Rantings of an Insane Platypus - 26th March 2004
Friday 26 March 2004
Analysing the three-way trade
Washington: The Mystics had the right idea - get rid of one of their horde of power forwards in exchange for their biggest need, a point guard. Is TJ the point guard they need though? She's an upgrade over Annie Burgess but that's not saying much. On the plus side - she's quick, has some upside and has built up her assist/turnover ratio close to 2. However she's still prone to poor decision making (jacks up way too many shots), doesn't penetrate nearly enough (likes to settle for the jumpshot), doesn't play with much discipline and thinks a bit too highly of herself. I don't think the Mystics really need this type of point guard - they need someone who plays a bit smarter.
Connecticut: Unable to get Diana Taurasi, the Sun instead get one of the lesser Fab Four to return "home". Asjha Jones has some talent but has found it hard to adjust to the WNBA because she doesn't have a true position. She has the game of a 4 but is too slow to play at the 4. Playing her at the 5 is awkward because she's short for a 5 and as mentioned before, plays like a 4 and takes a lot of mid-range jumpers. Do the Sun really need a player like this? Perhaps - Wendy Palmer is an unrestricted free agent (this move may have sealed her fate - she's gone from the Sun?) and Taj McWilliams-Franklin's status is nebulous. However I'm not sure whether the Sun should have traded a decent pick for a dubious power forward - it's not really high on their needs list.
As a sidenote, I hope the Sun aren't collecting UConn alums in an attempt to increase attendance because I doubt it's going to work. The only two UConn alums who could probably do this at a significant level are Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi and neither of them are on the trading block.
Phoenix: Well you have to love this move for Phoenix - they get a first round pick in a deep draft and get rid of a player who didn't mesh very well with the team. I'm surprised they actually got the #8 pick for her! Phoenix can now go for the post they desperately need (Rebekkah Brunson? Christi Thomas? Vanessa Hayden?). Oh and the trade winds haven't necessarily finished blowing yet for the Mercury...
Conclusion
It wasn't a BAD trade for any of the three teams but Phoenix have probably improved themselves the most - by getting a good pick and getting rid of Tamicha Jackson. I'm not sure whether getting Asjha Jones was worth the #8 pick in a good draft. The Mystics had the right idea in getting a PG but TJ is a very risky prospect.
Storm roster news
According to SonOfOovy on the stormfans.org message board, the Storm have signed Stacy Clinesmith and Maren Walseth as free agents. Nothing to get too excited over - Clinesmith will compete with Bevilaqua for the backup point guard position but Bevilaqua's experience and toughness should see her through. Walseth has no chance of making the roster.
More significantly, Kamila Vodichkova may be playing the whole WNBA season. This is great news for the Storm - as last season showed, Vodichkova is a key member of the Storm core. She's a great complement to LJ and can do it all - score, rebound and defend.
Batkovic and Harrower to the WNBA?
I'm not particularly surprised at Kristi thinking about coming over but Suzy?! That's from left field - it's been mentioned in the media several times that Suzy wasn't coming coming over till after the Olympics (in the 2005 season). I hope Suzy does come over - she'll get more value from spending a month or two with Anne Donovan than playing mind games and stagnating with Jan Stirling.
Jan Stirling quits Adelaide Lightning to focus on Opals
Jan wants to coach the Opals to 2006? Disturbing. Maybe BA will realise that having a coach who is inept at offence and doesn't have the respect of most of the players is not a good thing...