WNBA 2018 8-week Progress Report

Through its first eight weeks and 122 tip-offs, WNBA 2018 has been nothing if not “streaky.” Looking at the season in two-week segments, only three teams can be said to have played consistently – only the Seattle Storm posting a “winning” record in all four Fortnights. (Indiana and New York have been steady losers.)

The Connecticut Sun paired and explosive 7-2 opening month with a rather odious 3-8 second. As they were securing coach Mike Thibault’s 300^th career win, his Mystics were flip-flopping stretches of crisp (5-1, 4-1) play with sloppy (1-3, 2-3) performance. Recent champions Minnesota and Phoenix broke slowly from the starting box (especially the Lynx) but appear to have righted their ships.

And Brian Agler’s “Showtime” Sparks had their strut in style until a crowded schedule slowed their roll to 2-5 over Fortnight IV.

Maybe the New Kids on the Block we should be watching most closely are just now flipping the switch in North Texas.

A sport seems to get unpredictable when it puts a franchise in Las Vegas, huh?

The Season by the Numbers (per-game per team) thru 122 games

Possessions: 79.3

Points: 81.8  [PPP: 1.032]

FG: 29.9 – 67.9, .440

3FG: 6.5 – 19.0, .341

3PAr/Usage rate: .280

FT: 15.4 – 19.3, .798

(Off – Tot) Reb: 8.7 – 34.1  [OR% .255]

TO: 14.0  [TO% .156]

Stats and data represent play through Thursday, July 12.

An explanation of the criteria for ranking is available here.

An index of bi-weekly ratings available here.

No. 1 Seattle Storm, 15-6 (10)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 1

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 1

6-week Abacus Rank: No. 1]

KK:  +3; (6 Road Wins – 3 Home Losses) / No. 2 overall (tied-3)

Flow:  +3.52; (44.3 stops OF opp [No. 4] – 40.8 stops BY opp [No. 1] / No. 1 overall

Striping:  +1.14; (+2.52) conversions [No. 3] - (+1.38) opp conversions [No. 9] / No. 2 overall

SPOR-t:  +50; (579 [No. 2] – 529 [No. 4]) / No. 4 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Storm throttled its opponents into sub-40% FG shooting during Weeks 7 & 8.

 No. 2 Phoenix Mercury, 14-7 (16)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 10

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 3

6-week Abacus Rank: No. 3]

KK:  +6; (9 Road Wins – 3 Home Losses) / No. 1 overall

Flow:  +1.10; (44.1 stops OF opp [No. 5] – 43.0 stops BY opp [No. 7] / No. 3 overall

Striping:  +1.26; (+2.57) conversions [No. 2] – (+1.31) opp conversions [No. 7] / No. 1 overall

SPOR-t:  -63; (500 [No. 11] – 563 [No. 10]) / No. 11 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Mercury’s Griner-led D holds the opposition to a league worst (best?) .418 FG shooting.

No. 3 Connecticut Sun, 10-10 (18.5)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 3

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 1

6-week Abacus Rank: No. 1]

KK:  +3; (5 Road Wins – 2 Home Losses) / No. 2 overall (tied-3)

Flow:  +0.55; (43.2 stops OF opp [No. 7] – 42.6 stops BY opp [No. 4] / No. 6 overall (tied)

Striping:  +0.10; (+1.30) conversions [No. 6] – (+1.20) conversions [No. 6] / No. 8 overall

SPOR-t:  +91; (620 [No. 1] – 529 [No. 4]) / No. 1 overall

Abacus Revelation: Connecticut’s FG shooting dipped from .459 to .414 during Weeks 7 & 8.

ABACUS INFOMERCIAL

Masters of the Craft (Part 1)

Which teams are performing the rudimentary skills of the game most proficiently at both ends of the floor? Let’s consider six elements of play: FG shooting, three-point shooting, Points per Game, Offensive Rebounding, the matter of turnovers and the SPOR-t score of our ratings. These teams hold a Top Four rank offensively and defensively:

FG%: Dallas, Phoenix, Seattle

3FG%: NONE

PPG: Seattle

OR%: Dallas, Minnesota

TO%: Atlanta, Indiana, Washington

SPOR-t: Connecticut, Dallas, Seattle

No. 4 Dallas Wings, 12-8 (19)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 6

