- The 2021 Roster is Stronger than it previously has been.
After winning only two games last season, this point might seem moot. After all, how hard can it be to win more than two measly games in a season? Well, considering the Liberty neared an 0-22 season, the fact that the Liberty made the playoffs is cause for celebration. Though the Liberty made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth—narrowly securing the 8-seed position—their improvement is undeniable. After having to say goodbye to key point guard Layshia Clarendon to build the strongest roster within the salary cap, the Liberty roster had some serious gaps to fill.
And fill them they did. Managing to sign Betnijah Laney, despite the many offers available to the then free agent, alongside acquiring Natasha Howard in a three-team deal, significantly bolstered the Liberty both offensively and defensively. Letting go of their 2020 top scorer, Kia Nurse was definitely a gamble. But after acquiring both Howard and Sami Whitcomb in exchange, it seems the farewell was worth the risk.
2. Michaela Onyenwere’s ROY Award Should be Taken with a Grain of Salt.
Listen, I know I’m going to take some heat for this one…but it’s true. Of course, winning the Rookie of the Year Award is a major feat, and Onyenwere should be proud of her accomplishment. However, it’s undeniable that this draft class was not of the strongest calibre. This is not to say that the 2021 draftees will never reach great heights, just that they haven’t yet. After all, as of September 9th, Onyenwere was the only WNBA rookie to average more than 15 minutes per game.
3. Sabrina Ionescu is Still Finding her Groove.
This takeaway is not intended as a critique—in fact, far from it. After missing out on most of the 2020 season due to injury, Ionescu is essentially re-living her rookie year. We all know she’s a great playmaker, passer, and point producer…she just needs more time in the W to make her mark—and I do not doubt that with time, she will. Pairing her with a skilled, though a more experienced player like Laney has really helped Ionescu this season. If the pair remain on the Liberty in future seasons, maybe Ionescu could even grow to eclipse Laney. Or maybe I’m just getting ahead of myself. But hey, can you blame a dedicated W fan for getting a little excited?
4. The Role of Role Players Cannot Be Underestimated.
As the 2021 season developed, the Liberty came to rely more and more upon role players. Guard Rebecca Allen, for one, continued to develop throughout the season so significantly that she eventually earned herself a starting lineup slot in 13 of the Liberty’s games—seven more games than her previous record for games started. While Allen may be leaving the position of role player behind, Whitcomb is solidly situated as a role player. She is an adaptable playmaker who has had the chance to up her play-time after coming to New York. Though Whitbomb is unlikely to ever be the centrepiece to the New York Liberty, her solid skillset will be of use to New York in years to come.
5. Women’s Sports Still Aren’t Fully Respected.
This one kind of proves itself: the Liberty’s singular playoff game took place at a local university due to a scheduling conflict. Instead of playing at Phoenix’s Footprint Centre, the Liberty and Mercury tipped off at Grand Canyon University. Instead of hosting the WNBA playoffs, the Footprint Centre was preoccupied…with a Disney on Ice show. Cue laugh track.
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports throughout the playoffs for more from the WNBA. Emma is on Twitter too. Follow her @Blashphemma.
