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Los Angeles Sparks 2018
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WfanFrJmp



Joined: 24 May 2016
Posts: 1422



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PostPosted: 04/14/18 5:01 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

jap wrote:
WfanFrJmp wrote:
Oops Embarassed Info is already here... Laughing


Just stirring up trouble. Tings have been to dead around here. Very Happy


Laughing Indeed!

I'm just looking forward to getting the season started! So many college ballers to root for, but I'm LA all day!


toad455



Joined: 16 Nov 2005
Posts: 22470
Location: NJ


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PostPosted: 04/14/18 9:23 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Sparks have signed Gabby Ortiz to a training camp contract.



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jap



Joined: 01 Apr 2007
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PostPosted: 04/15/18 12:11 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Well, we didn't get Diamond or Gabby, two athletic players who could have eventually possibly replaced our Golden Girl, Alana as SG/SF wing players. However Maria seems like a sweet consolation prize, and Shakayla Thomas seems like she might be an intriguing athletic prospect.

This pre-season lull is starting to get on my last nerves. It's a good thing the NFL draft, with its own peerless hoopla, is less than two weeks away to help pass the time. I have taken to re-watching 2017 Sparks' games on You-tube to get myself all geared up for what could very well be a really special season.

Remember when Odyssey had a decent downtown stroke? Well, she did in her rookie season in Tulsa anyway, shooting 34.6% from beyond the arc. With a dynamic frontcourt in front of her, it's high time she re-invigorated that part of her game to take full advantage of her bigs. Her ability to slash quickly to the hole should allow her to get good looks from downtown when defenders cheat by backing off to prevent her forays to the paint.

After mucking around from downtown at less than 35% her first two seasons, Chelsea reclaimed her downtown stroke with a vengeance last year, splashing 48.2% of those pretty Tina Thompson-esque rainbow treys through the nets. Here's hoping that long distance sniper shooting rate stays high as we approach the 2018 season.

Sydney "Syd the Kid" Wiese poured in treys at a 40% clip last year, and that kind of shooting may help keep her around for another year. She has a very quick hand/wrist release, but it would help if she could improve her foot quickness so she could do a better job of gaining enough separation for her death strokes from downtown.

Ana Dabovic and her sweet tooth are back in the Land of LaLa. Unlike 2015 when she completed a third of her strokes from beyond the arc, she followed by only hitting a measly 15.8% in 2016. (Ana, of course, did not play with us last season.) Some viewers (like Yours Truly) felt that her inefficiency from long range was due to her greatly decreased playing time . . . 10.7 minutes per game in 2016 (down from 22.1 MPG in 2015. With such a stacked roster, it might be difficult for her to get increased minutes unless she splits her time at PG, SG, and SF---and even then it may be tough.

Cappie finally gets to play with CP3 in the WNBA. Although she sports a decent long range rate of 35.0% for her career, she did shoot a career low of 25.7% last season. It will be to her & her teammates' advantage for her to get the sniper rate up again.

Although I have not seen anything official, I am not confident of Riquna's return as a Spark.

In any event, we do not need any more Sparks playoff dreams negatively impacted by subpar shooting from downtown. What's the point of having a dynamic frontcourt if you can't take advantage of it downtown.



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Last edited by jap on 04/22/18 4:22 am; edited 6 times in total
WNBA 09



Joined: 26 Jun 2009
Posts: 12493
Location: Dallas , Texas


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PostPosted: 04/15/18 3:10 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

jap wrote:
Well, we didn't get Diamond or Gabby, two athletic players who could have eventually possibly replaced our Golden Girl, Alana as SG/SF wing players. However Maria seems like a sweet consolation prize, and Shakayla Thomas seems like she might be an intriguing athletic prospect.

This pre-season lull is starting to get on my last nerves. It's a good thing the NFL draft, with its own peerless hoopla, is less than two weeks away to help pass the time. I have taken to re-watching 2017 Sparks' games on You-tube to get myself all geared up for what could very well be a really special season.