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 7

6-week Abacus Rank: No. 7]

KK:  +2; (5 Road Wins – 3 Home Losses) / No. 5 overall (tied)

Flow:  +2.40; (45.1 stops OF opp [No. 2] – 42.7 stops BY opp [No. 5] / No. 2 overall

Striping:  -0.20; (+0.70) conversions [No. 10] – (+0.90) conversions [No. 2] / No. 9 overall

SPOR-t:  +69; (578 [No. 3] – 509 [No. 2]) / No. 2 overall (tied)

Abacus Revelation: The highest-scoring squad in the circuit (87.3 ppg), the Dallas offense has generated 93.3 points per in their last six games.

No. 5 Minnesota Lynx, 12-8 (19.5)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 8

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 9

6-week Abacus Rank: No. 6]

KK:  +3; (6 Road Wins – 3 Home Losses) / No. 2 overall (tied-3)

Flow:  +0.85; (43.7 stops OF opp [No. 6] – 42.9 stops BY opp [No. 6] / No. 4 overall

Striping:  -0.50; (+0.90) conversions [No. 9] – (+1.40) opp conversions [No. 10] / No. 10 overall

SPOR-t:  +69; (549 [No. 5] – 480 [No. 1]) / No. 2 overall (tied)

Abacus Revelation: Currently third from the bottom, the Lynx struggle holding on to the ball (TO%, .166).

ABACUS INFOMERCIAL

Scoring Pace 33 games [122 overall]

100+ points: 4 games [15 overall]

90-99 points: 14 games [45 overall]

80-89 points: 17 games [71 overall]

70-79 points: 25 games [86 overall]

60-69 points: 5 games [23 overall]

<60 points: 1 game [4 overall]

No. 6 Washington Mystics, 12-8 (23.5)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 2

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 5

6-week Abacus Rank: No. 5]

KK:  0; (5 Road Wins – 5 Home Losses) / No. 8 overall

Flow:  +0.55; (41.9 stops OF opp [No. 10] – 41.3 stops BY opp [No. 2] / No. 6 overall (tied)

Striping:  +1.10; (+2.63) conversions [No. 1] – (+1.53) opp conversions [No. 11] / No. 3 overall

SPOR-t:  +3; (567 [No. 4] – 564 [No. 11]) / No. 6 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Mystics forced 25% fewer TO’s during a rather lackluster Fortnight IV.

No. 7 Los Angeles Sparks, 13-9 (26)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 4

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 4]

6-week Abacus Rank: No. 4

KK:  +1; (5 Road Wins – 4 Home Losses) / No. 7 overall

Flow:  +0.73; (42.3 stops OF opp [No. 9] – 41.5 stops BY opp [No. 3] / No. 5 overall

Striping:  +0.48; (+1.23) conversions [No. 8] – (+0.75) opp conversions [No. 1]) / No. 5 overall

SPOR-t:  -25; (509 [No. 9] – 534 [No. 6]) / No. 9 overall

Abacus Revelation: Over the last 28 calendar days, the Sparks had back-to-back open dates just twice – logging 14 games in the process.

ABACUS INFOMERCIAL

Scoring Differential 33 games [122 overall]

1-5 points: 9 games [30 overall]

6-10 points: 6 games [37 overall]

11-15 points: 8 games [25 overall]

16-20 points:  5 games [14 overall]

>20 points:  5 games [16 overall]

No. 8 Atlanta Dream, 10-9 (31.5)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 9

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 6

6-week Abacus Rank: No. 8]

KK:  +2; (5 Road Wins – 3 Home Losses) / No. 5 overall (tied)

Flow:  +0.53; (46.1 stops OF opp [No. 1] – 45.6 stops BY opp [No. 11] / No. 8 overall

Striping:  -1.18; [-0.08) conversions [No. 11] – (+1.11) conversions [No. 4] / No. 11 overall

SPOR-t:  -18; (508 [No. 10] – 526 [No. 3]) / No. 7 overall  

Abacus Revelation: The Dream’s strong 3FG defense went to sleep in Fortnight IV, allowing .408 opponent shooting from deep.

