In the latest episode of her podcast "Show Me Something," Sophie Cunningham broke down pace, space, and versatility in the WNBA. She pointed out that the best teams in today’s league share one trait: every player on the floor is a threat. Whether it’s shooters, cutters, or players who can drive to the rim, the modern game demands five players who can score and handle the ball.
“It’s really the ball movement. When you have a motion offense that everyone can cut, everybody can pass, everyone can dribble and handle the ball like that is freaking hard to guard and Minnesota has that.” Cunningham said.
From the paint to the perimeter
The WNBA’s shift mirrors changes in the NBA. Gone are the days when traditional post players anchored the offense. Now, bigs are expected to space the floor, shoot, and defend in transition. If they can’t? They struggle to stay on the court.
Cunningham drew a line from Stephen Curry’s three-point revolution in the NBA to the way stars like Candace Parker changed the women’s game. Parker, a 6’4 forward who could handle, shoot, and dominate inside, was an early prototype of the “point forward” now common across both leagues. “She was kind of the first,” Cunningham said. “If you put a little guard on her, she’s gonna take you to the post.”
Building the next generation
Cunningham went even further, saying this evolution is now baked into how young players are developed early on. Regardless of size kids today are trained to dribble, pass, and shoot. Guard skills first, post moves second. “I know my kids are going to be freaking guards,” Cunningham joked. “They are going to learn how to be guards regardless of how big they are.”
This shift has raised the overall skill level of the WNBA and made offenses faster, more unpredictable, and harder to defend. As Cunningham put it, defenses can no longer sink into the paint. If they do, shooters are waiting on the perimeter. If they close out, cutters and drivers attack the gaps.
Why Minnesota stands out
Sophie praised Minnesota’s roster for clearly embodying this model. Their motion offense and balance across positions make them especially tough to stop. The Lynx's offensive efficiency is a testament to this approach. They lead the league in scoring, averaging 86.7 points per game, and boast the highest offensive rating at 112.6.
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve emphasizes simplicity in execution. She believes that if the team has to do hard things, they're not playing well. The team operates as a well-oiled machine where each player understands their role and contributes to the team's success. For Cunningham, that’s the secret sauce. It’s not just about having one star, it’s about five threats on the floor, moving and sharing the ball. In today’s WNBA, that’s the recipe for championships.