With an abysmal two wins of their final 19 video games, the Dallas Wings are having a disappointing 2024 season as we enter the All-Star and Olympic break.
As a group, accidents have definitely been a contributing issue, with key gamers like Satou Sabally out all season with a shoulder harm. Wings coach Latricia Trammell has said that Sabally “in all probability will not be again till after the Olympics,” so Dallas can be ready with bated breath to see if she will be able to return and assist the franchise sneak into the playoffs or if it is simply going to be a disappointing season from begin to end for the Wings.
Not every part is grim in Dallas. Choose gamers are having productive seasons and, on condition that we’re on the midway mark, let’s give out group awards. We undertook the identical course of with the Los Angeles Sparks, and now it is time to see who one of the best gamers have been on the Wings:
MVP: Arike Ogunbowale
One factor that has remained constant for the Dallas Wings in 2024 is Arike Ogunbowale’s manufacturing. She’s a one-woman offense capable of hit powerful basket after powerful basket. She has the pace to assault the rim, the vary to shoot from deep and the facility to stand up and rating over even the hardest defenders.
Averaging 22.2 factors, 4.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists per recreation, Ogunbowale all the time has a possibility, even on this struggling group, to take over and beat one of the best. The trail towards a profitable 2024 could also be troublesome for Dallas, however Ogunbowale can be a giant a part of a possible turnaround.
DPOY: Arike Ogunbowale
The Wings are one of many weaker defensive groups, however once I have a look at who makes essentially the most impression on that aspect of the court docket, I return to the group’s MVP: Ogunbowale.
She’s a powerful perimeter defender, and her aggression is usually rewarded. Ogunbowale averages 2.7 steals per recreation, which leads the complete WNBA.
Sixth POY: Monique Billings
With so many accidents and plenty of beginning lineup adjustments, it is arduous to pin down who a bona fide bench participant is. When wanting up and down the roster, Monique Billings has persistently been coming off the bench and giving the Wings high quality minutes.
The ahead is averaging 9.0 factors, 6.7 rebounds and a pair of.0 assists per recreation, giving the group some offensive assist and cleansing up the glass.
Billings has began in almost half of the video games she’s performed in, however has lately been slotted as a bench participant, and that function feels proper, given the roster development. When Sabally returns, the lineup will undoubtedly change as soon as once more, however for now, Billings is one of the best the Wings bench has to supply.
MIP: Maddy Siegrist
Siegrist has solely performed in 13 video games this 12 months, however she’s definitely taken a leap in minutes performed and manufacturing from 2023. She is at present averaging 14.6 factors, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per recreation.
A damaged finger has halted her season, however with Siegrist present process surgical procedure and a month’s break due to the Olympics, maybe she will be able to return and proceed including to her profession 12 months.
Peak Performers
This class highlights the leaders in key statistical classes. No opinion, simply stats.
- Scoring: Arike Ogunbowale, 22.2 factors per recreation
- Rebounding: Teaira McCowan, 7.4 rebounds per recreation
- Assists: Arike Ogunbowale, 5.1 assists per recreation
This season has been disappointing for the Wings to this point, however it’s a bit of over midway accomplished, so whereas the street forward is hard, there may be nonetheless a path to journey.
If Sabally returns and the group makes use of this break to recharge, they’ll hit the bottom working and nonetheless make a push towards playoff competition in 2024. It should come right down to well being and luck for that to occur. Nonetheless, they’ve some key stars on the roster, so till it is mathematically unimaginable, it is nonetheless potential, even when unbelievable.
