2023 WNBA Season Discussion

[MrDollarBills]

This Aces start is getting pretty silly.

+21 net rating (next best team is +4). Best offense and defense by significant margins. SRS of 15.7(!)
They're upcoming schedule finally gets less cupcake-y (2 games against the Sun and then they play the Sky) so maybe these numbers come back down to earth but wow this is how you skip the championship hangover.

I missed the recent round of games because I was moving, Chicago absolutely smacked my Liberty in the 2nd half the other day . The Sky are no joke.

I don't see anything stopping the Aces outside of a rash of freak injuries. The game tonight vs The Sun will be a good litmus test.

[MrDollarBills]

Good game between the Fever and the Sky. Boston is going to be an elite big in the W

[MrDollarBills]

Dewanna Bonner is smoking on that Aces pack tonight!!!!! 41 point bomb

[cupcakesnake]

Dewanna Bonner is smoking on that Aces pack tonight!!!!! 41 point bomb

I love the Dewanna Bonner games where she's just like: tonight I will punish you relentlessly for putting a guard on me.

She's 6'4". Teams get away with putting a scrappy 5'10" defender on her (the Aces figured Chelsey Gray would be fine), but every now and then Bonner gets so comfortable shooting over the top.

I thought she was a monster in their defensive scheme too. It felt like the Aces couldn't pass in the middle of the floor when Bonner spread that wingspan at the nail.

[MrDollarBills]

Dewanna Bonner is smoking on that Aces pack tonight!!!!! 41 point bomb

I love the Dewanna Bonner games where she's just like: tonight I will punish you relentlessly for putting a guard on me.

She's 6'4". Teams get away with putting a scrappy 5'10" defender on her (the Aces figured Chelsey Gray would be fine), but every now and then Bonner gets so comfortable shooting over the top.

I thought she was a monster in their defensive scheme too. It felt like the Aces couldn't pass in the middle of the floor when Bonner spread that wingspan at the nail.

Yeah putting Gray on Bonner was a huge mistake by Hammond.

She dominated them on both ends, that has to be easily the season's top performance

[zike_42]

I just checked next year's draft prospects and there is some top-level talent. Clark, Bueckers, Brink, and Reese are just the top four, let alone anyone who takes the next step next college season. Good year to tank.

[cupcakesnake]

I just checked next year's draft prospects and there is some top-level talent. Clark, Bueckers, Brink, and Reese are just the top four, let alone anyone who takes the next step next college season. Good year to tank.

I'd say there's 9 teams that look competitive this year. The teams ranked 4-9 right now in the standings, I could see finishing in any order. Only the Storm, Lynx, and Mercury have come out of the gates looking due for a nice tank job. The Mercury probably want to be competitive as long as they have the Taurasi/BG legacy core, and they'll get Skylar Diggins-Smith back at some point.

I think a few decent, competitive teams are going to end up with a really nice draft pick this year.

[cupcakesnake]

I liked what I saw from Seattle last night, despite getting blown out by the Aces. They were clearly at a major talent disadvantage, but kept things competitive for a quarter and half. Ezi Magbegor (cool name) is quitely having a breakout season. They really tried to take it to their stronger appointment, and had them rattled for a minute before they calmed down and swatted the annoying baby bear that was poking them.

The Aces continue to just be totally unfair. Even when they're struggling, one of their guards going on a tear feel inevitable. Anytime Plumm or Young hasn't scored in a bit, I feel like they're about to explode.

[MrDollarBills]

I just checked next year's draft prospects and there is some top-level talent. Clark, Bueckers, Brink, and Reese are just the top four, let alone anyone who takes the next step next college season. Good year to tank.

Yeah, the next draft is going to be generational, and I believe it will be the one to really set the WNBA on fire.

I've been waiting a long time for Bueckers to go pro, I remember seeing her play high school ball and I was floored at how filthy she was. I just hope that she can stay healthy at the next level.

Also in the talent pipeline, keep your eye on Milaysia Fulwiley who will be playing for Dawn Staley at SC. She's going to be special

[MrDollarBills]

I liked what I saw from Seattle last night, despite getting blown out by the Aces. They were clearly at a major talent disadvantage, but kept things competitive for a quarter and half. Ezi Magbegor (cool name) is quitely having a breakout season. They really tried to take it to their stronger appointment, and had them rattled for a minute before they calmed down and swatted the annoying baby bear that was poking them.

The Aces continue to just be totally unfair. Even when they're struggling, one of their guards going on a tear feel inevitable. Anytime Plumm or Young hasn't scored in a bit, I feel like they're about to explode.

I tried watching last night but i kept fading in and out because I've got Covid i was waiting for that Seattle/Las Vegas game all day too.

Tonight the Mystics and the Mercury play at 8pm EST. Thank God for the WNBA, this is easily the worst part of the sports calendar without it.

[MrDollarBills]

Read on Twitter

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[cupcakesnake]

Late on this because I've been traveling but the fan voting results came out last week.
Last day to vote is the 21st.

