2024 WNBA Season Discussion Thread

[MrDollarBills]

Aces vs Sky on CBS grabbed a peak of 1.6 million viewers!!!

This is huge yall. This is the most watched game this season that did not feature CC and it's the 21st WNBA broadcast to top 1mil this year

Progress this says to me if we can get more national TV games, people are gonna watch.

As much as I appreciate the ION network and NBA TV, the league needs to have weekly games on ESPN, ABC, and CBS. No more small time stuff.

NBA should do a league pass package with WNBA. For a year, just to collect the data of how many people come over from NBA to WNBA.

I think they should do that as well.

However, I think the league needs more accessible games. The W needs to work network television and basic cable heavily along with streaming options

[MrDollarBills]

Dallas should have a way better record but the injuries killed them.

[MrDollarBills]

Wilson with 34

[Ghetto Gospel]

aja taking that 3 could not have been the play..

[CIN-C-STAR]

There is no current way to post a Thread on here right? I'm talking about the Thread app -- Instagrams version of twitter.

I wanted to make a thread on RealGM with hot takes i see on social media. It's a wild world out there. One thing I keep seeing in WNBAThreads on social media (except RealGM) is that WNBA fans are just like any other fans -- they can be so awful and toxic.

why would you want to bring that here?[/quote

It's good to have some hot takes here and there from wild fans.

Here’s a hot take for you:
Would the Aces be better off if Wilson focused more on defense and rebounding, and less on volume scoring?
I know she’s the consensus best player in the league and likely MVP once again, and she’s very efficient for the league-leading scorer, but her dominance doesn’t really seem to translate to better looks for her teammates. Meanwhile, the team has been meh on defense and on the glass.
In fairness her rebounding numbers look pretty good, 12 a game, but last night she grabbed 6 boards while Dallas’ center grabbed 17.
I just wonder if having her work more in the PnR or off ball or as the hub in some Zoom sets or something would make her gravity more effective in creating open looks for teammates while helping her conserve some energy to bump up that defense, which isn’t looking championship level.

[cdubbz]

why would you want to bring that here?[/quote

It's good to have some hot takes here and there from wild fans.

Here’s a hot take for you:
Would the Aces be better off if Wilson focused more on defense and rebounding, and less on volume scoring?
I know she’s the consensus best player in the league and likely MVP once again, band she’s very efficient for the league-leading scorer, but her dominance doesn’t really seem to translate to better looks for her teammates. Meanwhile, the team has been meh on defense and on the glass.
In fairness her rebounding numbers look pretty good, 12 a game, but last night she grabbed 6 boards while Dallas’ center grabbed 17.
I just wonder if having her work more in the PnR or off ball or as the hub in some Zoom sets or something would make her gravity more effective in creating open looks for teammates while helping her conserve some energy to bump up that defense, which isn’t looking championship level.

Not too hot, but reasonably mild! I think she's fine, but would want Plum & Young to step up more.

Hot takes I've been seeing are more about A'Ja not winning MVP this season and the last 10 games or so can really benefit others like Napheesa or Stewart/Sabrina or Clark depending on how the teams finish.

[MrDollarBills]

why would you want to bring that here?[/quote

It's good to have some hot takes here and there from wild fans.

Here’s a hot take for you:
Would the Aces be better off if Wilson focused more on defense and rebounding, and less on volume scoring?
I know she’s the consensus best player in the league and likely MVP once again, band she’s very efficient for the league-leading scorer, but her dominance doesn’t really seem to translate to better looks for her teammates. Meanwhile, the team has been meh on defense and on the glass.
In fairness her rebounding numbers look pretty good, 12 a game, but last night she grabbed 6 boards while Dallas’ center grabbed 17.
I just wonder if having her work more in the PnR or off ball or as the hub in some Zoom sets or something would make her gravity more effective in creating open looks for teammates while helping her conserve some energy to bump up that defense, which isn’t looking championship level.

