pollardsvision
Footballguy
I hope it works because I like the kid and love a redemption story, but I suspect you are correct.
Drafting her for her popularity is the only thing that seems to make sense
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
***official 2024/25 women’s college bball thread*** paige gets her title and will soon be beat up and abused in the wnba (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter SWC
- Start date
Drafting her for her popularity is the only thing that seems to make sense
pollardsvision
Footballguy
The fun never stops. Preseason games starting next Friday.
Unlike last year (and previous years), a lot of them will be televised. On ION or team streams, and available on WNBA League Pass, which is still just a crazy good deal at $35. I suspect that will at least triple in '26 after the new CBA. Which is great if it means the players are making more money.
And I love what they are doing with some of the exhibition/preseason games at college arenas.
Brazil National Team playing the Fever at Carver-Hawkeye (sold out in about 15 seconds of course), then playing the Sky at LSU.
Paige's 1st preseason game will be WIngs-Aces at Notre Dame. The Paige of it all, of course, but also Arike and Jackie coming home.
Pretty awesome to have some of these games at college arenas. And televising them is a far cry from Caitlin and Angel's first preseason games having to be watch on somebody's cellphone on Twitter.
Unlike last year (and previous years), a lot of them will be televised. On ION or team streams, and available on WNBA League Pass, which is still just a crazy good deal at $35. I suspect that will at least triple in '26 after the new CBA. Which is great if it means the players are making more money.
And I love what they are doing with some of the exhibition/preseason games at college arenas.
Brazil National Team playing the Fever at Carver-Hawkeye (sold out in about 15 seconds of course), then playing the Sky at LSU.
Paige's 1st preseason game will be WIngs-Aces at Notre Dame. The Paige of it all, of course, but also Arike and Jackie coming home.
Pretty awesome to have some of these games at college arenas. And televising them is a far cry from Caitlin and Angel's first preseason games having to be watch on somebody's cellphone on Twitter.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
####. Georgia Amoore left Mystics practice yesterday with an ACL "Injury".
Mystics haven't confirmed that it's a tear, but I'm not sure I've ever heard of an ACL injury that wasn't a tear.
Holding out hope, but doesn't sound good.
Georgia is so good and so fun to watch. If she were 3" taller, she's a #1 overall pick in a lot of drafts.
It sucks it had to come this way, but this gives Lucy Olsen a real opportunity. She was probably going to make the team anyway, but if Amoore is gone for the season, it ensures it.
Mystics haven't confirmed that it's a tear, but I'm not sure I've ever heard of an ACL injury that wasn't a tear.
Holding out hope, but doesn't sound good.
Georgia is so good and so fun to watch. If she were 3" taller, she's a #1 overall pick in a lot of drafts.
It sucks it had to come this way, but this gives Lucy Olsen a real opportunity. She was probably going to make the team anyway, but if Amoore is gone for the season, it ensures it.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Paige, HVL and Aziah James (and others) about to make their pre-season WNBA debut in ION (and League Pass).
A far cry from last year. This year, every preseason game on national television or League Pass.
Last year, if you wanted to see Caitlin or Angel in their 1st WNBA action, you had to rely on somebody in the stands live-streaming it from their phone on Twitter. When those Twitter streams hit 2 million viewers, everybody must have realized it was worth broadcasting.
A far cry from last year. This year, every preseason game on national television or League Pass.
Last year, if you wanted to see Caitlin or Angel in their 1st WNBA action, you had to rely on somebody in the stands live-streaming it from their phone on Twitter. When those Twitter streams hit 2 million viewers, everybody must have realized it was worth broadcasting.
FarFromHome
Footballguy
If Paige and Clark can both stay healthy the league takes another big step forward.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
With women's basketball, health unfortunately is never close to a guarantee, but for sure I agree.
The Fever are already title contenders, but Paige and the Wings might look really bad this year. It might be a couple years before it's a real W rivalry.
But the league is about to mostly reset. Wings have a lot of really good, versatile guards. Perfectly set up for a dominant PF to want to make it their next home. Fever too, of course, but they've got some strong answers for 2025 in that regard.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
For the Fever or Wings, I think 2025 is about convincing A'ja or Phee to come in 2026. If they do, it's lights out for the next 4 years.
