Note: WNBA.com’s Race to the MVP, released every Wednesday during the season, is
the opinion of this writer and does not reflect the views of the WNBA or its
clubs.
Archive: Preseason Edition
We’re just seven games into the WNBA season, much too early to make any drastic
changes to our preseason edition of the MVP rankings. Still, there were a number
of standout performances from the league’s stars on opening weekend, from Elena
Delle Donne in D.C. to Jewell Loyd in Seattle.
Here are the first rankings of the regular season, led by the two most recent
MVPs.
1. Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics Preseason Ranking: 1 Stats: 24.0
points, 73% FG, 5.0 rebounds
Delle Donne seemed right at home in her first game with the Mystics, scoring 24
points on 8-of-11 shooting as Washington earned an 89-74 win over San Antonio.
She was limited to just 23 minutes due to foul trouble, but still managed to
have the biggest impact of anyone on either team. The Mystics outscored the
Stars by 18 with Delle Donne on the court, the highest plus-minus rating in
Sunday’s contest. Click here for Mystics tickets.
2. Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks Preseason Ranking: 3 Stats: 23.0 points,
50% FG, 50% 3FG, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.0 steals
The reigning MVP picked up right where she left off in October, leading the
short-handed Sparks to a victory over Seattle on opening night. Ogwumike’s 23
points came on an efficient 10-of-20 shooting and 3-for-6 from three-point
range. Her outside shooting is something to keep an eye on, as Ogwumike averaged
less than one attempt from beyond the arc last season. The trio of
three-pointers she hit on Saturday were a career high. For Sparks tickets click
here.
3. Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx Preseason Ranking: 2 Stats: 11.0 points, 7.0
rebounds, 6.0 assists, 3.0 steals
The Lynx handled Chicago on Sunday despite a subpar performance from Moore, by
her standards. Her all-around stat line looks solid, but she finished 5-of-19
from the floor and made just one of 11 attempts from downtown. Moore had
increased her assist totals two straight years heading into this season, and her
game-high six dimes on Sunday indicate that trend could continue. For Lynx
tickets click here.
4. Tina Charles, New York Liberty Preseason Ranking: 4 Stats: 12.0 points, 7.0
rebounds, 2.0 assists
Like Minnesota, Charles’ team won its season opener despite an out-of-character
game from its superstar. Charles shot just 6-for-19 and didn’t make a single
trip to the free throw line against San Antonio. After the 73-64 win, New York
coach Bill Laimbeer said, “I hope this is the worst game we play all year long.”
Charles and the Liberty will look to bounce back when they host the Lynx on
Thursday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2). For Liberty tickets click here.
5. Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks Preseason Ranking: 5 Stats: DNP
Parker missed the Sparks’ opener against Seattle due to an overseas commitment,
as she is still finishing her season in Turkey. The two-time MVP is expected to
be back with L.A. in the next week.
6. Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm Preseason Ranking: 6 Stats: 15.0 points, 46%
FG, 50% 3FG, 7.0 rebounds
After missing the matchup with L.A. on Saturday, Stewart helped Seattle improve
to 1-1 by holding off Indiana the next day. She’s still recovering from a minor
knee injury suffered in the offseason, as evidenced by her 27 minutes of action
on Sunday. Stewart led the league in minutes last year at almost 35 per game.
The reigning Rookie of the Year made some clutch plays against Indiana,
including the go-ahead three-pointer and the game-sealing block. Click here for
Storm tickets.
7. Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx Preseason Ranking: 8 Stats: 26.0 points, 60%
FG, 10.0 rebounds, 4.0 steals, 3.0 blocks
Fowles picked up the slack for Moore on Sunday, guiding the Lynx past Chicago
with the best individual performance of the weekend. The veteran center shot
9-of-15 from the field and 8-of-10 at the foul line en route to a game-high 26
points. She grabbed 10 rebounds and made her presence felt defensively,
recording four steals and three blocks. Fowles could be poised for a fourth
Defensive Player of the Year award this year.
8. Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm Preseason Ranking: Unranked Stats: 26.0 points,
56% FG, 50% 3FG, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals
Loyd had an outstanding weekend to commence her third season, shouldering the
scoring load for the short-handed Storm. She dropped 25 points against L.A. and
27 against the Fever, and the Notre Dame product shot an efficient 10-of-18 in
both contests. If she keeps scoring like this and her team plays up to its
potential this season, Loyd will surely remain in the MVP conversation.
9. Emma Meesseman, Washington Mystics Preseason Ranking: 9 Stats: 13.0 points,
46% FG, 8.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.0 steals
Judging by the first game, it won’t take long for Meesseman to get comfortable
playing next to Delle Donne in the frontcourt. She’ll likely have to sacrifice a
bit on the offensive end, but Meesseman took 11 shots on Sunday after averaging
11.6 attempts last year. The Belgian center had a great all-around game against
San Antonio, pacing the Mystics with five assists without recording a turnover.
10. Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury Preseason Ranking: 7 Stats: 3.0 points
Similar to Moore and Charles, Taurasi had a night to forget in the Mercury’s
season opener. Phoenix fell 68-58 to the visiting Wings as Taurasi tallied just
three points on 1-of-11 shooting. She was absent from the assist column, while
Danielle Robinson recorded nine assists in her Mercury debut. Expect things to
improve for Taurasi – who just signed a new contract extension – when Phoenix
battles Indiana on Wednesday. For Mercury tickets click here.
