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craigmont
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Stormeo
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craigmont
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Michelle89
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 Posted: 04/17/21 4:45 pm ::: |
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| The thing is that KLS doesnt play the SF position with Avenida. She plays most of her minutes at PF while Stewie is starting at the SF position for UMMC. So starting Burke might be a better idea or see what matchups you have. But on the other hand KLS guarding Wilson, EDD, Parker, Ogwumike is suicide. But she cant be worse then Dupree on the defensive end at this point
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Stormeo
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| Posted: 04/18/21 12:04 am ::: |
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| craigmont wrote: |
| It'll be more about the matchups and minutes. They could make a pretty nice tandem at the 3. Not too worried about who's on the floor at the opening tip. |
They certainly could. I hope now that neither Young nor Talbot make the roster, cuz Samuelson & Burke really should be enough to handle the 3 – though Samuelson will unfortunately be missing time for the 3x3 Olympic Qualifiers at the end of May, and we don't even know yet who will be arriving to camp late, so it'll be interesting to see if/how that affects the rest of the season with our whole perimeter rotation.
Although I think starting Samuelson would be what's best for her & thus the team, I ultimately just want her to get a good amount of minutes while consistently playing alongside a good group of teammates (ie not a bunch of [other] bench players like KML often did). Burke may end up being the better fit with the other starters, but Samuelson does have the higher ceiling between the two. Ya always want to see someone reach their potential.
| Michelle89 wrote: |
| The thing is that KLS doesnt play the SF position with Avenida. She plays most of her minutes at PF while Stewie is starting at the SF position for UMMC. So starting Burke might be a better idea or see what matchups you have. But on the other hand KLS guarding Wilson, EDD, Parker, Ogwumike is suicide. But she cant be worse then Dupree on the defensive end at this point |
It's weird that KLS is listed on Avenida's roster as a SG, starts at/plays the PF spot, and in actuality is the closest to a SF than any other position. 
I can't imagine her guarding Stewie even in practice – she probably didn't have to do it too much at UConn the one year they were teammates since Geno tended to use her exclusively as a guard/perimeter player (iirc). If she has to do it in the Storm's practices due to us using her as a post player... that'll be a humbling experience for her, I'm sure! 
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Richyyy
Joined: 17 Nov 2005
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| Posted: 04/18/21 12:28 am ::: |
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I actually quite like Steph Talbot, and am not sure why she's been passed around the league like an unwanted Christmas gift in recent years. She's never been great at WNBA level, but she's been solid enough stepping in when necessary. Also still only 26, despite how long it feels like she's been around. I know Burke has her fans, but I'm not sure she's proven that she's a better player yet. However, technicaly, both Burke and Herbert Harrigan were acquired for first-round picks, and we all know how reluctant teams are to cut players that they gave up meaningful value for. So they'll probably both stick.
Talbot would then have to beat out someone like Kiana Williams, which doesn't seem hugely likely. The extra point guard (who might save them a lot of money if she makes re-signing Canada unnecessary by displacing her this year) is probably a stronger bet than yet another wing. |
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Stormeo
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| Posted: 04/18/21 12:44 am ::: |
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| Richyyy wrote: |
I actually quite like Steph Talbot, and am not sure why she's been passed around the league like an unwanted Christmas gift in recent years. She's never been great at WNBA level, but she's been solid enough stepping in when necessary. Also still only 26, despite how long it feels like she's been around. I know Burke has her fans, but I'm not sure she's proven that she's a better player yet. However, technicaly, both Burke and Herbert Harrigan were acquired for first-round picks, and we all know how reluctant teams are to cut players that they gave up meaningful value for. So they'll probably both stick.
