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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019 Posts: 4701
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Posted: 10/21/20 3:43 pm ::: |
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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.
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myrtle
Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 32335
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Posted: 10/21/20 5:40 pm ::: |
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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.
_________________ 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
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019 Posts: 4701
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Posted: 10/21/20 5:58 pm ::: |
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myrtle wrote: |
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. |
Statistically speaking, she averaged as many o-boards as she did d-boards (roughly 2.8 each). So maybe her job was only to rebound on that end of the floor and Bonner & AT handled the other. Still, 2.8 defensive rebounds/game out of your starting center isn’t great, but maybe it’s all about her role. Both Bonner and AT each averaged a career high in RPG fwiw.
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ClayK
Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 11149
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Posted: 10/22/20 9:48 am ::: |
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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.
_________________ Oṃ Tāre Tuttāre Ture Svāhā
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Richyyy
Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 24355 Location: London
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Posted: 10/22/20 10:47 am ::: |
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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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root_thing
Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 7365 Location: Underground
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Posted: 10/22/20 2:22 pm ::: |
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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.
_________________ You can always do something else.
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ClayK
Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 11149
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Posted: 10/23/20 10:19 am ::: |
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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.
_________________ Oṃ Tāre Tuttāre Ture Svāhā
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mavcarter #NATC
Joined: 02 Sep 2010 Posts: 5935 Location: Chicago
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Posted: 01/13/21 12:26 pm ::: |
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Quote: |
Rachel Galligan
@RachGall
League sources have informed @winsidr that Alyssa Thomas has suffered a lower leg injury and will return to the states for further medical evaluation. |
Quote: |
Rachel Galligan
@RachGall
Thomas is currently returning to the states. The Connecticut Sun have no comment until further medical evaluation. It is expected to be serious. |
_________________
wrote: |
Or maybe said poster should quit being a nuisance when people don’t agree? |
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johnjohnW
Joined: 11 Aug 2020 Posts: 1846
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Posted: 01/13/21 1:48 pm ::: |
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Dang. AT is easily one of the funnest players to watch. Hope she's okay and recovers swiftly.
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019 Posts: 4701
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Posted: 01/13/21 1:49 pm ::: |
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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.
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WNBA 09
Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 12537 Location: Dallas , Texas
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Posted: 01/13/21 4:31 pm ::: |
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Stormeo wrote: |
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. |
Does this change negotiations if your Connecticut ?
_________________ 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: 63778
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Posted: 01/13/21 4:54 pm ::: |
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WNBA 09 wrote: |
Stormeo wrote: |
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. |
Does this change negotiations if your Connecticut ? |
If it’s a season-ending injury, in old school WNBA she’s suspended without pay, making it easier to not let other valued players go for at least a year. Maybe the league will make her this year’s ambassador.
_________________ Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned
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WNBA 09
Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 12537 Location: Dallas , Texas
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Queenie
Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 18030 Location: Queens
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Posted: 01/13/21 5:45 pm ::: |
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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)
_________________ Ardent believer in the separation of church and stadium.
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wnbashockballa
Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 1145 Location: YOURHAIRNEEDSSOME,GREECE
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Shades
Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 63778
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Posted: 01/14/21 2:34 pm ::: |
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The Sun extended Curt Miller for four long years.
_________________ Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned
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Randy
Joined: 08 Oct 2011 Posts: 10911
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J-Spoon
Joined: 31 Jan 2009 Posts: 6800
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Posted: 01/14/21 5:15 pm ::: |
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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
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Richyyy
Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 24355 Location: London
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myrtle
Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 32335
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019 Posts: 4701
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PickledGinger
Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Posts: 1365
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Posted: 01/21/21 2:26 pm ::: |
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Stewart, Plum and now Thomas. Knock on wood that achilles tears aren't the new ACL.
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Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019 Posts: 4701
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RI_Sun_Fan
Joined: 16 Jan 2010 Posts: 858
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Posted: 01/26/21 2:42 am ::: |
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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) .
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Richyyy
Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 24355 Location: London
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Posted: 01/26/21 3:54 am ::: |
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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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