Team NBS Media
Advertisement
  • Home
  • Sports
    • NFL
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • Washington Commanders
      • New York Giants
      • Carolina Panthers
      • New Orleans Saints
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • Chicago Bears
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Denver Broncos
      • Miami Dolphins
      • Buffalo Bills
      • New York Jets
      • New England Patriots
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NBA
      • Philadelphia 76ers
      • Brooklny Nets
      • New York Knicks
      • Toronto Raptors
      • Boston Celtics
      • Milwaukee Bucks
      • Cleveland Cavaliers
      • Chicago Bulls
      • Detroit Pistons
      • Indiana Pacers
      • Atlanta Hawks
      • Miami Heat
      • Orlando Magic
      • Charlotte Hornets
      • Washington Wizards
      • Portland Trailblazers
      • Utah Jazz
      • Minnesota Timberwolves
      • Denver Nuggets
      • Oklahoma City Thunder
      • Sacramento Kings
      • Golden State Warriors
      • Phoenix Suns
      • Los Angeles Lakers
      • Los Angeles Clippers
      • San Antonio Spurs
      • Houston Rockets
      • Dallas Mavericks
      • New Orleans Pelicans
      • Memphis Grizzlies
    • WNBA
    • MLB
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • New York Mets
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • Washington Nationals
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St Louis Cardinals
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Francisco Giants
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • San Diego Padres
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • New York Yankees
      • Boston Red Sox
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Minnesota Twins
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Houston Texans
      • Texas Rangers
    • NHL
    • NCAA
      • NCAA Football
      • NCAA Basketball
    • Soccer/Futbol
    • NASCAR
    • More Sports
      • Fantasy
      • Esports
      • PGA
      • Big3
      • Boxing
      • UFC
      • Sports Betting
      • Wrestling
  • Entertainment
    • TV
    • Movie
    • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • NBS Shows
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Sports
    • NFL
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • Washington Commanders
      • New York Giants
      • Carolina Panthers
      • New Orleans Saints
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • Chicago Bears
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Denver Broncos
      • Miami Dolphins
      • Buffalo Bills
      • New York Jets
      • New England Patriots
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NBA
      • Philadelphia 76ers
      • Brooklny Nets
      • New York Knicks
      • Toronto Raptors
      • Boston Celtics
      • Milwaukee Bucks
      • Cleveland Cavaliers
      • Chicago Bulls
      • Detroit Pistons
      • Indiana Pacers
      • Atlanta Hawks
      • Miami Heat
      • Orlando Magic
      • Charlotte Hornets
      • Washington Wizards
      • Portland Trailblazers
      • Utah Jazz
      • Minnesota Timberwolves
      • Denver Nuggets
      • Oklahoma City Thunder
      • Sacramento Kings
      • Golden State Warriors
      • Phoenix Suns
      • Los Angeles Lakers
      • Los Angeles Clippers
      • San Antonio Spurs
      • Houston Rockets
      • Dallas Mavericks
      • New Orleans Pelicans
      • Memphis Grizzlies
    • WNBA
    • MLB
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • New York Mets
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • Washington Nationals
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St Louis Cardinals
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Francisco Giants
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • San Diego Padres
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • New York Yankees
      • Boston Red Sox
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Minnesota Twins
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Houston Texans
      • Texas Rangers
    • NHL
    • NCAA
      • NCAA Football
      • NCAA Basketball
    • Soccer/Futbol
    • NASCAR
    • More Sports
      • Fantasy
      • Esports
      • PGA
      • Big3
      • Boxing
      • UFC
      • Sports Betting
      • Wrestling
  • Entertainment
    • TV
    • Movie
    • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • NBS Shows
No Result
View All Result
Team NBS Media
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • NBS Shows
Home Featured Writers

WNBA Semifinals Preview

by Jeffrey Newholm
February 6, 2019
in Featured Writers, WNBA
0
WNBA Semifinals Preview

Sue Bird leads the league's best team into the semifinals for the first time since 2010. But peer Diana Taurasi will shoot in the way. Credit: Si.com

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

By Jeffrey Newholm

The WNBA best of five semifinals, which tip off Sunday afternoon, will feature Atlanta challenging Washington and Seattle fighting Phoenix. The Phoenix Mercury fought through two single-elimination games for the third year in a row to reach the semifinals. Thursday the Mercury finished on a 10-0 run to beat Connecticut 96-86 and complete the two-game push. Earlier that day, the Washington Mystics blew out Los Angeles 96-64. For the first time in WNBA history, six women scored in double figures in a playoff game as the Mystics easily dispatched a Sparks team that played very poorly. The Seattle Storm and Atlanta Dream have waited since Sunday for their first games because they finished with the top two seeds. With the WNBA never healthier, two evenly-matched, competitive semifinals would help propel the league even further.