Talbot would then have to beat out someone like Kiana Williams, which doesn't seem hugely likely. The extra point guard (who might save them a lot of money if she makes re-signing Canada unnecessary by displacing her this year) is probably a stronger bet than yet another wing. |
The problem for Kiana Williams is that Epiphanny Prince could very well prove to be a better, more experienced version of Williams, due to Prince's experience over the years playing both on and off ball. With Samuelson guaranteed to miss time in May (possibly into June), we'll probably need more depth at SF than PG or SG, especially if Burke isn't able to be counted on. My guess is the roster will look like this:
PG: Bird/Canada/[Prince]
SG: Loyd/Prince/[Samuelson/Burke]
SF: Samuelson or Burke/Burke or Samuelson/Talbot or Young
PF: Stewart/Dupree/Herbert Harrigan
C: Russell/[Dupree if Magbegor is absent]/(Magbegor)
Prince becomes the 3rd-string PG. Samuelson & Burke can both situationally slide over to the SG spot if need be. If Magbegor stays in Australia until post-Olympics and we can afford to carry a technically-13th player, then maybe that player is Williams. Or, more likely, we give an in-season tryout to a 5th post. Otherwise, Dupree probably gets used a little at the 4 and the 5 until Magbegor joins the team.
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Richyyy
Joined: 17 Nov 2005
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| Posted: 04/18/21 1:38 am ::: |
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That's what I would've expected until Williams fell to them in the second round. I think they might feel that the extra backup wing is Stewart, in big lineups with Dupree at the 4. Prince was definitely signed as the scoring-guard-who-can-also-be-the-extra-backup-PG, but that doesn't necessarily negate the option of keeping another one.
Even if she is gone for a week or two at the 3x3 qualifier, Samuelson might well still end up playing more games than Bird, who we all know is likely to miss at least a handful of games. If any team should be carrying an extra point guard... |
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Michelle89
Joined: 17 Nov 2010
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| Posted: 04/18/21 5:15 am ::: |
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| Richyyy wrote: |
I actually quite like Steph Talbot, and am not sure why she's been passed around the league like an unwanted Christmas gift in recent years. She's never been great at WNBA level, but she's been solid enough stepping in when necessary. Also still only 26, despite how long it feels like she's been around. I know Burke has her fans, but I'm not sure she's proven that she's a better player yet. However, technicaly, both Burke and Herbert Harrigan were acquired for first-round picks, and we all know how reluctant teams are to cut players that they gave up meaningful value for. So they'll probably both stick.
Talbot would then have to beat out someone like Kiana Williams, which doesn't seem hugely likely. The extra point guard (who might save them a lot of money if she makes re-signing Canada unnecessary by displacing her this year) is probably a stronger bet than yet another wing. |
I like Talbot aswell. I rather keep her then Kiki if i had to choose. Solid perimeter defender and a good outside shot
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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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Stormeo
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canadaball
Joined: 24 May 2013
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| Posted: 04/20/21 8:38 pm ::: |
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| I discussed this some time ago. It is time to retire the notion that the Aussie players will pass on the WNBA this summer. Their national team coach (Brondello) will be in Phx until Olympic time[ in addition, last I checked Australia has very tough virus quarantine rules, In coming travelers must isolate for 2 weeks. We already know that Cambage will be in LV. I have heard nothing to indicate players like Leilani Mitchell, Alanna Smith, Ezi, Talbot, and Sami Whitcomb won't be here. Think about it. What purpose staying Down Under? My guess is the Opals will practice in the USA (probably Phx) before some pre-Olympic games. Another clue...First round pick, Opal Shyla Heal, has been enthusiastic about joining Chicago as soon as possible. Unlike the European foreigners, there is no equivalent to Eurobasket that would keep them from the W.
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Stormeo
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| Posted: 04/20/21 10:10 pm ::: |
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| canadaball wrote: |
| I discussed this some time ago. It is time to retire the notion that the Aussie players will pass on the WNBA this summer. Their national team coach (Brondello) will be in Phx until Olympic time[ in addition, last I checked Australia has very tough virus quarantine rules, In coming travelers must isolate for 2 weeks. We already know that Cambage will be in LV. I have heard nothing to indicate players like Leilani Mitchell, Alanna Smith, Ezi, Talbot, and Sami Whitcomb won't be here. Think about it. What purpose staying Down Under? My guess is the Opals will practice in the USA (probably Phx) before some pre-Olympic games. Another clue...First round pick, Opal Shyla Heal, has been enthusiastic about joining Chicago as soon as possible. Unlike the European foreigners, there is no equivalent to Eurobasket that would keep them from the W. |
Historically, yes, they tend to show up. And some fringe-W Aussies did not show up last year, so they surely have jobs they want to keep. Still, as you said & as we know, Australia has very stringent virus rules in place, and as a result, there are very few new daily cases – just 24 yesterday, last I checked (70k new ones for this country). So I just don't blame anyone (who's not already in the US of course) for not wanting to travel across entire oceans this year to countries in significantly worse condition like the US. Think about it yourself: going from safe & healthy Australia or straight from playing a season in a European League to the US for not even three months, play in intense WNBA games, then likely fly directly to Tokyo to compete in the Olympics (or perhaps back home simply to rest), then fly back to the US and then finally home in September at the earliest. In the middle of a global pandemic. These players have also waited extra long for this Olympics – it's been 5 years since the last Summer Games now. I wouldn't blame them for wanting to rest up/stay fresh particularly this time around. We're already basically three months out from the start.
