Just the Facts, Ma'am: A strong second-half powered Candace Parker's All-Star squad to a 119-112 win over Elena Delle Donne's team. Game MVP Maya Moore notched 18 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Kristi Toliver had 23 points, including seven threes, in a losing cause.
For traveling fans, monochrome jerseys, dubious anthems, not staying in your seat, and picking up the intensity, join your intrepid and exhausted blogger after the jump.
The time has come. The All-Star Game is upon us. The league's best will do the things they're best at, and a game might result.
I gotta say, for a fan base that lost their team almost ten years ago, Sacramento is showing up really well. And there's a Sun fan here in a custom jersey, so Washington is the last straggler. Shout out to the Mitchell fans here for the shootout, and to the Atlanta season ticket sisters we passed behind on the way over.
Did a lap. Found a Mystics fan, so the gang's all here.
Renee Montgomery is shooting around in a Tiffany Hayes jersey. Y'know, the simplest thing would have been to send Hayes instead....
Elvis has entered the building. Maya Moore is getting shots up to the roar of the crowd.
If I wanted a basketball comedy show, I'd watch the Globetrotters. They took it a little more seriously in the second quarter, but there were some cringeworthy moments.
The game got way better and way more competitive in the second half. We saw the array of skills that these brilliant players have to offer, and they were glorious. Currently attempting to write postgame notes from the afterparty at Kieran's, but I'm a wee bit distracted by all the other fans. Also, it's dark in here and I can't see my stat sheet. Also,, y'all really think I'm doing an entire breakdown of an All-Star game, that's cute.
Allie Quigley, as per usual, owned the the shooting contest. Going to the tiebreaker round was incredibly exciting, and then Quigley went into beast mode. Like, whoa. Watching her shoot is an experience.
Stargazing: Cynthia Cooper (thankfully not using her unfortunate married name), Sheryl Swoopes, Taj McWilliams-Franklin (who got a huge round of applause and a partial standing ovation from the crowd), Kym Hampton (who was next to Mama Taj and went unremarked by the PA guy).
The podcast at Kieran's was fun, but I would have liked to hear more questions from the audience, instead of one question that essentially repeated half the intro information. Ma'am, it's not our fault you showed up late and missed intros.
I wasn't impressed with the anthem singer. I think she has less singing range than Kia Vaughn has shooting range.
A'ja Wilson came to play for Team Black Jerseys. (I refuse to use the "Team Delle Donne/Team Parker" nonsense. Maybe next year we can go with Oatmeal and Orange?) She took advantage of open space and cut backdoor with no Mersey. Brittney Griner was okay inside, but she was one of the players taking the game more lightly than competitively. DeWanna Bonner did a good job on the offensive glass. It was nice to see her using her height well.
I don't think Kristi Toliver could miss in the second half. She blasted three after three, to the point where I had to improvise desperately after she hit the seventh three. She set herself up for the first one with a wicked crossover (on McCoughtry, I think). If they'd come back to win, she should have been MVP. Kayla McBride got matched up with Allie Quigley frequently, and did a better job at the rack against her than she did beyond the arc. Seimone Augustus unleashed her midrange jumper to devastating effect, and joined the second-half three-point barrage.
Breanna Stewart got her team off to a hot start with easy lay-ups in the lane. She's so deceptively smooth. Like, she doesn't look like she's going to be, and then it happens. Elena Delle Donne had a quiet game on offense, though she did a pretty good job on the glass- she was so quiet, and Wilson was so good, that she didn't even start the second half for the team that bore her name. I'm easily amused by that sort of thing. Sylvia Fowles had a big block on Tina Charles (much to my chagrin) and used her hands well on defense when the team buckled down defensively. I still think she should have been called for the foul for clobbering McCoughtry, though.
Diana Taurasi came to Minneapolis to shoot threes and chew gum, and I think she ran out of gum somewhere along the line. She and Sue Bird both showed up to have a good time and mess around. But I don't think either of them took the game all that seriously. I guess if you do it as often as they have, you run out of oomph eventually. I'm a little more disappointed in Taurasi; she usually puts on a better show.
