NFL
By: Stephen PridGeon-Garner
Tiers are forming within the league.
In said tiers is a punch from the middle of the ranks, as the Dream remain steady through some growing pains, the Sparks up their efforts though we’ll see what a coaching change does for them, and the Liberty see a face chance with the turn of the calendar in June.
In Dangerfields 4 games starting:
NYL: 81.5 PPG (4th) · 1.45 ast:to (3rd)
In NYLs 8 games prior (1-7): 70.4 PPG (12th) · 0.94 ast:to (11th)
Ionescu's last 4: 26 PPG · 57.4/46.9/100
– hadnt had b2b of +20 pts per prior, now has 4 consecutive north of 23Beware #OwnTheCrown https://t.co/qoH4RZk4Xv
— Stephen PridGeon ☯️🏁 (@StayTrueSDot3) June 8, 2022
The Dangerfield starting dynamic for the Liberty give them the vibes of a team that can viably operate in that tier jut below the top five, with the aforementioned teams + the Dallas Wings.
These teams all have my full attention after the power five, listed below in this week’s power ranks.
(Last week’s ranks are found in parentheses.)
1.) Las Vegas Aces: 10-2 (1)
Injuries have hit them rather hard, which hurts more when you’re lacking depth, but regardless of that and any foul issues that may have been adverse to them, they continue to find a way. MV-KP buzz is alive and well as Kelsey Plum continues to Putin a display of shot (and tough) shot-making combined with a blend of playmaking that brings this team together at the helm. Add to that the efforts of Gray, Hamby, oh and A’ja Wilson… you get the picture. They’re operating at a high frequency a month in.
2.) Connecticut Sun: 9-3 (2)
Natisha Heideman stepping into the starting lineup for this group has been a revelation, in place of their captain Jasmine Thomas. They’ve rallied the troops and, even independent of Heideman, seen connected play with their “best five” lineup of Williams-Bonner-A.Thomas-B.Jones-J.Jones being the second most effective lineup in the W. With defense at the forefront, they will have a resounding say-so in the seasons conclusion.
3.) Chicago Sky: 7-3 (3)
The Sky and their starting lineup are beginning to turn the corner. They are hitting their blend of getting paint touches and flowing off of that offensively with their array of attacks, then getting the multiple efforts and execution defensive that’s unlocking their pace. Also, Emma Meesseman is a MAD woman with her defensive player of the year efforts, in tandem with the individual defense as wing stoppers from their torture twins of Copper and Gardner. They have five players averaging 11+ PPG. The Sky are waking up.
4.) Seattle Storm: 5-5 (5)
Health is wealth, and though they survived the week without bodies due to a Covid outbreak, they are back healthy and whole for the first time all season on Monday (seeing Bird and Magbegors mukti-faceted dynamics return, reuniting their entire roster) in a win over the Sun, and it’s showing.
Gabby Williams man. Her & Briann Januarys added value & activity, especially defensively, is about all the Storm missed last season
— Stephen PridGeon ☯️🏁 (@StayTrueSDot3) June 4, 2022
The defense and added value in ancillary efforts that are being provided by Gabby Williams and Briann January are invaluable. Add to that the return of their best screener and their glue piece in Mercedes Russel, and we will now start to see just how much better this Storm team is. Is another storm coming? (Couldn’t resist!)
5.) Washington Mystics: 7-5 (4)
Working through the multiple renditions of their team that they see, the Mystics remain one of the toughest teams in the W. Clark returned on Sunday for their game in Chicago, and though it was a loss the sight was simply welcoming having her return to the floor. Take into account that they need to continue building these reps while “getting by” without being whole for a sustained time, and you see just why this team suggests they’ll have something to say when the games matter most
