GET READY FOR SOME #TOUGHLOVE.

WANNA STAY COMPETITIVE WITH THE LYNX?
GET READY FOR SOME #TOUGHLOVE.

UNSTOPPABLE?

When Three Fifths of Your Starters Boast Rings And Gold Medals I'd Say "Damn Near"

Congratulations, Minnesota.  Your LosLynx are 5-0.

And to the Stormies, your team is decidedly not.   But then neither is any team in the WNBA.  I'll discuss a few.  Storm first.  

SHUT UP!  WE WON?!

Yes, Sue ,You Guys Did.

Yes, Seattle is no longer sleepless, finally winning its first WNBA game of the 2014 season over the weekend.  But not before looking a fried mess in games they could have won.   It was tough watching Sue Bird with her face in her hand on the sidelines.   I didn't remember a moment where Coach Brian Agler's face wasn't at least somewhat red. It seemed in more than a few instances that Bird was on one wavelength while her teammates were on another planet.  Wright, Little, and Langhorne are all above average hoopers, but the cohesiveness just wasn't there, and I felt funny using the oft-used "new faces" excuse.   When they faced the Washington Mystics this past Saturday, Bird played as if the Storm was on the brink of elimination in a playoff game.  Sure, the Storm prevailed, but there should not have been that kind of desperation. Certainly not this early.  

2014 might very well be a rebuilding year for the Storm.  But since next year's draft appears rather weak, I strongly suggest Agler, who also serves as general manager, engage in some wheeling and dealing.  That's where the tough love comes in.  

Tanisha Wright and Temecka Johnson need to be traded while their value is still attractive. I got mad respect for both.  Temecka Johnson is a tough, fiery point guard who can energize a team out of a lull in a hurry.  She works the floor hard and has the ability to execute in difficult situations given her 5'3" frame.  But at this point in her career I consider her expendable.  She is never going to come close to contributing in a monumental way in Alger's set up.  Not starting, not off the bench.  Let her go.  #toughlove.  

I dig Tanisha Wright's hustle as well.  She's no-nonsense on both ends of the court with a hate-to-lose visage that often matches Bird's.  The con is that I'm not a huge fan of the small two guard.   I like partition.  If you're at the two, I want you to be 6'0 at the least (Wright's listed at 5'11 but looks more like 5'10 or 5'9").  I want you to look to score constantly. Storm must trade Wright as soon as they can.  #toughlove.  

Storm have other dead weight, but I'll leave it there.   I would however keep three point phenom Shekinna Stricklen.  I'd work her hard and nitpick the hell out of her into All Star status because I believe in her.  In my opinion the surface has yet to scratched on Strick's potential.   Let the nails screech.  

WHEN CHERYL REEVE TOOK OFF HER JACKET THAT WAS ONE THING

Kristi Toliver Has As Many Emotions As She Has Moves 

Los Angeles Sparks fans I'll make this quick.  Trade Kristi Toliver.  Can she nail the 20 footer game in,  game out? Sure. I've seen it close up.   A thing of beauty.  It's like fireworks when she's on.   But as I mentioned before I don't favor the small two-guard.   Plus the woman is just too dang-gone hard on herself.   You get the feeling that if the Sparks won the Finals and Kristi grabbed MVP, she would cry a river and drown in it over not going 20-20 from the floor.    Trade her.  Keep Alana and Lindsay but try to nab a true 2.  #toughlove

The more games go by the less the Swin Cash/Courtney Clements trade makes sense.  Cash, bless her heart, might as be an assistant coach in uniform.  This should be her last season.  If not she gotta go.  #toughlove.   Either way, it appears Atlanta fumbled letting Clements go to Chicago.  

BEAUTY AND THE BEASTIN

But How Long Will They Keep Smiling?

Didn't expect New York Liberty to make the post season and still don't.  Kara Braxton, Plenette Piersen, Toni Young, and Kamiko Williams have one thing in common.  They'd be on my trade list.   The combination of age and youth hasn't suited the Lib well.  If I were Coach Bill Laimbeer I'd hate to think Tina Charles merely wanted to leave CONN just so she could be closer to home in NY.  If she has championship on her mind playing in the Big Apple, she better look further down the road.    #toughlove

Who do you trade all these players for?  That part I don't know.  I'll leave that for both another day and a few general managers.  All I know is that the Lynx are the defending champs and other teams must go through change if they are to compete.