That isn't really a hot take at all, it's a valid point to bring up.

I lean towards no, because A'ja being unstoppable offensively is the only thing that is keeping Las Vegas alive right now.

Chelsea Gray being a shell of her former self following her injury is a much bigger issue for the Aces and it's why A'ja has had to go nuclear. Gray is posting putrid efficiency and her defense looks cooked.

As a Liberty fan, I'm happy, but as a fan of the league, it sucks. Gray at 100% is a beast.

[MrDollarBills]

Here’s a hot take for you:
Would the Aces be better off if Wilson focused more on defense and rebounding, and less on volume scoring?
I know she’s the consensus best player in the league and likely MVP once again, band she’s very efficient for the league-leading scorer, but her dominance doesn’t really seem to translate to better looks for her teammates. Meanwhile, the team has been meh on defense and on the glass.
In fairness her rebounding numbers look pretty good, 12 a game, but last night she grabbed 6 boards while Dallas’ center grabbed 17.
I just wonder if having her work more in the PnR or off ball or as the hub in some Zoom sets or something would make her gravity more effective in creating open looks for teammates while helping her conserve some energy to bump up that defense, which isn’t looking championship level.

Not too hot, but reasonably mild! I think she's fine, but would want Plum & Young to step up more.

Hot takes I've been seeing are more about A'Ja not winning MVP this season and the last 10 games or so can really benefit others like Napheesa or Stewart/Sabrina or Clark depending on how the teams finish.

If the Aces keep sliding I am leaning towards Phee personally. The Lynx are frightening

[hermes]

i forgot to mention this earlier but what were the sky doing on defense when a'ja hit the game winner on them? i saw the post about cardoso blocking wilson five times in that game - but they had her guarding the inbound pass? put her on wilson, put her right in front of the rim

i'd figure the biggest priority is 'don't let a'ja get the ball' and if she does, don't let her get it in the lane being guarded by someone a foot shorter than her (which is what happened). if cardoso is in the lane, they probably don't even bother with the lob pass in there

[MrDollarBills]

Today's match ups:

Sun vs Fever, 7pm (NBA TV)

Sky vs Mystics, 8pm

Lynx vs Mercury, 10pm

Keep an eye on the Sky game, there's been a Covid outbreak and Chicago might only have 8 bodies available. The league should reschedule this game but I guess no one cares anymore if players get sick.

[cupcakesnake]

Here’s a hot take for you:
Would the Aces be better off if Wilson focused more on defense and rebounding, and less on volume scoring?
I know she’s the consensus best player in the league and likely MVP once again, band she’s very efficient for the league-leading scorer, but her dominance doesn’t really seem to translate to better looks for her teammates. Meanwhile, the team has been meh on defense and on the glass.

I think A'ja rim pressure is what opens up everything on the Aces. Shots and drives for Plumm and Young aren't there without the defense setting up their help schemes to stop A'ja from decimating the paint. She ties up the help defense a lot with how scary she is anywhere around the paint.

It's also unclear to me how much A'ja could ramp up her activity on defense and the boards. Nobody besides Dennis Rodman (I mean Angel Rees!) grabs more boards, and A'ja is averaging a ridiculous 2.7 blocks and 1.9 steals. Her 94 defensive rating is by far the best mark on the team.

[Ghetto Gospel]

if team success matters to the point that we're knocking aja out of the race, doesn't that mean stewie has the baton? she's the best player on the best team (if team success matters) and has more games played than phee because of phee's missed games due to injury

[MrDollarBills]

Here’s a hot take for you:
Would the Aces be better off if Wilson focused more on defense and rebounding, and less on volume scoring?
I know she’s the consensus best player in the league and likely MVP once again, band she’s very efficient for the league-leading scorer, but her dominance doesn’t really seem to translate to better looks for her teammates. Meanwhile, the team has been meh on defense and on the glass.

