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Tally24
Joined: 14 Feb 2012 Posts: 2709 Location: Baton Rouge
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Posted: 10/02/16 6:18 pm ::: Phoenix Mercury 2017 |
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I don't even know where to start because it is clear that something has to change, but what that is, I have no clue. |
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Shades
Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 63831
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Posted: 10/02/16 6:26 pm ::: |
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Well, you can start with no Penny Taylor. Most likely that means Bonner will be forced to start. Not looking good.
I've been thinking Taurasi should force herself to SEA to play SF with Bird, Loyd, and Stewart. Might not win but maybe she can have fun again.
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toad455
Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 22477 Location: NJ
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Posted: 10/02/16 6:31 pm ::: |
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Nah, I see Taurasi staying with Phoenix until she retires. Their bench needs an overall now. Bass stays as should Harrison. But anyone else is disposable.
_________________ LET'S GO LIBERTY!!!!!!
Twitter: @TBRBWAY
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Shades
Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 63831
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Posted: 10/02/16 6:38 pm ::: |
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toad455 wrote: |
Nah, I see Taurasi staying with Phoenix until she retires. Their bench needs an overall now. Bass stays as should Harrison. But anyone else is disposable. |
Can MIN have dibs on Xargay, even though we don't have room for all these players fans don't care about.
You need starter quality on the bench to compete, and I'm not sure Bass fits that bill.
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toad455
Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 22477 Location: NJ
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Posted: 10/02/16 6:51 pm ::: |
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Shades wrote: |
toad455 wrote: |
Nah, I see Taurasi staying with Phoenix until she retires. Their bench needs an overall now. Bass stays as should Harrison. But anyone else is disposable. |
Can MIN have dibs on Xargay, even though we don't have room for all these players fans don't care about.
You need starter quality on the bench to compete, and I'm not sure Bass fits that bill. |
Xargay will still start next season. They have no guards off the bench,.
_________________ LET'S GO LIBERTY!!!!!!
Twitter: @TBRBWAY
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Queenie
Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 18042 Location: Queens
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Posted: 10/02/16 6:53 pm ::: |
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Until otherwise proven wrong, I'm going to assume Phoenix will clear the decks and shit the bed to position themselves better for the 2018 draft.
_________________ Ardent believer in the separation of church and stadium.
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mercfan3
Joined: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 19781
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Posted: 10/02/16 6:58 pm ::: |
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First things first, bye Sandy. Please. So many issues with her season. Her rotations are awful. Just awful. She didn't know how to help out Diana and Penny offensively. They're still great players, but they're getting older. Diana is lethal in the PnR and off screens, she's not so lethal in creating her shot anymore..so why did the offense so often deteriorate into Diana (or Penny) trying to create for themselves. At least with Gaines, we had a good offense, even if our defense sucked. Both sides of the ball sucked for large stretches this season. Honestly, one of the worst coaching performances I've ever seen.
Guards, we've got Diana (assuming she even wants to come back. She didn't look that thrilled this season.) I like Marta. I want to keep Marta. She's young, she's already our best defensive player. If she'd just learn to shoot she'd be great. We need at lease one guard.
Forwards, we've got DeWanna and Dupree. We're going to need two more. I'm not sure I want it to be any of the ones we've got.
Center, there is Griner. Harrison seems like a possible future player, but I think we need backup, or we need the two forwards we get to give us the ability to go small.
So..all in all, new coach, at least one new guard, two forwards, and maybe a backup center.
That's not asking for a lot.
So who would I want?
Coach: I wouldn't be opposed to giving Troxel a shot at a head coaching position. My hope though, is that New York cuts ties with Laimbeer..we need a Bill/Diana tandem for a little bit. It would be a shame for them to retire without working together. Plus, he's great with post players. Outside of those two..Outside of that, I'd like to see if there are any NBA assistants available that would be interesting.