I still believe the team with the best chance of beating the Lynx in the wild West is the Phoenix Mercury.  I can't find any major faults with them, and I think their success will depend on their bond with new coach Sandy Brondello.  But I picked the Mighty Merc to win it all last year and thus "best chance" means very little.  The Lynx just look too damn good.  For my money they are the most mature, most disciplined team the league's had since the Houston Comets, who won the first four WNBA championships.   Have the Lynx won back to back titles like the Comets or the Lisa Leslie led Sparks of the early 00s?  No.  That remains the challenge I see on Coach Cheryl Reeve's face every post game interview. But I will put her troops up against any other team that has won the big one twice in a row.  The team speaks of mental toughness and poise.  Even when the Lynx make a bone head play you probably won't see them make the same mistake for many more possessions, if at all. They have the best point guard in the league,  perhaps the second best shooting guard, and the best small forward.  By the time you double team one woman the other woman has already taken the ball to the cup -- and with an "and one" to go with it.   If Rebbekah Brunson were playing, the foreboding power forward would likely make easy pickings out of some of Minnesota's tightly fought five wins.   Add to that the banged up Dev Peters and Monica Wright and it's like you have two good teams in one.

In summary any team outside the confines of the Twin Cities has its work cut out.

But what else is new over the past three years?

Fini  

1st WEEKEND OF THE W

JONES

This first weekend of the WNBA's 18th season produced its share of exciting matchups, with some rookies shining and others who haven't quite found their groove yet.  We saw some old familiar faces that we missed last year due to injury.  We also observed a good deal of added assertiveness and muscle from key players in their second season.  Judging by how deep the draft was this past April and how much players have improved, I truly believe 2014 will be one the league's best years.

A few items that caught my interest:

MAYA CLINIC

Moore Gets Around Alyssa Thomas In Sunday's Action

First off, Maaaaaya.  Minnesota Lynx star small forward Maya Moore has been nothing short of sensational.   Currently averaging 33.5 points per game, she seems quicker, leaner, stronger, and even more vocal.   She's burning up the hardwood at both ends of the court.  Grabbing rebounds, forcing turnovers, stepping up with Rebekkah Brunson and Dev Peters on the sidelines.  Many sports writers have predicted that Moore will take home not only another ring but her first MVP trophy when 2014 is all said and done.  So far so Moore.  

SHO ME THE MONEY

Atlanta's Rookie Guard Cool Under Pressure

Sho and Prove!  Don't know what the record is for most assists in a debut, but the Atlanta Dream's Shoni Schimmel had to have been near it.  The two-guard, fresh out of Louisville, made some clutch baskets in the fourth quarter of Friday's win against San Antonio.  More amazing, she dished the rock 11 times, tying a franchise record.   The following night in a nail biter against the Indiana Fever that went into OT, she puts together her first career double-double with 17 points (9 from behind the arc) and 10 assists.   It took the sting out of her 7 turnovers and helped ATL win two straight.  All and all, Shoni's been fun to watch.

FEEL THE FRO

Fever's Nastasha Howard Impresses

Though many have predicted Chiney Ogwumike to become WNBA 2014's Rookie of the Year (and she did have a good two games), Indiana Fever's Natasha Howard is the rook who has probably impressed me the most over the weekend, not to mention preseason.   The stats don't lie, bruh.   She registered 16pts 10 rebounds and 6 blks Friday versus the Sky.  Done?  Hell naw.  She dropped 21pts and 6 rebounds against the Dream the next day.   Despite losing two straight, Fever coach Lin Dunn has to be pleased in Howard, especially with Tamika Catchings out nursing a sore back.   

COUNT YOUR PENNY

The Bankable Penny Taylor 

Caught the Mercury vs Sparks game at the Staples Center.  So good to see Penny Taylor back. She was huffing and puffing but looked good and in the minutes given her, considering what her body has been through the last couple of years.  Did she score a bunch this weekend?  No.  Do I expect her to be the same Penny Taylor who helped PHX win two championships?  No again.  Hell, I don't even expect that from Taurasi.  But I do expect her to make a sizable impact.

