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| Who will win this game? |
| Mercury |
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36% |
[ 9 ] |
| Storm |
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64% |
[ 16 ] |
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| Total Votes : 25 |
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Shades
Joined: 10 Jul 2006
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bballgrl
Joined: 15 Sep 2007
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 Posted: 08/27/18 9:54 pm ::: |
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| after having some rest i hope the merc can pull this one off. wonder who the ref's will be and how this game will be called. the merc have to stay strong and keep their cool as well as make their free throws(if they get any).
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craigmont
Joined: 14 Sep 2005
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zune69
Joined: 27 May 2010
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| Posted: 08/28/18 7:27 am ::: |
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| Griner needs to be more assertive on offense,aggressive on the boards and play smarter on defense...It's really that simple....If BG is the 8th best player on the court as she was in game 1.Phoenix will lose.
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canadaball
Joined: 24 May 2013
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| Posted: 08/28/18 9:41 am ::: |
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After just one game, this is a fascinating series. Not only does each team have 2 surefire first ballot HOF'ers, but these 4 are all time greats. Phx (post Sancho injury) and Seattle have, arguably, the worst benches in the league. Phx has been forced to play their main players huge minutes all year (one wonders how long Bonner can continue her scintillating play at 40 minutes per), while Seattle gave their backups lots of regular season time. No arguing with the record, but a lineup including Canada (cannot shoot), KML (cannot move), Paris (see KML), and Lang (cannot defend or rebound) survived the season playing other team's backups, but when faced with Griner, DT, and Bonner have no chance. When Leilani can drive right thru the defense for a layup, you know the Seattle bench is in trouble. The first game boxscore +/- says it all. Coach Dan was forced to quickly abandon regular season rotations, and played his starters much longer. Perhaps this was reason Sea blew that 16 point 3rd q lead as their starters, not used to prolonged playing time (unlike the Phx 5) ran out of gas.
The Seattle game plan is obvious. With their trio of young legs, run, run, run, but without bench help, this becomes tougher, and Phx (2 great one on one players) has the edge in a slowdown half court game.
Couple of sidebars worth noting. The solid play of aged DT and Bird is magnified by the playoff benching of other older players like Camille Little and Currie.
The Seattle GM has pulled off an all time steal in acquiring Howard, whose play this year is All Star level, yet every other personnel move the Storm have made (save the obvious selections of Loyd and Stew) has been disastrous; in particular, given the failure of Carolyn Swords in Sea (immobile; has little shooting range) why would they sign Paris?
All season, the Phx coaches have shown adaptability (most recently moving Bonner to the four, and benching Little for Talbot). How will they deal with Loyd? One possibility is trying their best perimeter defender, January, and moving Talbot to Bird.
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ClayK
Joined: 11 Oct 2005
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| Posted: 08/28/18 10:04 am ::: |
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| canadaball wrote: |
After just one game, this is a fascinating series. Not only does each team have 2 surefire first ballot HOF'ers, but these 4 are all time greats. Phx (post Sancho injury) and Seattle have, arguably, the worst benches in the league. Phx has been forced to play their main players huge minutes all year (one wonders how long Bonner can continue her scintillating play at 40 minutes per), while Seattle gave their backups lots of regular season time. No arguing with the record, but a lineup including Canada (cannot shoot), KML (cannot move), Paris (see KML), and Lang (cannot defend or rebound) survived the season playing other team's backups, but when faced with Griner, DT, and Bonner have no chance. When Leilani can drive right thru the defense for a layup, you know the Seattle bench is in trouble. The first game boxscore +/- says it all. Coach Dan was forced to quickly abandon regular season rotations, and played his starters much longer. Perhaps this was reason Sea blew that 16 point 3rd q lead as their starters, not used to prolonged playing time (unlike the Phx 5) ran out of gas.
The Seattle game plan is obvious. With their trio of young legs, run, run, run, but without bench help, this becomes tougher, and Phx (2 great one on one players) has the edge in a slowdown half court game.
