RebKell's Junkie Boards

[blaase22]

[Randy]

[Queenie]

[Queenie]

[NYL_WNBA_FAN]

NY basketball fans appreciate defense though. She’ll bring that every night.

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The poster formerly known as LibWNBAFan.

[root_thing]

New York Liberty Press Conference 2/12: Howard, Hopkins, and a bit of Kolb

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ztY9eLCFul0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Mostly discussion about defense. The first five names mentioned as a group were Howard, Laney, Whitcomb, Allen, and Sabrina. Maybe the starting five?

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You can always do something else.

[root_thing]

Here are three more videos from social media. Usually, these clips are simply sections of the longer YouTube video, but in this case they stand alone. The FaceBook embed codes aren't working for some reason (I tried 3 different browsers) so I'm just posting the links.

Hopkins
https://www.facebook.com/nyliberty/videos/226415549152182/

Kolb
https://www.facebook.com/nyliberty/videos/821124258438678/

Howard
https://www.facebook.com/nyliberty/videos/863288451191618/

Kolb said his two priorities were acquiring Howard and getting back that #6 pick. He said this draft has gotten a "bad rap" and that there are some pretty good players available.

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You can always do something else.

[Bob Lamm]

[Stormeo]

[Richyyy]

Given the obvious question mark over Durr, inevitable uncertainty over Johannes showing up, trading away Nurse (and Walker), Ionescu's own injury... it's amazing how quickly this roster has gone from "what are they going to do with all these off-guards!?" to "yeah, drafting a guard would be perfectly reasonable".

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

[root_thing]

NY has a net loss of 4 perimeter players since the end of last season:

6 lost or uncertain:
Kea -- injury
Durr – Covid
Johannes – status uncertain
Nurse – traded
Walker – traded
Talbot – traded

2 gained:
Laney – free agent
Whitcomb – trade (but free agent-ish)

What the Liberty could use is another reliable ball-handler who can back-up at point guard. A combo player like 6-0 Evina Westbrook would have been perfect because she can cover all three perimeter positions. However, Evina has fallen off a cliff in the last 5 games (5.8 ppg, 10-36 27.8 FG%, 1-19 5.3 3P%) and in a shorten season really needs to quickly right the ship or she’ll drop out of the 1st Round. I don’t know how Kolb/Hopkins feel about undersized players like 5-6 Evans and McDonald. The shortest players under their regime have been Clarendon and Kea – both officially listed at 5-9. I guess Arella Guirantes is a possibility, although I don’t view her as a point guard. She can be a little out of control at times but statistically is OK. Didi Richards doesn’t shoot 3s, so I’m not sure she fits. Kysre Gondrezick is another option. More of a shoot-first PG, but enough of a playmaker/ballhandler to be your 3rd PG. Also, for old Knicks fans, we'd get a bit of nostalgia because her uncle Glen played for the Knicks. I don't view Chelsea Dungee as any kind of PG, but she fits Hopkins's aggressive style of play. It wouldn't shock me if they took her.

That said, I'd still rather have a post. If the "Big 3 & Maybe" (Collier, Mack, Kuier, Austin) are gone, that would be very disappointing. Still, I might give Chelsey Perry or Jasmine Walker some serious consideration.

_________________
You can always do something else.

[Bob Lamm]

Here's a puzzle for which I'll bet there's no good answer. The other day I looked at the 2021 roster on the Liberty website. Laney, Howard, and Whitcomb had been added. Durr remained on the list. Allen, Johannes, and Han weren't there.

So now Johannes and Han have been added, but not Allen. Many people here seem to think that Allen is coming but the other two aren't. Does someone from the marketing staff have new information? I highly doubt it.

I believe New York absolutely needs another post player. I'm not against drafting a guard at #6, but only if Kolb gets that additional post player via trade or free agency.

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Remember Roe v. Wade. Work for and support legal abortion all over the world and full reproductive rights for everyone.

[root_thing]

[Bob Lamm]

[Richyyy]

Those roster pages are all controlled by a central company (Elias? Not sure I'm remembering that right). A day or two ago all the opt-out players from last season that are still under contract were added back in (so Hayes, JJones etc. along with the New York ones). The opt-out players who are out of contract (including RAllen) are still left off. So it's a generic thing, not specific to the Liberty.

You still have to cut someone on a training camp contract just like you have to cut someone on a standard contract, by the way. The key difference is that the 'training camp contracts' (which is anything one-year at the applicable minimum) don't count on the salary cap until the opening day of the regular season.

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

[root_thing]

So, the only administrative difference for training camp contracts is that they don't count against the salary cap until the season starts. However, we know players with that type of contract have a higher degree of roster vulnerability. There is also a big practical difference. Players under TC contracts can only receive "per diem, lodging, and transportation" above salary. There is no insurance protection against injury. As I recall, people have been cut from training camp because of injury. I guess players with training camp contracts need to arrive with their own insurance.

