Azzi Fudd put in a powerful performance for the Dallas Wings against the New York Liberty this weekend, a game that the Wings ended up winning. The win was a crucial one for the team, who seems focused on establishing themselves as a team to be reckoned with as early as possible.
But her performance also prompted more calls for the team's head coach Jose Fernandez to add Fudd to the startling lineup. To some degree, those calls make sense: Fudd was the No. 1 overall draft pick this year, and she came into the league with a substantial fanbase that she built over five years while playing for the UConn Huskies. It makes sense that fans want to see her starting games, especially when coming into a game as a starter is largely seen as a demarcation point of sorts.
But the thing about starting is that it's not a crucial part of helping a team win games as a group, nor is it always necessary for a player to start to have a great game. In fact, Fudd herself proved that when she racked up 24 points, two rebounds, three assists and three steals in 32 minutes on the court. Fudd didn't start against the Liberty, and it didn't really seem like she cared.
Jose Fernandez is in no hurry to rush anything
Fernandez also seemed pretty unbothered by fan demands and questions from reporters on the topic. After he was asked if Fudd will be added to the team's list of starters, he offered simply, "We’re headed in that direction. I think it showed with her being on the floor and what she did. She started in the second half."
Fudd also took the opportunity to emphasize that she's not especially concerned about starting — she just wants to do a good job for herself and for her teammates. "I’m in a super incredible and rare situation whereas I’m on a team with some incredible vets. So to me, it doesn’t matter if I’m starting, if I’m coming off the bench, if I’m playing the whole game, if I’m playing just 10 minutes," she said while speaking to reporters after the game.
Her point is fair. In addition for her former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers, the team also boasts Arike Ogunbowale and Alanna Smith, who both have plenty of years of experience in the WNBA — and who are starters for the team.
Fudd did manage to break the franchise rookie record for the most in a single game with her six three pointers — a record that was set by Bueckers last year. There's little reason to suspect she won't start for the Wings this season, but fans might have to hold on a little while longer (and Fudd needs to keep doing exactly what she's doing).
Add us as a preferred source on Google