Indiana Fever 2025

[Ice Man]

I don't think anyone is impressed, although I am surprised they beat the Dream, especially in retrospect.

?

The Fever did not beat the Dream without Clark (which is what we were talking about, no?). Victories over Sky and Mystics, losses to Mystics, Sun, and Dream.

[jc23]

i still dont know much about the league and how salaries play a factor. Before i started watching i heard the Aces were a super team, it now seems like the Liberty are a super team. So how does this happen in the wnba? is it players that just want to play with each other, is a a salary or market thing, just good drafting and trades? basically are there any big differences in how teams become greatin the wnba vs in the NBA. And how long do these teams last, is it dynasty after dynasty or are there rules that eventually make it difficult to hold onto a team of stars.

[Green Chile]

i still dont know much about the league and how salaries play a factor. Before i started watching i heard the Aces were a super team, it now seems like the Liberty are a super team. So how does this happen in the wnba? is it players that just want to play with each other, is a a salary or market thing, just good drafting and trades? basically are there any big differences in how teams become greatin the wnba vs in the NBA. And how long do these teams last, is it dynasty after dynasty or are there rules that eventually make it difficult to hold onto a team of stars.

Before the LIberty, "superteams" were generally built through the draft. Back to back #1 overall picks is the most common way.

Every team to have back to back #1's has won multiple titles. Seattle twice with Sue and Lauren Jackson, then Jewell and Stewie. Aces had 3-straight #1 picks (they probably didn't become a superteam until they signed Chelsea Gray though).

With the Lynx dynasty, Maya and Seimone Augustus were drafted, but Whalen and Brunson came as free-agents (before Maya was drafted).

Mercury and Sparks won their titles on players drafted #1 overall (DT, Griner, Candace, Nneka, Leslie in the '97 Allocation).

The original superteam (Houston Comets) were a different story, but it was basically draft. Original 8 teams had 2 veteran players "allocated" to them by the league to start. They somehow gave the Comets Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper (Coop had been playing overseas for a decade so nobody really had any idea she was still as good as she was). And Houston also got the #1 pick in the college draft where they got Tina Thompson.

Fever certainly following the super team blueprint.

We'll see how the new CBA and expansion change things in terms of super team builds.

Though, I do think it's already starting to shift away from #1 overall pick blue print with all the talent coming out of college and internationally. Liberty and Lynx lean on incredible depth. For the Lynx, their star was drafted #6 overall.

[jc23]

i still dont know much about the league and how salaries play a factor. Before i started watching i heard the Aces were a super team, it now seems like the Liberty are a super team. So how does this happen in the wnba? is it players that just want to play with each other, is a a salary or market thing, just good drafting and trades? basically are there any big differences in how teams become greatin the wnba vs in the NBA. And how long do these teams last, is it dynasty after dynasty or are there rules that eventually make it difficult to hold onto a team of stars.

Before the LIberty, "superteams" were generally built through the draft. Back to back #1 overall picks is the most common way.

Every team to have back to back #1's has won multiple titles. Seattle twice with Sue and Lauren Jackson, then Jewell and Stewie. Aces had 3-straight #1 picks (they probably didn't become a superteam until they signed Chelsea Gray though).

With the Lynx dynasty, Maya and Seimone Augustus were drafted, but Whalen and Brunson came as free-agents (before Maya was drafted).

Mercury and Sparks won their titles on players drafted #1 overall (DT, Griner, Candace, Nneka, Leslie in the '97 Allocation).

The original superteam (Houston Comets) were a different story, but it was basically draft. Original 8 teams had 2 veteran players "allocated" to them by the league to start. They somehow gave the Comets Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper (Coop had been playing overseas for a decade so nobody really had any idea she was still as good as she was). And Houston also got the #1 pick in the college draft where they got Tina Thompson.

Fever certainly following the super team blueprint.

We'll see how the new CBA and expansion change things in terms of super team builds.

Though, I do think it's already starting to shift away from #1 overall pick blue print with all the talent coming out of college and internationally. Liberty and Lynx lean on incredible depth. For the Lynx, their star was drafted #6 overall.

thanks for that. very informative. ok, so the draft is key. makes sense.

