NFL
By: Stephen PridGeon-Garner
The top five have carved out a sizable gap and have all but locked up what can be deemed as their floor for heading into the playoffs seeding-wise, with the middle tier having continued parity as they trek forward in vying for the final three playoff slots.
In that middle tier exists teams with many similarities in terms of lacking sustained successes.
In my opinion, the Lynx are the best team that’s outside of the top five presently, and though their record doesn’t show it you can feel the difference in the level of play between them and their counterparts. Over the last 11 games, they have the 3rd best record in the W at 7-4, are 2nd in points per game (88.9), 2nd in offensive rating (107.9), 3rd in net rating (8.5), and lead in rebound percentage.
They’re feasting on the glass, run some of the most optically pleasing and sharp sets, have a fun compilation of talents that mesh together, and certainly get the job done defensively with activity spearheaded by the two-way activity of Jefferson and Powers, who are both clicking right now.
Head coach Cheryl Reeves is certainly one that can lead a group out of the ambiguous realm and into the playoffs by playing their best ball of the season.
Nonetheless, they’re my favorite to provide the most clarity and prove to be the most viable come the end of the season, making for one last run in the illustrious career of one legend, Sylvia Fowles.
(Last week’s rankings are in parentheses).
1.) Chicago Sky: 19-6 (1)
They just continue to find ways to get the job done, amidst a four-game win streak. The starters have a rough showing? No problem, the bench can just produce 43 on the road. Does the bench have issues with its flow? No problem, because the minutes’ load has been relatively light all season for the starters, Wade can comfortably extend the starters minutes to get the win. Go without your point guard and the best in the W? No problem, slide Allemand into the starting unit and let her run the show efficiently with eight assists and no turnovers.
Get the picture? They just continuously find ways to get the job done. Whether it’s internal adversities or externals presented by the opposition, they just find ways to get the job done in the end. A testament to the culture and collective buy-in, evident by their league-best +2.8 in the clutch.
You could gripe about how it comes about at times, but if the end result is achieved and done so consistently, it’s safe to bank on that being a relied-upon dynamic for them.
2.) Seattle Storm: 17-8 (5)
This group has their bouts with offense at times independent of Breanna Stewart, however, because they are so rock solid defensively (also with her at the forefront) it allows for them to get by most teams.
They run some fun stuff offensively and have multiple talents that can do things both in the flow and off-script, with ball and player movement at the foundation of everything Noelle Quinn’s system is predicated upon.
They’re 8-2 over their last 10 games, and in this stretch, opponents are shooting 39.6% from the field and 31.5% from three while also forcing 15.9 turnovers.
They’ve begun to find their rhythm and flow, and are showing what I’ve always felt, in them being primed specifically for the playoffs stage.
3.) Las Vegas Aces: 18-8 (2)
The Aces have seen some high variance in their game-by-game returns of late, having gone 5-5 in their last 10.
They can have pyrotechnic-like eruptions the likes of their first half against the Liberty out of the break, then have extended lulls that will leave even the biggest Aces fan perplexed and somewhat uneasy.
It’s not for a lack of contributions, at least in comparison to what they saw from their bench early this season, as Rupert, Plaisance, and of course, Williams are giving them value and viability to at the bare minimum hold serve.
The bulk of their inconsistencies has come defensively, where they’re 10th in their last 10 games. They’ve struggled to find coverages that stick and work for their group at times (which is hard to believe) and when they lose their flow offensively and are in transition consistently, they render themselves vulnerable.
As it stands, they still have the 2nd best record in the W, but they’ve lost their grip on the “best in the league” claim off feel and film.
4.) Connecticut Sun: 17-9 (3)
My comfort with the Sun in what they, and struggle to equate what they can be, has been a constant tug of war all season long.
They predictably have yet to find a flow offensively, and how they go about it has been rather unique in my assessment, particularly in the halfcourt.
There’s a ton of action run with Alyssa Thomas as the primary initiator, and that’s ok as she’s a versatile talent. However, it’s much better when that’s an “in addition to” thing as a featured entity, not something consistently relied upon. That, subsequently, leads to the inconsistencies they see offensively.
Jonquel Jones has been in health and safety protocol’s over the past few games, so omitting those (though even she, the reigning MVP, hasn’t been adequately featured properly in my opinion), they’ve still struggled with consistent rim pressure and playmaking from their guard group.
They did just sign Bria Hartley who they’ll look to feature in hopes of adding more dynamic and variety to their guard group, but if there isn’t a tweak in philosophy to get more out of Jonquel when she returns, I’m not sure the Sun will have the successes they’re aspiring to garner as we inch closer to the playoffs.
5.) Washington Mystics: 16-11 (4)
I’ve made sure to reserve all judgments and critiques of the Mystics for when Delle Donne plays, and when she does, they’re now 13-5.
A sample size of course taken into account, but a win percentage of 72.2% is good for 2nd in the W.
So that’s the level of play they rise to in terms of their ceiling when she’s in the rotation. Her dynamic in scoring and the subsequent gravity and attention she garners allows for more driving lanes, catch and shoot opportunities, and less playmaking load for Natasha Cloud (who leads the W in assists at 7.2), and allows for rookie Shakira Austin to be even more of that ever-active swiss army knife that she is as well as generally bringing a feel of restored order and wholeness to their group.
As they continue to keep Delle Donne fresh and ready for the postseason, and the team continues to simply figure it out in her absence off the strength and leadership of Cloud, I estimate they’ll be as viable as anyone come the postseason.
Support your favorite team and players with the latest WNBA gear here.