Couple of sidebars worth noting. The solid play of aged DT and Bird is magnified by the playoff benching of other older players like Camille Little and Currie.
The Seattle GM has pulled off an all time steal in acquiring Howard, whose play this year is All Star level, yet every other personnel move the Storm have made (save the obvious selections of Loyd and Stew) has been disastrous; in particular, given the failure of Carolyn Swords in Sea (immobile; has little shooting range) why would they sign Paris?
All season, the Phx coaches have shown adaptability (most recently moving Bonner to the four, and benching Little for Talbot). How will they deal with Loyd? One possibility is trying their best perimeter defender, January, and moving Talbot to Bird. |
Excellent post -- but downgraded because you didn't mention the refs.
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Randy
Joined: 08 Oct 2011
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| Posted: 08/28/18 10:59 am ::: |
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New song by Meghan Trainor:
Because you know it's all about the refs
'bout the refs - not players
I'm all about the about the refs, bout the refs, no players
I'm all about the about the refs, bout the refs, no players
I'm all about the about the refs, bout the refs....
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mercfan3
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
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| Posted: 08/28/18 11:13 am ::: |
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I think Talbot is one of the more interesting players in the series.
I am very much in favor of putting January on Loyd. Her athleticism can keep up with Loydâs and Briâs size isnât a problem. That should be a relatively easy call.
Brit stays down low. If thereâs a switch and Stewie is down low and Howard is at the theee point line, Phoenix needs to switch. Brit stays down low.
The question then becomes..how do we work the other three. DT obviously canât guard Stewie (sheâs too small..unless the old school LJ hug defense makes a comeback. But that would be dumb given DTâs offensive responsibilities..and the fact that Talbot and DB are on the team).
I think sheâd be fine on Bird, whereas I think sheâs at risk for foul trouble on Clark. (Again, given the size.)
And here is where Talbot is interesting..sheâs a very good on ball defender. Sheâs an even better off ball defender. She gets her hands on everything, and letting her wreak havoc around the court, might be an interesting advantage. ( on a side note, itâs amazing how quickly Iâve gone from âmehâ to absolute Talbot fangurl.)
But thatâs not the move Iâd make. Itâs amazing to me, how bad Seattle is without Sue. I donât think Canada is that bad..and you would think Loyd and Stewart could just go one on one for a few possessions..but itâs bad. Worse than when Phoenix takes Diana out.
Talbot on Bird, you would think, would hamper Bird a lot. Birdâs running the team, not looking to score..youâd think someone who could hamper her vision, and make life difficult for her, would work in Phoenixâs favor. Added benefit is that Phoenix would be able to switch on PnRs with Bird and Stewie. (Which is, inevitably..why Iâd choose this option. And DT is relatively good at help defense).
It will be interesting to see what Phoenix does. Iâve been highly critical of Sandyâs rotation this season (now that sheâs playing the players I want her to play, weâve made up.  ) but Iâve always thought she was a really good Xs and Os coach, so Iâm interested in seeing what she does.
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Michelle89
Joined: 17 Nov 2010
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| Posted: 08/28/18 11:20 am ::: |
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The issue with the Storms bench is that Hughes got away with an all bench unit: Canada, Sami, KML, Langhorne and Paris in the regular season. This will NOT work in the playoffs..
Atleast 2 of these 4 (Stewie, Loyd, Bird Howard) need to be on the court at all times with 3 benchplayers. He needs to think about a new rotation because of this.
For example: rest Howard first and bring in Langhorne. Stewie switches to guard Griner because Griner will play the whole first quarter if she doesnt get in foul trouble. At the end of the first quarter (1 min to go) sub Stewie for Paris. This way she gets the extra rest between quarters. Later in the 2nd quarter you can sub Howard back in.
When Taurasi sits= Clark sits and bring in Sami if KML is not hitting her shots. Sami can create out of the pick&roll for herself or others.
