Only a championship will signify a successful campaign for the New York Liberty, and they can't afford to carry any passengers. Frankly, Sabrina Ionescu hasn't been playing to her usual elite standards. The definition of madness is persisting with a failing formula and expecting a different result; the Liberty must pivot until Ionescu rekindles her offensive magic. For the French national team, Marine Johannes is proving she is capable of stepping into a temporary starting role in New York.
Nobody is suggesting Ionescu should be cast away for eternity and never return to Liberty's starting lineup; that would be ludicrous. As we know, form is temporary; class is permanent. However, for now, the Oregon alum's form has nosedived into depths that could derail New York's championship vision, and she must be given a chance to recover.
Whether it's fitness-related or just a confidence issue, Ionescu hasn't shown her usual swagger this season, even though she is still accumulating a decent number of points. The 28-year-old is averaging 15.1 points, four rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game this season, but has shot under 35% from the floor on 11 separate occasions.
In a postseason campaign, even one inefficient performance of this nature from a star player will leave a franchise in a worrying position. Head coach Christ DeMarco has an obvious fix at his disposal, but is he brave enough to demote Ionescu to the bench?
Marine Johannes can steady the ship in New York
Ever since she joined the New York Liberty back in 2019, Marine Johannes has been content with an understudy role. When Ionescu and Johannes eventually teamed up in 2022, the French international knew there would be limited opportunities to start for the franchise.
Nevertheless, Johannes has always put the team before her own needs and embraced a secondary role in the rotation. Whenever her number has been called upon to play a larger role, she has performed superbly.
During the Liberty's dominant victory over the Las Vegas Aces on August 9, the 31-year-old scored 27 points in 22 minutes, draining seven of her 12 shots from deep. On 17 occasions this season, Johannes has recorded more than 40% from 3-point range.
For the French national team, Johannes is thriving in a more prominent offensive role. Despite averaging just 19.5 minutes, she is scoring 16.5 points per game -- the seventh-highest tally in the FIBA World Cup.
Is this competition at the same level as the WNBA? No, of course not. But the tournament plays host to some incredible players, and the Liberty guard is proving she can rub shoulders with the best of them if given the chance.
Sometimes, a team can have too many voices on offense, which can overcomplicate a tactical blueprint. While the Liberty wait for Sabrina Ionescu to rediscover her deadly shot-making, they must consider giving Marine Johannes a greater rotational role. The veteran can contribute on both ends of the floor and restore composure to a roster struggling to replicate their best form.
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