Another note on Leite. There was an interesting moment in a previous game where you can hear the coaches saying “let’s call play / wait, Carla doesn’t know that play”. Which is interesting. I can’t think of a good interpretation for Carla.
Okay, A THIRD TRAVEL ON THE CATCH SHUFFLE. Noooooo
On that note, I will have limited access to the rest of the game, so post anything interesting for me.
Leite got a screen at Q2.4.40 but it was a flat screen so she could dribble straight at the basket. Flat vs on the side, which usually leads to reading the coverage of the PNR. It must be intentional on GSV, trying to put Leite in more comfortable situations.
In the meantime, Talbot forces up a bad shot, then doesn’t secure a DREB. Just hasn’t looked right since return from injury.
Local hero Haley Jones in. Full court pressure, which GSV invites. Please don’t throw us into the running game!
Leite with a cool crossover. She really has acceleration and one of the few on the team that can generate an advantage off the dribble in isolation.
Q2.6.50. Then Leite gets absolutely knocked into the stands on a crossscreen in the paint. Probably illegal screen, uncalled.
Kate Martin is very bold at driving straight to the basket to get a foul. But often it’s a block too. (happy Birthday, Kate!)
Interesting that they aren’t sending any screeners to Leite, so no pick and roll. Just her threat of iso driving warps the D. But Thornton drops a pass… another unforced error. In contrast, Vanloo and Burton always like to have the screen.
I don’t know but I thought Salaun was shooting way too early in the clock with not great selection, so I’m not surprised she’s trying to ratchet back. Trying to find that balance of supreme confidence and green light but also being more selective…
Here is my suggestion for how a fan can improve their court knowledge. (I did this and still do this.)(I may make a video on this in the future.)
Get the game on something you can rewind. Then
1. Every time a player scores, rewind the play and just watch that player. That will help you see what they do without the ball.
2. Then rewatch is to see who their defender is at the start of the play and just follow them. Observe the ways the offense is trying to get away from that defender (usually screens and tricky cuts).
3. Then rewatch anything interesting. Go back and look at follow a different player each time.
Yes that means you’ve watched the same play maybe 10+ times.
Especially watch the plays that someone has an open layup or jumper. Usually it’s because a defender got screened, defenders miscommunicated a switch or there was a good ball fake or cut.
For instance, applied to the Q1.8.33 play, you see Burton hits a step back. But rewind and see she’s mostly out of the play and then she’s brought in at the end to bail out the play. She calls over a screen from Salaun to force a switch by the smaller defender who has to close out which gives VB the advantage.
The scram switch I was talking about starts at 8:33. Fagbenle sets a hard screen on #33 which forces the small 33 to switch to her. Temi RUNS to the paint to attack the mismatch by getting the ball to back into the small (i.e. post her up). Before the ball can get there, PHX does a sweet move where a bigger defender leaves Salaun from the opposite side to switch to Temi while 33 switches to Salaun. That kind of switch that happens away from the ball is called a scram switch.
It is amazing in that arena. The chanting and clapping doesn’t stop the whole game. And we know the players hear it. It’s getting me to go back and I really can’t afford to be going this often. Should’ve bought a season pass.
You should get in touch with the season ticket team and talk to them about buying a package! We do that for the warriors season where we get like. A 5 pack of weekend games throughout the season and it’s face value and no ticket fees I think? Since it’s sold through chase and not Ticketmaster. 🤷🏼♀️
Absolutely nothing from GB Basketball is reliable, but at present this is what they're saying about Temi Fagbenle joining the squad. So Golden State may have her for a few games yet, and she'll join GB late. #WNBA #EuroBasketWomen
They said: Unavailable for prep games but will compete in EuroBasket
I'm still looking for any kind of details on who is leaving when. Guess we'll see who shows up for the game tonight and the next few games until they are all gone.
About injuries, Phoenix has the most injuries in two + weeks so far, nine, and the Valkyries are right behind with eight. There are 68 total in this time period.
The Golden State Valkyries have not shown interest in trading for Seattle center Li Yueru after she requested a trade, league sources told the Chronicle on Wednesday….
Yueru, a 6-foot-7 center in her first season with the Storm, is averaging 2.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in 9.1 minutes. Yueru’s representatives requested a trade after her playing time didn’t increase following the first seven games.
Arnold replied: I hope the Valkyries figure out a way to get Li Yueru. She's a very mobile 6 ft 7 who can run plays from the high post. Good passer and screener.
—
I am sure GSV is doing due diligence on the situation. On the plus side, Li is a promising player with extreme height for a team that is undersized and she’s on a rookie contract, so would be under control for this year and two more years, which is a big deal given all the free agency change coming next year.
On the down side, behind Fagbenle and Linskens, there aren’t any center minutes left, and Linskens can barely get into games. Li is mad because of lack of playing time and when everyone is available, that won’t improve.