FarFromHome
Footballguy
Okay. Here's my stance. I'm a newer wnba fan so you can correct me if I'm wrong. Although it's been going on for decades the wnba has really just been uninteresting to most people. Clark changed that last year and the numbers prove that. Sure it would be better if Paige's team was good, but at this stage of interest from casuals and non WNBA fans they seem more interested in players more then teams. For example, I couldn't begin to name all wnba teams. I couldn't tell you who made the finals. I box score surf a handful of players I like and now you can add Paige to that. They need to push this Paige/Clark as the Magic/Bird thing and drive it hard. If they strike or continue to lean non basketball issues then most people will not watch. Imo
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Myisha and Maddie in for the Wings and they look much better. I suspect they're going to start out starting McCowan and Nalyssa. But they are way too slow. They've got a lot of versatile defenders. The best lineups are going to have Maddie and Myisha.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Aziah!
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Paige had a really clean block on Jewel there. ******** call.
It's been a minute. But damn, a healthy, pissed off A'Ja, Chelsea, and Jackie is pretty scary.
It's been a minute. But damn, a healthy, pissed off A'Ja, Chelsea, and Jackie is pretty scary.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
What a fun game between the Mystics and Fever.
Yeah, Caitlin was out and the Mystics had a bunch of injuries. But this game was intense. Again, a pre-season game. Starters played most of the time. Sykes and Bonner got into it. Kiki and Sophie did too. Again, a pre-season game. Every old fart like me that loves old school old fart things should love love this. They are playing for their career every night, even in the pre-season.
The Fever additions? Oh boy, that's going to work. Bonner, Howard, and Sophie seem like they will do exactly what they were brought in to do. Boston is ready to roll, and Kelsey didn't have a great shooting night, but we know that will come. Fever are championship or bust, for sure.
As is seemingly always the case with the Mystics, they've got a load of talent even if it may not go anywhere.
First of all, CItron absolutely belongs. I know she's been pupu'd for not having a lot of upside. But she has legit size and does everything well. She's going to make the right pass, play great defense, and knock down the shots. I don't understand a world where there's no upside in that.
Again, who knows what this year's Mystics will do, but I love the talent. I swear Emily Engstler will be a star in this league at some point. Wings could get her for nothing and she'd make them instantly better. A tough stretch 4 that makes good decisions.
Lucy looked good in her minutes. I hope she makes the team.
Yeah, Caitlin was out and the Mystics had a bunch of injuries. But this game was intense. Again, a pre-season game. Starters played most of the time. Sykes and Bonner got into it. Kiki and Sophie did too. Again, a pre-season game. Every old fart like me that loves old school old fart things should love love this. They are playing for their career every night, even in the pre-season.
The Fever additions? Oh boy, that's going to work. Bonner, Howard, and Sophie seem like they will do exactly what they were brought in to do. Boston is ready to roll, and Kelsey didn't have a great shooting night, but we know that will come. Fever are championship or bust, for sure.
As is seemingly always the case with the Mystics, they've got a load of talent even if it may not go anywhere.
First of all, CItron absolutely belongs. I know she's been pupu'd for not having a lot of upside. But she has legit size and does everything well. She's going to make the right pass, play great defense, and knock down the shots. I don't understand a world where there's no upside in that.
Again, who knows what this year's Mystics will do, but I love the talent. I swear Emily Engstler will be a star in this league at some point. Wings could get her for nothing and she'd make them instantly better. A tough stretch 4 that makes good decisions.
Lucy looked good in her minutes. I hope she makes the team.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
GB that poor Brazilian National Team. Not a huge test for the Fever, but they keep looking exactly how you want them to look to take the next step.
And off all the wild Caitlin Clark stats, she put up a plus 42 +/- in 18 minutes. You won't see that very often at any level.
Storm looked good too, as much as you can against a depleted Sun team in the pre-season. I lost some money believing too much in them last year, but I swear this is the year. Year 2 of Skylar and Nneka. Best pair of young bigs in the league, imo is Ezi and Malonga (apologies to Angel and Kamila, who I love). AC was a fantastic, unheralded free-agent signing.
