Ever. Will it happen this year? This is what I saw:

The Aces are cooked and they might be done in general. An overreaction to being suffocated by an amazing defensive unit? Possibly. But I fully believe the run is over for their big three in their current form. And next year won't be their current form. Chelsea will be a year older. Jackie will still be kinda young but she's been shooting 24% since game 2 of the Indiana series. If they sign her to another max contract, they're going to have the same depth problems next year as they had this year.

Next year's free agency is going to be brutal for them. The two expansion franchises will be ready to spend, as well as the reborn Houston Comets. And I don't the expect the Mystics to be obtuse enough to keep sticking to the same senseless off-season playbook they stuck to this year. Demand is going up and prices are going to crush any team with 3 max players. Sorry, Caitlin.

I don't see this series going back to California.

There's a reason I spent so much time talking about the Aces next season. It's because I was writing about the Liberty simultaneously. Just do global search and replace Aces-Liberty on the text above. This series isn't going to make it back to down I-95 to Atlanta. And ditto about their off-season.

I know it's the GSV defense but this is a complete smothering. A'ja can't do this alone.

... to both have 30 points and 10 rebounds tonight. I also think both teams even up the series tonight, but I've done much better predicting player performances than games.

And anyone who actually puts their money where my mouth is needs to check themselves in to a world-class mental health institute.

Obviously, I wouldn't call their players old, but they're generally older than the Dream and Valkyries. I think the rest is exactly what both of those teams needed.

I know objectivity doesn't exist in sports so Dream fans, have a day with this.

DeWanna Bonner spent pretty much the entire season on one of the worst teams in the league. Let's be very, very clear. She averaged 27.6 minutes per game with the Mercury. She wasn't a bystander in the team's mediocre performance all season. She contributed heavily to their poor play.

But then just like last season, she bailed on her team for greener pastures to chase a title she wouldn't have deserved, even if she had won or might win. Let's throw all bias out the window and at least try to look at this objectively. There's zero integrity in any of this. In fact, there's tons of whatever the opposite of integrity is. It's disgusting to me.

People who like to rationalize to defend things that benefit them will say it's common for long-time veterans to be given an opportunity to chase one more title. Yes, but there's two very important aspects to consider:

1. It's usually given to the them at the beginning of the season so they can actually earn and deserve it
2. It's usually veterans who aren't capable of going to a team right before the playoffs start and affecting the outcomes of one or more series

Neither of those apply here. She was instrumental in the Atlanta Dream defeating the Washington Mystics as she was the player who got the Dream rolling in the second half of both games. And now she just scored 23 points as the Dream defeated the Liberty in game one of their semifinal series. Winning with integrity should be a thing.

Join me on Dem Agora if you want to argue about this. it's better suited for people who want to have constructive discussions.

I'm not as nice as most of you. I still think it was a horrible decision for Alanna Smith to participate in the World Cup. I get it, she's not American. But when her old team didn't want to pay her, Dallas jumped at the chance and was patient with her the entire season. She was literally just starting to come around, and right before the playoffs. It's like that kid who got straight D's but still wants to go Cancun for spring break. Luckily, no one was able to stop me.

Lan wouldn't have made a difference in game one but her absence is really going to be felt tonight in a closer matchup. I feel a sweep comin' on.

I said they were the most likely to pull off a first round upset despite being the #8 seed and going up against a Minnesota Lynx team that had dominated the entire season. Sure enough, they're now resting and waiting to see who they play next. Hopefully, it'll be the Mystics :)

First #8 seed to ever win a series in WNBA history, but let's be honest, this was only the #8 seed because their record said they were. They were hit with injuries but they still have one of the greatest "Big 3's" of all time. Stewie can still dominate anyone and any team when she's on a roll. 27.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game in sweeping the Lynx. Remind you of anyone? I knew they could do it but I'm still stunned they did.

So who will they play next? Obviously, 1-0 is a huge advantage in a 3-game series so the odds-on favorite has to be the Dream, but I still believe the Mystics are actually the better team. But I was dead wrong about the key to this matchup. I thought it would be Sony, but she was awesome in game 1 and the team lost by 15 points. The real key is the same as it's been all season long - Shakira. I'm calling it right now. If Kira gets her 20 points, the team will be heading down 95 south tomorrow.

