Preseason games give glimpse into new team chemistry
Mystics X-Factor
How often would you use the word underrated to describe a former MVP? It has been nine years since Tina Charles was named the Most Valuable Player of the the WNBA as a member of the Connecticut Sun. After a stint in New York, the Washington Mystics traded for the 7-time All-Star ahead of the 2020 season.
While she did not participate in the wubble due to a medical exemption, Washington still re-signed Charles to a one-year deal, and they may have gotten a steal. Two years is a long time in basketball fan years, so it is hard to remember how dominant Charles was in 2018 and her subsequent decline in 2019. But I have reason to believe we will see flashes of her early seasons in this years Mystic offense.
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The most impactful difference will be the team surrounding her. A pitfall of her last seasons with the Liberty was that Charles was playing 32+ minutes per game in an offense that ran threw her as a 10 year veteran. That’s a massive workload. With Elena Delle Donne and Natasha Cloud getting a majority of the shots, Charles will get to be a complimentary piece for the first time in her career.
Not to be overlooked is the reunion with Mike Thibault, her former head coach in Connecticut who helped to develop Charles into a dominant force inside. He was impressed with her 18 point showing in their scrimmage against the Atlanta Dream. “It was a great first start for ,” Thibault said postgame, praising her efficiency after she made eight of 15 shot attempts. “… When she got coverage, she was able to score, and if she got doubled, she was able to find teammates.”
While she most likely will not be an All-Star this season, Charles’ abilities could go a long way in getting Washington back to the Finals, especially while Emma Meesseman is preparing for the Olympics with Belgium overseas.
Aces have another trick up their sleeve
From one big to another, A’ja Wilson is on the opposite end of her career as Charles. Based on the limited film on how Wilson’s game has evolved this offseason, there is a chance she might be the the most improved player. Well, unless her coach has anything to say about it.
Whatcha doing out there M'VP? 👀😏@_ajawilson22 // #ALLIN ♦️♠️ pic.twitter.com/On3MxPOQqG
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) May 3, 2021
Yes that video is real and yes it is scary. If Wilson can extend her elbow game out to the arc, her efficiency will be off the charts. The only problem is, Bill Laimbeer does not seem to have room for the MVP becoming unguardable in the gameplan.
On Wilson attempting more threes, he said, “I hope not. She is very strong in the mid-range game…On an occasion, okay I get it. I think I’d rather have her in the mid-range and on the low-block.” An old-school approach that could seriously hurt Las Vegas on offense, especially with the new addition of Chelsea Gray who will excel in finding Wilson open on the perimeter.
Both the Aces and Mystics are title contenders who will rely on their bigs to meet their full potential.