u/SeijaHakase

Hi all!

Okay. So, as you can see, I'm having fun on the Valkyries train as I also take note of the Firebelles (quack the Fueens), and I look forward to the upcoming Hammerheads season or whatever name they'll use for the hockey team. I know! Yay!

I have multiple questions regarding Bay F.C. If you're wondering why haven't I been glued onto them as much as the Valkyries, us Filipinos like our basketball, and yet, we never had the height for the sport. I also am aware now that we have Filipinas in NWSL as I learned, but no Filipina has ever appeared in a WNBA game. That typed, here I go with the questions.

1. Why are they in a rut? I know they made the playoffs their first year, and the last time I heard, they got someone from the England national team coaching (Emma Coates), who I saw was ranked 4th minutes ago, but why are they in a rut?

2. While I'm at it, does this mean we get fans yelling "I want all of the Britishies!" when they really should be saying and typing "I want all of the Tarheels!" (yup, Mr. Jamison's school has the most women's soccer titles w/ 22, a rabbit hole I went to minutes ago also) instead? Actually, "I want all of the Tarheels and Britishies!" works also.

3. Probably the most annoying question for me. Why is it that I never find Bay FC autograph events? Lefty's gave me both Kayla Thornton's and Monique Billings's, Rush's gave me both Tiffany Hayes's and Veronica Burton's, and Peets's gave me Gabby Williams's.

Thank you guys! Go Bay FC, go Valks, and go Belles!

Before I get to the topic, if you want what the team is for me come opening tip, here you go. Key. Black squares show that the player's locked in. Purple hearts show that the player's in one of 2 developmental spots.

⬛️V.B.

⬛️Tip

⬛️Kayla

⬛️Iliana

⬛️Janelle

⬛️Ceci

⬛️Kate/Money

⬛️Juste

⬛️Kaila

⬛️Gabby/Spooky G

⬛️Kiah

⬛️Laeticia

💜‪Kaitlyn

💜‪Marta

I know. Why does Kaitlyn have a heart by her name? For the Valkyries to keep the triangle of Laeticia, Kate and Kaitlyn, hate to type it, but Laeticia can't have a developmental spot because this is her 4th year. 3 years or less, you're okay. After that, you're not. Okay. Discussion time.

I get it. I see the "I don't like how the Valkyries did task X or task Y!" posts and replies. Hold off on that early Cinco de Mayo cerveza. If you need the logic for each action in question, leave it to Beaver--I mean Kero-chan, er, me to explain. I don't expect you to agree with the statements, but do keep in mind what I type here. Long, but I tried to keep this rant organized.

🟣The return of Kaila Charles on a 2-year contract

Down the stretch, Kaila was a huge part of the run to make the Playoffs. (K.T. was done for the year, and Tip just kept getting whacked.) She can fit in as that taller defensive 2/3. Have her come in when Gabby needs a breather, and there's not that bad of a drop off. If anything, she's a better 3 point shooter than Gabby. Besides, she has bounced around so much to the point she wants that multi-year deal.

🟣The signing of Kiah Stokes

Obviously the most head scratching free agent signing of the season, I get it. "She can't score anymore because of that injury." "It's like 4 vs. 5." See me out as opposed to hear me out.

1, not only has Kiah won a title with the Huskies. She also won a title with the Aces. Vets like her will always have value.

2, Coach Nat has dealt with her before. Don't need to type more, do I? Moving on.

3, guess who was a senior when Gabby was a freshman at UConn. Kiah! The Valkyries don't just have familiarity for Gabby on the French team side and the international side. The Valkyries also brought in a different form of familiarity for Gabby in her senior teammate! If that is not enough, guess who was Kiah's senior teammate when she was a freshman. Tip! The last time I checked, of all of the women collegiate teams, the Huskies have the most titles with 12, and it just so happens the Valkyries have 4 with Tip, Kiah, Gabby and Kaitlyn, which I believe is most in the league!

Finally at 4, the Valkyries needed height after Mo and Temi left. I know that. It's good that the Valkyries got Kiah at that contract. Guess what the Tempo did with the latter former Valkyrie. Give her a 1-year 1 mill contract. The price for centers skyrocketed after Kiah's contract. While I like Mo as a person (we had a blast talking to each other at Lefty), the Valkyries had to let her go as they couldn't give her that bag and a starting spot. Until the WNBA starts having aprons, and I would laugh if Joe Lacob or Mark Davis, maybe both end up being the reason why, the Valkyries can't just throw to everyone paper (to the ceiling while riding on 24 inch chrome).

🟣The draft trade, sending Flau'jae Johnson to the Storm for Marta Suarez and a future 2nd round pick

I know! I know. Johnson is that sexy of a pick!

You know what's not sexy? Having a charity stripe percentage closer to a fellow Tiger (you may have heard of him, a guy named Shaq) than you want it to be in 2 of your 4 years. Not one. Two!

Yes, Johnson shot below 70% in 2 of her 4 years at LSU! Not what I want from my 1st round pick if I'm Ohemaa. Adding on, she'll be stuck on the bench because she's already playing behind Tip, V.B. who can play both guard positions, Gabby, and Juste, and that's just the American born players that have played on their respective national teams! (Notice how I typed "their respective national teams" as opposed to "the U.S. national team" seeing that Gabby and the D.C. born as in Washington D.C. not Daly City Juste play for respectively France and Lithuania.) You keep her, you throw a wrench to the cohesion, as the Valkyries want continuity.

🟣The Valkyries releases and the possibility of Marta being snatched

The Valkyries had to cut what? 8 players? That's a lot. Goes to show how deep the team is.

Don't forget what's coming up in the next few years. We see the returns of Detroit and Cleveland, and Philly gets to make its WNBA debut. Guess what that means. More expansion drafts! Yay.

V.B. the French trio and Juste are keepers. The 6th slot is murky. The Valkyries keep Kayla, they lose one of the top 10 trey ball shooters. The Valkyries keep Ceci, they lose the 1st All-Star in franchise history. Keep Johnson, and you see a bigger headache regarding choices.

The chances of Marta being picked up are low. No one reached for her in the 1st round (she was projected as a late 1st rounder/early 2nd rounder), and I doubt anyone would take on a rookie stretch 4 who isn't a key defender yet. I think the Cal/Tennessee/TCU player does end up back with the Valkyries.

🟣Oh, wait. This is the end.

Okay! Done ranting. Let's enjoy the season, and let's see the ladies shock the world as the local gal comes home among other events! We → V believe!