RebKell's Junkie Boards

[root_thing]

Two or three weeks ago, I watched the second Sopron-Lyon game. I wanted to see how Johannes and Megan Walker were doing, even though Walker had already been traded. Fauthoux played in that game. Her numbers looked OK in the box score, but I thought she forced a number of ill-advised shots. Fauthoux also coughed up the ball when pressured by Sopron. Her movement wasn't the smoothest either. I didn't like her. However, it's only one game and she's only 20. The 29th pick is simply a roll of the dice anyway.

_________________
You can always do something else.

[root_thing]

[bluedevilaztecfan5]

[root_thing]

[Bob Lamm]

[Bob Lamm]

I've been trying to keep track of the Liberty roster. I now have a list of 22 players who perhaps could play for the team this season. We know that some of them almost surely won't, but still that's a lot!

Allen, Clarendon, Durr, Fauthoux, Higgins, Holmes, Howard, Ionescu, Johannes, Jones, Kea, Laney, Odom, Onyenwere, Raincock-Ekunwe, Richards, Shook, Stokes, Taylor, Whitcomb, Willoughby, Xu

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

[bluedevilaztecfan5]

[bluedevilaztecfan5]

[ClayK]

[root_thing]

[Shades]

April 16, 2021
New York Liberty: Han Xu – Non-Active, Personal Decision

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

[root_thing]

[Bob Lamm]

[root_thing]

I doubt Johannes shows up for the start of the season. She might return after the Olympics, but honestly, that would almost be a waste. Even with Han sitting out, the Liberty are short on cap space. They now have $105k, which may or may not be enough to sign Allen even if they use every penny. To have Johannes tie up an entire year's cap space in order to play 11 games doesn't seem worth it -- especially since the team already has lots of wing players.

It would help if they could get Durr off the roster. However, that would require either help from the league or some kind of sketchy maneuvering.

_________________
You can always do something else.

[Richyyy]

Depending on how much they give Allen and what the hell happens with Durr, once they're down to 12 they may well still have the cap room to keep Johannes as a 'temporarily suspended' 13th player. In which case, why not? Unless she says she definitely doesn't want to play this year, might as well do it and give themselves the chance of a second-half boost.

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

[NYL_WNBA_FAN]

So I watched Onyenwere’s game in the tournament vs. Texas and I came away with a few conclusions that I believe justify the pick more so.

I’m going to go with what Root mentioned earlier, that the Liberty clearly drafted from a defensive versatility emphasis. Yes Onyenwere is multifaceted enough to do different things offensively. But she can defend the perimeter and wasn’t out of place inside vs. Collier or Ebo either. She’s got a very strong lower base, very quick feet, and the suddenness to help and recover on defense. If they’re going to go with a kind of a hybrid 4-spot player off the bench, maybe she’s first in that rotation. I think she will be. I think from a skill standpoint she’s better suited for it than Bec. This suggests a few things to me:

-I think Shook is a near-lock to make the team from a rim protection standpoint

-I think they’re not married to Bec playing a major role even if she is re-signed, though I think she will get to play herself into whatever opportunity she gets

-Higgins was drafted to legitimately compete for a position but also primarily to push Onyenwere and Odom in camp at the minimum

-Richards was drafted to compete and maybe grab the 12th spot as further guard insurance, but to also push people in camp and maybe at least be available as a non-roster player if a lead guard gets hurt (if she remains out there...I think there’s a good chance)

Ultimately I think the bulk of whatever minutes Onyenwere will play will come at the “4” spot. She’s comfortable around the basket enough to score occasionally on athleticism alone and the upside is clear.

The more I research and just view these players, the more I think the Liberty might be the league’s best defensive team this year. Health permitting. At least top 3. Every off-season move they’ve made has demonstrated defense is a significant factor in their planning.

I’m just worried about their depth at certain spots. They don’t have the punch to sustain a long-term injury to Sabrina or Howard. From a defensive standpoint, their season also depends on Howard staying healthy. Without Howard, the Libs become a clear lottery team in a hurry.

_________________
The poster formerly known as LibWNBAFan.

[root_thing]

[Richyyy]

[NYL_WNBA_FAN]

[root_thing]

I seem to remember Hopkins saying something about post-ups not being the high percentage shots that people think they are. However, that's with true post players matching up against other bigs. If you have true post players posting up against small forwards, those percentages are likely to go up. You can always send help, but on the few occasions when the Liberty went small last year, I didn't see much help. I can still remember Willoughby left on an island to fend for herself against Candace Parker and Sabally.

_________________
You can always do something else.

[Bob Lamm]

[Bob Lamm]

I'm thinking about Kiah Stokes. I suspect her play is going to be one of the most important storylines for the Liberty this season. With Zahui B. gone, with Han not coming, with only Shook behind her, Stokes become rather crucial. Yes, there will be times when Howard is the only post player on the court. (Which may or may not work.) But surely Stokes is going to get major minutes (she averaged 27+ last season) and the Liberty will need strong defense and rebounding from her.

And Hopkins will want Stokes to shoot better. In 2020 she had a FG% of only 37.2%, with only 23.5% on three-pointers. These are bad numbers for a starting center who Walt wants to shoot from outside.

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

[NYL_WNBA_FAN]

I’m hoping that Howard and Stokes are the starters with that hybrid 4 being utilized only for stretches. This draft demonstrates they absolutely intend to use it. The questions are how often and with what combos of players?

_________________
The poster formerly known as LibWNBAFan.

[Bob Lamm]

[NYL_WNBA_FAN]