From a personal / chemistry standpoint, I would feel bad about trading anyone since the Valks players all seem happy to be in the Bay.
But from a purely basketball standpoint, I would trade Linskens or Talbot for Li, and incorporate some new plays to generate better quality shots on offense. Currently, Coach Nat is playing 5-out offense most of the time. I would play Li 15 mins per game with the 2nd unit and change the half-court offense when she's on the floor -- run the offense through her in the high post. Li has 3pt range, is good with DHO then diving. Copy what Spoelstra does with Bam and Herro or Duncan Robinson. Bam gets the ball at the top of the key. Herro would flare out from back door screens, then receive the ball from Bam on a DHO. Bam then rolls to the basket. This action has a great chance of generating an open shot depending on how the defense reacts.
I can see Li running this with Leite. On that DHO action - if Leite's defender goes under the screen, it generates an open 3 look. If Leite's defender chases her over the screen, Li can dive to the basket and Leite can drive and seal her defender behind her. It will cause Li's defender to have to pick between Li or Leite, or it will force wing defenders to rotate - which can generate open corner 3s. Because of Li's height, she will attract more help on the roll. This provides the corner shooters more space and time to get a better quality shot.
Eric = do you know what they call this play action? I'm sure you've seen Spo run this play before for the Heat.
IF the Valks had Li, (probably won't happen) - Linskens will be outgoing, or just be the 3rd string C with many DNPs. I would play Temi 25 mins per game, and Li 15 mins per. And slide Mo Billings to the 4 spot where she's more comfortable. I've mentioned that her game is similar to David West. She's got a good bag of moves in the low post on the left block.
This is just my opinion, though. I think the Valks need some better looks / better action on half-court offense.
I think Linskens has a different skillset than Li. Li Yueru is comfortable running that "Delay Pin to DHO roll" as Eric describes it. She's taller, so it makes it easier to pass over the defense. I haven't seen much of Linskens' game so I don't know what her strengths are.
Thanks! The reason why I think Valks can use this high screen / DHO with Li is because I've seen her do it a few times for the Sparks last season. And I've seen her do it for the Storm this season. She's very comfortable running plays from the high post.
Looking forward to a ton of minutes for Carla to be an out of control rookie on a bad team, like JK never got the chance to do. Seems to be the best way for talented players to really maximize their careers. Hopefully she is healthy, there were rumors that maybe she had some injury the last 2 games.
I do wonder… the interesting comp for JK is Jalen Green. G-League Ignite teammate in same draft, JG to all you can eat bad HOU. JG definitely got paid WAY more money than JK will get, probably, However, he was a negative in the playoffs, benched for crunch time, and had HOU fans weeping at his big contract.
In GSV’s case, there isn’t really another plan… so Leite will probably get all of Vanloo’s minutes? I guess they could hire a replacement player and play her more minutes than Leite…?
This carving out of 2 1/2 weeks where ALL the games are part of the Cup/Tournament is so much better than the NBA model of "oh, the Monday and Thursday games count, but the Wednesday and Friday games do not" so that the only way you know it's part of the tourney is thanks to the really ugly court design.
Appreciate OKC for ensuring that GSV will not have the worst loss of the evening (or even week)
Okay… I just got home and I see the Valks coughed up a big lead late. Maybe I’ll give myself a few hours before catching up on the video…
Another note on Leite. There was an interesting moment in a previous game where you can hear the coaches saying “let’s call play / wait, Carla doesn’t know that play”. Which is interesting. I can’t think of a good interpretation for Carla.
Okay, A THIRD TRAVEL ON THE CATCH SHUFFLE. Noooooo
On that note, I will have limited access to the rest of the game, so post anything interesting for me.
Leite got a screen at Q2.4.40 but it was a flat screen so she could dribble straight at the basket. Flat vs on the side, which usually leads to reading the coverage of the PNR. It must be intentional on GSV, trying to put Leite in more comfortable situations.
In the meantime, Talbot forces up a bad shot, then doesn’t secure a DREB. Just hasn’t looked right since return from injury.
It looked like she was just looking at the ball, but not going for it. Wonder why
Local hero Haley Jones in. Full court pressure, which GSV invites. Please don’t throw us into the running game!
Leite with a cool crossover. She really has acceleration and one of the few on the team that can generate an advantage off the dribble in isolation.
Q2.6.50. Then Leite gets absolutely knocked into the stands on a crossscreen in the paint. Probably illegal screen, uncalled.
Kate Martin is very bold at driving straight to the basket to get a foul. But often it’s a block too. (happy Birthday, Kate!)
Interesting that they aren’t sending any screeners to Leite, so no pick and roll. Just her threat of iso driving warps the D. But Thornton drops a pass… another unforced error. In contrast, Vanloo and Burton always like to have the screen.
