Tag: King Sized Queens

QotC Week 10 Power Rankings

Jon’s first power rankings.

So Paul has been our power ranking guru but it’s time to switch it up for this week while on vacation and give Paul the week off. Here is my week 10 power rankings!

Connecticut Sun (16-6) – BURN IT DOWN!!! The Sun are back and in a big way. This streaky team has gone on another huge winning steak.  After starting the season 9-1 and having a bad stretch they are back on top of our power ranking and holding down the number one seed for the playoffs. This team plays great D and shares the basketball so well.  They play to exploit match ups and almost any one of their starters can go off on any given night.  I have a feeling this team is going to stay as the number 1 team all year because when they are hot they are basically unbeatable.  Hopefully they can continue this into the playoffs.

Washington Mystics (15-7)– Washington has taken sole possession of the 2 seed as they knocked off the Aces in the earthquake make up game.  They have been playing amazing basketball lately and look as good if not better then last year.  The MVP race looks all but locked up as Elena Delle Donne has been going off and took down another player of the week scoring 26 and 8 and has been the reason this team is where they are.  They are my favorite to win the whole thing this year but as this year has shown anything can happen.

Las Vegas Aces (15-8) – Las Vegas is our number 3 team as they keep playing great basketball.  They are clearly one of, if not the deepest team in the league as they are able to be next one up with Dearica Hambey with A’ja Wilson going down.  They are 2-2 out of the break with one of those losses being the resumed game from the earthquake last month.  They score in bunches, they exploit any match ups they need to, and they aren’t as selfish as you would think a team with this much star power can be.  They need to fix their turnover problem as they average 14 a game so if they bring that down they will be fighting for one of the top two seeds for the whole second half of the season.

Los Angeles Sparks (13-8)– CP3 is back (Candace Parker!!!!) and in her first week back she won player of the week with the Sparks going 2-0.  She is the GOAT! Averaging 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks in her first week back.  She has looked electric and has made this team better in every way.  Last week we were saying this could be the what if season for the Sparks and Candace has quickly changed everything.  The team just looks scary as they have the depth and skill to be the best in the league. Watch out here they come!!!!!

Phoenix Mercury (11-10) – The Currently injury plagued Mercury are still playing great basketball.  They have moved up to 5th on this list and they can beat anyone on any given night. A real contender to go to the finals this year.  Brittney Griner is playing at an MVP level this season and has had two monster games coming out of the all-star break 28-26 points in both of those games.  They are 1-2 out of the break but that doesn’t mean they haven’t played good basketball and with the amount of injuries they have been battling I am happy to put them in the 5th spot.

Chicago Sky (12-9) – The Chicago Sky are the biggest surprise to me this season as they keep on BALLING! Diamond DeShields is proving why she is an Allstar night in and night out and Steph Dolson is proving she is one of the most underrated bigs in the league.  They are sitting at 6th on the power ranking but are actually in 5th place and I can see them staying up around this level all season because they play as a family.  I love this team and hope they can continue to get better. They could be a dark horse come play off time as they have the shooters to win any game.

Seattle Storm (12 –11) – The Seattle Storm magic might be wearing off a bit.  They have been able to battle through it all this season but they are currently on a 3 game losing streak coming out of the all star break with losses vs the Mystics and Sparks and have fallen to 7th on our power rankings.  They will always be a threat but as for competing for a championship this year after winning last year it doesn’t seem to be in the cards for them. 

Minnesota Lynx (10 – 11) – The Lynx are one of the teams in the playoff picture to be worried about.  They are on a 4 game losing streak and have lost 5 of 6 but all close games with the worse loss coming by 11 points to the Fever.  They’re looking to snap the streak tonight against the dream but if they lose again tonight the road doesn’t get much easier as they play the top two teams Friday (CT) and Sunday (DC).  The streak could easily get to 7 by the end of the week if they don’t win tonight. On a high note, Napheesa Collier was just named Rookie of the month. But she only averages 11 points per game tand he Rookie of the year has gone to the highest scoring rookie 12 of 15 seasons and Arike Ogunbowale is averaging 15 per game.

Indiana Fever (8– 15) – The Allstar break did wonders for the Fever.  They have come out of the break 2-0 with a 2 point win over the Dream, with a game winning shot from Allstar game MVP Erica Wheeler. Then a 20 point come back against the Lynx to win by 11.  The team is playing better basketball and could continue to fight for the final playoff spot. 

