LOVIN THE WNBA

with Bell Fuller 

Let the Games Begin!!!!

Yessirrrrr! I'm so excited. Let the games begin. Opening week is here my friends. Be sure to tune in and support the league and what I feel is going to be the beginning of another wonderful era for the WNBA. Let's get to the action:-)

Indiana Fever vs. San Antononio Silver Stars - It's only appropriate that the defending WNBA Champions open up the action.  If you're going to defend a title and start things out on the right foot then the Silver Stars might be a good team to begin with. I really respect their organization and they're a solid ballclub but they probably need a bit more firepower this season. And the fact that Becky Hammond has a broken finger and is out, it's going to be tough but not impossible.

The Danielle's (Robinson and Adams) have to play well, and I think Shenise Johnson has to take a significant step forward as a scorer/playmaker for this team to make some noise. But all of that will be tough with Catch (Tameka Catchings) and Katie Douglas determined to prove last year was no fluke. Be interesting to see how Erlana Larkins plays with a whole season in the starting lineup and playing so undersized but with the heart of a lion. Should be a good year for Shavonte Zellous.

Fever go 1-0

 

 

Shavonte Zellous is fired up

New York Liberty vs. Connecticut Sun- This is going to be a war. I really believe these teams will be near the top of the Eastern Conference this season. The Sun have to be extra motivated from their disappointing finish last season. This is a difficult call because I really think the Liberty are going to be brimming with confidence and swagger like Laimbeer carries himself. But with a new system and the Liberty players still jelling against a team that should've been in the Finals last year (not to mention the defending league MVP in Tina Charles:-), I think the Sun would probably be favored here.

Yet the Sun need someone to play big in that power forward position because the Liberty are going to crash the boards very, very hard. The Liberty has so many bodies and Tina Charles is one of the best but she's going to need some help with all of those big bodies that will be fresh banging on her. The guard play should be pretty even on both sides. You know what dang it, I'm taking the Liberty. But I'll be the first to say that again, I'm a Laimbeer fan. Rooted for the Detroit Shock and Cheryl Ford etc so this may be an emotional choice. Life...

Liberty go 1-0

Tulsa Shock vs Atlanta Dream- I'm still scratching my head about the Dream. Who's bringing the ball up the court? Is Jasmine Thomas really ready to be a premiere point guard and lead a team or do they have someone else, Alex Bentley perhaps. Their front court of course is fantastic with Sancho Lyttle,  Erika de Souza and the fierceness of Angel McCoughtry but I don't know. I really like the team that the Shock has put together and I'm going to go with them. Skylar Diggins will play well but I think that it's just the team: Glory Johnson, Candice Wiggins, Riquna Williams and soon, maybe she'll play right off the bat this week- Liz Cambage. Tulsa's going to be a good team.

Shock go 1-0

Seattle Storm vs Los Angeles Sparks- You know the Storm always play the Sparks tough no matter who dresses for them. And I don't expect it to be much different now, even with a few new faces carrying the load. But I just don't see how they can beat the Sparks. L.A. is going to have a special season with Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike and more. Without a doubt they win this opener.

Delle Donne and company are ready for the Game of the Week

GAME OF THE WEEK!!!!
Chicago Sky vs Phoenix Mercury- Brittney Griner vs Sylvia Fowles, Penny Taylor/Dewanna Bonner vs the young phenom Elena Delle Donne, Courtney Vandersloot vs Samantha Prahalis, Epiphanny Prince vs Diana Taurasai- ALL over the court there will be phenomenal matchups in this game. May be still a longshot to say the Sky can be in the Finals but if this were the Finals this year, then I'd be tickled to death. There's nothing but fun all over the court. I can't wait for this Monday for this game to tip off. Because of homecourt and the fact that the Mercury organization is used to winning, I'm going to take them in this game. I mean, even otherwise they are simply- on paper- the strongest team in the league this season. But on paper- the Sky may be just a notch or two below. Do NOT miss this match up. It's going to be a great one!

