Also I agree jeff it's hard figuring out the rotations to get the offense going. I think noelle is going to have to come up with different schemes to get nneka ans skylar going again. Every team has scouted well against that pnr and took it away. Roster construction to me is the biggest hindrance. Hopefully we can move li and get a taller 3 pt shooting guard who plays defense...you know a unicorn lol. The two players who haven't contributed to their potential are lexie and ac. I still think skylar off ball isn't working to our advantage.
I hope Gabby went home and poured some Epson salt into a warm bath because it looked like how much she was hitting the deck she would need it! She played all out!
Dallas absolutely SHOULD taken Lauren Betts (and has a decent chance to get her even if they're drafting 2nd or 3rd), but I think you're right that there's a decent chance they would take Azzi to reunite her with Paige even if that isn't their biggest position of need. Taking the injury-prone player who plays a position they're already strong in totally sounds like something a "cursed" Dallas would do. (Their curse is very much self-inflicted wounds, in my opinion.)
I can totally understand this. We didn't have Malonga when she signed with us and there really aren't enough minutes to go around unless Noey decides that one of her bigs can play the 3, which she clearly doesn't think can work as she's done that for zero minutes so far. With KLS and Jordan out for the year, I thought we might try that, but if we're not going to then trading Li for a wing could actually be a win-win. I mean, I like Li and she's young, but does she really have a future with us? Only if Nneka and/or Ezi is gone next year ...
I saw Nekias suggest Stephanie Talbot or Kayla Thornton from Golden State, but I believe the Storm would have to include Katie Lou Samuelson, too to make the salaries work. Which probably complicates things since Samuelson technically has a negative value at this moment since she can't play. Talbot of those two would be a more realistic option for sure.
I think we were lucky to win this game. I was very sorry to hear that Li is requesting a trade already. I really like her and think she should play more. She's a great shooter as evidenced by her 90% free throw shooting percentage. She could develop into the best 6'7" 3-point shooter in the league. I think that Coach Quinn has to play her more. The same goes for Dom. These athletes need more P.T. to really develop and make us the best team that we can be. I don't think anyone other than maybe Gabby should be playing more than 30 minutes per game. Nneka and Sky need to stay well-rested for us to play at our peak. And I don't know what's going on with Ezi, but she's not playing like an all-star so 25 minutes should be plenty for her. We need to play our young Bigs more. E and Zia are doing great as our backup guards. Whatever happened to Lexie Brown? Is she sick again or is she just not nearly as good as E or Zia Cooke so she just doesn't play?
A lot of this is easier said than done. Starters are always going to play heavy minutes. Not just in Seattle either. Look at the Las Vegas Aces 2022 and 2023 Championship teams. I believe it was the 2022 team that Becky ran those starters into the ground. They were all playing like 35+ MPG, and many of us thought that they would tire at the end of the season and potentially wear out during the playoffs. Instead, they steamrolled through the playoffs and won the Championship.
If they don't give Nneka her minutes on Tuesday against Dallas, then the Storm likely lose to the Wings, and everyone is calling for the Coach's head because the Storm would have lost 4 games in a row, including 3 at home. But this is why I wrote all about this dilemma, because Nneka is going to get her minutes. Ezi was playing well despite her foul trouble. Dom Malonga is the future of the franchise. So, where does that leave Li?
Here is something funny I just realized the other night. Ezi Magbegor is younger than Li Yueru, despite this being Ezi's 6th season and Li's 3rd year in the WNBA.
And yes, Erica Wheeler and Zia Cooke have both played better than Lexie Brown, which has put Brown as the 10th player on the depth chart. Wheeler has been a huge spark plug for the team off the bench. And Zia has also played pretty well in her limited minutes. I do think there is an area where they could play Cooke or Alysha Clark a little less and give some of those minutes to either Malonga or Yueru. But it is tough because I don't feel Cooke has done anything to receive less than her 10-12 MPG.
More negative drama for the Storm. Once again an investigation into coaching and Li unhappy with PT. And can you blame her? She drains 2 3's and plays well then never sees the floor again.
If Quinn wants to play Nneke until she collapses by mid season, why not put her at the 3 spot, move Clark to the bench, start Malonga, then have Li, Clark, Zia and Wheeler sub off the bench? Nneka can play the 3 spot. She can drain the 3. Just don't get this coaching staffs decisions.
It's up to fans to make their own decisions. It sounds like Loyd filed a complaint because presumably either Coach Ebony Hoffman or Coach Pokey Chatman cursed at her during or right after Sunday's game. While I'm not saying cussing at players is a good thing. I've sworn in front of middle schoolers when coaching before, if they're playing well below their potential, making foolish mistakes, or if they need to be motivated. The fact that this is what the complaint is about seems petty and childish. Jewell needs to move on, and the Coaches and team do as well.
Also, I'll probably write more on this. But if I had to guess, Li is receiving heavy pressure from the Chinese National Team, government, etc. in regards to this trade request. Percy Allen did a great job getting quotes today at practice, and from what I've gathered, Yueru is happy, enjoys her teammates and coaches, but she wants more playing time. That is understandable. But I think the trade request is 100% coming from higher-ups in China.
