View previous topic :: View next topic |
Who will win this game? |
Aces |
|
31% |
[ 7 ] |
Mercury |
|
68% |
[ 15 ] |
|
Total Votes : 22 |
|
Author |
Message |
Shades
Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 63816
Back to top |
Posted: 10/06/21 11:12 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
mercfan wrote: |
I expected Vegas to make shots. I didn’t expect the Mercury to be asleep.
|
Taurasi has excuses to be somewhat sleepless or distracted.
Now I wonder if she’ll miss Game 5, because some things are more important than basketball.
_________________ Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned
|
|
mercfan
Joined: 08 May 2013 Posts: 1910
Back to top |
Posted: 10/06/21 11:13 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
Silky Johnson wrote: |
mercfan wrote: |
I already stated this earlier in the thread but the Mercury were just better everywhere in games two and three. There’s obvious personnel differences in game four AND Griner shot 6-19. |
I saw when you said it; my argument is that, based on how these teams compare, on paper, they shouldn't have been. Aces had the better "counting stats," and the advanced numbers favored them, too: better eFG%, better net rating, better defensive FG% allowed, and much greater margin of victory, despite playing at the fastest pace in the league, which suggests a better overall defense. The Mercury only had a "clear" advantage at two positions (three, if Taurasi is hot), but the Aces, again, on paper, have a better team, 1 through 12.
The only real anomaly, in my opinion, was Griner being aggressive, offensively, but still not able to score. Can't explain that; that's something that almost never happens. Usually, when she decides that she's gonna get hers, there's nothing that anybody can do about it. Everything else between the Aces and Mercury tonight looked like a progression/regression to the mean. |
Fair points.
The healthiest the Mercury have been all season was also games two and three haha. I just feel like this particular season the Mercury are better than everyone when healthy.
That all went to hell today.
|
|
TotalCardinalMove
Joined: 13 Oct 2013 Posts: 1466
Back to top |
Posted: 10/06/21 11:16 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
Silky Johnson wrote: |
mercfan wrote: |
I already stated this earlier in the thread but the Mercury were just better everywhere in games two and three. There’s obvious personnel differences in game four AND Griner shot 6-19. |
I saw when you said it; my argument is that, based on how these teams compare, on paper, they shouldn't have been. Aces had the better "counting stats," and the advanced numbers favored them, too: better eFG%, better net rating, better defensive FG% allowed, and much greater margin of victory, despite playing at the fastest pace in the league, which suggests a better overall defense. The Mercury only had a "clear" advantage at two positions (three, if Taurasi is hot), but the Aces, again, on paper, have a better team, 1 through 12.
The only real anomaly, in my opinion, was Griner being aggressive, offensively, but still not able to score. Can't explain that; that's something that almost never happens. Usually, when she decides that she's gonna get hers, there's nothing that anybody can do about it. Everything else between the Aces and Mercury tonight looked like a progression/regression to the mean. |
It’s no coincidence the Aces’ perimeter “came alive” when the most physical perimeter defenders were forced to sit due to injury. Not taking anything away from LV, but the dynamic absolutely changed once Nurse went down.
|
|
Stormeo
Joined: 14 Jul 2019 Posts: 4701
Back to top |
|
Silky Johnson
Joined: 29 Sep 2014 Posts: 3322
Back to top |
Posted: 10/06/21 11:21 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
TotalCardinalMove wrote: |
It’s no coincidence the Aces’ perimeter “came alive” when the most physical perimeter defenders were forced to sit due to injury. |
Why did they "come alive" in Game 1?
_________________ Professional Hater. The Baron of #HateHard
My team no longer exists, so I'll have to settle for hating yours.
|
|
FrozenLVFan
Joined: 08 Jul 2014 Posts: 3517
Back to top |
Posted: 10/06/21 11:22 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
TotalCardinalMove wrote: |
Silky Johnson wrote: |
mercfan wrote: |
I already stated this earlier in the thread but the Mercury were just better everywhere in games two and three. There’s obvious personnel differences in game four AND Griner shot 6-19. |
I saw when you said it; my argument is that, based on how these teams compare, on paper, they shouldn't have been. Aces had the better "counting stats," and the advanced numbers favored them, too: better eFG%, better net rating, better defensive FG% allowed, and much greater margin of victory, despite playing at the fastest pace in the league, which suggests a better overall defense. The Mercury only had a "clear" advantage at two positions (three, if Taurasi is hot), but the Aces, again, on paper, have a better team, 1 through 12.
