Hello basketball fans! Welcome to an all-new episode of the WNBA Buckets podcast.
Maria Marino is joined by Jim Turvey to discuss the return of the WNBA. They discuss final record predictions, award races and much more!
Angel Reese to Win Rookie of the Year
By Jim Turvey
I actually lean toward Angel Reese in the Rookie of the Year race.
If you look at the first 26 games, we don't have a lot of great advanced stats in the WNBA, but the ones we do have really like Angel. If you go by win-shares, Reese is at 2.7 compared to Caitlin Clark's 1.2 rating.
Clark has really taken off since the schedule got easier, and she has played notably better against the not top-tier opponents.
Thats a little bit of a dig, but not on her. As a rookie, it's totally fair to not have the same kind of impact against the dominant teams, but she is not having the impact that Angel has shown against top competition.
When Reese is on the floor, the Sky have a +3.4 net rating. When she's off the floor, the team has a -21.5 net rating. That's an insane gap.
My eyes tell me that Caitlin Clark has been a little bit better than Angel Reese. But these stats over here tell me that Angel has been way better. If I'm gonna way the eyes and stats, I'm coming around to them being around even, maybe skewing a little bit to Reese.
My fear is it isn't going to matter and this has always been Caitlin's award. Angel would have to basically put up MVP numbers at that point.
A'ja Wilson to Win MVP
By Maria Marino
Historically, we haven't seen many MVP's not come from the top two teams. In fact, I went back and looked it up.
21 out of 27 have had the best or second-best record. Of the six, you have a couple that have been third-best.
With that being said, I think A'ja Wilson has built up such a lead in the conversation and in the minds of voters. LaChina Robinson during the Olympics broadcast stated that Wilson is the MVP.
I think if they move in as a top three team in the league, its an absolute lock.
Liberty to Win WNBA Title vs. Aces
By Jim Turvey
If I had to bet today, I would bet the New York Liberty winning it all.
They are set up perfectly to have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Their stars were a little bit less taxed by the Olympics.
The Las Vegas Aces are going for their third title in three years. A'ja Wilson is the best player on the planet. Am I possibly going to regret this decision? Absolutely, which is why I'm not going to bet right now, but of the two favorites, I would lean Liberty.
If Gabby Williams signs with the Liberty, I will be betting their title features. That to me is the piece that would push them over the Aces, that I would be comfortable saying they should be favored.
