Despite their 18-12 record, 5th place standing, and losing the last two of four games since the Olympic break, the Las Vegas (LV) Aces can still win the WNBA championship in 2024. Why? Player for player against all other WNBA teams, the defending champion Aces remain a very talented and formidable team. A’ja Wilson is the run away favored most valuable player (MVP) of the league this year. Per game, A’ja is 1st in points (27.1), 2nd in rebounds (11.7), 1st in blocks (2.7), and 3rd in steals (1.9).
The Aces boast six Olympians including A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young for Team USA. Megan Gustafson played for Spain and Tiffany Hayes represented Azerbaijan in the 3×3 event. Half the roster played in the Olympics and did not take time off during the five-week hiatus.
From the outside, it appears like the Aces’ chemistry is very good. Coach of Year Becky Hammon, called out their poor play against one of the league’s poorer teams, the Dallas Wings in their latest loss. “We didn’t defend, we fouled, and we didn’t rebound. And we shot the 3 terrible again. So, its a bad combination,” according to Hammon. A’ja Wilson, too, said during a recent in-game live interview “everyone needs to do their jobs…”
This muse is not fond of the in-game broadcast with players. Let them play and do their jobs. At those exact moments, we don’t need to know how they feel, their journeys, or any other personal intimate detail or emotion. Its out of bounds. Let them sweat, listen to their coaches, reconnect with teammates, get water, see the trainers. After the game – all is fair game. Its the networks directing the sideline reporters to engage the players.
The Aces’ recent losses could be from overload. The Olympic and Team USA demands, plus the absence of real rest for five-weeks during their collective pursuit of the gold likely took a toll. The New York (NY) Liberty have also stumbled with three Olympians on their squad. Three teams that have benefited from the break include the Washington (WSH) Mystics, Indiana (IN) Fever, and Dallas (DAL) Wings. Injuries have healed and overall team chemistry has improved. There are no cakewalks now for opponents. Teams with sub-.500 records are better.
Currently the Aces are fifth in the standings with an 18-12 record. It can be argued that player for player, the Aces are better than the four teams ahead of them. However, their collective play is not better than the others right now.
The Aces must improve their rebounding and defense. A’ja Wilson does her share and more. Need a page from NY Knicks coach Tom Thibideau, where minutes are earned with defense, hustling, rebounding, and hard work. Move the needle. Always have your +/- be in the plus column. Its a telling statistic with how hard one is playing and the effort exerted.
Load management may be the root cause analysis. Perhaps a foot off the pedal for A’ja Wilson is needed, whereby teammates take over or have to contribute more. Folks are waiting for A’ja to score 40+ points or notch another triple double. Teammates need to bring their best, their “A” games too. Let one’s performance be on display reminding us why players were selected to Team USA. This is a perfect time to up your game and allow A’ja a night off.
Besides A’ja Wilson, offensively the Aces are uber-talented ballers. This includes Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum Jackie Young, Megan Gustafson, Kiah Stokes, Alicia Clark, and Tiffany Hayes. They all have game.
If the WNBA playoffs were to start today, the Seattle (SEA) Storm would host the LV Aces. One loss separates the two teams. SEA just added French Olympian, Gabby Williams to an already strong lineup that includes Olympians and All-Stars, Jewell Loyd, Nneke Ogwumike, Ezi Magbegor, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and sophomore Jordan Horston.
The LV Aces can win the WNBA championship in 2024 starting now with a recommitment to taking a load off of A’ja Wilson, namely defense and rebounding, plus shooting the rock well. The three-peat is very hard to do, but doable. Let’s go Aces!
From AP News. No copyright infringement is intended.