Mercury go 1-0

I'm not much of a predictor but let's see what happens with these opening games. But mainly I can't wait to watch along with my partner of Lovin the WNBA, Eddie Goines. Keep checking back with us here and be sure to support the league. The WNBA is going to have an awesome year!

The Golden Era of the WNBA

LOVIN THE WNBA

with Bell Fuller

'THE GOLDEN ERA OF THE WNBA'

The Golden Era of the WNBA is now upon us. YES, indeed we have the 3 to See trio in the fantastic rookies Brittney Griner, Elena Delle Donne and Mercedes Benz driving Skylar Diggins. YES, though Phoenix is the favorite this season we still have some of the most talent laden teams that the WNBA has ever seen and it will make for an incredible WNBA season. 

(ESPN's latest on the season- http://espn.go.com/wnba/story/_/id/9292630/wnba-2013-season-full-storylines-start)

But neither of those points make this the Golden Era of the WNBA. What does? The biggest, most talented, most intimidating, most dunkalicious, and greatest accumulation of post players in womens history will grace the league this season. 

Liz Cambage is flying back to the WNBA

The return of international star Liz Cambage with the drafting of college phenom Brittney Griner in conjunction with three of the most talented post players the WNBA has ever seen in Tina Charles, Candace Parker, and Sylvia Fowles makes this without a doubt the Golden Era of the WNBA.

Griner is ready to rock the league

This is a time to be cherished my friends. They don't come around often. Just last year the NFL draft produced Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III- RG3 and Russell Wilson as rookies. All three made the playoffs and the Pro Bowl, and just a year before the NFL produced one of the most talented qb's ever in Cam Newton. In cinema the 1970's showcased a young Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Robert Deniro and Meryl Streep with legends Marlon Brando, Sidney Poitier, Katherine Hepburn and more. Both examples are times that are heralded by their respective fields.

Now we have the leagues defending MVP in Tina Charles, a former MVP in Candace Parker, a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Olympian in Sylvia Fowles joined by the most heralded player to leave college since Cheryl Miller in Griner and the youngest talent of them all (1 year younger than Griner) an international star in Liz Cambage, who made the WNBA All-Rookie team two years ago at 19 years of age! I'm thrilled to death about this season. All five players are surrounded by an immense amount of talent and have a great opportunity to have a season for the ages.

This reminds me of when Shaq came to the NBA and joined Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Brad Daugherty, Rik Smits and Hakeem the Dream Olajuwon. Or what it must have been like to watch Bill Russell vs Wilt Chamberlin and then Chamberlin vs Lew Alcindor (Kareem) and so forth. But in this WNBA group we have 5 players that can easily be amongst the greatest ever all at one time. Let's take a look at each player. 

TALE OF THE TAPE

Tina Charles- 6'4" 198lbs. 24 yrs age. Our reigning MVP. Probably the most fundamentally sound of all these players. A work horse. A classic example of what can happen if you work hard to get everything out of your ability. Because I don't think she's the most gifted of everyone but she shines just as bright. As many accolades as anyone in the game. In 1 game vs Cambage/1 vs Griner/2 vs Parker/7 vs Fowles- Tina averaged 20pts-11rebs-1.7 blocks and was 7-4 (wins and losses) shooting 42%. AND she's the last person to take Brittney Griner to school!

  Sylvia Fowles- 6'6" 200 lbs. 27 yrs age. 2011 Defensive Player of the Year. If you built a center, she'd probably look like Syl. Physically gifted and a player with a lot of passion. Probably the least popular of these players and also the only American profiled without a NCAA title or WNBA title. It's no coincidence. Those types of accomplishments bring along MVP's, popularity and more money typically. But be clear, Syl is a beast. In 2 games vs Cambage/4 games vs Parker (incl last 2 college)/ 7 games vs Charles- Sylvia averaged 18pts-11rebs-1.7 blocks and was 6-7 shooting 47% (most efficient). I must add that other than Liz Cambage, Sylvia has clearly been on the least talented teams amongst this group. A big year by the Sky could do wonders.