BRITTNEY GRINDER

Looking Stronger Her Sophomore Year

BG seems to be a woman on a mission.  I see it in her eyes.   Nineteen points and 5 blocks against Seattle Saturday night.  A 13pt/10reb double-double with 4 blks in Sunday's road win against the Sparks.  I'm looking for a breakout season from Brit.  And I'm guessing the Mighty Merc have the best chance of removing the Lynx from its Western Conference throne.  Those games should live up to the billing for sure.  

  

THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM

Could Sue Bird Be Pulling Her Hair Out Already?

I felt bad for Sue Bird.  Returning to Key Arena after her 2013 absence, she didn't seem quite herself in Storm's home opener on Friday.  Not that she played miserably.  She just hasn't played well.  Didn't have that step we're used to seeing.  To be honest, I wasn't convinced that it had to do with getting used to new faces.  Bird did not play much of the second half in that loss to the Sparks.   Storm stunk up the joint the following night against PHX, indicating that this might be a long season.  And where is Crystal Langhorne?  I see her.  But where is she?

Fini

INTERVIEW WITH GENNIFER BRANDON

       BONUS:

 INTERVIEW WITH GENNIFER BRANDON

Q&A: Chicago Sky forward Gennifer Brandon

Chicago Sky’s 2014 second round pick Gennifer Brandon talks to WNBA Jones Blog Magazine.

by @SherronShabazz

Heading into the offseason the Chicago Sky had one goal – to get tougher. The team was beat up in the 2013 WNBA Playoffs by a tougher, more experienced Indiana Fever team. Head Coach and General Manager Pokey Chatman set out to add post players that would bring toughness and grit down low.

One of those players is University of California forward, Gennifer Brandon. Brandon is the fourth player in the schools history to score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds. In her junior season Brandon broke a 19-year record Pac-12 record by grabbing 26 rebounds against USC. The California native is Cal’s all-time leading rebounder.

WNBA Jones spoke to Gennifer Brandon about her affinity for grabbing boards, adjusting to a WNBA training camp, and being drafted by the Chicago Sky.

WNBA Jones: How has training camp been so far?

Gennifer Brandon: I feel I’ve been learning a lot from my teammates, Coach Pokey, Tree, and Christie. They know what they’re doing and it’s a wonderful experience so far.

WNBA Jones: What’s the toughest thing to pick up in practice?

GB: There are a lot of plays but as the days go on I feel like I’m grasping what the coaches want out of the plays.

WNBA Jones: Did you have any idea on draft night that Chicago was interested?

GB: I don’t know. I was more looking for the Mystics. I didn’t know who was going to draft me but I talked to the Mystics on the phone so I thought they were going to draft me and then oh my god, Chicago Sky! It’s so awesome!

WNBA Jones: How did it feel when you heard your name called?

GB: It was like a day dream. It was crazy. It was wonderful. I don’t know how to explain it but I feel blessed that they chose me.

WNBA Jones: What advice have the veterans given you so far?

GB: Just do you and be yourself. Obviously pay attention to what the coaches want and go hard all the time.

WNBA Jones: Has Coach Chatman told you what she needs from you on the floor?

GB: Pretty much to be myself and rebound. I love rebounding. Most people like to score but I like to rebound and get it to the guards and whatnot.

WNBA Jones: What made you fall in love with rebounding?

GB: It’s a weird story [laughs]. When I was younger and first starting to play basketball the only thing I did was jump high and run fast. The woman who adopted me was also my coach and she told me, “For every rebound you get, you get a Skittle,” and I didn’t even know what a rebound was but at the end of the game I had a lot of Skittles after she told me what a rebound was. That’s what drove me to start getting a lot of rebounds and ever since then I’ve loved rebounding.

WNBA Jones: Have you ever seen Dennis Rodman play?

GB: No. I’m a weirdo. I didn’t watch NBA or sports in general up until I came to Chicago.

WNBA Jones: Seriously?

GB: Seriously. Coach Pokey told me to start watching basketball and that’s when I started watching the NBA Playoffs and those guys are crazy awesome! I know the big players like LeBron James and Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. But if there are two teams going at it I’ll say, “The red team” or “the blue team” and my teammates are like, “Do you watch NBA?” and I said, “I just started,” [laughs].

