disappointment of the fans and players.
Yes it's another disappointment for the fans, players, organization and the city that has been begging for a championship
I have to agree about Brondello. Not a terrible coach, but rigid and unimaginative. She's been blessed with numerous All-Stars during her career -- most of them future Hall of Famers -- but has managed only one championship. Her husband/chief assistant Olaf Lange won two Euroleague titles in five years with UMMC. That sounds good, but is actually disappointing when you consider Ekaterinburg usually has All-Star level talent even on the bench. So, that Brondello-Lange combination has a history of getting you into the playoffs but not finishing the job.
Las Vegas under Laimbeer was in a similar good-but-not-good-enough state. Hammon took the Aces that extra mile. Part of it was developing Wilson, Young, and Plum to their fullest. Those players were already good or very good, but Becky was able to raise them another level (two for Young). That's before we get to the X's and O's.
Coming into the season, NY's bench was viewed as their advantage. However, except for Thornton, Sandy didn't use anyone regularly. Players either lost effectiveness, confidence or both. I don't remember if it was Myles Ehrlich or Jackie Powell, but one of them said that Han was only scheduled to attend the University Games. Nonetheless, Han ended up being recalled for the Asia Cup and the Asian Games. I have to believe that Han being glued to the bench was at least partially responsible for China's decision. Note that the Chinese bureaurcrats were much more lenient with Li Meng. She departed for Asia Cup six days later than Han and didn't leave for the other tournaments. I'm sure the Chinese saw Brondello relegating Han to last on the bench behind Nyara Sabally despite Xu's good performance the season before. Then, Sandy lost confidence in Nyara, and she disappeared too. Johannes received a lot of playing time, but her production declined as the season progressed. There was talk about Marine feeling insecure. Dolson never fully reclaimed her playing time after a midseason injury, and Willoughby never found a role. Overall, except for Thornton, the bench was mosly a nonfactor.
As for rebuilding NY's bench with cheap young talent, Brondello has a poor history of developing young players. She mostly ignores them. Just ask Courtney Williams, Isabelle Harrison, Sophie Cunningham, Alanna Smith, and even Ezi Magbegor. I'm sure Han will do well for a WNBA team one of these days. It's ironic that Brondello quickly yanked Lauren Jackson in that semifinal against China last year when Han scored a couple of baskets. We're talking about LAUREN JACKSON! Yes, LJ was 41 years old, but she scored 30 in the next game against Canada. No confidence in LJ against Han, but no confidence in Han in the WNBA regular season. Weird.
I would think about looking for talent like Natasha Cloud, Skylar Diggins, Elene Delle Donne, Brionna Jones or Britney Griner either way I would think about bringing back Didi Richards because they need to be tougher physically and mentally for next year
i like this for the Liberty - especially Cloud - but hate it for the Mystics! Mystics would lose 1/3 of their Fort Knox outside defense plus team leader. But Cloud would turn the Liberty into winners. Her assist numbers are close to Slooty's and she got the most assists last season. Slooty is nearing retirement while Cloud is still peaking and her defense as PG is best in the league (apologies to Chelsea Gray and Jordin Canada).
Plus she can Sabrina Ionescu be more active on the defensive end however coach Brondello needs to use more the bench more so they can develop
I think Brondello don't use the bench more and trust them then what's the use of being productive off the bench