Jeff: Completely agree with your observation about Awa appearing more polished than Dom did last year. Awa carries herself in a businesslike manner. Her shot is exquisite; she never looks like she’s laboring when she shoots, unlike a lot of bigs playing on the perimeter. Last night, she was one of the few Storm who was willing to shoot the ball. I’ve seen enough to be convinced that it will very difficult to keep her out of the lineup once/if (ever) we get back to full strength. She is serving notice to Dom and Ezi.
I am pretty certain (or at least hopeful) that Dom will return to the lineup before Ezi. If that does happen, then I think we see Malonga enter the starting lineup to replace Stefanie Dolson. At that point, we would be looking at Natisha, Flau’jae, Jordan, Awa, and Dom as the starting lineup.
Once Magbegor is healthy, I wonder if they would bring her off the bench, even if just temporarily, so that she can get back into game shape and get her wind back. If all three are healthy for the final 2-3 months of the season, I’ll be curious to see what they do.
I think they could play all 3 in the starting lineup. That would likely move Jordan Horston or maybe (less likely) Flau’jae to the bench. A lineup of Hiedeman, Johnson, Fam, Magbegor, and Malonga.
But it is possible that to balance the lineups, maybe one of the three does come off the bench. If that happens, I would think it would come down to Fam or Magbegor, with Malonga the most likely to start of the three. I’m thrilled to see all 3 get to play at the same time.
When Magbegor gets healthy, play her with Fam and Malonga. Let’s find out what we’ve really got with this young talent. Horston can come off the bench unless or until she finally develops a shooting touch. She’s my favorite player but let’s face it: Jordon does not shoot well enough to stay on the court as a starter. Let her come off the bench in spots for defense. Also, the Mystics just signed Alicia Florez to a contract. I wish the Storm would’ve done that.
I think I had previously mentioned, but my best guess was that always the Mystics’ plan. Also, if Seattle had tried, the Mystics would have just signed her a few days earlier.
I think Fam shoots well enough that they could start her at the three and play her alongside Ezi and Dom. I also feel that Coach Sonia Raman can be creative enough with lineups where two of those three players are playing pretty much all the time. When they need to rest Dom, they can play Awa at the 4 and Ezi at the 5. If they need to rest Awa, Ezi at the 4 and Dom at the 5, and when they rest Ezi, Awa at the 4 and Dom at the 5. That’s probably how I would handle it, but maybe have the first 5 minutes of the game with all 3 in the lineup, and maybe the last 5 minutes or at least sometime in the 4th where they have all 3 in the lineup.
I look forward to the day they are all healthy, so we can see what the lineups look like and how they play off one another.
Well, Jordan is only 3 for 12 in her last two games. But then again, the whole team isn’t shooting much better than 25% right now. At least Jordan looks totally recovered from her awful injury. Since we lost Gabby - she’s my favorite.
I've been trying to think who Awa Fam reminded me of. And I realized it's Napheesa Collier. Quick feet, good hands, steady presence, smart decision making, long and athletic. And only 19? The future is bright! ⛈️
Jeff: Completely agree with your observation about Awa appearing more polished than Dom did last year. Awa carries herself in a businesslike manner. Her shot is exquisite; she never looks like she’s laboring when she shoots, unlike a lot of bigs playing on the perimeter. Last night, she was one of the few Storm who was willing to shoot the ball. I’ve seen enough to be convinced that it will very difficult to keep her out of the lineup once/if (ever) we get back to full strength. She is serving notice to Dom and Ezi.
What happens when ezi comes back? I don't wanna see dom or awa come off the bench.
I am pretty certain (or at least hopeful) that Dom will return to the lineup before Ezi. If that does happen, then I think we see Malonga enter the starting lineup to replace Stefanie Dolson. At that point, we would be looking at Natisha, Flau’jae, Jordan, Awa, and Dom as the starting lineup.
Once Magbegor is healthy, I wonder if they would bring her off the bench, even if just temporarily, so that she can get back into game shape and get her wind back. If all three are healthy for the final 2-3 months of the season, I’ll be curious to see what they do.
I think they could play all 3 in the starting lineup. That would likely move Jordan Horston or maybe (less likely) Flau’jae to the bench. A lineup of Hiedeman, Johnson, Fam, Magbegor, and Malonga.
But it is possible that to balance the lineups, maybe one of the three does come off the bench. If that happens, I would think it would come down to Fam or Magbegor, with Malonga the most likely to start of the three. I’m thrilled to see all 3 get to play at the same time.
When Magbegor gets healthy, play her with Fam and Malonga. Let’s find out what we’ve really got with this young talent. Horston can come off the bench unless or until she finally develops a shooting touch. She’s my favorite player but let’s face it: Jordon does not shoot well enough to stay on the court as a starter. Let her come off the bench in spots for defense. Also, the Mystics just signed Alicia Florez to a contract. I wish the Storm would’ve done that.
I think I had previously mentioned, but my best guess was that always the Mystics’ plan. Also, if Seattle had tried, the Mystics would have just signed her a few days earlier.
I think Fam shoots well enough that they could start her at the three and play her alongside Ezi and Dom. I also feel that Coach Sonia Raman can be creative enough with lineups where two of those three players are playing pretty much all the time. When they need to rest Dom, they can play Awa at the 4 and Ezi at the 5. If they need to rest Awa, Ezi at the 4 and Dom at the 5, and when they rest Ezi, Awa at the 4 and Dom at the 5. That’s probably how I would handle it, but maybe have the first 5 minutes of the game with all 3 in the lineup, and maybe the last 5 minutes or at least sometime in the 4th where they have all 3 in the lineup.
I look forward to the day they are all healthy, so we can see what the lineups look like and how they play off one another.
Jordan has shot much better as of late and her jumper looks much better than in years prior.
Well, Jordan is only 3 for 12 in her last two games. But then again, the whole team isn’t shooting much better than 25% right now. At least Jordan looks totally recovered from her awful injury. Since we lost Gabby - she’s my favorite.
I've been trying to think who Awa Fam reminded me of. And I realized it's Napheesa Collier. Quick feet, good hands, steady presence, smart decision making, long and athletic. And only 19? The future is bright! ⛈️
impressive comparison, yes, to a bright future
Lexie apparently not with Storm in MINN. Wonder what’s up…
Hopefully not another Chrons flare. It's amazing she's still a pro baller dealing with that
No mention of illness/injury. It’s hard to imagine this season has unfolded as she had hoped, re: playing time.