The start of the WNBA season has not disappointed, revealing the new teams, the new parity (or faux parity), and the new reffing to fans. I think the most obvious change has been the new focus on “freedom of movement,” aka "an officiating principle aimed at preventing defenders from illegally restricting offensive players through holding, grabbing, hand-checking, bumping the player, or other contact that limits movement. This has resulted in faster-paced games, higher-scoring games, and WAYYYY more fouls per game. If you watch the NBA, you are very familiar with this because the 2018 shift resulted in the product we see today.

Another new aspect of the game is the introduction of Development Players. While I love the addition of two extra roster spots, I’m skeptical about how they’re actually being used. The original idea seemed to be giving young players space to develop while also providing hardship relief, but teams are treating them more like NBA two way contracts than true development spots. Teams are still signing experienced players like Amy Okonkwo, who is 29, or players with multiple seasons under their belt like Kate Martin, while others aren’t even using the slots at all.

That said, I do think the change has been a net positive. We saw far fewer cuts this year because rookies and younger players had more opportunities to stick on rosters. I just wish teams had stronger control over their own development players instead of risking other teams stealing them.

Other than that, it has been interesting to see the teams shape up. Some are performing as expected, like the Dream (compliment) and the Sun (derogatory), but there are some question marks as players come back from injury and overseas commitments. How much better will Chicago be with Azurá but now without Rickea? Will Lacan’s arrival result in CT winning a single game? Is Juste the offensive firepower that will make the Valks a true contender?

My real thoughts about these teams will shape as teams form, but for now, I present to you:

TEAM OF THE WEEK: The Chicago Sky are proving the naysayers wrong. They are currently the best defense in the league, Gabriela Jaquez is surpassing every expectation, and Tyler is coaching his ass off. If they keep going like this, it will be hard to deny them.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Veronica Burton is proving that her MIP was not a fluke at all. VB just put up a double-double, with 12 assists and ZERO turnovers. She has the most games with 10+ assists and 0 turnovers in WNBA history. VB is such a good PG and probably one of the last traditional PGs coming up. Hopefully, she has bubble guts on Thursday tho, I need an easy game for my Libs.

The Dream started off the season with a less-than-stellar win over the Minnesota Lynx. After being down 37 to 52 at halftime, the Dream battled back to win the game with a Pao Pao game winner and back to back Lish and Angel game saving blocks. Though we could consider this a bad sign for the Dream due to how badly they played in the first half, the halftime adjustments and the grit to pull out a win suggest to me that this is a contender. Allisha’s ability to drive to the basket when her outside shot isn’t falling is the difference maker for this team. On the other hand, their loss against Vegas showed the danger of always having to fight back from huge deficits. It’s not always going to work out.

Size will absolutely be an issue for the Dream, but Okot is solid. Bri Jones’ presence is missed, but the team has been able to pull out wins otherwise. Angel is playing out of position as a center, so her flaws are even more obvious, for example, her lack of ability to finish around the rim. She HAS to get better at that. Like, go work out with Bri at least 45 mins a day.

To me, the Dream looks like a bona fide championship contender. I would like to see Rhyne step more into leadership this year and break out of that laid-back personality a bit. I love it personally, but maybe try to be a more vocal leader. I think that’s her next step if she is Atlanta’s franchise player.

Starting Line Up

The Bench

Development Player: Amy Okonkwo

Cuts: Laila Phelia, Bella Fontleroy, Sacha Washington, Stephanie Jones, Holly Winterburn, Paige Robinson, Taylor Thierry

The Chicago is one of the last two undefeated teams in the league, just like everyone predicted lol. In 2 games, I am lowkey convinced that this is a playoff team now, only took 2 games lol. Right now, the Sky have the best defense in the league, led by their rookie Gabriela Jaquez. Despite all the talk, Jacey Sheldon continues to be a dog, and I think she found her long-term home in Chicago. Jacey, Gabriela Jaquez, Rickea, and Tash Cloud have been super impactful. Rickea just held Kayla Thornton to 0/10 shooting!! I wrote those previous sentences right before we saw Rickea’s knee explode in Sunday’s game against the Lynx. This really sucks for the Sky as Rickea is playing super well but unfortunately, it has been confirmed to be a season-ending ACL tear. Hopefully, they get Azura back sooner rather than later.

With the emotional leadership from Skylar, this team is going to be really good. The main area of growth is 1. Tash needs to stop fouling and complaining to the refs. I believe the Vets are going to have the hardest time adjusting to the new whistle. 2. Kamilla needs to get more aggressive and grow her offensive game. Oh and remember that this team is still waiting for Azurá, Dijonai, and Sloot to come back.

Lastly, Rachael Banham…….. Hang it up. Flat Screen.

Starting Lineup

Bench

Development Players: Maddy Westbeld and Aicha Coulibaly

Cut: Jordan Hobbs, Megan Nestor, Hailey Van Lith, Latasha Lattimore, Tonie Morgan, Sidney Cooks

It’s the Sunset season, and they are making sure to put Houston in position to draft Juju or Sara Strong.

The most promising thing about Connecticut is Aneesah fucking Morrow. For all the talk of her being undersized, she is unstoppable on the boards (currently third in the league in rebounds per game), consistently makes her layups, and has a pretty decent jump shot. Nees had a great offseason as well. She finished in second place in Athletes Unlimited, averaging 17.6 points per game. In the first two games this season, she is averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds. She is a real difference maker.

On the other hand, I am concerned about Saniya Rivers. This child needs to develop an offensive game and BADLY. Right now, she is serving as the PG while Leila Lacan is still playing international ball, and they need her back BAD. Which isn’t the greatest, but when the coach played her off-ball, she was basically useless because she can’t shoot. The thing is, you can visually see her looking and deciding not to shoot. Developing a shot will be key to staying in the league.

