Well, while Jewell herself remained pretty radio silent, her crew (friends/fans/family) spoke loudly on socials. Certainly feels irreparable to me.
From a fan and observers’ position, there was a change in convos via pressers. At season’s opening, the tone from Nneka & Sky was ‘it’s Jewell’s team’. I am not sure when the shift happened (could it be the June Aces game 35 mins played, 0-9, 1pt?), but there was a shift for sure.
Points that strike me:
The exit presser:
*Skyler’s discussion of leadership and her connection with Noey was discussed in full. Notable: “I may not be everyone’s cup of tea”
Jewell-basketball is 10% of my life 🤔. No argument here that there should be a good work/life balance, but if your career has become (in your own words) 10% of your life…ummmm. 🤔🤔🤔
Gabby spoke volumes in het presser too. Mercedes Russell—opted out, but weeks later “spoke up” on socials.
I was going to say everyone points to Sky’s previous issues but never talk about Jewell & ND—-thank you Jeff for clarifying that.
As Skyler said regarding 2023 “you guys know what you know and I know what I know”—-I wasn’t in that locker room so I have only conjecture and opinions.
I think that was a bit of a different situation. Jewell Loyd helped lead Notre Dame to the National Championship game in 2015 where they ultimately lost to Breanna Stewart and the UConn Huskies in the title game. Jewell was supposed to be a part of the 2016 WNBA Draft class but was eligible to leave college early and enter the 2015 WNBA Draft.
I know that Jewell has stated something along the lines that she felt she was ready to go pro and maybe wasn't challenged enough at the college level and she wanted to take on that next challenge in the WNBA. I believe that is on the record.
What I assume also factored into her decision but I have never heard her say publicly, is that by declaring for the 2015 WNBA Draft, she was likely to have the honor of being picked #1 overall. Whereas, if she had stayed the extra year, she wouldn't have been the top pick because that was going to be Breanna Stewart no matter what.
Where the negative circumstance comes in is with Notre Dame and Loyd's former head coach Muffet McGraw, who felt like Jewell abandoned the team when they were this close to winning a National Championship. Muffet had other talented players coming in like Arike Ogunbowale, Marina Mabrey, and Jackie Young. That group ended up winning a National Championship in 2019 but I think Muffet was upset because she probably felt they might have been able to win one in 2016 if Loyd had returned to school.
It was also a fast decision Jewell had to make. Because her team reached the National Championship and the WNBA Draft was only (I believe) a couple weeks or so after that title game, Loyd basically had to make a quick decision to turn pro shortly after Notre Dame lost in that Championship game against UConn. Coach Muffet McGraw was really upset and then after Jewell's decision she basically shunned Loyd and ignored her.
There were times when McGraw made some public supporting comments praising all of the Notre Dame players in the WNBA and she would purposefully leave Jewell off the list when Jewell was arguably her best player in the entire group. And that wasn't just a one-time thing. That happened at least 2-3 times with situations like that.
It was basically bad blood between the two. That then led to Jewell not using Notre Dame in her starting lineup announcements moving forward. That's why they'd always say "From Lincolnwood, Illinois" instead of "From Notre Dame".
My guess is that the Storm org is just trying to protect an asset. They lost Stewart for nothing in return, and they don’t want to see that happen again. It seems like Gabby likes it in Seattle…Nneka & Sky keep sharing Gabby stats. I think they are hoping to play together again here in Seattle, but free agency is free agency.
Cija, I'm inclined to agree with you about the asset protection plan. Lord knows, they screwed up catastrophically last time, and if they didn't learn from that, they are guilty of front office malpractice. I don't do social media, so I have no idea what players post. I just don't like to read too much into what players say until a contract is signed, and these days, even that doesn't seem to guarantee much of anything.
Very good points Cija and Eric. People on the outside (especially outside the Storm fan base) can be upset that the Storm went away from their "word" about not coring Gabby Williams. But if they didn't and she just signed with another team, how pissed would Storm fans be?
The fact that Gabby or her camp said they expected it doesn't sound like this caught them off guard or that they're pissed off about it, which is a good thing for the Storm.
I think there is a good chance the Storm look to re-sign Gabby and Nneka, but ultimately trade Jewell per her request (hopefully for a good return). It is possible, they don't re-sign Nneka, trade Jewell AND trade Gabby, and go into more of a build for the future (build around Ezi, Jordan, and new assets).
