RebKell's Junkie Boards

[pilight]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050721/SPORTS05/507210424/1004/SPORTS

At first glance, it might seem implausible for Catchings to challenge for MVP honors in a season in which she has career lows in field goal percentage (.351) and scoring (15.3). But Catchings has averaged 19.4 points over the past five games. And her strengths are not confined to scoring.

_________________
I'm a lonely frog
I ain't got a home

[ILuvCatch]

Happy Birthday Tamika. Belated Happy Birthday Tully!

_________________
"Preparing our youth to catch
their dreams one star at a time."

-Tamika Catchings

[PUmatty]

I don't think you are too far off, Pilight. Her scoring is down, but no one is putting up as well-rounded numbers this year. Her assists and steals are both very impressive for someone who plays the 3 and 4.

And even though her scoring is down, her team's record is much better, so she is doiong what is needed from her.

[womens_hoops]

i give it to Taj or Swoopes right now. Catchings third. That FG% is just too damn low...

[pilight]

[dtsnms]

[ILuvCatch]

[Alepp03]

I wouldn't be in love with giving the MVP to a player with a sub-40 shooting percentage, but if there was ever to be an exception, I think Catch would have to be it. With the rest of her numbers so strong, and her shooting efficiency increasing, she is a good candidate for MVP. At this point, I think Sheryl has the best combination of strongest case plus good press, not to mention a team that at least to some appears to be overachieving. Taj is All-WNBA caliber, but MVP probably not with her recent play. She is still putting up strong numbers, but not MVP. Too many MVPs in Mohegan to really pick one.

DeMya Walker is a sleeper for some MVP votes.

_________________
In a world full of people only some want to fly, isn't that crazy?

[barryi22]

IMO, you have to consider these points when voting for an MVP:

Stats-people say that stats don't mean much, but you have to have good stats to win MVP

Success of the team-you have to atleast make the playoffs

Consistency-you need to put up good numbers or make an impact in pretty much all but one or 2 games

What you bring to the team-If you are a hard worker, and if you improve over the course of the season, I think it helps.]

PT-the more playing time, the better. But more importantly, did you play a full season.

[Luuuc]

That's a fair assumption Barry.
In reality, I think the second half of the season weighs a lot more heavily in the minds of voters than the first half, so the race is well and truly wide open IMO.

_________________
Thanks for calling. I wait all night for calls like these.

[PUmatty]

[womens_hoops]

[Alepp03]

Agreed Luuuc, perhaps one of the more important points made thus far. As a fan, I would think that Sheryl can sustain her play.

A clear issue will be who can turn it up as the season winds down.

If DT continues on at this pace, and then makes a strong push at the end to forge the Mercury into the playoffs somehow, then she could become the frontrunner.

A similar statement could be made about Lauren Jackson.

Holdsclaw could be lucky to battle her standard annual injury now, as she may still have a chance to make a final push for LA to get to the playoffs, and for her to make her mark. I still think that there just isn't enough stats to go around with Mabika, Leslie, Miko, and Claw.

Again, in terms of factors such as stats, team success, and press, I think Sheryl is the frontrunner at this point, but there is just too much time left to indicate a clear winner. Let's see who makes the playoffs.

_________________
In a world full of people only some want to fly, isn't that crazy?

[womens_hoops]

here are the other efficiency ratings for some top candidates...

ACC Efficiency Formula:

Jackson — 1.11
Holdsclaw — 1.02
Swoopes — 1.01
McWilliams — 0.99
Catchings — 0.98

Prouty Rating:

McWilliams — 0.471
Swoopes — 0.469
Catchings — 0.455
Jackson — 0.453
Holdsclaw — 0.439

[dtsnms]

Catchings is the only player in the Top 10 in scoring, rebounding and assists for the league. Her team, after not making the playoffs is a strong 2nd place contender.

I think those overshadow her FG Pct easily. I mean, why isn't Snow or Margo a candidate if we're going to put so much emphasis on FG Pct?

How many of those missed shots are shot clock bailouts when no one else can get the shot off?

To dismiss her because of a percentage is silly to me.

[PUmatty]

[dwalkfan22]

Am I the only one who thinks that Yo Griffith should be a top candidate as well? yea she's had a couple of quiet games this yr. But she is what makes this team go, she is the leader of the Monarchs and w/out her I don't think that we would be #1 in the west and #2 in the league right now.

_________________
"I get a lot of respect when I threaten to go DeMya on someone."-BCBG25

[womens_hoops]

[dtsnms]

[womens_hoops]

[Keegan]

I prefer to argue these things after the season is over but it's good message board fodder.

_________________
Beware of snarky monotremes...

[dtsnms]

[Alepp03]

In the past few Monarch games I have seen, I have been significantly more impressed with DeMya than Yolanda. DeMya is aggressive on offense and takes charge with the ball. Her defense is strong, and she seems to be the emotional leader of the team, and gives them an edge that Yo used to provide. Yo is a good player, but one of her teammates has out-shined her as of late.

With regards to Catch, FG% is a biggie to me when comparing two players with similar scoring. Essentially, Sheryl is scoring more efficiently and more total points. Also, Catch is scoring very inefficiently, even though that is improving. If no one else were scoring the way Tamika was at a more efficient percentage, then I wouldn't consider it. But Sheryl is, so I have to.

_________________
In a world full of people only some want to fly, isn't that crazy?

[dwalkfan22]

[pilight]