Notice I didn't restrict this to "will they". I'm asking if they even can. My answer to that is "no".

I don't see the Lynx turning it around and winning on the road next game. In a weird way, they're now the 0-1 team at the worst disadvantage, facing elimination on the road. And even if the pull it off, the Liberty know they can take a game in Minny.

Fever and Wings are simply outclassed in their matchup. Mystics got bit by karma and we all know that's the biggest bitch of all. I specifically said they needed to claim her off waivers just so no other playoff team would land her. Guess who turned the game around for the Dream in the third quarter today?

What do you think?

I've been saying since before free agency started - before the end of the year, we will regret not attempting to sign any key free agents. I said that fully expecting to have the season we had only to come up short at the end. Can they still regroup for games 2 and 3? Maybe. But it should never have come to that.

They had two more chances to recover from their ill-fated decision, one was via trade. They still did nothing. And then,

https://www.reddit.com/r/WNBANonEchoChamber/s/1yzwZV3QSr

My reasoning wasn't so much that she was going to drastically improve the team as it was to keep her from joining a competitor. Once again, as fate would have it, she joined the team we're playing in round 1.

Bonner had 0 points in the first half when the Mystics were the better team. It was Bonner that ignited the Dream in the third. Make what you will of it, but the player that only the Mystics could've claimed off waivers and a handful of fans wanted them to, was extremely instrumental in defeating them. My post above was exactly about making sure that didn't happen.

Seriously, I get defending our players. But why are so many fans so adamant about defending a front office that doesn't deserve it? it's not even the same front office that put this team together. She got the boot over 5 months ago.

Update: Despite being the #8 seed, I said the Liberty are the most likely to pull off an upset. And they were the only bottom 4 seed to win today.

Update: https://www.reddit.com/r/WNBANonEchoChamber/s/FuVAv29lZ1 - I said the Mystics need to sign Bonner just to keep her from joining another playoff team. Well, they didn't, and guess who turned the game against them in the third quarter. Karma is a bitch.

The WNBA playoffs begin today. I'm not gonna try to predict every series or analyze every matchup advantage/disadvantage. Instead, here are the things I'm most interested in watching in each first-round matchup.

Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty

The obvious storyline is that we get another Lynx-Liberty playoff series. Minnesota enters as the #1 seed. New York is the #8 seed. #1 vs. #8 matchups are usually really boring ... or really exciting. Typically, not something in the middle.

The most interesting thing here is this New York Liberty team might be the best #8 seed ever. There's a huge difference between being the eighth-best team over the course of a season and being the eighth-most-dangerous team once the playoffs begin. So, by extension, the most interesting thing about this matchup is it might be the most likely matchup to produce an upset.

I think if Sab can keep up with Liv, Stewie and JJ are going to shock all of us. Me, a little less than you.

Update: Always being right isn't as easy as I make it seem. Don't try this at home.

Golden State Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings

I've forgotten the Valkyries are in their second season. This team is already league cornerstone, in my opinion. The most interesting thing in this series should be obvious, but there's actually two things that are huge.

The obvious: Gabby Williams -- I said in another post that this pissed-off Frenchie is going to be a one-woman wrecking crew in the playoffs. Hard hats mandatory in Ballhalla.

I can't find the post I did on Alanna Smith and how getting her untracked is the key to the Wings making a deep run in the playoffs this year. Well, she started getting untracked and instead of resting up for the playoffs, she got hurt after ten minutes of FIBA action. And here we are. For the Wings, the most interesting thing to see is whether or not they get run out of town without the reigning defensive player of the year, who was finally starting to produce.

Update: Alanna wouldn't have won this game tonight, but the Wings would've looked a little better.

Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever

There's no shortage of star power here, but there's also no question "who actually has more"? There's A'ja and there's everyone else.

This is easily the most exciting matchup of the first round. Go back a year, and the Fever, without Caitlin and without Aliyah when it mattered most, lost to the Aces in game 5 in overtime. Boston fouled out with 27 seconds left in regulation, with Indiana leading 88-86. Las Vegas tied it after she was gone, sent the game to overtime, and won 107-98.