The KLS injury just sucks though. For her, of course, in her first year after spending last year getting back in shape after her pregnancy.
But it puts the Storm in quite a bind. I'm glad that she's getting paid during her rehab, but it counts against the cap. That's fine in other leagues, but the W already has severely limited roster space. Storm have to play this year with 10 players plus KLS. It's going to cost desperately needed jobs in a league with not nearly enough of them. Sundell, Mackenzie Holmes, Zia Cooke, Madison Conner, and Hobbs are all really good young players that could really help this team. Taking a job away from one of them is surely not the right answer. It's very possible that none of them make the roster now.
Even if they had the 50% NBA rule, it wouldn't matter because the bulk of a WNBA roster all make very close to the same thing. KLS is at 90K. Rookie minimum is 67K. They can't bring in a player at 45K. They've got to roll with 10. Ifthey lose 1 more, they can go to 10-day hardship contracts, which have a host of other problems. Hopefully, they can come up with a better solution for these situaitons in the new CBA.
KLS's 106K buyout from the Fever is also costing somebody a roster spot in Indiana. No disrespect to KLS. I want her to get paid while she rehabs. But her one injury should not cost 2 players a roster spot in a league with only 156 of them. We've got to find a way to make sure these situations don't happen.
And off all the wild Caitlin Clark stats, she put up a plus 42 +/- in 18 minutes. You won't see that very often at any level.
Storm looked good too, as much as you can against a depleted Sun team in the pre-season. I lost some money believing too much in them last year, but I swear this is the year. Year 2 of Skylar and Nneka. Best pair of young bigs in the league, imo is Ezi and Malonga (apologies to Angel and Kamila, who I love). AC was a fantastic, unheralded free-agent signing.
The KLS injury just sucks though. For her, of course, in her first year after spending last year getting back in shape after her pregnancy.
But it puts the Storm in quite a bind. I'm glad that she's getting paid during her rehab, but it counts against the cap. That's fine in other leagues, but the W already has severely limited roster space. Storm have to play this year with 10 players plus KLS. It's going to cost desperately needed jobs in a league with not nearly enough of them. Sundell, Mackenzie Holmes, Zia Cooke, Madison Conner, and Hobbs are all really good young players that could really help this team. Taking a job away from one of them is surely not the right answer. It's very possible that none of them make the roster now.
Even if they had the 50% NBA rule, it wouldn't matter because the bulk of a WNBA roster all make very close to the same thing. KLS is at 90K. Rookie minimum is 67K. They can't bring in a player at 45K. They've got to roll with 10. Ifthey lose 1 more, they can go to 10-day hardship contracts, which have a host of other problems. Hopefully, they can come up with a better solution for these situaitons in the new CBA.
KLS's 106K buyout from the Fever is also costing somebody a roster spot in Indiana. No disrespect to KLS. I want her to get paid while she rehabs. But her one injury should not cost 2 players a roster spot in a league with only 156 of them. We've got to find a way to make sure these situations don't happen.
Last edited:
pollardsvision
Footballguy
All the pre-season caveats aside, you got to love the direction Marsh has this Sky team heading in.
The Vandersloot-Cardoso PNR is just a thing of beauty. When Cardoso sets a screen, I pity the fool, because you are done, out of the play, and it can't feel good. She's going to roll hard, Sloot finds her. And everybody else of course.
I know the LIberty might have *won a title with Sloot on the bench (*you know, except for the part where the Lynx were completely robbed). But Sloot looks absolutely rejuvenated and ready to kick some ***.
Nurse and Bec Allen and Onyenwere and E-Will providing a lot of great depth around Sloot, Atkins, and the young bigs. I think Westbeld might make this roster. She's looking really solid.
And then HVL. I've been critical. But that little huzzy showed some stuff tonight. Early in the game Heideman took her out behind the woodshed. But down the stretch, she was grinding it out. Playing great defense, making the right plays, hitting some big shots. It was a preseason game, but one that clearly mattered to both teams. I'm done betting against HVL. Especially now that she's got Sloot to learn from.
