NFL
By: Stephen Garner
Coming into this season, I felt that the Aces were the best in the WNBA.
They were coming off a Finals appearance in which they were swept by resident defending champions, the Seattle Storm.
Having made additions like Chelsea Gray, then getting talents the likes of Liz Cambage and her on-court energy (back from health exemption that sidelined for the duration of 2020), and Kelsey Plum (back from a torn left Achilles) to a roster that’d just made a Finals appearance is daunting for any team in the league.
The Aces already had A’ja Wilson (an MVP candidate in her own respect), Dearica Hamby (winner of the last two Sixth Woman of the Year honors). Both of which are also well-positioned for honors that followed their names above for this season as well.
No team will flat out beat them, and certainly not to the extent that the Storm did in the Finals, where the Aces were completely outmatched talent-wise.
Now they boast arguably the strongest roster in the league with starting-caliber production to rely on off their bench to complement and sometimes even supplement their starting lineup.
Last night’s game where they hosted the Mystics, who got out to an early double-digit first-half lead, encapsulated everything that is the Aces potential.
The Mystics were without Elena Delle Donne, but the two-headed monster of Plum and Hamby off the bench served as the change of pace spark plugs that the Aces needed.
Plum, Ace’s leading fourth-quarter scorer, amassed 14 timely baskets in the winning time, en route to a team-high 24 points (along with five assists and three rebounds).
? Highlights of @kelseyplum10's 24-point performance.#ALLIN ♦️♠️ pic.twitter.com/KPIIoS3qQ2
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 18, 2021
Hamby also chipped in eight points of her own. Their combined 32 points were more than the Mystics got from their entire roster sans Tina Charles (who was amazing.. STILL) and Ariel Atkins last night.
The Aces saw, of course, plenty of dominance from their MVP A’ja Wilson.
.@_ajawilson22 joins elite company in her 104th career game ? pic.twitter.com/M786YXvRua
— espnW (@espnW) August 18, 2021
She would register 19 points and 14 rebounds to go along with five assists and three blocks. She was down right dominant in the paint, displaying fantastic footwork and touch.
She also had a few dimes she dropped last night.
Whether it was high-low action where she found Cambage (17 points, seven rebounds) on the low post, hitting teammates on backdoor cuts from the pinch post, or even finding spot-up shooters, her propensity for play-making was also on display.
Sharing is caring. @Kelseyplum10 ➡️ @_ajawilson22 ➡️ @cgray209 #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/mtXeTrCnJD
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 18, 2021
To overcome the early lead established by the Mystics, then win by 10 in a game that felt a lot less close than the final score displays, shows plenty.
Even more, they struggled with turnovers in this one, giving up the rock 13 separate times.
To do so and still win by double digits is impressive, as they’ve now stacked back-to-back wins vs the Mystics in their return to play.
With the point gawd Chelsea Gray at the helm, they’re primed to seize the moment as each game holds more magnitude. She allows the likes of Wilson, Plum, and even Cambage to viable relegate to lesser play-making roles and focus more on scoring. That dynamic properly positions everyone else on their roster.
Their sets are even more effective than they were last year
The Aces are the best in the W, their record now reflects that, and are my pick to finish as the best of the W’s 25th rendition.
*All stats and information used come directly from basketball-reference.com or WNBA.com unless stated otherwise and are accurate entering play on 9.18.21*
