WNBA Award Debates No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show Release Date: September 4, 2024

In this episode of No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show, hosts Zena Caida, Sabrina Merchant, and Ben Pickman engage in an in-depth discussion about the upcoming WNBA awards as the regular season approaches its final stretch. The conversation delves into six key awards: Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Woman of the Year, Coach of the Year, and MVP. The hosts analyze contenders, share expert opinions, and provide insights into the voting process.

Rookie of the Year: Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese

The debate for Rookie of the Year centers primarily around Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, with Rekia Jackson also emerging as a strong contender. Ben Pickman highlights the unprecedented nature of the Clark-Reese rivalry, stating, “there just hasn’t been anything like Caitlin versus Angel in WNBA lore” (18:10). Sabrina Merchant adds historical context, noting that past races were rarely this close, making the current competition uniquely intense. Both hosts ultimately lean towards Caitlin Clark due to her exceptional individual performance and significant impact on her team's success. Zena Caida concurs, emphasizing Clark's dominant role in Indiana’s victories, including a standout game where Clark scored decisively against the Chicago Sky (24:16).

Most Improved Player: A Multifaceted Race

The Most Improved Player (MIP) award sparks a lively debate with several players in contention, including Alanna Smith, D.J. Carrington, Kennedy Carter, Sabrina Yaneski, and Sabrina Unescu. Sabrina Merchant presents Alanna Smith as a top candidate, highlighting her improved three-point shooting and defensive prowess: “one of the big changes with her year over year is her three-point shooting… she is a big part of Minnesota’s success” (39:41). Ben Pickman echoes these sentiments, praising Smith’s rim protection and overall defensive impact. Meanwhile, D.J. Carrington's shift from a reserve to a starter role is discussed, though concerns about her offensive efficiency persist. The conversation also touches on Kennedy Carter’s MVP-like performance, questioning whether her return from a limited previous season qualifies her as the most improved. Ultimately, the hosts recognize the complexity of the MIP race, with no clear front-runner emerging (46:42).

Defensive Player of the Year: Evaluating Impact

Defensive Player of the Year is another challenging category, with players like Stewie, Nafeesa Collier, Melissa Thomas, Essie Magmagore, Alyssa Thomas, and Asia Wilson under consideration. Sabrina Merchant leans towards Nafeesa Collier, praising her versatility and impact on both ends of the court: “she can switch onto any guard and play one through five” (54:21). Zena Caida underscores Collier’s comprehensive defensive skills, especially highlighted during the Olympics, making her a standout candidate. Ben Pickman adds that while Asia Wilson's defensive metrics are impressive, her team’s overall performance somewhat diminishes her candidacy. The hosts acknowledge the difficulty in quantifying defensive impact, especially for guards versus post players, but ultimately favor Collier for her multifaceted defensive contributions.

Sixth Woman of the Year: Leonie Feebish and Tiffany Hayes

The discussion on Sixth Woman of the Year features Leonie Feebish and Tiffany Hayes as prominent candidates. Sabrina Merchant initially considers Feebish for her defensive impact and offensive contributions off the bench. However, Ben Pickman points out Feebish’s increasing role as a starter, which may disqualify her from being a traditional sixth woman. Instead, Hayes emerges as a strong nominee due to her consistent performances and versatility: “she gives us made playmaking… she is a consistent contributor off the bench” (60:48). Zena Caida appreciates Hayes’s dual impact on offense and defense, making her a valuable asset in a reserve role. The hosts agree that while Feebish has had a noteworthy season, Hayes better fits the award’s criteria of significant contributions from the bench.

Coach of the Year: Cheryl Reeve Takes the Lead

Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx is the leading candidate for Coach of the Year, praised for exceeding expectations and optimizing her team's performance. Ben Pickman asserts, “Cheryl Reeve is going to win Coach of the Year,” highlighting her ability to transform the Lynx from a ninth-place team to one of the league’s top contenders (66:11). Sabrina Merchant supports Reeve’s candidacy by acknowledging her strategic prowess in integrating key players like Courtney Williams and Nafisa Collier, which has significantly elevated the team's defense and offense. Zena Caida echoes this sentiment, emphasizing Reeve’s outstanding coaching achievements and her role in Minnesota’s defensive and offensive improvements. The consensus among the hosts firmly places Cheryl Reeve at the forefront of the Coach of the Year race.

MVP: Asia Wilson and Nafisa Collier in the Spotlight

The MVP race is dominated by Asia Wilson and Nafisa Collier, with Zena Caida firmly supporting Wilson due to her extraordinary individual statistics and overall impact. Ben Pickman discusses Wilson’s unparalleled performance, noting her “box score stats are absolutely insane,” including record-breaking rebounds and points (72:06). Sabrina Merchant underscores Wilson’s versatility and offensive dominance, saying, “she is going to score with ease every single time” (73:54). While Collier is recognized for her significant contributions and defensive prowess, Wilson’s consistent top-tier performances and ability to carry her team make her the favored MVP candidate. The hosts agree that Wilson’s exceptional season merits the MVP title, acknowledging Collier as a strong contender but ultimately favoring Wilson’s unmatched individual achievements.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with the hosts reflecting on the heightened level of competition and the increasing difficulty of making award decisions as the WNBA continues to grow in talent and competitiveness. Zena Caida emphasizes the importance of these discussions in appreciating the league’s evolving landscape, while Sabrina Merchant and Ben Pickman express their enthusiasm for the ongoing debates and upcoming awards. The conversation underscores the depth of talent in the WNBA and the rigorous analysis required to determine award recipients, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the regular season.

Notable Quotes:

• “There just hasn’t been anything like Caitlin versus Angel in WNBA lore.” — Ben Pickman (18:10)
• “She is a big part of Minnesota’s success.” — Sabrina Merchant (39:41)
• “Cheryl Reeve is going to win Coach of the Year.” — Ben Pickman (66:11)
• “She is going to score with ease every single time.” — Sabrina Merchant (73:54)

This comprehensive debate highlights the depth of talent in the WNBA and the nuanced criteria voters consider when determining award winners. As the regular season nears its end, these discussions provide valuable insights for fans and analysts alike, enriching the overall appreciation of women's basketball.