[Mick]

WaPo story today on the WNBA and its officiating (or lack thereof):

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...unningham/

The WNBA referee treatment of players who "don't foul" Clark reminds me of the NBA's treatment of players "not fouling" Steph Curry early in his career. Also, middle of his career. And recently.

---

There is no world though where Cunningham’s safe but intentional foul on a breakaway at the end of the game should trigger a flagrant 2/ejection and Mabrey’s blind shot, dead ball push on Clark earlier is just a technical foul. Absolutely baffling. That whole Q3 Clark situation was an officiating disaster class.

Also, the Sun reaction on the Cunningham intentional foul was just silly. It’s going to be an obvious flagrant. There was no risk of injury on the play. The game is practically over. Take the free throws and the ball and move on. Stupid, but everybody is already all pissed off, and that is what you get. I guess the refs get to look tough tossing a bunch of people, but it’s mostly the refs fault that is the situation. And at that point it’s just for show - totally meaningless. Again, the game was well over.

My take on Cunningham's foul of Jacy Sheldon is that Sheldon pulled the James Harden move of running into Cunningham at the end of the play. I suspect Cunningham was intending to block the shot, but Sheldon forced the issue.

[Mick]

WaPo story today on the WNBA and its officiating (or lack thereof):

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...unningham/

The WNBA referee treatment of players who "don't foul" Clark reminds me of the NBA's treatment of players "not fouling" Steph Curry early in his career. Also, middle of his career. And recently.

---

There is no world though where Cunningham’s safe but intentional foul on a breakaway at the end of the game should trigger a flagrant 2/ejection and Mabrey’s blind shot, dead ball push on Clark earlier is just a technical foul. Absolutely baffling. That whole Q3 Clark situation was an officiating disaster class.

Also, the Sun reaction on the Cunningham intentional foul was just silly. It’s going to be an obvious flagrant. There was no risk of injury on the play. The game is practically over. Take the free throws and the ball and move on. Stupid, but everybody is already all pissed off, and that is what you get. I guess the refs get to look tough tossing a bunch of people, but it’s mostly the refs fault that is the situation. And at that point it’s just for show - totally meaningless. Again, the game was well over.

My take on Cunningham's foul of Jacy Sheldon is that Sheldon pulled the James Harden move of running into Cunningham at the end of the play. I suspect Cunningham was intending to block the shot, but Sheldon forced the issue.

[Nobadeer]

Nneka Ogwumike capped off an MVP level week in yesterday's Storm win over the Ionescu-less Liberty. Ogwumike had 26 pts 7, reb, 2 stl, 2 blks. 

In Friday's Storm win over Vegas, she had 25 pts, 12 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, and in last Tuesday's 98-67 rout over her former team, the LA Sparks, in just 27 minutes she had 26 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl.

Her season per game averages are 17.8 pts, 8.4 rebs, 2.5 ast and 1.4 stl - at age 34!?

Iriafen played 37 minutes yesterday and had 19 pts and 7 rebs for the victorious Mystics.

[Nobadeer]

Nneka Ogwumike capped off an MVP level week in yesterday's Storm win over the Ionescu-less Liberty. Ogwumike had 26 pts 7, reb, 2 stl, 2 blks. 

In Friday's Storm win over Vegas, she had 25 pts, 12 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, and in last Tuesday's 98-67 rout over her former team, the LA Sparks, in just 27 minutes she had 26 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl.

Her season per game averages are 17.8 pts, 8.4 rebs, 2.5 ast and 1.4 stl - at age 34!?

Iriafen played 37 minutes yesterday and had 19 pts and 7 rebs for the victorious Mystics.

[Nobadeer]

A night of firsts for ex-LSJU stars. Washington upset Minn. despite Alanna Smith with a career high 26 pts for Minn! plus 5 reb 2 ast 2 stl. 

Karlie S., 8 scoreless minutes. Iriafen double-double for the Mystics, 11 pts 11 reb.

Fever upset the Storm 94-86 and Lexie Hull had her first career double-double, 15 pts, 11 reb! Ogwumike cooled off from her week-long heater, "only" 16 pts, 6 rebs, 1 ast, 2 stl for Seattle.

[Nobadeer]

A night of firsts for ex-LSJU stars. Washington upset Minn. despite Alanna Smith with a career high 26 pts for Minn! plus 5 reb 2 ast 2 stl. 

Karlie S., 8 scoreless minutes. Iriafen double-double for the Mystics, 11 pts 11 reb.

Fever upset the Storm 94-86 and Lexie Hull had her first career double-double, 15 pts, 11 reb! Ogwumike cooled off from her week-long heater, "only" 16 pts, 6 rebs, 1 ast, 2 stl for Seattle.

[mbdude]

alanna also had 6 blocks!

[mbdude]

alanna also had 6 blocks!

[BobK]

Kiana Williams is back. With Phoenix

[BobK]

Kiana Williams is back. With Phoenix

[Nobadeer]

Last night, the Mystics (8-8) beat Las Vegas, Iriafen was an uncharacteristic 3 of 13 on FGs, ended up with 12 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast.