  Candace Parker- 6'4" 175 lbs. 27 yrs age. Won the MVP award as a rookie teaming up with Lisa Leslie. Has suffered injuries and had a child birth in recent seasons. But when on the court, there is no question the most gifted player of all of these players mentioned. More of a wing than a true post but because of her ability to be a shot blocker, rebounder and overall bad ass I felt she should be included. In 2 games vs Charles and 4 games vs Fowles including their last 2 in college- Candace averaged 20pts-11rebs-2blocks and was 4-2 shooting 43%. She's a phenomenal talent who's mobility, size, athleticism and range make her a very difficult matchup for anyone.

Brittney Griner- 6'8" 207 lbs. 22 yrs age. What else is their to say? The most dominant force that womens basketball has seen in ages. Not even close to just a tall player. Skilled player with an incredible passion for the game. Now we look forward to seeing her play other big, tall, very talented players. She's fortunate to be on a team with a winner like Diana Taurasi amongst other extremely talented players. This will be the most challenging season of her career most likely and also the most fun as the Mercury could do great things. In her only game against one of these players vs Charles in college, Griner had 13 pts-6 rebs and 5 blocks. It was a humbling experience for her but will help her as she takes on all of the elite this season. 0-1 and shot 39%.

 Liz Cambage- 6'8" 216 lbs. 21 yrs age. Hurrah!!!!! She's back! I have really been hoping that Liz would return. You know growing up in Melbourne and moving to Tulsa, playing for a poor coaching staff, losing virtually every game and adding insult to injury by only being played 3 and 5 minutes a game near the end of the season...it's no wonder she didn't want to return initially. When motivated she's a player. Check the stat lines on her first two WNBA games as a 19 yr old rookie: 18 pts and 10reb and 16 pts and 15 reb. This season will be a refreshing experience with Kloppenburg and coaching and players like Skylar and Wiggins amongst a wealth of more talent to play with. In 1 game vs Charles and 2 vs Fowles- Liz averaged 9pts, 5reb and 1 block and 0-3 shooting 36%.

I'm READY. I hope you are. These women are going to be super to watch. The GOLDEN ERA OF THE WNBA is here!

Western Conference Preview

 

 LOVIN THE WNBA

With Bell Fuller 

In my debut blog I previewed the Eastern Conference. Now I will preview the conference that most would say the WNBA champs will come out of. There will be some fantastic basketball played this season and watching to see who will come out on top will be as fun as it gets. Take a look at this preview and let me know your thoughts. Feel free to comment below. Check it out!

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Los Angeles Sparks- There's a 3 horse race for the conference and probably league title and the Sparks are all up in the mix. So, so much talent of course led by the most diverse superstar talent in the league- just BAD- Candace Parker. And she's joined by Nneka Ogwumike who in a year or so will more than likely be a top 10-15 player in the world. She's super! And a very Stephen Curry like talent in being able to shoot from anywhere and make it look easy in Kristi Toliver. Much respect to Alana Beard and watching her still play at a high level despite those years of injuries. Lindsey Harding is a very good point guard but I can’t say I understand that pickup. Be interesting to see how Carol Ross uses her. The Sparks could've easily been in the championship last year. Meant a lot to me to see how much it hurt them not to make it. Those tears they shed were passion and I appreciate that. It's hard to go against Phoenix but I can't wait to see these two teams collide. Candance Parker and the L.A. Sparks are gonna be on a mission and they have the players to get it done.

Minnesota Lynx- How did you NOT win the title again last year?!?!  I thought it was automatic, I guess the problem was that the Lynx probably thought that too. They had an all-star team and still are very loaded.

