Swish Appeal WNBA Draft Open Thread: Live from Secaucus with Commentary

Uhh… good pick…

http://www.swishappeal.com/2010/4/8/1410839/uconn-center-tina-charles-selected

Wows: exactly what one of the ESPN commentators said — how do you stop her and Wiggins at one time? Plus, she adds an outstanding defender to the mix.

Wonders: Is it fair for them to have this much talent?

Worries: can’t think of any…

Wows: Passing on Appel here is interesting. They’re suggesting trade…but Griffin IS a good player — heady and was by far one of the most dominant players in women’s basketball.

Wonders: How does she fit? Is there a trade in the works?

Worries: Again, if they do keep her, the question is where she plays and what that rotation looks like…post appeared to be a bigger need…

Wows: In addition to Appel sliding?

Wonders: Chicago is looking for Prince to run a little point and provide some perimeter scoring. Will be interesting to see how she fits with the mix of Toliver, Person, Canty, and Christon…and definitely not in a bad way.

Worries: That Chicago still doesn’t necessarily have a “true point guard”…

looks huge. Congrats to her

Wows: Uh, this might be a coup for San Antonio… absolutely perfect fit for their system, for the same reason I assumed it was perfect for the Lynx…

Wonder: Is there a trade happening somewhere?

Worries: Obviously her injuries are a concern, but after 3-4 weeks and adjusting, hard to imagine doing better than her at #5

Wows: Athletic, very good helpside blocker.

Wonders: She got handled in the tournament by Mokango and Dowdell…how will she handle the strength of pro players?

Worries: That if she doesn’t bulk up, she’ll have trouble defending much less doing anything on the block offensively..

but can they declare early for the draft?

Did you know that Kelsey Griffin and Monica Wright were roommates at the final four last weekend and are now bunking together at the WNBA draft? Both were very excited to play with one another for the Lynx now that they have formed an off-court friendship.

Wows: Mock drafts be damned… this is a good pick. The Sun’s roster is already pretty filled, so they don’t need a player right away. They can essentially “stash” her and wait.

Wonders: How well will she both recover from the knee injury AND adjust to the rigors of the WNBA?

Worries: Sometimes scorers struggle to come back from bad knee injuries…

Wow: she shoots a lot!

Wonders: Is she going to continue to shoot a lot?

Worries: she shoots a lot!

For a post player. Just thinking out loud.

Wows: A little bit higher than I think most people would have expected… but she did very well against Jacinta Moore in the tournament and that happened her a lot. OUTSTANDING footwork…and that goes a long way…

Wonders: How long is Atlanta willing to wait on her?

Worries: her scoring efficiencies in college were not encouraging… will have to improve that…

http://twitter.com/stephenlitel/status/11840078342

Wows: I got a pick right! I got a pick right! Her point guard numbers are very good. Will be a great complement to both Sue Bird and Tanisha Wright in the backcourt.

Wonders: Who will she defend?

Worries: Not much… she’s arguably a better prospect than a few picked ahead of her…

Passing on Jayne Appel will be something that teams regret…although Minnesota didn’t do too badly — there’s a chance Connecticut misses the playoffs meaning Minn gets ANOTHER lottery pick next year in a more talented draft class…

Wow: Seems somewhat high, but had a good NCAA tournament. Rates as something of a pure scorer. Very good defender.

Wonders: Will she be able to score as easily in the pros. If not, what else can she give?

Worries: It seems like there might have been some lesser known prospects still on the board who would help… but a defensive scorer seems to fit the Fever….

Wows: I LOVE this pick — she lit up Allison Hightower in January and proved herself to be a very, very versatile scorer.

Wonders: How many five players…Candace Parker… and one basketball…?

Worries: Thomas was low on my board because of shooting percentages… will be interesting to see what she puts together in the pros…

I think HIghtower should have been taken instead of Morris. But what do I know?

Since they kept showing her right before commercials. Kind of a surprise?

(Sorry for my cluelessness)

Wows: This is a steal in the 2nd round — one of the most efficient scorers in the draft, but a wide margin…solid defender

Wonders: She seemed to disappear at times in the tournament… what’s that about?

Worries: She didn’t do much long-range shooting at UConn and wasn’t asked to score that much so we might not know what she’s capable of.

http://www.wnba.com/draft2010/live.html

A few notes of interest, as she kept speaking. In my best, broken note taking abilities.

