2022 WNBA Mid-Season Awards
By: Lamarr Fields We have reached the midway point of the WNBA season; we are a little past the midway point. However, it is the All-Star break, and it's been a fun season to watch. The Las Vegas Aces got off to a great start and looked unbeatable at one point. However, as of late, they have struggled with their defense. Chicago Sky their depth on the roster is impressive. They are starting to round into form. The Connecticut Sun are a hard team to get a read on, they are so up and down, with the names on their roster, Connecticut should be dominating. Maybe the loss of point guard Jasmine Thomas hurt them more than I thought. One time that has been good of late is the Los Angeles Sparks. It looks like they finally have an offensive identity by focusing on getting the ball inside with Liz Cambage and Nneka Ogwumike. Los Angeles looks to be committed more on the defensive end of the court. The Award races will be tight this year; many players could win specific awards. We will see which players can pull out the awards post-All-Star Break.
MVP
The Aces are struggling right now, but A'Ja Wilson is having an outstanding season on both ends of the floor; she is averaging 18.1 and 10.1 rebounds per game. Wilson also shoots 49% from the field and 34% from the three-point line. The Aces star also plays outstanding defense, averaging 2.1 blockers and 1.0 steals per game. Wilson is on a mission this year for the Aces; if she keeps playing like this, she should win the MVP. But, of course, Las Vegas will have to start playing better are somebody could come in and take the award away.
Defensive Player of the Year
Defensive Player of the Year is another close race; you could not go wrong with who you pick. I am going with Ezi Magbegor; she leads the WNBA in blocks with 2.5 per game. Magbegor is an outstanding rim protector, and she is also good in the passing lanes with her 1.0 steals per game. Magbegor has a 94.0 defensive rating so far on the season.
Sixth Player of the Year
Han Xu is having an excellent season for the New York Liberty, but Sixth Player of the Year goes to Rebekah Gardner. She may not bring the offensive punch like Xu, but Gardner is an outstanding defensive player. Gardner is an excellent off-ball defender; she knows how to get around screens. The first-year player has a 96.7 defensive rating. While Gardner is strong on defense, she averages 8.9 points per game on offense, and Gardner fits perfectly in the Sky system.
Most Improved Player
With this award, you could choose either Kelsey Plum or Jackie Young, Im going with Plum, but it could change as the season goes on. So far this season, Plum is averaging 19.9 points per game and shooting an outstanding 42% from the three-point line. She has thrived in head coach Becky Hammon's new system; Plum is also averaging 5.7 assists per game. The guard is having a career year, but as we advance will need to play more under control for the Aces to get back to their winning ways.
Rookie of the Year
Rhyne Howard is having a promising rookie season; she can score on all three levels and is a good rebounder. Howard is averaging 15.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2,6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. However, once Howard can become more efficient, in scoring the sky is the limit for her. Currently, she shoots 37% from the field and 33% from beyond the arc.
Coach of the Year
Becky Hammon has helped lead the Aces to a 15-7 record this season in her first year in the WNBA. Las Vegas is near the top of every category on offense, including No.1 in points per game at 89.8. Hammon's fast pace system fits the Aces. Now she will have to get the Aces' defense turned around to get their season back on track. They are currently tenth in points giving up per game with 85.4. In the second half of the season, it will interesting to see what teams play well down the stretch. the Seattle Storm added Tina Charles and she is beginning to play well off the bench. There are a lot of teams that can compete for the title this year, it could very well come down to who is playing the best basketball when it is playoff time. Read the full article
