I totally agree with your assessment of keep/drop. I think as far as the developmental squad goes, it’s still quite early especially considering the abbreviated pre-season and they can only activate them for 12 games…so I can see why they might want to hold on to those 12 games as they are sooo thin at back court. I worry a bit that Jade is going to get hurt with her human lawn darting. I love the energy, but the bruises are adding up. In the case we lose her to injury or any G for that matter, then they can activate Mair/Thierry. But since they are looking long term, I think they are holding actual game time play for when we have more of a full healthy roster.
"Human lawn darting" cracked me up. I've enjoyed watching Melbourne grow and develop, but that is a little concerning. Jordin Canada also plays like that, and she's still going 9 years into the league now. Maybe I'll have to talk to Jade about whether she trains to take falls. Like how stunt men or pro wrestlers learn how to take a bump/hard fall.
Interestingly, the Storm did activate both Taina Mair and Taylor Thierry for yesterday's game against the Fever. It was understandable because they were short so many players - Ezi, Dom, Katie Lou, Awa, etc. But because they were activated, even though they ended up being DNP - Coach's Decision, that still burned 1 game for each player. Both players now have 11 games remaining, and the total is 22 more games for any development player. I also checked in previously with Richard Cohen, and he let me know that the 24-game rule applies to all development players. They can't play 2 players 10 games each (20 games total), and then cut one and sign a new development player, and then play them another 10-12 games. That new player could appear in a maximum of 4 games in this scenario.
Ahhhh thank you for getting this info from Richard. I’ve been wondering that! I don’t quite understand activating both, but they are rather short players.
I agree re: similarity to Canada…I used to say the same thing about her and I think she’s honed her aggressiveness in her tenure…but I also only (mostly) see her play against the Storm.
agreed, I believe Jade should be reined in a bit for her own sake and that of those she is colliding with, etc ... and seeing she was -16 it may not be benefiting the team overall ... reminder that the league is emphasizing the reduction of fouling/violent play.... energetic activity is one thing, but... .. anyway, just my .02 worth
That was a chippy game and can’t say I loved the Fever’s vibe, though they had valid complaints about contact on a couple plays. I’m excited to see us get revenge back in Seattle with a full strength lineup (get better Dom! I still can’t believe they let her finish the game against Toronto).
It’s interesting to see the foul data, it definitely tracks. I’m glad you asked Zia about the teams driving ability. It’s great to hear her talk about converting some of these drives into assists. It feels like the team is getting bailed out with fouls by creating contact with predetermined head-down drives, particularly with Jade and Flau’jae. It works, but it’s not exactly pretty basketball.
I completely agree that Vanslooten has been impressive. She plays with an edge, doesn’t seem the least bit intimidated by the W, and she’s making plays on the court. I’d be shocked if she were released.
Maybe there’s an Atlanta/Georgia homecoming in the cards for Lexie? They could probably use another 3 point specialist. As much as I want Lexie to succeed it seems like she’s the least needed player on the roster at the moment with the lack of front court depth, age, and our guard situation.
Absolutely! I’m indeed *shocked* by both Grace being released and the confusing timing, it seems too fast to be for Awa Fam.
Perhaps Malonga is out longer or another injury? They could be adding a center? I don’t know how sustainable 30 min a game for Dolson is with how many screens she’s setting.
Anyways, I hope Grace sticks around in the development spot.
I’m sure it’s because Fam is now eligible to join the team. If you include Fam, the Storm had been carrying 13 players plus two on Developmental Squad. One on the active roster had to go. Wasn’t the one I’d have picked, but I don’t get to watch the practices either.
I just hope they aren’t rushing Awa here just for roster crunch reasons. I don’t know how the rules work of what players are allowed to do in the building before signing.
I wonder if they are hoping to re-sign Van Slooten in time for Wednesday’s game? She has 48 hours to be claimed elsewhere. I doubt Stef expects or wants to be playing heavy minutes, so they definitely need a big to bridge the gap until Malonga returns and Fam gets acclimated and up to speed. I hope they can sneak Van Slooten through, but I’m not real optimistic. Someone will figure out that she’s got a chance to be legit. Way too much upside.