Lacan just won the championship in the French league, so she will be on her way soon. The team will look a lot more organized once she returns and someone will have to be waived. My guess is Beers, Kneepkens, or Leger Walker.

A reminder that my GOAT Beren Kennedy Burke robbed CT for 1 million dollars. ¡Mi Gente Latina!!!

Roster: The Coach Switches this up almost daily

Bench

Development Players: Ashlon Jackson

Cuts: Harmoni Turner, Kyla Oldarce, Mamignan Touré, Serah Williams, Ines Pitarch-Granel, Shey Peddy, Madison Hayes, Taylor Bigby

To start or not to start. That is the question.

The Dallas Wings pulled off a win in a thrilling game against the Indiana Fever in their first game (their only win); however, this wasn’t enough for Azzi Fudd fans, who are incensed by her coming off the bench. I can sympathize with the POV that “she is the number one pick, who sits their number one pick?” Because why did Dallas draft her? They needed a center because Li is not great. But Azzi is not, like, a franchise changer. That’s Paige. Azzi is an important piece to the puzzle, but she is not the puzzle.

Aside from that, I’m not sure what to make of Dallas. I’m not sure Jose has figured out how to use all his pieces effectively, and I don’t think his recent rants helped. It seems like he is finally realizing that Maddy is a good player who can contribute to winning on this team. Thanks to Alanna staying in foul trouble, Li Yueru and Awak are finally getting some minutes, which are proving to be beneficial.

Jose also doesn’t seem to have much faith in the vets. Alysha Clark gets no play at all. He looked disgusted because Alanna turned the ball over once lol, and his “selfishness” comments seemed to be aimed at them. In my opinion, Alanna just needs to adjust to playing without that Phee gravity and the change in reffing. Her ass was fouling out before, too. Arike’s offseason doesn’t feel like a fluke. She looked good and is actually playing in an offense that considers her vs last year.

I think this team will either implode or respond to this tough coaching and be a real playoff team. No in between lol.

Starters

Returners

Development Players: Dulcy Fankam Mendijiadeu, Constanza Verona

Cuts: Kyla Oldacre, Shyanne Sellers, Grace Sullivan, Zee Spearman, Grace Berger, Lindsey Allen, Raya Marshall, Amy Okonkwo

The Valkyries are off to a very hot start, picking up right where they left off last year. Veronica is still playing at an elite level, averaging 14 ppgs and 7 assists per game, and really looks to be on the path to becoming the next great traditional PG in this league. Kayla Thornton, despite her horrendous game against Chicago, is looking fully recovered from her knee injury, and Gabby Williams is poised to prove that she is, in fact, a franchise player.

While Tiffany Hayes and Cecilia Zandalasini are out with injury, Laeticia Amihere has room to prove herself as a player. They let go of Kate Martin in favor of Kaitlyn Chen (or LA), which was absolutely the correct choice. Kaitlyn Chen’s offseason work will definitely show. She finished as the Newcomer of the Year in AU. Kate was being benched in Unrivaled on a roster of 5 people.

French star Justė Jocytė just wrapped up her season in Spain and will be joining the team soon. I think the biggest hurdle is Coach Nakase not working her own team to death and realizing that rest is as important as going super hard in practice.

Starting

Bench

Development Players: Miela Sowah

Suspended: Illiana Rupert - Out for the season due to pregnancy

Cuts: Caroline Ducharme, Marta Suarez, Ashlon Jackson, Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, Carte Reese, Saffron Shiels (Draft and Stash), Kokoro Tanka (Draft and Stash), Kate Martin, Bailey Maupin, Mariella Fasoula

In the last issue, I said, “Another thing this team will have to worry about is the lack of true bigs behind AB. The Fever front office said they went guard heavy due to the injuries to their guards last year, but with only Monique Billings backing up AB, that could be a real concern if AB misses any time.”

Lol I love it when I write things, and my prediction comes true. AB (lower leg injury) and Makayla Timpson (got her jaw rocked) are both hurt. The Fever are now very thin in the frontcourt, and Mo is serviceable but just too little. Surprisingly, Myisha Hines-Allen has been decent, but so far they cannot pull off wins against competitive teams.

As for Caitlin, if I’m being generous, I think some of the early critiques of CC are a little overblown. Yes, she is ass on defense, yes she turns the ball over WAY too much, yes she complains to the refs too much, but we do have to remember she is coming off a season riddled with injury. I think she will get into rhythm as the season goes on. She’ll still be complaining to the refs. The lack of bigs is more of a concern than CC at this point.

Overall, I think this is a big three that can win a chip together, but health and cohesion will be key.

The Returners

Bench

Development Players: Justine Pissott

Cut: Megan McConnel, Jessica Timmons, Kayana Traylor

The Upshot league is a new women’s basketball league that aims to serve as a development league for the WNBA. This league would run from May to September, like the WNBA, and provide a space for players to continue honing their skills while playing real games. Their contracts are even structured to allow players to join the WNBA if their number gets called.

There are four inaugural teams: Jacksonville Waves, Charlotte Crown, Greensboro Groove, and the Savannah Steel. Next year, they will be adding teams in Baltimore and Nashville.

You will see some familiar faces in the league, such as Deja Kelly, Shyanne Sellers, and former WNBA vet AD Durr playing this season.

You can watch all of the games live on YouTube for free, and their schedule is on the website: https://www.youtube.com/@UPSHOTLeague

Check out some of the cool podcasts, videos, reads, and fashion I saw this week.