 Maya Moore should be really coming into her own this year. She’s been really good but I think now she should be beginning to approach that great status. (Please keep in mind that words like ‘great’ or ‘amazing’ people have begun to just throw around. To me those are precious words that if thrown around doesn’t make anything great, just makes it average. So when I say great I mean you really are among the elite). Seimone Augustus has already been a great player for sure. I’m interested to see how much longer she can play at that level. She has to have a big year for this team to compete for the top spot. They lost Candice Wiggins but this should be a great opportunity for Amber Harris to be more of an impact player. Since Xavier I’ve really believed she’s a big time talent. And reuniting Janel McCarville and Lindsey Whalen was a tremendous move. Janel is sort of a Marc Gasol type in that she can shoot, rebound and is a superb passer as well which will be invaluable with so many options to give the rock to. Minnesota still has the weapons and could certainly reach the Finals. I still put them a step behind L.A. and Phoenix but they’re certainly capable. Yes indeed, they are capable. Oh, and I’m definitely a Cheryl Reeve fan.

 Griner and Taurasi ready for fun!

Phoenix Mercury- Cue music for Darth Vader coming- dun, dun, da dun, dun, dun! That’s how imposing this super team is. Now we’ve seen super teams/athletes fall in the past- Tyson to Buster Douglas, Patriots lost to Giants when Patriots were undefeated, heck Louisville beating Baylor this past year. So anything can happen. But when you put Taurasi with Griner with Penny, Candice, Dewanna, Prahalis and more…you got a juggernaut. Obviously the first 2 alone- Taurasi and Griner- present a MAJOR problem but along with the rest it would seem to be a championship on lock. This will really be fun to watch but still it’s so crucial that they truly develop the necessary chemistry and stay hungry. Because of course the Lynx are former champs and up the road a bit Candace Parker is salivating for her first ring. I’m a big fan of Prahalis and she’ll need to really be a general on the floor and I think she will. Plus she makes it exciting with all of the hot sauce on the dishes. Phoenix is gonna be tough to beat. On paper they’re probably better than any team the WNBA has ever assembled, even the great Houston Comets dynasty. That’s on paper. I’d still take Swoopes, Coop and Tina T all day over any team that’s played in the league and Laimbeer’s Shock squads would be a close second. But perhaps in a few years this Phoenix team will be mentioned in that same breath or perhaps even surpass those legends of the past. The Merc are definitely built for it, but again nothing is guaranteed. But this is without a doubt gonna be fun!

San Antonio Silver Stars- Man I really wish Becky Hammon could get a break. They couldn’t quite win the championship when she was in New York, she had to go to Russia to play in the Olympics and because everyone else seems to get stacked with talent The Silver Stars are just never quite good enough to get a ring or even get to the Finals for that matter. Phoenix has been a thorn in their side and now with the reloaded roster they’re a whole tree in their side so to speak. But Dan Hughes does a good job and San Antonio has a quality team but they’re still missing a few pieces. Not to mention that they probably will receive very little if any contribution from Sophia Young who’s one of the games top forwards. But Danielle Adams is gonna be solid, Shenise Johnson has to step up and be a player and I think that Kayla Alexander will probably give them the presence in the middle that they’ve been searching for the past few seasons. And Danielle Robinson will continue to grow and help the squad quite a bit as well. But though they’re solid, this may have to be chalked up to a rebuilding year. Because Becky is so great and plays so hard, this team will fight for the 4^th spot to reach the playoffs. But with the top 3 teams being so good, I don’t know if that will be a reward or a punishment. Somehow San Antonio has to get better players to compete with the elite.

Seattle Storm- No Lauren Jackson, no Bird…is it worth even having a season? Of course! The show must go on. Hey I’ve loved watching the Storm since my Detroit Shock folded but now it’s a bit different. I can still watch them but without Bird and Jackson I’ll have to jump off the bandwagon. (Sorry) But they have a core of very solid players, that’s for sure. Camille Little and Tanisha Wright have been truly great supporting players, future Hall of Famer Tina Thompson still plays tough, Temeka Johnson plays well wherever she goes, Noelle Quinn is solid and I really think Tianna Hawkins will be a good player for the franchise. Now Shekinna Stricklen is who to keep your eye on in terms of development. She’s solid- the problem is as the number two overall pick last year there is no room for ‘solid.’ They need her to be a star. Not necessarily a superstar, but at least a star of some sort. Average 14-16 ppg for the next 5-6 years. That would be a big win for her and for the Storm. I’ve always been a Tennessee Vol fan so I’ve watched for her for a while and she can play for sure, but while she was there she was never that consistent big time player that they needed. Anyhow, the Storm won’t be an easy night for anyone but without two of the top ten players in the world playing this year they’re going to struggle. But in terms of the future, if Tianna and Shekkina play good this season then it will bode well for the future when the big dogs return next year. Btw, love Agler as a coach.

