2010 WNBA Opening Day Thread
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 1:38 PM EDT
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PrintWoohoo! Opening day is here and kicks off in Phoenix for the Mercury vs. Sparks (also seen on ESPN2).
The Mercury will start:
C - Tangela Smith
F - Candice Dupree
F - Penny Taylor (now appearing as a brunette)
G - Diana Taurasi
G - Temeka Johnson
Nicole Ohlde is in uniform but I am told won't play today
The Sparks under their new head coach, Jennifer Gillom:
C - Candace Parker
F - Delisha Milton-Jones
F - Tina Thompson
G - Noelle Quinn
G - Tina Penicheiro
Lets roll, baby!
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Ring Cermony time!
Mercury are playing this one up good….giant box thing for the players to run through
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
hey
links please!! We dont get ESPN2 in Canada!! nor will ESPN3 work!
My greatest strength is my greatest weakness
Sorry...not sure I can help w/ that
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Here's some grainy
cell phone pics of the ring/banner ceremony:
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/358577/2010-05-15_10.47.39.jpg
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/358573/2010-05-15_10.52.52.jpg
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/358585/2010-05-15_10.51.47.jpg
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Then there's this sad picture
of the last time the Sparks were in Phx:
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/177855/Leslie.jpg
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Candace v Candice
first trip down…Candace w/ the sweet bank shot in the post. Smoooooth
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Dupree w. the OReb and then a sweet post move for 2…gonna like that
Merc defense has yet to impress but the O is clicking early
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Sparks under Gillom
are playing a lot faster this season…their offense already looks better than it did at the end of last season. Of course, the Merc defense could be helping w/ that
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Parker is killing Dupree
Dupree scoring either on fast break or against smaller players (Quinn). Meanwhile, Parker is chumping Dupree on the other end.
Indeed
Parker looks REALLY good. So much better than last season when she came back and never seemed to find a groove. Dangerous and an early MVP leader :)
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
I had Lauren Jackson as the MVP favorite, but Parker is making a great case. She looked this good in Russia, so I guess this isn’t unexpected.
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Gillom
has her team prepared. They are getting their hands on a lot of those advance passes the Merc like to use
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
In all honesty
I think they could run away with this thing in the first half. In the second half, Phoenix should be able to put together a furious comeback.
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
That deep shot by Riley
Is more than LA would’ve gotten had they stuck with Bobbitt. Riley isn’t a great shooter herself, but she won’t be invisible out there.
Riley looks good
really strong floor presence….coming over to CP telling her what she wants
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I promised I would give this a chance
here I am…
Alvin Gentry: "We're a little finesse team that plays hard"
nice...welcome
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
So far so good
she’s got a real tough assignment in this game though w/ Candace Parker who looks sharp
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Merc man to man
was a disaster early but the Rover zone is doing a much better job keeping the Sparks out of the paint
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
What's up?
Just sitting down after Storm practice…
They’re scouting the Sparks as we speak… and seem to have the same impression: Parker will be scary good this season.
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
Gillom is going to make a
big difference on this team…she’s using their size and athleticism so much better than Cooper did
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
How is Parker looking at center?
Is that causing any matchup problems?
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
Not against the Merc
she’s matched up with Dupree on both ends and she’s got the advantage there…Sparks can play a smaller player on Tangela
Ohlde isn’t available to give a different look for Phx
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
That was
2nd year back up PG Ketia Swanier….she’s quick and strong. A mini-Cappie. Very mini but still some flashes like that
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
It was okay
I’m not seeing the hype surrounding her, but I’m not a GM…
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Hype?
Is there hype around her beyond @Fuzion? ;)
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
LOL...wouldn't think so
But Seth just called her a “mini-Cappie”. Plus, the organization is really high on her.
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Very mini :)
and by high on her – that’s relative. People are impressed w/ her improvement over last year. She will certainly put up better numbers and play a bigger role this season
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Mercury late clock
go to play in 2009 was Cappie creating. This year it’s dump the ball to Dupree in the post. Less explosive. More dynamic.
So far the Sparks aren’t doubling Candice but teams will
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
"Less explosive. More dynamic."
Possibly higher percentage over the long run as well with her able to possibly kick out to open shooters…
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
Mirror image of the Suns,
Merc look like they have some improved defense, along with running on every possesion.
If Sparks wouldnt hit so many outside jumpers with hands in their faces, it would be Phoenix ahead.
Tina Thompson looks awful
And LA doesn’t have any viable options after her. Stansbury is terrible, too. I wonder who the Sparks will pick up next.
How much has she been playing the 3 vs 4?
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
She's been at the 4; DMJ at the 3
Looks “old”.
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
TJ abusing Toliver
LA will have to go back to Riley or TP
For no real apparent reason...