At the start of the season, one of Storm brain trust (either Sonia or Talisa) stated that they would use the developmental squad as essentially a 14-player roster. But so far, that’s really not been the case. I get the sense that the Storm are essentially stashing Mair and that the actual roster won’t be revealed until Awa joins the team and Ezi is cleared to play. Also, at this point, I have no earthly idea about Katie Lou Samuelson and where (or if) she’ll fit in. If it were up to me, as soon as Fam is activated I’m releasing Mackenzie Holmes (actually, if it were up to me I’d release Lexie Brown too). Mackenzie is a great teammate and someone you really want to root for. But while she can fight for position and snag some rebounds, she just isn’t quick enough to defend against front-line WNBA competition. Over-and-over she gets exposed on switches and cannot close on shooters who are wide-open at the 3-pt line. I just think this is a fatal flaw as I don’t know that you can coach quickness. In some respects, the same is true for Stephanie Dolson at this stage in her career, but she has the size and savvy to muscle up in the paint against the likes of Jonquel Jones or Aliyah Boston. In the long run, I think Dolson’s most valuable contribution to this team might be to help Ezi Magbegor learn to play with more physicality and assertiveness. And whenever Ezi returns, I’m waiving VanSlooten and moving Mair up to the active roster. Then, if possible, I’m signing VanSlooten back to the Developmental Squad. Grace has some serious speed and quickness for her size and I think she’s a keeper.
Regarding Dolson, it makes the most sense to view her as a player-coach, who can hit some threes, set brutal screens, and is willing to chuck bodies around as needed. And maybe most importantly, she can keep the train on the track when the wheels start to fall off.
I totally agree with your assessment of keep/drop. I think as far as the developmental squad goes, it’s still quite early especially considering the abbreviated pre-season and they can only activate them for 12 games…so I can see why they might want to hold on to those 12 games as they are sooo thin at back court. I worry a bit that Jade is going to get hurt with her human lawn darting. I love the energy, but the bruises are adding up. In the case we lose her to injury or any G for that matter, then they can activate Mair/Thierry. But since they are looking long term, I think they are holding actual game time play for when we have more of a full healthy roster.
"Human lawn darting" cracked me up. I've enjoyed watching Melbourne grow and develop, but that is a little concerning. Jordin Canada also plays like that, and she's still going 9 years into the league now. Maybe I'll have to talk to Jade about whether she trains to take falls. Like how stunt men or pro wrestlers learn how to take a bump/hard fall.
Interestingly, the Storm did activate both Taina Mair and Taylor Thierry for yesterday's game against the Fever. It was understandable because they were short so many players - Ezi, Dom, Katie Lou, Awa, etc. But because they were activated, even though they ended up being DNP - Coach's Decision, that still burned 1 game for each player. Both players now have 11 games remaining, and the total is 22 more games for any development player. I also checked in previously with Richard Cohen, and he let me know that the 24-game rule applies to all development players. They can't play 2 players 10 games each (20 games total), and then cut one and sign a new development player, and then play them another 10-12 games. That new player could appear in a maximum of 4 games in this scenario.
Ahhhh thank you for getting this info from Richard. I’ve been wondering that! I don’t quite understand activating both, but they are rather short players.
Thanks Jeff that’s great info!
I agree re: similarity to Canada…I used to say the same thing about her and I think she’s honed her aggressiveness in her tenure…but I also only (mostly) see her play against the Storm.
JC was on the floor a ton against Las Vegas, but she nearly won the Dream the game after they were down by 20!
was an impressive comeback
I've been a real fan of Jordin forever*, wish she was still with the Storm, yes she does seem to have 'reined it in' a bit.
*probably helps that we share a birthday, though about half-a-century apart ;)
agreed, I believe Jade should be reined in a bit for her own sake and that of those she is colliding with, etc ... and seeing she was -16 it may not be benefiting the team overall ... reminder that the league is emphasizing the reduction of fouling/violent play.... energetic activity is one thing, but... .. anyway, just my .02 worth
I do think it’s key to remember she’s just 23 yrs old. Like Ezi, she started her W career very young.
