Warriors should promote the Valkyries over all-star weekend by featuring some of their players in some exhibition event. Since Ionescu and Caitlin Clark bailed on a 3pt shootout, it would be cool if they swapped it with Kate Martin and Tip Hayes doing a 3pt shootout against Podz and Draymond.
“For me personally, it was the hardest pick because I just came from there,” Nyanin said. “And I know the athletes, and I know the connections. When Natalie (head coach Natalie Nakase) explained to me the type of athlete that she’s looking for both on and off the court, Kayla is who came to mind. She is a defensive specialist. She has grown her game to be able to shoot the three. She’s a ball of energy. She’s a vet. She knows how to bring people together.”
Also
Thornton was playing in Turkey when Nyanin called to tell her she had been selected by the Valkyries. She then returned to the States to start preparing.
“I trust (Nyanin) with my life,” she said. “So when she told me the kind of team she was planning, I already felt great about being here.”
And
“A fresh start is great; I’ve been around,” Thornton said. “I was in Dallas for a very long time, then when I went to New York, but nobody has been here. Nobody has to come in feeling like someone else has been here for a while. We’re all coming in new. So I think that’s going to be exciting. That’s going to be challenging. But, I mean, who doesn’t like a challenge?”
“When I first came into the league, we had nothing like this,” she said. “It’s amazing for women’s sports in general, just the money that’s invested now. What the (league) is capable of doing now, seeing where we came from, it’s tremendous.
“I hope other teams see this, what (the Valkyries) did and put the time in because we deserve it.”
Did not get to watch any of the 1v1 action yet, but both Tip and Kate were out, i guess for injury management, so a bit of a bust from a Valkyries' perspective. About a third of the match ups were skipped. Next round sound be more exciting, other than no Valks.
Catching up on some Unrivaled action. Mabrey is out hurt for tonight's game, wondering if Kate would just get a bye in the 1v1 tourney.
Also, it occurred to me how crazy it will be next year when all but maybe two or three Unrivaled players will be FAs. I expect plenty of matchmaking, recruiting, and dealing.
I was thinking about Thomas while watching Jimmy Butler's debut with the Warriors. Pretty similar players, notwithstanding AT’s lack of a jump shot. W’s got a good one. So did the Mercury.
Watching Jimmy Butler made me think of a hawk. Always scanning, always intense, always calculating. Then he glides to the right place. He’s always just ‘there.’ There ready for the rebound. There ready for the handoff. There ready for the screen. Like he’s playing chess and he’s four moves ahead of the other guy.
Trying to think of WNBA players who have this quality, this energy/intensity/savvy. I’ll try to watch AT.
Also, Tip Hayes vs. Courtney Williams and Kate Martin vs. Marina Mabrey in the 1v1 tourney round 1 on Monday. Not sure if there are 2 segments, or one 2 hour block that repeats in the evening, but should be fun
The articles I found just say: First round: Feb. 10, 2-4 p.m. ET (truTV) and 7-9 p.m. ET (TNT and truTV)
But, I'm not sure if that is two different blocks, or the evening broadcast is a rerun. Also, they list the matchups, but not sure if that is the order too. I'm planning to just record both and then watch some in the evening Pacific time
Just when the Valkyries looked to be shut out of the high-profile free-agent game, they scored heavily with Tiffany Hayes, a longtime star who was one of the six players protected from the expansion draft by Las Vegas but, as a bench player, wanted out. Hayes played with Maya Moore and Tina Charles on two undefeated UConn teams (2009-10), and that was a long time ago, but as we’ve seen in the “Unrivaled” games lately, she’s still a force at 35. Driving fiercely to the hoop, crashing to the floor out of sheer commitment, scoring inside and out, trash-talking the stars (even taunting Angel Reese into a technical foul), she’s been a must-watch player.
[[ The Golden State Valkyries announced today that they have signed center Elissa Cunane to a training camp contract.
Cunane, a 6-5 center, is currently playing for BK Žabiny Brno of the Czech Women's Basketball League, averaging 11.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in the 2024-25 season. Cunane made her WNBA debut with the Minnesota Lynx in 2022, where she appeared in three games. She was drafted by the Seattle Storm in the second round (17th overall) in the 2022 WNBA Draft.
Cunane was a member of the USA Basketball 2021 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup gold medal team, where she earned All-Star honors averaging 12.8 points and 8.0 rebounds.