I’ll give Toliver a pass until she has a few practices to learn defensive schemes…
But her defense is going to limit her for her entire career…
People really need to put the shots at Maryland in the past — she has a ways to go to become a consistent pro contributor…
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
She's going to have to temper her own expectations a bit
I think Toliver has the stuff to be a contributor coming off the bench, but she’s stuck in “star mode”.
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Impressed with Penny so far!
I think she’ll have a big season.
She had a great season overseas, too!
MVP of the Turkish league. They extended her contract to team her up with Taurasi next year.
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
DT + 2007 Penny + an All-Star power forward=
fear in the hearts of opponents…
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
The refs are letting the Merc play defense. And the Spark offense looked awful when the Merc went on that run
Alvin Gentry: "We're a little finesse team that plays hard"
Sparks need better ball movement
When Parker isn’t on the floor. At least to get an open shot
Alvin Gentry: "We're a little finesse team that plays hard"
When Parker isn't on the floor...
…they are really going to struggle.
After Parker, it’s aging vets and gunners in the backcourt…
Penicheiro might help to set people up… but I think we found at last year that she can’t singlehandedly win games…
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
Yeah
unless the Sparks players improve significantly, I don’t see them making the playoffs
Alvin Gentry: "We're a little finesse team that plays hard"
only 6 teams in the West
they should be better than Tulsa and SA
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
You never know
I’ll watch Tulsa and SA then see if that’s true.
Alvin Gentry: "We're a little finesse team that plays hard"
Sparks are short a back-up post player who can play
Because Wisdom-Hylton and Stansbury are awful.
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
And really...
Parker isn’t a “center” to begin with…
They really shouldn’t be a very good rebounding team this year..
And all those people who say they could put together a playoff team out of the cut players should probably take a look at the post players the Sparks have chosen….
(Bay Area homer side note: Devanei Hampton might have had a chance to make this team as a post player… Seattle had a competitive camp at the 4, but I imagine Hampton would have had a shot in LA… )
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
simple guess
but imma say that the Mercury win this game. Since I can’t watch this game, imma watch the Chicago/Connecticut game!
My greatest strength is my greatest weakness
Is ESPN360 limited to the U.S.?
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
I'm interested to see what LA shows this season.
They should be less dysfunctional, but when I look at the roster I still don’t see a team that’s disciplined enough to win a championship. Then again I’m not exactly hoping for everything to work out in LA.
I think they are going to be much better
but yeah, the talent level isn’t there
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow...impressive 2nd qtr
for Merc…Sparks had 0 points in the paint thanks to the zone and the Merc killed on the glass
Merc where also only 3 for 11 from three and still had 42 points (19 FTA’s helped)
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Riley started the half
clearly Gillom needs someone that can hit a three
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
I thought Ticha started
And then came off the floor to get re-taped.
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
could be
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok so the officials
obviously looked at the box score at half time and realized the imbalance so we can expect the whistles to go the other way this half
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
She also looks
so much better than she did when she first came back to Phx last year after all that time off w/ the ankle….I think we are going to see a few players who were deferring to Cappie step up their games
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
The european stints must have helped improve their defense.
Is it improved Merc defense or Sparks isnot that good at offense.
Riley is awesome!!!!!!
Holy friggin’ cow!!!!!!!
Now the calls are going LA's way
It’s only fair…
So the Mercury now
have committed 9 fouls in this quarter compared to 2 for the Sparks…at least its now close to even. Here’s hoping the fourth quarter can be called even….
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Meek took down Riley
hard on that drive and got up looking for her. Andrea just turned her head and walked away. Message sent to the rookie
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
She's getting outplayed by Riley in every facet of the game
Just pissed, I suppose.
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn't go that far
but I am very impressed w/ Riley
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I would
And the proof is in the box score
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Merc
Have been careless with the ball this Q…
Alvin Gentry: "We're a little finesse team that plays hard"
good catch
got to credit the Sparks as well…they are long and aggressive on D and they do a good job anticipating the Phx outlet passes….also remember that Penny got to town late Thursday and DT has only been here for one week of practice.
Some rust/sloppy is to be expected and should improve
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
We need him to do some WNBA JMZ episodes...
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
are you kidding?
it would be awesome….
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
And you know something about making great videos!
They let bums like me or Seth in there… they can let JMZ in!
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
Good hustle from Tina
right there to keep possession…not done yet
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Gillom is pissed about that
Flagrant call…ref said TT hit Candice in the head. Gillom wanted Meek to get the flag for her hard foul on Riley…fair point
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
I have to say... consider it's Candace Parker...
Dupree is doing a very, very good job…
She’s clearly stronger and using that to her advantage…
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
Nice block from Tang
too bad that half court shot didn’t count
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Wow... was that the player looking to break the record for games played...
Or the uber athletic second year player…
Wow..
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
Taurasi's been quiet since I've been watching...
What has LA done to limit her so much… or is it just an off game?
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
Broken hand
Doesn’t affect shot, but shots still aren’t falling.
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
The Sparks
put 20 more shots than the Merc so far!
