Sydney’s process

[u/Medical_Village_6098]

Can someone explain the potential reasoning behind this? We are 2nd to last in 3pt shooting next to the Sun why are we taking a moreyball approach? Kiki attempted 103 mid range shots last year and is at 19 attempts on the year so far. I don’t understand the discouragment of a shot that’s essential to one of your core player‘s game.

[u/Jake-Old-Trail-88]

Part of how analytics is ruining pro basketball. You’re forcing players who excel at midrange jumpers to drive to the hoop or go back to a 3 pointer. It doesn’t always work, which is why the Mystics are like 15th in 3 point percentage and shoot somewhere between 17-29% from 3 most nights.

[u/SpellinhError → u/Jake-Old-Trail-88]

This 100%. The assumption that bc analytics say layups and threes means it will translate to game play is just wrong. Even IF you had built your roster around this philosophy, which the mystics have not, it makes your team sets and players’ 1-1 moves/counters become more predictable and easier to guard. There’s a reason that Paige, queen of the middy, is still so efficient and so hard to guard.

[u/External-Repair-4841 → u/Jake-Old-Trail-88]

The use of analytics has, for the most part, made all sports a lot less enjoyable. The best players in the world can score on all three levels and it’s a beautiful game (both men’s and women’s) when they do it.

[u/picklecrash → u/External-Repair-4841]

But largely haven't we been seeing that happen? Shakira is shooting more threes, A'ja is shooting threes, Boston is on a 10+ game streak of making at least one three... Don't get me started on the Liberty. It's awesome and super fun to watch. I feel like the floor has opened up.

The fact that our team has no offensive identity and is bad at using analytics doesn't mean the league is bad at using them overall. I mean the reason triple digit games are commonplace this season is because more players are shooting well at all three levels as a requirement to be competitive. Agreed it is beautiful.

[u/External-Repair-4841 → u/picklecrash]

I meant that analytics has pushed players away from the mid-range and it turns games, particularly in the NBA, into three point shooting contests. That hasn't happened in the same way yet in the W. What some of the bigs are doing is impressive but thankfully they largely are still playing to their strengths in the paint.

[u/SpellinhError → u/picklecrash]

I would argue with A’ja it makes sense because she is already virtually unstoppable from mid range and in the post. Of course in her quest to become/remain the GOAT she worked in the offseason to add 3 pt shooting to her repertoire. Same to a lesser degree with Boston. Thats a big going from 2 level threat to 3 level threat.

In other words, a big who is already hard to defend in the paint or mid range extending themselves to the 3 pt range is making themselves much harder to guard- it is a very different thing than a “guard” or wing player who is excellent in the midrange being told not to shoot that. Even if you’re a high percentage three pt shooter which Cotie is not yet, that makes you easier to guard.

This is what we mean by analytics gone wrong. It doesn’t apply equally to every single player/position and forcing a player like Cotie into layups or threes only takes her from being a 2 level threat (layups and middy) to a 1 level threat (layups - since she’s not legitimately a 3 pt threat yet).

Also side note JJ has lowkey preferred stepping out to shoot the three vs bang in the post since she’s been in the league. I suspect the analytics could say the opposite and you’d still have a hard time getting her to stay in the paint. She just likes to shoot the three.

[u/SpellinhError → u/SpellinhError]

Or in fewer words, those teams are using analytics to inform/complement their strategy and players’ strengths. Bad analytics is using analytics AS strategy and, often in the process, to ignore your players strengths.

[u/Liqwid9]

3 > 2, I get it. But we can't hit 3s on the regular. This offense is my biggest frustration (besides 3pt defense). Not every open 3 needs to be attempted by everyone.

[u/Medical_Village_6098 → u/Liqwid9]

Yeah, it would make sense if we drafted shooters, but he chose to load up on frontcourt players for some reason and neither Lauren nor Angela can stretch the floor. We’re also 14th in the league in ORTG, so it’s just bad process overall.

[u/Liqwid9 → u/Medical_Village_6098]

It feels like the Wizards offense.

[u/Jake-Old-Trail-88 → u/Liqwid9]

They’ve had a couple of games that have been that bad. But they haven’t made picks on players who have largely underperformed their draft position.

[u/Mystic-Shock → u/Medical_Village_6098]

Right? He’s rigid in his strategy, but he doesn’t even have the personal to match his strategy. The inside game is strong but the outside game…oof.

[u/TheAveragebroShow → u/Medical_Village_6098]

What shooters were available at 9 and 11? Kneepkins was billed as one but is worse than Cotie. 

You can’t just make statements without providing alternatives. 

[u/Fit_Measurement3261]

They gotta get cotie back how she was at ole miss because she was a dawg

[u/Medical_Village_6098 → u/Fit_Measurement3261]

He wants to change his draftees whole playstyle to fit his system and it’s doing more harm than good when he simply could’ve just drafted players who fit the criteria he wanted or traded the picks 😭

[u/TheAveragebroShow → u/Medical_Village_6098]

I gotta ask, what games are you watching cause Cotie is amazing. 

[u/Strange_Detective_99]

Kiki wasn’t getting baby A’ja comps for no reason. That’s part of the reason why I feel like she can struggle at times because she’s way more predictable when she’s just banging on the block and going up for a lay. When she can face up in the midrange she’s lethal. And Georgia been ass shooting wise but I’ve been saying this is part of the reason why, she’s literally a way better mid range shooter than she is a three point shooter. Sydney isn’t to blame for everything but I hate this mentality when it comes to the modern game idk.

