NFL
By: Stephen Garner
Returning home with the finish line near the W’s 25th rendition, the stage is set for a fantastic finish in the standings, MVP race, and Sixth Woman races.
The Tokyo Olympics proved to be fruitful for our women, for 5×5 and (the inaugural) 3×3, as the Women’s Team USA basketball program flexed their muscles on the world.
Including the 3×3 gold medal, which makes now eight consecutive gold medal finishes for this program ?.
They’ve certainly doubled down on their claims for being the strongest dynasty in Women’s sports, especially in the Olympic circuit.
They return to play with the inaugural WNBA Commissioner’s Cup on Thursday as two of the top teams, Connecticut Sun and Seattle Storm, face-off to jumpstart the latter half of the season.
Here are the instances I’ll be keeping an eye on in the second half:
The Standings ??
As we sprint to the finish line, my eyes are on the standings. Will the Storm, behind their gold medal dawning big three of Stewart–Lloyd–Bird continue their claim of the W’s best record the rest of the way?
Can the Sun continue their elite play behind their all-star trio of MVP candidate Jonquel Jones, DeWanna Bonner, and Brionna Jones?
Will the Las Vegas Aces outpace them with their collection of depth behind the tandem sixth woman contending arsenal of Plum and Hamby?
Will the Lynx behind Sylvia Fowles undeniable defensive player of the year efforts (clear front-runner and winner of said award in 2016, then as well in 2013 and 2011 with the Sky) continue to be the hottest team in the league and climb to the top?
Now that DT is back in rotation, will the Mercury re-establish themselves near the top? Can the Sky, behind MVP efforts from Candace Parker, continue to ascend?
The first half was a wild and rampant one. So much that all twelve teams are still playoff eligible, with four teams within three games of first.
***Of note, the WNBA trade deadline is August 21st***
The MVP Race ?
Jonquel Jones
An absolute menace, the now 3-time all-star select is having her way in her second season with Connecticut. She’s second in scoring at 21 PPG on 54/43.7/82.4 shooting with a league-leading 11 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 1.1 BPG. Yes, she’s dominating. She’s remained efficient on the highest usage rate of her career and has been dominant in her increased workload.
Candace Parker
Tried, tested, and as true as ever, Candace has been downright invaluable to the Chicago Sky in her return home. This is evident by their 9-3 record with her in rotation, including an immediate eight-game win-streak that commenced with her insertion into the lineup. Without her, they’re 1-7. She’s averaging 13.3 PPG (45.7/39.5/80), 8.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, and 1.8 BPG. Off of true value, she’s been the sole difference in the Sky being a contender, the only true competition for the Sun thus far, in the East.
Other obvious names like A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and Breanna Stewart of the Seattle Storm are the best players on their respective teams atop the league, but their usage rates and the amount of help surrounding them hurt their chances vying for this award, should Connecticut stay atop and the Sky remain in the top third range.
Sixth Woman ?
Kelsey Plum
The former number 1 overall pick from the 2017 Draft is enjoying the best season of her career. She’s just a hooper in its purest definition.
Coming back from a gold medal Olympic showing as the 3×3’s leading scorer with 55 total points (which tied with China’s Lili Wang, though Kelsey did so in one less game), expect for her to continue her torrid pace. Returning from her torn Achilles, this may be the turning point for Kelsey’s career.
She’s mentioned she’s on the “Sue Bird workout program” hinting at longevity as the focus. In her fourth season, she’s averaging 13.5 PPG, 3.5 APG, and 2.7 RPG in her reclamation. She’s third on the team in scoring and is leading the Aces in 4th quarter scoring with 5.5 points on 52 percent shooting.
Dearica Hamby
Plum’s teammate and tandem running mate off the bench in Vegas is having (yet another) sixth woman worthy season. As the owner of the previous two top reserve awards, she’s averaging 11.7 PPG and 7.1 RPG in her now seventh campaign.
Under Pressure ??
Phoenix Mercury
The Mercury will return for the second half of the season as the team with the most pressure. They enter fourth in the West, with Taurasi having only played in seven of their 19 games. The Olympics certainly couldn’t have come at a better time for DT as she was allowed a “midseason tune-up” of sorts to springboard her play, rather than having to do so by trial at the expense of the all-important WNBA regular-season games.
As the Mercury continue to climb out of their early-season rut, they’ll have a new level of urgency behind their efforts when factoring in that there’s no telling exactly how much longer DT will be able to hoop.
They’ll be looking to seize the moment, surely. Continued elite efforts from Griner and Diggins-Smith as well at the top of their roster will be imperative for them to compete with the likes of Seattle and Vegas as we hit the home stretch of the season. They have 13 remaining games and good health alone should do them a solid as they rev up for the playoffs.
These points are where my attention will be as the woman return to play this weekend. We’re in for some highly competitive and extremely entertaining play heading into the playoffs in the 25th season, ensuring there will surely be plenty to speak on.
The playoffs start September 23rd and will consist of the top eight teams in the league.
*All stats and information used come directly from basketball reference unless stated otherwise and are accurate as of 9.10.21*
