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Shades
Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 63831
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Posted: 05/08/17 2:00 pm ::: WNBA Power Rankings |
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Starting with ESPNW's preseason rankings. More extensive analysis at the link
http://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/19312317/minnesota-lynx-beat-defending-champion-los-angeles-sparks-no-1-spot-preseason-wnba-power-rankings
1. Minnesota Lynx
Ah, the agony of just missing a fourth title last year! But the Lynx are all the more motivated, led by a perennial MVP candidate, forward Maya Moore, and her 19.3 points per game.
2. Los Angeles Sparks
And who hit that shot to beat the Lynx? Nneka Ogwumike, whose 2016 season was flat-out fabulous.
3. New York Liberty
Center Tina Charles always produces -- she led the league in scoring (21.5 PPG) and rebounding averages (9.9) last season -- and she's still fine-tuning some things about her game.
4. Washington Mystics
OK, everybody is intrigued by the Mystics, who made the biggest offseason move of any team in acquiring the 2015 MVP, guard/forward Elena Delle Donne.
5. Seattle Storm
Point guard Sue Bird sent a message last season with her superfit physique and her performance. Her 14th season was kind of a turn-back-the-clock display.
6. Phoenix Mercury
This was just a weird team last year, one that wasn't as good on court as it was on paper.
7. Atlanta Dream
This is another team that is hard to project, because the Dream won't have superstar Angel McCoughtry, who was the No. 1 draft pick in 2009. She's resting this season.
8. Indiana Fever
Everyone said a tearful goodbye last year to legendary forward Tamika Catchings, who retired. She is now in a front-office role with the Pacers/Fever, but she won't be there anymore to lead the Fever on court.
9. Dallas Wings
The Wings -- while still called the Shock -- made it to the postseason in their last season in Tulsa (2015), but they fell short last year.
10. Connecticut Sun
Former No. 1 draft pick Chiney Ogwumike, after missing 2015 with injury, returned last year and averaged 12.6 PPG and 6.7 RPG. She seemed poised to come in even stronger this year, but an Achilles injury suffered overseas will keep her out for the entirety of this WNBA season.
11. Chicago Sky
New coach Amber Stocks got championship experience as an assistant last year, when she was with the Sparks. Now she needs to remake a Sky team without Elena Delle Donne, who forced a trade to Washington.
12. San Antonio Stars
Maybe it seems too predictably skeptical to put the teams run by first-year coaches at the bottom of the rankings. But it's not anything against San Antonio's Vickie Johnson and Chicago's Stocks.
_________________ Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned
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Lumes
Joined: 16 May 2015 Posts: 470 Location: Ukraine
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Posted: 05/08/17 3:37 pm ::: |
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I'm sure, Atlanta on 7th is the highest position for Dream during this season
I thought, SAS would finish on 10, but having look at Plum - she is real thing. Very dynamic backcourt, 2 perimeter stoppers, a lot of big bodies in frontcourt to have 6 fouls on Griner. SAS much deeper, then Dream or Fever, or CT. I would bet them to make PO
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5thmantheme
Joined: 11 Apr 2016 Posts: 540
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Posted: 05/08/17 4:57 pm ::: |
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1 Lynx
2 Sparks , line-up change , Beard + Carson have to chase more SGs around than last year.
3 4 5 6
NY is down 3 starters and has a size gap like last years Sun and Sky, but so what?
Wash how soon can they jell?
Storm needed a big and a big-big, a small guard and back-up point, got them.
Merc , who wants to bet they have a better record this year?
7 8 9 = rebuild on the fly / doldrums / smidge of a chance at a higher pick
Sky Fever Sun
10 Atl , Angel's production replaced by ... right time to look at lottery
11 12
Wings replace their top 2 players from last year with rookies, health, and hope
Stars can get +5 wins from #1 , +2 wins from #5 , +1 win from PG improvement
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pilight
Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 66993 Location: Where the action is
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Posted: 05/09/17 1:19 pm ::: |
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Sparks sit atop AP preseason WNBA poll; Lynx are 2nd
http://www.dailyjournal.net/2017/05/09/bkl-wnba-power-rankings/
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New York is third in the poll, followed by Washington, Seattle, Phoenix and Indiana. Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, Connecticut and San Antonio round out the poll. |
_________________ I'm a lonely frog
I ain't got a home
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Shades
Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 63831
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Posted: 05/09/17 1:53 pm ::: |
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Sparks have a turnover in a starting position and more in the roster in general. Not sure what the AP are thinking. Don't believe they are all that engaged.