Remember when Odyssey had a decent downtown stroke? Well, she did her rookie season in Tulsa anyway, shooting 34.6% from beyond the arc. With a dynamic frontcourt in front of her, it's high time she re-invigorated that part of her game to take full advantage her bigs. Her ability to slash quickly to the hole should allow her to get good looks from downtown.

After mucking around from downtown at less than 35% her first two seasons, Chelsea reclaimed her downtown stroke with a vengeance last year, splashing 48.2% of those pretty Tina Thomoson-esque rainbow treys through the nets. Here's hoping that long distance sniper shooting rate stays high as we approach the 2018 season.

Sydney "Syd the Kid" Wiese poured in treys at a 40% clip last year, and that kind of shooting may help keep her around for another year. She has a very quick hand/wrist release, but it would help if she could improve her foot quickness so she could do a better job of gaining enough separation for her death strokes from downtown.

Ana and her sweet tooth is back in the Land of LaLa. Unlike 2015 when she completed a third of her strokes from beyond the arc, she followed by only hitting a measly 15.8% in 2016. (Ana, of course, did not play with us last season.) Some viewers (like Yours Truly) felt that her inefficiency from long range was due to her greatly decreased playing time . . . 10.7 minutes per game in 2016 (down from 22.1 MPG in 2015. With such a stacked roster, it might be difficult for her to get increased minutes unless she splits her time at PG, SG, and SF---and even then it may be tough.

Cappie finally gets to play with CP3 in the WNBA. Although she sports a decent long range rate of 35.0% for her career, she did shoot a career low of 25.7% last season. It will be to her & her teammates' advantage for her to get the sniper rate up again.

Although I have not seen anything official, I am not confident of Riquna's return as a Spark.

In any event, we do not need any more Sparks playoff dreams negatively impacted by suboar shooting from downtown. What's the point of having a dynamic frontcourt if you can't take advantage of it downtown.


Ive went as far back as 2002 wnba games on youtube since the draft ended. I hate this time of the year. A full month of just waiting.. Rolling Eyes



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toad455



Joined: 16 Nov 2005
Posts: 22470
Location: NJ


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PostPosted: 04/17/18 10:50 am    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Sparks roster currently at 23. Unknown whether Diarra, Gruda or Reisingerova are showing up.

5 Jolene Anderson
0 Alana Beard
17 Essence Carson
23 Ana Dabovic
26 Maimouna Diarra
55 Saicha Grant-Allen
12 Chelsea Gray
7 Sandrine Gruda
33 Tiffany Jackson
42 Jantel Lavender
- Jessica Lindstrom
- Brooke McCarty
- Gabby Ortiz
30 Nneka Ogwumike
3 Candace Parker
25 Cappie Pondexter
- Julia Reisingerova
44 Karlie Samuelson
1 Odyssey Sims
- Shakayla Thomas
- Maria Vadeeva
24 Sydney Wiese
2 Riquna Williams



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root_thing



Joined: 28 Apr 2007
Posts: 7365
Location: Underground


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PostPosted: 04/17/18 11:21 am    ::: Reply Reply with quote

23 is the exact number needed for a grand jury. I wonder if the Sparks plan to indict someone.



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fanaticka



Joined: 02 Dec 2011
Posts: 101
Location: Czech Republic


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PostPosted: 04/17/18 12:00 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Reisingerova is currently out with a fractured vertebra. I dont think she will be ready.


Shades



Joined: 10 Jul 2006
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PostPosted: 04/17/18 12:34 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

5 Jolene Anderson - Probably late
0 Alana Beard - Status unknown but looked good at the draft
17 Essence Carson 1
23 Ana Dabovic - Late
26 Maimouna Diarra - Probably not signed
55 Saicha Grant-Allen 2
12 Chelsea Gray - Late
7 Sandrine Gruda - Not signed
33 Tiffany Jackson 3
42 Jantel Lavender - Late
- Jessica Lindstrom 4
- Brooke McCarty 5
- Gabby Ortiz 6
30 Nneka Ogwumike - Late
3 Candace Parker 7
25 Cappie Pondexter 8
- Julia Reisingerova - Deferred
44 Karlie Samuelson 9
1 Odyssey Sims 10
- Shakayla Thomas 11
- Maria Vadeeva - Late
24 Sydney Wiese 12
2 Riquna Williams - Probably late

12 on-times + 1 maybe Beard + 2 could be on-time = 15

Gruda was probably Agler’s most obvious backup plan if they didn’t draft a decent post or they drafted Vadeeva and she didn’t show up.

