WNBA MVP Race - July 2015

The race for the 2015 WNBA regular season Most Valuable Player award is a three-way race between three superstars who have been impressive throughout the second month of the league. They are the individuals who have showcased the ability to lead their respective squads to a whole new dimension.



1. Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx


The reigning season MVP is back on top of the list. Moore has set a franchise record by scoring 20 points or more in 11 straight games. In the All-Star Game, she fired 30 points to win MVP honors, showing if her team needs someone to take over in crucial moments, she is always available to do the duty.

2. Tina Charles, New York Liberty


The 2012 league MVP averaged 19 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in the month July, leading the Liberty to the best record in the Eastern Conference. She had 3 double-doubles this month, and her post-up game has been tremendous for the Liberty.



3. Elena Delle Donne, Chicago Sky


Rounding out the top 3 is Elena Delle Donne, last month's front-runner. She may had a few struggles this month, but what is amazing is how she can still finish with big numbers despite having trouble for certain stretches. Delle Donne scored 27 points or more 3 times in July and shot nearly 95 percent from the free throw line, while still topping the league in player efficiency rating (PER) with 33.7.

4. DeWanna Bonner, Phoenix Mercury


Bonner capped July with two big wins against Chicago (July 28) and Tulsa (July 30) where she averaged 29 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3 assists. She shot 57 percent from the field and went a perfect 19-for-19 from the line in the two-game stretch. With Brittney Griner back, Bonner has a relatively lighter task offensively, but has proven she can be dangerous on any given night with her aggressiveness and attack-the-basket mentality.


5. Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury


Ever since her return, Griner has given the Mercury a decisive edge with her ability to protect the rim on the defensive end and score around the basket on the other end of the floor. The Mercury were a mere 3-4 without here, but have gone 9-3 with the center back in action. Griner has put up 16.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4.4 blocks per game on 55.4 percent shooting thru a dozen games. She and Bonner are no. 1 and no. 2 in win shares per 48 for Phoenix. Griner also leads the league in true shooting percentage (61.2).

6. Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks


After logging only 3 games in June and averaging 12.6 points/game, Ogwumike upped her numbers to 16.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in 11 matches during July while shooting over 50 percent from the field. While Candace Parker was out, she was the Sparks' main offensive option. She registered 4 straight double-doubles from July 3 to July 11 and leads the team in win shares (1.9).

7. Emma Meesseman, Washington Mystics


Towards the second half of July, Meesseman averaged 9.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game to help the Mystics score a 5-game winning streak and overtake the Sky for second spot in the loaded Eastern Conference. She still leads Washington in win shares and win shares per 48, and is no. 5 in of player efficiency rating.


8. Stefanie Dolson, Washington Mystics


The Mystics big has worked her way up to become one of the most effective centers in the league. She is starting to develop a reliable back to basket game and uses her size very well to help her team to succeed. Dolson is averaging 13.3 points and 7.9 rebounds this season while leading the league in effective field goal percentage. She is also no. 4 overall in PER.

9. Angel McCoughtry, Atlanta Dream


As the Dream continue to fall to the bottom of the East standings, McCoughtry does not have much of a choice but to lead her squad. She is averaging 19.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, trying to carry her team back into playoff contention although at this point, their poor record affects her chances of winning the top individual plum.

10. Cappie Pondexter, Chicago Sky


Everything has been up for Pondexter after she was traded to the Sky. Her 3-point shooting improved from 27.7 in 2014 to 40 in 2015; she is averaging 15.6 points and has shown can still attack the basket relentlessly. She is a great fit for Pokey Chatman's offense and thrives as their secondary option behind Delle Donne.

This August, watch out for:


Candace Parker, Lindsay Whalen, Sylvia Fowles


Parker is back, and the Sparks went 2-1 in her first three matches. She provided a more dangerous offense for her team, as she could create for herself from the high post and also get her teammates involved. The Sparks are just half a game behind the San Antonio Stars for fourth overall in the Western Conference.

Whalen has been impressive even after missing a few games due to her eye injury, while her newest teammate Sylvia Fowles has quickly impacted the Lynx on both ends of the floor with her size and power. These two players will be key if the Lynx want to regain control of the throne.

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