The only real anomaly, in my opinion, was Griner being aggressive, offensively, but still not able to score. Can't explain that; that's something that almost never happens. Usually, when she decides that she's gonna get hers, there's nothing that anybody can do about it. Everything else between the Aces and Mercury tonight looked like a progression/regression to the mean. |
It’s no coincidence the Aces’ perimeter “came alive” when the most physical perimeter defenders were forced to sit due to injury. Not taking anything away from LV, but the dynamic absolutely changed once Nurse went down. |
The difference in this game is that Liz, Wilson, and Gray all came out fired up and ready to play, and the Aces didn't dig themselves into a fairly insurmountable hole by half-time. That effort is what's been missing in the last 2 games.
|
|
TotalCardinalMove
Joined: 13 Oct 2013 Posts: 1466
Back to top |
Posted: 10/06/21 11:23 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
Silky Johnson wrote: |
TotalCardinalMove wrote: |
It’s no coincidence the Aces’ perimeter “came alive” when the most physical perimeter defenders were forced to sit due to injury. |
Why did they "come alive" in Game 1? |
And why were they nonexistent until either were unavailable to play since?
|
|
mercfan3
Joined: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 19771
Back to top |
Posted: 10/06/21 11:24 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
Vegas might play a lot better in game 5, than they did in game 2 and 3..but Phoenix will play a lot better in game 5 too.
I’ve seen them have poor games, or Lazy games..but legit everyone outside of Hartley lost their damn mind this game. This is typically a team that watches people run by..not over hustles.
I don’t know what it was..maybe some nerves for going into the finals..maybe a rush by DT to win because her mind was elsewhere..don’t know. Maybe the Chemistry was all messed up because of Nurse being out.
But I very much doubt we’ll see it again. Doesn’t mean the Merc will win, but they won’t look like that.
And I said it all night. Brit is the best player in the world, and a huge impact player 99% of the time. Tonight was that 1%.
_________________ “Anyone point out that a Donald Trump anagram is ‘Lord Dampnut’”- Colin Mochrie
|
|
mercfan
Joined: 08 May 2013 Posts: 1910
Back to top |
Posted: 10/06/21 11:24 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
Shades wrote: |
mercfan wrote: |
I expected Vegas to make shots. I didn’t expect the Mercury to be asleep.
|
Taurasi has excuses to be somewhat sleepless or distracted.
Now I wonder if she’ll miss Game 5, because some things are more important than basketball. |
I have no anticipation of seeing Taurasi in game 5.
Going to be an anticlimactic ending to such a unique series.
I’ll be really happy for Dee and Penny though!
Question for a historian. Has a team ever won a playoff series losing two games by the margin of game 2 and 3?
Last edited by mercfan on 10/06/21 11:28 pm; edited 3 times in total |
|
Rock Hard
Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 5385 Location: Chocolate Paradise
Back to top |
Posted: 10/06/21 11:24 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
TotalCardinalMove wrote: |
Silky Johnson wrote: |
mercfan wrote: |
I already stated this earlier in the thread but the Mercury were just better everywhere in games two and three. There’s obvious personnel differences in game four AND Griner shot 6-19. |
I saw when you said it; my argument is that, based on how these teams compare, on paper, they shouldn't have been. Aces had the better "counting stats," and the advanced numbers favored them, too: better eFG%, better net rating, better defensive FG% allowed, and much greater margin of victory, despite playing at the fastest pace in the league, which suggests a better overall defense. The Mercury only had a "clear" advantage at two positions (three, if Taurasi is hot), but the Aces, again, on paper, have a better team, 1 through 12.
The only real anomaly, in my opinion, was Griner being aggressive, offensively, but still not able to score. Can't explain that; that's something that almost never happens. Usually, when she decides that she's gonna get hers, there's nothing that anybody can do about it. Everything else between the Aces and Mercury tonight looked like a progression/regression to the mean. |
It’s no coincidence the Aces’ perimeter “came alive” when the most physical perimeter defenders were forced to sit due to injury. Not taking anything away from LV, but the dynamic absolutely changed once Nurse went down. |
Nurse IS an important component for the Mercury. Not trash after all.