Lynx look fine, of course. They are going to be one of the best teams in the league again. Badiane and Jessica Shepherd seem like they are going to fit into (back into?) being exactly what you expect from Lynx depth. And I'll be damned if Grace Berger doesn't look really good.
The Vandersloot-Cardoso PNR is just a thing of beauty. When Cardoso sets a screen, I pity the fool, because you are done, out of the play, and it can't feel good. She's going to roll hard, Sloot finds her. And everybody else of course.
I know the LIberty might have *won a title with Sloot on the bench (*you know, except for the part where the Lynx were completely robbed). But Sloot looks absolutely rejuvenated and ready to kick some ***.
Nurse and Bec Allen and Onyenwere and E-Will providing a lot of great depth around Sloot, Atkins, and the young bigs. I think Westbeld might make this roster. She's looking really solid.
And then HVL. I've been critical. But that little huzzy showed some stuff tonight. Early in the game Heideman took her out behind the woodshed. But down the stretch, she was grinding it out. Playing great defense, making the right plays, hitting some big shots. It was a preseason game, but one that clearly mattered to both teams. I'm done betting against HVL. Especially now that she's got Sloot to learn from.
Lynx look fine, of course. They are going to be one of the best teams in the league again. Badiane and Jessica Shepherd seem like they are going to fit into (back into?) being exactly what you expect from Lynx depth. And I'll be damned if Grace Berger doesn't look really good.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
If you're a Valkyries fan, I don't know how many games they'll win this year, but it seems clear they are in good hands.
This is such a fun team. Great ball movement. Great off-ball movement. Even in the first half when they couldn't hit anything, they were getting good looks. Incredibly unselfish. They play some beautiful basketball.
Nakase seems to clearly be the right coach.
They may not have the star yet, but they are loaded with really good players that are so fun to root for.
PG is a weak spot for a lot of teams. Valks have 3 good ones and Chen (please sweet baby Jesus I hope she makes it, she had some big moments last night). I suspect Vanloo will ultimately be the starter, but Burton is solid. Vanloo is perfect for an unselfish team moving the ball. Carla Leite is going to be a stud. Her chemistry with Linskins is fantastic.
Tip, Mo, and Kayla are studs. Dallas really could use Mo this year. Temi really turned the 3rd quarter on a couple defensive stops.
And Money Martin, of course. She started slow, but kept making plays. Then hit the big 3 that changed the momentum.
Amihere could be a real gem. Great footwork in the paint, can knock down 3's.
It's hard to imagine many wins against the big 4 teams (NY, MIN, Indy, LV), but they are going to win more games than people think. That depth and smart unselfish basketball is going to knock off a lot of middle of the pack teams.
Not gonna say how many I really think because I could look really foolish. But if you're a GSV fan, you've absolutely got the right coach and right direction.
This is such a fun team. Great ball movement. Great off-ball movement. Even in the first half when they couldn't hit anything, they were getting good looks. Incredibly unselfish. They play some beautiful basketball.
Nakase seems to clearly be the right coach.
They may not have the star yet, but they are loaded with really good players that are so fun to root for.
PG is a weak spot for a lot of teams. Valks have 3 good ones and Chen (please sweet baby Jesus I hope she makes it, she had some big moments last night). I suspect Vanloo will ultimately be the starter, but Burton is solid. Vanloo is perfect for an unselfish team moving the ball. Carla Leite is going to be a stud. Her chemistry with Linskins is fantastic.
Tip, Mo, and Kayla are studs. Dallas really could use Mo this year. Temi really turned the 3rd quarter on a couple defensive stops.
And Money Martin, of course. She started slow, but kept making plays. Then hit the big 3 that changed the momentum.
Amihere could be a real gem. Great footwork in the paint, can knock down 3's.
It's hard to imagine many wins against the big 4 teams (NY, MIN, Indy, LV), but they are going to win more games than people think. That depth and smart unselfish basketball is going to knock off a lot of middle of the pack teams.
Not gonna say how many I really think because I could look really foolish. But if you're a GSV fan, you've absolutely got the right coach and right direction.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
@SFBayDuck Happy Sabrina Ionescu Day. Are you going tonight?
