Swish Appeal - 2014 WNBA Draft: Connecticut Sun win the first pickBasketball is basketball.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49391/swish-fave.png2014-04-14T18:29:29-04:00http://www.swishappeal.com/rss/stream/49608952014-04-14T18:29:29-04:002014-04-14T18:29:29-04:00New York Liberty to acquire Tina Charles in blockbuster deal<blockquote>
<p><p>"@tinacharles31 traded to @nyliberty for 1st round pick this year and next as well as Kelsey Bone according to @AP sources"</p></p>
</blockquote>
<div class="source"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/DougFeinberg/status/455836722111447040" target="new">Doug Feinberg of the AP</a></p></div>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2014/4/14/5614762/mike-dimauro-bcgenius-19mColin Davenport2014-03-28T14:04:58-04:002014-03-28T14:04:58-04:002014 WNBA Draft to be held on April 14
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RNxexTm_KlD6cYjBekWY9EbBmIU=/1x0:1099x732/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30814309/454928743__1_.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo courtesy of the WNBA.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The WNBA announced today that the 2014 Draft will be held at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut on Monday, April 14.</p> <p>The Connecticut Sun, which plays in the Mohegan Sun's arena will have the first pick in the Draft. Coincidentally, whoever gets drafted at the number one spot will already be at her new home which is kind of cool.</p>
<p>The Mohegan Sun Casino has hosted a number of WNBA events in the past, including the All-Star Games in 2005, 2009, and 2013, as well as the 2010 WNBA vs. USA Basketball match which featured the Team USA FIBA World Championship team playing against a team of WNBA star players.</p>
<p>The first round of the WNBA Draft will be televised at 8 p.m. on ESPN2. The second and third rounds will be televised on ESPNU.</p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2014/3/28/5558340/2014-wnba-draft-announcement-mohegan-sun-casinoAlbert Lee2013-12-26T12:33:48-05:002013-12-26T12:33:48-05:00Should the WNBA Draft Lottery be modified?
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<img alt="If the WNBA goes to a predetermined order for future Drafts, we won't have to worry about tanking anymore." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KbztluOVUbNcH1KYMUh938Ce1Uc=/1x0:1099x732/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25747721/454928743__1_.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>If the WNBA goes to a predetermined order for future Drafts, we won't have to worry about tanking anymore. | NBA Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Let's talk about it.</p> <p>Earlier this week, the NBA has been considering a way to eliminate the current Draft Lottery system, and instead implement a new type of system where the ordering of the Draft is predetermined, so that a team is guaranteed a #1 pick once every 30 years, since there are 30 teams <a target="_blank" href="http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/86940/the-nbas-possible-solution-for-tanking-good-bye-to-the-lottery-hello-to-the-wheel">according to Zach Lowe</a> on Grantland. Then every team would get a top six pick every five seasons, and a Top 12 pick once every four years. Doing this should help encourage teams to build with youth and if you read this site regularly, you know I advocate that.</p>
<p>Most of all, the purpose of this system would be to deter "tanking" by teams to try to increase their chances of a Top 3 pick in the following year's draft.</p>
<p>If the proposal is accepted by the NBA team owners, it will not take effect until all pending trades involving future draft picks have been consummated, so it wouldn't happen for at least several years from now.</p>
<p>So, for the purposes of this site, I personally think that the WNBA Draft Lottery needs to be modified as well, and it could be implemented much sooner because teams are much more hesitant to trade future first round picks away.</p>
<p>First reason is kind of simple. Currently in the 12 team league, it is possible for a team with the most chances at the number one pick to end up picking fourth, just like in the NBA. When there are 30 teams in a league, falling from first to fourth certainly hurts, but the talent is spread out more so the blow is not as large. But a first pick vs. a fourth pick in the WNBA is more significant due to the lower number of teams and it could really hurt a rebuild for a team in that situation.</p>
<p>
<link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3608425/mustreads.css" rel="stylesheet"></p>
<p>We already saw two teams with the worst records pick fourth in the following year's draft with the Tulsa Shock doing so in 2012 and the Washington Mystics doing so in 2013. While the Tulsa Shock was in the middle of a rebuilding effort when they received their fourth pick, who has so far looked like a steal, y<span>ou can make an argument that the Mystics getting the fourth pick in the 2013 Draft significantly hurt their rebuilding efforts and could keep them meddling for some time to come. </span></p>
<p>One of the roadblocks to altering the Draft Lottery and turning it into a wheel format is the possibility of expansion, where the chances of this happening in the WNBA are considerably higher than it is in the NBA, at least on the surface. Where would the new team(s) pick in their first year, and what modifications will be made to the order after that?</p>
<p>So, now everyone, what method or methods would you do to alter the WNBA Draft Lottery or the system as to the ordering of the Draft? Comment below!</p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2013/12/26/5245358/wnba-draft-lottery-modificationAlbert Lee2013-12-10T16:47:45-05:002013-12-10T16:47:45-05:00Connecticut wins the 1st pick of the 2014 Draft