_________________ You can win, as long as you keep your head to the SKY! Be OPTIMISTIC!
|
|
TotalCardinalMove
Joined: 13 Oct 2013 Posts: 1466
Back to top |
Posted: 10/06/21 11:26 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
Rock Hard wrote: |
TotalCardinalMove wrote: |
Silky Johnson wrote: |
mercfan wrote: |
I already stated this earlier in the thread but the Mercury were just better everywhere in games two and three. There’s obvious personnel differences in game four AND Griner shot 6-19. |
I saw when you said it; my argument is that, based on how these teams compare, on paper, they shouldn't have been. Aces had the better "counting stats," and the advanced numbers favored them, too: better eFG%, better net rating, better defensive FG% allowed, and much greater margin of victory, despite playing at the fastest pace in the league, which suggests a better overall defense. The Mercury only had a "clear" advantage at two positions (three, if Taurasi is hot), but the Aces, again, on paper, have a better team, 1 through 12.
The only real anomaly, in my opinion, was Griner being aggressive, offensively, but still not able to score. Can't explain that; that's something that almost never happens. Usually, when she decides that she's gonna get hers, there's nothing that anybody can do about it. Everything else between the Aces and Mercury tonight looked like a progression/regression to the mean. |
It’s no coincidence the Aces’ perimeter “came alive” when the most physical perimeter defenders were forced to sit due to injury. Not taking anything away from LV, but the dynamic absolutely changed once Nurse went down. |
Nurse IS an important component for the Mercury. Not trash after all. |
Never understood the fans that thought otherwise. We were doomed the second she went down, especially with Sophie already out. Peddy and Walker just don’t have the toughness and size to make a difference defensively.
|
|
Silky Johnson
Joined: 29 Sep 2014 Posts: 3322
Back to top |
Posted: 10/06/21 11:50 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
TotalCardinalMove wrote: |
Silky Johnson wrote: |
TotalCardinalMove wrote: |
It’s no coincidence the Aces’ perimeter “came alive” when the most physical perimeter defenders were forced to sit due to injury. |
Why did they "come alive" in Game 1? |
And why were they nonexistent until either were unavailable to play since? |
Silky Johnson wrote: |
Vegas frustrates me with how undisciplined they are: they play like they think that they can just out-talent everybody. |
_________________ Professional Hater. The Baron of #HateHard
My team no longer exists, so I'll have to settle for hating yours.
|
|
Silky Johnson
Joined: 29 Sep 2014 Posts: 3322
Back to top |
Posted: 10/06/21 11:54 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
mercfan3 wrote: |
Vegas might play a lot better in game 5, than they did in game 2 and 3..but Phoenix will play a lot better in game 5 too.
I’ve seen them have poor games, or Lazy games..but legit everyone outside of Hartley lost their damn mind this game. This is typically a team that watches people run by..not over hustles.
I don’t know what it was..maybe some nerves for going into the finals..maybe a rush by DT to win because her mind was elsewhere..don’t know. Maybe the Chemistry was all messed up because of Nurse being out.
But I very much doubt we’ll see it again. Doesn’t mean the Merc will win, but they won’t look like that. |
I have no confidence in Vegas' ability to win a winner-take-all Game 5, without McCoughtry.
Now, if Dracula doesn't play... anything can happen.
_________________ Professional Hater. The Baron of #HateHard
My team no longer exists, so I'll have to settle for hating yours.
|
|
ChasingRatDogmaSalade
Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 577 Location: Las Vegas, NV
Back to top |
|
ChasingRatDogmaSalade
Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 577 Location: Las Vegas, NV
Back to top |
|
WNBA 09
Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 12541 Location: Dallas , Texas
Back to top |
|
mercfan3
Joined: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 19771
Back to top |
Posted: 10/07/21 7:19 am ::: |
Reply |
|
Silky Johnson wrote: |
mercfan3 wrote: |
Vegas might play a lot better in game 5, than they did in game 2 and 3..but Phoenix will play a lot better in game 5 too.
I’ve seen them have poor games, or Lazy games..but legit everyone outside of Hartley lost their damn mind this game. This is typically a team that watches people run by..not over hustles.
I don’t know what it was..maybe some nerves for going into the finals..maybe a rush by DT to win because her mind was elsewhere..don’t know. Maybe the Chemistry was all messed up because of Nurse being out.
