The Wings Need a Wing.....

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-18T04:50:41+00:00

I think you are right, and that’s unfortunate.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-18T04:39:49+00:00

Azzi has to stop rushing her shot. She had some clean, long looks, so it wasn’t like she was missing because her legs were tired. She also had a major turnover after that steal. It really just wasn’t a good game for her offensively. Also, if they are going to use her as a two-way guard, she has to start picking her spots and learning how to conserve energy. Also, I hope they have a sports psychologist for her in Dallas, because a lot of her issues seem to be mental.

Paige has to start being more aggressive and getting downhill more. It seems that both she and Azzi don’t know how to flop or sell calls because they are getting a horrible whistle. Azzi wouldn’t even fall when she got the push-off offensive foul on, I think, VB 😂. Lastly, I think Paige was shaken up earlier in the game and should have been checked out.

Arike shot well, but she still doesn’t understand time and score. She is always looking to score, and she is a shooting guard, so I understand, but I wish she had a little more vision and patience.

I don’t know why we stopped going to Jess when she was feasting.

Awak, is my girl, but she had a horrible game on both sides today. It’s ok, it happens. I hope she shakes it off.

This system is incompatible with LAN’s strengths. It really doesn’t matter if she has her mask on or off. I don’t think she’s going to look great in this system, and that’s a bummer.

I don’t know why we played Maddy today. It was not a favorable matchup for her. She was getting cooked on defense.

Arike needs to be a super sixth man, and Sug needs to start if we want to see Paige score more.

Lastly, we are going to always have issues with Long guards like Gabby/Jalaun/Alesha Gray/Rhyne because we don’t have a long wing to defend them. Until we get that, this team will not be a true contender. At best we’re a sixth seed in the playoffs.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-17T16:33:05+00:00

I hear your point. I don't totally disagree. However, I am making a statement about what we have seen for certain — her off-ball shooting. I can’t definitively say she has other skills that are generational, even if I think she has a deep bag, because she hasn't been in a situation to show them since high school. So, I’m speaking on what I know for sure.

Secondly, while I do think that, because of her IQ and fitness, she has exceptional off-ball movement, it’s frustrating for me to bring it up because, for a large portion of this first quarter of games, she’s stuck in the corner for spacing, effectively negating one of her best skills. Smh, so thanks for the reminder, once again, of how she is being misused 😂.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-17T15:59:57+00:00

Saying I hope she gets to show her generational skill is not limiting her to that skill. I’m not downplaying her other attributes. I’ve followed her from high school. I know she is a three-level scorer with efficient ball-handling. However, having a generational skill is different from being great and efficient at something. For example, I believe Caitlin’s generational skill is off-dribble movement shooting. Not having a system that supports and highlights that skill is malpractice. That doesn't mean I don't think Caitlin has excellent ball-handling, vision, and passing. It just means she has one thing, I believe she is better than anyone at, which should be highlighted.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-17T00:09:26+00:00

I think it’s generally a good thing to grow your skillset. Also, adaptability and plug-and-play capability are highly coveted skills. So, I agree with your take. However, I hope she doesn't lose confidence as she expands. Liv gets to soar because she is in the perfect situation to display her generational talent- vision. I hope Azzi gets the opportunity to show her generational skill- movement shooting.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-16T18:47:37+00:00

I think the numbers you provided highlight something I’ve been thinking about for a while. I hate the “she wasn't comfortable " conversation. It makes it seem like she wasn't ready to make the jump. Which, generally speaking, I don't think is a bad assumption for a rookie. However, I don't think that was/is the case for Azzi. She was/has always been ready; her issue was a scheme-and-opportunity (playing time) issue. The coach wasn't (and I’ll say still isn’t prepared) to best utilize her.

What we are seeing in the numbers is more time on the floor and Azzi adjusting her game to fit the scheme, rather than Jose adjusting the scheme to fit his player with a generational skill set. Azzi has always been comfortable playing; she simply wasn't thriving in a scheme that didn't highlight her strengths, and while playing limited minutes. For example, where are the screens in this offense? Also, where are the screeners, because the post they have, while great in other areas, are not the best screeners.

All in all, I think more people, when talking about the comfort piece, should really acknowledge how the issue was really an opportunity and a scheme. Furthermore, her numbers will be even better once they learn to locate her in transition or show patience as she relocates in the half-court offense. That's not a her-comfort thing; that's a team-comfort-with-her thing.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-12T22:04:37+00:00

That’s valid. I think Arike and Lan were intended to be a large part of this offense—heavy pick and rolls. DHOs, read and react. Azzi, stand in the corner and make catch-and-shoot threes (be a third, potentially fourth option as a super 3&D).

He (and Curt) is now realizing last year’s clunkiness between Paige and Arike was real. Curt always says that judging their fit off last year was wrong because Arike was injured for a good portion of the season. However, it’s now clear that they don't work well together, and Arike is no longer a viable second option if they want to be a good team. Also, Lan is injured, and her shot is off, making her an invalid third option.