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<img alt="Mohegan Sun CEO Mitchell Etess and WNBA President Laurel Richie pose for a photo after the Connecticut Sun won the first pick in the 2014 Draft." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/n8dFQdsA9em66_by3ItYiPA0HT8=/1x0:1099x732/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24899267/454928743__1_.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mohegan Sun CEO Mitchell Etess and WNBA President Laurel Richie pose for a photo after the Connecticut Sun won the first pick in the 2014 Draft. | Photo Courtesy of the WNBA</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Connecticut Sun won the first pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft. </p> <div>The Sun had the worst regular season record in 2013 with a 10-24 record, where the team suffered a number of injuries and dealt with a new head coach in Anne Donovan. However, this pick should give the Sun a major leg up in terms of adding a new young piece alongside center Tina Charles.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>This is also the first time that the Sun has won the #1 pick in the Draft Lottery outright. While Tina Charles was drafted by the Sun at #1, the draft pick used to acquire her rights and guard Renee Montgomery were involved in a <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/wnba/news/story?id=4819009" target="_blank">deal with the Minnesota Lynx</a>, where the Lynx acquired guard Lindsay Whalen and the #2 pick in the 2010 Draft from the Sun.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>The second pick went to the Tulsa Shock, which received its third Top Three pick in the last four years. The third pick went to the San Antonio Silver Stars, and the last pick went to the New York Liberty which will be picking fourth.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Here is the entire order for the first round of the 2014 Draft below as of today. It is subject to change due to trades over the next several months:</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>
<table class="t1" style="text-align: center;" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><b>Pick</b></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><b>Team</b></p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><b>2013 Record</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">1st</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Connecticut</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">(10-24)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">2nd</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Tulsa</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">(11-23)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">3rd</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">San Antonio</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">(12-22)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">4th</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">New York</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">(11-23)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">5th</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Indiana</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">(16-18)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">6th</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Washington</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">(17-17)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">7th</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Seattle</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">(17-17)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">8th</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">(17-17)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">9th</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Phoenix</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">(19-15)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">10th</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Chicago</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">(24-10)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">11th</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Los Angeles</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">(24-10)</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">12th</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">Minnesota</p>
</td>
<td class="td1" valign="middle">
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">(26-8)</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Now that the first round order is set, any possible deals involving these picks? I certainly can see Connecticut involved in a number of deals.</div>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2013/12/10/5197544/2014-wnba-first-round-draft-order-restulAlbert Lee2013-12-10T16:00:01-05:002013-12-10T16:00:01-05:002014 WNBA Draft Lottery Open Thread
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<img alt="One team will smile later today like New Orleans Pelicans (that's their name now) head coach Monty Williams did here in 2012." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UM2auzkeNL3hmOjfDSMPpkv2uRQ=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24873429/20120601_kdl_ah6_038.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>One team will smile later today like New Orleans Pelicans (that's their name now) head coach Monty Williams did here in 2012. | Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We'll finally know what the first round draft order will look like later today. Watch it on ESPN's SportsCenter and online on WatchESPN.com if you have the right cable provider.</p> <p>So, here's your place to talk about the 2014 Draft Lottery where the Connecticut Sun, Tulsa Shock, New York Liberty, and San Antonio Silver Stars will try to get the rights to the first pick in the Draft. Getting the number one pick can bring a franchise forward in its rebuilding process, but falling back to fourth could also be a major step back <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2013/12/7/5184552/washington-mystics-fan-reaction-tayler-hill-pregnancy" target="_blank">if you look at it</a> that way, and are a fan of a team that desperately needs a superstar to "save the franchise."</p>