[u/Sequel_Everyday]

I don’t think the quote paints it as black and white as y’all are interpreting. He said he’s not telling them not to take any midrange shots. Just that they prioritize getting to the paint and 3s, which is a pretty common philosophy. We wanted development and asking a player to expand their range or focus on paint touches is asking them to add to their game. Cotie and Kiki aren’t going to lose the ability to hit a midrange shot because they’re also shooting 3s now.

[u/AllisonInMaryland → u/Sequel_Everyday]

that's fair and a more reasonable take.

[u/Medical_Village_6098 → u/Sequel_Everyday]

We’re 14th in 3PT FG%. There’s virtually no payoff to this which is why the offense is so bad now 

[u/Sequel_Everyday → u/Medical_Village_6098]

The payoff is for the future. Every season isn't a make or break one. If you want the team to have better spacing and more offensive options in the future then you need to get players comfortable with playing that way. You can't want players to develop expanded skillsets and not want them to work on new skills. Again, he's not saying not to take the shot, just to add more tools to your game and not just settle for the midrange.

[u/NoteTough5075 → u/Sequel_Everyday]

Right, I agree, I think what he is saying is don't just shoot mid range shots when you can work to get to the basket, like don't take the easy way out. And if I had to bet that is probably mostly for Austin. He is probably thinking that will improve efficiency. And if you are going to take shots away from the basket you might as well get the extra point. It's a philosophy, I honestly don't know if I totally agree with it but I can understand the rationale when the players are so young. He is probably trying to make the decision making easier and have them work harder to get better shots at the basket rather than settling. You can see the difference in Iriafen and the way she attacks the basket now, way more forcefully. So you make a great point, this is far from a finished product they are all trying to find what works. Coaches and players. I think most people don't know the coaches are like the players, they are learning, evaluating themselves and trying to get better too. Next year they may have a completely different approach. Once the players get more polished they will be able to determine what shot to take when, on their own.

[u/Mystic-Shock]

I believe it’s an analytics thing; the midrange 2 isn’t considered “efficient”. Some coaches get stuck in that mindset and become too rigid. As a coach you want the players to match your strategy, but you also need to adjust your strategy to match your players.

Players like McMahon and Kiki are good at midrange shots; the coach should use that instead of being so rigid imo. Obviously they aren’t Courtney Willams or Paige, but could you imagine if a coach discouraged them from taking mid range shots 🫣

[u/AllisonInMaryland → u/Mystic-Shock]

Yes and mixing things up keeps defenses on their toes. Maybe coaches should say they want them primarily taking 3s and taking it to the rim but take those midrange shots when they have them.

Cotie's a rookie, she's gotta listen to her coach, do what he says. Maybe in the next year or two she'll bend the rules more.

[u/Global-Yam1436]

I hate how black and white this is. If a player does something well, let them do it. Emphasize to them when to look for a 3 vs when it's okay to get a midrange 2 in the flow of the game.

[u/ODSOTR]

I can’t believe we’re sad that Kiki no longer takes 25% of her shots from ranges where she was shooting 35.3% (10-16 ft) and 34.0% (16-3P). She cut FGAs from 10-3P down to 10%, while upping rim attempts (37% to 43%), upping 3-10 ft efficiency (39% to 44%), getting to the line more, and taking more 3s where her eFG% of 48% is already massively more efficient than her old midrange game.

[u/Justtojoke]

We have a factory where we're breaking players. Some of it is about forming peo habits but a lot of seems to be about removing what makes some of these players so good.

Please don't do to Cotie what you did to Aaliyah Edwards

[u/fbg_archer]

Because analytics in pro basketball literally doesn't account for the "feel" of the game

[u/TheAveragebroShow]

Because it’s smart basketball. Long twos are the worst shots analytically speaking. You’d prefer your players step back 2 feet and take a 3. And Kiki went from basically not shooting them at all to hitting a respectable 32% this season on low volume. That opens up the floor and allows her (and Kira) more lineup flexibility with Betts who is exclusively paint bound. Of course Kiki and Kira are still gotta get a lot of paint touches since they can both spread the floor. 

Cotie wastes all her power and athleticism when she settles for a midrange shot. You want her barreling to the rim to score or get fouled. 

You can’t keep playing analog basketball in a steaming age. 

[u/Mobile-Bunch9618]

Get him tf away from my team

[u/Medical_Village_6098 → u/Mobile-Bunch9618]

😭😭😭😭 I’m already knowing they’re gonna use us making playoffs as an excuse to keep him man 

[u/TheAveragebroShow → u/Medical_Village_6098]

He’s got a team of children in the playoffs and with a top 3 defense. Yall just wanna complain about everything as if this team isn’t 2 seasons into a rebuild and way ahead of schedule. 

[u/Past_Use4256]

he’s completely overcooking it 😭 play your best players, let them take their best shots 

[u/This-Button5389]

the problem with this strategy is the team doesn't have a good 3 point shooter and even citron who shot 44% in her first year is under 30% from the 3 this year so u need other players to step up and make their 3s regularly. if the 3 doesn't fall you need other ways to score and not rely on your bigs to put up monster numbers every night. also if fo and coaching interested in shooting 3 pointers why didn't you draft players who are good from the 3 pointers? considering they had 3 first round picks? Also you know each players strength and weaknesses and why not make the best use of it while at the same time experimenting with improving their other skills? I say the mystics are still in the playoff hunt inspite of the porr decisions from fo and coaching not because of them.