2024 WNBA Discussion, Betting, and Prediction Thread

[danherbias07]

Hello guys, I am recreating the WNBA thread since @YuginKadoya was banned due to some reason, but I won't get deep on that.
Here is the former thread though, if you are curious about it.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5404654.0
This way, I could edit the title every year/season, make polls, and do other stuff that is needed as the OP.

Let's go!!!

Key Dates: 2024 WNBA Season
*All dates and times are subject to change

April 15:  WNBA Draft
April 28: Training Camp Begins
May 3: Pre-season Games Begin
May 12: Last Possible Date for Pre-Season Games
May 13: Final Roster Cut-down Date
May 14:  Regular Season Begins
June 1-13: WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Tournament
June 25: WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship
July 18-21: WNBA All-Star Break
July 20: WNBA All-Star Game
July 21- August 14: Olympic Break
August 20: Trade Deadline
September 19: Regular Season Ends
September 22: Playoffs Begin
October 20: Last Possible Finals Date
https://www.wnba.com/keydates

You could share anything here as long as it is about WNBA.
Share your predictions too if you have one. It would be lovely to see members creating their own analysis, especially on the betting side, and I might tail them.

The 2023 WNBA Champions were the Las Vegas Aces. Let's see if that will change this year.

Adding these Outrights just for reference.



I think Alyssa Thomas has a good chance to snatch that MVP this year.

High expectations for the Rookie Caitlin Clark. 1st round, 1st pick selected by the Indiana Fever. They say she is overrated. Well, Wemby was also overrated at the start of his career but showed that he is definitely strong.

[danherbias07]

Candace Parker Announces Retirement After Historic 16-Year Career

LAS VEGAS (April 28, 2024)—Three-time WNBA Champion, and two-time league MVP Candace Parker announced her retirement today following a storied 16-year career.

https://aces.wnba.com/news/candace-parker-announces-retirement-after-historic-16-year-career/

PARKER’S CAREER HONORS
WNBA Champion   3   2016 (LA), 2021 (CHI), 2023 (LV)
WNBA Most Valuable Player   2   2008, 2013
All-WNBA First Team   7   2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2022
All-WNBA Second Team   3   2009, 2015, 2018
WNBA All-Star   7   2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022
WNBA Defensive Player of the Year   1   2020
WNBA All-Defensive Second Team   2   2009, 2012
WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player   1   2016
WNBA Rookie of the Year   1   2008
WNBA All-Star Most Valuable Player   1   2013
Olympic Gold Medalist   2   2008, 2012
NCAA Championship   2   2007, 2008
Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year   1   2007-08
John R. Wooden Award   2   2006-07, 2007-08
AP Player of the Year   2   2006-07, 2007-08
Final Four Most Outstanding Player   2   2007, 2008

3 champions, 2 Season MVP, 1 DPOY, 1 Finals MVP, 1 ROTY, 1 All-Star MVP. Rawr! This lady sure did one heck of a performance in her career. She will be a Hall of Famer, without any doubt. I can still remember her in her prime as I watched with my small television in my room. I love watching her as he is like Shaq who can dominate the paint without any problem.
Thank you, Ms. Parker.

Tomorrow guys, our WNBA Pre-Season is starting.

Dallas Wings versus Indiana Fever
Minnesota Lynx versus Chicago Sky

Betting odds are not open yet, maybe they will add it later or tomorrow.

[danherbias07]

Here we go, there is now a betting line even for the preseason of the WNBA.



It means we are getting near the tip off. 5 more days.

All eyes are still on Caitlin Clark after losing that game against the Dallas Wings.
https://athlonsports.com/wnba/dallas-wings-blunt-four-word-message-caitlin-clark-indiana-fever-preseason
Dallas Wings Issue Blunt Four-Word Message to Caitlin Clark After Preseason Victory Over Fever

"Welcome to the league," the Wings said to Clark.

They lost but she showed something when they almost won the game. She is ready and she will definitely rattle the WNBA this season. She plays like the combination of Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu. She can pass, shoot, do perimeter jump shots, attack the paint, and be a playmaker. Just like Wemby of the NBA, she ain't just hype, she is for real.
Later, they will have a game again and it's up against the Atlanta Dream, I will definitely not miss this one.

[danherbias07]

WNBA Regular Season Tip-off Results.

Las Vegas Aces (Won) versus Phoenix Mercury - 89-80 - Did not cover the spreads which was -15.5 before the start of the game.
New York Liberty (Won) versus Washington Mystics - 85-80 - Did not cover the spreads too which I believe was -11.5.
Connecticut Sun (Won) versus Indiana Fever - 92-71 - Covered if you take the -8.5 for the Sun.
Minnesota Lynx (Won) versus Seattle Storm - 83-70 - Covered.

Alyssa Thomas (Sun) started with a triple-double - 13/10/13
A'ja Wilson (Aces) will not be left though claiming a heavy double-double - 30/13/5
Caitlin Clark didn't start with a bang, 20 points but 10 turnovers. Well, it's just the start of the season, she will need to adjust herself now that she is in the big ladies' league. Plus she needs to gain the respect of the referees and create chemistry with her team. It will be a long ride.

[danherbias07]

2 fun games later.

Here are my picks.
Connecticut Sun - Washington Mystics - Connecticut Sun (-8.5) - Starting. I was asking myself why EDD (Elena Delle Donne) is still not playing. Here is the news about why.
https://apnews.com/article/delle-donne-wnba-f3dd293d0055df8695bdecff05c47192

Washington Mystics star Elena Delle Donne is stepping away from basketball, potentially for the entire season, a person familiar with the decision said Thursday.

Alyssa Thomas will probably dominate this game without the Mystics core player.
Minnesota Lynx - Seattle Storm - Minnesota Lynx ML - Lynx won the first battle against the Storm in the WNBA tipoff, 13 points was the deficit so Storm must want revenge but I doubt they can, that's why I am only taking the ML in case this game ended up too close.

[danherbias07]

The Indiana Fever has not won against the New York Liberty yet in their two meetings. Later they will face the Connecticut Sun for the second time. Will they get their revenge this time or will it just be another loss for the Fever?
Caitlin Clark seems to be finding his rhythm with her team. She played 34 minutes and scored 22 points with 6 rebounds, and 8 assists. This is the highest career point since she started the WNBA. I bet she can do more.

Later we have two games. Here are my picks.
New York Liberty - Seattle Storm - New York Liberty (-10.5) - Liberty has not lost yet. 3 wins and 0 losses.
Indiana Fever - Connecticut Sun - Connecticut Sun (-5.5) - I believe the Fever will need more time before chemistry will come through. Clark is doing great but it will not be enough to defeat the Sun.