<p>While the lottery itself isn't much more than just "The fourth pick goes to whoever" and "The third pick goes to whoever," etc., I feel like this lottery unlike last year, could be one where trade possibilities are more realistic. After all, there is no "Big Three" for ESPN to go bonkers about, and I just don't think that there is enough player movement as it is. So, feel free to throw your trade ideas.</p>
<p>Enjoy the lottery everyone!</p>
<p><b>4:25 PM ET Update: ESPNNews has SportsCenter right now...</b></p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2013/12/10/5196252/open-thread-2014-wnba-draft-lotteryAlbert Lee2013-12-03T11:43:08-05:002013-12-03T11:43:08-05:002014 WNBA Draft Lottery to be held on December 10
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GtLxeGCEDM1z9eStQd800zHH6RQ=/0x160:4000x2827/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24390687/20131123_mjm_sq8_096.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The 2014 WNBA Draft Lottery <a href="http://www.wnba.com/news/draft_lottery_120313.html" target="new">will be held in Secaucus, NJ</a> next Tuesday, on December 10, 2013 which will be televised on ESPN's SportsCenter at 4:30 PM ET.</p> <p>The four teams that missed the 2013 Playoffs - the Connecticut Sun, Tulsa Shock, New York Liberty, and San Antonio Silver Stars - will have a chance to receive the first pick in the 2014 Draft, where Stanford forward Chiney Ogwumike is considered by many to be picked at that spot.</p>
<p>Here are the teams and their odds of winning the #1 pick below:</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;width:301pt" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="400">
<colgroup>
<col style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:9142;width:188pt" width="250">
<col style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:5485;width:113pt" width="150">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt; width: 188pt; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl63" height="20" width="250"><b>Team and 2013 Record</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 113pt; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl63" width="150"><b>Chances (out of 1,000)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl64" height="20">Connecticut Sun (10-24)</td>
<td style="margin-right:0px;padding-bottom:3.75pt;padding-top: 3.75pt" class="xl64">442</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl64" height="20">New York Liberty (11-23)</td>
<td style="margin-right:0px;padding-bottom:3.75pt;padding-top: 3.75pt" class="xl64">227</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl64" height="20">Tulsa Shock (11-23)</td>
<td style="margin-right:0px;padding-bottom:3.75pt;padding-top: 3.75pt" class="xl64">227</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl64" height="20">San Antonio Silver Stars (12-22)</td>
<td style="margin-right:0px;padding-bottom:3.75pt;padding-top: 3.75pt" class="xl64">104</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>Another interesting fact here is that three of the teams here have been perennial playoff squads in recent years. However, some of these teams may have been running on the Treadmill of Mediocrity, where they were clearly not the worst teams in the league, but weren't really good enough to win it all. The Silver Stars are in the Lottery for the first time since 2006; the Liberty hasn't been in the Lottery since 2009; the Sun since 2010.</p>
<p>The Tulsa Shock however has been lottery bound for each of the last four seasons and hasn't made the playoffs since 2009, when the franchise was in Detroit. That said, this team has been stockpiling a number of younger assets over the years and has a young core which could make a big push and be a factor in the West not too long from now. Though many are quick to put this team in 6th place for the Western Conference preseason standings no matter what, I at least think that that's not necessarily going to be the case.</p>
<p><b></b></p>
<h2><b>The rest of the First Round Draft order</b></h2>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 184pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="245">
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 48pt;" width="64">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4278; width: 88pt;" width="117">
<col style="width: 48pt;" width="64">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt; width: 48pt;" class="xl70" height="20" width="64"><b>Pick</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 88pt;" class="xl65" width="117"><b>Team</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt;" class="xl68" width="64"><b>2013 Record</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" class="xl67" height="20">5th</td>
<td style="margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl66">Indiana</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl69" width="64">16-18</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" class="xl67" height="20">6th</td>
<td style="margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl66">Washington</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl69" width="64">17-17</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" class="xl67" height="20">7th</td>
<td style="margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl66">Seattle</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl69" width="64">17-17</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" class="xl67" height="20">8th</td>
