wnba award predictions - post all-star game

MVP

This has been a great year for Alyssa Thomas in the first half of the season but I would expect the Mercury to lower her minutes to save her for a potentially deep playoff run this season, which would essentially drop her out of the MVP race.

A’ja Wilson makes the list for being an individually dominant player but her team is struggling to win consistently this season. If the Aces can turn it around and finish well over 500 than Wilson can definitely climb this list.

Brittney Stewart has had to shoulder a lot of the Liberty’s scoring with injuries to Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu being banged up for a time. However despite it being a solid season for Stewie it just has not been a dominant one to leap the leading MVP candidate.

Napheesa Collier is the leader on the best team in the league and has put together multiple dominant performances offensively and defensively. If Collier can keep the Lynx in the top spot in the standings while continuing to be a consistant scorer and defender this award should be hers to lose.

Notable players: Napheesa Collier, Alyssa Thomas, A’ja Wilson, Brittney Stewart

Winner: Napheesa Collier

Defensive Player of the Year

While A’ja Wilson currently leads the league in blocks per game, and Gabby Williams leads in Steals per game, Collier currently sits ranked 4th in both stats while also being 5th in defensive win share. This award could easily go to A’ja Wilson in order to spread the wealth of awards if Collier wins the MVP, but I think it’s very realistic Collier could deserve both awards if the Lynx dominance continues and the Aces limp into the playoffs.

Notable Players: Napheesa Collier, A’ja Wilson, Gabby Williams, Alanna Smith

Winner: Napheesa Collier

Rookie of the Year

This was a much more difficult choice early in the season as Kiki Iriafan and Sonia Citron got off to a hot start while Paige Bueckers either rode the bench or sat out from minor injuries. Once Paige began to see significant playing it proved what the whole world already knew. Paige was ready for the WNBA and has proved to be one of the best players in the league already as a rookie. There is no way the league does not reward her for her awesome performance on the court, and with her popularity off the court, while playing for such a terrible team. Get the Wings trophy case ready for this one now.

Notable Players: Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafan, Monique Akoa Mohoa

Winner: Paige Bueckers

Most improved Player

This is a very interesting award race as Allisha Gray has had some solid numbers for the Dream, and they are now a serious threat to win the championship this season. As well, Azura Stevens has turned into a key piece in the Sparks offense, her 3-point shooting and size inside the paint has been a great balance for Hamby and Plum to work with. If this award were up to me however, I would go with Thorton.

Kayla Thorton was taken from a role player on championship Liberty team and asked to be the leader of an expansion team in its first season with a rookie head coach. So far Thorton has answered this season with a career high in points, and rebounds, while being selected as an All-Star. Unless the Valkyrie somehow fall apart, which I doubt happens with the way their defense has played this season, I can easily see Thorton stealing this award from Gray.

Notable Players: Allisha Gray, Kayla Thorton, Azura Stevens

Winner: Kayla Thorton

Sixth Player of the Year

This was another tough choice as each player her made a big difference for their team off the bench. Lexie Hull for a good chunk of the season was lights out from 3. Kennedy Burke, who is currently the consensus pick to win this award has really stepped up on a Liberty team that lost a lot of depth and has been banged up all season. However the more I watch the Lynx, the more that Jessice Shepard’s play stands out. She not just putting up solid bench numbers, (averaging 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game) but you can also see in the film that her effort and hustle directly impact games and have been a big reason this Lynx team sit atop the league. Burke could remain the favorite here, especially with her scoring ability, but I would put my money on Shepard

Notable Players: Kennedy Burke, Jessica Shepard, Lexie Hull

Winner: Jessica Shepard

Coach of the Year

There are probably more rational picks here from a basketball standpoint, however I believe part of these awards are how good the storyline of the potential winner is. There is no better storyline from a coaching standpoint in the league this season than Natalie Nakase taking over a very low expectations expansion team in San Francisco, and turning them into one of the toughest defenses in the league. Nakase may just make the playoffs this year and has done it with an odd mix of veteran and young talent, the development of Leite, Salaun, Chen, and Martin has been nothing short of impressive under Nakase. Give her the award, and give any stars with expiring contracts another reason they should want to come here and build on the excitement in SF.

Notables: Cheryl Reeve, Nate Tibbetts, Sandy Brondello, Natalie Nakase

Winner: Natalie Nakase

All-Rookie First Team

Paige Bueckers

Sonia Citron

Monique Akoa Mohoa

Kiki Iriafan

Saniya Rivers

All-WNBA First Team

Napheesa Collier

Aja Wilson

Brittney Stewart

Alyssa Thomas

Sabrina Ionescu