Tulsa Shock- (Cue crowd roaring- Aggghhhhhhhhhh!) ‘And at point guard, from Notre Dame…’ That will be the scene for quite a few years in Tulsa as they drafted one of the most charismatic, talented and competitive players in the game- Skylar Diggins. The city should be buzzing because it’s been a very rough ride for the franchise so far. But now they have a true leader in Diggins and she is supported by some very strong, talented players. Bringing in Candice Wiggins and Nicole Powell were wonderful for the franchise and for the league. I hated seeing a star, and best believe that’s what she is, a star in Candice Wiggins come off of the bench in Minnesota. This is a player that needs to be showcased and now she will be. Powell is going to play tough too.  And they also have two phenomenal athletes in Glory Johnson and Riquana Williams.  If you built a basketball player, she’d look like Glory Johnson. She’s imposing. Glory will be a great defender, rebounder, jack of all trades type for them. Now Riquana has the potential to be a star. She and Skylar together in the back court could be the most lethal combination in the league in time. All that being said they should be in the thick of things for that fourth spot for the playoffs. The top 3 spots are untouchable in the Sparks, Lynx and Merc but the 4^th spot is an attainable goal and the Shock should be in the running for it. Kudos to Gary Kloppenberg’s work thus far. (Shaking my head at Liz Cambage not coming back to the WNBA. She should be salivating for the chance to play Tina Charles, Sylvia Fowles, Candace Parker and Brittney Griner. How exciting is that?! But she turned her back. Maybe it’s something we don’t know)

WNBA IS BACK- Eastern Conf Preview

LOVIN THE WNBA 

with Bell Fuller

 

WNBA IS BACK- 2013

Hello my name is Bell Fuller and I am a longtime fan of the WNBA and women's basketball in general. I'm talking Cheryl Miller, Dawn Staley at UVa with Tonya Cardoza and the Burge Twins (you gotta be a fan to know that), of course the Holdsclaw era at UT with Tamika and Semeka and now we've been blessed as the WNBA just gets better and better. I want the league to get more support and I figured one way that I could contribute to that is by writing about it. So here we go, my first blog is going to be a season preview of all of the Eastern Conference. Western Conference will follow in another day or so. Keep up with me. I'm talking WNBA b-ball. Let's take a look.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlanta Dream- Two finals appearances in the last 3 years is impressive. But I don't really see this team improving. They still are ferocious on the glass with Sancho Lyttle and Erika de Souza and they have probably the meanest, rawest, most competitive superstar in the league in Angel McCoughtry but they need something else to get over that edge. Really I think they need another star. Not necessarily a superstar, they have that in Angel. They need a star who can put the ball in the hoop. They've had one preseason game and Courtney Clements lit it up. Now she's a free agent and could be cut by the time you read this but if she continues like she's started, I don't think she'll be a star but she could be a big help for the team. They need a shooter. They're gonna compete but they're still not there yet. Oh, shout out to Armintie Price- does more with her God give abilities than probably anyone in the league.