Guards: I suggested Hartley, and I still favor her as a possible target. Although coming off of having a baby, and being inconsistent as it is (although part of that is likely do to playing time), that might not wonderful. But she'd be playing behind Diana and Marta. She's got a lot of talent, and she's able to play both positions. She's also a pretty good defensive player. She's buried behind some guards in Washington, so she's a possible get. I also wouldn't mind Leilani. We need defense and shooting, and she doesn't provide defense, but she sure provides steadiness and shooting. Erin is another possibility.
Forwards: I've got no idea. But like I said, we need really simple basketball things..shooting and defense. I suppose Petrovic might be a keeper, but I'm not convinced. (It's also possible to play DT at the three sometimes, but we need a power forward more than anything. )
Finally, I'm so sad to see Penny go. She's been a part of "My team" in all but two years that I've been watching the WNBA, and she is certainly one of my absolute favorite players of all time. (Probably top 3). I wish this could have ended better for her. But if we're all honest with ourselves, we weren't beating Minnesota, even at our best.
_________________ “Anyone point out that a Donald Trump anagram is ‘Lord Dampnut’”- Colin Mochrie
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zune69
Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 8185
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Posted: 10/02/16 8:02 pm ::: |
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Griner & Bonner were less than 100% for most of the season.I believe both players will have bounceback seasons in 2017,especially Griner.Taurasi had a inconsistent season.Despite losing a half-step,Diana should put up 17-19 pts next season.Dupree got fat during the off season,she's trade bait.The mercury need to change their style of play.Become a more defensive half court basketball team.Be patient on offense.Cut down on the quick shots early in the shot clock.Make Griner the #1 option,Diana the 2nd option and Bonner the 3rd option.I'm not so sure Brondello is the problem.The mercury won the championship in 2014,then won 20 games without Taurasi/Taylor in 2015.I just think they had a down season
Keep:
Griner
Taurasi
Bonner
Xargay
Harrison
1st rd pick
Trade Bait:
Bone
Dupree
Bass
Petrovic
Harden
Possible acquisitions:
PG:
D.Robinson
B.Kiesel
SG:
M.Wright (Hope she has a bounceback season)
SF:
J.O'Hea (Space the floor for Griner & Taurasi)
R.Allen (Space the floor for Griner & Taurasi)
M.Currie (Phoenix won 20 games with MO last season)
S.Stricklen
PF:
N.Achonwa (would be great playing alongside Griner)
V.Baugh (Hope she has a bounceback season)
J.Breland (Start her at PF)
C.Little
C.Langhorne
D.Peters (Hope she has a bounceback season)
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Tally24
Joined: 14 Feb 2012 Posts: 2709 Location: Baton Rouge
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Posted: 10/02/16 8:57 pm ::: |
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Phoenix retained their first round pick in the 2017 draft, right? Where do they currently pick in the first round? |
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Luuuc #NATC
Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 21948
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Posted: 10/02/16 8:58 pm ::: |
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Tally24 wrote: |
Phoenix retained their first round pick in the 2017 draft, right? Where do they currently pick in the first round? |
5th I believe
Has Dee mentioned whether she'll be back next season?
After a busy 2016 for her I could easily see her opting for a summer off again next WNBA season.
Either way it's definitely time for rebuild mode now.
_________________ Thanks for calling. I wait all night for calls like these.
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Tally24
Joined: 14 Feb 2012 Posts: 2709 Location: Baton Rouge
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Posted: 10/02/16 8:59 pm ::: |
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Luuuc wrote: |
Tally24 wrote: |
Phoenix retained their first round pick in the 2017 draft, right? Where do they currently pick in the first round? |
5th I believe |
This draft is interesting. If Vivians comes out, I'd like to draft her. |
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TotalCardinalMove
Joined: 13 Oct 2013 Posts: 1466
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Posted: 10/02/16 9:03 pm ::: |
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Tally24 wrote: |
Luuuc wrote: |
Tally24 wrote: |
Phoenix retained their first round pick in the 2017 draft, right? Where do they currently pick in the first round? |
5th I believe |
This draft is interesting. If Vivians comes out, I'd like to draft her. |
Vivians would have a shot to go higher than 5. Has nice size and skill. I also think PHX picks lower than 5.
