Welcome to the end of the 2015 WNBA regular season. The playoffs begins in two days, but before the exciting action kicks off, let us recognize some of the best players this season has seen with this recap of the WNBA MVP Race.
Rookie of the Year: Kiah Stokes
The UConn product was considered by Bill Laimbeer as the steal of the draft as she provided the New York Liberty with a solid defensive big. Stokes averaged 5.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in the season. She placed just behind Brittney Griner in total blocks, is second overall in defensive win shares, and third overall in defensive rating. She was a starter early on before the Liberty gained more weapons back. On offense, she helped with the pick and roll plays with a penchant for diving to the lane and crashing the boards around the rim.
The MVP Race
Here are some of the best performers of the season.
Honorable mentions
Angel McCoughtry - 20.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 2.1 SPG
It's almost automatic for McCoughtry to be part of the conversation each season. Take her out of the Atlanta Dream and that team will definitely suffer. The Dream placed last in the competitive East this year; they did not have the strongest lineup and were constantly hobbled by injuries. It did not prevent McCoughtry though from norming her usual numbers.
Jantel Lavender - 14 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.2 BPG
Nneka Ogwumike - 16.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.1 APG
With Candace Parker sitting down for the first half of the season, Ogwumike and Lavender both stepped up in huge ways as far as the Sparks frontline is concerned. Lavender accumulated 12 double-doubles throughout the year and was to the West All-Stars. Ogwumike was as hardworking day in and day out, providing interior scoring as she moves well without the leather and also giving the Sparks toughness underneath. Both averaged career-highs in points/game this season, giving the Sparks production while Parker was out.
Emma Meesseman - 11.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.3 BPG
The Washington Mystics forward keeps adding to her arsenal, and in her third year she came up big for the Mystics which she helped return to the playoffs. Meesseman was named to the East All-Stars, led the Mystics in win shares and rebounds; she is also the Mystics' second leading scorer and is the league's 2nd overall in field goal percentage at 55.6 percent.
Brittney Griner - 15.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.0 BPG
The Phoenix Mercury were 3-4 at the start of the season sans their premier center. When Griner returned, she helped the Mercury with her ability to protect the rim. On offense, her back to basket game became a big weapon for the Mercury as it helped attract defense and open opportunities for her other teammates. She led the league in blocks and field goal percentage (56.5).
Lindsay Whalen - 10.9 PPG, 3 RPG, 4.2 APG
We know Whalen for her playmaking ability, but with the Minnesota Lynx suffering from the absence of Seimone Augustus for certain stretches of the season, her scoring and take-charge mode was needed, and she delivered. Whalen was second in total points for her team as she had one of the more consistent seasons this year, and is shooting 88.2 percent from the free throw line.
The First 5ive
5. DeWanna Bonner - 15.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.3 APG
With the absence of guards Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor, Bonner needed to become not just a player who will contribute about 12-15 points a game, but one who can facilitate and create for the Phoenix Mercury. That was the bigger role she had to play in this team, and it helped them get back to the playoffs. Known for being a defensive stopper, Bonner also led the defending champs in scoring and assists.
4. Candace Parker - 19.4 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 6.3 APG
The Los Angeles Sparks were a mere 3-14 squad before Parker, the two-time MVP, returned to wreak havoc and make the league feel her impact. Since her return the Sparks went to clinch the playoff spot as she provided basically everything for her team. She was a gifted reader in the high post, and added more versatility in the offensive end. She led the Sparks in win shares, and her 31.9 PER trails only Elena Delle Donne. Just imagine how dominant the Sparks could have been if she played the entire year.
3. Maya Moore - 20.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.7 SPG
The season's start was a bit rocky for the reigning MVP but she found the rhythm in the second month when she went on a record of 11 straight 20-point games. The story isn't different for Moore this year; if you need a go-to scorer to lead the team to a different level, you go to Moore. It's what she's been doing ever since entering the league.