Chicago Sky- Can you get anymore talented on paper?!? Wow. Piph (Epiphanny Prince), Fowles, Vandersloot, Cash and the phenom- Delle Donne. To me they are the one team that can really match up ON PAPER with the Phoenix Mercury and their dream team. Fowles on Griner, Delle Donne isn't Taurasi yet but she'll be a handfull for sure etc. Piph, to me, can score with anyone in the league. Reminds me of Tweety (Deanna Nolan) how she's undervalued but so effective. A star. She just has to stay healthy. Fowles is very good, not great yet, but very, very good. Vandersloot has to show she's the point guard they anticipated. She has beyond the tools to work with. Cash plays hard, has experience and is the only proven winner on the team. Interesting that with all of this great talent that other than Cash they don't really have anyone who's won a championship at the college or pro level or has really risen and proven to be a superstar. That's a part of the head scratcher on why this team hasn't been able to get it done. But Pokey has so much talent on her roster now that she absolutely HAS to do big things this year. All of this wonderful talent has to really come together and if they do, it may be incredible to watch!

Connecticut Sun- Not making it to the championship obviously cost Thibault his job last year. And I think he's a fantastic coach but it's hard for me to fathom as well how they didn't make the Finals. But the players are fortunate in that they have a more than capable replacement in Anne Donovan. And then they have not only the leagues defending MVP but also the ONLY player that I've ever seen do work against Brittney Griner. No screens, simply...work. Tina Charles is a serious problem. And it's really great to see Kara Lawson get her due cause she works so hard. They have the talent to get to the Finals and perhaps pull a shocker. (Believe me, if any team from the east wins the Finals it will be a shocker. The West is loaded!) Of course Renee Montgomery will just get better and better. She's a pure scorer no doubt. Be good to see her continue to try to expand her game. Connecticut will be tough.

Tina Charles receiving the MVP from the commissioner

Indiana Fever- The defending champs! I have to say that was a shocker. They've come close many times and haven't won, and there really was no reason to believe they'd beat what was essentially an all-star team in the Lynx. Not to mention one of the games most consistent talents Katie Douglas went down. But with the steady tenacity of the great Tamika Catchings and then you talk about stepping up: Erlana Larkins was a monster on the boards and really revived her career and Shavonte Zellous proved to be one of the most clutch players around. A Robert Horry type for the league. Not a star, but when the game's on the line- as good they get. I really respect Lin Dunn and their organization but I give them NO chance of repeating. But again, I gave them NO chance of winning it last year...so who knows.

New York Liberty- My man is back- Bill Laimbeer and I'm excited. I was a big Detroit Shock fan. To me he's laying down a similar foundation in New York that he had with the Shock as well as the Pistons. Two strong guards (Shock- Tweety&Katie Smith/Pistons- Isaiah and Joe D/ Liberty Cappie and Leilani- though Leilani isn't at the level of the rest of these players. But she's solid for sure) and a deep, strong front court. With the Liberty he's going to be able to rotate between one of my absolute favorites who's back Cheryl Ford with Plenette Pierson, Kara Braxton, Kelsey Bone and Toni Young. He can't lose. It was the same thing with the Shock and the same with the Pistons- James Edwards, Rodman, Salley, Laimbeer, Aguirre. The man knows his formula. I can't wait. But I would love for them to find a shooter to stretch the D more. Hopefully Katie Smith can still knock some down but I still think they need more. All led by a true, true star- Cappie. I believe she's determined to get that ring as the main driver of the train as opposed to the lead passenger as she was in Phoenix. New York is gonna be a tough night for anyone.

Washington Mystics- That sickened me when the Mercury got the number one pick and the Mystics didn't even get a pick in the top 3. Ridiculous how life can be sometimes. But it is what it is, and now it's time to play. Thank God they got Thibault. Give him some time. He'll get them on the right track. Tough to say how much better they'll be this year. Hopefully Taylor Hill can be a big spark. Langhorne should play big and Monique Currie really needs to restablish herself as a good player in this league. I don't know. They'll probably be better but the league is so tough that that will still mean a last place finish in the conference I believe. Hopefully they'll be in line for a great pick to continue to build on what Thibault is doing. Oh, Ivory Latta was a good get. They're gonna compete but not quite ready to win I don't think.

Hope you enjoyed. Stay tuned for the Western Conference season preview!