<td style="margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl66">Atlanta</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl69" width="64">17-17</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" class="xl67" height="20">9th</td>
<td style="margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl66">Phoenix</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl69" width="64">19-15</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" class="xl67" height="20">10th</td>
<td style="margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl66">Chicago</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl69" width="64">24-10</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" class="xl67" height="20">11th</td>
<td style="margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl66">Los Angeles</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl69" width="64">24-10</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;" class="xl67" height="20">12th</td>
<td style="margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl66">Minnesota</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt; margin-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3.75pt; padding-top: 3.75pt;" class="xl69" width="64">26-8</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: left;">Pretty self explanatory here. Among teams that were tied with overall record, DC "won" a number of tiebreakers against Seattle and ATL to earn the sixth pick in the draft among the three teams that had a .500 record for 2013; Chicago "won" against LA to get the 10th pick among the two 24-10 teams.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.25em;">A quick look at last year's "Four to Adore" and more!</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">(h/t ttdomi for that say</i><b><i>ing that <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2013/9/29/4780012/open-thread-game-2-of-the-conference-finals#187741597" target="_blank">very wise phrase</a>!)</i></b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The season ended not too long ago, but let's take a quick recap on the 2013 rookie class, starting with their four lottery draft picks.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Phoenix Mercury picked center Brittney Griner first. She played well but also dealt with injuries. The Chicago Sky picked forward Elena Delle Donne at #2, who was the Rookie of the Year. The Tulsa Shock selected guard Skylar Diggins third. She had some strong moments but an overall inconsistent rookie campaign.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Last, but not least at #4, the Washington Mystics selected guard Tayler Hill after most people believed that they would have picked a post player. While most of her 2013 season was nothing home to write about, she finished the last third of the season very strong and showed promise that she too could be a somebody in the W when it's all said and done, and hopefully in a DC uniform.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Besides the four players who were lottery picks in the 2013 rookie class, other players such as Kelsey Bone of the New York Liberty and Alex Bentley of the Atlanta Dream made the All-Rookie team. Then other rookies such as Emma Meesseman, Nadirah McKenith of the Washington Mystics and Layshia Clarendon of the Indiana Fever also played a good amount of rotation minutes for their teams. And Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, an undrafted rookie also made the rotation for the Mystics. (This post is starting to show Swish Appeal community biases now...)</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">While the 2014 rookie class probably won't have the same starpower at the top as the 2013 class did, the teams that have the top picks in this draft still will get a major young piece to their foundations and that player could really help their long term futures and many players. If you just want to use the 2013 rookie class and what they could do for their teams, three of the four lottery picks all made good contributions towards helping get their teams back to the playoffs, and the fourth player, Skylar Diggins, was on a team that still made significant improvements though her team wasn't quite good enough to get to the postseason.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">And speaking more about our 2014 WNBA Draft coverage, we got 'ya covered. See the links below for more:</p>
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<b>More</b>: <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2013/11/18/5120822/wnba-draft-2014-prospects" target="new">2014 Draft Prospects StoryStream</a> <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2013/11/20/4698820/wnba-draft-success-2008-2012" target="new">Draft Prospects' success with 11 man rosters</a> <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2013/11/22/5071092/wnba-draft-wing-prospects-history" target="new">Characteristics of successful wings..</a> <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2013/11/21/5131162/wnba-draft-statistics-evaluating-wings-statistics" target="new">...but it's hard to evaluate wing prospects</a>
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<p><b style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.25em;">Final thoughts</b></p>
<p><b style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.25em;"></b>Good luck to the teams in the lottery and to their fans. While it's not a great feeling having a bad regular season, the losing is often a result of teams that need to rebuild their foundations. Adding a new young player to the foundation, in particular, if the player is a number one pick is a great way to help accelerate those rebuilds and that's why those teams, and their fans look forward to this event.</p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2013/12/3/5168254/2014-wnba-draft-lottery-announcementAlbert Lee