Monday, September 21, 2020

Lack of answers on postponed WNBA semifinal calls for deductive reasoning

Yesterday morning the WNBA announced the postponement of game one of the playoff semifinal series between the Seattle Storm and the Minnesota Lynx, after more than one Seattle player's COVID-19 test earlier in the day came back with inconclusive results.


At 7:15 p.m. PT, an email from the league to media members announced two games for Tuesday: game two between the Connecticut Sun and Las Vegas Aces at 4 p.m. PT, and game two of Storm-Lynx at 6 p.m. PT. Both are slated to be on ESPN2, as per the schedule on ESPN's website (though the second game is suspiciously tabbed for both ESPN2 and ESPN3).


The WNBA has posted no information about the rescheduling of the game, and a representative declined comment today. The Storm did not return a request for comment. What the franchise did do is put out their usual pre-game injury report today: "No injuries to report. Note: additional team COVID-19 test results pending."


Tomorrow morning will mark 48 hours since the inconclusive test results were assessed. As per the bubble protocol all season long, players who have inconclusive test results and then test negative every time after that within those 48 hours are then activated to play.


Seattle has pre- and post-game news conferences scheduled for tomorrow, indicating that they're planning on playing, whether or not the athletes with inconclusive tests are cleared or not. That's bold, even for a team with the depth that the top-seeded Storm has.


Last week the remaining playoff teams moved lodging locations to a hotel near IMG Academy, as students were returning to school there for the fall. Did the movement and/or the new digs cause the problem? The bubble had been functioning flawlessly since July.


More importantly, why wouldn't the league just come out and say that they're waiting on updated COVID-19 results and are planning for a game one just in case? Why not be as transparent as commissioner Cathy Engelbert was yesterday in announcing the postponement decision?


This is not the first time the actions of the WNBA have mystified the media and fans. Of course we're all hoping the much-anticipated Seattle-Minnesota series can begin. But even more importantly, we pray that every player in that new residence area is safe and healthy.

I finally figured out how to do the new format

I'm back in business. No response from community forums, no help available anywhere else. But I kept messing with it until I figured it out. It's a cold world we live in now, but I'm old-school persistent.

Onward with this blog, which has been going since 2008.

The last few days worth of posts are still on womenshoopsworld.com.

Thursday, September 17, 2020

New format = death

This blog is suddenly using a new format today, and has not provided any instructions in how to format. So until we figure it out, we are moving to the main website, WomensHoopsWorld.

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Two more postseason berths secured

Today's results:

DeWanna Bonner's double-double led the Sun past the Liberty, 70-65.

The Dream stopped the Fever, 102-90.

Diana Taurasi's big first half paced the Mercury past the Aces, 92-85.

Tonight's wins put the Sky and Lynx in the playoffs

Tomorrow's game schedule:

Lynx vs. Sky

Sparks vs. Wings

Mystics vs. Storm


WNBA team news:

What the Sparks must address before the playoffs.

The playoff picture is coming into focus as teams clinch berths.

The league's power rankings for the week.

WNBA player news:

Sue Bird is probable to return for the Storm tomorrow.

Natalie Achonwa discusses the league's 48-hour stoppage last week.

Chiney Ogwumike talks about the importance of the late Chad Boseman to African culture.

Players of the month for August are Courtney Vandersloot and A'ja Wilson.

Rookie of the month is Crystal Dangerfield.

Former Texas standout Imani McGhee-Stafford wants her alma mater to show up for its Black student athletes.

WNBA coach news:

Bill Laimbeer is the coach of the month for August.

College conference news:

The Big East Tournament is returning to Connecticut.

The state could have a lot to prove if there's a bubble situation.

NCAA news:

The Basketball Oversight Committee is proposing a Nov. 25 start date.

The NCAA VP of women's basketball is confident there will be a season.

Phoenix will make a bid for the Final Four on Thursday.

College program news:

Michigan and Texas have eliminated many jobs and cut salaries.

College coach news:

Northern Colorado assistant coaches discuss being Black on the bench during this time of social injustice battles.

Washington has announced coaching staff changes.

Jordann Reese is a new assistant coach at Creighton.

Kelsey Plum joined Arkansas, former college coach Mike Neighbors and former teammate Chantel Osahor as a graduate assistant.