Washington-Atlanta (Atlanta hosts games 1, 2, and 5)

Kristi Tolliver, a pickup from champion Los Angeles, is one of many successfully contributing teammates to star Elena Delle Donne. She must continue her solid play for Washington to reach the finals for the first time. Credit: Washington Mystics

Los Angeles failed to meet expectations and exhibited frustrated body language throughout the 32 point rout. Washington was rewarded for earning a bye and home game and proved that the team has multiple contributors in addition to Elena Delle Donne. Delle Donne has struggled in much of her career with being a one-woman team. But in her second year with the Mystics she’s finally playing on a balanced team with great chemistry. Coach Mike Thibault won his record 300th game in July and seeks the only item not on his resume: a league title. The Mystics roll into Atlanta against a historically weak fan base and a Dream team with little proven.

Nicki Collen proved to be the correct hire by the Dream. Now she must imagine how to beat a Mystics team that’s playing very well. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Nicki Collen was hired to coach a roster that league executives voted most improved in the offseason. She handled her new responsibilities very well. The Dream surged to 23-11 and defeated an eliminated Las Vegas team in the finale to clinch a double-bye. But a fourth finals berth is far from sure. The team’s best player, Angel McCoughtry, suffered a season-ending knee injury in August. With only two other double-figure scorers to back her up, it’s fair to wonder who’ll provide replacement play. However, the Dream won four out of five without her and succeeded even with her production down this season. The Dream impressed most observers, but still have to prove they’re not a slightly better version of merely good Connecticut.

Phoenix versus Seattle: Seattle hosts games 1, 2, and 5

Brittney Griner quietly contributed just enough in the paint for her Mercury to blot out the Connecticut Sun. She now features in an intriguing showdown with league best Seattle. Credit: Getty Images

Diana Taurasi improved to an extremely impressive 13-0 in single elimination playoff games Thursday. But were it not for a last push, the perfect run would have concluded. The Mercury remained calm after a disastrous four point play and tightened on defense in the last two minutes. But now they must play in a series, a situation the franchise has fared quite poorly in lately. In 2016 the 8th and last seeded Mercury made the semifinals but wasn’t remotely competitive in being swept by Minnesota. After winning two one-and-done games last year, Phoenix was blown out in games one and two against Los Angeles and came up one shot short in the clincher. Thankfully one’s never too old to evolve and the 36 year old Taurasi has a perfect opportunity to carry her August success to three more wins.

While Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd were the key draft picks in 2016 and 2015, hall of famer Sue Bird has been most valuable to Seattle. The 17 year veteran is still playing at an astonishing level and provides the young roster with crucial perspective. According to Bird, lack of playoff experience can actually be a benefit. Bird was quoted by ESPN.com, stating: “Hopefully we fall under that ignorance is bliss category and we’re just able to play our game and not let the highs and the lows get to us. Because come playoff time, when you have series, there’s a lot of highs and lows and you really can’t get on that roller coaster.” The 2018 season was certainly not a roller coaster for the 26-8 Storm. And the ride hopefully will have one last stop in the finals.

While the first two rounds exceeded expectations, the three concluding series features the greatest fall WNBA drama. Seattle will re-establish the franchise as league power. Meanwhile Washington, Atlanta, and Phoenix jostle to steal the baton from fading Minnesota. There’s never been a better time to follow the WNBA, and with the NBA now completely silent, there’s no other game for basketball fanatics. With the World Cup upcoming in September, the women will exclusively work the boards and court next month. And each head that turns the ladies’ way will find itself nodding in assent to an ascending basketball phenomenon.

