Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the WNBA daily as we try to heal from this pandemic.
The Seattle Storm are going to try to win their third title in four seasons.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Ned Dishman/Getty Images.)
This is my first attempt on doing a WNBA season preview. This time around, the WNBA is going to do a 32-game season. There are a lot of things going on, such as a new Commissioner’s Cup and the Olympics midway through the season. I don’t think the WNBA has been as hot as they go into their 25th season.
Here we go. A quick look at all 12 teams and my predicted records!
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1) CHICAGO SKY (19-13): They very well have a chance this year with the addition of one Candace Parker, who left the Sparks to go home. It’s been mentioned many a time that the Sky were one key player away from being a real threat and they got that key player in Candace. The backcourt tandem (couple) of Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley always makes life difficult for opponents and we’ll continue monitoring the rise of Diamond DeShields and Azura Stevens.
2) CONNECTICUT SUN (17-15): The Sun lose a lot in Alyssa Thomas, who had looked so indestructible throughout her career. But even an Achilles injury can be too much. Jonquel Jones does return after skipping the Wubble season and she can provide much of the scoring, rebounding, and defense.
3) WASHINGTON MYSTICS (16-16): They lost Aerial Powers but they do get two-time MVP Elena Delle Donne back, who skipped the Wubble last year. Myisha Hines-Allen is also on the team, who finished second in the Most Improved Player award. This team is not as deep as the 2019 championship squad but with Elena, they always have a chance.
4) NEW YORK LIBERTY (11-21): All I’m hoping for here is a full season of Sabrina Ionescu. They added Natasha Howard and Sami Whitcomb from Seattle, two key pieces from last year’s title team. They also have Betnijah Laney; the MIP winner came over from Atlanta. This league is just so full of talented women.
5) ATLANTA DREAM (11-21): This team is going to be so fun to watch. They have so much swagger in first round pick Aari McDonald, Chennedy Carter, and Courtney Williams. But they are coming off a sudden coaching change as Mike Petersen replaced Nicki Collen, who departed for Baylor. They also just had an ownership and GM change not long ago, either. It’s pretty chaotic in Atlanta, to say the least, but the on-court product should be tasty.
6) INDIANA FEVER (11-21): I would like to see Teaira McCowan have more time on the court. They have an ace scorer in Kelsey Mitchell and they did add Danielle Robinson from the Aces for backcourt stability. But I am curious to see how Kysre Gondrezick will perform; she was a surprise choice at #4 overall in the draft a few weeks ago. No Julie Allemand, though, who was a boon for them last season; she’s playing overseas for this year.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1) SEATTLE STORM (24-8): They’re the champs and they should be the favorites to win. Breanna Stewart is just on another level right now and let’s not forget that she came back from a torn Achilles last year. Sue Bird is giving it one more round. Jewell Loyd continues to be an explosive scorer. They did lose Howard and Whitcomb to New York but maybe this is the team Katie Lou Samuelson can thrive on.
2) LAS VEGAS ACES (20-12): MVP A’ja Wilson is that dominant big some old-school basketball fans yearn for again. She’s so good at the block and the midrange. Kelsey Plum comes back from a torn Achilles and Liz Cambage is back after skipping the Wubble. Cambage could be that big difference-maker between runner-up and champion.
3) PHOENIX MERCURY (18-14): That trio of Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, and Skylar Diggins-Smith is terrifying. Bria Hartley won’t be ready for the start of the season but they did add Kia Nurse from New York for some supplementary scoring. And well, if you have Diana on your team…
4) MINNESOTA LYNX (17-15): They were surprise semifinalists last year but could we really call the perennial playoff team Minnesota Lynx a surprise? Rookie of the Year Crystal Dangerfield and previous ROY winner Napheesa Collier are running it back. Sylvia Fowles should be healthy for this year and the Lynx added Powers and Kayla McBride. That’s going to be an aggressive offensive attack from the Lynx.
5) LOS ANGELES SPARKS (16-16): We can’t quantify how big of a loss Parker was. But they tried to make up for it by adding Amanda Zahui B and Erica Wheeler. Kristi Toliver and Chiney Ogwumike return after missing last year. This is still a talented team and I won’t be surprised if they finish higher than what I predicted them.
6) DALLAS WINGS (12-22): They almost made it to the postseason last year. Leading scorer Arike Ogunbowale will have Satou Sabally, Marina Mabrey, Allisha Gray as well as the first two picks of the draft, Charli Collier and Awak Kuier. I feel like I’m underscoring the talent of this team, too, but the entire league is so talented that it’s hard to make these predictions.
SEASON AWARD PREDICTIONS
COACH OF THE YEAR: James Wade, Chicago Sky.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Aari McDonald, Atlanta Dream.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Katie Lou Samuelson, Seattle Storm.
SIXTH WOMAN OF THE YEAR: Dearica Hamby, Las Vegas Aces.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jonquel Jones, Connecticut Sun.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm.
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
#5 LYNX over #8 SPARKS
#7 MYSTICS over #6 SUN
#3 SKY over #7 MYSTICS
#4 MERCURY over #5 LYNX
#1 STORM over #4 MERCURY
#2 ACES over #3 SKY
#1 STORM over #2 ACES and Storm repeat as champions.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the WNBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.