Thank all that's sweet and holy this was probably the worst game Tina Charles is going to have all season, because we know exactly how little this game matters and how little of a burden she had to carry. She hit a couple of her standard fadeaways, but missed a couple of shots short and generally looked discombobulated. Leave the discombobulation in Minny, Tina. Chiney Ogwumike was rebounding at the basket, especially on the offensive end, and sometimes seemed to be the only person inclined to go below their waist for a rebound. Honestly, I almost forgot about Rebekkah Brunson. She got a lot of pop, but couldn't hit.
Jewell Loyd teamed up with her former point guard for the Jewelly-oop, which is always a glorious sight. She had quick hands on an interception, too. You know how much it galls me to compliment Skylar Diggins-Smith. (I have admitted she annoys me irrationally.) That being said, she should have been All-Star MVP. No question in my mind. She was efficient, she was ruthless, she was dazzling, and she was the reason why Team White Jerseys won that game. That prissy veneer peeled away to reveal the cutthroat competitor beneath, and she ran the show perfectly. Allie Quigley hits shots. It's who she is. It's what she does. You leave her open from three, she's going to hit the three.
I don't think I'd want her doing it on a regular basis, but Liz Cambage did not actually make the world's worst point guard in this game. I mean, no one was heavily pressuring her, but it actually sort of worked, and for a game full of shenanigans I'm okay with it. Honestly, I liked that nonsense better than the staged dunk at the end of the game that was wedged in almost like they forgot to do the spot. Candace Parker seemed to find a second gear in the second half. But if you came there expecting to see Candace Parker look like an All-Star, you would have left disappointed. You wouldn't have been as disappointed as the Dream fans, though, because Renee Montgomery looked awful in the shootout and Angel McCoughtry kept trying to pull off trick moves that did not work and looked terrible on the court. She did pick up a pretty make off a fancy pass from Chelsea Gray, which I appreciated.
Maya Moore got a lot of buckets, and played good defense as part of her team's comeback, but I thought she got her points on volume, not efficiency. She's such a complete package, such a brilliant player, that when she does overshoot, or make mistakes, they stand out more. Not the worst MVP choice, I suppose, but I thought Diggins-Smith had the better game. Chelsea Gray tried to break out the fancy stuff, but it seemed like she never properly found her stride.
Game got off to a rough start because neither team was sure which basket they were shooting at. Well done, y'all. I blame the refs, who somehow still managed to screw up calls in a game where their services were hardly required.
The atmosphere was dead early on. It felt like we weren't sure what we were supposed to be cheering for. Once the game got sorted out and people started hitting shots and actually looking like they were interested in being out there, the noise picked up.
I do miss the days when defense was part of an All-Star game, but those days are never coming back again. I can deal with that. I guess.
So, Vegas next year? I'm down for it.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
July 28th, 2018: All-Star Game
Friday, July 27, 2018
July 27th, 2018: All-Star open practice
Scattershot notes from open practice, featuring late arrivals, hair commentary, the running gag of Allie Quigley hitting shots, and twerking.
Good afternoon, folks! We're coming to you in stereophonic sound from All-Star open practice at the Target Center.
So far I have spotted Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Seattle gear. And, of course, Lynx gear. C'mon, everyone else, step up!
There are two constants in my life: basketball and the EDD Watch Me Work ad. At least I finally got to see the Tina Charles one. The behind-the-scenes looks are fun.
I am still not used to Crystal Robinson with long hair.
Add New York and two small Dallas fans to the count. And we've got a Dream shirt!
Here we go. Introductory remarks from the president of Rasmussen College, which is sponsoring the event, and Coach Reeve. Who just gave my husband an enormous shoutout. She teased a group of Merc fans, too.
Lynx fans got up for intros and haven't sat down. Makes it hard to see, but I love the passion.
