Rantings of an Insane Platypus - 6th May 2004
Thursday 06 May 2004
O posts, where art thou?
Word coming from the Mercury camp are that the centres are not looking particularly impressive. In fact, the post starting combination being looked at is Plenette Pierson (at the 4) and Adrian Williams (at the 5).
That pretty much sums up the Mercury's dire situation in the post. Adrian has improved a lot over the last couple of years but she's too slender and doesn't have the right mentality to be banging with the Leslies, Jacksons and Griffiths of the world. Ashley Robinson and Lindsay Taylor's performances at camp have shown that they are not the answer in the middle - but we knew that before. Neither of them were exactly imposing post presences in the college game - why should that change for the W?
It can be argued that the Merc should've used the #8 pick on a post. There were a few options out there - Brunson, Hoffman, Thomas. I think the better option would have been to package up the #8 pick with something else (DeForge/Williams?) to get the #5/#6 pick in order to get Hayden. Hayden is a bit of a risk but as if the other options aren't and Hayden is better suited to the Mercury's needs than the other three (better pro body and skills for the 5).
So what can the Mercury do to improve its post situation? Probably nothing much that can be done this season - there are a few free agents out there but none of them are particularly strong in the middle (or are too out of shape to be effective in the middle for an extended period of time - Alisa Burras).
The return of Maria Stepanova would definitely help the Mercury's post problems. Stepanova hasn't been in the WNBA since the 2001 season but she's training with the Russian national team and is earning significant minutes for the world #2 team. She's not a banger but she's big (6'8"), over the years she's become more willing to use her size and has a nice touch around the basket (in fact, she has a nice shooting touch from 17 feet in). There's a good possibility she will return in 2005 but I have no expectations about her sticking around for the long run and would see this as a nice bonus. Russian players have been very dodgey in the past.
Looking at future drafts, well there's not a whole lot out there. 2005's best prospect is probably Janel McCarville. She's strong and skilled but can she compete with the bigger posts in the West at 6'2? There's also 6'4" Sandora Irvin who is solid but needs to step her intensity for the WNBA, the dunking but apparently very raw Sancho Lyttle and a bunch of lesser 6'2"/6'3" posts who are probably more suited to the bench in the WNBA. In 2006, there's Shawntinice Polk who needs to lose some weight but if she can, she will be a very good WNBA post player. There's also a bunch of interesting posts in Mistie Bass, Tye'sha Fluker and Ruby Vaden but their WNBA-calibreness is iffy at this stage. Overall, some talent but no depth of it (compare that to the glut of wings/2 guards and fair amount of PGs for 2005-06).
Of course there's always the unpredictable tide of free agency. Despite the intense competition for posts, the Mercury are well positioned to get a good post player in free agency - they have salary cap room, some good young talent that may attract other talent and any quality post that signs with the Merc would get good PT and attention. I'm sure a good post player or two will (eventually) wash up on the Mercury's shores but until that happens (at least a year or two down the track), it'll be tough times for the Merc. They'll definitely be more competitive and watchable with their perimeter firepower but in the post heavy West, it will be an uphill battle.
And on the other side of the coin...
Seattle is looking good coming into the season. They've just had a scrimmage against the Chinese national team and disposed of them pretty handily.
Not that scrimmages mean much but it was interesting to note Greco's lack of PT. Is she next on the chopping block or did Anne just want to take a look at other players? Massaline had a good showing which may hurt Greco's chances (despite her advantage in salary size). The competition for 4th/5th post spot will be competitive between Walseth, Thompson, Gardner-Combs and Simone Edwards (when she turns up). Frierson should start the season on IR and will probably knock out one of the above players when she's ready to play. In fact, none of the above mentioned posts may be on the roster post-Olympics if Suzy Batkovic decides to turn up.
As a sidenote, if Anne can truly change Wild Betty's ways - she will be my coach of the year.