Also I agree jeff it's hard figuring out the rotations to get the offense going. I think noelle is going to have to come up with different schemes to get nneka ans skylar going again. Every team has scouted well against that pnr and took it away. Roster construction to me is the biggest hindrance. Hopefully we can move li and get a taller 3 pt shooting guard who plays defense...you know a unicorn lol. The two players who haven't contributed to their potential are lexie and ac. I still think skylar off ball isn't working to our advantage.
I hope Gabby went home and poured some Epson salt into a warm bath because it looked like how much she was hitting the deck she would need it! She played all out!
Dallas absolutely SHOULD taken Lauren Betts (and has a decent chance to get her even if they're drafting 2nd or 3rd), but I think you're right that there's a decent chance they would take Azzi to reunite her with Paige even if that isn't their biggest position of need. Taking the injury-prone player who plays a position they're already strong in totally sounds like something a "cursed" Dallas would do. (Their curse is very much self-inflicted wounds, in my opinion.)
Ok so Li officially requested a trade....
I can totally understand this. We didn't have Malonga when she signed with us and there really aren't enough minutes to go around unless Noey decides that one of her bigs can play the 3, which she clearly doesn't think can work as she's done that for zero minutes so far. With KLS and Jordan out for the year, I thought we might try that, but if we're not going to then trading Li for a wing could actually be a win-win. I mean, I like Li and she's young, but does she really have a future with us? Only if Nneka and/or Ezi is gone next year ...
I totally agree. We need a wing that can shoot 3s & plays defense. Bc you won't see the court unless you can play defense.
I saw Nekias suggest Stephanie Talbot or Kayla Thornton from Golden State, but I believe the Storm would have to include Katie Lou Samuelson, too to make the salaries work. Which probably complicates things since Samuelson technically has a negative value at this moment since she can't play. Talbot of those two would be a more realistic option for sure.
I think we were lucky to win this game. I was very sorry to hear that Li is requesting a trade already. I really like her and think she should play more. She's a great shooter as evidenced by her 90% free throw shooting percentage. She could develop into the best 6'7" 3-point shooter in the league. I think that Coach Quinn has to play her more. The same goes for Dom. These athletes need more P.T. to really develop and make us the best team that we can be. I don't think anyone other than maybe Gabby should be playing more than 30 minutes per game. Nneka and Sky need to stay well-rested for us to play at our peak. And I don't know what's going on with Ezi, but she's not playing like an all-star so 25 minutes should be plenty for her. We need to play our young Bigs more. E and Zia are doing great as our backup guards. Whatever happened to Lexie Brown? Is she sick again or is she just not nearly as good as E or Zia Cooke so she just doesn't play?
A lot of this is easier said than done. Starters are always going to play heavy minutes. Not just in Seattle either. Look at the Las Vegas Aces 2022 and 2023 Championship teams. I believe it was the 2022 team that Becky ran those starters into the ground. They were all playing like 35+ MPG, and many of us thought that they would tire at the end of the season and potentially wear out during the playoffs. Instead, they steamrolled through the playoffs and won the Championship.
If they don't give Nneka her minutes on Tuesday against Dallas, then the Storm likely lose to the Wings, and everyone is calling for the Coach's head because the Storm would have lost 4 games in a row, including 3 at home. But this is why I wrote all about this dilemma, because Nneka is going to get her minutes. Ezi was playing well despite her foul trouble. Dom Malonga is the future of the franchise. So, where does that leave Li?
Here is something funny I just realized the other night. Ezi Magbegor is younger than Li Yueru, despite this being Ezi's 6th season and Li's 3rd year in the WNBA.
And yes, Erica Wheeler and Zia Cooke have both played better than Lexie Brown, which has put Brown as the 10th player on the depth chart. Wheeler has been a huge spark plug for the team off the bench. And Zia has also played pretty well in her limited minutes. I do think there is an area where they could play Cooke or Alysha Clark a little less and give some of those minutes to either Malonga or Yueru. But it is tough because I don't feel Cooke has done anything to receive less than her 10-12 MPG.
More negative drama for the Storm. Once again an investigation into coaching and Li unhappy with PT. And can you blame her? She drains 2 3's and plays well then never sees the floor again.
If Quinn wants to play Nneke until she collapses by mid season, why not put her at the 3 spot, move Clark to the bench, start Malonga, then have Li, Clark, Zia and Wheeler sub off the bench? Nneka can play the 3 spot. She can drain the 3. Just don't get this coaching staffs decisions.
It's up to fans to make their own decisions. It sounds like Loyd filed a complaint because presumably either Coach Ebony Hoffman or Coach Pokey Chatman cursed at her during or right after Sunday's game. While I'm not saying cussing at players is a good thing. I've sworn in front of middle schoolers when coaching before, if they're playing well below their potential, making foolish mistakes, or if they need to be motivated. The fact that this is what the complaint is about seems petty and childish. Jewell needs to move on, and the Coaches and team do as well.
Also, I'll probably write more on this. But if I had to guess, Li is receiving heavy pressure from the Chinese National Team, government, etc. in regards to this trade request. Percy Allen did a great job getting quotes today at practice, and from what I've gathered, Yueru is happy, enjoys her teammates and coaches, but she wants more playing time. That is understandable. But I think the trade request is 100% coming from higher-ups in China.
My goodness how much more news can be about seattle today????
*checks phone*…..WTAFork?
Oy.