[Green Chile]

i still dont know much about the league and how salaries play a factor. Before i started watching i heard the Aces were a super team, it now seems like the Liberty are a super team. So how does this happen in the wnba? is it players that just want to play with each other, is a a salary or market thing, just good drafting and trades? basically are there any big differences in how teams become greatin the wnba vs in the NBA. And how long do these teams last, is it dynasty after dynasty or are there rules that eventually make it difficult to hold onto a team of stars.

Before the LIberty, "superteams" were generally built through the draft. Back to back #1 overall picks is the most common way.

Every team to have back to back #1's has won multiple titles. Seattle twice with Sue and Lauren Jackson, then Jewell and Stewie. Aces had 3-straight #1 picks (they probably didn't become a superteam until they signed Chelsea Gray though).

With the Lynx dynasty, Maya and Seimone Augustus were drafted, but Whalen and Brunson came as free-agents (before Maya was drafted).

Mercury and Sparks won their titles on players drafted #1 overall (DT, Griner, Candace, Nneka, Leslie in the '97 Allocation).

The original superteam (Houston Comets) were a different story, but it was basically draft. Original 8 teams had 2 veteran players "allocated" to them by the league to start. They somehow gave the Comets Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper (Coop had been playing overseas for a decade so nobody really had any idea she was still as good as she was). And Houston also got the #1 pick in the college draft where they got Tina Thompson.

Fever certainly following the super team blueprint.

We'll see how the new CBA and expansion change things in terms of super team builds.

Though, I do think it's already starting to shift away from #1 overall pick blue print with all the talent coming out of college and internationally. Liberty and Lynx lean on incredible depth. For the Lynx, their star was drafted #6 overall.

thanks for that. very informative. ok, so the draft is key. makes sense.

Still no idea how it goes going forward.

Dallas could very well get #1 overall the next 2 drafts. We could be looking at Caitlin/Boston battling it out with Paige/Betts/Juju for a decade (I think Juju will eligible for 2027 and if so, I think there's a good chance goes to the draft even without playing in 2026).

Or maybe the Valkyries sign A'ja and Plum this off-season. May seem crazy to some, that's 2 disgruntled stars playing for organizations doing a lot of stupid things (they aren't technically disgruntled yet, but I think they will by the end of the season). Going to a gold standard franchise with a coach they love that's showing she's a stud doesn't seem outlandish. Or of course, they could always land Sabrina.

Anyway, draft has been the key to building winners so far, but we have the potential for a lot of wild **** to happen in the next couple of years.

[BlacJacMac]

With the Lynx dynasty, Maya and Seimone Augustus were drafted, but Whalen and Brunson came as free-agents (before Maya was drafted).

The Lynx traded Renee Montgomery and the #1 overall pick in the 2010 draft to the Sun for Whalen and the No. 2 pick. Obviously one of the best trades in WNBA history for the Lynx, but also a great trade for the Sun - as that was the Tina Charles draft.

Brunson was acquired by the Lynx with the 2nd pick in the 2010 dispersal draft after the Monarchs went under.

A great front office (Reeve) was definitely key, but getting the #1 overall pick 3 times in 6 years with a clear superstar at the top of the draft (Augustus, Charles, Moore) was the biggest part.

[Green Chile]

With the Lynx dynasty, Maya and Seimone Augustus were drafted, but Whalen and Brunson came as free-agents (before Maya was drafted).

The Lynx traded Renee Montgomery and the #1 overall pick in the 2010 draft to the Sun for Whalen and the No. 2 pick. Obviously one of the best trades in WNBA history for the Lynx, but also a great trade for the Sun - as that was the Tina Charles draft.

Brunson was acquired by the Lynx with the 2nd pick in the 2010 dispersal draft after the Monarchs went under.

A great front office (Reeve) was definitely key, but getting the #1 overall pick 3 times in 6 years with a clear superstar at the top of the draft (Augustus, Charles, Moore) was the biggest part.

Thank you.
Unfortunately, I wasn't around in those days. Was going off WNBA B-R for the Lynx dynasty stuff.

[ellobo]

The Fever would definitely have been better off re-signing Erica Wheeler. She had a bad first half of the season last year, but played very well the last 15 games, and has been a much better player than Colson over her career. Her last contract was a ridiculous overpay, but she's playing for less than Colson this year and she's been killing it for the Storm (20 and 9 last night against the Lynx on efficient shooting).