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Tally24
Joined: 14 Feb 2012 Posts: 2709 Location: Baton Rouge
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Posted: 10/02/16 9:11 pm ::: |
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TotalCardinalMove wrote: |
Tally24 wrote: |
Luuuc wrote: |
Tally24 wrote: |
Phoenix retained their first round pick in the 2017 draft, right? Where do they currently pick in the first round? |
5th I believe |
This draft is interesting. If Vivians comes out, I'd like to draft her. |
Vivians would have a shot to go higher than 5. Has nice size and skill. I also think PHX picks lower than 5. |
The most interesting thing about this draft, that will make any planning during the off season by teams pretty hard, is that so much depends on who comes out early. |
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Shades
Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 63831
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TotalCardinalMove
Joined: 13 Oct 2013 Posts: 1466
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Luuuc #NATC
Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 21948
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Posted: 10/02/16 9:30 pm ::: |
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Hopefully we get better value from our #5 than we did a few years ago at #6
_________________ Thanks for calling. I wait all night for calls like these.
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Tally24
Joined: 14 Feb 2012 Posts: 2709 Location: Baton Rouge
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Posted: 10/02/16 9:34 pm ::: |
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TotalCardinalMove wrote: |
Shades wrote: |
TotalCardinalMove wrote: |
Tally24 wrote: |
Luuuc wrote: |
Tally24 wrote: |
Phoenix retained their first round pick in the 2017 draft, right? Where do they currently pick in the first round? |
5th I believe |
This draft is interesting. If Vivians comes out, I'd like to draft her. |
Vivians would have a shot to go higher than 5. Has nice size and skill. I also think PHX picks lower than 5. |
8th seed in playoff equals #5 pick exactly.
Would Vivians bump Greenwell out of the lottery for you? |
Whoops thought they traded it. But, I prefer Vivians to DeShields. |
I'm glad I'm not the only one who is really impressed by Vivians. I feel like she has a really high ceiling. |
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mercfan3
Joined: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 19781
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Posted: 10/02/16 9:43 pm ::: |
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Luuuc wrote: |
Tally24 wrote: |
Phoenix retained their first round pick in the 2017 draft, right? Where do they currently pick in the first round? |
5th I believe
Has Dee mentioned whether she'll be back next season?
After a busy 2016 for her I could easily see her opting for a summer off again next WNBA season.
Either way it's definitely time for rebuild mode now. |
If the Merc are rebuilding, and DT is thinking about a break again..she probably should try and join the Seattle team. Play out her final years with Sue, teach Stewie how to swear..and they'd actually be pretty good. (Granted, Phoenix should still be pretty good too, but you never know considering they should have been pretty good this season..) I doubt she does that to Phoenix or Brit specifically, but it might make her happier for the final years of her career.
_________________ “Anyone point out that a Donald Trump anagram is ‘Lord Dampnut’”- Colin Mochrie
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Luuuc #NATC
Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 21948
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Posted: 10/02/16 9:53 pm ::: |
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mercfan3 wrote: |
Luuuc wrote: |
Tally24 wrote: |
Phoenix retained their first round pick in the 2017 draft, right? Where do they currently pick in the first round? |
5th I believe
Has Dee mentioned whether she'll be back next season?
After a busy 2016 for her I could easily see her opting for a summer off again next WNBA season.
Either way it's definitely time for rebuild mode now. |
If the Merc are rebuilding, and DT is thinking about a break again..she probably should try and join the Seattle team. Play out her final years with Sue, teach Stewie how to swear..and they'd actually be pretty good. (Granted, Phoenix should still be pretty good too, but you never know considering they should have been pretty good this season..) I doubt she does that to Phoenix or Brit specifically, but it might make her happier for the final years of her career. |
I wouldn't hold it against her if she wanted to do that. It felt to me like her heart was not fully in it this WNBA season. She seemed to enjoy Rio though.
The Mercury need to address life without Dee either way, because one way or another an era will be ending fairly soon.
