Rantings of an Insane Platypus - 23rd April 2004 (part deux)

Friday 23 April 2004

More transactions analysis

Valerie King to the Monarchs - the Monarchs do need someone who can shoot it but King probably doesn't have the speed to stay in the WNBA.

Candace Sutton to the Sparks - what is it with undrafted posts and L.A? With Bjorklund and Turner already there, Sutton doesn't have much of a chance.

The Liberty's bunch of players - a good bunch here for the Libs to look at. Oliver is a solid post who has range. There's a decent chance she could make the roster especially if Whitmore goes and Baranova stays at home (both looking likely). McDivitt has a nice outside shot but probably can't get it off in the WNBA and there's already too many guards better than her in the Libs training camp. Ndeye Ndiaye? Yes, she is Astou Ndiaye-Diatta's sister. She's a 6'3" post who has averages of 16.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.6 blocks a game and shot 60% from the field. Ndeye emulated her sister's achievements in her senior year (led Southern Nazarene to the title and won Final Four MVP) and well, she sounds just like Astou! If Astou is anything to go by, Ndeye definitely shouldn't be overlooked. Might be a bit of a project though. Go here to learn a bit more about her. Last but not least, the Liberty signed local high school legend Niesha Butler. Butler had a great career in high school (all-time leading scorer in NY region high schools) but fizzled at Georgia Tech. No doubt she has the talent but there are questions about her attitude (is she team oriented?) and her commitment to defence.

Mandisa Stevenson to SASS - Stevenson was a solid defensive post at Auburn. There's a chance she could stick on the roster. She'll be competing with players like Jessie Hicks, Kym Hope, Cindy Dallas and Erin Batth. I think Crawley will make the roster as primary post backup.

If the Lynx fold, where should they go?

Since apparently the Lynx will fold because they didn't get an over-picked, under-sized combo guard who doesn't even fill their needs, where should they go? I have the perfect solution:

CLEVELAND

Why not? The Rockers folded not because the fans didn't care - attendances were decent even when the organisation became apathetic. They folded because GUND didn't care and nothing could be set up in time for the 2004 WNBA season. There's also a few good stories for the marketing:

* Katie Smith and Tamika Williams return to their home state.

* Suzie McConnell-Serio and Helen Darling return to the site of their first WNBA team.

Yes Cleveland will have to find someone willing to pay the large amounts needed to get a WNBA franchise but if someone is willing to do this, the foundations for a strong franchise are already there.

BTW, I was being facetious about Whalen but about Minnesota relocating? I think there's a real chance it could happen if nothing improves in Minnesota in the next year or two. They're probably the most lacklustre WNBA franchise at the moment. Some Minnesota people will claim that Whalen can/will save the franchise. Well there's still time to get her - are the Lynx willing to pay the price?

Can Seimone Augustus enter the 2005 draft?

After a LONG argument about it in the ESPN WNBA board (this thread being the most relevant), the legalese apparently says "yes". She'll graduate from LSU in three years and can apply to the WNBA to enter the draft on the proviso she gives up the rest of her college eligibilty. And the WNBA will most likely allow her to do so as if they refuse and she goes to court to challenge them over it, the draft eligibility rules could all come crashing down and open the floodgates even more.

Next year is a good year for Augustus to come out if she chooses to do so. She'd be an easy #1 pick and would add star power to a draft with solid depth but isn't top heavy.

As a sidenote, with the rumours Kara Braxton wanted to enter the draft - why didn't she challenge the rules? Either the rumours were wrong or K-Brax didn't want it *that* badly.