I also would have gone after Tina Charles as a veteran PF rental instead of Natasha Howard.

I was really high on the Bonner signing, although she seems to have fallen off a cliff. But if she can recapture her level from last year, that would help a lot (along with team health, especially Clark of course).

[rmontro]

The Fever did not beat the Dream without Clark (which is what we were talking about, no?). Victories over Sky and Mystics, losses to Mystics, Sun, and Dream.

You're right, I got the Dream mixed up with the Mystics. Never mind.

[rmontro]

Good news is Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham are expected to be back Saturday. Tough game to come back to, against the Liberty.
Bad news is they waived Aari McDonald, who played well during her short tenure. Some people were hoping the Fever would make some moves to allow them to keep her, but that did not occur.

[IlikeSHAIguys]

CC showing out vs Liberty would be awesome

[IlikeSHAIguys]

i still dont know much about the league and how salaries play a factor. Before i started watching i heard the Aces were a super team, it now seems like the Liberty are a super team. So how does this happen in the wnba? is it players that just want to play with each other, is a a salary or market thing, just good drafting and trades? basically are there any big differences in how teams become greatin the wnba vs in the NBA. And how long do these teams last, is it dynasty after dynasty or are there rules that eventually make it difficult to hold onto a team of stars.

Before the LIberty, "superteams" were generally built through the draft. Back to back #1 overall picks is the most common way.

Every team to have back to back #1's has won multiple titles. Seattle twice with Sue and Lauren Jackson, then Jewell and Stewie. Aces had 3-straight #1 picks (they probably didn't become a superteam until they signed Chelsea Gray though).

With the Lynx dynasty, Maya and Seimone Augustus were drafted, but Whalen and Brunson came as free-agents (before Maya was drafted).

Mercury and Sparks won their titles on players drafted #1 overall (DT, Griner, Candace, Nneka, Leslie in the '97 Allocation).

The original superteam (Houston Comets) were a different story, but it was basically draft. Original 8 teams had 2 veteran players "allocated" to them by the league to start. They somehow gave the Comets Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper (Coop had been playing overseas for a decade so nobody really had any idea she was still as good as she was). And Houston also got the #1 pick in the college draft where they got Tina Thompson.

Fever certainly following the super team blueprint.

We'll see how the new CBA and expansion change things in terms of super team builds.

Though, I do think it's already starting to shift away from #1 overall pick blue print with all the talent coming out of college and internationally. Liberty and Lynx lean on incredible depth. For the Lynx, their star was drafted #6 overall.

Getting back to back first picks is crazy lucky lol.

[jc23]

i didnt sit through every break but did anyone notice any CC commercials during the game? i caught quite of few Aja, Paige, Stewie etc... but no CC.

[OriAr]

i still dont know much about the league and how salaries play a factor. Before i started watching i heard the Aces were a super team, it now seems like the Liberty are a super team. So how does this happen in the wnba? is it players that just want to play with each other, is a a salary or market thing, just good drafting and trades? basically are there any big differences in how teams become greatin the wnba vs in the NBA. And how long do these teams last, is it dynasty after dynasty or are there rules that eventually make it difficult to hold onto a team of stars.

Before the LIberty, "superteams" were generally built through the draft. Back to back #1 overall picks is the most common way.

Every team to have back to back #1's has won multiple titles. Seattle twice with Sue and Lauren Jackson, then Jewell and Stewie. Aces had 3-straight #1 picks (they probably didn't become a superteam until they signed Chelsea Gray though).

With the Lynx dynasty, Maya and Seimone Augustus were drafted, but Whalen and Brunson came as free-agents (before Maya was drafted).

Mercury and Sparks won their titles on players drafted #1 overall (DT, Griner, Candace, Nneka, Leslie in the '97 Allocation).

The original superteam (Houston Comets) were a different story, but it was basically draft. Original 8 teams had 2 veteran players "allocated" to them by the league to start. They somehow gave the Comets Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper (Coop had been playing overseas for a decade so nobody really had any idea she was still as good as she was). And Houston also got the #1 pick in the college draft where they got Tina Thompson.

Fever certainly following the super team blueprint.

We'll see how the new CBA and expansion change things in terms of super team builds.