PHX has a really annoying thing of 3 giant flags running around to celebrate each basket, which also block half the screen. TV has to stop that.
PHX has been blazing from 3. If/when they cool down, GSV can get back into it *without* turnovers.
Talbot hasn’t been the scorer that I expected, but she hits Kate Martin for the corner 3.
A SECOND TRAVEL ON THE SHUFFLE ON THE CATCH. Need to crack down on this.
GSV dominating in the passing lanes. PHX is fighting well for OREBs.
Vanloo LOVES the skip pass to the opposite side. VB for a 4 pt play. Then another skip to Kayla for a 3 that hit every part of the rim.
Zanadalisini, Fagbenle and Vanloo all on the court. Only need Salaun to have a whole Eurobasket lineup.
Carla Leite in Q1.1.21. Doesn’t get many touches though.
Lexie Held is getting all she can eat from 3.
Not a great minute from Billings, dropped two passes on the pick and roll, and doesn’t track down an OREB that leads to a 3.
What is happening to saloon? She seems engaged, but she’s not shooting her normal amount. She played a few more minutes.
I don’t know but I thought Salaun was shooting way too early in the clock with not great selection, so I’m not surprised she’s trying to ratchet back. Trying to find that balance of supreme confidence and green light but also being more selective…
First real play looks like HORNS 5, which I’ve discussed in a video.
8.33. Fagbenle gets the switch onto a small, then PHX with a suave scram switch to get a big back on Temi. VB gets a pull up to go.
And ANOTHER shuffle on the catch traveling.. May need a practice focusing on that.
Cecelia Z muffed an open reverse layup earlier, but hits the corner 3. Really important for her to to that as she’s the only Valk with >40% 3P%
This is so helpful to someone trying to learn to really see the game. I’m re-renting the first quarter to follow this.
Here is my suggestion for how a fan can improve their court knowledge. (I did this and still do this.)(I may make a video on this in the future.)
Get the game on something you can rewind. Then
1. Every time a player scores, rewind the play and just watch that player. That will help you see what they do without the ball.
2. Then rewatch is to see who their defender is at the start of the play and just follow them. Observe the ways the offense is trying to get away from that defender (usually screens and tricky cuts).
3. Then rewatch anything interesting. Go back and look at follow a different player each time.
Yes that means you’ve watched the same play maybe 10+ times.
Especially watch the plays that someone has an open layup or jumper. Usually it’s because a defender got screened, defenders miscommunicated a switch or there was a good ball fake or cut.
For instance, applied to the Q1.8.33 play, you see Burton hits a step back. But rewind and see she’s mostly out of the play and then she’s brought in at the end to bail out the play. She calls over a screen from Salaun to force a switch by the smaller defender who has to close out which gives VB the advantage.
The scram switch I was talking about starts at 8:33. Fagbenle sets a hard screen on #33 which forces the small 33 to switch to her. Temi RUNS to the paint to attack the mismatch by getting the ball to back into the small (i.e. post her up). Before the ball can get there, PHX does a sweet move where a bigger defender leaves Salaun from the opposite side to switch to Temi while 33 switches to Salaun. That kind of switch that happens away from the ball is called a scram switch.
Zandalasini subbing for Tip Hayes as starter. So Burton is the only true ballhandler.
First play looks like “HORNS 1”, similar to GSW HORNS Flex.
Second play is HORNS Angle I think, I can’t quite lipread it… and the whole game is restarted. I’ve never seen that before.
Doris shouted out the Valkyries fan base during the NBA finals broadcast and how we’re setting league attendance records 😎
It is amazing in that arena. The chanting and clapping doesn’t stop the whole game. And we know the players hear it. It’s getting me to go back and I really can’t afford to be going this often. Should’ve bought a season pass.
You should get in touch with the season ticket team and talk to them about buying a package! We do that for the warriors season where we get like. A 5 pack of weekend games throughout the season and it’s face value and no ticket fees I think? Since it’s sold through chase and not Ticketmaster. 🤷🏼♀️
FYI not a complete surprise, availability update:
> Tiffany Hayes - OUT - Nose
From Richard Cohen:
Absolutely nothing from GB Basketball is reliable, but at present this is what they're saying about Temi Fagbenle joining the squad. So Golden State may have her for a few games yet, and she'll join GB late. #WNBA #EuroBasketWomen
They said: Unavailable for prep games but will compete in EuroBasket
https://bsky.app/profile/richardcohen.bsky.social/post/3lqvj2bf3fc2t
I'm still looking for any kind of details on who is leaving when. Guess we'll see who shows up for the game tonight and the next few games until they are all gone.
No one is on the injury report besides Hayes. I assume they’ll mention OUT - Eurobasket for players when they depart.
