We are switching it up and going away from the diamond today and back to an area that has had plenty of attention in the news lately — the WNBA.I wouldn't say anything the league is in the news for is exactly good, but that's how it works with the W.
Just can't seem to get out of its own way.The WNBA needs a marketing team, a new commissioner, and maybe some people with brains.
I'm going to use my brain for betting this game between the Liberty and Mercury.The New York Liberty came into the season as favorites to win the WNBA Championship, and despite their record being just 16-13, I'm not sure you can count them out.They did win the Commissioner's Cup, which is a similar concept to the NBA Play-In Tournament.
The bad news for New York is that only one team in the four-year history has won the WNBA Championship while winning the Commissioner's Cup the same season.The issue isn't talent for the Liberty; there is plenty of that.
So, what is causing them to be average?New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu fights for control of the ball with Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd during the first half of a WNBA game Tuesday in New York.(Yuki Iwamura/AP)One factor is that the league is better.
I know most people will think that it is solely the result of Caitlin Clark coming to the league, but the reality is there have been a lot of talented players coming in the past few seasons.The other major factor is that the team hasn't had its full team for the full year.
Sabrina Ionescu has been in only 17 games.Satou Sabally has played in only 13.
And overall, the Liberty have had 11 players play in 10+ games and average at least 13 minutes.That's a lot of mixing and matching for a club.The Phoenix Mercury made it to the Finals last season before losing to the Aces.
Now, they are struggling to even make it to the postseason this year.The team got off to a horrible start, opening the year 2-8, then went to 4-12.
The Mercury have had three losing streaks this season of at least ...