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?

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