And a big game for your girl Paopao last weekend. I think her roster spot was pretty well secured when Jordin Canada unfortunately went down, and it was good to see her playing so well. She could see a lot of minutes if Canada misses a lot of time.
It's really big news for the whole league that we are starting to see some big time players decide not to play in Eurobasket in June.
So far it's Satou Sabally, Gabby Williams, and the real shocker, Dominique Malonga (Aces and Sparks are going to look so stupid passing on this kid).
Sabally said it's because Germany is automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup being the host.
Gabby didn't say, but you'd have to think the new WNBA CBA is a factor. If she's eyeing a big contract in the W, putting up a big year and not missing a month makes sense.
Malonga doesn't have that factor, but she just seems generally pumped to get to the W. Love this kid.
It's a big deal for the W to have great international players starting to prioritize the W over international obligations.
And a big game for your girl Paopao last weekend. I think her roster spot was pretty well secured when Jordin Canada unfortunately went down, and it was good to see her playing so well. She could see a lot of minutes if Canada misses a lot of time.
It's really big news for the whole league that we are starting to see some big time players decide not to play in Eurobasket in June.
So far it's Satou Sabally, Gabby Williams, and the real shocker, Dominique Malonga (Aces and Sparks are going to look so stupid passing on this kid).
Sabally said it's because Germany is automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup being the host.
Gabby didn't say, but you'd have to think the new WNBA CBA is a factor. If she's eyeing a big contract in the W, putting up a big year and not missing a month makes sense.
Malonga doesn't have that factor, but she just seems generally pumped to get to the W. Love this kid.
It's a big deal for the W to have great international players starting to prioritize the W over international obligations.
Desert_Power
Footballguy
We're back at it.
Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
Paige got her first offensive rebound and first points in about a second and a half.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Really fun opening night.
Phee, as always, reminding the world how damn good she is. Plum throwing down in her Sparks debut.
Don't sleep on the Mystics. This team has a lot of talent, and Citron has been so criminally underrated.
Phee, as always, reminding the world how damn good she is. Plum throwing down in her Sparks debut.
Don't sleep on the Mystics. This team has a lot of talent, and Citron has been so criminally underrated.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
They added 3 1st round picks this past draft, right?
Also, is John Thompson III part of their organization now? I saw a picture at what I guess was the introductory photo op for the rookies and it looked like him on stage, but I only caught the photo for a brief second.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Yes, and Lucy Olsen was drafted and made the roster. The 3rd 1st round pick (Georgia Amoore) tore her ACL in camp.
Really awful for Georgia,but they do have some other options at PG. Sykes is a good driver and defender. Melbourne is pretty good but still developing (still one of the youngest players in the league).
I'm not sure about JT3. They do have a new coach and GM this year.
I hope it goes well.. They've got a lot of fun players
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Thanks. I'll pay more attention to the WNBA now that I'm retired and can watch the "night sports". I've watched more hockey the last couple of months than I had previously in my entire life
I also want to watch more NBA. Unfortunately, due to MLB's Draconian broadcast rules, I can't legally watch the Orioles most days (though - the way they are playing, that may be a blessing).
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Liberty adding Tash Cloud is going to be a problem for the rest of the league.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Chicago is improved and should have a solid season, but Indy is just ridiculous.
That last shot before halftime just exemplifies it. Kia Nurse defended that as well as you can. But Boston setting a great pick and Caitilin going left is just absolutely unstoppable. A lot of things this team does seem unstoppable.
That last shot before halftime just exemplifies it. Kia Nurse defended that as well as you can. But Boston setting a great pick and Caitilin going left is just absolutely unstoppable. A lot of things this team does seem unstoppable.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Fever were already one of the best offensive teams in the league.
From one game (and the pre-season), the DB and Howard additions seem like they can make the defense a lot better. World class offense and a middle of the road defense is a recipe for the Fever to be a title contenders.
Holy hell what a pass from CC. GD she's a wizard.
From one game (and the pre-season), the DB and Howard additions seem like they can make the defense a lot better. World class offense and a middle of the road defense is a recipe for the Fever to be a title contenders.
Holy hell what a pass from CC. GD she's a wizard.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Suspected all off-season, and seems absolutely legit.