 

Post Views: 660

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Tags: Atlanta DreamBrittney GrinerElena Delle DonneKristi TolliverNicki CollenPhoenix MercurySeattle StormSue BirdWashingotn MysticswatchmeworkWNBAWNBA Playoffs
Share196Tweet123
Jeffrey Newholm

Jeffrey Newholm

Hey there! I’m Jeff Newholm and depending on your point of view I’m blessed or cursed that my two favorite sports are outside the limelight. Being a UW-Whitewater grad (winter 2013) my first love was d3 college football, but over the last few years I have picked up a huge interest in woman’s basketball (Uconn being my favorite team as their 90 game winning streak helped show me how good a team can get in the woman’s game). I like all the sports everyone else likes (NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA basketball and football) but those two sports are where I really have a passion.

Related Posts

Valkyries Fans Show Major Support in 1st Preseason Game

Valkyries Fans Show Major Support in 1st Preseason Game

by Ashmere Prasad
May 7, 2025
0

By: Ashmere Prasad May 7 - San Francisco, Ca. - One thing about Bay Area fans is that they will...

Sky

SkyRise Corner: Preseason Edition

by nutsandb
May 4, 2025
0

By: Jeffery Newholm What is a “sentence enhancer?” In a humorous episode of SpongeBob, Patrick introduces one of these novel...

Atlanta Dream

Looking at the Atlanta Dream’s 2025 WNBA Draft Picks

by Nick Andre
April 18, 2025
0

By: Nick Andre 2025 sparks a new beginning for the Atlanta Dream. The franchise has worked effortlessly by leaving last...

Paige Bueckers

Paige Bueckers, UConn Steals Spotlight

by Jeffrey Newholm
April 17, 2025
0

By: Jeffrey Newholm How difficult is it to fail on purpose? Just don’t show up, right? Alas, when it comes...

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

  • raymond reddington

    The Blacklist: Raymond Reddington Was Indeed Katarina Rostova

    35152 shares
    Share 14061 Tweet 8788
  • Keep Russell Wilson Out Of Atlanta For Personal Reasons

    9083 shares
    Share 3633 Tweet 2271
  • Karen Read Shouldn’t Face A Second Trail

    2731 shares
    Share 1092 Tweet 683
  • Karen Read’s Defense Is Too Strong

    2588 shares
    Share 1035 Tweet 647
  • The Free Karen Read Movement Is Growing

    2332 shares
    Share 933 Tweet 583

Team NBS Media Mission Statement

“With a gift for story telling and solid content creation, we are Team NBS Media. A talented team from across the globe bringing passion and professionalism. Join the squad. “

teamnbs
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Team NBS Media Opportunities

Team NBS Media © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Sports
    • NFL
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • Washington Commanders
      • New York Giants
      • Carolina Panthers
      • New Orleans Saints
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • Chicago Bears
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Denver Broncos
      • Miami Dolphins
      • Buffalo Bills
      • New York Jets
      • New England Patriots
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NBA
      • Philadelphia 76ers
      • Brooklny Nets
      • New York Knicks
      • Toronto Raptors
      • Boston Celtics
      • Milwaukee Bucks
      • Cleveland Cavaliers
      • Chicago Bulls
      • Detroit Pistons
      • Indiana Pacers
      • Atlanta Hawks
      • Miami Heat
      • Orlando Magic
      • Charlotte Hornets
      • Washington Wizards
      • Portland Trailblazers
      • Utah Jazz
      • Minnesota Timberwolves
      • Denver Nuggets
      • Oklahoma City Thunder
      • Sacramento Kings
      • Golden State Warriors
      • Phoenix Suns
      • Los Angeles Lakers
      • Los Angeles Clippers
      • San Antonio Spurs
      • Houston Rockets
      • Dallas Mavericks
      • New Orleans Pelicans
      • Memphis Grizzlies
    • WNBA
    • MLB
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • New York Mets
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • Washington Nationals
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St Louis Cardinals
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Francisco Giants
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • San Diego Padres
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • New York Yankees
      • Boston Red Sox
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Minnesota Twins
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Houston Texans
      • Texas Rangers
    • NHL
    • NCAA
      • NCAA Football
      • NCAA Basketball
    • Soccer/Futbol
    • NASCAR
    • More Sports
      • Fantasy
      • Esports
      • PGA
      • Big3
      • Boxing
      • UFC
      • Sports Betting
      • Wrestling
  • Entertainment
    • TV
    • Movie
    • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • NBS Shows

Team NBS Media © 2022

-
00:00
00:00

Queue

      Update Required Flash plugin
      -
      00:00
      00:00
        %d