Mama Taj is here and got a huge cheer from the crowd.
Kayla, what did you do to your hair?
Griner hits a dunk after Stewart misses one. The crowd goes wild. I was more impressed with her flicking up the half court shot.
Dan Hughes is out here drawing up plays like anything is going to be seriously run in this game. “And now you've seen the entire playbook.” Fair enough.
Time for Five Spots! Coach has asked us to keep count. “They've been known to cheat on this drill.”
Half court shot contest with a $1000 donation for BHA at stake. So far, McBride and Delle Donne have hit and we are in a shoot-off. Delle Donne take it on the fourth round.
T-shirt tossing time! (after a detour to the second row of seats from Big Syl) The stakes just got raised. Signed warm-ups are going up, spearheaded by Fowles.
I think the dance-off is next. Brittney, please keep your shirt on, this is not that kind of dance contest. Not everyone participated, and the split weirded me out a little bit.
Seimone, the “Whose house?” “Our house!” call and response is not effective when there are two Lynx on each All-Star team.
Aaaaaand I am on the wrong side of the arena for the Inspiring Women symposium.
I'm not sure about the “support all women” thing. I mean, Betsy DeVos is a woman, but she's also evil.
Yes, bring up the importance of diversity on a panel of extremely minimal color. And that's a generous inclusion there. It was interesting, though. I wish the Liberty had had Michele Van Gorp longer. She's very well spoken.
Team Parker is off to a late start.
Awww. Chiney Ogwumike and Candace Parker are FaceTiming Nneka into the festivities.
Mama Loyd and her signs are here.
Upnod of respect to the woman in the Comets jersey.
Five Spots again. Shockingly, the half of the team with Allie Quigley is better at shooting threes.
Brondello is running the squad through basic plays nominally from every team's playbook. I think Liz is bored, though.
On to knockout, with a Rick Barry twist. Chelsea Gray seemed to take great glee in knocking Candace Parker's put back off line. The three point version has led to some wacky rebounds. Shockingly, Allie Quigley won a three-point contest she was involved in.
Half court shots, same rules as the other team's, $1000 to charity. Shockingly, Allie Quigley won another shooting contest. Granted, a halfcourt shot taken much like your average jump shot is pretty spectacular.
Trick shots now. It's not going well. Maya Moore tried a few standing on the scorer's table, Skylar Diggins-Smith did the seated shot, Chelsea Gray took hers from the stands, and Jewell Loyd hit one from behind the shot clock. Either Candace Parker absconded with someone's kid from the stands, or she brought out Lailaa.
Sideline interview with Liz. Interviewer brought up the 53-point game. Cue up the ball spike from Tina and play-wrestling. Somehow this led to Liz giving Tina a piggyback ride for the team photo.
God bless you, random dude in the Fever shirt. Bless and keep you. We also spotted someone in an Aces shirt, so it looks like the last stragglers are Connecticut and Washington. Step your game up, Eastern Seaboard!
Post-practice notes, only because we are literally the next table over from Mama Taj and people keep bothering her. I'm being good.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
July 24th, 2018: New York at Minnesota
Just the Facts, Ma'am: A strong effort from the Liberty fell short against the Lynx, as Minnesota came away with the 85-82 win. Sylvia Fowles had 27 points and 11 rebounds to lead five Minnesota players in double figures. Tina Charles had 32 points and 15 rebounds to power the Liberty.
For road trips, traveling fans, anticipatory mai tais, pride, injuries, and this team driving me nuts, join your intrepid and tanned blogger after the jump.
ROAD TRIP!
We got off to a rough start on travel, but everything worked out eventually and we are settled into Minneapolis. It's game day on ESPN2 at the Target Center as the Liberty finish out the first half of the season against the Lynx.
So far, Minneapolis is very green and everything seems to be named Target Something. I like it. My feet hurt.
Squad knows we're here.
