Tag: WNBA players

Photo Courtesy of Lorie Shaull

2019 WNBA Playoffs: Phoenix Mercury vs Chicago Sky Preview

The 2019 WNBA Playoffs have officially begun! Today is the first day of what will be an exciting playoffs. The festivities start with a game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Chicago Sky.

The 2019 playoffs begin today (Sept.11) and will potentially go on until Oct.10. Today’s games will be single elimination, which means either the Sky or Mercury will go home, and the later game, between the Storm or Lynx will have one of them go home as well. So, this is a must-win situation for these four teams.

The first game of the playoffs is the matchup between the Mercury and Sky. The Sky are the fifth seed of the playoffs as they finished the regular season with a record of 20-14. The Mercury are the eighth seed as they finished the season 15-19.

In the regular season, the Sky won their season series against the Mercury 3-0. In their first matchup, they beat the Mercury 82-75 in Chicago. Then, in August, the Sky beat the Mercury 94-86. Their final matchup took place this month, as the Sky beat the Mercury in a blowout win. They beat them 105-78.

All-Star Diamond Deshields has had a standout year for the Sky as she led the team in scoring with 16.2 points. Deshields played well throughout the season and had help from other players such as Allie Quigley, who averaged 13.8 points and shot 39 percent from deep. If Chicago plays like they did in the regular season, there is a good chance that they advance to the next round. However, we cannot count out the Mercury.

While the Mercury lost their last four games in the season, they are still a threat. They are led by veteran players Brittney Griner and DeWanna Bonner, both of which were on the Mercury’s Championship team in 2014. Griner was the league leader in scoring with 20.7 points. Bonner wasn’t too far behind as she was fifth in scoring with 17.2 points. Even though Griner averaged 20 points in the Seattle series this season and Bonner averaged 19.3 points both will have to put up even more points in this game if the Mercury want to pull out the win.

  • The Phoenix Mercury are ready to go (Photo Courtesy of Lorie Shaull)

While the Mercury have dealt with injuries (such as Diana Taurasi, who is doubtful in this game), they are not a team to take lightly. If they play well, they can give the Sky a challenge.

The WNBA playoffs are already off to a good start. These two teams want to win and have what it takes to get to the next round and anything can happen in postseason.

Tip-off is set for 8:00 pm ET over on ESPN 2.

Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore

A Look at the Career of Lisa Leslie

When it comes to the WNBA, there are several players that impacted the league. Players such as Swin Cash, Becky Hammon, Sheryl Swoopes and others have played in the WNBA and had successful careers.

When it comes to WNBA greats, there is another player that comes to mind. A player who recently accomplished two great things, even after years of retirement. That player is former Los Angeles Sparks center, Lisa Leslie.

Leslie was a special player who like Swoopes and others, made an impact on the WNBA. She was the seventh pick of the league’s Initial Allocation phase of the inaugural WNBA draft in 1997. The Los Angeles Sparks selected Leslie, in a draft pool that consisted of players such as Rebecca Lobo, Teresa Weatherspoon and more. In her rookie season, Leslie averaged 15.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.4 steals.

In her first few years, Leslie helped the Sparks make the playoffs in five-straight seasons. Then, the Sparks won their first championship in 2001. Leslie and the Sparks kept their success going by winning another championship the following year.

Embed from Getty Images

In those seasons, Leslie averaged 19.5 points and 9.6 rebounds, and 16.9 points and 10.4 rebounds respectively. Her RPG in 2002 (10.4) was a career-high that went along with a career-high in blocks with 2.9. Leslie played so well during this period that she won the MVP award in 2001.

After winning her second championship, Leslie played with the Sparks for six more years. Her final season was in 2009 when she averaged 15.4 points and 6.6 rebounds.

Throughout her career, Leslie had several accomplishments. She was a three-time MVP, a two-time Finals MVP, an eight-time WNBA All-Star and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. She also made several All-WNBA teams and was named one of the WNBA’s Top 15 Players of All Time in 2011. Leslie also became a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame member in 2015. Now, she is accomplishing a few more things post her playing career.

Earlier this summer, Leslie became a head coach in the Big3 League. The Big3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz. Leslie joined the league as the head coach of the Triplets, one of the leagues newest teams. She became the second female head coach in the league, as Nancy Lieberman was the league’s first.

Leslie went on to become the Big3 Coach of the Year and led her team to a championship. Her and Lieberman have both won championships as the league recently finished its third season.

Shortly after winning the championship, there were reports that Leslie will receive a high honor. According to Arash Markazi of the Los Angeles Times, Lisa may receive a statue outside Staples Center. She would be the first female athlete to receive a statue outside of the legendary arena. She would join other greats such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal, who have statues outside of Staples Center. Leslie had an excellent career with the Sparks, and a statue is another way to honor her and her career.