The greats normally take until year 3 to win it all. But Caitlin looks absolutely ready to do it in year 2. The top 4 is loaded, so it won't be easy, but the Fever can absolutely do it this year.
The greats normally take until year 3 to win it all. But Caitlin looks absolutely ready to do it in year 2. The top 4 is loaded, so it won't be easy, but the Fever can absolutely do it this year.
TennesseeJed
Footballguy
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Go DB. Love that woman.
Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
Cardoso had an under-the-radar good defensive game. She was the only Chicago player that even remotely slowed CC when she was looking to score. Cardoso could keep Caitlin in front of her when she drove and got up on her when she went up for a long jumper.
Caitlin might have gone for 30+ if not for Cardoso.
FarFromHome
Footballguy
That Clark and Reese altercation is the perfect opening for the league. Clarks opens with triple double? Huge for the Clark hype train immediately after the long layoff. If Paige got 30 and the win it would have been leagues dream opening.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
All the worry all off-season about the Mercury's depth.......blah, blah, blah.......they brought in AT and Sabally and that's all that matters.
Boy you saw it last night. AT is impossible to keep out of the paint. Storm tried Gabby, Nneka, AC, Ezi, didn't matter. Sabally couldn't miss in the 1st half.
Westbeld (Maddy's older sister) looks like a good get. 6'3" smart player, can shoot. Alex Held looked good.
This team looked dominant even without Kah or Mack.
Oh dear. AT surrounded by shooters, especially one like Sabally. This team is going to be a problem.
Not unexpected, but my Storm didn't look so hot on offense. Hopefully, they can get better, but they do look great defensively. Aggressive and long.
Malonga is long and fast, but last night it was apparent that she is a skinny 19 year old. She can be great, but obviously it's going to take some time
Boy you saw it last night. AT is impossible to keep out of the paint. Storm tried Gabby, Nneka, AC, Ezi, didn't matter. Sabally couldn't miss in the 1st half.
Westbeld (Maddy's older sister) looks like a good get. 6'3" smart player, can shoot. Alex Held looked good.
This team looked dominant even without Kah or Mack.
Oh dear. AT surrounded by shooters, especially one like Sabally. This team is going to be a problem.
Not unexpected, but my Storm didn't look so hot on offense. Hopefully, they can get better, but they do look great defensively. Aggressive and long.
Malonga is long and fast, but last night it was apparent that she is a skinny 19 year old. She can be great, but obviously it's going to take some time
pollardsvision
Footballguy
I don't know if they will pull this out, but you gotta love the heart.Thanks. I'll pay more attention to the WNBA now that I'm retired and can watch the "night sports". I've watched more hockey the last couple of months than I had previously in my entire life
For the first 8 minutes of this game, they were just brutal. I thought they might end the 1st with 4 points. They looked broken, but kept battling.
The rookies and young players look so good.
For a long time, Kiki was considered the shoe-in #2 pick behind Paige. But she transferred to USC to play with Juju. Played well, but just didn't see the volume and it took the shine off her as a draft prospect. She's looking great so far. Going toe-to-toe with a legend in Tina Charles (older but still a legend).
I've been upset about the Citron disrespect all off-season. Teams and some fans all seemed to see her as a draft consolation prize. Solid floor, but not much upside was the narrative. But hell, she can shoot, defend, pass, handle, and create with good size. Shown she can play many different roles with different types of teams. I'm not sure how a player that can do it all has limited upside.
Chicago, in particular, was really stupid. Ariel Atkins is awesome and a good addition to the team. But passing up 4 cheap years of Citron for 1 year of Atkins was beyond stupid, IMO.
I think Jade Melbourne might be taking a big step forward. Still only about 21, I think, with a lot of international experience with Australia. Always a spark plug, but seems be refining her shooting and passing. A lot of upside if she gets it figured out.
She's not young anymore, but it's fun to see a healthy Sykes. Great defender that can get downhill.
I was buying Mystic stock before the draft, but you gotta love what they have cooking.
Haven't even mentioned the 2 good young bigs that still aren't healthy. Aaliyah Edwards is still a couple weeks out. Shakira played today, but only a few minutes.