With all these guards he’s flooding camp with, makes me wonder if he’s hoping for cheaper options at guard. Trouble for Essence? Beard out?



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toad455



Joined: 16 Nov 2005
Posts: 22470
Location: NJ


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PostPosted: 04/17/18 5:09 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

the list gets longer!! Sparks have signed Mistie Bass & Lexie Bando!!!

Quote:
Los Angeles Bando, Lexi Contract Signed
Los Angeles Bass, Mistie Contract Signed
Los Angeles McCarty, Brooke Contract Signed
Los Angeles Ortiz, Gabbi Contract Signed
Los Angeles Vadeeva, Maria Contract Signed



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Richyyy



Joined: 17 Nov 2005
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PostPosted: 04/17/18 5:21 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Bass is interesting. Might beat out Jackson-Jones for the practice punch-bag role (assuming Vadeeva shows up for the other backup post spot).



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toad455



Joined: 16 Nov 2005
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PostPosted: 04/17/18 5:26 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Richyyy wrote:
Bass is interesting. Might beat out Jackson-Jones for the practice punch-bag role (assuming Vadeeva shows up for the other backup post spot).


I thought that, too. But then I thought, was that the best her agent could get her? Chicago, Atlanta or New York would give her a better spot at securing a roster spot.



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Shades



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PostPosted: 04/17/18 6:24 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Agler collecting undrafted guards like they’re Pokémon. Just trying to keep them out of other camps?



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hangtyme24



Joined: 21 May 2006
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PostPosted: 04/17/18 8:15 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

I like the Bass signing if she's anything pre-maternity, but I also like TJJ and i dont think we have enough spots or cap space for two aging vets. Lol. I think Carson stays as our defensive specialist to take over when Beard retires. Agler posted something on Twitter a couple days ago about Carson being in good shape and ready for the upcoming season so I think she stays long term. She's our best perimeter defender other than Beard. Im excited about the season. I'll try to make the preseason game in Pasadena this year to give my observation



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Randy



Joined: 08 Oct 2011
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PostPosted: 04/17/18 8:17 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Shades wrote:


She signed her contract. Might be a smart move. Come to the WNBA for a year and then her Russian team has to pay her to take the summer off. Razz


WfanFrJmp



Joined: 24 May 2016
Posts: 1422



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PostPosted: 04/17/18 8:56 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Randy wrote:
Shades wrote:


She signed her contract. Might be a smart move. Come to the WNBA for a year and then her Russian team has to pay her to take the summer off. Razz


Wait! I thought she was in Kursk with Nneka?! Did she actually sign with UMMC? If so, who did they release or did they?


Shades



Joined: 10 Jul 2006
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PostPosted: 04/17/18 8:59 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

WfanFrJmp wrote:
Wait! I thought she was in Kursk with Nneka?! Did she actually sign with UMMC? If so, who did they release or did they?


She signed her WNBA contract.



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WfanFrJmp



Joined: 24 May 2016
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PostPosted: 04/17/18 9:11 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Shades wrote:
WfanFrJmp wrote:
Wait! I thought she was in Kursk with Nneka?! Did she actually sign with UMMC? If so, who did they release or did they?


She signed her WNBA contract.