_________________ Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned
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Iluvacc
Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 4167
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Shades
Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 63831
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Posted: 05/09/17 2:16 pm ::: |
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Pilight left out the most important part.
Quote: |
The Lynx are led by Maya Moore, who was the 16-member panel’s choice as preseason player of the year. |
_________________ Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned
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pilight
Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 66993 Location: Where the action is
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Posted: 05/09/17 2:22 pm ::: |
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Shades wrote: |
Sparks have a turnover in a starting position and more in the roster in general. Not sure what the AP are thinking. Don't believe they are all that engaged. |
Here's the voter by voter breakdown
http://collegebasketball.ap.org/ap-wnba-preseason-poll
Brian Gosset seems to be the wildcard, putting Indiana at #3 and New York at #9.
_________________ I'm a lonely frog
I ain't got a home
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WNBA 09
Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 12545 Location: Dallas , Texas
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Posted: 05/09/17 2:26 pm ::: |
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pilight wrote: |
Shades wrote: |
Sparks have a turnover in a starting position and more in the roster in general. Not sure what the AP are thinking. Don't believe they are all that engaged. |
Here's the voter by voter breakdown
http://collegebasketball.ap.org/ap-wnba-preseason-poll |
Consensus seems to Be LA , Minny , NY & Wash the 4 primary cities. Great for exposure . But no love to my wings , glad everyone is picking us at 10/11 . Means we have no expectations so when were great it will be a surprise and if were not then we got a shot at #1 next year. #Content
_________________ 3-Time WNBA Champion-3-Time National Champion-4-Time Olympic Champion....And Yes DT "We Got Confeti" lol
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Shades
Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 63831
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Posted: 05/09/17 2:46 pm ::: |
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WNBA 09 wrote: |
pilight wrote: |
Shades wrote: |
Sparks have a turnover in a starting position and more in the roster in general. Not sure what the AP are thinking. Don't believe they are all that engaged. |
Here's the voter by voter breakdown
http://collegebasketball.ap.org/ap-wnba-preseason-poll |
Consensus seems to Be LA , Minny , NY & Wash the 4 primary cities. Great for exposure . But no love to my wings , glad everyone is picking us at 10/11 . Means we have no expectations so when were great it will be a surprise and if were not then we got a shot at #1 next year. #Content |
Can you imagine adding A'ja Wilson and Cambage in the same season? Me not wanna play no more.
_________________ Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned
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WNBA 09
Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 12545 Location: Dallas , Texas
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Posted: 05/09/17 3:45 pm ::: |
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Shades wrote: |
WNBA 09 wrote: |
pilight wrote: |
Shades wrote: |
Sparks have a turnover in a starting position and more in the roster in general. Not sure what the AP are thinking. Don't believe they are all that engaged. |
Here's the voter by voter breakdown
http://collegebasketball.ap.org/ap-wnba-preseason-poll |
Consensus seems to Be LA , Minny , NY & Wash the 4 primary cities. Great for exposure . But no love to my wings , glad everyone is picking us at 10/11 . Means we have no expectations so when were great it will be a surprise and if were not then we got a shot at #1 next year. #Content |
Can you imagine adding A'ja Wilson and Cambage in the same season? Me not wanna play no more. |
yes i could , and i would scream at the top of my lungs upgrade my STH package and become a staff member if that ever happned, But i wont hold my breathe about the ladder option of the 2
_________________ 3-Time WNBA Champion-3-Time National Champion-4-Time Olympic Champion....And Yes DT "We Got Confeti" lol
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hyperetic
Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 5385 Location: Fayetteville
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Posted: 05/11/17 9:47 am ::: |
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Which is the tallest team in the W for this upcoming season? |
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WNBA 09
Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 12545 Location: Dallas , Texas
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Posted: 05/11/17 9:56 am ::: |
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hyperetic wrote: |
Which is the tallest team in the W for this upcoming season? |
My guess would be Chicago this year.