Or Dolson, Engstler, or Kona. Dolson and Englster are 2 of the best shooting bigs in the league and they will have to fight for minutes on this team when/if everybody gets healthy.
For a team that may not make the Playoffs, they are deep as hell.
Last edited:
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Mystics 2-0 on May 18. Last year they won their first game on June 11th. And still damn near made the Playoffs.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Sparks looked pretty good, but the Lynx just put clamps down on defense in the 2nd half and that was that.
So good to see Alanna Smith back. Must be on a minutes restriction, but she played great when she was out there.
Bringing Jessica Shepard back was a very underrated move for the Lynx. She's playing great and is really necessary. Alanna is an undersized center on an undersized team. She plays her *** off, and Cheryl maybe put too much on her last year. Officiating aside, Lynx win that title if Alanna doesn't hurt her back, imo. That bit of extra depth will be huge, especially with the depth they have elsewhere.
With the big wins by NY and Indy over the weekend, it feels like the Lynx could get overlooked once again. The battle at the top is going to be nuts.
Sparks looked solid. Sarah Ashlee Barker is going to be a solid player. She's going to get more time Rae Burrell's injury (which totally blows, she was in for a big year, I think).
Sparks are going to win a lot of games against teams not named Liberty, Lynx, and Fever. I would say Aces, but Hamby doesn't lose to the Aces (and I'm sure now Plum will have something extra for them too).
So good to see Alanna Smith back. Must be on a minutes restriction, but she played great when she was out there.
Bringing Jessica Shepard back was a very underrated move for the Lynx. She's playing great and is really necessary. Alanna is an undersized center on an undersized team. She plays her *** off, and Cheryl maybe put too much on her last year. Officiating aside, Lynx win that title if Alanna doesn't hurt her back, imo. That bit of extra depth will be huge, especially with the depth they have elsewhere.
With the big wins by NY and Indy over the weekend, it feels like the Lynx could get overlooked once again. The battle at the top is going to be nuts.
Sparks looked solid. Sarah Ashlee Barker is going to be a solid player. She's going to get more time Rae Burrell's injury (which totally blows, she was in for a big year, I think).
Sparks are going to win a lot of games against teams not named Liberty, Lynx, and Fever. I would say Aces, but Hamby doesn't lose to the Aces (and I'm sure now Plum will have something extra for them too).
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Gonna be a big one tonight. Seattle at Dallas.
As much as Chicago fans are on tilt after 1 game, Seattle fans are right there with them.
I think it was 1 game after a short training camp, and more importantly, AT and Satou are really good.
If they don't bounce back tonight, fans are going to lose their minds.
Dallas is loaded in the back court with Paige/Arike/Dijonai/Ty and the good young kids, but in the frontcourt, they've got to chose between being really slow (McCowan/NaLyssa) or really small (Maddy/Myisha). I think they should choose small, but it's still far from perfect. Frankly, Paige at the 4 may be the best option. Not perfect, but she can do it.
Dallas showed some stuff even when severely outmatched against the Lynx, but if Seattle can't handle business tonight, it won't be a good sign.
As much as Chicago fans are on tilt after 1 game, Seattle fans are right there with them.
I think it was 1 game after a short training camp, and more importantly, AT and Satou are really good.
If they don't bounce back tonight, fans are going to lose their minds.
Dallas is loaded in the back court with Paige/Arike/Dijonai/Ty and the good young kids, but in the frontcourt, they've got to chose between being really slow (McCowan/NaLyssa) or really small (Maddy/Myisha). I think they should choose small, but it's still far from perfect. Frankly, Paige at the 4 may be the best option. Not perfect, but she can do it.
Dallas showed some stuff even when severely outmatched against the Lynx, but if Seattle can't handle business tonight, it won't be a good sign.
Last edited:
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Dallas split the difference starting Nalyssa and Myisha. Who knows if it works, but I dig trying it out.
Seattle blitzing all the ball screens as they do. All that size and speed, they can do it.
It'll be a good test for Paige.
Seattle blitzing all the ball screens as they do. All that size and speed, they can do it.