WNBA Jones: Have you ever watched the WNBA?

GB: I’ve actually been to a WNBA game with my mom when she took the team but for the most part I’m more into Forensic Files and Law & Order: SVU and stuff like that. I’d like to pursue law after my professional career in basketball.

WNBA Jones: What’s your degree in?

GB: I’m an American Studies major but I did two semesters of Legal Studies. I really enjoyed those two semesters.

WNBA Jones: Who has impressed you the most so far of the veteran Sky players?

GB: All of them. They all bring different things to the team. Elena, she’s just like amazing. She does everything. Everyone else just hustles and I love their drive to better the team. There is no one out trying to separate themselves from the pack. Everyone is all in for the team. That’s what I really love about Chicago Sky. It’s a family-like environment and you want to better yourself to better the team.

WNBA Jones: What part of your game do you feel needs the most work?

GB: I would probably have to say offense is what I need to work on mostly, and finishing. I love rebounding. Every time I think of basketball I think, “rebound, rebound”.

WNBA Jones: What about defense?

GB: Defense, I feel I can get a little bit stronger. I can be more versatile in sticking guards more so I can help the team if someone gets in foul trouble. I can help the team in a different way rather than guarding post players and stuff.

WNBA Jones: What’s your natural position?

GB: I always thought I was a forward.

WNBA Jones: Small forward? Power forward?

GB: I don’t know the difference. I’m smaller than most forwards so I would probably say a small forward now.

WNBA Jones: What did your agent say?

GB: He told me that I didn’t have a set role. My role is kind of undefined. My position is undefined. He said I haven’t reached my full potential and I’m really driven to start working towards it. He said I was only at like 40% and I’m like, how’d you calculate that [laughs]? I guess he thinks I have more to show so I’m going to be working to try to reach it.

WNBA Jones: Besides rebounding what do you bring to this team?

GB: I’m a little goofy. I can bring energy. I like being a spark to the team. I love making people smile – even on the court. You might see a few moments where I’ll have someone chuckling. 

WNBA JONES 2014 PREDICTIONS

WNBA JONES' 2014  WNBA PREDICTIONS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

ATLANTA

CHICAGO

INDIANA

CONNECTICUT

Yup.  No Liberty.  Don't feel confident putting Libs in the running even with newly minted Tina Charles and Essence Carson back.

No Mystics because of the Crystal Langhorne trade.   Dolson is not nearly as quick to make fans forget. 

WESTERN CONFERENCE

MINNESOTA

PHOENIX

LOS ANGELES

SEATTLE

No San Antonio because Becky Hammon (bless her soul) aint the Becky of old.  She and Sophia Young are at the tail end of their careers.  Not sure if either have a second wind.  That said, I love Danielle Adams, Danielle Robinson, and Shenise Johnson and because of the, who knows what could happen?  

I consider Tulsa to be one of my favorite teams to watch.  They are young, feisty, and exciting. However with Liz Cambage out and no star veterans, I think it's another steppingstone season.

WNBA CHAMPION

MINNESOTA LYNX

I feel silly picking any other team.   It won't be a catwalk for 'em though.  Merc and Sparks look really good.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

ODYSSEY SIMS (TUL)

Many people are predicting Chiney Ogwumike, but I think Sims will have an incredible rookie season.

MVP

MAYA MOORE (MIN)

Let's face it, she's due.  And she could have won it last year with the marvelous numbers she had.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

ANGEL MCCOUGHTRY (ATL)

We all know she one of the top thieves in the game.  I think she'll only get better while Tamika 

Catchings gets older.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

Wait a minute.  That's not the picture I wanted.  

That's the one I wanted.  I think.

SKYLAR DIGGINS (TUL)

Some say that she scored more magazine spreads than points last year.  However she had a damn good preseason.  I think the will and determination is there especially with Sims on the roster.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Coop There It Is!

MICHAEL COOPER (ATL)

I originally wanted to say Sandy Brondello of the Phoenix Mercury.  Her Aussie connection with Penny Taylor and Erin Phillips may be a big advantage.   On the other hand, Coop is proven.  He's won two championships, and I think he'll work well with Angel, Swin Cash,  and rookie Shoni Schimmel.  I'm expecting big things ... just not a championship.  Not quite yet.