_________________ Thanks for calling. I wait all night for calls like these.
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mercfan3
Joined: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 19781
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Posted: 10/02/16 10:16 pm ::: |
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Luuuc wrote: |
mercfan3 wrote: |
Luuuc wrote: |
Tally24 wrote: |
Phoenix retained their first round pick in the 2017 draft, right? Where do they currently pick in the first round? |
5th I believe
Has Dee mentioned whether she'll be back next season?
After a busy 2016 for her I could easily see her opting for a summer off again next WNBA season.
Either way it's definitely time for rebuild mode now. |
If the Merc are rebuilding, and DT is thinking about a break again..she probably should try and join the Seattle team. Play out her final years with Sue, teach Stewie how to swear..and they'd actually be pretty good. (Granted, Phoenix should still be pretty good too, but you never know considering they should have been pretty good this season..) I doubt she does that to Phoenix or Brit specifically, but it might make her happier for the final years of her career. |
I wouldn't hold it against her if she wanted to do that. It felt to me like her heart was not fully in it this WNBA season. She seemed to enjoy Rio though.
The Mercury need to address life without Dee either way, because one way or another an era will be ending fairly soon. |
Yeah, I'm not sure what it was to be honest. I was thinking maybe it Was her first time in her career where she was faced with people she is close to (and are close to her age) retiring between Penny, Catch, and Swin. Maybe facing a little bit of her reality head on.
_________________ “Anyone point out that a Donald Trump anagram is ‘Lord Dampnut’”- Colin Mochrie
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Brinx
Joined: 03 Oct 2013 Posts: 874 Location: CA
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Posted: 10/02/16 10:36 pm ::: |
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I'm liking Zune's ideas up above. Lots of those scenarios could be interesting and have potential to make for a better season.
I thought I read a while back that Taurasi is signed through 2017, so I assume she'll be back. IMO she'll finish out her career in PHX...who knows if it'll be in 1 more season or if she'll stick around for 2-3.
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sigur3
Joined: 18 Jun 2013 Posts: 6191 Location: Chicago-ish
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Posted: 10/02/16 10:39 pm ::: |
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Tally24 wrote: |
I'm glad I'm not the only one who is really impressed by Vivians. I feel like she has a really high ceiling. |
For sure. I don't think I'd go as far as saying I'd prefer her to DeShields, but I think with proper coaching she could be a pretty good pro. The talent and physical tools are definitely there.
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Shades
Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 63831
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TotalCardinalMove
Joined: 13 Oct 2013 Posts: 1466
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Shades
Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 63831
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Posted: 10/02/16 11:04 pm ::: |
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Luuuc wrote: |
mercfan3 wrote: |
Luuuc wrote: |
Tally24 wrote: |
Phoenix retained their first round pick in the 2017 draft, right? Where do they currently pick in the first round? |
5th I believe
Has Dee mentioned whether she'll be back next season?
After a busy 2016 for her I could easily see her opting for a summer off again next WNBA season.
Either way it's definitely time for rebuild mode now. |
If the Merc are rebuilding, and DT is thinking about a break again..she probably should try and join the Seattle team. Play out her final years with Sue, teach Stewie how to swear..and they'd actually be pretty good. (Granted, Phoenix should still be pretty good too, but you never know considering they should have been pretty good this season..) I doubt she does that to Phoenix or Brit specifically, but it might make her happier for the final years of her career. |
I wouldn't hold it against her if she wanted to do that. It felt to me like her heart was not fully in it this WNBA season. She seemed to enjoy Rio though.
The Mercury need to address life without Dee either way, because one way or another an era will be ending fairly soon. |
If Taurasi's heart wasn't in this season, just think about how it'll be without her ride or die there.
BUT, Taylor did mention she wanted to learn coaching under Brondello (hint, hint). Bring back Taylor as an assistant? That would require Brondello staying on as head coach, which some people don't like. But come on, Brondello should be out of a job while Williams keeps his? Talk about an injustice.
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