Right, right! I was just confused about why it looks like she has on UMMC on the bottom of her Russia jersey. Maybe it's just a watermark or signifies something about the national team. Embarassed Forgive me, I'm paranoid because it was rumored that she was going to get picked up by UMMC. I was just hoping it hadn't happened yet...literally three days before Kursk meets UMMC in the Euroleague semi-final.


jap



Joined: 01 Apr 2007
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PostPosted: 04/17/18 11:15 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Shades wrote:


From Russia with Love? Laughing



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tfan



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PostPosted: 04/19/18 12:34 am    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Agler big on Vadeeva who he appears to call Maja Vadeeva.


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rc8ScHLv3OI" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Richyyy



Joined: 17 Nov 2005
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PostPosted: 04/19/18 3:15 am    ::: Reply Reply with quote

tfan wrote:
Agler big on Vadeeva who he appears to call Maja Vadeeva.

'Masha' - very common Russian diminutive for Maria.



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willtalk



Joined: 13 Apr 2012
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PostPosted: 04/20/18 9:41 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Richyyy wrote:
tfan wrote:
Agler big on Vadeeva who he appears to call Maja Vadeeva.

'Masha' - very common Russian diminutive for Maria.
, Alger seems to really favor Valdeeva, so following in the steps of Jan Brady, will we soon hear Lavender and the other posts uttering. "Masha Masha Masha".


GEF34



Joined: 23 Jul 2008
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PostPosted: 04/22/18 4:33 am    ::: Reply Reply with quote

willtalk wrote:
Richyyy wrote:
tfan wrote:
Agler big on Vadeeva who he appears to call Maja Vadeeva.

'Masha' - very common Russian diminutive for Maria.
, Alger seems to really favor Valdeeva, so following in the steps of Jan Brady, will we soon hear Lavender and the other posts uttering. "Masha Masha Masha".


I haven't seen Maria vadeeva play, but from what I have read it sounds like her and Jantel would play well together, especially with Jantel having a great high post shot, and she can make the high low pass, I would think they would have quite a bit of time on the court together.


Richyyy



Joined: 17 Nov 2005
Posts: 24327
Location: London


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PostPosted: 04/22/18 5:53 am    ::: Reply Reply with quote

GEF34 wrote:
willtalk wrote:
Richyyy wrote:
tfan wrote:
Agler big on Vadeeva who he appears to call Maja Vadeeva.

'Masha' - very common Russian diminutive for Maria.
, Alger seems to really favor Valdeeva, so following in the steps of Jan Brady, will we soon hear Lavender and the other posts uttering. "Masha Masha Masha".


I haven't seen Maria vadeeva play, but from what I have read it sounds like her and Jantel would play well together, especially with Jantel having a great high post shot, and she can make the high low pass, I would think they would have quite a bit of time on the court together.

But outside of garbage time, how long is Brian Agler ever going to play without Parker and Nneka on the court? I continue to think that Vadeeva's best chance to establish herself this season is going to be if one of the primary posts gets hurt. Hopefully for her that happens early-ish in the year, she makes it clear she deserves minutes, and then he has to find time for her even if everyone's back healthy.



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zune69



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PostPosted: 04/22/18 10:58 am    ::: Reply Reply with quote

I can see Nneka/Candace playing more Small Forward this season(bad move)... LA would be better off trading Lavender for a young SG/SF.Maybe not this season,but certainly within the next 2-3 years.Lavender will turn 30 at the end of this year.LA needs to cash out before Jantel's value drops.Beard and Pondexter aren't getting any younger.


willtalk



Joined: 13 Apr 2012
Posts: 1088
Location: NorCal


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PostPosted: 04/22/18 11:19 am    ::: Reply Reply with quote

zune69 wrote:
I can see Nneka/Candace playing more Small Forward this season(bad move)... LA would be better off trading Lavender for a young SG/SF.Maybe not this season,but certainly within the next 2-3 years.Lavender will turn 30 at the end of this year.LA needs to cash out before Jantel's value drops.Beard and Pondexter aren't getting any younger.


From my perspective, Lavenders shooting dropped of considerably this last season and since she was never a really good defender what use is she? A shooting stride that consistently turns 24 foot 3 pointers into 22 foot two's doesn't help either her case either.


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