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12. Connecticut Sun (0-5)
2 of 13
Preseason Ranking: 11 (-1)
Week In Review: 90-85 loss to the Mystics, 87-62 loss to the Aces, 76-70 to the Lynx, 79-55 loss to the Dream, 109-87 loss to the Wings
Upcoming Schedule: @Fever
What I Liked: Saniya Rivers, as a concept
Through four games, Saniya Rivers has had to defend, to varying degrees: Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Courtney Williams, Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray and Paige Bueckers.
In that same time frame, Rivers has logged a steal or a block against Gray, Young, Williams and Napheesa Collier.
I’ve liked a lot of what I’ve seen from Rivers as a defender. Her athleticism and activity in particular has jumped off the screen so far. She certainly isn’t perfect — like most rookies, her attentiveness off the ball could use some tuning so she isn’t reacting as often — but she already feels like a high-impact defender on the wing.
On the offensive end, I’ve been intrigued by Rivers’ on-ball reps. She’s been the second-side option on ball screens and handoffs so far. While the efficiency numbers aren’t great in either, I’ve been impressed with her pacing when attacking out of those, as well as some of the passing flashes. I’m still losing my mind over her pass to Katiana Diaby.
Keeping An Eye On: Marina Mabrey’s decision-making
As mentioned ahead of the season, Mabrey would be entering her first year as the unquestioned primary perimeter option of a team. I was curious to see how aggressive teams would be against her, and how she’d ultimately respond.
Through the first four games, the results have been … fine-ish?
Teams have predictably ramped up their pressure against Mabrey, and that’s really been felt off the ball. That, combined with bigs creeping up to take away airspace when she does get the ball, has put Mabrey into some interesting probe-or-pass situations.
She’s oscillated between firing early shots against tight windows, and kicking the ball out a beat too late in an effort to force the big to commit.
It’s why the partnership between her and Tina Charles has felt a little clunky; only four duos have run more ball screens than those two (44), but the Sun are only generating 0.61 points per possession on trips featuring that two-player action.
The early returns on my “Olivia Nelson-Ododa, MIP” prediction have been positive: 11.8 points (60.7% on 2s), 6.5 rebounds (2.5 offensive), 1.0 blocks in 23.5 minutes. Her seals and decisiveness on post-ups (13 reps, 1.25 PPP so far) have been good, and the footwork on drives have been impressive.
Quick shoutout to Bria Hartley (7.5 points, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals in 20.5 minutes off the bench) for her instant aggression when she checks in. She hasn’t been afraid to fire from deep (41.7% on 3.0 attempts), especially off the bounce.
It’s a quieter thing, but something that’s carried over from preseason play has been Katiana Diaby’s screening. She really hits people and I appreciate that.