2. Tina Charles - 17.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG
Charles is arguably the eventual MVP winner's closest competitor for the award. She is the fourth leading scorer this season and second leading rebounder, on top of leading the WNBA in defensive rebounds. Charles' back-to-basket game was an integral part of the New York Liberty's success as she attracts defense inside and opens up opportunities for her teammates. Aside from her post-up game, she also has a penchant for draining short jumpers, which makes it even more challenging for defenders to stop her on a nightly basis.
And the winner is...
1. Elena Delle Donne - 23.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2 BPG
Aside from that, Delle Donne's defense has improved; seeing a need to step up as the Chicago Sky did not have Sylvia Fowles for the year, Delle Donne increased her rebounding and shot blocks averages. She did not have that reputation on defense in the past two seasons. On offense, she was almost unguardable. She was sho dominant that even if she would struggle for a stretch, she'd still end up finishing with 20 or more points. It is clear she is motivated to lead Chicago and cap a big year with the title.
Rookie of the Year: Kiah Stokes
It's GAME DAY! Cheer the @nyliberty to a home win before the Playoffs! #GuardtheGarden
TIX: http://t.co/w9tYdbVMoW pic.twitter.com/Y5VW3XhXAy
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 11, 2015
The UConn product was considered by Bill Laimbeer as the steal of the draft as she provided the New York Liberty with a solid defensive big. Stokes averaged 5.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in the season. She placed just behind Brittney Griner in total blocks, is second overall in defensive win shares, and third overall in defensive rating. She was a starter early on before the Liberty gained more weapons back. On offense, she helped with the pick and roll plays with a penchant for diving to the lane and crashing the boards around the rim.
The MVP Race
Here are some of the best performers of the season.
Honorable mentions
Angel McCoughtry - 20.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 2.1 SPG
It's almost automatic for McCoughtry to be part of the conversation each season. Take her out of the Atlanta Dream and that team will definitely suffer. The Dream placed last in the competitive East this year; they did not have the strongest lineup and were constantly hobbled by injuries. It did not prevent McCoughtry though from norming her usual numbers.
Jantel Lavender - 14 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.2 BPG
Nneka Ogwumike - 16.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.1 APG
Congrats @Nnemkadi30, honored 2nite w/her commemorative ring celebrating USA's FIBA World Championships Gold Medal! pic.twitter.com/q5CLLRwPxl
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LA_Sparks) September 4, 2015
With Candace Parker sitting down for the first half of the season, Ogwumike and Lavender both stepped up in huge ways as far as the Sparks frontline is concerned. Lavender accumulated 12 double-doubles throughout the year and was to the West All-Stars. Ogwumike was as hardworking day in and day out, providing interior scoring as she moves well without the leather and also giving the Sparks toughness underneath. Both averaged career-highs in points/game this season, giving the Sparks production while Parker was out.
Emma Meesseman - 11.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.3 BPG
#Mystics head to NY for potential playoff preview (7:30pm)
#MysticsLiberty Preview: http://t.co/hfJRP4qgv0 pic.twitter.com/UR0IaHun6F
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) September 11, 2015
The Washington Mystics forward keeps adding to her arsenal, and in her third year she came up big for the Mystics which she helped return to the playoffs. Meesseman was named to the East All-Stars, led the Mystics in win shares and rebounds; she is also the Mystics' second leading scorer and is the league's 2nd overall in field goal percentage at 55.6 percent.
Brittney Griner - 15.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.0 BPG
THE TOP 5 OF 2015
Honorable Mention: @brittneygriner's dunks.
READ >> http://t.co/wZ4r8GfGQv pic.twitter.com/z5orJODFf3
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) September 15, 2015
The Phoenix Mercury were 3-4 at the start of the season sans their premier center. When Griner returned, she helped the Mercury with her ability to protect the rim. On offense, her back to basket game became a big weapon for the Mercury as it helped attract defense and open opportunities for her other teammates. She led the league in blocks and field goal percentage (56.5).
