2017 WNBA Week 2: Fowles, Griner dominate MVP race; can the Mystics survive without Meesseman?


Versatility has defined this WNBA era. Just take a look at the best women's basketball players in the world right now: two-time MVP and reigning Finals MVP Candace Parker, three-time champion Maya Moore, and MVP Elena Delle Donne.

They all offer a ton of things on the table. They play with both finesse and power. They can do multiple things on the floor, from shooting to slashing to facilitating to defending.

But as the first two weeks of the 2017 WNBA season have shown us, the traditional bigs still have a place in the ever-changing game, especially when play like Sylvia Fowles and Brittney Griner, who have dominated the MVP race early in the season.

That and more in Week 2 of LVJ's 2017 WNBA season round-up.

Fowles, Griner dominating MVP race right now


Whenever Fowles gets a good position around the rim, you can expect her to hit baskets and torment the opposing defense. That has been the case over the past decade and she is still doing it at a high level.

Through five games this season, Fowles is averaging a career-high 21.2 PPG to go along with 10.4 RPG, 2.2 SPG, and 2.2 BPG. She is shooting 59.4 percent overall from the field, and 76.9 percent from the line, a career-second best. She scored 20 or more points in four of those five games, and has three double-doubles.

At 31 years old, the 2015 Finals MVP is leading the charge for the still undefeated Minnesota Lynx. From the looks of it, the Lynx are poised for another deep post-season run and Fowles is going to be a key component of that impending and expected run.

Another big who has played stellarly in the young season is Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner. What has been the difference for her so far is her efficiency. Griner's career shooting percentage is in the mid-50s but in this season, she is shooting 62.7 percent from the floor. With her maturity comes better decision making on the floor for the Mercury, and that has led them to an above .500 record so far even with Diana Taurasi still struggling a bit.

Can Mystics survive without Emma Meesseman?


The Washington Mystics played their first game without Emma Meesseman this season and it resulted in an 88-79 win over the Chicago Sky.

Meesseman is skipping a portion of the season to help her national team Belgium in the upcoming 2017 EuroBasket Women in June.

While she averages only 6.8 PPG and 5.3 RPG for the Mystics given the addition of Elena Delle Donne, she still provides space and an interior presence on the defensive end.

Good for the Mystics, Delle Donne sliding back to the four position where she is more comfortable resulted in a 20-point performance. Krystal Thomas was elevated to the starting center spot, and it also meant more touches for Tianna Hawkins off the bench. Hawkins had 12 points (5-of-10 field goals) and five rebounds in the win over the Sky.

Hawkins could be the x-factor for the Mystics in this stretch. She's already averaging career-highs in minutes and points, and expect those numbers to go up. The Mystics are currently 3-2 in the standings. Maintaining that percentage would be a decent stretch, but winning more than they lose while Meesseman is out would be better.

In case you missed it: The Samantha Whitcomb game

Samantha Whitcomb went undrafted in the 2010 WNBA season almost decided to quit basketball. After reconsidering, Whitcomb spent most of her hoops career in Australia playing for the WSBL and WNBL before finally getting a break in the WNBA with the Seattle Storm.

And recently, she tied a record for most three-point makes in a half as she made six to help the Storm rally past the New York Liberty and win it, 87-81.

The 28-year-old Whitcomb had 22 points including 6-of-8 from three-point land. Anytime the Storm can get help outside of key backcourt players Sue Bird and Jewell Loyd, they have a chance of winning every night. In Whitcomb, the Storm have a serviceable rotation player they can bank on for instant points off the bench.

WNBA opens All-Star voting to players, media

The WNBA announced that voting for the players which shall make it to the 2017 WNBA All-Star in Seattle will be opened to its players and media, following suit of what the NBA did with their All-Star voting.

Voting will begin on June 13 and conclude on July 6. Fan votes will comprise 50 percent of the total votes while players and media will each constitute 25 percent.

Starters will be announced on July 11. Reserves will be announced July 18. The All Star game will be held on July 22 at the Key Arena.


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