Target Center is beautiful, inside and out. Sight lines are good, concessions seem reasonable and varied, people have been nice, team store has lots and lots of Lynx stuff.
Shavonte Zellous doesn't look to have traveled. Never mind, there she is under the basket. Epiphanny Prince is dressed and warming up, but not starting.
Dan Padover says “Yeah” a lot. He came over to say hi. We were very polite and did not call the County Center a dump to his face, though we extolled the virtues of Target Center quite a bit.
I am willing to respect the traditions of other cultures, but asking us to stand for a song that's over five minutes long and you only understand if you speak Lakota seems much of a muchness.
I really like the Lynx's 70s soul theme for their arena music.
It's halftime, there are many Lakota dancers in bright, jingling costumes on the court,and the Liberty are leading the Lynx by four, 50-46. I am confused, but pleasantly so. Tina Charles has 21 points and nine rebounds. Kia Vaughn got popped in the face and left with assistance, and has not returned. No one can stop Sylvia Fowles.
This was as much heart and hustle as I've seen from this team all year, and then some. We lost two players for the game, one maybe for the year, and dug even deeper in response instead of rolling over and giving up. I did not think we were going to go toe to toe with the defending champions for most of the game and bring them down to the last possession. This is the team I love, the team I chose to follow halfway across the country, the team I cheer for like a crazy person.
That all being said, what's wrong with Kiah Stokes? Is it still physical? Is it mental? Someone please tell me. Because Kiah has gone from ROY candidate in 2015 to looking like lazy hot garbage in 2018. She's supposed to be a defensive specialist, and she isn't defending. She's supposed to be a rebounder, and she's not rebounding. I would like old Kiah back, please and thank you. Amanda Zahui B makes a lot of mental errors, but she stepped her game up in this one. She made a lot of big shots and did everything we could have asked of her.
Epiphanny Prince looked like she was still recovering from the last injury when she went down from this one. I'm still not sure how she managed to get called for that offensive foul, either. She looked like she was sort of finding her footing on defense, and then, bam. Because we're Liberty fans, and we're not allowed to have nice things, apparently. I questioned a lot of Bria Hartley's decisions on the court, especially her shot selection, though it was nice to see someone with a sense of urgency late in the game. Kia Nurse looked like her confidence has been shot, and someone has to work on her shooting again. (Or possibly light a couple of candles for her. I think she had two threes go in and out.)
Marissa Coleman somehow managed to produce less than her jersey number. And for those of you who don't get the joke, Marissa wears #0. She gave up way too easily on the glass, missed too many makeable shots, and generally looked bad out there. I'm pretty sure that she was rushed back from her injury and she's not at full strength or full speed. Unfortunately, we need her, since I don't think we're getting Shavonte back this season, and our next best option at the three is either Kia Nurse (who we need more as a guard), Rebecca Allen (bless her heart), or Katie Smith (which is probably against some kind of league rule or something). Kia Vaughn could not stop Sylvia Fowles, which, to be honest, is a universal quandary, but her offense was also very bad and she was not good on the glass. I still don't wish the injury on her that took her out of the game in the first half. I didn't see it clearly, but she was suddenly holding her face, she needed assistance to leave the court, she went straight to the locker room, and she never came back out. Either she's got a concussion, she's having her face rebuilt, or she got sucked into a vortex to another dimension. I'm guessing door number one. To literally add insult to injury, she was called for the foul on the play, and while said play was reviewed, nothing else was wrong with it, apparently. Tina Charles went into beast mode down low, bound and determined to carry this team on her shoulders as necessary. She was out there proving to everyone just why she's an All-Star. We asked her to do everything and she answered.
If Brittany Boyd could more consistently hit a lay-up, I'd be much happier with what she brings to the floor. She's got a lot of energy, and I love a lot of the passes that she's able to make. It's the ones that she throws right at Sylvia Fowles that I have issues with. Her court awareness and awareness of the personnel on the court still need a depressing amount of work. Sugar Rodgers did a huge amount of work on the offensive glass tonight. Her shot was off, though- with her, you can tell how her shooting night is going to be pretty early on. I'll take the hustle, though.