Lisa Leslie accomplished so much in her career. She is one of the greatest players to play in the WNBA and has the accolades to back it up. With her accomplishments even after retirement, she continues to add to her legacy.

Photo Courtesy of Amy Pearson

The WNBA Heads to NBA 2K20

The WNBA is getting a massive amount of exposure soon. According to various reports, NBA 2K20 will include WNBA players for the first time in the franchise’s history.

Last week, 2K made the announcement on Twitter and shared early gameplay featuring some of the league’s biggest stars. The tweet also featured interviews with Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker and Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart. Parker and Stewart wore motion capture gear as they did various motions for the game.

Parker spoke about her history with NBA 2K and the process of being integrated into the game.

“Just like my counterparts in the NBA, I grew up playing NBA 2K,” said Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks forward. “After getting myself scanned and integrated into NBA 2K20 earlier this summer, I was amazed at how 2K is able to replicate women’s basketball at such a realistic level. You can tell they are taking the time to capture the essence of the WNBA and have created an immersive experience that all fans of basketball will love.”

Giving the WNBA exposure in NBA 2K will help grow each player’s individual brand as well as the league itself. The attention the league would be getting caught the eye of Cathy Englebert, the WNBA’s commissioner. She also spoke on the addition of the WNBA to NBA 2K20.

“We are excited to have WNBA players as part of this top- selling video game, helping to bring more exposure to these elite players, expanding our fan base and providing an immersive gaming experience featuring women role model athletes.”

While this is the WNBA’s first time in an NBA 2K game, NBA Live featured the WNBA in a previous game. They featured the WNBA in NBA Live 18. NBA Live kept the tradition going by adding them in last year’s game and adding the women to more and more feature with each release. Being integrated into the top video games for basketball will be instrumental in growth for the league.

NBA 2K20 will be released on September 6. The game will feature all 12 WNBA teams as well as the 30 teams of the NBA. With NBA 2K’s popularity, the league gains exposure and potentially new fans. It is a win-win for both sides.

Photo Courtesy of Lorie Shaull

A 2019 WNBA Playoffs Picture

The Playoffs are Near

With a few weeks left in the WNBA season, fans cannot help but think of the playoffs. The WNBA playoffs are set to start on September 11 with a last possible Finals date of October 11. The playoffs are less than a month away and teams preparing for them. Here is a look at the WNBA playoffs and where teams currently stand.

The playoffs are an exciting time for the WNBA and its fans. The format of the playoffs is different from the NBA’s format, but it still features the best teams of the league.

In the NBA, the top-eight teams of both conferences are seeded and face each other until two teams remain. The Eastern Conference champion faces the Western Conference champion to determine who wins the NBA Finals. The WNBA is a bit different.

Playoff Format

In the WNBA, the top-eight teams of the entire league are seeded by their regular-season record. Then, those teams go through a bracket, where the top-two seeds receive double byes and the third and fourth get first-round byes. This means the top two seeds do not play until the Semifinals and the third and fourth seed does not play until the second round. The first round features seeds 5-8, and the winner advances to the second round.

In the first round, the fifth seed goes against the eighth seed, and the sixth seed faces the seventh. The first round is single elimination and the winners of these games advance.

The second round is also single-elimination and consists of matchups between the fourth and fifth seed, and the third and sixth seed. After this round is over, the remaining teams face the top-two seeds. The lowest seed faces the first seed, and the other faces the second. For example, in last year’s Semifinals, the Phoenix Mercury matched up with the Seattle Storm. The Storm were the first seed, and the Mercury were fifth. The Atlanta Dream were second, and the Washington Mystics were third. The Mercury were the lowest seed of the remaining teams and had to play the first seed.

Then, the Semifinals, a best-of-five series, leads to the WNBA Finals. The Finals are also a best-of-five series and determine who wins the WNBA championship. Last year’s playoffs ended with the Seattle Storm winning the title.

2019 Playoff Picture

This year, there may be a new champion. There are teams that are playing well and have the chance to dethrone the Storm. Let’s look at the WNBA’s current standings and see who has the best chances of making the playoffs.

This week, the WNBA released a power ranking for Week 12. The ranking measures where teams currently stand (as of Week 12). They slightly differ from the standings but show what teams have made (vast) improvements.

In the Week 12 Power Rankings, the Washington Mystics are ranked first. They jumped one spot from Week 11’s rankings.

The Mystics have a record of 17-7. This gives them the best record of the league and the top spot of both the power rankings and standings. The Mystics are playing well, and look like the team to beat. But they may have competition.

The Los Angeles Sparks are second in the power rankings and third in standings. They have a record of 15-8. The Sparks are on a five-game winning streak as they climb up the ranking. Their recent performance made them jump from fourth (in a previous power ranking) to second. The Sparks are playing well and are showing why they are a team to look out for.

