The press conference was over, but I watched the video. No one asked about Leite or Martin. Partly because the natural answer would be “I played the players that gave us the best chance to win. They’ll be back in important roles in future games.”
The other natural answer is “we just got back Billings and Cecilia into the lineup and there weren’t enough minutes to go around.”
Valkyries have a lot of players, can come at you in waves energy-wise. But also probably not going to be great at crunch time offense most of the time, maybe a Vanloo explosion here or there but such is life with an expansion team that doesn't have a real #1 option.
I don't mind the strategy to just raise the variance by taking a lot of threes, especially against a team like the Liberty you are at a talent deficit so it makes sense.
I gotta think the players are watching the Chase Center environment and thinking that it could be a good marketing opportunity to be the star of the Valkyries so between that and a high pick in the draft they could get good quickly if they play their cards right.
That was actually great play call from NYL. Nice when you can have Sabrina DHO to the great new addition Cloud and have Stewart clear the lane to prevent the defensive rotation.
GSV still has a chance to tie with 10 sec left. Cecliia Z misses the tying 3. Got a good look though.
Now officially in Always Close Enough To Hurt™ territory. We’re beyond a huge moral victory, this is 4 minutes away from the biggest upset of the WNBA season. GSV up 1. Can they hold on??
Then Vanloo chaos with the TOV. But Salaun with her own chaos. Her line drive threes defy physics, but that one still counts. Up 1, 2:56 to go.
Starting to get some home cooking on this whistle. Two soft fouls benefiting Stew on Temi.
Vanloo Chaotic Good with the leaning And-1. Missed a big FT though. Up 1 with 1:44 to go.
I think Sabrina got away with a foul on a drive. Stew cashes in 2, down 1 1:33 left.
Salaun with another ill-advised shot but hits it, so I can’t complain this time. Next play, another contested 3 in the corner. This one I can complain about.
GSV consistently going pick and roll, then kicking to corner or to roller. Simple pressure on interior defense.
New thread up.
Anyone know why Kate Martin got a DNP?
No, and Leite didn’t get in either after Q1 I think. We’ll see if anyone asks Nakase about it. I guess technically I could get into the Zoom to ask…
Okay thank you for doing that (if you can).
The press conference was over, but I watched the video. No one asked about Leite or Martin. Partly because the natural answer would be “I played the players that gave us the best chance to win. They’ll be back in important roles in future games.”
The other natural answer is “we just got back Billings and Cecilia into the lineup and there weren’t enough minutes to go around.”
Valkyries have a lot of players, can come at you in waves energy-wise. But also probably not going to be great at crunch time offense most of the time, maybe a Vanloo explosion here or there but such is life with an expansion team that doesn't have a real #1 option.
I don't mind the strategy to just raise the variance by taking a lot of threes, especially against a team like the Liberty you are at a talent deficit so it makes sense.
I gotta think the players are watching the Chase Center environment and thinking that it could be a good marketing opportunity to be the star of the Valkyries so between that and a high pick in the draft they could get good quickly if they play their cards right.
That was actually great play call from NYL. Nice when you can have Sabrina DHO to the great new addition Cloud and have Stewart clear the lane to prevent the defensive rotation.
GSV still has a chance to tie with 10 sec left. Cecliia Z misses the tying 3. Got a good look though.
ALWAYS CLOSE ENOUGH TO HURT.
But a great great game anyway.
Ionescu cooling off was unfortunately balanced by Stewart living at the FT line.
Is it typical for Stew to get such a high number of FTA? 19 is beyond SGA level.
Reminds me of what DDD said. If you don’t have any way to stop someone, you just foul them. Nobody out there can effectively stop Stewie.
I think 70% of them were deserved. That’s only mildly bitter, right?
I like the play to get it out to Zandalasini, even though she missed. Great game!
More homecooking? That was a quick 5 second call. FULL RANDOM ENDING TERRITORY.
18 and 13 for Salaun. Wow.
The young French players are the best part of the team, honestly
I feel like if the Valkyries add just one really good shooter, they could be a semi-decent team.
Gianna Kneepkens with a high second round pick next draft
Dang, Thorton rushed that shot
Now officially in Always Close Enough To Hurt™ territory. We’re beyond a huge moral victory, this is 4 minutes away from the biggest upset of the WNBA season. GSV up 1. Can they hold on??
Then Vanloo chaos with the TOV. But Salaun with her own chaos. Her line drive threes defy physics, but that one still counts. Up 1, 2:56 to go.
Starting to get some home cooking on this whistle. Two soft fouls benefiting Stew on Temi.
Vanloo Chaotic Good with the leaning And-1. Missed a big FT though. Up 1 with 1:44 to go.
I think Sabrina got away with a foul on a drive. Stew cashes in 2, down 1 1:33 left.
Back to back games vs NYL in NY? Whut?
That crowd is STRONG!
Talk about strong crowds, I’m going on Sunday. Can hardly wait.
It seems NY is in the bonus. Can't tell because KPIX stopped showing that :(
The Liberty players are going to be so happy to not be playing GS after this. What an annoying team we are!
So fun to watch! Especially when they are shooting better.
WOW, GSV pulls out the small-small pick and roll into a flare, Vanloo 3!! Then another Vanloo flare, but can’t cash.
Then Vanloo with another gorgeous bounce pass inside transition, have I mentioned she’s really good at these passes to the big cutting to the paint?
GSV UP ONE. ALWAYS CLOSE ENOUGH TO HURT
Salaun with another ill-advised shot but hits it, so I can’t complain this time. Next play, another contested 3 in the corner. This one I can complain about.
GSV consistently going pick and roll, then kicking to corner or to roller. Simple pressure on interior defense.
Salauen with Team high 18 points.
No JJ.
Haven't looked at the stats but feels like a really solid game for Billings.
And Zandalasini in her first game
Mixed… some really off shots. But some good results too.
Burton has a hook shot!