No. 9 Las Vegas Aces, 9-12 (35)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 12

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 11

6-week Abacus Rank: No. 10]

KK:  -1; (4 Road Wins – 5 Home Losses) / No. 9 overall

Flow:  +0.48; (44.5 stops OF opp [No. 3] – 44.0 stops BY opp [No. 8] / No. 9 overall

Striping:  -3.26; (-1.05) conversions [No. 12] – (+2.21) opp conversions [No. 12] / No. 12 overall

SPOR-t:  +5; (542 [No. 6] – 537 [No. 8]) / No. 5 overall

Abacus Revelation: Now No. 3 (.757), the Aces have placed among the upper half of the league’s defensive rebounding teams all season.

No. 9 New York Liberty, 6-14 (35)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 5

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 8

6-week Abacus Rank: No. 9]

KK: -5; (3 Road Wins – 8 Home Losses) / No. 11 overall

Flow:  -2.00; (42.8 stops OF opp [No. 8] – 44.8 stops BY opp [No. 9] / No. 10 overall

Striping:  +0.23; (+1.55) conversions [No. 5] – (+1.33) opp conversions [No. 8] / No. 6 overall

SPOR-t:  -21; (514 [No. 7] – 535 [No. 7]) / No. 8 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Liberty improved their offensive rebounding by three per game – while shooting more accurately, too – during Weeks 7 & 8.

ABACUS INFOMERCIAL

Masters of the Craft (Part 2)

Are not the exceptionally inept worthy of some recognition? Here are the teams that hold a Bottom Four offensive and defensive ranking in our key elements of play: FG shooting, three-point shooting, PPG, Offensive Rebounding, Turnovers and SPOR-t.

FG%: Chicago, Indiana

3FG%: NONE

PPG: Indiana, New York

OR%: Phoenix

TO%: Chicago, Minnesota

SPOR-t: Indiana, Phoenix

 No. 11 Chicago Sky, 7-13 (37)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 6

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 12

6-week Abacus Rank: No. 12]

KK:  -4; (2 Road Wins – 6 Home Losses) / No. 10 overall

Flow:  -4.25; (41.3 stops OF opp [No. 12] – 45.5 stops BY opp [No. 10] / No. 11 overall

Striping:  0.58; (+1.73) conversions [No. 4] – (+1.15) opp conversions [No. 5] / No. 4 overall

SPOR-t:  -109; (512 [No. 8] – 621 [No. 12]) / No. 12 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Sky top the “W” in 3FG accuracy at .369.

No. 12 Indiana Fever, 2-18 (41)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 11

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 10

6-week Abacus Rank: No. 11]

KK:  -9; (1 Road Win – 10 Home Losses) / No. 12 overall

Flow:  -4.40; (41.5 stops OF opp [No. 11] – 45.9 stops BY opp [No. 12] / No. 12 overall

Striping:  +0.20; (+1.30) conversions [No. 6] – (+1.10) conversions [No. 3] / No. 7 overall

SPOR-t:  -53; (495 [No. 12] – 548 [No. 9]) / No. 10 overall

Abacus Revelation: Pokey Chapman’s pesky Fever induced 15 opponent TO’s per game during Weeks 7 & 8, No. 2 in the league.

Abacus Revelation for the Road / Random Ranking – Points per Shot (FGA) Differential

In its first 122 games, WNBA 2018 produced 19,921 points while attempting 16,567 field goals – a rate of 120.2 points per 100 shots.

Seattle +14.4 points per 100 shots [129.1 (No. 2) – 114.7 (No. 1)]

Phoenix +13.9 points per 100 shots [129.1 (No. 3) – 115.5 (No. 4)]

Dallas +11.5 points per 100 shots [129.1 (No. 1) – 117.6 (No. 5)]

Minnesota +4.6 points per 100 shots [119.5 (No. 6) – 114.9 (No.2)]

Washington +0.3 points per 100 shots [125.8 (No. 4) – 125.5 (No. 10)]

Las Vegas -0.1 points per 100 shots [119.3 (No. 8) – 119.4 (No. 6)]

Los Angeles -1.6 points per 100 shots [120.7 (No. 5) – 122.3 (No. 8)]

Chicago -2.7 points per 100 shots [119.3 (No. 7) – 122.0 (No. 7)]

Atlanta -3.5 points per 100 shots [111.7 (No. 11) – 115.2 (No. 3)]

Connecticut -5.4 points per 100 shots [118.1 (No. 9) – 123.5 (No. 9)]

New York -13.7 points per 100 shots [112.6 (No. 10) – 126.3 (No. 11)]

Indiana -18.6 points per 100 shots [108.8 (No. 12) – 127.4 (No. 12)]

WNBA 2018 6-week Progress Report

Through six weeks and 89 games of WNBA 2018, the competition has seen its share of ups and downs – from Minnesota’s surprisingly slow start to glitzy Los Angeles thriving on its stout defense. Even up-and-coming contenders like Sun and Mystics have alternated some stretches of stellar play with others that are sorta less-than-mediocre.