Lindsay Whalen - 10.9 PPG, 3 RPG, 4.2 APG
We know Whalen for her playmaking ability, but with the Minnesota Lynx suffering from the absence of Seimone Augustus for certain stretches of the season, her scoring and take-charge mode was needed, and she delivered. Whalen was second in total points for her team as she had one of the more consistent seasons this year, and is shooting 88.2 percent from the free throw line.
The First 5ive
5. DeWanna Bonner - 15.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.3 APG
THE TOP 5 OF 2015
No. 2: An epic comeback.
READ >> http://t.co/cxon0GlsuZ pic.twitter.com/UMNEpLl2II
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) September 14, 2015
With the absence of guards Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor, Bonner needed to become not just a player who will contribute about 12-15 points a game, but one who can facilitate and create for the Phoenix Mercury. That was the bigger role she had to play in this team, and it helped them get back to the playoffs. Known for being a defensive stopper, Bonner also led the defending champs in scoring and assists.
4. Candace Parker - 19.4 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 6.3 APG
Congrats to @Candace_Parker on being named WC Player of the Week for the 2nd time this season! #WeAreLA #GoSparks pic.twitter.com/lhnDWqelaX
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LA_Sparks) September 8, 2015
The Los Angeles Sparks were a mere 3-14 squad before Parker, the two-time MVP, returned to wreak havoc and make the league feel her impact. Since her return the Sparks went to clinch the playoff spot as she provided basically everything for her team. She was a gifted reader in the high post, and added more versatility in the offensive end. She led the Sparks in win shares, and her 31.9 PER trails only Elena Delle Donne. Just imagine how dominant the Sparks could have been if she played the entire year.
3. Maya Moore - 20.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.7 SPG
#MayaClinic
Head to http://t.co/t8wJtu5V81 to see her case for MVP.
#RoarWithUs http://t.co/MauP6Mv3jX
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) September 7, 2015
The season's start was a bit rocky for the reigning MVP but she found the rhythm in the second month when she went on a record of 11 straight 20-point games. The story isn't different for Moore this year; if you need a go-to scorer to lead the team to a different level, you go to Moore. It's what she's been doing ever since entering the league.
2. Tina Charles - 17.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG
.@MSGNetworks analyst @ROSGO21 hands out her 2015 @nyliberty season awards.
WATCH
http://t.co/6nILNkyLZD pic.twitter.com/7RHrC3gsta
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 15, 2015
Charles is arguably the eventual MVP winner's closest competitor for the award. She is the fourth leading scorer this season and second leading rebounder, on top of leading the WNBA in defensive rebounds. Charles' back-to-basket game was an integral part of the New York Liberty's success as she attracts defense inside and opens up opportunities for her teammates. Aside from her post-up game, she also has a penchant for draining short jumpers, which makes it even more challenging for defenders to stop her on a nightly basis.
And the winner is...
1. Elena Delle Donne - 23.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2 BPG
RT to congratulate @De11eDonne on her 100th career @WNBA three pointer! #EDD4MVP #FOROURTOWN pic.twitter.com/Z4xNlPcK2j
— CHICAGO SKY (@wnbachicagosky) September 12, 2015
It is difficult to ignore what Delle Donne has accomplished this year. I always thought she would be a difference-maker if she was healthy, and she did not disappoint from the get-go. After the first month, Delle Donne was on pace to break the regular season scoring record. She did finish with a 23.8 points/game average which merited her the scoring title. Add to that league-bests of 32.7 PER, 8.7 win shares and a 95 percent free throw shooting percentage. Her driving game let her get at least 7 free throw attempts per game.Aside from that, Delle Donne's defense has improved; seeing a need to step up as the Chicago Sky did not have Sylvia Fowles for the year, Delle Donne increased her rebounding and shot blocks averages. She did not have that reputation on defense in the past two seasons. On offense, she was almost unguardable. She was sho dominant that even if she would struggle for a stretch, she'd still end up finishing with 20 or more points. It is clear she is motivated to lead Chicago and cap a big year with the title.
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