Season 2020

Hi all,

Long time no chat. Hope everyone is ok and is surviving. Crazy times that none of us has ever seen before. Self-isolation was a blast, missed family and friends and hit the bottle a lot more often the usual. Discovered a Japanese whisky called "The Chita" and that is an amazing whisky. 

So, the season is meant to start 24th July, in the "Bubble" in Florida. Not many players opted out which I was surprised with. Dream lost Montgomery and Tiffany Hayes, Mystics lost Sanders and Cloud and then Bec Allen isn't coming over for the Liberty. The biggest out for me is Jonquel Jones for the Sun. They did sign Mompremier who is a rookie to fill that void and it will be here against Plaisance I would assume for the starting role. But you can't simply just replace Jones (PER of over 25) because she is great on both ends of the court and Miller will miss her badly. 

This season is only 22 games long, they planned 36 but for obvious reasons thats not happening. The playoffs will remain the same format as well. With their being no home court advantage this season, I look for those teams that have had no significant changes in previous seasons as well as the ones that have played well on the road (there isn't many) because when it comes down to it, with no fans in the stands and no comfort of playing on your home court I think its going to be very tough for some teams to get into the mood and groove of a game. 

Will gather some data and look into my PR's soon and will post them. Sparks IMHO are the fav right now with their team on paper, its just that Fisher is a mess. Storm, with Stewie back are just a great team. Their bench is even deeper this year and they have  a decent coach, they are definitely very good odds at 8/1. 

Back soon

welcome back..nice post...stay safe

Thanks mate, you as well. 

Atlanta Dream:

Players:

Betnijah Laney, Elizabeth Williams, Glory Johnson, Jaylen Agnew, Kalani Brown, Monique Billings, Brittany Brewer, Alexis Jones, Shekinna Stricklen, Courtney Williams, Chennedy Carter and Blake Dietrick

The biggest news from the Dream roster is that Hayes and Montgomery are not going to play this season. Losing Hayes is massive and although they signed Courtney Williams from the Sun, I look at this roster and it just looks like a mess. They are going into Florida with 3 rookies which I think they will struggle with. Very bizarre circumstances for any player/team to go through, I think the rookies may struggle even more compared to what they would if this was a normal season. They have some really tall players, so their post play will be dangerous and they should be able to rebound the ball quite well but they have too many shootings that go through cold spells. 

Predicted finish: 11th or 12th

Chicago Sky

Players: Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley, Kahleah Copper, Stefanie Dolson, Azura Stevens, Cheyenne Parker, Diamond DeShields, Gabby Williams, Sydney Colson (tested positive to Corona, not too sure if she will join) Ruthy Hebard and Stella Johnson.

Looks like Wade intends to play his five starters big minutes and then use 2-3 players off the bench. Small rotations I believe will be key this year for the Sky. With only 22 games, Wade can do that. The season isn't going to be long at all and if he runs his 5 starters for around 33-35 mins per game and then depend on a small bench, they could do some damage with their quick pace. Only player that is sitting for the Sky is Jantel Lavender due to a foot injury/surgery. 

I feel though, last year was a great starting year for first time coach Wade and that this year might be a little regression. Maybe 2nd year jitters for Mr Wade

Predicted finish: Anywhere between 6th - 10th.
Could easily miss the playoffs if they suffer 1-2 injuries to some players. 

Las Vegas Aces

Players: 

Kayla McBride, Dearica Hamby, Alex Bentley, A'ja Wilson, Sugar Rodgers, Jackie Young, Danielle Robinson, Avery Warley-Talbert, Lindsay Allen, Angel McCoughtry and Carolyn Swords

Laimbeer is going into Florida with a very experienced team with some younger players as well. Their biggest loss, Cambage and Plum. Cambage is sitting out the season and Plum tore her achilles. They brought in Bentley to replace Plum and Warley-Talbert for Cambage. Same as the Sky, don't think they depend too much on those players. They brought in Danielle Robinson who is a great facilitator, just not a good scorer but thats ok because she can feed A'ja all day long and A'ja will get you buckets. They do lack some sharp shooters from deep but thats ok, because they took the least amount of three pointers last season in the league and still do very well. Angel adds so much to this team and she can definitely score at will. Will be interesting to see McBride/Wilson/Angel on the court together because those three combined easily have 50+ points in them.

