on one hand, it appears that about half the league [who aren't either obvious contenders or obvious bottom-barrel teams] has 'contender' potential.
on the other hand, Vegas was missing one important 2022 rotation player for the whole season + playoffs, one starter half the season + playoffs, and another starter for a latter chunk of the Finals. and they still won it all without a Game 5 needed. and they return all contributors in 2023, have added to it, still with a significant amount of cap space to spare.
I definitely see those three teams in the lottery, even if EDD decides to play in Washington this season imo.
That last spot is so tough though for me right now it’s still Indiana 🥺 though I want Aliyah (and Clark) to lead them to the playoffs this season. It’s the youth, that’s why I have them on the outs over Minny and ATL. Also in contention for lottery for me are Minnesota and Atlanta. While they both improved, other teams have more star power.
You’re out of it if you think the Dream aren’t making the playoffs lol. We did last year and didn’t have a good PG. Now we do, and added talent in other areas too.
The Dream will be greatly improved from last season. They’ll prove the doubters wrong once again.
I don’t doubt Atlanta has improved and I have them making playoffs, for me they are 7th, Minny 8th. I think the addition of Canada, and Tina is gonna be huge for y’all. But they could be 4th or 9th imo. Thats how close those teams are for me. A clear top 3 (LV, NY, Conn) a clear bottom 3 (LA, CHI, Wash). The middle will depend on coaching and how quick ppl gel.
Who do you think Atlanta is clearly better than in that 4-9 range? Again making it crystal clear I think they make the playoffs. Just saying they are bottom two of the eight teams I think make it, but it’s such a toss up imo.
Be kind to yourself, the way you expect others to be kind to you.
The key for Atlanta is what they get from Tina Charles.
If she's an older, slower version of the no-D chucker we saw last time she was in the W, she will hurt rather than help.
But if she accepts her role as a complementary player, defends, rebounds and plays to her strengths offensively, she could be perfect for this young team.
i do dislike this for Dana Evans' sake. seems like the Sky refuse to give her the chance to start for whatever reason. with these recent signings i’d maybe feel slighted if i were her. maybe they trade her now?
that said, i like seeing these somewhat controversial but talented figures back in the league. (Kelsey Bone’s coming back when? 😉) the only ones i genuinely never want to see again are the ones who say racist or homophobic crap (Liz Cambage), or commit acts of domestic violence (Riquna Williams).
i'm upset Phoenix signed Kiki Herbert Harrigan and Natasha Mack. i wish the Storm would've signed particularly Kiki, but i like that both players respectively are doing pretty well for themselves in Turkey.
tbh it's never too early to sign an intriguing overseas player to a camp deal.
Storm apparently don’t care about filling out the rest of our roster. all these good overseas vets being snatched up by others. meanwhile we’re too busy doing victory laps after signing Diggins-Smith & Ogwumike i fear.