It'll be a good test for Paige.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Seattle looking good, but Paige and Dallas ain't phased.
This is going to be a good one.
This is going to be a good one.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Paige is effing cold.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
As a Seattle fan, I'm a little offended that Wemby is in Dallas supporting the Wings instead of his country mates Gabby and Dominique.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Love it from Dallas right now, but the veteran Storm have to settle in and get this done.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
There's that Seattle defense. Gabby is so fast and intense. Looking like that woman that damn near knocked off the 2024 US Olympic team.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Gabby on fire. Seattle Is going to play great defense. If they start hitting 3's, good luck.
And eat it, Wemby, if you're going to root against the French girls.
And eat it, Wemby, if you're going to root against the French girls.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Dallas won't win many games this year, but Paige seems to be settling in quick. Great 2nd game.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Tonight should be another huge Fever win.
Really curious to see how the Dream even go about this. Very few teams have a prayer of slowing the Fever offense down, but the Dream seem particularly ill-suited for it.
I love a lot of their players, but I never quite understand what the Dream are doing. They hire Smesko, known at FGCU for launching tons of 3's. Great. Then they spend 2 near max contracts on traditional centers (Griner and Bri Jones). Both great players, but an odd fit in today's game.
They've got Briner and Bri shooting more 3's, but I have no idea what you do on defense against a team like the Fever. I'm assuming Griner and Bri won't be on the floor much together. Allisha is a great perimeter defender, but the Fever just have so many weapons and it won't be nearly enough. Poor girl is going to need a major ice bath with all the screens she's about to have to fight through. Not having Jordin Canada will hurt even more.
I know it's going to be a blowout. Just curious how the Dream attempt to keep it close.
Really curious to see how the Dream even go about this. Very few teams have a prayer of slowing the Fever offense down, but the Dream seem particularly ill-suited for it.
I love a lot of their players, but I never quite understand what the Dream are doing. They hire Smesko, known at FGCU for launching tons of 3's. Great. Then they spend 2 near max contracts on traditional centers (Griner and Bri Jones). Both great players, but an odd fit in today's game.
They've got Briner and Bri shooting more 3's, but I have no idea what you do on defense against a team like the Fever. I'm assuming Griner and Bri won't be on the floor much together. Allisha is a great perimeter defender, but the Fever just have so many weapons and it won't be nearly enough. Poor girl is going to need a major ice bath with all the screens she's about to have to fight through. Not having Jordin Canada will hurt even more.
I know it's going to be a blowout. Just curious how the Dream attempt to keep it close.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
And BTW, Sue Bird's new podcast "BIrd's Eye View with Sue Bird" just launched. The one with Megan is awesome, but this one is just Sue and basketball.
Anyway, Sabrina was the first guest. Fantastic episode, of course.
To start off the episode, Sue apologized to Sabrina. Apparently in 2020, Sue got drunk on an IG Live and said that Chennedy Carter would be the best player from the 2020 draft class.
I imagine that was influenced by Chennedy torching the Olympic team for 36 points at A&M (and Sue being on the business end of most of those).
Reminded me of a simpler time when people could just have opinions, even if they end up being wrong, and it not lead to a social media meltdown.
Anyway, Sabrina was the first guest. Fantastic episode, of course.
To start off the episode, Sue apologized to Sabrina. Apparently in 2020, Sue got drunk on an IG Live and said that Chennedy Carter would be the best player from the 2020 draft class.
I imagine that was influenced by Chennedy torching the Olympic team for 36 points at A&M (and Sue being on the business end of most of those).
Reminded me of a simpler time when people could just have opinions, even if they end up being wrong, and it not lead to a social media meltdown.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Holy **** what a game.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
Always been an Atlanta doubter, and certainly didn't know what they were trying to do this year. But love Allisha, Griner and Rhyne.
Indy is the better team, but ATL just gutted that one out.
Indy is the better team, but ATL just gutted that one out.
Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
Indiana got sunk by dreadful FT shooting in the last couple of minutes.
I don't know why Atlanta just didn't keep getting the ball down low to Griner. She was unstoppable within five feet. On the other hand, she looked a bit stiff at times, and is maybe dealing with an injury.