I think A'ja rim pressure is what opens up everything on the Aces. Shots and drives for Plumm and Young aren't there without the defense setting up their help schemes to stop A'ja from decimating the paint. She ties up the help defense a lot with how scary she is anywhere around the paint.

It's also unclear to me how much A'ja could ramp up her activity on defense and the boards. Nobody besides Dennis Rodman (I mean Angel Rees!) grabs more boards, and A'ja is averaging a ridiculous 2.7 blocks and 1.9 steals. Her 94 defensive rating is by far the best mark on the team.

Wilson is doing everything for that team. Literally everything.

[MrDollarBills]

if team success matters to the point that we're knocking aja out of the race, doesn't that mean stewie has the baton? she's the best player on the best team (if team success matters) and has more games played than phee because of phee's missed games due to injury

I think that's fair.

Tbh it's hard for me to give Stewie the nod because it's been such a team effort from the Liberty. Sabrina has been incredible. Jonquel has punished defenses inside and out. So I kinda want Phee to get her flowers this year.

[jc23]

im going to assume the wnba MVP is won in the same way the NBA is. Which means individual stats, team winning and narrative. Its going to be more difficult to win b2b then it is to win your first and its damn near impossible to win 3 in a row. Its not just about who is the best player in the league. Its a gumbo of ingredients.

[MrDollarBills]

im going to assume the wnba MVP is won in the same way the NBA is. Which means individual stats, team winning and narrative. Its going to be more difficult to win b2b then it is to win your first and its damn near impossible to win 3 in a row. Its not just about who is the best player in the league. Its a gumbo of ingredients.

Right. Like I think back to the 90s NBA...Jordan could have won MVP every year, but he didn't and that's kind of why I'm leaning towards Phee. The Lynx are a top 3 club and she's their best player, and frankly, a top 3 player in the world.

That being said, if A'ja wins I will be happy for her because she is putting up historical production right now.

[cdubbz]

Lexie Hull is going bonkers from 3point land again (3 at the half). She's doing her usual defensive pest stuff too. Having her energy in the starting lineup is good - she just needs to keep being aggressive with the open shot.

[MrDollarBills]

I like this. DIjonai and CC are going at it

This is beautiful hoops. And AT just leveled CC holy f*ck this game is heated

[Doctor MJ]

im going to assume the wnba MVP is won in the same way the NBA is. Which means individual stats, team winning and narrative. Its going to be more difficult to win b2b then it is to win your first and its damn near impossible to win 3 in a row. Its not just about who is the best player in the league. Its a gumbo of ingredients.

So this is all true, but just to speak a little bit to context from immediately preceding years:

In 2022 A'ja won her 2nd MVP over Stewie, who only had 1. This despite the fact that a) Stewie had the more accomplished career and b) Stewie had the rep as the best player in the world. Then in the playoffs, while A'ja's Aces beat Stewie's Storm, Stewie's play in that series was astonishing.

My sense at that time was that MVP voters regretted the decision and would be looking to give Stewie the next MVP if possible.

In 2023 Stewie wins the MVP despite the fact A'ja seemed to pretty clearly have the more impressive regular season, and then being the clear star of the playoffs.

My sense then was that MVP voters regretted the decision and would be looking to give A'ja the next MVP if possible.

So then looking at MVP candidates as they stand now:

A'ja's:
1. The player MVP voters feel deserves another MVP.
2. The consensus best player in the world.
3. Putting up huge individual numbers.
4. On a disappointing team.

Stewie:
1. The consensus best player on the best team.
2. The consensus 2nd best player in the world.
3. "covered" in terms of having enough recent MVP love.
4. Less individually impressive by the numbers than she been in recent years.

Collier:
1. Best player on the 2nd best team.
2. Box score stats as impressive as anyone not named A'ja.
3. Possibly more impressive impact (On/Off, RAPM, etc) than A'ja, Stewie, or any other leader of contenders.

[MrDollarBills]

I wish the men played with this kind of fire. The Fever and Sun are playing like it's a game 7