It somehow feels like the introduction of the Golden State Valkyries was both yesterday and 15 years ago. I guess a lot has happened in the world of women’s basketball since then huh?
But here we are. Year two and already a WNBA Finals appearance. A meteoric rise from a franchise that is now officially the standard in so many ways across the entire league.
As they welcome the WNBA Finals into Ballhalla, what will it take for the Golden State Valkyries to win the WNBA Finals?
In Case You Missed It (& What’s On Tap)
Tyler shares his pre-season SEC Media vote and reacts to the results…
This week’s Five Out…
Tyler was joined by Marisa Ingemi to preview these keys to the Valkyries…
BALL UP TOP: A WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PODCAST
The Keys to Gabby Williams and the Golden State Valkyries Winning the WNBA Finals
Can you keep Atlanta in the half-court?
Funny how two of the teams who have had their offense questioned more than anyone are the two teams that have found themselves in the WNBA Finals. Defense wins…yeah yeah you know the rest.
Defensively both teams are going to be bringing the heat but I do think it favors Golden State. The biggest thing will be first forcing the Dream into half-court situations. Make the Dream beat you there instead of in transition with easy buckets.
The Dream have been able to find their way in the half-court so far these playoffs but, and this is a big deal here, they haven’t been defended by the Golden State Valkyries. Jordin Canada was incredible against the New York Liberty, but again, that wasn’t against Golden State’s defense.
It feels like the things that made life easier for the Dream in the series against the Liberty, such as forcing turnovers or simply outworking, will be things the Valkyries feel they can match up with or even win the battle on. If they are able to slow the Dream down into a large volume of half-court possessions, the Valkyries will be banking on their defense to pick up wins.
Can you continue to win the rebounds?
I lost count on the amount of possessions in the Aces series we saw that had multiple offensive rebounds for the Valkyries. It was simply ridiculous how many extra opportunities were created just by the hustle of Golden State.
Similar to the Valkyries feeling like they can slow down the Dream in their offense, the Dream will feel like they can match the hustle and effort on the boards.
Only the Mystics have been able to find more success rebounding the ball in the postseason than the Valkyries, in the regular season it was the Dream in second place behind the Mystics in the rebound per game average. It was such a clear and obvious point of dominance against the Aces for the Valkyries. While it might not be as visibly dominant in these upcoming games, winning the boards and the possession count could prove vital.
When the lull strikes, who do you call?
THE question about the Golden State Valkyries this season has been when you need a bucket who are you going to call? It hasn’t always been the same answer in terms of player, but the team response has been consistent over these playoffs.
You can think back to the third quarter of Game Three against the Aces or the second quarter of Game One against the Wings, the run potential is there when the games are tight. They have totally turned the water off in those moments. But similar to how I mentioned that the Dream have not played against the Valkyries defense, the Valkyries have not played against the Dream defense.
So even though I am more confident than I was before, I do think it is fair to ask the question, when the offensive lull happens who do you rely upon? Gabby Williams has been absolutely incredible during this run, is she ready to ascend the ranks of the best players in the world with a dominant offensive showing? Is Tip Hayes ready to provide the rocket fuel once again off the bench? How about Kaitlyn Chen driving to the rim to do so? Is Veronica Burton able to finally find scoring consistency?
The options are there and in large part the options have shown up when asked to do so against the Wings and Aces. Can they do the same against the Dream is the key question needing answered.
Good Reads, Curated By Us
How has Gabby Williams proven herself as a superstar in the WNBA? by Cassandre Negley and Caroline Fenton, Yahoo Sports
All the ways Season Thirty was a milestone-making celebration for the WNBA by Cat Ariail, Swish Appeal
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