- Knew a lot of the good playeres would be gone. Just the way it goes
- Griffin trade surprised people. Connecticut got younger and Minnesota’s tons of picks will be great for their future
- Thought Riley was the best guard coming out this year
- A lot of teams weren’t sure who would go where, a lot of good players. Mentioned Makongo and how she makes the team bigger
- First round: teams got better, second round: young players ready.
- May not be impact players, but good bench players
- All about doing it now, trading out of the first round. The future is now, and Gaines is ready to do what it takes to continue winning with what they have
- Everyone has been involved, but even in the second round, the second round is basically a “sit and wait” type situation. Got a list, basically just crossing off players’ names. Got lucky with Bonner last year, looking to repeat that success
- Surprised about Appel going that high…not surprised about her slipping to 5
- Surprised by Lacey as well, though she did say she’ll be a nice backup to Sue Bird
- A lot of good tweeners that are slasher type players, so in the second round, you’ll see more of those players go
- A lot of the draft will be who can they afford, training camp players, bench players, etc. It’ll be tough to beat out the core players on the Mercury
- Very excited about Candice Dupree. Not surprised by that plug there…no doubt they’ll be missing Cappie come gametime
- Injuries/suspensions have happened in years past, may prove a good opportunity for the rooks

Wows: Amazing value pick for the Mystics here…Smith is an outstanding position rebounder and can score from the perimeter. Amazing pick up at this point in the draft.

Wonders: How well will she adjust to the athleticism of the WNBA?

Worries: Defensively she might have trouble staying with some people.

Wows: Again, great value here. If Connecticut wanted scoring, they’ve gotten it.

Wonders: Why did she slip? Will the moves she used in college work in the pros?

Worries: It’s been reported that she doesn’t have a strong right hand…

Wows: This seems high for her given the players available…but I suppose the Liberty felt they needed a point guard…

Wonders: They already have Leilani Mitchell who’s small…and they still have Loree Moore. Is there a trade in the works?

Worries: Houts’ numbers don’t match up to those of successful WNBA point guards…

Wows: Get this — I had SASS selecting Clark with the 5TH pick in my first mock draft. This is nothing short of grand larceny as far as I’m concerned… amazing scorer, but also amazing instincts…

Wonders: How long will it take her to transition to the three?

Worries: That SASS is hogging all the talent…

I’m just reading ur comments (for now)

So I can sound smart just in case the WNBA draft comes up in casual conversation.

Wows: They get their in-state player despite trading out of the first round…coach Coale described her as having “indomitable will”.

Wonders: What position will she play?

Worries: She’s a bit undersized for her position (power forward) so it’ll be interesting to see how she adjusts to the pros.

WOWS: Brilliant pick by the Mystics! There’s not much more I can say about her — go to ESPN360, watch the first round tournament game against first rounder Jacinta Monroe. Dowdell lit her up. Mystics close second to SASS in best value picks…

Wonders: She’s a power player in the paint at 6’2" — will that be effective in the pros?

Worries: Not many, seriously. She’s first round talent that a lot of people slept on.

Wows: Not sure yet…

Wonders: She wasn’t on my radar at all and there are other players who I’ve watched in person who are very talented…

Worries: Again, not sure…

Will catch up…

Wows: Amazing tough player for Ga Tech

Wonders: Statistically, wasn’t on the radar…wonder why?

Worries: Not sure what specific skill she brings to the W

Wows: I have written, and written, and written about Smith. I think this is a great pick… and I really look forward to seeing her play in Seattle. Excellent defensive instincts, great scoring instincts, underrated playmaker.

Wonders: Her shooting percentages were not so encouraging — wonder how that will affect her?

Worries: According to her coach, she’s a driven player but sometimes gets a bit angry at herself when things go poorly— will be interesting to see how she deals with that in the transition to the pros..

I’ll be seeing a lot of her with the Mercury

Wows: Quick guard out of Miss St, who I think really got people’s attention with her tournament performance. She was arguably that team’s MVP

Wonders: Can she slow down and change paces?

Worries: A bit inefficient in college…how will that affect her in the pros?

Wows: Slasher, who is known as a scorer but has a great build and gets to the free throw line often. She is a solid defender and can shoot the long ball. Has played in both uptempo and half court offenses.

Wonders: The biggest adjustment in the pros will be not being the featured scorer — when she’s asked to take a reserve role, how will she respond?

