See what happens when you let Paige and Azzi play off each other. The focus on offense needs to be Jess, Azzi and Paige. Awak, Maddy and Lan defense. Lan actually had some big rebounds for us and boxed out to give our guards an easy look at rebounds. Her and Awak set great screens too. Za looked good replacing Arike. Doesn’t force shots as much when she plays with the starters.
This isn't even shade on Arike as a player though she's clearly wildly inconsistent she just doesn't fit with this offense. Zaza is a ball hog too but even she fits more seamlessly with the offense. Once Smith gets that mask off she'll transition into a starter. I really think removing Arike will make a world of difference.
My dream starting lineup is Paige, Azzi, Maddy, Jess, Lanna, with Awak as the first one off the bench.
Post game - if you don't wanna read complaints skip this one
I think it's irresponsible to let Paige come in after being injured in such a clear way. I wouldn't be so bothered by it if this didn't happen against the Dream too. Paige had a player fall on top of her and she proceeded to play less efficiently and less calculated. Statistics wise this was a great game for her, but her decision making suffered for a while until she was able to regain focus. I doubt I'm the only one who saw her pace change after she came back. It picked up, she got some shots, got more assertive, but wasn't as in control as she usually is.
My issue is not her coming back in tonight, at least not just that. It's that even if she thinks she should and physically can play again, that opinion seems to sway Jose when she's not needed. Paige always makes an impact on the floor, she's never not important, but when the wings had a 20 pt lead, solid momentum, and a cohesive game, Paige was sat to rest and came back within a minute after going to sit next to the staff. This is the 12th game of the season, yes it's the commissioners cup, but it's not a serious game. The fans and the players want to win of course, but I don't think current wins should be prioritized over the later season games, when it actually gets hard, and it matters the most.
Paige is almost never going to look bad w stats, but that doesn't mean she doesn't get affected when she goes down. She does. And I hope she doesn't get hurt again, but if it happens, I hope Jose makes the right call, even if it makes her unhappy.
I'm done with that. Now.
Azzi is changing this team. She's necessary and exceptional in terms of her defensive contributions, not just steals and blocks, but she manages to force the offense to fight her or avoid her to get shots. She's reading everyone, watching everything. Azzi can't possibly be everywhere, but she's trying. Offensively she was incredible tonight, I think she's getting it (whatever that was for her), and just looks more comfortable. I hope she continues to grow in confidence.
Jess had another great night statistically. I don't think this was her best, because we've seen her best, but she did her job, and that's all I really want to see from them. I love watching her chem w everyone, her reads, her rebounds are essential, and she contributes seriously to our defense too. I feel like that doesn't get said enough.
I don't know what to say, I just really missed Awak.
Arike did pretty good defensively as well, I dislike her insistence on making shots when someone else has a better chance. She drives when the paint is crowded, she shoots when she's too far, it's just so fast with her, and I don't like her decision making often. Tonight wasn't different. I'm tired of it.
Alanna I think did better tonight, and Jose didn't let her keep doing her "thing" for too long, which helped the team by not letting it hurt them.
Maddy keeps being a solid, consistent player for us. I don't have to see her make 15 every game, I appreciate and genuinely, genuinely appreciate her drawing defense, creating space, and helping the team get where they need to. She also wasn't playing her best, but no major complaints.
Li was underutilized, but I appreciated her coming in late. Aziaha is fun to watch, and I think Jose's getting better at understanding when she should be in, and who needs to be in with her.
One more thing: Azzi has to be given the chance to shoot more. There were so many times tonight she could have and should have been given the ball. She was open and available and nobody got her the ball. Some of her best points were from great assists from Paige, but she also created for herself. Azzi can create for herself, that's not in question. I don't know why it seems like it is when it comes to games.
I don’t like the way Jose handles this team sometimes I’m ngl 🫠, because it’s the little things that are gonna make the difference when it matters the most 😐.
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