Katherine May Smith. Do you understand how timeouts work? How match-ups work? How numbers work? (Well, apparently, she does somewhat- apparently she got her technical by loudly counting out the number of seconds that Fowles was in the lane.) Why take an intentional foul if you're not going to use the time you earn from it to run a better play? Why is the play along the baseline when there are so many ways that can go wrong? The endgame on this was so badly run that the closeness of the game was almost despite everything we did. This is an absolutely terrible position for any first-time head coach to be in, and Katie is in so far over her head that she can no longer see light.
I was surprised to see so little of Erlana Larkins, though I admit she was outclassed on defense. She doesn't have the size to properly counter Tina Charles. Temi Fagbenle came in very late in the first half when Sylvia Fowles was in foul trouble, and then when the Liberty went on a run and Cheryl Reeve answered by pulling all of her starters except Rebekkah Brunson. The Lynx did not get a lot of minutes out of their reserve posts.
Good run for Cecelia Zandalasini. Not spectacular, but not terrible either. Tanisha Wright had an annoying propensity to hit shots right when we were making a run. I am very quickly learning to dislike that woman. Danielle Robinson had a nifty steal off Tina Charles (because somehow Tina managed to miss the woman with the bright blue hair), but I'm starting to see where she can be a liability on offense. We left her open to dare her to take jumpers, and she wouldn't go for it.
I don't know if y'all noticed this, but Sylvia Fowles is really good at this basketball thing. She abused us inside on both ends of the floor. We didn't have anyone who could stop her in the paint on offense, or on the offensive glass. Inside, she had a phenomenal knack for deflecting passes with those long fingers of hers. *flick* and there goes the ball. She's one of the best in the league at using her length to shut down low passes- other bigs like Griner and Cambage can stop things that are thrown up high, but they aren't as good at getting close to the floor. They call Rebekkah Brunson the Machine in the in-arena graphics, and she's just automatic on the glass. It still pisses me off that we had two chances to get her and we blew them both. *fist shaking at Blaze intensifies* Maya Moore looks like she's overshooting everything. She's still deadly as a rebounder and a defender, though. But if I'm a Minnesota fan next year and people start retiring, I might worry about Maya's offense. But that's fairly low on the list of things to worry about for Lynx fans right now.
Seimone Augustus is just so smooth. Her shot is so pretty and she can still break ankles on that crossover. She turned up in the fourth quarter. I think we might have managed to forget her somehow, though I'm not sure how we could manage that unless we were all complete idiots. Well. Okay, there might be some truth to that. Lindsay Whalen showed some nifty passing, though her best pass doesn't go into the box score- it was a Ticha-esque one-handed flip behind the back that would have been a hockey assist even if Augustus had hit the shot. She's still got it. You can see her Minnesota hockey sometimes in her physicality on defense.
Either Minnesota has really good ball movement or our defense is terrible. I think I know the answer to this question, because it's the same point I bring up every game.
I did not realize Georgetown was so well known for their amateur theatre scene. Brunson's reaction time on that hit she supposedly took in the face from Tina Charles was so bad that Neymar thinks she was faking it. (Then again, she missed the two free throws. But it still looked like an acting job.)
I thought the officiating was uneven, and it was very frustrating to see a play called a foul at one end but not at the other. I'll live. It's nothing new.
I loved the energy of the crowd. It's been a long time since I've heard spontaneous chanting in an arena.
I think Amanda's family came into town, because there were blonde people waving at her and she was waving back and poking her teammates to wave back.
I'm really bummed about Piph, because that was bad. She had to borrow one of Shavonte's crutches just to join the huddle, and Amanda piggy-backed her through the handshake line.
I'm still proud of this team. They're mine and I love them. We just need a coach, and maybe a center who can take some of the physical heat off Tina.