Though, I do think it's already starting to shift away from #1 overall pick blue print with all the talent coming out of college and internationally. Liberty and Lynx lean on incredible depth. For the Lynx, their star was drafted #6 overall.

Getting back to back first picks is crazy lucky lol.

Is it though.
Fever had 44% to get the first pick in both lotteries, getting both isn't *that* crazy, it's higher odds than getting a single #1 pick in the NBA draft!

[IlikeSHAIguys]

Before the LIberty, "superteams" were generally built through the draft. Back to back #1 overall picks is the most common way.

Every team to have back to back #1's has won multiple titles. Seattle twice with Sue and Lauren Jackson, then Jewell and Stewie. Aces had 3-straight #1 picks (they probably didn't become a superteam until they signed Chelsea Gray though).

With the Lynx dynasty, Maya and Seimone Augustus were drafted, but Whalen and Brunson came as free-agents (before Maya was drafted).

Mercury and Sparks won their titles on players drafted #1 overall (DT, Griner, Candace, Nneka, Leslie in the '97 Allocation).

The original superteam (Houston Comets) were a different story, but it was basically draft. Original 8 teams had 2 veteran players "allocated" to them by the league to start. They somehow gave the Comets Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper (Coop had been playing overseas for a decade so nobody really had any idea she was still as good as she was). And Houston also got the #1 pick in the college draft where they got Tina Thompson.

Fever certainly following the super team blueprint.

We'll see how the new CBA and expansion change things in terms of super team builds.

Though, I do think it's already starting to shift away from #1 overall pick blue print with all the talent coming out of college and internationally. Liberty and Lynx lean on incredible depth. For the Lynx, their star was drafted #6 overall.

Getting back to back first picks is crazy lucky lol.

Is it though.
Fever had 44% to get the first pick in both lotteries, getting both isn't *that* crazy, it's higher odds than getting a single #1 pick in the NBA draft!

Woah. How does that work?

[OriAr]

Getting back to back first picks is crazy lucky lol.

Is it though.
Fever had 44% to get the first pick in both lotteries, getting both isn't *that* crazy, it's higher odds than getting a single #1 pick in the NBA draft!

Woah. How does that work?

Lottery is between the teams that didn't make the playoffs, so for the years the Fever landed Boston and Clark there were only 4 teams in the lottery.
Lottery odds are based on the cumulative record in the last two years, Fever sucked for a long time, so they had the best odds for both, which were 44.2% for each lottery.
0.442^2 = 19.5% chance to land both picks, higher than the 14% chance the worst team in the NBA currently gets.
So yeah, definitely not the likelier outcome but hardly unbelievable.

[IlikeSHAIguys]

Am I overreacting or could Indy really win it all?

Like wow. Just right back against the best and Catlin was just like "yeah so anyway"

[tmorgan]

Am I overreacting or could Indy really win it all?

Like wow. Just right back against the best and Catlin was just like "yeah so anyway"

Unlikely, because Clark doesn’t shoot this well very often.

Her best skill is and has always been her passing, so a Fever championship is going to come from having high quality bucket-getters to pass to, inside or outside. Boston is one. Mitchell isn’t two, but she’s very solid. They’re still working on it.

For the semi-rare game that Caitlin is dialed in on her bombs, though, sure, they can beat anyone. Problem is, without enough high quality passing targets, you can hard double her in the playoffs and mess up their offense. Her handle and quickness are just fine but not elite enough to deal with a double.

Thry aren’t beating the Liberty or the Lynx in a series this year without major injury assistance.

[OriAr]

Am I overreacting or could Indy really win it all?

Like wow. Just right back against the best and Catlin was just like "yeah so anyway"

I'd say right now they have the 3rd best team in the league after the Lynx and Liberty.
Definitely can win it all, but beating both the Lynx and Liberty in a playoff series would be very tough... And they better hope they don't get the Dream in round 1.

[rmontro]

Very impressive to hand the Liberty their first loss, even though they were missing a few starters. Even more impressive was Indy had a 19-0 run at one point. CC was shooting out of her mind. Made some great passes too, but some were kind of sloppy. That was the only rust I saw. Mitchell came through in the clutch. Anyway, this game was some nice comfort after the very disappointing Pacers loss last night.