Plus, it'll be interesting to see what happens with the rest of Free Agency. I could be wrong but I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the top players on Connecticut move to new teams this off-season. Does New York add Satou Sabally or Jewell to become an unstoppable force? What do the Aces do? And is there a surprise team that can step in and challenge New York and Las Vegas like Minnesota did this past season?
Some Storm fans have a rosy view of Loyd. This player got nearly everything she wanted out of the Storm organization, yet she is intent on burning the organization down in her desire to leave. She is a declining player with a poor attitude, and any acquiring team has to be aware. Taking Loyd on a Supermax deal is going to cause a salary cap headache for any team taking on her deal as well.
I foresee a situation where the Storm find the trade market for Loyd much weaker than anticipated. Ultimately the Storm might have to eat the final year of Loyd’s supermax deal and have her not play. It would be a huge drag for everyone
But at least Mama Loyd would be silent at CPA. That’s a small mercy.
You nailed it. She is an overrated player with a poor attitude. She is an inefficient, streaky, and a selfish player. The Storm made a huge mistake positioning her as the franchise player. They are going to get pennies on the dollar for her. Teams know the Storm have to trade her and she is declining. Between the way the front office handled Stewie leaving and now Lloyd, there needs to be hard questions asked about their decision making.
I think the Storm have to trade Jewell. The damage is irreparable. In terms of trades, it depends if Nneka resigns. If Nneka resigns, then you don't want to be in a rebuilding stage. Kelsey Plum would be an amazing addition with a win now goal. IMO, she is a much better player than Jewell. More clutch, more efficient and she defends well too. But, I do not think the Aces would make that trade. If no Nneka, then Chicago trade to get high draft picks and rebuild with Skylar in a Chris Paul type role. As a fan, I will be glad to see Jewell gone. So toxic and streaky, inefficient player.
Well, while Jewell herself remained pretty radio silent, her crew (friends/fans/family) spoke loudly on socials. Certainly feels irreparable to me.
From a fan and observers’ position, there was a change in convos via pressers. At season’s opening, the tone from Nneka & Sky was ‘it’s Jewell’s team’. I am not sure when the shift happened (could it be the June Aces game 35 mins played, 0-9, 1pt?), but there was a shift for sure.
Points that strike me:
The exit presser:
*Skyler’s discussion of leadership and her connection with Noey was discussed in full. Notable: “I may not be everyone’s cup of tea”
Jewell-basketball is 10% of my life 🤔. No argument here that there should be a good work/life balance, but if your career has become (in your own words) 10% of your life…ummmm. 🤔🤔🤔
Gabby spoke volumes in het presser too. Mercedes Russell—opted out, but weeks later “spoke up” on socials.
I was going to say everyone points to Sky’s previous issues but never talk about Jewell & ND—-thank you Jeff for clarifying that.
As Skyler said regarding 2023 “you guys know what you know and I know what I know”—-I wasn’t in that locker room so I have only conjecture and opinions.
Short story long, IMO, Jewell is moving on
Jeff: Didn't Jewell also leave Notre Dame under unhappy circumstances?
I think that was a bit of a different situation. Jewell Loyd helped lead Notre Dame to the National Championship game in 2015 where they ultimately lost to Breanna Stewart and the UConn Huskies in the title game. Jewell was supposed to be a part of the 2016 WNBA Draft class but was eligible to leave college early and enter the 2015 WNBA Draft.
I know that Jewell has stated something along the lines that she felt she was ready to go pro and maybe wasn't challenged enough at the college level and she wanted to take on that next challenge in the WNBA. I believe that is on the record.
What I assume also factored into her decision but I have never heard her say publicly, is that by declaring for the 2015 WNBA Draft, she was likely to have the honor of being picked #1 overall. Whereas, if she had stayed the extra year, she wouldn't have been the top pick because that was going to be Breanna Stewart no matter what.
Where the negative circumstance comes in is with Notre Dame and Loyd's former head coach Muffet McGraw, who felt like Jewell abandoned the team when they were this close to winning a National Championship. Muffet had other talented players coming in like Arike Ogunbowale, Marina Mabrey, and Jackie Young. That group ended up winning a National Championship in 2019 but I think Muffet was upset because she probably felt they might have been able to win one in 2016 if Loyd had returned to school.