Predicted finish: Top 4

Don't believe they win it but they do have a very good chance of going to the WNBA Finals. 

New York Liberty

Players: Kia Nurse, Megan Walker, Amanda Zahui B, Kiah Stokes, Joyner Holmes, Sabrina Ionescu, Asia Durr, Layshia Clarendon, Jazmine Jones, Leaonna Odom, Kylee Shook and Jocelyn Willoughby

You are probably thinking, as Aussie got these names right? I haven't heard of these players before. It's right and I was shocked when I saw they lost Charles (to Mystics) and gambled with 6 rookies. Its a huge re-build season for the Liberty. New coach, 6 rookies and Ms Ionescu. No doubt Sabrina will be the shining light for the Liberty but this team looks like they will struggle. Kia Nurse is known for playing big minutes, she actually played 38-40 minutes per game in the Australian league finals. It was only a few games but still, she has the stamina and expect Coach Hopkins to really depend on her. This team appears to be a run and gun side with little defense. I just see their lack of experience being a major concern for them and if they do hang around in a game and need someone to step up, they lack that guidance. I think Amanda Zahui B has a big break out year with Tina Charles gone but not enough to get this team to a playoff spot.

Predicted finish: 12th 

Connecticut Sun:

Players: Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Kaila Charles, Alyssa Thomas, Jasmine Thomas, Beatrice Mompremier, Dewanna Bonner, Briann January, Brionna Jones, Bria Holmes, Theresa Plaisance, Natisha Heideman and Jacki Gemelos

One major OUT for the Sun who is their driving power and go to player, Jonquel Jones. She has opted out this season and without her, they dont have a chance in my opinion. They lost Courtney Williams (Dream) and brought in January who doesn't compare to Williams. DeWanna Bonner is a major addition to this team but she can't do it all herself. I have read good things about rookie Mompremier (replacement for Jones) but will have to see how she goes. Looking at this line-up, I feel as though they will struggle to score points especially if DeWanna has a bad shooting night. Miller has a lot on his plate this season and with Jones sitting out, I think they struggle. 

Predicted finish: 7-10

Phoenix Mercury:

Players: Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Brianna Turner, Jessica Breland, Bria Hartley, Nia Coffey, Kia Vaughn, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Sophie Cunningham, Alanna Smith and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough

The news it that Skylar is back after sitting out last year after having a baby. She will sit nice alongside Taurasi in the back court feeding it to Griner. Both Taurasi and Skylar can shoot the 3-ball very well and if they are having a hot night, so will Mercury. They do lack bench depth though. Cunningham is coming off a nice season in Australia and they have brought in a few players that have some good experience but they are match winning players. Will be interesting to see who they rely upon now with DeWanna gone. Bria Hartley is a turnover machine and if she comes on when DT and Skylar has a rest, they could allow a lot of points with silly mistakes. 

Predicted finish: 5th-7th

Seattle Storm

Players:: Sue Bird, Natasha Howard, Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd, Jordin Canada, Sami Whitcomb, Mercedes Russell, Crystal Langhorne, Alysha Clark, Epiphanny Prince, Ezi Magbegor and Morgan Tuck

DANGEROUS is the word I use when describing this roster. Stewie being back is huge and her getting some play time overseas is even better. Sue Bird returns also and although Dan Hughes won't be there (not travelling) he will be on the phone all day long. Their starting five should be Clark, Bird, Stewart, Howard and Loyd. Those 5 players have a combined PER of 91.7 which is one of the best. Then their bench, Langhorne, Russell, Whitcomb, Canada, Tuck, Prince and Magbegor is outstanding. Magbeoor is an Aussie girl who is just pheonomenal. Such a great player on both ends of the court and is so full of energy she will add a spark to the court when she plays. If they stay healthy, they can win this title and their odds at 9/1 here in Australia is just ridiculous. Just remember how easily they beat the Mystics in the 2018 WNBA Finals. This team is back together and with an even deeper bench. I seriously would not be surprised if they went 19-3 or 20-2 in the reg season this season. 