About injuries, Phoenix has the most injuries in two + weeks so far, nine, and the Valkyries are right behind with eight. There are 68 total in this time period.
From last thread:
In case you were wondering, from Ingemi:
[[
The Golden State Valkyries have not shown interest in trading for Seattle center Li Yueru after she requested a trade, league sources told the Chronicle on Wednesday….
Yueru, a 6-foot-7 center in her first season with the Storm, is averaging 2.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in 9.1 minutes. Yueru’s representatives requested a trade after her playing time didn’t increase following the first seven games.
]]
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/valkyries-need-bolster-roster-won-t-pursue-20361794.php
—
Arnold replied: I hope the Valkyries figure out a way to get Li Yueru. She's a very mobile 6 ft 7 who can run plays from the high post. Good passer and screener.
—
I am sure GSV is doing due diligence on the situation. On the plus side, Li is a promising player with extreme height for a team that is undersized and she’s on a rookie contract, so would be under control for this year and two more years, which is a big deal given all the free agency change coming next year.
On the down side, behind Fagbenle and Linskens, there aren’t any center minutes left, and Linskens can barely get into games. Li is mad because of lack of playing time and when everyone is available, that won’t improve.
The Chinese National Basketball team is where most of the pressure is coming from. I’m sorry, Valks don’t need that from any national team.
From a personal / chemistry standpoint, I would feel bad about trading anyone since the Valks players all seem happy to be in the Bay.
But from a purely basketball standpoint, I would trade Linskens or Talbot for Li, and incorporate some new plays to generate better quality shots on offense. Currently, Coach Nat is playing 5-out offense most of the time. I would play Li 15 mins per game with the 2nd unit and change the half-court offense when she's on the floor -- run the offense through her in the high post. Li has 3pt range, is good with DHO then diving. Copy what Spoelstra does with Bam and Herro or Duncan Robinson. Bam gets the ball at the top of the key. Herro would flare out from back door screens, then receive the ball from Bam on a DHO. Bam then rolls to the basket. This action has a great chance of generating an open shot depending on how the defense reacts.
I can see Li running this with Leite. On that DHO action - if Leite's defender goes under the screen, it generates an open 3 look. If Leite's defender chases her over the screen, Li can dive to the basket and Leite can drive and seal her defender behind her. It will cause Li's defender to have to pick between Li or Leite, or it will force wing defenders to rotate - which can generate open corner 3s. Because of Li's height, she will attract more help on the roll. This provides the corner shooters more space and time to get a better quality shot.
Eric = do you know what they call this play action? I'm sure you've seen Spo run this play before for the Heat.
Also, Linskens is getting 8.3 min per game; Li is pissed about 9.1 mpg. So Li will be even more pissed once Fagbenle returns.
IF the Valks had Li, (probably won't happen) - Linskens will be outgoing, or just be the 3rd string C with many DNPs. I would play Temi 25 mins per game, and Li 15 mins per. And slide Mo Billings to the 4 spot where she's more comfortable. I've mentioned that her game is similar to David West. She's got a good bag of moves in the low post on the left block.
This is just my opinion, though. I think the Valks need some better looks / better action on half-court offense.
Then why not try it with Linskens?
I think Linskens has a different skillset than Li. Li Yueru is comfortable running that "Delay Pin to DHO roll" as Eric describes it. She's taller, so it makes it easier to pass over the defense. I haven't seen much of Linskens' game so I don't know what her strengths are.
I don’t know a correct, fancy, or internal name for it. If I were writing it in my notes I’d call it a Delay Pin to DHO roll
Delay = Big man passer near arc
Pin = pin down screen for Herro
DHO
Roll = cut to basket after screen
Thanks! The reason why I think Valks can use this high screen / DHO with Li is because I've seen her do it a few times for the Sparks last season. And I've seen her do it for the Storm this season. She's very comfortable running plays from the high post.
Looking forward to a ton of minutes for Carla to be an out of control rookie on a bad team, like JK never got the chance to do. Seems to be the best way for talented players to really maximize their careers. Hopefully she is healthy, there were rumors that maybe she had some injury the last 2 games.
I do wonder… the interesting comp for JK is Jalen Green. G-League Ignite teammate in same draft, JG to all you can eat bad HOU. JG definitely got paid WAY more money than JK will get, probably, However, he was a negative in the playoffs, benched for crunch time, and had HOU fans weeping at his big contract.
In GSV’s case, there isn’t really another plan… so Leite will probably get all of Vanloo’s minutes? I guess they could hire a replacement player and play her more minutes than Leite…?
This carving out of 2 1/2 weeks where ALL the games are part of the Cup/Tournament is so much better than the NBA model of "oh, the Monday and Thursday games count, but the Wednesday and Friday games do not" so that the only way you know it's part of the tourney is thanks to the really ugly court design.