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"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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Randy
Joined: 08 Oct 2011
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| Posted: 08/28/18 11:27 am ::: |
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| mercfan3 wrote: |
The question then becomes..how do we work the other three. DT obviously canât guard Stewie (sheâs too small..unless the old school LJ hug defense makes a comeback. But that would be dumb given DTâs offensive responsibilities..and the fact that Talbot and DB are on the team).
I think sheâd be fine on Bird, whereas I think sheâs at risk for foul trouble on Clark. (Again, given the size.)
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According to the rosters Clark is 5-11, 167; Taurasi is 6-0, 163. Why is there a size disadvantage? Are you really saying Clark is stronger?
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Michelle89
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| Posted: 08/28/18 12:26 pm ::: |
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| Randy wrote: |
| mercfan3 wrote: |
The question then becomes..how do we work the other three. DT obviously canât guard Stewie (sheâs too small..unless the old school LJ hug defense makes a comeback. But that would be dumb given DTâs offensive responsibilities..and the fact that Talbot and DB are on the team).
I think sheâd be fine on Bird, whereas I think sheâs at risk for foul trouble on Clark. (Again, given the size.)
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According to the rosters Clark is 5-11, 167; Taurasi is 6-0, 163. Why is there a size disadvantage? Are you really saying Clark is stronger? |
Clark was a postplayer in college. She knows how to use her body and post smaller guards and bigger forwards up. So yeah she can get Taurasi in foul trouble. Just like she got DT her 2nd foul in the first quarter in game 1
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"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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Nixtreefan
Joined: 14 Nov 2012
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| Posted: 08/28/18 12:50 pm ::: |
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| Sandy saying she has some new adjustments this game, looking forward to see what she comes up with. Hard to win when the other team is hitting everything however.
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craigmont
Joined: 14 Sep 2005
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| Posted: 08/28/18 1:03 pm ::: |
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| The Merc outshot the Storm in Game 1, 52% to 45%.
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canadaball
Joined: 24 May 2013
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| Posted: 08/28/18 1:10 pm ::: |
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| mercfan3 wrote: |
I think Talbot is one of the more interesting players in the series.
I am very much in favor of putting January on Loyd. Her athleticism can keep up with Loydâs and Briâs size isnât a problem. That should be a relatively easy call.
Brit stays down low. If thereâs a switch and Stewie is down low and Howard is at the theee point line, Phoenix needs to switch. Brit stays down low.
The question then becomes..how do we work the other three. DT obviously canât guard Stewie (sheâs too small..unless the old school LJ hug defense makes a comeback. But that would be dumb given DTâs offensive responsibilities..and the fact that Talbot and DB are on the team).
I think sheâd be fine on Bird, whereas I think sheâs at risk for foul trouble on Clark. (Again, given the size.)
And here is where Talbot is interesting..sheâs a very good on ball defender. Sheâs an even better off ball defender. She gets her hands on everything, and letting her wreak havoc around the court, might be an interesting advantage. ( on a side note, itâs amazing how quickly Iâve gone from âmehâ to absolute Talbot fangurl.)
But thatâs not the move Iâd make. Itâs amazing to me, how bad Seattle is without Sue. I donât think Canada is that bad..and you would think Loyd and Stewart could just go one on one for a few possessions..but itâs bad. Worse than when Phoenix takes Diana out.
Talbot on Bird, you would think, would hamper Bird a lot. Birdâs running the team, not looking to score..youâd think someone who could hamper her vision, and make life difficult for her, would work in Phoenixâs favor. Added benefit is that Phoenix would be able to switch on PnRs with Bird and Stewie. (Which is, inevitably..why Iâd choose this option. And DT is relatively good at help defense).
