No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show Episode: Impressive Showings And Uncharacteristic Play In The Playoffs Release Date: September 26, 2023

Introduction

In the September 26, 2023 episode of No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show, hosts Zena Kaeda and Sabrina Merchant delve deep into the recent WNBA playoff performances. Titled "Impressive Showings And Uncharacteristic Play In The Playoffs," the episode provides insightful analysis of key games, standout player performances, and controversial award announcements that have stirred conversations across social media platforms.

WNBA Semifinals Breakdown

Connecticut Sun vs. New York Liberty

Highlights and Game Overview The episode opens with a detailed breakdown of the Connecticut Sun's victory over the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. Zena Kaeda sets the stage by describing the electric atmosphere in the arena:

"Those towels were going, the lights were flashing. I mean, it was so hype in that arena for the New York Liberty." [00:04:30]

Despite the New York Liberty's high energy, the Sun capitalized on key moments to secure a 78-63 win. The Sun out-rebounded the Liberty by five and shot efficiently from the floor at 45%, while the Liberty struggled, particularly from the three-point line, shooting below 30%.

Key Player Performances

1. Rebecca Allen's Dominance

   Sabrina Merchant highlights Rebecca Allen's exceptional performance:

   "She was so productive across so many different areas for the Sun... seven of nine from the field." [07:30]

   Allen's versatility was a game-changer, effectively guarding multiple starters and contributing significantly both offensively and defensively.

2. Alyssa Thomas's Role

   Alyssa Thomas, usually a pivotal scorer, had a subdued performance:

   "She finished with eight points... but she's been struggling against the Liberty this entire season." [09:12]

   The Liberty's defensive strategy focused on limiting Thomas's effectiveness by assigning tight coverage and preventing her from utilizing her usual offensive maneuvers.

Defensive Strategies and Offensive Implications

Merchant discusses how Connecticut's defensive prowess was the cornerstone of their victory:

"Connecticut, their identity being defense, I would have to lean towards Rebecca Allen's defense." [09:49]

The Sun's ability to disrupt the Liberty's offense forced them into making critical mistakes, particularly in the second half, where turnovers increased significantly for the Liberty.

Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas Aces

Game Recap The episode transitions to the Las Vegas Aces' triumph over the Dallas Wings with a scoreline of 97-83 at the Michelob Ultra Arena. Asia Wilson's stellar performance was pivotal:

"This was by far, I think, the Asia Wilson game of the series... 34 points, 14 in the third." [28:48]

Asia Wilson's Impact Sabrina Merchant lauds Wilson's effortless gameplay:

"The way she gets to her spots, the way she finishes through contact around people who are bigger... she looks so smooth all the time." [28:48]

Wilson's defensive and offensive contributions were unparalleled, making her a standout player deserving of accolades.

Las Vegas Aces' Offensive Synergy The Aces showcased a well-oiled offensive machine:

"Kelsey Plum finally starts hitting from three-point range. Five out of ten." [30:57]

With players like Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young hitting crucial shots, the Aces maintained a high shooting percentage, making it challenging for the Wings to keep up.

Controversial WNBA Defensive Awards

Award Announcements and Public Reaction A significant portion of the episode addresses the backlash surrounding the recent Defensive Player of the Year awards:

"Twitter went crazy after these defensive awards were announced for the WNBA." [47:39]

The primary contention revolves around the perceived underrepresentation of guards in the All-Defensive teams, sparking discussions about positional biases.

Notable Quotes and Insights

1. Alexi Brown's Critique

   Alexi Brown questioned the criteria for guard inclusion:

   "What do guards have to do in order to be recognized and added to this list?" [47:39]

2. Natasha Cloud's Frustration

   Natasha Cloud expressed her discontent:

   "She is tired of people playing with her name and her ability on defense." [47:39]

3. Eric Thabeau's Defense of Cloud

   Coach Eric Thabeau defended Cloud's defensive prowess:

   "I don't know 10 players that are better than Natasha Cloud and what she was able to do." [47:39]

Sabrina Merchant's Analysis Merchant provides context on the voting process and the challenges of creating a positionless defensive team:

"This was the first year that all defense voting was positionless... It’s easier to reward bigs defensively." [51:31]

She emphasizes the difficulty in evaluating defensive performance across different positions and advocates for maintaining positional distinctions to ensure fair recognition.

Predictions and Future Outlook

Series Predictions Sabrina Merchant shares her predictions for the semifinals:

"I don't feel great about Liberty in four. I think if they're gonna win, it's gonna come in five." [40:42]

"I would have said Aces in three. I still feel good about Aces in three." [40:52]

Strategic Adjustments Merchant discusses potential adjustments the Wings might need to make:

"They need to play Odyssey Sims more... let her make the plays." [35:49]

Emphasizing the importance of strategic rotations and maximizing player strengths to counter the Aces' dominance.

Off the Script: Defensive Awards Controversy

Public Sentiment and Voting Processes The hosts delve deeper into the controversy, explaining the shift to positionless voting and its implications:

"The WNBA made awards voting for all WNBA position lists last year... to have as many of the best players in league as possible on all WNBA teams." [47:39]

They discuss the inherent biases towards bigs in defensive roles and the challenges in recognizing versatile guards like Natasha Cloud.

Recommendations and Future Considerations Merchant suggests reverting to positional voting to better recognize the unique defensive contributions of guards:

"I personally would think that you would want to keep all defense and all W for that matter to be positions just because every position on the court is asked to fulfill a different role." [51:31]

This approach would allow for a more balanced representation of defensive excellence across all positions.

Closing Remarks

Zena Kaeda wraps up the episode by reflecting on the competitive nature of the current playoffs and the excitement surrounding upcoming games:

"I think these series have been really, really well matched." [57:38]

She encourages listeners to stay tuned for the next games and continue engaging with the dynamic world of women's basketball.

Conclusion

The episode of No Offseason offers a comprehensive analysis of the WNBA playoffs, highlighting standout performances, strategic defensive plays, and the ongoing debate surrounding defensive awards. Through expert insights and engaging discussions, hosts Zena Kaeda and Sabrina Merchant provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the current state of women's basketball, ensuring that fans are well-informed and deeply engaged with the unfolding playoff narratives.