"Elissa has been an exciting player to watch throughout her career," said Valkyries General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin. "Her game translates to both ends of the floor, and she has consistently shown she can make an impact whether it's through scoring, rebounding, or creating for her teammates.”
At North Carolina State, Cunane was named an AP and USBWA Second Team All-American and WBCA All-American in 2022. She was also a finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award and named to the John R. Wooden Award National Ballot during her senior season.
"Elissa is a high-IQ player who understands how to play the right way and will always put the team first,” said Head Coach Natalie Nakase. "She's fierce on the glass, creating extra possessions, and has the ability to space the floor. That combination of basketball intelligence and skill makes her an exciting addition to our frontcourt." ]]
[[ Laeticia Amihere claimed off waivers by Golden State. Very reasonable move to take a look at a young player with all sorts of 'tools' who's having a decent season in Australia. Exactly the sort of player expansion teams should be bringing in. ]]
Cool. I was curious about her in the expansion draft. Seems like she has miles (and miles) to go offensively, but there’s some Herb Jones-ish defensive upside.
This is a great addition. Tip Hayes is a veteran baller. All-star caliber player. Has some similarities to James Harden is the sense that she will figure out a way to get into the paint for that left-handed layup. (or get fouled) Solid 3pt shooter.
Monique Billings calling the Warriors- Pistons game.
Laces with new Valkyries Tiffany Hayes and Kate Martin play tomorrow, 18th, at 5:45 on TNT. (Also on the 23rd and 28th, then March 3,7,8).
Sadly, looks like both Vs are out for tonight's game, as well as AT.
Laces trying to be the Pelicans of Unrivaled.
https://bsky.app/profile/unrivaledwbb.bsky.social/post/3lihsr3y4ak27
Warriors should promote the Valkyries over all-star weekend by featuring some of their players in some exhibition event. Since Ionescu and Caitlin Clark bailed on a 3pt shootout, it would be cool if they swapped it with Kate Martin and Tip Hayes doing a 3pt shootout against Podz and Draymond.
Well, at least Kayla Thornton played in the celebrity game.
Article on Kayla Thornton in the chron:
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/kayla-thornton-thrilled-valkyries-role-veteran-20168074.php
“For me personally, it was the hardest pick because I just came from there,” Nyanin said. “And I know the athletes, and I know the connections. When Natalie (head coach Natalie Nakase) explained to me the type of athlete that she’s looking for both on and off the court, Kayla is who came to mind. She is a defensive specialist. She has grown her game to be able to shoot the three. She’s a ball of energy. She’s a vet. She knows how to bring people together.”
Also
Thornton was playing in Turkey when Nyanin called to tell her she had been selected by the Valkyries. She then returned to the States to start preparing.
“I trust (Nyanin) with my life,” she said. “So when she told me the kind of team she was planning, I already felt great about being here.”
And
“A fresh start is great; I’ve been around,” Thornton said. “I was in Dallas for a very long time, then when I went to New York, but nobody has been here. Nobody has to come in feeling like someone else has been here for a while. We’re all coming in new. So I think that’s going to be exciting. That’s going to be challenging. But, I mean, who doesn’t like a challenge?”
“When I first came into the league, we had nothing like this,” she said. “It’s amazing for women’s sports in general, just the money that’s invested now. What the (league) is capable of doing now, seeing where we came from, it’s tremendous.
“I hope other teams see this, what (the Valkyries) did and put the time in because we deserve it.”
Jersey Numbers! Looks like they are going for all multiples of 5.
some Valkyries player numbers are out now that the locker room has been unveiled -
Hayes 15
Thornton 5
Martin 20
Billings 25
https://bsky.app/profile/mingemi.bsky.social/post/3li5vbj6ixk2x
Did not get to watch any of the 1v1 action yet, but both Tip and Kate were out, i guess for injury management, so a bit of a bust from a Valkyries' perspective. About a third of the match ups were skipped. Next round sound be more exciting, other than no Valks.
So, Unrivaled has a number of players out, and cancelled the first session of the 1v1, so the action starts at 4 Pacific
https://bsky.app/profile/unrivaledwbb.bsky.social/post/3lhsnqp4m4s2p
Catching up on some Unrivaled action. Mabrey is out hurt for tonight's game, wondering if Kate would just get a bye in the 1v1 tourney.
Also, it occurred to me how crazy it will be next year when all but maybe two or three Unrivaled players will be FAs. I expect plenty of matchmaking, recruiting, and dealing.