Predicted finish: 1-2

Dallas Wings

Players: Astou Ndour, Kayla Thornton, Alisha Gray, Katie Lou Samuelson, Marina Mabrey, Arike Ogunbowale, Megan Gustaffson, Isabelle Harrison, Moriah Jefferson, Bella Alarie, Tyasha Harris and Satou Sabally. 

I am really excited to see this team play. I think Agler has a good team on paper this season and finally gets Harrison and Jefferson back. Sabally in her rookie year will be exciting to watch alongside Ogunbowale who was a stand out player for them last season. They got rid of Glory Johnson and Anigwe as well as Skylar who wasn't too happy with the Wings organisation. This team is young and full of energy and I think they can surprise a lot of teams. Short season, plenty of energy and good height which Agler loves to play some defense with. I think they will be great on both ends of the court. 

Predicted finish: 5-8

Washington Mystics:

Players: Elena Delle Donne, Emma Meesseman, Shay Peddy, Tianna Hawkins, Leilani Mitchell, Essence Carson, Ariel Atkins, Tina Charles, Myisha Hines-Allen, Alaina Coates and Aerial Powers.

No doubt, they will be up there once again as long as EDD doesn't opt out. Rumours circulating they she will opt out due to her health condition (Lyme disease) but no news as yet. Cloud and Sanders are out which are both big losses but Thibault did well bringing in Tina Charles and Leilani Mitchell. Both very good scorers and Mitchell has sooooo many options to dish the ball too. Can you imagine being a 5'3 PG and having Charles, EDD and Meesseman to dish the ball too? Great line-up, great depth and they will be a force to look out for. 

Predicted finish: 1-2

Indiana Fever

Players: Julie Allemande, Natalie Achonwa, Candice Dupree, Erica Wheeler, Tiffany Mitchell, Victoria Vivians, Kelsey Mitchell, Kennedy Burke, Lauren Cox, Teaira McCowan, Kathleen Doyle and Stephanie Mavunga.

A new chapter for the Fever after sacking Pokey Chatman (great decision). They have a good mix of experience and young players. Belgian International Allemande joins the Fever and im excited to watch her play. I think they can surprise a few teams this year also. McCowan needs to see more time because she was great in her first season (PER of 22.5) and the Mitchell's always try hard. Expect a few upset wins from this team but also expect some blowouts due to their mental lapses they have during games.

Predicted finish: 7-10

Minnesota Lynx

Players: Sylvia Fowles, Rachael Banham, Megan Huff, Lexie Brown, Karima Christmas-Kelly, Damiras Dantas, Naphessa Collier, Shenise Johnson, Kayla Alexander, Crystal Dangerfield and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan

Long season ahead for Reeve. They are missing guards badly. Sims is out due to being pregnant and they appear to be relying on Shenise Johnson and Banham to run the guard positions which I don't rate highly at all. Shenise has had a bad few seasons with injuries and Banham hasn't done much at all in her few seasons in the league (PER of 9.4). Think they struggle and Reeve has stated she will be playing Fowles less minutes this season due to smashing her the last few seasons. Collier had a great season last season in her rookie year and should have another good season but when you look at this roster, there aren't many players that I see stepping up and scoring 15+ points per game. 

Predicted finish: 10 or 11

Los Angeles Sparks

Players: Candace Parker, Nneka Ogwumike, Brittany Sykes, Chelsea Gray, Sydney Weise, Kristine Anigwe, Reshandra Gray, Marie Gulich, Riquna Williams, Te'a Cooper, Seimone Augustus and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt

Same starting line-up as last season it appears but yet they still have Derek Fisher as their coach. He is the thorn in this team. Augustus is a great addition from the Lynx and has 10+ years experience. Not sure how much playing time she will be given though. The team looks strong on paper but Fisher once again is the problem. Chiney is sitting this season out which isn't a massive loss because I think she clashed a lot on the court with the Sparks other bigs and gave away too many fouls. This team will be top 4 in my opinion, but Fisher will be the one that lets this team down again.