_________________ 3-Time WNBA Champion-3-Time National Champion-4-Time Olympic Champion....And Yes DT "We Got Confeti" lol
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5thmantheme
Joined: 11 Apr 2016 Posts: 540
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Posted: 05/11/17 4:18 pm ::: |
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Tall?
NY can go Prince - Z - RAllen - Charles - Zahui , at least some of the time match-up wise.
strong 5'9" , 5'10" , 6'2" , 6'4" , strong 6'5"
Sun when Bentley sits, is going
5'9" , 5'9" , 6'2" , 6'3" , 6'5"+
Sky might have to play Cappie at the 1 with Sloot out, but I doubt they want a whole lot 2 small forwards out there at both wings. Sloot - Cappie - Breland - Twin Towers
5'9" , 5'9" , 6'3" , 6'7" , 6'5"
Merc really oughta not go super tall, but they still might try it anyway, if they go with Prince + George.
thin 5'9" , 6'0" , 6'2" , 6'4" , 6'8"
Sparks could go tall if injuries happen, something like Sims - Gray - Parker - Nneka - Lav
5'8" , 5'11" , 6'4" , 6'2" , 6'4"
I expect the Merc's tall line-up, will get the most minutes.
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hyperetic
Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 5385 Location: Fayetteville
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Posted: 05/11/17 11:32 pm ::: |
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5thmantheme wrote: |
Tall?
NY can go Prince - Z - RAllen - Charles - Zahui , at least some of the time match-up wise.
strong 5'9" , 5'10" , 6'2" , 6'4" , strong 6'5"
Sun when Bentley sits, is going
5'9" , 5'9" , 6'2" , 6'3" , 6'5"+
Sky might have to play Cappie at the 1 with Sloot out, but I doubt they want a whole lot 2 small forwards out there at both wings. Sloot - Cappie - Breland - Twin Towers
5'9" , 5'9" , 6'3" , 6'7" , 6'5"
Merc really oughta not go super tall, but they still might try it anyway, if they go with Prince + George.
thin 5'9" , 6'0" , 6'2" , 6'4" , 6'8"
Sparks could go tall if injuries happen, something like Sims - Gray - Parker - Nneka - Lav
5'8" , 5'11" , 6'4" , 6'2" , 6'4"
I expect the Merc's tall line-up, will get the most minutes. |
Cool analysis. I was thinking more in terms of a down and dirty average height of each team. |
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5thmantheme
Joined: 11 Apr 2016 Posts: 540
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Posted: 05/12/17 3:31 pm ::: |
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Thanks. I think pilight posts an average height of the league, at some point every year.
I'd hazard a guess that the Sun might just reach 6'1" and the Sky too if they can keep Quigley at the 2 most of the time. Merc had nobody shorter that 6'0" for the first half of last year, maybe the tallest team ever. Ye olde Utah Stars would occasionally stick out there : short , short , 6'5" , big 6'2" , and of course 7'2".
Wings could do a developmental line-up a few games with Diggins - Powers at the 2 to see if she's fully recovered - rookie - rookie - rookie.
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pilight
Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 66993 Location: Where the action is
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Posted: 05/23/17 2:23 pm ::: |
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Here's my current ranking
1 Los Angeles
2 Minnesota
3 Phoenix
4 Seattle
5 Dallas
6 Atlanta
7 Washington
8 New York
9 Chicago
10 Indiana
11 Connecticut
12 San Antonio
_________________ I'm a lonely frog
I ain't got a home
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Rock Hard
Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 5387 Location: Chocolate Paradise
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Posted: 05/23/17 3:01 pm ::: |
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pilight wrote: |
Here's my current ranking
1 Los Angeles
2 Minnesota
3 Phoenix
4 Seattle
5 Dallas
6 Atlanta
7 Washington
8 New York
9 Chicago
10 Indiana
11 Connecticut
12 San Antonio |
The Lynx and the Sparks are the only legitimate contenders for the championship this season. The rest of the league are pretenders and lottery teams.
