Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the WNBA daily as we try to heal from this pandemic.
Arike Ogunbowale won the Most Valuable Player award in the 2021 WNBA All-Star game.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Ethan Miller/Getty Images.)
So a reminder, this was the roster for both Team USA and the WNBA All-Stars.
I’ve said this many a time: the WNBA is LOADED with talent. And then you also start to wonder how women like Jonquel Jones, DeWanna Bonner, Arike Ogunbowale, and Candace friggin’ Parker aren’t on the national team. But I digress.
Anyway, things that you’ve probably noticed if you haven’t watched the WNBA all-star game before:
Yes, it is still extremely competitive. Obviously, you see the men play and, while it really is an exhibition, the NBA players treat it as such and mess around far too much to the fans’ liking.
In the WNBA? There is still that sense of urgency where they felt like they had to win. And of course, there is that pride amongst those players. The national team wants to show that they really are the best women in the world while the all-stars want to show that they deserve a spot in that national team.
And it was a close game throughout. Jonquel Jones showed why she’s an early candidate for the regular season MVP. Arike Ogunbowale wanted everyone to see her scoring prowess. On the other side, Breanna Stewart was showing why she’s the best player in the world today while Brittney Griner was a force throughout the game.
But in the end, the WNBA all-stars pulled away. Ogunbowale’s four-point play was a turning point, raising that measly two-point advantage to 6. Then Ogunbowale and the ever-so-charismatic Courtney Williams took it home in the closing minutes.
Ogunbowale won the MVP award after scoring 26 points. Jonquel Jones had 17 points and 14 boards while Courtney Williams came off the pine to score 15. Griner led Team USA with 17 points.
Overall, a well-fought game between all of these stars. In the end, it was great to see these WNBA players have all the fun in the world while still competing at the highest level.
Bullet Passes
You know what I always looked forward to? A good-ol’ fashioned three-point shootout.
After Jonquel Jones showed her incredible shooting, it was the calm assassin Allie Quigley who came away with her third shootout championship. I’ll put the entire video of the contest right here.
(VIDEO CREDIT: WNBA.)
The final tally:
FIRST ROUND
Allie Quigley (CHI): 28
Jonquel Jones (CON): 27
Sami Whitcomb (NY): 26
Jewell Loyd (SEA): 18
FINAL
Allie Quigley (CHI): 28
Jonquel Jones (CON): 24
Also, I love Quigley’s wife and teammate, Courtney Vandersloot, cheering her on. Goals.
WNBA Scoreboard
July 14, 2021
Watch This Play
Connecticut Sun teammates and Jones sisters (okay, not really) hooking up on this play. From Jonquel to Brionna.
that dish tho ‼ @jus242 pic.twitter.com/AvI7nYxkYA
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 15, 2021
Now the WNBA is going to go on a break for the next month.
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.