Predicted finish: 3-4

These rosters can still change apparently. Players are allowed to head down to Florida and pull out if they want. I haven't put any money on any futures as yet due to that. I have my eyes on Storm though if all their players stay. Howard is the only one that appears to be 50/50 about the situation for the Storm. 

No schedule as yet, that should be coming out very soon you would think. 

The season is meant to start on 24 July but that might be pushed back a bit as 7 players across the league tested positive to Coronavirus so see what happens.

Good luck everyone.. This season is definitely going to be the hardest to cap IMHO. 

Appreciate the breakdown Aussie. Feel even more confident about my Storm future. Would have love getting them @ anything above 7:1...Got them @ 5:1 via William Hill about a month ago. 

Thanks Dirtbags,

I am riding this Storm team highly and those futures may drop as EDD and Charles have not been seen in the bubble with the other Mystics players. 

Asia Durr (Liberty) is the latest player to opt out, she actually has Covid and hasn't completely recovered so she made the decision to sit the season out. I expect several more players to opt out as all the had to do was go down to Florida, spend a few days there and they would get a paid for a full season. So might see more players going home in the next few days. 

I agree. News broke out that bed bugs, mice, and overall bad living conditions exist in the bubble. Unless things gets fixed, this could really make players change their minds about playing or create  restless nights living in the bubble. 

You're not wrong there Dirtbags. Some of the footage and photos I have seen make it look bad. Quigley from the Sky posted a video and a walk through of her villa and it looks decent. There are four players in that one villa but then other players appear to be in a lot worse rooms. Not sure how they figured out the accommodation but some do look really bad. 

EDD and Tina Charles have taking the "medical protocol" route and appear to be wanting out as well. Would expect in 1-2 days that both those players are out of this season. 

with EDD's injuries and of course her Lyme Disease I highly doubt she plays this season.  

Like the Storm with you guys as well as the Mercury 

can't wait for Sky FQ overs to hit my screen.   GL this year and thanks for all you do Aussie 

Ok, so we finally have a start date, 25th July. The end of the reg season will be 12th September, so a quick 6-7 week reg season, 22 games. 

There has been so more drop outs. Breland is now out for the Mercury, massive loss. She was going to be their leading rebounder because Griner is soft when it comes to rebounding even at 6'8. So not sure who they will get in to replace Breland.

EDD and Tina Charles still be medically evaluated, if they are both out then the Mystics stand no chance. 

Erica McCall has been signed by the Dream recently. 

Briann January Natisha Heidemann (both from Sun) and Megan Walker (Liberty) all tested positive to Covid so they will have to go through quarantine and be tested again before they can go into the bubble. 

Nice to see you Big D,

Agree mate, the Storm with a healthy Stewart and Bird will be amazing to watch. Their bench is even better than 2 seasons ago when they annihilated the Mystics in the WNBA Finals. I am seeing 7/1 odds right now in Australia with Ladbrokes. Mystics have just lost too much power now if EDD and Charles sit out. 

Agree with everything you said Kattar. Bonner can't carry this team alone and missing Williams and Jones is just too much. They will be lucky to make the top 6 this season. Their bench is one of the weakest coming into this season. 

Aces definitely will contend IMHO, but missing Plum is a big loss. She was fantastic in that series for Mystics last season and they have brought in Angel who is a fantastic player but she is also coming off a very long stint on the sidelines so it may take her a while to get back to herself again. We saw what happened with Taurasi last year after having a long break off. Wilson will be unstoppable, and missing Cambage is a positive for Wilson because I always thought that Cambage and Wilson are just too much for one team when they are on the court at the same time. 

Sparks definitely up there, brought in some good players and kept their core players as well. Chiney is sitting which is a good thing also. Didn't do much last season and gave away stupid fouls. I just hope the players and Fisher have their sh!t sorted after that embarrassing post-season last year.