RebKell's Junkie Boards

[Stormeo]

When talking about Brionna Jones, it is important to note that within the starting lineup, she was no more than their 3rd- or 4th-option, especially when defenders would leave the Sun's guards alone on the perimeter to jack up shots. As noted, she is a slower defender – well, player in general – but she's also not a good rebounder for a center (just 5.6 RPG, though Bonner and AT were consistent enough on the glass to where that didn't matter a whole lot). If she goes elsewhere, her new team would have to understand the limits to her game and not try to make her into a star player, where she would probably fail.

It was nice to see that she has developed a pretty consistent jump shot. The consistency of her free-throw line jumper surprised me, so hopefully she's not done expanding her range.

[myrtle]

But was her lack of rebounding on the offensive end at least partially because she was trying to give space for Bonner and Thomas who need room to drive? Not sure as I didn't watch her enough.

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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

[Stormeo]

[ClayK]

It's possible Jones could be more effective on a team that shot three-pointers well, but the eye test says she's slow of foot (but quick of hand).

She looks like a competent backup to me (Mercedes Russell type) but maybe in the right situation she can be an effective starter.

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Oṃ Tāre Tuttāre Ture Svāhā

[Richyyy]

Jones is definitely an interesting case this offseason. She seems to have done a good enough job to earn a decent vet contract from somebody, but if I'm a WNBA GM I'd want someone else to be paying it to her. I think she probably tops out as a 4th or 5th starter, and the problem in this era is that overpaying someone in that range could come with significant opportunity cost.

One of those players you absolutely want when they're still on their rookie-scale contract, but you have to think very carefully about once they're off it.

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

[root_thing]

I remember Brionna Jones early in her career at Maryland. She was huge, and you’d take one look at her and say “no chance”. But Brionna worked on her body and she worked on her game. By the time Jones left Maryland, she was a really good college player. Now, after four years, Brionna has turned herself into a serviceable WNBA starter. Like I said before, more of a Plan B or Plan C option but still a decent player. Jones is smart and determined. It would not shock me if we look up years from now and see her still playing in the league. Look at Leilani Mitchell who is a starter in the WNBA at age 35. Who the heck thought she’d still be around at age 35? Like Jones, FLB has physical limitations and has never been more than a Plan B or Plan C option. However, Mitchell could always shoot the 3, was good at ball security, and she is adored by teammates. Now, Leilani also adds veteran savvy and an ability to hit big shots at crunch time. So, maybe Jones can be the Leilani Mitchell equivalent at center. She’s a solid scorer and effective banger on both ends of the court. Despite being slow, she does have good anticipation and is able to cause loose balls. Brionna does enough good stuff to make herself very useful, and it would not surprise me if over time she sharpens her skills and adds new ones. Jones will never be anyone's ideal center, but being everybody's favorite Plan B or C can keep you in the league for a long time.

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You can always do something else.

[ClayK]

The single most important variable about any player, at any age, is when they will stop improving. Some players are who they will be at 18; some get better into their 30s.

A lot of that depends on work ethic and desire, and a lot also depends on how much more improvement there is available in the physical package. The biggest single thing you hear about players who improve rapidly or consistently is a devotion to physical conditioning, generally losing weight and adding muscle.

It's very interesting to hear that Jones has done that, and it makes her, it seems to me, more likely to continue improving than others her age, or at the least, maintain her level of play for several years to come.

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Oṃ Tāre Tuttāre Ture Svāhā

[mavcarter]

[johnjohnW]

Dang. AT is easily one of the funnest players to watch. Hope she's okay and recovers swiftly.

[Stormeo]

Oh fuck. And she probably can't even get her shoulders fixed up in the process if she doesn't have two good legs to stand on. Get 100% well soon, Alyssa.

She's gonna end up lookin' like this whenever she actually gets surgery for all these injuries she's accumulated.

[WNBA 09]

[Shades]

[WNBA 09]

[Queenie]

We can rebuild her. We have the technology.

(seriously, please get well soon, AT, and for the love of all that is sweet and holy FIX YOUR BROKEN PIECES)

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Ardent believer in the separation of church and stadium.

[wnbashockballa]

The BS position they gave Stewie lol all jokes aside AT don’t talk enough to be offered that lol I hope it’s nothing two crazy and shell get those shoulder fix while she’s forced to sit … if the injury ain’t too crazy I’ll still think she’ll get the max contract

[Shades]

The Sun extended Curt Miller for four long years.

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

[Randy]

[J-Spoon]

Hopefully Conn can hook A. Thomas up with some kind of team related promotional job

OTOH her being suspended because she hurt herself overseas opens up the money they need to bring back B. Jones and B. Holmes and J. Thomas

J. Thomas/Heideman
B. January/FA
B. Holmes/K. Charles
Bonner/Mompremier
J. Jones/B. Jones

If they go with 11 they probably have enough money to offer
Whitcomb, SWK, S. Rodgers, R. Williams a contract (Or if they can pull it off A. Powers, add Powers in as the starter at SF and Conn would be pretty competitive maybe even a contender) and fill out the last spot with one of their 2nd round picks (Walker, Boley, V. Gray) or scoop up one of the wings who doesn't make the cut in NY

[Richyyy]

Sun confirmed the Alyssa Thomas blew out her Achilles, had surgery: https://sun.wnba.com/news/alyssa-thomas-undergoes-successful-surgery/

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

[myrtle]

[Stormeo]

[PickledGinger]

Stewart, Plum and now Thomas. Knock on wood that achilles tears aren't the new ACL.

[Stormeo]

https://twitter.com/ConnecticutSun/status/1353719896799117312

[RI_Sun_Fan]

Rebrand is a good guess. Other guesses I'd have would include hosting the All Star Game, fans in the arena (might be way too early to comment on that), Social Justice initiative, 2021 theme, or possibly a new broadcaster / broadcast team (they didn't have their broadcast team last year).

I doubt is is a free agent signing (league rules ?) or a trade (no one comments on an imminent trade) .

[Richyyy]

Yeah, unless they're referring to something that won't happen for a week, there aren't a lot of signings it could be. The only legal signings would be someone accepting their qualifying offer, and the only one left that they have outstanding is Brionna Jones (and it would be a weird choice for her to sign hers). Trades are legal, but obviously less likely before people can sign new contracts.

So something front-officey like a new sponsor or change of look seems plausible. Kinda hope it's not another sale, given how long the Mohegan has stuck with the WNBA and how complicated it could make things if the owners of the team didn't also own the venue.

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