I like the two year rule, as it does encourage teams to be more competitive instead of playing for the next season’s draft. One year of bottoming out can be accepted, two years and you could end up doing real damage to your brand and to your fanbase (and possibly your players).
A savvy GM has more tools than just the tank. A good scouting department can find great players outside of the #1 pick. Just look at some of the west coast nfl teams for examples on how to build a championship roster without bottoming out (What team just won the Super Bowl without ever being bad enough to earn a top 5 pick?).
Great points, Ryan. There are great (and potentially great) players to be found beyond #1. Sydney Taylor from yesterday is a prime example. I saw every game she played at Louisville and there was absolutely nothing to suggest she would, or should have been drafted, yet she’ll be a cinch for the all rookie squad. I’m with you on the two year rule.
We need the fire and the tempo to be winning their games this year. This year I have been pretty ok with the losses, as I know they are expected and it will help our draft, but I'll be pretty upset if we get the 6th pick. It is interesting you talk about the next draft, because thats the Sarah strong, mikaylah blakes, and jaloni cambridge, and olivia olson draft class, and any of those players would greatly benefit our team. I think next year we obviously try to be competitive and if we make the playoffs, then great, but if we miss them, it's not all bad. One thing to note though, is that if we add 2 more lottery picks in addition to dom, awa, and flaujae, that core will get super expensive down the line, and probably won't be able to keep all five players unless someone takes a pay cut
I'm glad Flau'jae reminded us that Jade is only one year older than she is. That makes me wonder what Jade's ceiling is. Does she have the potential to be a top-flight starting point guard?
Jade’s ceiling is contingent upon A) developing a consistent outside shot; and B) figuring out how to reduce (or eliminate!) the careless turnovers. And there’s a good argument for reversing the order of those two.
I agree with what Norm's said. Jade does need to improve her late-game decision-making, but I don't think that it's a cardinal flaw. She's currently averaging a 2.16/1 assist-to-turnover ratio, which is actually very solid. Jordin Canada leads the WNBA at around 3.2/1 in assist/turnover. For some additional perspective, Alyssa Thomas leads the league in APG but has a 2.2 assist/turnover ratio (very similar to Melbourne). Chelsea Gray, the Point Gawd, is at 2.4 a/t. And Caitlin Clark is at 1.69 assists/turnover.
I know I have written that Jade's ceiling is dependent on her improved outside shooting, and compared her to Jordin Canada. Canada used to be awful from outside the arc, but is now at least respectable, and that's turned her into a dangerous player.
I like the two year rule, as it does encourage teams to be more competitive instead of playing for the next season’s draft. One year of bottoming out can be accepted, two years and you could end up doing real damage to your brand and to your fanbase (and possibly your players).
A savvy GM has more tools than just the tank. A good scouting department can find great players outside of the #1 pick. Just look at some of the west coast nfl teams for examples on how to build a championship roster without bottoming out (What team just won the Super Bowl without ever being bad enough to earn a top 5 pick?).
Great points, Ryan. There are great (and potentially great) players to be found beyond #1. Sydney Taylor from yesterday is a prime example. I saw every game she played at Louisville and there was absolutely nothing to suggest she would, or should have been drafted, yet she’ll be a cinch for the all rookie squad. I’m with you on the two year rule.
We need the fire and the tempo to be winning their games this year. This year I have been pretty ok with the losses, as I know they are expected and it will help our draft, but I'll be pretty upset if we get the 6th pick. It is interesting you talk about the next draft, because thats the Sarah strong, mikaylah blakes, and jaloni cambridge, and olivia olson draft class, and any of those players would greatly benefit our team. I think next year we obviously try to be competitive and if we make the playoffs, then great, but if we miss them, it's not all bad. One thing to note though, is that if we add 2 more lottery picks in addition to dom, awa, and flaujae, that core will get super expensive down the line, and probably won't be able to keep all five players unless someone takes a pay cut
Also, Joyce Edwards is in that draft class.
That's true - I didn't include her because I dont feel like she would be a great basketball fit with dom and awa, but she is really good!
She might not be a great fit along side those two, but her being in that class may make available others who could be better fits for the Storm.
Good point!
I'm glad Flau'jae reminded us that Jade is only one year older than she is. That makes me wonder what Jade's ceiling is. Does she have the potential to be a top-flight starting point guard?
Jade’s ceiling is contingent upon A) developing a consistent outside shot; and B) figuring out how to reduce (or eliminate!) the careless turnovers. And there’s a good argument for reversing the order of those two.
I agree with what Norm's said. Jade does need to improve her late-game decision-making, but I don't think that it's a cardinal flaw. She's currently averaging a 2.16/1 assist-to-turnover ratio, which is actually very solid. Jordin Canada leads the WNBA at around 3.2/1 in assist/turnover. For some additional perspective, Alyssa Thomas leads the league in APG but has a 2.2 assist/turnover ratio (very similar to Melbourne). Chelsea Gray, the Point Gawd, is at 2.4 a/t. And Caitlin Clark is at 1.69 assists/turnover.
I know I have written that Jade's ceiling is dependent on her improved outside shooting, and compared her to Jordin Canada. Canada used to be awful from outside the arc, but is now at least respectable, and that's turned her into a dangerous player.
Another great read. Thank you, Jeff! Such a bummer about Ezi. Must be incredibly frustrating for her.
Really glad we didn't get Caitlin Clark.