_________________ You can win, as long as you keep your head to the SKY! Be OPTIMISTIC!
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WNBA 09
Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 12545 Location: Dallas , Texas
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Posted: 05/23/17 4:07 pm ::: |
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Rock Hard wrote: |
pilight wrote: |
Here's my current ranking
1 Los Angeles
2 Minnesota
3 Phoenix
4 Seattle
5 Dallas
6 Atlanta
7 Washington
8 New York
9 Chicago
10 Indiana
11 Connecticut
12 San Antonio |
The Lynx and the Sparks are the only legitimate contenders for the championship this season. The rest of the league are pretenders and lottery teams. |
THIS _________x , i do think the gap has shrunk over the season but these 2 are still the top by far .
_________________ 3-Time WNBA Champion-3-Time National Champion-4-Time Olympic Champion....And Yes DT "We Got Confeti" lol
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NYL_WNBA_FAN
Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 14097
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Posted: 05/23/17 4:25 pm ::: |
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Pilight's looks pretty accurate to me. Seeing some of LA's game vs. DC, I think Chelsea Gray and Odyssey Sims really give them a nice dimension. While I thought they would miss KT's shooting (they still might), they were able to physically overwhelm the Mystics in DC on Friday. Gray overpowered Toliver on a few occasions and as a team LA's transition game and passing enabled numerous open looks for Wiese. The bottom 4 for now seem pretty entrenched. The Liberty have played poorly so far and have numerous question marks with the loss of Boyd, the condition of Stokes and the PG position as a whole. DC 7th is also correct also since on their way to 1-2 they've yet to prove they can defend a quality offensive team.
_________________ The poster formerly known as LibWNBAFan.
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WNBA 09
Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 12545 Location: Dallas , Texas
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Posted: 05/23/17 4:28 pm ::: |
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WNBA 09 wrote: |
Rock Hard wrote: |
pilight wrote: |
Here's my current ranking
1 Los Angeles
2 Minnesota
3 Phoenix
4 Seattle
5 Dallas
6 Atlanta
7 Washington
8 New York
9 Chicago
10 Indiana
11 Connecticut
12 San Antonio |
The Lynx and the Sparks are the only legitimate contenders for the championship this season. The rest of the league are pretenders and lottery teams. |
THIS _________x , i do think the gap has shrunk over the season but these 2 are still the top by far . |
Why PHX in front of Dallas ? We beat them , Id swap us but input Seattle at #3 and Dallas 4 with PHX at 5
_________________ 3-Time WNBA Champion-3-Time National Champion-4-Time Olympic Champion....And Yes DT "We Got Confeti" lol
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toad455
Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 22477 Location: NJ
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Posted: 05/23/17 6:06 pm ::: |
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Mine:
1. Los Angeles
2. Minnesota
3. Seattle
4. Atlanta
5. Phoenix
6. New York
7. Washington
8. Dallas
9. Chicago
10. Connecticut
11. Indiana
12. San Antonio
_________________ LET'S GO LIBERTY!!!!!!
Twitter: @TBRBWAY
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Fighting Artichoke
Joined: 12 Dec 2012 Posts: 4053
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Posted: 05/23/17 6:14 pm ::: |
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toad455 wrote: |
Mine:
1. Los Angeles
2. Minnesota
3. Seattle
4. Atlanta
5. Phoenix
6. New York
7. Washington
8. Dallas
9. Chicago
10. Connecticut
11. Indiana
12. San Antonio |
Why Dallas so low? Why Atlanta so high? All Atlanta has done so far is split with the poor Sky (home and away) and beat the lowly Sun in CT. Dallas won @Mercury and barely lost to the Lynx in Dallas.
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Michelle89
Joined: 17 Nov 2010 Posts: 16464 Location: Holland
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Posted: 05/24/17 12:28 am ::: |
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I see no reason at all why the Mercury would be above the Storm in the standings..
_________________ "Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson were and are the dynamic duo. They're the one-two punch. They're all the clich�s possible to describe people that perfectly complement each other, who make each other better and also bring out the best in the team." �Karen Bryant
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WNBA 09
Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 12545 Location: Dallas , Texas
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