Worries: The only worries were the low shooting percentages…otherwise, she has a shot.

http://www.wnba.com/draft2010/profiles/prospect_montgomery_cory.html

compared to D-Wade… What made her slip to the 3rd round?

Overall Impressions of Tyra Grant

- Mentioned that the Mercury were looking for a slasher, someone who could score in the open court. Said Gaines, “And Tyra is built for the open court.”
- Was impressed by her size, ability to finish at the basket
- Said that it’s tough to tell this late in the round/draft what you can get from a player, but was impressed by
- Mercury have 3 contracts that are open. Grant will probably get the minimum, due to how the cap has hurt the Mercury this offseason.
- Always looking to find a diamond in the rough, think Grant may be that player.
- Aside from scoring, the Mercury are excited about her size and athleticism. Said Gaines, “I don’t know if you saw the clips, but she was going through people to get the basket, not going around them. It’s like seeing a running back cut through the line instead of looking to run to the outside.”
- Great to see the way she can take a hit and jump right back up and attack the rim.

State of the Mercury

- Due to the low selection position, the draft was “both easy and difficult”. Coach said that it was easy, as there wasn’t as much pressure to take a pick like if they had the 2nd or 3rd overall, but it’s hard to lose the names you wanted as you keep waiting. Probably mentioned that the Mercury kept “crossing names off the list”, and Grant was the best player remaining, in the Mercury’s eyes.
- Mentioned that the Merc are looking for a slasher, shooter (emphasis on the shooter), and another big. They will evaluate the players taken in the draft, and will likely look to free agency to fill the final roster spots.
- Grant wasn’t selected to try and replace what Cappie did. “There’s no replacing a player like Cappie. But we’re always looking for a slasher. Just like you’re always looking for a shooter, always looking for a big.”
- Gaines seemed genuinely excited about Dupree. He kept repeating how the Mercury’s “offense is set up for a 4 who can score” and mentioned that they “never had that until now”.
- Said a lot of West Coasters may not have seen Dupree play, but think they will be extremely pleased with her come tip off.

Wows: this is an interesting player — very versatile player who played inside and outside. If you want someone to film for an instructional video, she’s it. Operates very well in space, finds gap in the defenses well, no wasted motion.

Wonders: Who might she defend?

Worries: She is often very deliberate in her movements and you have to wonder if that could be a problem against quicker, stronger WNBA players.

Wows: Outstanding defensive rebounder who might have a shot. Steadily improved over the course of the season and that has to be taken into account. Given that she spent the first three years of her career behind the Parises, her season this year was impressive.

Wonder: Can she continue to improve in the pros?

Worries: Her scoring efficiency numbers were very low…

Wows: Over Alexis Gray-Lawson?

Wonders: Can a 5’7" high-usage scorer who shot 37% find a place in the league?

Worries: She’s going to have to become some sort of distributor in the league and has not yet shown that ability.

Wow: How on earth did she fall so far? Match her up against some of the players drafted ahead of her and it just doesn’t make any kind of sense…the Mystics are a great fit — Gray-Lawson could quite easily play next to a bigger ball handler like Katie Smith.

Wonders: How well will she adjust to scoring in the pros at her height? Will she be expected to run point?

Worries: There might be roster room available for her…

Wow: Good pick for Tulsa’s uptempo style. She does a little bit of everything and can fly up and down the court to get rebounds and make plays in transition.

Wonders: How will Tulsa use her?

Worries: The only real worry here is about position and how well she will adjust. Tulsa is a team with a lot of holes to fill, so at least she has a chance…

Thanks all for a great draft!

A few days ago I was told, “She was a big deal two years ago but not so much anymore”…

Shooter who had low efficiency numbers…

http://twitter.com/JaydaEvans/status/11843675134

Did not make it on the radar statistically.

Wows: Great tournament – a pure scorer who gets a lot done in the mid-range area. A strong defender as well. Rebounds well for her size. A definite fit in Phoenix’s system.

Wonders: She did create that many scoring opportunities for herself at Oklahoma — what will she do in the pros?

Worries: She’s a scorer who didn’t create much and didn’t necessarily wow you with passing or getting to the free throw line often…

Who doesn’t have a chance to make a teams roster from this draft?

Lacey Simpson, Illinois
Ashley Barlow, Notre Dame

Both had the same “issue”: all-around defensive players who just didn’t score much…

But on the whole, most deserving players got drafted..

More with team-by-team analysis later…