My 2005 WNBA Draft Analysis Part 2

Monday 25 April 2005

It's a bit late - mainly due to an excursion to the library (reading is so counterproductive to blogging).

San Antonio

Kendra Wecker is a great pick for the Silver Stars - she's a wing who provides perimeter scoring and rebounding, both of which SASS need badly. It's been mentioned that she might be undersized for the 3 but she's a strong player and is used to guarding taller players (from playing the 4 at Kansas State). I think she'll be a solid starter in this league and will be one of the frontrunners for Rookie of the Year.

I don't know much about Feenstra aside from the fact she's 6'8" and put up decent numbers in college (admittedly usually against pitiful opposition). She doesn't have history on her side as posts taller than 6'5 have generally struggled in the WNBA (exceptions being Maria Stepanova and Margo Dydek). She will get a chance to prove herself on the post-lacking SASS team and I think her acquisition was incidental: SASS really wanted to get rid of Margo's near max salary and a 'fresh' start in the post.

Is Ely a 3 or a 4? Based on college play, she seems more comfortable at the 4. However, she may have to play the 3 on SASS, because they seemed to be pretty stacked at power forward. It will be interesting to see how SASS use her but Ely has the talent to at least stick on a WNBA bench. Cathrine Kraayeveld is an interesting player - a 4 who can knock down the three consistently but is certainly not fast enough to play the 3. She may get a shot at the roster with Adrian Williams gone.

Dan Hughes-led teams have always had solid drafts and this is no exception. All four players have a decent shot at making the team.

Houston

Can Van develop Lyttle? He doesn't have a good track record at keeping/developing rookies so Comets fans have the right to be a bit worried. One thing in Lyttle's favour is that she's under no huge pressure to produce straight away and has some experienced frontcourt players to learn from. This is a better pick than the pre-draft rumour of Temeka Johnson - Lyttle has huge upside.

Roneeka Hodges provides shooting and height on the perimeter but considering Van's love for veterans (and Felicia Ragland), I can't see her making much of an impact and she's probably better off at another team. Some people are excited over Jenni Dant. I don't know much about her but I think it's not too much of a stretch to say that the Comets are still looking for a starting PG. Considering Van's love for Dominique Canty and playing her at the point, Dant will find it hard to make the roster.

Houston have had a solid draft but I can't see any of the rookies making much of an impact this year and possibly even down the track. Well, not until the Comets get a new coach.

Detroit

Braxton is a real steal at #7 and Detroit can afford to take a punt on her. She's got the potential to be the best player in this draft but she has some very real issues to deal with (and no, having a child does not magically turn you into a 'mature, responsible adult'). If she works out, Detroit will have the best post rotation in the league and if she doesn't, well Detroit still has one of the best post rotations in the league.

Dionnah Jackson's stock dropped after the combine and while she's a solid pickup, I'm not sure where she fits into Detroit's scheme of things. They were reportedly looking for a backup 3 and another shooting but Jackson doesn't provide either. I know Detroit were trying to shop around Chandi Jones and if she is eventually dealt, that could open a spot for Jackson. I am getting a Dominique Canty feel from Jackson (with better point skills) and while that's a solid bench player, I think Detroit could have used somebody like Ro Hodges more.

Nikita Bell is a strong defensive player who will probably get squeezed out of Detroit (Phoenix, take a look at her) and Jenni Lingor can shoot 3s but is unlikely to make the Detroit roster.

Another good draft from Detroit, mainly due to Braxton.

Washington

Temeka Johnson's size *does* matter.

Yes, she is a good floor leader and has a lot of heart but well... she's 5'2". Why does this matter? #1 Taller defenders will limit her peripheral vision and #2 she's a defensive liability. The second one is a significant issue - she's a very tempting target for repeated post-ups and bigger guards can just look/shoot over her. Some people like to bring up Debbie Black but Black is one of a kind and even if she was in her prime now, I don't think she would be logging big minutes in the 2005 WNBA. I think Johnson will make a nice backup but the Mystics are still looking for that starting PG.

Around the web, some people have been saying that the Tillis for #13 pick trade was a steal for Detroit. Say what? If we're talking about talent, Tillis stomps all over Jackson and some. If Tillis was in the 2005 draft, she would have gone at least top 8. Tillis has all the upside in the world and all she really needs is the motivation to achieve it. She has great size and mobility and can get it done on both ends of the court. It will be interesting to see how Washington uses her. It will probably be at the 3, considering the Mystics are stacked at the power forward spot already.

The real gem in this draft for Washington could be Erica Taylor. She might not be in 100% shape at the moment but when she is, Taylor is a 2 guard who can score in multitude of ways, handle and defend. She and Beard may eventually be the starting guard combo for the Mystics if they can't find a point guard. I think Taylor will end up being the better player than Johnson. I probably don't need to worry about finding out more info on Tashia Morehead.

I think the Mystics should have gone for Braxton with the #6 pick. It's not like they would be missing out on much if they didn't take the risk and if Braxton worked out, they would have filled one of their longest outstanding needs and have gotten a high-calibre post in the post-weak East. I do like their other picks/draft trades.

Sacramento

Haynie is coming into a good situation: she's under no pressure to produce in her first year, is playing behind one of the world's best point guards and is surrounded by a lot of talent. Her defensive intensity is something the Monarchs could really use. She'll make a good backup but I'm not sure whether she will end up being the long-term replacement for Ticha Penicheiro (solid floor leader but not an outstanding playmaker and is lacking in the scoring department) and it will be interesting to see how she adapts to the physically demanding WNBA with her intestine condition.

Chelsea Newton was my predicted draft steal and she's a good fit in Sacramento, considering they need somebody on the perimeter who can defend. I think her offensive skills are underrated due to being stuck in CViv's offensive quagmire. Anne O'Neil can shoot the lights out but I think she'll find it hard to stick on the Sac roster.

Sacramento did a good job of filling their needs in this draft (perimeter depth). There really wasn't much more they could have done with this draft.

Minnesota

It's wings wings wings galore for Minnesota. The first one drafted was Kristen Mann - a 6'2 forward who can shoot, rebound and pass. Svet mark II anyone? Like Svet, she is going to face questions about her D in the WNBA but she will at least be a nice WNBA bench player.

Jacqueline Batteast's draft stock plummeted as the college season went on and I think it will be an uphill battle for her to make the roster. She doesn't have Mann's shooting range nor Lassiter's defensive prowess nor Svet's experience and I don't think the Lynx need a 4th wing. She could be a nice project on another team though. Monique Bivins will probably be an early cut.

I think Minnesota should have gone for a guard with their second round pick - like Dee Dee Wheeler or Erica Taylor. Both would provide some quickness and scoring spark off the bench. They did okay considering the picks they had, though I don't think the wings they drafted are better than what they currently have.

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