Getting back to Bob's question, I still believe Kolb was probably thinking about the players with regular contracts when he referred to the team's five rookies.

_________________
You can always do something else.

[J-Spoon]

so at the moment

Ionescu/Clarendon
Whitcomb/Jones
Laney/Odom/Willoughby
Howard/#6/Holmes
Stokes/Shook

with Allen if she signs and/or Johannes or Han showing (both looking less likely than likely ATM) and #17 competing to pick off Holmes and/or others if they prove worthy.

I would really like Allen or Johannes to come over as I think they would both improve on what we have above, but as a Holmes fan still holding out hope she can put it together I would be OK with the roster above especially if one of (Collier, Austin, Mack, Kuier) end up being there at #6

[Bob Lamm]

[J-Spoon]

[LibFan25]

If we go post at 6th, I want either Austin or Mack if any one falls

If they go Guard, Chelsea Dungee is my pick, she can slide right in Kia Nurse's spot. That's how much confidence i have in that young woman watching her game this year. let's go Mr Hopkins make it happen

[NYL_WNBA_FAN]

If Mack falls to 6 that would be amazing. I’d be curious if the Libs would view her more as:

-Not fitting their system and that being a disqualifier

OR

-Not fitting their system ATM BUT having confidence in their ability to develop a player with considerable tools.


All I know is, if they were lucky enough to be able to add a player with this type of defensive upside, you do it, no questions asked. Especially when you’ve already positioned yourselves to be an elite defensive team with your offseason acquisitions.

I don’t see how she could last that long though. But I’ve been wrong before.

_________________
The poster formerly known as LibWNBAFan.

[Shades]

[myrtle]

Chelsea Perry would be a nice pick at #6 IMO. She was out with a minor injury for four games (think it was an ankle), but played some minutes in their last one. If you get a chance, watch her sometime. Their games are free. https://utmsports.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule
Because of previous cancellations they're in the midst of playing a whole load of games - they've been playing about every other day since Jan 21.

[bluedevilaztecfan5]

Regarding Johannes, I believe it was a two year contract and she’ll be a free agent next offseason. As will Clarendon and Stokes.

Bob, so many questions regarding players, positions and lineups, as well as coaching/systems. Reminds me of last season, except we have more proven veteran talent.

As for Mack falling to #6.....I see a slim path for that happening.
Dallas I can only see cutting Gustafson which leaves two spots. I still think Collier goes #1. I think they push for Kuier to defer, at #2. Otherwise with Mack, they hope Ndour doesn’t show (which I don’t see, as she came during the pandemic in what was supposed to be the Olympic year last season). Can they afford to just cut Jefferson or Harrison? I suppose so, but can’t see them doing that either.
I feel they’re also comfortable with Arike and Marina in a lead guard role and don’t need another combo guard.

Atlanta I see needing a small forward and backup point before post. Has Davis really fallen? Yes her 3pt makes and % are way down, and FT% down a little, but she still averages 14.5ppg, 8.9rg, 2.9apg on FG 47.8%. Not bad basic stats, playing for a 12-4 SEC team. Guirantes another option. I can’t see them going post at #3.

Indiana could use a backup post, backup point, and...starting wing? Hard to predict what Catch would do here at #4- does she like Mack’s defensive chops or go for a player who better fits the five out system coach wants? Mack does have a nice midrange shot though. Could be Evans, could be Mack, could be Davis/Guirantes. I would see Mack as behind Cox, Lavender and McCowan. While Evans probably is behind D-Rob but could take over starting.

Back to Dallas at #5....they have 6 ‘posts’ under contract (two who play small forward as well)....maybe just drafted another post or two with their first picks. It’s hard to see this pick making the team, unless they cut one or all of Jefferson, Harrison, and Ndour. They like multi positional players. Maybe they go for a 4/5, or a 2/3?

All that to say for that slim path to Mack at 6
1. Dallas- Collier, 2. Dallas- Kuier/Mack, 3. Atlanta- Davis/Guirantes, 4. Indiana- Evans, 5. Dallas- Guirantes/Davis, 6. New York- Mack/Kuier

And maybe Austin declares so we don’t even worry about it- if ‘true post’ is where we are going.

[root_thing]

I seriously doubt Mack will be there at #6. However, Kuier is a real possibility. I think she fits what Hopkins wants to do, and I believe they would take her. Austin fits too. As I said before, they should look at Perry and maybe even Walker if the big names are gone.

Free agency is based on four years of actual service. Johannes only has one. Even if she played this year, she would still owe the Liberty two more seasons of showing up. I believe Marine has only signed one contract, so it has to be for three years to cover this season. I could be wrong. Anyway, she's not going anywhere unless the Liberty trade her.