It was also a fast decision Jewell had to make. Because her team reached the National Championship and the WNBA Draft was only (I believe) a couple weeks or so after that title game, Loyd basically had to make a quick decision to turn pro shortly after Notre Dame lost in that Championship game against UConn. Coach Muffet McGraw was really upset and then after Jewell's decision she basically shunned Loyd and ignored her.
There were times when McGraw made some public supporting comments praising all of the Notre Dame players in the WNBA and she would purposefully leave Jewell off the list when Jewell was arguably her best player in the entire group. And that wasn't just a one-time thing. That happened at least 2-3 times with situations like that.
It was basically bad blood between the two. That then led to Jewell not using Notre Dame in her starting lineup announcements moving forward. That's why they'd always say "From Lincolnwood, Illinois" instead of "From Notre Dame".
https://www.ndinsider.com/story/sports/womens-basketball/2015/04/15/otre-dame-coach-muffet-mcgraw-puzzled-by-jewell-loyd-exi/46541135/
Gabby cored? Wow! I wonder if that portends a sign-and-trade?
My guess is that the Storm org is just trying to protect an asset. They lost Stewart for nothing in return, and they don’t want to see that happen again. It seems like Gabby likes it in Seattle…Nneka & Sky keep sharing Gabby stats. I think they are hoping to play together again here in Seattle, but free agency is free agency.
Cija, I'm inclined to agree with you about the asset protection plan. Lord knows, they screwed up catastrophically last time, and if they didn't learn from that, they are guilty of front office malpractice. I don't do social media, so I have no idea what players post. I just don't like to read too much into what players say until a contract is signed, and these days, even that doesn't seem to guarantee much of anything.
Very good points Cija and Eric. People on the outside (especially outside the Storm fan base) can be upset that the Storm went away from their "word" about not coring Gabby Williams. But if they didn't and she just signed with another team, how pissed would Storm fans be?
The fact that Gabby or her camp said they expected it doesn't sound like this caught them off guard or that they're pissed off about it, which is a good thing for the Storm.
I think there is a good chance the Storm look to re-sign Gabby and Nneka, but ultimately trade Jewell per her request (hopefully for a good return). It is possible, they don't re-sign Nneka, trade Jewell AND trade Gabby, and go into more of a build for the future (build around Ezi, Jordan, and new assets).
Plus, it'll be interesting to see what happens with the rest of Free Agency. I could be wrong but I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the top players on Connecticut move to new teams this off-season. Does New York add Satou Sabally or Jewell to become an unstoppable force? What do the Aces do? And is there a surprise team that can step in and challenge New York and Las Vegas like Minnesota did this past season?
I think Steph White might try to snag up some CT players…
Some Storm fans have a rosy view of Loyd. This player got nearly everything she wanted out of the Storm organization, yet she is intent on burning the organization down in her desire to leave. She is a declining player with a poor attitude, and any acquiring team has to be aware. Taking Loyd on a Supermax deal is going to cause a salary cap headache for any team taking on her deal as well.
I foresee a situation where the Storm find the trade market for Loyd much weaker than anticipated. Ultimately the Storm might have to eat the final year of Loyd’s supermax deal and have her not play. It would be a huge drag for everyone
But at least Mama Loyd would be silent at CPA. That’s a small mercy.
You nailed it. She is an overrated player with a poor attitude. She is an inefficient, streaky, and a selfish player. The Storm made a huge mistake positioning her as the franchise player. They are going to get pennies on the dollar for her. Teams know the Storm have to trade her and she is declining. Between the way the front office handled Stewie leaving and now Lloyd, there needs to be hard questions asked about their decision making.
Amen to THAT small mercy 🤣
Keep in mind that Loyd is only under contract for one more year and can't be cored after that.
I think the Storm have to trade Jewell. The damage is irreparable. In terms of trades, it depends if Nneka resigns. If Nneka resigns, then you don't want to be in a rebuilding stage. Kelsey Plum would be an amazing addition with a win now goal. IMO, she is a much better player than Jewell. More clutch, more efficient and she defends well too. But, I do not think the Aces would make that trade. If no Nneka, then Chicago trade to get high draft picks and rebuild with Skylar in a Chris Paul type role. As a fan, I will be glad to see Jewell gone. So toxic and streaky, inefficient player.