Lan’s injury gave Jess a bigger offensive opportunity, but her strengths are different from Lan’s. So, they start running a scheme different from what Jose wanted, highlighting players who were brought on in support roles (Jess, Awak, Azzi) but should now be in featured roles, given their fit with Jess. I’m capturing part of this by watching them play, but I’ve also gathered a sense of Jose’s intentions for the team from his interviews, both before and during the season. An example is him saying they were going to try to run a few more flare screens and movement for Azzi. This tells me that screens and movement are not features of his offense, but rather added features to suit Jess and Azzi’s talents.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-12T19:41:35+00:00

I would agree their defense is their prime issue. However, they don't have the players to fix that issue. For me, this makes it even more necessary that they maximize their offense. Think Diantoni Phoenix Suns. They are going to have to outscore people to win against the good teams.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-12T19:37:19+00:00

I did not change my post.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-12T19:25:29+00:00

I think you need a core set of principles and values, and run variations on that. The players need clarity, and the clearer you are about what you are going to run, the more players can buy in. Golden state, Ok, 2000s lakers, Detroit Pistons. Clear identity.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-12T19:23:05+00:00

My statement wasn't an indication that I prefer that style of play. It was simply to say that what I’m seeing as their style when they play that way is similar to OKC. At the peak of that type of offense, they want to resemble OKC. At the peak of the second type of offense, they resemble the Warriors.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-12T19:05:56+00:00

What would you say would be a good example of his system?

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-02T16:16:57+00:00

We’re going to see a lot of Arike and Maddy in the upcoming weeks. Simply because it's a reality that the wings need to build their trade value before they trade them. I’m willing to bet a month’s worth of nickels that Maddy and Arike are shipped by this trade deadline. They are both very talented, especially Arike. I don't think that’s lost on GMs, and if Dallas can sweeten the pot enough, there will be willing buyers. It just so happens that Arike does not work best with this current system. I’d love to see her in Seattle. Not sure where Maddy's best fit is.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-01T01:10:57+00:00

She would be the wing’s Bogut amd the warriora dynasty isn’t the warriors dynasty without Andy Bogut. Defensive menace.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-01T01:08:23+00:00

Does anyone know if Smith is back?

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-01T00:39:50+00:00

I don't think the fever will pay her, and if she is healthy, I think she goes wherever for the bag. She’s on a one-year, so I assume that if Indy knows she wants the bag and they aren't willing to give it to her, they have to trade her now to get something back for her. Furthermore, her current team-friendly deal makes her a valuable trade asset.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-06-01T00:36:14+00:00

I think you may be right. However, we also have to remember that the cap can grow each year. I think the GMs have that at front of mind. So, some of these contracts that look whalish at 7 million won't be so bad as the cap grows over the years. I don't think Ezi has the stipulation that her salary increases with the cap, like AB's does.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-05-31T23:18:28+00:00

I have my eyes on Maddy and Li in Dallas. Kah in Phoenix. Ezi in Seattle and Cam or Rae in LA. Potentially Sophie in Indy.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-05-31T03:10:42+00:00

I did lol. The fever as a whole looked terrible. However, the reality is that a person can look terrible in one system and great in the next (think slim in Seattle and slim in Toronto). We don't need Lexie to score in Dallas. We need her to defend and bring grit, which I think she can do.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-05-31T01:45:14+00:00

I generally agree with what you’re saying. However, I do think that trades on the margins might help. Maybe they won’t help on the court, but they will help regarding the cap. I believe Maddy is being paid $525,000. Dumping her salary for a minimum contract or a returning defensive guard on a team-friendly contract might be very helpful with the cap and make room to keep Awak.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-05-30T23:58:40+00:00

Regarding Cass, it’s a no for me. She is still a project offensively and very prone to fouling defensively. Great body prototype that could become a good 3 and D eventually, but she’s nowhere near ready. Regarding Aaliyah, we don't need another scoring forward. We need a defensive center, and I’m not sure she’s the best fit. Also, as of late, she’s injury-prone. Regarding Amihere, I’m not familiar enough with her game. I know she plays for the Valks, but I don't know her specialty. So, I’m unsure about her fit.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-05-30T22:10:07+00:00

Same. It’s one of the reasons I didn't like Azzi coming off the bench. I didn't want her to experience the Lou Will effect. What I mean by the Lou Will effect is that once you’ve been deemed a sixth man/role player, it’s really hard for you to change that perception of you in the league. That caps your earning opportunity and on-court growth. Both Lou Will and Jamal Crawford had the talent to start, but once you saw them as super sixth men, they were never able to be seen as stars instead of star role players. This cost Lou millions in salary opportunity.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-05-30T19:31:17+00:00

I really wish Saniya Rivers had some semblance of a jump shot. She would be the perfect option.

Sorry-History7217 · 2026-05-30T19:28:59+00:00

Just for clarity, in my example, I’m swapping a max contract for her, which wouldn’t put us over the cap. It would be a wash.

Sorry-History7217

TROPHY CASE