I think one big reason for the gap between good and bad is the under-the-table payments that allow rich owners to get elite players for bargain rates. Whether it's hiring a sibling for a $100,000 job or buying someone a $75,000 car, owners like Joe Tsai, Mark Davis and soon Joe Lacob can make a mockery of the salary cap.
And why shouldn't they?
Also, coaching matters. Cheryl Reeve and Curt Miller are proven WNBA commodities, and the new Phoenix regime is clearly levels above the disasters that are Atlanta and Dallas. Bad front offices and mediocre coaching are a recipe for lots of losses in every sport.
The winning teams have great facilities and are in great cities. Dallas has a great coach( better than NY) but has no true pg plus injuries to top players.
Re parity, funny how the statistics do not match the "on any given night..." lines reeled out by WNBA talking heads. Of course, WNBA talking points often seem loosely tethered to reality.
Re the All-star vote, I have not been voting for Team USA members, because they will be there anyway, and don't need the ego boost. Is that not the right approach?
Re the Wings, I have been a Greg Bibb anti-fan ever since his tenure with the Mystics, so there is aways a bit of Schadenfreude watching the Wings flounder. And what is going on with McCowan. Seems like she's barely playing the past couple games, and plodding along when she does. I haven't seen any mention of injury or illness. Just not clicking with Trammell?
Interesting counterpoint to the popular narrative that there is more parity in the WNBA this year. I think the Olympic break is likely to shake things up, as the non-Olympians will have a long time to rest and train, and a number of players are expected to return from injuries.
Re: scheduling - it was not just the strength of opponents that made the start of the season so hard for the Fever. They had the highest number of games played in a short time span, with no time for practice as a team at home or rest, which was especially difficult for a team with so many young players.
In All Star Voting, a certain number of fans always vote for their favorite players regardless of how well they are actually performing, but I think this year really reflects a lack of knowledge about WNBA players. After seeing the early totals, I switched from voting for the players who I think are objectively the best to just voting for the excellent players who have not been getting enough fan votes (e.g., Kayla McBride).
Watching the Dallas Wings' recent game against my Minnesota Lynx, I was reminded of A'ja Wilson's comment that she felt like the Aces were playing the Dallas Cowboys when they played the Wings. I wonder how much their style of play has contributed to the Wings' injuries. BTW Arike did not play in that game due to Achilles soreness, and we got to see how well multiple other players on the Wings played and scored in her absence.
Last year, it was Tankin for Catlin, and now it's Bumbling for Bueckers. Not sure who will get the first pick - I guess we will find out in December. Barring any injuries to their starters, I think Indiana will likely finish in the 7th or 8th spot. Also, I don't see a way for Dallas to get even the 8th spot - they are a one-dimensional team.
All depends who gets the 1st pick - and assuming that team needs a guard like Paige (if Indiana somehow got the 1st pick again, I see them looking for another big instead). Azzi still has an extra year - she could stay.
I would be surprised if Indiana is in the lottery again and if they got 1st, Kiki could be the pick but Paige would be too tempting. Paige and CC compliment each other's game.
I think one big reason for the gap between good and bad is the under-the-table payments that allow rich owners to get elite players for bargain rates. Whether it's hiring a sibling for a $100,000 job or buying someone a $75,000 car, owners like Joe Tsai, Mark Davis and soon Joe Lacob can make a mockery of the salary cap.
And why shouldn't they?
Also, coaching matters. Cheryl Reeve and Curt Miller are proven WNBA commodities, and the new Phoenix regime is clearly levels above the disasters that are Atlanta and Dallas. Bad front offices and mediocre coaching are a recipe for lots of losses in every sport.
The winning teams have great facilities and are in great cities. Dallas has a great coach( better than NY) but has no true pg plus injuries to top players.
Great stuff as always, thanks.
Re parity, funny how the statistics do not match the "on any given night..." lines reeled out by WNBA talking heads. Of course, WNBA talking points often seem loosely tethered to reality.
Re the All-star vote, I have not been voting for Team USA members, because they will be there anyway, and don't need the ego boost. Is that not the right approach?
Re the Wings, I have been a Greg Bibb anti-fan ever since his tenure with the Mystics, so there is aways a bit of Schadenfreude watching the Wings flounder. And what is going on with McCowan. Seems like she's barely playing the past couple games, and plodding along when she does. I haven't seen any mention of injury or illness. Just not clicking with Trammell?
Interesting counterpoint to the popular narrative that there is more parity in the WNBA this year. I think the Olympic break is likely to shake things up, as the non-Olympians will have a long time to rest and train, and a number of players are expected to return from injuries.
Re: scheduling - it was not just the strength of opponents that made the start of the season so hard for the Fever. They had the highest number of games played in a short time span, with no time for practice as a team at home or rest, which was especially difficult for a team with so many young players.
In All Star Voting, a certain number of fans always vote for their favorite players regardless of how well they are actually performing, but I think this year really reflects a lack of knowledge about WNBA players. After seeing the early totals, I switched from voting for the players who I think are objectively the best to just voting for the excellent players who have not been getting enough fan votes (e.g., Kayla McBride).
Watching the Dallas Wings' recent game against my Minnesota Lynx, I was reminded of A'ja Wilson's comment that she felt like the Aces were playing the Dallas Cowboys when they played the Wings. I wonder how much their style of play has contributed to the Wings' injuries. BTW Arike did not play in that game due to Achilles soreness, and we got to see how well multiple other players on the Wings played and scored in her absence.
Alanna Smith's name is spelled with one L.
Last year, it was Tankin for Catlin, and now it's Bumbling for Bueckers. Not sure who will get the first pick - I guess we will find out in December. Barring any injuries to their starters, I think Indiana will likely finish in the 7th or 8th spot. Also, I don't see a way for Dallas to get even the 8th spot - they are a one-dimensional team.
I think it will be between Washington, LA and Dallas. Washington will get Paige and pair her with Sellers and Azzi in the draft.
All depends who gets the 1st pick - and assuming that team needs a guard like Paige (if Indiana somehow got the 1st pick again, I see them looking for another big instead). Azzi still has an extra year - she could stay.
I would be surprised if Indiana is in the lottery again and if they got 1st, Kiki could be the pick but Paige would be too tempting. Paige and CC compliment each other's game.
Kiki Rice? She is only going to be a junior next year.
Iriafen
She could go 1 if someone needs a power forward.