The Laces basketball club with Tiffany Hayes and Kate Martin is playing tomorrow, Saturday the 8th, at 3:00 PM on TNT.
Cancelled
Other than "player health", did they say more about why they had to cancel? Too many players hurt for one or both teams?
Nope.
Hoping AT is back, haven't been able to find any updates on her injury.
I was thinking about Thomas while watching Jimmy Butler's debut with the Warriors. Pretty similar players, notwithstanding AT’s lack of a jump shot. W’s got a good one. So did the Mercury.
Watching Jimmy Butler made me think of a hawk. Always scanning, always intense, always calculating. Then he glides to the right place. He’s always just ‘there.’ There ready for the rebound. There ready for the handoff. There ready for the screen. Like he’s playing chess and he’s four moves ahead of the other guy.
Trying to think of WNBA players who have this quality, this energy/intensity/savvy. I’ll try to watch AT.
Also, Tip Hayes vs. Courtney Williams and Kate Martin vs. Marina Mabrey in the 1v1 tourney round 1 on Monday. Not sure if there are 2 segments, or one 2 hour block that repeats in the evening, but should be fun
Do you know the time?
The articles I found just say: First round: Feb. 10, 2-4 p.m. ET (truTV) and 7-9 p.m. ET (TNT and truTV)
But, I'm not sure if that is two different blocks, or the evening broadcast is a rerun. Also, they list the matchups, but not sure if that is the order too. I'm planning to just record both and then watch some in the evening Pacific time
How did the same problem finding the matches schedule, thanks.
From Bruce Jenkins:
Just when the Valkyries looked to be shut out of the high-profile free-agent game, they scored heavily with Tiffany Hayes, a longtime star who was one of the six players protected from the expansion draft by Las Vegas but, as a bench player, wanted out. Hayes played with Maya Moore and Tina Charles on two undefeated UConn teams (2009-10), and that was a long time ago, but as we’ve seen in the “Unrivaled” games lately, she’s still a force at 35. Driving fiercely to the hoop, crashing to the floor out of sheer commitment, scoring inside and out, trash-talking the stars (even taunting Angel Reese into a technical foul), she’s been a must-watch player.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/jenkins/article/nba-trade-deadline-klay-thompson-becomes-20153837.php
Also:
[[ The Golden State Valkyries announced today that they have signed center Elissa Cunane to a training camp contract.
Cunane, a 6-5 center, is currently playing for BK Žabiny Brno of the Czech Women's Basketball League, averaging 11.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in the 2024-25 season. Cunane made her WNBA debut with the Minnesota Lynx in 2022, where she appeared in three games. She was drafted by the Seattle Storm in the second round (17th overall) in the 2022 WNBA Draft.
Cunane was a member of the USA Basketball 2021 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup gold medal team, where she earned All-Star honors averaging 12.8 points and 8.0 rebounds.
"Elissa has been an exciting player to watch throughout her career," said Valkyries General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin. "Her game translates to both ends of the floor, and she has consistently shown she can make an impact whether it's through scoring, rebounding, or creating for her teammates.”
At North Carolina State, Cunane was named an AP and USBWA Second Team All-American and WBCA All-American in 2022. She was also a finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award and named to the John R. Wooden Award National Ballot during her senior season.
"Elissa is a high-IQ player who understands how to play the right way and will always put the team first,” said Head Coach Natalie Nakase. "She's fierce on the glass, creating extra possessions, and has the ability to space the floor. That combination of basketball intelligence and skill makes her an exciting addition to our frontcourt." ]]
https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/golden-state-valkyries-sign-elissa-cunane-20250206
[[ Laeticia Amihere claimed off waivers by Golden State. Very reasonable move to take a look at a young player with all sorts of 'tools' who's having a decent season in Australia. Exactly the sort of player expansion teams should be bringing in. ]]
https://bsky.app/profile/richardcohen.bsky.social/post/3lhk44kvhj22h
Cool. I was curious about her in the expansion draft. Seems like she has miles (and miles) to go offensively, but there’s some Herb Jones-ish defensive upside.
This is a great addition. Tip Hayes is a veteran baller. All-star caliber player. Has some similarities to James Harden is the sense that she will figure out a way to get into the paint for that left-handed layup. (or get fouled) Solid 3pt shooter.
Great signing and good reason to watch Unrivaled Laces - Tiff Hayes & Martin!