As it relates to Magbegor specifically, it would've been easier to miss part of this season because she showed up last season. This also will be her first Olympics as part of the Opals' national team. So I easily could've seen her opting to stay home to be super extra ready for it.
If the virus had never existed and things went on normally last year, then I agree, the notion you're describing should've been long gone. But IMO, we can retire it for good once the global pandemic (or at least the pandemic as it relates to the 1st-world countries) is over.
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Luuuc
#NATC
Joined: 10 Feb 2005
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| Posted: 04/21/21 1:39 am ::: |
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Hopefully the aussies will be comforted by how well the WNBA did last year with protecting its players & staff from Covid. (Bec Allen was, as she mentioned it in an interview)
Pretty sure Smith & Blicavs are already in Phoenix. I think Whitcomb may already be in NY. Cambage has been in the US for quite a while already.
The best Olympic preparation for Ezi atm is playing WNBA-level basketball so I'd be surprised if she didn't head over. But yeah, the Covid risk factor is very much an individual thing so you never know for sure.
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Randy
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| Posted: 04/21/21 6:48 am ::: |
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| Everyone in the US over 16 can get vacinated now so, Aussie's should be able to get thier shots here.
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Luuuc
#NATC
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| Posted: 04/21/21 9:09 am ::: |
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| Randy wrote: |
| Everyone in the US over 16 can get vacinated now so, Aussie's should be able to get thier shots here. |
Sounds like I should head over, catch some games, and get a piece of that sweet vaccine action for myself. I could come just for the finals and still have my jab(s) before I'm scheduled to get them down here.
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TDAO
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Stormeo
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Richyyy
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TDAO
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| Posted: 04/21/21 2:20 pm ::: |
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| She's also tagged in the tweet! So that would seem to firmly settle the question.
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sithinfiltrator
Joined: 11 Mar 2006
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| Posted: 04/21/21 2:24 pm ::: |
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| Looks like that is Dupree getting the other vaccination shot.
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Lisa Stevens
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Stormeo
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Stormeo
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| Posted: 04/21/21 5:02 pm ::: |
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| Back to the cap space thing: There might be enough extra cap space to allow an entire extra player to be retained onto the final roster if someone currently overseas is expected to be particularly late & has to be partial-season suspended. (Per awhom111's very helpful late-arrivals guide [thanks again, awhom!], Samuelson, Russell, and Prince would be the most likely candidates.) Imo that would be ideal, as it would give us more time to give that extra player an extended tryout – or host multiple tryouts in the form of 7-day contracts – until the suspended player completes their extracurricular obligations and returns Stateside for good.
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bcdawg04
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Stormeo
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| Posted: 04/26/21 8:46 am ::: |
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Five things that need addressing as defending WNBA champion Storm open training camp
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| The Storm appears to have a vacancy in the starting lineup that will go to either Katie Lou Samuelson, Kennedy Burke or Mikiah “Kiki” Herbert Harrigan. |
We've traded a few picks with the number "1" attached to them (all "1st"-round picks of some sort, one being a "#1" Pick, one being a "#11" Pick) in order to get these players. It would be complete lunacy if all it's going to lead to is them climbing over each other for minutes at the same position. (And no mention of Young or Talbot in the article, fwiw.) Imo Kiki should be developed strictly as an undersized 4 – I think she has the shooting ability, the shot-blocking ability, and the overall chutzpah to succeed there.
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| Ostensibly, the last spot on the Storm’s roster will go to Kitija Laksa or Kiana Williams. |
To be real honest, if that's the competition for the last spot, I'd rather it go to an intriguing waiver-wire pickup instead.
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myrtle
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