The Power Rankings feature other teams such as the Connecticut Sun, the Las Vegas Aces and the Chicago Sky. These teams are playoff-bound and have a good chance of being there come September 11. But things could change.

Standings

As of now, the Mystics would be the first seed of the playoffs. The final seed would be the Phoenix Mercury. The remaining teams fill in other seeds. If the playoffs started today, the eight playoffs teams would consist of the Mystics, the Sun, the Sparks and more. A list of the seeds can be found below.

  1. Washington Mystics
  2. Connecticut Sun
  3. Los Angeles Sparks
  4. Las Vegas Aces
  5. Chicago Sky
  6. Seattle Storm
  7. Minnesota Lynx
  8. Phoenix Mercury

Once the playoffs begin, these teams would be seeded in the WNBA playoff format. The Mystics and Sun would get double byes, the Sparks and Aces get a first-round bye, and the remaining teams play in the first round.

There are a few more weeks in the regular season, then the playoffs begin. If the standings remain relatively the same, fans have an idea of what the playoffs will look like. If these matchups occur, fans are in for a treat. So, let’s stay tuned and see what happens.

Photo Courtesy of BDZ Sports

Predictions for the WNBA Awards Winners

As the WNBA season continues, some of the league’s players have had great seasons. The season is a bit past the midway point, and the award races are getting good. Here are a few predictions of the winners of the WNBA awards.

Most Valuable Player: Elena Delle Donne

A few weeks ago, WOW Sports did an MVP Power Ranking. The player in first place was none other than Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne.

Delle Donne averages 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. She is in the top-five for categories such as points per game, rebounds per game, efficiency and 3-point percentage. She ranks second, fifth, first and fourth respectively. Even in blocks, Delle Donne is right outside the top-five. She ranks seventh and is extremely close to Liz Cambage and Elizabeth Williams, who are fifth and sixth with 1.6 blocks each. Delle Donne ranks in several categories and could move up the rankings in some of them. She has time to do so.

Delle Donne and the Mystics are playing well this season. They are second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 15-7. If they continue to play well, they not only have a chance to contend, but Delle Donne arguably becomes the favorite for MVP. So, Delle Donne has a good chance.

Rookie of the Year: Napheesa Collier

The Rookie of the Year should go to former UConn forward Napheesa Collier. Collier was the sixth pick of the 2019 WNBA draft. The Minnesota Lynx drafted the four-year player who averaged 20.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in her senior year. Now she is making an impact in the WNBA.

In her rookie season, Collier averages 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals. On Tuesday, Collier had a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Collier has played well and has a case for this year’s Rookie of the Year. If she keeps up her level of play, the Rookie of the Year should be coming her way.

Defensive Player of the Year: Jonquel Jones

The Defensive Player of the Year should go to Jonquel Jones of the Connecticut Sun.

Jones is a 6-foot-6 forward/center who is an exceptional defensive player. This season Jones averages 15.8 points. But it is not her scoring that is putting the league on notice. It is her defense that is most effective.

This season, Jones averages 2.1 blocks and 1.3 steals. She also averages 10.4 rebounds with most of them being on the defensive end. She averages 7.1 defensive rebounds compared to 3.3 rebounds on the offensive end.

Jones ranks first in total rebounds and blocks. She also ranks seventh in points as the Sun are first in the Eastern Conference (and league) with a record of 16-6. Jones will remain a threat on the defensive end.

Most Improved Player: Dearica Hamby

Dearica Hamby is a forward for the Las Vegas Aces. She averages a career-high 10.6 points and seven rebounds. These stats are a jump from her average of 7.4 points and 3.6 rebounds last season. Her stats have improved in nearly every category. She has improved in assists, steals and blocks. This is an impressive accomplishment for any player.

Ironically, Hamby also has a good chance at Sixth Woman of the Year. She has played in 23 games and started in five. Her role change came as the Aces are waiting for A’ja Wilson’s return. Hamby has stepped up and filled that void, at least partially. Regardless of her role, Hamby has a good chance at winning either Most Improved Player or Sixth Woman of the Year. Or, she could get both. Either way, she will win at least one of them.

Coach of the Year: Curt Miller

The Coach of the Year can go different ways. Several teams are playing well, and their coach is a big part of it. However, this year’s Coach of the Year could go to Curt Miller of the Connecticut Sun.

Embed from Getty Images

Miller is no stranger to Coach of the Year, as he won the award in 2017. He won after leading his team to a 21-13 season. This was a turnaround from his first season when the Sun finished 14-20. This season, the Sun are 16-6. They are also on a seven-game winning streak. The Sun are playing well, and Miller is a part of their success.

The Season Continues

The regular season continues as the playoffs begin next month. If these players keep playing well (and Miller and the Sun keep winning), these candidates should win their respective awards.