I can be patient, give her time to 'settle'
I'm so excited to see awa!
still dreaming of the juju sweepstakes ...
That was a chippy game and can’t say I loved the Fever’s vibe, though they had valid complaints about contact on a couple plays. I’m excited to see us get revenge back in Seattle with a full strength lineup (get better Dom! I still can’t believe they let her finish the game against Toronto).
It’s interesting to see the foul data, it definitely tracks. I’m glad you asked Zia about the teams driving ability. It’s great to hear her talk about converting some of these drives into assists. It feels like the team is getting bailed out with fouls by creating contact with predetermined head-down drives, particularly with Jade and Flau’jae. It works, but it’s not exactly pretty basketball.
I completely agree that Vanslooten has been impressive. She plays with an edge, doesn’t seem the least bit intimidated by the W, and she’s making plays on the court. I’d be shocked if she were released.
Maybe there’s an Atlanta/Georgia homecoming in the cards for Lexie? They could probably use another 3 point specialist. As much as I want Lexie to succeed it seems like she’s the least needed player on the roster at the moment with the lack of front court depth, age, and our guard situation.
Shock and disbelief continue to prevail: Grace was just waived this afternoon.
Absolutely! I’m indeed *shocked* by both Grace being released and the confusing timing, it seems too fast to be for Awa Fam.
Perhaps Malonga is out longer or another injury? They could be adding a center? I don’t know how sustainable 30 min a game for Dolson is with how many screens she’s setting.
Anyways, I hope Grace sticks around in the development spot.
I’m sure it’s because Fam is now eligible to join the team. If you include Fam, the Storm had been carrying 13 players plus two on Developmental Squad. One on the active roster had to go. Wasn’t the one I’d have picked, but I don’t get to watch the practices either.
I just hope they aren’t rushing Awa here just for roster crunch reasons. I don’t know how the rules work of what players are allowed to do in the building before signing.
I wonder if they are hoping to re-sign Van Slooten in time for Wednesday’s game? She has 48 hours to be claimed elsewhere. I doubt Stef expects or wants to be playing heavy minutes, so they definitely need a big to bridge the gap until Malonga returns and Fam gets acclimated and up to speed. I hope they can sneak Van Slooten through, but I’m not real optimistic. Someone will figure out that she’s got a chance to be legit. Way too much upside.
At the start of the season, one of Storm brain trust (either Sonia or Talisa) stated that they would use the developmental squad as essentially a 14-player roster. But so far, that’s really not been the case. I get the sense that the Storm are essentially stashing Mair and that the actual roster won’t be revealed until Awa joins the team and Ezi is cleared to play. Also, at this point, I have no earthly idea about Katie Lou Samuelson and where (or if) she’ll fit in. If it were up to me, as soon as Fam is activated I’m releasing Mackenzie Holmes (actually, if it were up to me I’d release Lexie Brown too). Mackenzie is a great teammate and someone you really want to root for. But while she can fight for position and snag some rebounds, she just isn’t quick enough to defend against front-line WNBA competition. Over-and-over she gets exposed on switches and cannot close on shooters who are wide-open at the 3-pt line. I just think this is a fatal flaw as I don’t know that you can coach quickness. In some respects, the same is true for Stephanie Dolson at this stage in her career, but she has the size and savvy to muscle up in the paint against the likes of Jonquel Jones or Aliyah Boston. In the long run, I think Dolson’s most valuable contribution to this team might be to help Ezi Magbegor learn to play with more physicality and assertiveness. And whenever Ezi returns, I’m waiving VanSlooten and moving Mair up to the active roster. Then, if possible, I’m signing VanSlooten back to the Developmental Squad. Grace has some serious speed and quickness for her size and I think she’s a keeper.
Regarding Dolson, it makes the most sense to view her as a player-coach, who can hit some threes, set brutal screens, and is willing to chuck bodies around as needed. And maybe most importantly, she can keep the train on the track when the wheels start to fall off.
💯