RebKell's Junkie Boards

[NYL_WNBA_FAN]

I think this one was at least partially Laimbeer simply due to receiving the 2-for-1 value in return, and because Kia is a fit with their philosophy and helps organize their post structure differently from a coaching standpoint. Most people differ with me on this point, but I think part of the purpose of the deal was to open up a starter's spot for Zahui, who seems to play better as a starter than off the bench.

FWIW, the only trade I ever thought was potentially Isiah was Schimmel, because she is nothing like the prototype of a Laimbeer-style player. I thought it was a worthwhile risk then, and I also think so now. Even if she doesn't work out. Everyone knew the risks associated with her, and NY gave up a meaningless second round pick that they got back in the Zahui deal anyway. My one thought at the time was that the Libs were going to get carried away with trades for one-way players. But as it turned out, that wasn't a worry at all. All of the trades in the last year, regardless of who has had what input, have been a value-oriented steal for the Libs.

I'm fine with Isiah getting another chance, especially if he makes the most of it with regard to the community.

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The poster formerly known as LibWNBAFan.

[toad455]

per their Facebook page, the Liberty have signed Ameryst Alston and Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe to 2017 Training Camp contracts. Alston's just a training camp body, but thoughts on Nayo? Possibly the 5th post for New York?

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LET'S GO LIBERTY!!!!!!

Twitter: @TBRBWAY

[J-Spoon]

wow there is a lot of competition at SG, I'm not saying it is a sign of this but its more evidence that Wright or possible Zellous will be involved in a trade.

Her stats make it look like Raincock-Ekunwe is a PF or Center, anyone know for sure? It would be cool if she was a big SF.

Prince/Boyd/Hartley
Rodgers/Wright/Schimmel/Alston/Barbee
Zellous/Allen/Burdick
Charles/Zahui B./Raincock-Ekunwe
Stokes/Vaughn

#14 and #34 (so that is 18 players for 12 spots) obviously a few will be showing late to camp.

[Shades]

McKinley's Alston excels in first professional season in Spain

http://www.cantonrep.com/sports/20170123/lovin-basketball-mckinleys-alston-excels-in-first-professional-season-in-spain

[root_thing]

Raincock-Ekunwe is a post player when she's with the Canadian national team. I've never seen her in Europe. I'd say she's a Cierra Burdick type smaller post. That always leaves the possibility that Bill might try to convert her to SF. Who knows? I do remember thinking Raincock-Ekunwe might make a good camp invite for someone, so I have a vaguely positive impression of her. The interesting thing is that she's gotten more playing time than some better known Canadian posts who starred at US colleges -- like Achonwa and the Plouffe sisters. For that matter, Bulgak and Hamblin didn't even make the Olympic team. Not that it necessarily means that Raincock-Ekunwe is better.

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You can always do something else.

[J-Spoon]

[root_thing]

[root_thing]

Here's a full game I'm watching now. Raincock-Ekunwe #8 is playing center, matched up against Tolo. Watch the game if you like the color green.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWz4-w7BrMU

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You can always do something else.

[Richyyy]

Luuuc and I had a brief discussion about Raincock-Ekunwe over in the WNBL thread a while back. I liked her when she was playing for Canada in the Olympics, and stood out ahead of players I'd heard of before. Hustle, energy-post who at the very least will make people work to beat her out in training camp.

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Independent WNBA coverage: http://www.wnbalien.com/

[root_thing]

[NYL_WNBA_FAN]

Do you guys think there will be a significant addition in the neighborhood of draft day? My thought is still yes. I just don't think we're going to see a team with 4 or 5 players all ideally best suited to the 2 spot. What do you guys think?

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The poster formerly known as LibWNBAFan.

[Bob Lamm]

[root_thing]

[Happycappie25]

[Bob Lamm]

[NYL_WNBA_FAN]

I see where you both are coming from. I think it's unquestionable the 3 spot will be addressed because I don't see NY going with just Zellous behind Allen. It would run counter to how a Bill Laimbeer coached team has ever attained success. I think an alternative to Allen (possibly a better one) is definitely in the cards. I don't say that due to the lack of trust in the playoffs, but rather because the SF spot is a spot where you can assert a physical/height mismatch in your favor with the right player. And we know that when Laimbeer has had success, that's exactly how he has done it.

Given that, I'd be surprised if the Libs still have their 2018 first round pick when the season starts.

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The poster formerly known as LibWNBAFan.

[Bob Lamm]

[J-Spoon]

But it still comes back to there has to be someone to trade for, and you have to give something to get something, so what could it be at this point I'm not sure if something is going to happen, bringing in players like Burdick and Raincock-Ekunwe seems like we're crossing our finger one can be that bigger SF who can defend. The options I can come up with for trades all seem pretty unlikely, (obviously there are option I might have missed) but we've all been trying all off season to come up with something and I'm not sure this trade is out there, or if there is one, that it is going to be all that thrilling.

Stokes for Bonner (if she is willing to play this season in NY)

Stokes for Christmas (maybe with #4 or #10 thrown in)
2018 first round pick for Christmas (Maybe with Zellous, Schimmel or #14 thrown in)

Stokes for TRP and #6

Zellous or Wright for Currie or T. Young?
Stokes for Currie and #5
Stokes for Young and #9

Zellous for #7 (not sure a pick resolves the SF situation)

Wright for O'hea
Schimmel and #14 for O'hea
Schimmel and Wright for Clark

Wrigt for R. Williams even though she is another SG
Wright for Dabovic

Someone to Minny for K. Hampton

2018 first round pick for Coleman or S. Johnson?

Rodgers and Stokes for McCoughtry

Who are the possible targets that I might be missing? And what is the asking price?

I'm not against a trade I'm just becoming more skeptical that there is one out there that will help more than it might possible hurt, and the fact that a lot has already happened makes it seems less possible than it did a few weeks ago. I'm also pretty weary of trading Stokes unless it for someone game changing, and even though I like both Zellous and Wright (the other players I could see being traded) I'm not sure what they bring back will be anything more than a lateral move.

[Shades]

[root_thing]

Here is the distribution of minutes for that playoff game against Phoenix:

[Bob Lamm]

[J-Spoon]

Shades just listing out all the possibilities even slight that I can come up with,

But the actual point of the whole post is that I don't think we'll make a trade, because I don't think there is a trade out there for us to make that will improve our SF situation, at least without hurting our team by giving up other assets we shouldn't be giving up.

I like Wright, want to keep Wright, a little surprised we haven't re-signed her, I like Zellous and Stokes, want to keep Zellous and Stokes but those three along with the 2018 first round pick are our only assets that I think we could move. Maybe Zahui B, but I don't think Zahui B. has proved herself enough in the W to carry a big return even though I think she could break out next season, MIP and Six Woman on the table IMO.

[Shades]

Hard to say what's hiding under the black sweats, but Schimmel still seems a bit on the puffy side. Only a couple months until camp starts.

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Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned

[myrtle]

Her face isn't nearly as puffy as when she was at her fattest. Nice to see she is still inspiring youngsters anyway.

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For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
- Amanda Gorman

[WNBA 09]