It will be interesting to see what Phoenix does. Iâve been highly critical of Sandyâs rotation this season (now that sheâs playing the players I want her to play, weâve made up. ) but Iâve always thought she was a really good Xs and Os coach, so Iâm interested in seeing what she does. |
Good analysis of Phx options. Guarding a pg like Bird is quite different than other positions.The defender is out there in open space; screens are a constant threat, and cannot go under them plus never allow Bird an open look at 3. I am not too familiar with Talbot, and, this year, she has been playing much closer to the basket. Does she have the requisite experience? Remember that a coach like Agler (intimately familiar with Bird and Sea) always used his best defender (Beard) on the pg, the logic probably to cut off the head of the snake makes it die. Let's also remember that January, with all her tools, allowed Bird a double double with only one turnover.
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Nixtreefan
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Admiral_Needa
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Admiral_Needa
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mercfan3
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| Posted: 08/28/18 1:44 pm ::: |
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| Michelle89 wrote: |
| Randy wrote: |
| mercfan3 wrote: |
The question then becomes..how do we work the other three. DT obviously canât guard Stewie (sheâs too small..unless the old school LJ hug defense makes a comeback. But that would be dumb given DTâs offensive responsibilities..and the fact that Talbot and DB are on the team).
I think sheâd be fine on Bird, whereas I think sheâs at risk for foul trouble on Clark. (Again, given the size.)
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According to the rosters Clark is 5-11, 167; Taurasi is 6-0, 163. Why is there a size disadvantage? Are you really saying Clark is stronger? |
Clark was a postplayer in college. She knows how to use her body and post smaller guards and bigger forwards up. So yeah she can get Taurasi in foul trouble. Just like she got DT her 2nd foul in the first quarter in game 1 |
Taurasiâs 163 is from a few years ago. I wouldnât be surprised if she weighed less now.
Clark certainly looks both taller and stronger than DT.
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Randy
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| Posted: 08/28/18 1:50 pm ::: |
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| Wouldn't be the first time that heights were misreported. Of course, as people age they get shorter as well. Gravity just never gives up.
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ClayK
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| Posted: 08/28/18 3:16 pm ::: |
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So how many times did Clark post up in game one? All season?
And how many fouls did DT pick up while guarding Clark?
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Michelle89
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| Posted: 08/28/18 5:15 pm ::: |
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| ClayK wrote: |
So how many times did Clark post up in game one? All season?
And how many fouls did DT pick up while guarding Clark? |
She didnt post up that many in game 1 but that had more to do with everybody hitting their 3's. Normally they run a few more plays where she dugs in under the basket pinning her defender behind her. Only option then is to foul or allow a layup.
I expect more of that in game 2 to try to frustrate her and get her in foul trouble early again.
About the FG goal percentage. The Storm shot 26 % in the 4th quarter. Big reason why fhe Mercury came back in that game and why the Storms %ended up lower then the Mercury
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"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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Luuuc
#NATC
Joined: 10 Feb 2005
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| Posted: 08/28/18 7:51 pm ::: |
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| Michelle89 wrote: |
| The issue with the Storms bench is that Hughes got away with an all bench unit: Canada, Sami, KML, Langhorne and Paris in the regular season. This will NOT work in the playoffs.. |
My main issue with the Storm bench is not so much the players themselves, but the way they're used. I don't think Dan does a good enough job of integrating them with the starters. Playing too many limited players together is never going to bring the best out of them. Slot them in with starters and their strengths can be utilised without exposing their deficiencies so much.
(On the plus side, the rotations always shorten up during the playoffs so the weakness of the all-bench unit isn't so relevant anymore)
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Thanks for calling. I wait all night for calls like these.
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tfan
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| Posted: 08/28/18 9:13 pm ::: |
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| Taurasi looks taller than Clark to me, and with a lot longer arms. The good thing about Clark is that as a former post player used to the crap that goes on in the post, she is uncowed by Taurasiâs bully play.
Last edited by tfan on 08/28/18 9:20 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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WNBA 09
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mercfan3
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| Posted: 08/28/18 9:20 pm ::: |
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| Well...Britâs playing well.
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