Not sure if it's just the typical preseason hype. But, I'm really liking the potential for this team. I agree with what you said about the team chemistry. I think they have a really good group of veterans. Hopefully, that will help to keep everyone on the same page.
As for Malonga, everyone keeps saying she can also shoot from outside, which would be great. But, all the highlights I have seen are her scoring from down low. Any thoughts on her perimeter scoring potential?
I also like the possibility of all that defensive presence with Ezi, Malonga, and Yueru. Seems like the Storm have been getting killed on rebounds and scoring in the key the last however many years. Would be nice to force teams back outside.
I think you might have double-counted Lexie Brown when putting your projected roster together. Your 5 starters and 6 bench players both include her. In other words, by my count the 11th spot is up for grabs among all the rookies. Sundell seems like the most likely winner of that competition, and she does not need to beat out Erica Wheeler to make the roster. Similarly, Madison Conner only needs to beat out Wheeler or Sundell, not both. Here's my 11 (and it must be 11, there's no scenario where they can fit in 12 unless they do something truly shocking like cut Alysha Clark):
Yeah, Randy, I think I included Lexie in both because I don't know if she'll be a starter or coming off the bench. I could honestly see either option. Looking at the projected roster, I think it'll be something like this.
Locks:
Skylar, Nneka, Gabby, Ezi, AC, Dominique, Lexie
Likely:
Li, KLS
On the Bubble:
Wheeler, Sundell, Cooke
Long Shots:
Holmes, Conner, Hobbs, Fraser
That isn't set in stone by any means. And with the above, things like putting Li Yueru not in the "Locks" but in the "Likely" is more about the Locks, I can't envision any scenario where the player doesn't make the team.
Yeah that's a good list. I will be surprised if they cut Wheeler because I think they will want a veteran back-up point guard option, so in my mind she's "likely," but I definitely agree she's below Li and KLS. Can one of the young point guards (which I guess means Sundell or Zia Cooke) really convince them they can handle rotation minutes starting in game 1? (It will be hard to overcome the memory of last season's Kiana Williams/Jade Melbourne minutes.) Anyway, if Wheeler makes the team (along with Li and KLS) then there's exactly one spot left to compete for. If Sundell shows any of the potential that had her mocked as a first rounder, then it seems likely to be her. I liked your analysis that switching from Olivia Miles to Dom Malonga was bad news for both Li's playing time and Holmes's ability to make the roster. Conner is the long shot that intrigues me the most just because we've been so bad at shooting 3's lately. But her path would seem to involve beating out either Sundell or Wheeler.
Oh, and I 100% agree that the 5th starter spot is a very interesting question. I guess I'm rooting for Lexie Brown to be healthy enough to return to form and win that spot. But it seems more likely to be Alysha Clark (with Gabby sliding down to the 2).
I do like what the team did in the off-season to upgrade the bench. As long as one of Lexie and KLS works out well the bench should be good (and would have been QUITE good if only Jordan hadn't gotten hurt).
I think they will be better this year than last year and I definitely think we can win a playoff round and then see what happens.
My hot take: Malonga is more advanced at this age than Ezi was. There's no need to make her wait around, she's ready to help us win now. At some point I would like to see a starting lineup of Sky, Gabby, Nneka, Ezi, Dominique.
Not sure if it's just the typical preseason hype. But, I'm really liking the potential for this team. I agree with what you said about the team chemistry. I think they have a really good group of veterans. Hopefully, that will help to keep everyone on the same page.
As for Malonga, everyone keeps saying she can also shoot from outside, which would be great. But, all the highlights I have seen are her scoring from down low. Any thoughts on her perimeter scoring potential?
I also like the possibility of all that defensive presence with Ezi, Malonga, and Yueru. Seems like the Storm have been getting killed on rebounds and scoring in the key the last however many years. Would be nice to force teams back outside.
Right, we have big bigs now. We were undersized at 4 and 5 before.
I’m liking the look of our bench much more this season. Much more firepower (hopefully).
I’m also thrilled to have Gabby and AC in the same team! Possible my 2 (aside from Sue) all time fave Storm players.
I do think we may be missing Gabby for a few games though as EuroBasket is in the middle of June.
I think you might have double-counted Lexie Brown when putting your projected roster together. Your 5 starters and 6 bench players both include her. In other words, by my count the 11th spot is up for grabs among all the rookies. Sundell seems like the most likely winner of that competition, and she does not need to beat out Erica Wheeler to make the roster. Similarly, Madison Conner only needs to beat out Wheeler or Sundell, not both. Here's my 11 (and it must be 11, there's no scenario where they can fit in 12 unless they do something truly shocking like cut Alysha Clark):
Skylar
Gabby
Alysha
Nneka
Ezi
Dom
Lexie
KLS
Li
Wheeler
Sundell (or Conner or or or)
Yeah, Randy, I think I included Lexie in both because I don't know if she'll be a starter or coming off the bench. I could honestly see either option. Looking at the projected roster, I think it'll be something like this.
Locks:
Skylar, Nneka, Gabby, Ezi, AC, Dominique, Lexie
Likely:
Li, KLS
On the Bubble:
Wheeler, Sundell, Cooke
Long Shots:
Holmes, Conner, Hobbs, Fraser
That isn't set in stone by any means. And with the above, things like putting Li Yueru not in the "Locks" but in the "Likely" is more about the Locks, I can't envision any scenario where the player doesn't make the team.
Yeah that's a good list. I will be surprised if they cut Wheeler because I think they will want a veteran back-up point guard option, so in my mind she's "likely," but I definitely agree she's below Li and KLS. Can one of the young point guards (which I guess means Sundell or Zia Cooke) really convince them they can handle rotation minutes starting in game 1? (It will be hard to overcome the memory of last season's Kiana Williams/Jade Melbourne minutes.) Anyway, if Wheeler makes the team (along with Li and KLS) then there's exactly one spot left to compete for. If Sundell shows any of the potential that had her mocked as a first rounder, then it seems likely to be her. I liked your analysis that switching from Olivia Miles to Dom Malonga was bad news for both Li's playing time and Holmes's ability to make the roster. Conner is the long shot that intrigues me the most just because we've been so bad at shooting 3's lately. But her path would seem to involve beating out either Sundell or Wheeler.
Oh, and I 100% agree that the 5th starter spot is a very interesting question. I guess I'm rooting for Lexie Brown to be healthy enough to return to form and win that spot. But it seems more likely to be Alysha Clark (with Gabby sliding down to the 2).
I do like what the team did in the off-season to upgrade the bench. As long as one of Lexie and KLS works out well the bench should be good (and would have been QUITE good if only Jordan hadn't gotten hurt).
I think they will be better this year than last year and I definitely think we can win a playoff round and then see what happens.
My hot take: Malonga is more advanced at this age than Ezi was. There's no need to make her wait around, she's ready to help us win now. At some point I would like to see a starting lineup of Sky, Gabby, Nneka, Ezi, Dominique.