Alvin Gentry: "We're a little finesse team that plays hard"
This second half has been pretty poor for the Merc
They don’t look good at all.
And that might say more about the Sparks' season...
This team is going to struggle for a while…
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
Riley's devolving
This ain’t college, kid.
And percentage wise...
College wasn’t that great to begin with…
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
Exactly...36%
and 30% from three. Didn’t affect how the GMs evaluated her, though.
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
And that wouldn't be so bad if she didn't take so many shots...
She said she’s changed but from what I’ve seen today, she still think that daylight = green light
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
Well, like I said earlier, the GMs didn't seem to care about the %age
they looked at her scoring ability and her speed—without realizing that she required a large volume of shots to get her points.
I’m starting to learn not to take everything a GM says for face value. Like us, they have their favorites. That said, Riley is a good player who has a chance to grow if she can be reined in. There’s no denying the energy she brings on the court.
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Penny Toler didn't care about that stuff.
It only takes one. There are a number of GMs who would have passed on her.
"There’s no denying the energy she brings on the court."
True – and an intangible: lack of stage fright in one’s first game could be construed as a good thing.
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
Oh absolutely!
Not coming down on the kid at all (if it sounds like I’m doing so, I apologize). I just think the WNBA GMs tend to fall in love with the flashy kids without doing much background research. Most players who are flashy are covering up some huge flaws. Those who don’t have said flaws and are still flashy (Taurasi, Pondexter, Parker, to name a few) are mega stars.
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
No worries...
… in fact, I think you’ve been quite gracious in your evaluation of her.
I think college star power still plays a large role in WNBA drafting (e.g. Toliver).
It seems on the women’s side, college fame is still valorized whereas the men’s game has gone to the other extreme where college success is looking at with scrutiny/skepticism (part of that is age of the leagues, part of that is the rules and the way players develop)… there’s a happy medium in there that I think the WNBA will benefit from greatly as scouting evolves with the game…
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
And I think I'm okay with that, to a certain extent
College stars tend to fare better in this league than college role players. However, I don’t think the WNBA GMs look diligently enough at the flaws of these stars unless they are (1) chronically injured (such was the case with Devanei Hampton) or (2) overweight/too short/poorly conditioned (such was the case with Courtney Paris). I also tend to believe that the WNBA GMs magnify the weaknesses of the college role players while trying to enhance the strengths of the stars. While there’s no doubt in my mind that Nicole Powell is a good WNBA player, she was never going to be able to legitimately play all five positions in the WNBA. But people still think she’s capable of doing so. On the flip side, Anosike is STILL being hounded for what she didn’t do at Tennessee.
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep
And there seems to be an impatience factor too, which does make sense with the roster cuts and such. But some of those college role players, lesser known stars, or even players like Ashley Walker who got cut had the basketball tools to become successful.
Player development — in addition to scouting — is something else that could probably stand to evolve.
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
No love lost between these teams
I missed that fracas…turned to watch the ball and DT and Milton-Jones got tangled up
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
A little edgy right now
Players on both sides starting to unravel
Season doesn't start until Dee gets T'd up!
It’s ON!!!!!! :)
Le'coe Willingham thanks Phx
for beating up on LA a little… ;)
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
I bet she does :)
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Seattle will rip through LA
JMO
by just checkin on May 15, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
That's my feeling though too...
…but I think I’ve been infected by training camp practice optimism…
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
Thompson is getting abused...
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
Not sure
I wouldn’t put Bonner on the floor here instead of T Smith
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Great box out by Meek
to let that rebound fall to Taurasi
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Parker
had an iso on Tangela Smith and she settled for a 17foot fade away instead of taking her to the rack
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Frist game of the year
the Merc defense is going to be tested on the final possession….good thing they don’t have Kobe
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Merc go
w/ DT, Bonner, Smith, Dupree and Taylor for final defensive possession…that’s a tall line up that can switch
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Wow...Quinn
nailed that one…good D but she just hit the shot….
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
Who get's this shot for the Merc?
I think you have to try and get it to Penny
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
see :)
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
by Seth Pollack on May 15, 2010 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, the Sky didn't completely roll over and die
74-61 Sun. But they were apparently down by almost 30 at some point. Lots of negatives to point to…
And what about the 14,000
fans in attendance in Phoenix? Excellent start to the season.
(But I still want a Bay Area franchise for Ashley, Dev, and Lexi to come home to.)
Where would you want them to play?
…and can you contribute to an offer for the Warriors to expedite Cohan’s exit and get an intelligent/WNBA friendly owner in place? ;)
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
Nice opening day
Great tipoff game between LA and Phoenix, the top draft pick looking good in her opener, the big upset turned in by the Styx (led by a dominating post game!) and the Shock hanging tough in front of a nice house in their first game at their new home. Good day for the league.
The Styx result is interesting!
However, didn’t the Fever just get the majority of their starters back?
SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3
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