But I very much doubt we’ll see it again. Doesn’t mean the Merc will win, but they won’t look like that. |
I have no confidence in Vegas' ability to win a winner-take-all Game 5, without McCoughtry.
Now, if Dracula doesn't play... anything can happen. |
I like that nickname for DT.
Totally depends on who is available for the Mercury. If Nurse, Sophie, and Diana are out..we’re in a lot of trouble.
If Sophie and DT play, Bria can take Nurse’s minutes and we should be okay.
If one of the two is playing, we have a shot but advantage Vegas. (Of course, bigger advantage of Sophie is the one..)
A lot of things are up in the air for the Merc, which I think is part of the reason they lost their collective minds last game.
_________________ “Anyone point out that a Donald Trump anagram is ‘Lord Dampnut’”- Colin Mochrie
|
|
FrozenLVFan
Joined: 08 Jul 2014 Posts: 3517
Back to top |
Posted: 10/07/21 10:17 am ::: |
Reply |
|
Any word on Nurse's MRI?
|
|
Libra_Girl
Joined: 12 Jul 2013 Posts: 1237
Back to top |
|
Ex-Ref
Joined: 04 Oct 2009 Posts: 8958
Back to top |
Posted: 10/07/21 10:52 am ::: |
Reply |
|
Merc losing Nurse early was big. I don't expect her to play in game 5. Sophie might be back. Will be interesting to see if the Merc can use the day off to make the adjustments needed.
I'd be shocked if DT doesn't play.
_________________ "Women are judged on their success, men on their potential. It’s time we started believing in the potential of women." —Muffet McGraw
“Thank you for showing the fellas that you've got more balls than them,” Haley said, to cheers from the crowd.
|
|
Silky Johnson
Joined: 29 Sep 2014 Posts: 3322
Back to top |
Posted: 10/07/21 12:02 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
Libra_Girl wrote: |
How rude of Vegas making BG pack her bags after saying she wasn’t going too :lol: :lol: |
I mean, I guess she still doesn't have to: she can go to Vegas in her dirty drawls.
_________________ Professional Hater. The Baron of #HateHard
My team no longer exists, so I'll have to settle for hating yours.
|
|
readyAIMfire53
Joined: 20 Nov 2004 Posts: 7390 Location: Durham, NC
Back to top |
Posted: 10/07/21 12:53 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
Just read through this whole thread. Mercury fan whining was cringeworthy.
Y'all have a couple of good games and you're invinceable. NOT.
Congrats to Merc on getting this far with injured/hobbled players playing out of their freaking minds. But the second best team in the league has been doing it all season without their prime player signed out of free agency. Las Vegas has The Point Gawd in Chelsea and you don't. (and yes this does go back to college, when Skylar and Odyssey were annointed 1 & 2 when Chelsea Gray was CLEARLY #1) Have your big injuries young and in college and roar into the pros like a lion.
Giner had been looking like MVP of the post season. But she won't get it if her team doesn't make it to the Finals. Suck it up Merc fans. Her team falling in the semi-finals does not dislodge the league MVP from Jonquel Jones' hands. She won in a LANDSLIDE.
_________________ Follow your passion and your life will be true down to your core.
~rAf
|
|
johnjohnW
Joined: 11 Aug 2020 Posts: 1853
Back to top |
Posted: 10/07/21 1:22 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
readyAIMfire53 wrote: |
Just read through this whole thread. Mercury fan whining was cringeworthy.
Y'all have a couple of good games and you're invinceable. NOT.
Congrats to Merc on getting this far with injured/hobbled players playing out of their freaking minds. But the second best team in the league has been doing it all season without their prime player signed out of free agency. Las Vegas has The Point Gawd in Chelsea and you don't. (and yes this does go back to college, when Skylar and Odyssey were annointed 1 & 2 when Chelsea Gray was CLEARLY #1) Have your big injuries young and in college and roar into the pros like a lion.
Giner had been looking like MVP of the post season. But she won't get it if her team doesn't make it to the Finals. Suck it up Merc fans. Her team falling in the semi-finals does not dislodge the league MVP from Jonquel Jones' hands. She won in a LANDSLIDE. |
Your tone seems very pointed right now.
|
|
undersized_post
Joined: 01 Mar 2021 Posts: 2864
Back to top |
|
Libra_Girl
Joined: 12 Jul 2013 Posts: 1237
Back to top |
|
|
|