During the series, I predicted whoever won that series would sweep the Mercury in the finals. I don't have the same level of confidence in both teams this year, but having Caitlin should make this series even more exciting than it was last year.

Update: I did say this still be the just exciting matchup of round 1. Another tiebreaker game between these two teams but Caitlin is playing this year. will that make a difference?

Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics

I'm a Mystics fan. I'm also a Seahawks fan. This series is more exciting to me than this year's Super Bowl. I shit you not. I've spent all season dogging the Mystics' front office for being too blind to see this wasn't a rebuild season, that this team had the pieces to go all the way with just one or two key free day this will beagent signings. I'd say the results have already proven I was right; a Mystics win here would cement it.

This might seem like Shakira vs. Angel but I think Sonia Citron is the key in this series. Will she show up and play like she's capable of? Or shrink into the shadows? I'm betting on the former. Literally.

I also think Georgia Amoore is going to have Dream fans screaming WTF, and Mystics fans falling in love. Just a hunch.

Update: https://www.reddit.com/r/WNBANonEchoChamber/s/FuVAv29lZ1 - I said the Mystics need to sign Bonner just to keep her from joining another playoff team. Well, they didn't, and guess who turned the game against them in the third quarter. Karma is a bitch.

If anyone has updates on how she's doing, please share

Do they not have enough injuries or something? Do they not want rest before the playoffs? They're locked into that 7th spot already.

It used to be the higher seed would get two home games and if a third game was needed, it would be played at the lower seed's house. Yes, a team could make the playoffs and never play one playoff game at home. That's one of those ideas that makes you hope everyone involved in the decision making process is no longer responsible for deciding anything anywhere.

The current format is much better with the higher seed getting the first matchup at home, and then alternating stadiums. But right off the bat, that seems like a lot of traveling back and forth. Think deeper and you'll see that also only gives the higher seed an advantage if it gets to a third game. Teams play hard for 44 games to get home field advantage, not to have to face elimination on the road in the first round if they have an unfortunate game.

What if the league switched to a first-round format where the first game is in the lower seed's house and the higher seed gets the next two games?

Both teams would still be guaranteed at least one home game. But it would also make it harder for home field advantage to quickly turn into a desperate situation. Most importantly, it would completely eliminate the need for three team flights in three games.

What do you think? Would this be a good change?

Note: this entire post is flawed so only read it if you're looking to end up at WTF. I'm only leaving it up because hiding mistakes goes against the spirit of transparency. And it's still a huge game.

No other game has bigger playoff seeding implications than this one. One, two and three isn't changing. The rest will mostly depend on who wins between the Fever and Mystics.

If Indiana wins:

• Fever will most likely be the 4 seed. Lynx will beat the Sun and only need to win one of the final two against Indiana to lock up the number one seed. So either Indiana will win the first game or Minnesota will rest starters the second game.
• Dream will need to take one game from from the Liberty, but New York will be battling to the end. Atlanta has the tie breaker over Indiana but the Fever will have a better chance to go 1-1 to close out the season than Atlanta will have to go 2-1.
• Liberty will most likely be the 6 seed. A Fever loss would give them a backdoor to the 5 seed but a Fever win would effectively close that door shut.
• Wings will just likely end up at 7. They're in a tight have with Phoenix as I'm writing this but assuming they win, if the Mystics lose to Indiana, Dallas won't be finishing above or below 7.
• Mystics would need to win the final two and get a lot of help. They would almost certainly end up at 8.

If the Mystics win:

• Dream will practically be locked into the 4 seed.
• Liberty will be in prime position to move up to the 5 seed.
• Fever would almost be cemented in the 6 spot with an outside chance to drop further.
• Holding the tie breaker against the Wings almost assures the Mystics will finish ahead of them.
• Wings would need a miracle to not have to deal with Minnesota in round 1.

Mystics and Wings are almost sure to finish 7 and 8. The rest depends heavily on Fever/Mystics tomorrow, September 20.

Jeremy Lin breaks it down so even a dummy like me can understand but I still have a question:

Why don't other teams do the same thing? Is it more about personnel or coaching?