The Fever (7-8), playing without Clark again (still not fully recovered from leg injury), lost to LA last night. Hull played 33 minutes (second only to Kelsey Plum on LA) and had 6 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, but 5 turnovers and a +/-  of -17.

[Nobadeer]

Last night, the Mystics (8-8) beat Las Vegas, Iriafen was an uncharacteristic 3 of 13 on FGs, ended up with 12 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast.

The Fever (7-8), playing without Clark again (still not fully recovered from leg injury), lost to LA last night. Hull played 33 minutes (second only to Kelsey Plum on LA) and had 6 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, but 5 turnovers and a +/-  of -17.

[PalmTree]

Kiana Williams is back. With Phoenix

& she's signed through the end of the season, and not on a hardship (1 week) contract, which was what Phoenix signed Haley Jones to a month or so ago - kind of telling, si como no?......

[PalmTree]

Kiana Williams is back. With Phoenix

& she's signed through the end of the season, and not on a hardship (1 week) contract, which was what Phoenix signed Haley Jones to a month or so ago - kind of telling, si como no?......

[PVTree]

When is CB projected to be back? I keep seeing the Sparks' box scores and she's listed as DNP-knee, but she's at least listed now.

[PVTree]

When is CB projected to be back? I keep seeing the Sparks' box scores and she's listed as DNP-knee, but she's at least listed now.

[joemontes]

Haley JONES released by Dallas (6/28), eleven days after being signed to a hardship contract (6/17).
She was previously released by Phoenix (6/8), a week after being signed to a hardship contract (6/1).
She was previously waived by Atlanta (5/14).

Tough luck....

[joemontes]

Haley JONES released by Dallas (6/28), eleven days after being signed to a hardship contract (6/17).
She was previously released by Phoenix (6/8), a week after being signed to a hardship contract (6/1).
She was previously waived by Atlanta (5/14).

Tough luck....

[BACardinal]

Kiana Williams is back. With Phoenix

& she's signed through the end of the season, and not on a hardship (1 week) contract, which was what Phoenix signed Haley Jones to a month or so ago - kind of telling, si como no?......

Bree Hall and Choe Bibby signed an end of year contract with GSV earlier this month and both were just waved today. I think a team gets limited hardship contracts perhaps.

[BACardinal]

Kiana Williams is back. With Phoenix

& she's signed through the end of the season, and not on a hardship (1 week) contract, which was what Phoenix signed Haley Jones to a month or so ago - kind of telling, si como no?......

Bree Hall and Choe Bibby signed an end of year contract with GSV earlier this month and both were just waved today. I think a team gets limited hardship contracts perhaps.

[Nobadeer]

The Clark-less Fever upset the mighty Lynx to win the Commissioner's Cup. Lexie Hull played only 15 minutes (fewest of her season so far) and took only 3 shots (all threes), making 2, for 6 pts, plus 2 reb, 1 ast.

Alanna Smith played 31 minutes, led Minn. with 15 pts, and had 5 reb, 2 ast. Her season averages are 10.8 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.5 blk, 1 stl. And she was 2nd team WNBA All-Defensive last year. In some ways, starting to be the Draymond Green of the WNBA!

[Nobadeer]

The Clark-less Fever upset the mighty Lynx to win the Commissioner's Cup. Lexie Hull played only 15 minutes (fewest of her season so far) and took only 3 shots (all threes), making 2, for 6 pts, plus 2 reb, 1 ast.

Alanna Smith played 31 minutes, led Minn. with 15 pts, and had 5 reb, 2 ast. Her season averages are 10.8 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.5 blk, 1 stl. And she was 2nd team WNBA All-Defensive last year. In some ways, starting to be the Draymond Green of the WNBA!

[Hurlburt88]

Seems like Ari McDonald had a decent game last night.  

I think Karli Samuelson is hurt, FYI.  I have no idea how bad, but Sunday night (I think) she left the game after grabbing her foot.

[Hurlburt88]

Seems like Ari McDonald had a decent game last night.  

I think Karli Samuelson is hurt, FYI.  I have no idea how bad, but Sunday night (I think) she left the game after grabbing her foot.

[joemontes]

Seems like Ari McDonald had a decent game last night.  

I think Karli Samuelson is hurt, FYI.  I have no idea how bad, but Sunday night (I think) she left the game after grabbing her foot.

McDonald has been such a steadying and energizing presence at PG for the Indiana Fever in the absence of Clark. That's why Indiana signed her for the rest of the season once they waived disgruntled veteran Dewanna BONNER.

[joemontes]

Seems like Ari McDonald had a decent game last night.  

I think Karli Samuelson is hurt, FYI.  I have no idea how bad, but Sunday night (I think) she left the game after grabbing her foot.

McDonald has been such a steadying and energizing presence at PG for the Indiana Fever in the absence of Clark. That's why Indiana signed her for the rest of the season once they waived disgruntled veteran Dewanna BONNER.