New York Liberty (8 – 13) – After sending Kia Nurse and Tina Charles to the all star gaming and getting their long list of Euro basketball players back I expected the Liberty to keep playing exciting basketball.  Since coming back from the break that has not been the case as the Liberty are 0-2 losing by 15 to the Sun and 23 to the Wings.  With Asia Durr back into the starting lineup I expect to see some more exciting basketball as she was playing great before her injury.  Hopefully we can see them get back to playing tough competitive basketball.

Dallas Wings (6-16) – Dallas out of the break have been looking like they have all season, young and inexperienced.  They have had flashes of good basketball with Arike Ogunbowale taking over as the top rookie this year and reacquired Megan Gustafson showing why she deserves to play in this league, having scored 11 points with 8 boards in back to back games. The team is 2 years younger in average age than any team in the league. The future with Diggins-Smith, Jefferson, and Stevens all coming back could be huge factors next year and AS I was writing this Dallas traded Theresa Plaisance for Kristine Anigwe good move for both sides.

Atlanta Dream (5 – 17) – Atlanta’s abysmal season continues. It’s getting bad at this point as they are on a 7 game losing streak after winning 3 outta 4 before that. After coming one game shy of the WNBA finals last year it’s sad to see where this team is at. The Dream are missing McCoughtry bad and there hasn’t been many updates lately on her return.  It’s looking more like she might take this whole season to rehab with the team as far back as they are.

2019 WNBA Week 10: All Star Review and Playoff Preview

The King Sized Queens run down the top 8 teams heading for the playoffs and look ahead at what to expect from what promises to be an exciting 2nd half.  Jon and Paul pay tribute to a fallen member of the family and take a look at some of the changes WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has begun to employ.

Queens of the Court
2019 WNBA Week 10: All Star Review and Playoff Preview
/

2019 WNBA Week 8: All Star Draft Show Extravaganza

Jon and Paul react live to the WNBA All Star Draft selection show on ESPN2, an ice cream wager is placed, and Paul won’t shut up.

Queens of the Court
2019 WNBA Week 8: All Star Draft Show Extravaganza
/

2019 WNBA Week 7: Mystery, Intrigue, and All Stars

Jon and Paul explore mysterious injuries and player absences in the WNBA and question whether fans are getting the whole story.  Also, a closer look at the full list of All Stars after the reserves were announced earlier today.

Queens of the Court
2019 WNBA Week 7: Mystery, Intrigue, and All Stars
/

2019 WNBA Week 6: Earthquakes, Power Couples, et al

Jon and Paul discuss the hot topics in the WNBA this week including a game cancelled by Earthquake, a mysterious face injury, an all star voting update, America’s power couple, and more.

Queens of the Court
2019 WNBA Week 6: Earthquakes, Power Couples, et al
/

QotC Week 6 Power Rankings

Our WNBA Power Rankings for Week 6 Monday, July 8th:

  1. Washington Mystics (9 – 4) – The Mystics should probably be 10 – 4 after leading the Aces by 15 at the half before being forced to  cancel the game due to an “act of god.”  Earthquakes aside, there’s no reason to think the Mystics are anything other than the top team in the W this season despite suffering a loss on Sunday to the Sparks.  Elena Delle Donne appeared to suffer a bloody nose after a no call on a missed jumper in the 2nd minute of the game and did not return.
  2. Las Vegas Aces (9 – 5) – The Aces ride a three game winning streak into the number 2 spot in our rankings and boast 4 representatives among the top 20 in wnba All Star voting as of July 2nd.  They looked outmatched in the 1st half of their match against the Mystics but were spared the loss when a 6.9 southern cal earthquake shook the Mandalay Bay Events Center.  A’ja Wilson looks like she wants to follow up her 2018 Rookie of the Year award with a 2019 MVP.
  3. Connecticut Sun (9 – 5) – Nothing good to report from the Sun this week who played one game at home and lost to the Minnesota Lynx.  Expect the competition to only get stiffer as Eurobasket has ended and many teams are expecting reinforcements.  Head coach Curt Miller has his hands full righting the ship and avoiding a repeat of last year’s narrative which saw a disappointing one game end to a strong season.
  4. Los Angeles Sparks (7 – 6) – The Sparks are looking a bit more like themselves this past week as they cap a three game win streak with a strong win against the Mystics (albeit without Delle Donne).  My faith in the preseason favorites is restored and I expect them to just get better as the season progresses.  Nneka Ogwumike looks to be hitting her MVP form as the court is opened up by the dangerous outside play of Candace Parker and Chelsea Gray, who recorded the WNBA’s 8th regular season triple double on Sunday.
  5. Minnesota Lynx (8 – 6) – Minnesota took advantage of slumping teams this week recording wins against the Dream and Sun.  Odyssey Sims has acclimated well to her new team and looks to be a long term solution at point guard.  Injuries have forced the Lynx to rely on their depth which is probably performing to its peak at present.  If they’re to challenge for a title, they’ll need reinforcements from their injured list.
  6. Phoenix Mercury (6 – 6) – Phoenix gets ranked 1st among teams even at .500 this week because they’re about to get Diana Taurasi back and when you add the GOAT to a .500 team seeing strong performances from Britney Griner and DeWanna Bonner, I expect a lot.  The Mercury are a team nobody wants to face in the playoffs regardless of how strong their season record is, so as long as they hold onto a playoff spot, I won’t be betting against them.
  7. Chicago Sky (7 – 7) – The Sky matched the Aces through three quarters on the road before disappearing in the 4th and dropping below .500 for the first time since opening 1 – 2 but rebounding with a solid win at home against the Wings.  They’ll need to do a better job closing out close games against playoff contenders if they’re going to hold onto a playoff spot.  Jantel Lavender has proven to be a strong pickup and should be encouraged to continue to assert herself as a top scorer for this team.
  8. Seattle Storm (8 – 8) – It is not surprising that the Storm have finally hit a rough patch as the injuries to star players multiplied.  Still, the three game losing streak is not representative of how well the Storm have played losing two of the three by 2 points or less.  Competition for the final few spots in the playoff picture has become tighter and the Storm could find themselves on the outside looking in if they don’t get some help soon.  They’ll enjoy having the week off to regroup.
  9. New York Liberty (7 – 8) – I had penciled in the Liberty in the 7 slot after a 4 game win streak until they were blown out by the visiting Aces.  Kia Nurse has emerged as a constant scoring threat from anywhere on the floor at anytime of the game, but a lackluster shooting night for her translated into a blowout loss.  The margin for error for this Liberty team is low, but when they’re clicking, they’re as dangerous as anyone.  They return 4 players from Eurobasket this week as they continue to turn their season around and challenge for a playoff spot.
  10. Indiana Fever (6 – 9) – The Fever are on the outside looking in and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon.  Most expected the Fever to be another year or two away from seeing their rebuild come to fruition but another solid draft pick next year could round out this team of young talent.  Indiana is one of three teams without a player in the top 20 for all star voting so a 6 – 9 record is actually quite remarkable and a testament to Pokey Chatman’s coaching.
  11. Dallas Wings (4 – 9) – Dallas has a stark home – road split boasting a winning record at College Park Center at 4 – 3 but has yet to record a win on the road.  Rookie Arike Ogunbowale has been a (sometimes) bright spot in an otherwise difficult year for a team searching for their identity in the wake of the Liz Cambage trade and Diggins-Smith injury.  You won’t hear any complaints from the rookie though, who is getting a chance to do exactly what she wants to do, put up shots in volume.
  12. Atlanta Dream (3 – 10) – The dream conquered an injury plagued Storm team on the road this week before losing by 2 to Phoenix.  Brittney Sykes is perhaps the most underrated player in the WNBA and if I were the Dream’s front office, I’d try to build around the athletic guard.  Everyone is getting ample playing time and a chance to step up as Nicki Collen continues to search for answers on the roster.

2019 WNBA Week 5: Rise of the Rookies

Jon and Paul delve into the top stories form the WNBA this week and ask, “how you would you beat the Mystics?” We take a closer look at some of the top performing rookies on the season and speculate what it will take for the Sun to keep one of the top 2 spots come playoff time.

Queens of the Court
2019 WNBA Week 5: Rise of the Rookies
/

QotC Week 5 Power Rankings

Our WNBA Power Rankings for Week 5 Monday, July 1: 