A’ja Wilson, Frontcourt (LVA) 35,968
Breanna Stewart, Frontcourt (NYL) 32,926
Brittney Griner, Frontcourt (PHO) 28,387
Aliyah Boston, Frontcourt (IND) 23,594
Jackie Young, Guard (LVA) 23,217
Jewell Loyd, Guard (SEA) 21,145
Satou Sabally, Frontcourt (DAL) 20,971
Elena Delle Donne, Frontcourt (WAS) 18,652
Nneka Ogwumike, Frontcourt (LAS) 16,804
Arike Ogunbowale, Guard (DAL) 16,423
Kelsey Plum, Guard (LVA) 16,319
Chelsea Gray, Guard (LVA) 16,028
Candace Parker, Frontcourt (LVA) 15,006
Sabrina Ionescu, Guard (NYL) 13,185
Kahleah Copper, Guard (CHI) 12,861
Diana Taurasi, Guard (PHO) 12,777
Alyssa Thomas, Frontcourt (CON) 10,128
DeWanna Bonner, Frontcourt (CON) 9,564
Allisha Gray, Guard (ATL) 8,838
Shakira Austin, Frontcourt (WAS) 8,427
Courtney Vandersloot, Guard (NYL) 8,304
Rhyne Howard, Guard (ATL) 7,890
Napheesa Collier, Frontcourt (MIN) 7,788
Kelsey Mitchell, Guard (IND) 6,415
NaLyssa Smith, Frontcourt (IND) 5,951
Marina Mabrey, Guard (CHI) 5,509
Jonquel Jones, Frontcourt (NYL) 4,947
Alysha Clark, Frontcourt (LVA) 4,946
Brionna Jones, Frontcourt (CON) 4,619
Zia Cooke, Guard (LAS) 4,584

The only thing I see that is striking is that as of right now, Alyssa Thomas is not starting. I do get that she's less famous than the people ahead of her, and she'll be in the all-star game. Still crazy though.

[MrDollarBills]

Good win by my Liberty

[cupcakesnake]

Good win by my Liberty

How did Jonquel look? Statistically it was her best game so far.

[MrDollarBills]

Good win by my Liberty

How did Jonquel look? Statistically it was her best game so far.

Better than she has looked today it's an uphill climb for Jonquel this season to get herself back to normal.

Shakira Austin from Washington just suffered a horrible non contact injury. looks like a nasty hammy pull, she had to be carried off.

[MrDollarBills]

Huge win for NY over Washington. I thought we were done for early on but the ladies fought back to pull it out.

I feel like NY and WAS are on equal footing. LV and Connecticut are just flat out better

[zike_42]

All Star Starters:
A'ja Wilson (LVA) - captain
Breanna Stewart (NYL) - captain
Jewell Loyd (SEA)
Aliyah Boston (IND)
Satou Sabally (DAL)
Arike Ogunbowale (DAL)
Nneka Ogwumike (LAS)
Brittney Griner (PHO)
Chelsea Gray (LVA)
Jackie Young (LVA)

Weird to see only two eastern conference players (one being only the sixth rookie to start), and it'll be interesting to see who the bench are.

[Decipher]

I watch the Mercury every now & again

They aren't good at all & are rarely competitive in any matchup

[cupcakesnake]

All Star Starters:
A'ja Wilson (LVA) - captain
Breanna Stewart (NYL) - captain
Jewell Loyd (SEA)
Aliyah Boston (IND)
Satou Sabally (DAL)
Arike Ogunbowale (DAL)
Nneka Ogwumike (LAS)
Brittney Griner (PHO)
Chelsea Gray (LVA)
Jackie Young (LVA)

Weird to see only two eastern conference players (one being only the sixth rookie to start), and it'll be interesting to see who the bench are.

Alyssa Thomas is a snub. Best player on the 2 seed. Best defender in the W. Arguably the best playmaker in the W. I don't see a real argument for Boston, Satou, Nneka, or Griner over her. They're all super deserving all-stars though. It's kind of cool how Aliyah Boston already has a big fan base this early in her career. In terms of frontcourt players, Alyssa also finished behind Delle Donne, Candace Parker, and Naphissa Collier. Crazy how there's such a discrepancy between her game and her fame. She came 21,000 votes short of Nneka (the final frontcourt pick). Obviously Thomas (and Delle Donne) are still making the all-star team but damn this is a legit snub.

Tough week for the Sun. Alyssa Thomas snub and Brionna Jones ruptures her achilles. They've been one of the most fun teams to watch this season, imo.

[cupcakesnake]

I watch the Mercury every now & again

They aren't good at all & are rarely competitive in any matchup

You are not wrong.
But they've been pretty banged up and still center a ton of their offense around a 41-year-old Taurasi. I never think Taurasi looks that bad, but this team does kind of have Kobe farewell tour vibes.

Griner is doing great as a scorer and rim protector, but beyond that the cupboard feels bare. Sug Sutton has been a nice surprise, and Michaela Onyenwere has been solid (and their only fully healthy player?).