[mbdude]

Samuelson season ending surgery
Lynx guard will undergo surgery, miss rest of season

[mbdude]

Samuelson season ending surgery
Lynx guard will undergo surgery, miss rest of season

[old spanish trail]

I can't believe how good Alana Smith is defensively. I mean, really good.

[old spanish trail]

I can't believe how good Alana Smith is defensively. I mean, really good.

[TonyLima]

Haley JONES released by Dallas (6/28), eleven days after being signed to a hardship contract (6/17).
She was previously released by Phoenix (6/8), a week after being signed to a hardship contract (6/1).
She was previously waived by Atlanta (5/14).

Tough luck....

For us less knowledgeable fans, what is a hardship contract?

[TonyLima]

Haley JONES released by Dallas (6/28), eleven days after being signed to a hardship contract (6/17).
She was previously released by Phoenix (6/8), a week after being signed to a hardship contract (6/1).
She was previously waived by Atlanta (5/14).

Tough luck....

For us less knowledgeable fans, what is a hardship contract?

[PalmTree]

Haley JONES released by Dallas (6/28), eleven days after being signed to a hardship contract (6/17).
She was previously released by Phoenix (6/8), a week after being signed to a hardship contract (6/1).
She was previously waived by Atlanta (5/14).

Tough luck....

For us less knowledgeable fans, what is a hardship contract?

Tony - from my June 2 post above in this thread - "It's typically a 7 day contract with a player's compensation calculated as a prorated amount of the league's minimum salary based on her YAE in the league.  Short-handed teams use these contracts to get a little roster relief. Minimum salary rates are ~ $66K for players with 0-2 years YAE and $78.8K for players with 3 or more years of experience". Since then, we've also seen a player or 2 - Ari McDonald being one, IIRC -signed to hardship contracts through end of the season but I don't know the league's criteria for those situations.

[PalmTree]

Haley JONES released by Dallas (6/28), eleven days after being signed to a hardship contract (6/17).
She was previously released by Phoenix (6/8), a week after being signed to a hardship contract (6/1).
She was previously waived by Atlanta (5/14).

Tough luck....

For us less knowledgeable fans, what is a hardship contract?

Tony - from my June 2 post above in this thread - "It's typically a 7 day contract with a player's compensation calculated as a prorated amount of the league's minimum salary based on her YAE in the league.  Short-handed teams use these contracts to get a little roster relief. Minimum salary rates are ~ $66K for players with 0-2 years YAE and $78.8K for players with 3 or more years of experience". Since then, we've also seen a player or 2 - Ari McDonald being one, IIRC -signed to hardship contracts through end of the season but I don't know the league's criteria for those situations.

[TonyLima]

Haley JONES released by Dallas (6/28), eleven days after being signed to a hardship contract (6/17).
She was previously released by Phoenix (6/8), a week after being signed to a hardship contract (6/1).
She was previously waived by Atlanta (5/14).

Tough luck....

For us less knowledgeable fans, what is a hardship contract?

Tony - from my June 2 post above in this thread - "It's typically a 7 day contract with a player's compensation calculated as a prorated amount of the league's minimum salary based on her YAE in the league.  Short-handed teams use these contracts to get a little roster relief. Minimum salary rates are ~ $66K for players with 0-2 years YAE and $78.8K for players with 3 or more years of experience". Since then, we've also seen a player or 2 - Ari McDonald being one, IIRC -signed to hardship contracts through end of the season but I don't know the league's criteria for those situations.

Many thanks.

[TonyLima]

Haley JONES released by Dallas (6/28), eleven days after being signed to a hardship contract (6/17).
She was previously released by Phoenix (6/8), a week after being signed to a hardship contract (6/1).
She was previously waived by Atlanta (5/14).

Tough luck....

For us less knowledgeable fans, what is a hardship contract?

Tony - from my June 2 post above in this thread - "It's typically a 7 day contract with a player's compensation calculated as a prorated amount of the league's minimum salary based on her YAE in the league.  Short-handed teams use these contracts to get a little roster relief. Minimum salary rates are ~ $66K for players with 0-2 years YAE and $78.8K for players with 3 or more years of experience". Since then, we've also seen a player or 2 - Ari McDonald being one, IIRC -signed to hardship contracts through end of the season but I don't know the league's criteria for those situations.

Many thanks.

[Nobadeer]

WNBA all stars include the amazing and ageless 35 year old Nneka Ogwumike of Seattle (averaging 17.3 pts (37.5 % on threes, on pace for career highs in attempts and makes), 7.8 rebs, 2.3 ast, 1.4 stl), and the 21 year old rookie Kiki Iriafen of Washington (averaging 12.3 pts, 8.3 rebs, 1.3 ast).

[Nobadeer]

WNBA all stars include the amazing and ageless 35 year old Nneka Ogwumike of Seattle (averaging 17.3 pts (37.5 % on threes, on pace for career highs in attempts and makes), 7.8 rebs, 2.3 ast, 1.4 stl), and the 21 year old rookie Kiki Iriafen of Washington (averaging 12.3 pts, 8.3 rebs, 1.3 ast).

[Leftcoast]

Stanford and USC will be proud.

[Leftcoast]

Stanford and USC will be proud.