  1. Washington Mystics (9 – 3) – We all know what Washington is capable of on offense, but it is their defensive efficiency that stands out as they take the top spot from the Connecticut Sun after a 43 point blowout win at home.  Burn THAT down, Sun.  Apart from what has become a star studded starting lineup the Mystics are getting strong contributions from the bench and are now the team to beat.  Oh and Emma Meeseman returns in a week.
  2. Connecticut Sun (9 – 4) – The Sun had a shaky week on the road and have lost 3 in a row after starting 9 – 1.  De Ja Vu anyone?  The Sun started the 2018 season 7 – 1 before falling to 10 – 10 with a mid season rough patch.  Luckily they bounced back and won 9 of their last 10 but Curt Miller’s squad has to hope for more this season.  The top two seeds get important byes in the current wnba playoff format and the Sun aren’t likely to secure a top 2 spot if they fall to .500 again.
  3. Las Vegas Aces (7 – 5) – Aces’ fans can’t help but feel a little frustrated with how this year has gone.  They’re up, they’re down, they win, they lose.  If there’s one thing the Aces are, it’s inconsistent.  Former Number 1 pick A’ja Wilson dropped 39 on 14 – 20 shooting in a win against the fever.  Former Number 1 pick Kelsey Plum went 0 – 8 in that same game.  There’s no doubt the talent is there (I sound like a broken record).  What is it going to take to win a few in a row and find some separation from the rest of the pack?
  4. Seattle Storm (8 – 6) – The Storm continue to impress by winning with a “next woman up” mentality despite the growing injury list.  Jewell Loyd is out for 2 – 4 weeks with an ankle injury, so Sami Whitcomb steps up and drops 13, 6, and 5 in a tight home loss to the surging Mercury.  Presumably the Storm will get most of their stars back this year, but can the current crop keep them in the hunt for the top spots until then?
  5. Los Angeles Sparks (6 – 6) – The Sparks are 1st in my rankings among teams even at .500 because of what I expect from this group of talent.  They bounced back with a couple of wins this week against quality opponents in the Aces and Sky with the win against the Sky looking a bit more like the kind of score lines I was expecting from the Sparks this season.  Candace Parker is only going to get better as the season goes on.  Look out for a marquee matchup with Washington this week!
  6. Phoenix Mercury (5 – 5) – The Mercury are 2nd among teams even at .500 because Diana Taurasi isn’t back yet.  Odd that it was rumored Taurasi would return a week ago and still hasn’t played a minute.  I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to see how good the Mercury are going to be when she returns.  Are they title contenders? Are they middle of the pack? Unclear.  In a season when every team has significant strengths, its going to be the teams that can squeeze out the close ones that will thrive and no one is better at that than Diana Taurasi.
  7. Chicago Sky (6 – 6) – The Sky have lost three in a row but all to quality opponents.  Despite the losses I am actually more of a believer in the Sky now than I was a few weeks ago.  I like the shooting, I like the pace of play, I like the team chemistry that continues to grow.  I question who they turn to late in a game when they need a bucket.  Do they have that player right now? You can say that anyone of the starters (and some bench players I might add) could be that player on any given night, but that’s also an indication to me that they simply don’t have that type of star right now.
  8. Minnesota Lynx (6 – 6) – The Lynx have played 10 straight games decided by a single digit scoring margin including a number of nailbiters, but that amount of tension day in and day out is going to wear on a young team still developing its new identity.  I expect this team to continue to hover around the .500 mark for the rest of the season.  It also wouldn’t surprise me to hear the Lynx mentioned in trade rumors later this summer as they will look to build the next potential dynasty.
  9. New York Liberty (5 – 7) – The Liberty are 5 – 3 in their last 8 after a slow start.  I expect them to challenge for a playoff spot, particularly when they get their overseas talent back in a week or so.  The identity of this team is starting to take shape with Tina Charles at the helm and strong, young, guard support from Asia Durr, Kia Nurse, and Brittany Boyd.  The future is bright for the Liberty.
  10. Indiana Fever (5 – 9) – The Fever have struggled of late losing 4 in a row after what many thought was a surprisingly positive start to the season.  But for the most part these losses have been tight.  They’ll need more consistency from their guards if they’re going to start winning those close ones, but veteran Candace Dupree has been an ageless wonder providing some much needed leadership and scoring.
  11. Dallas Wings (4 – 7) – Dallas won two out of three games this week that were all decided by 3 points or less.  Rookie sensation Arike Ogunbowale looks like she is starting to adjust to the league despite posting a 2 – 23 game in their lone loss this week.  And to me, Dallas looks like a team that recently remembered that they’re actually really talented.  Their record is more a reflection of how intensely competitive the WNBA is this year.
  12. Atlanta Dream (2 – 8) – The nightmare season continues for the dream who can’t seem to find any answers to a league overflowing with talent.  Shots aren’t falling, the defense doesn’t look sharp, and on the court leadership is lacking.  I expect the Dream to be involved in trade talks to move their veteran talent and get younger in a hurry.  The rebuild is on.

Geoff Magliocchetti: Unleashed and Uncut

Paul and Jon are joined by NY Liberty beat reporter Geoff Magliocchetti to discuss all things NY Liberty.  Geoff shares his unique experience and interactions with the players, coaches, and ownership and makes his predictions for whats in store for the Liberty in the future.

Queens of the Court
Geoff Magliocchetti: Unleashed and Uncut
/

2019 WNBA Week 4: Departures, Delays, and Returns

Jon and Paul break down where we are after 1 month of the WNBA season discussing departures for the European Championships, continued travel woes for the W, and player returns we’ve been waiting for.

Queens of the Court
2019 WNBA Week 4: Departures, Delays, and Returns
/