The extremes of this season’s play were best exemplified in a 48-hour span by Big-time Hoops’ first excursion into the nefarious netherworld known as Nevada, the Las Vegas Aces. While falling in Dallas a couple of Fridays ago, Bill Laimbeer’s youngsters managed but one paltry offensive rebound (plus one team offensive board) despite misfiring on 35 FGA’s. Two days later while losing at home to the Phoenix Mercury, rookie stud A’ja Wilson herself had seven of the squad’s NINETEEN (plus five more attributed to the team) O-boards.

Though each performance has been matched one time this season (Indiana, 1; New York, 19), those are the extremes of this year’s “second chance” performances. In all, a team has posted fewer than five OR’s 21 times so far; a team has accrued more than 15 just six times – half of them coming at the expense of Ms. Griner and her Merc.

The Season by the Numbers (per-game per team) thru 89 games

Possessions: 79.4

Points: 81.5  [PPP: 1.026]

FG: 29.7 – 67.7, .438

3FG: 6.4 – 19.0, .336

3PAr/Usage rate: .281

FT: 15.7 – 19.9, .791

(Off – Tot) Reb: 8.8 – 34.1  [OR% .257]

TO: 14.2  [TO% .156]

Stats and data represent play through Thursday, June 28.

An explanation of the criteria for ranking is available here.

An index of bi-weekly ratings available here.

No. 1 Seattle Storm, 11-5 (11.5)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 1

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 1]

KK:  +1; (4 Road Wins – 3 Home Losses) / No. 5 overall (tied-4)

Flow:  +2.88; (43.6 stops OF opp [No. 5] – 40.8 stops BY opp [No. 2] / No. 1 overall

Striping:  +1.41; (+2.47) conversions [No. 1] - (+1.06) opp conversions [No. 8] / No. 1 overall

SPOR-t:  +42; (580 [No. 2] – 538 [No. 8]) / No. 3 overall

Abacus Revelation: Seattle opponents attempt the fewest 3FGA’s in the league (16.6 per game).

No. 1 Connecticut Sun, 9-6 (11.5)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 3

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 1]

KK:  +3; (4 Road Wins – 1 Home Loss) / No. 2 overall (tied)

Flow:  +1.67; (43.6 stops OF opp [No. 6] – 41.9 stops BY opp [No. 4] / No. 3 overall

Striping:  +0.50; (+1.47) conversions [No. 5] – (+0.97) conversions [No. 4] / No. 5 overall

SPOR-t:  +118; (640 [No. 1] – 522 [No. 4]) / No. 1 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Sun struggle to defend the 3-ball (368), last in the league.

ABACUS INFOMERCIAL

Masters of the Craft (Part 1)

Which teams are performing the rudimentary skills of the game most proficiently at both ends of the floor? Let’s consider six elements of play: FG shooting, three-point shooting, Points per Game, Offensive Rebounding, the matter of turnovers and the SPOR-t score of our ratings. These teams hold a Top Four rank offensively and defensively:

FG%: Connecticut, Phoenix

3FG%: Minnesota

PPG: NONE

OR%: Minnesota

TO%: Atlanta

SPOR-t: Connecticut, Minnesota

 No. 3 Phoenix Mercury, 11-5 (18)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 10

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 3]

KK:  +4; (7 Road Wins – 3 Home Losses) / No. 1 overall

Flow:  +1.50; (43.9 stops OF opp [No. 4] – 42.4 stops BY opp [No. 5] / No. 4 overall

Striping:  +1.38; (+2.41) conversions [No. 3] – (+1.03) opp conversions [No. 5] / No. 2 overall

SPOR-t:  -67; (500 [No. 10] – 567 [No. 11]) / No. 11 overall

Abacus Revelation: Taurasi & Co. rank No. 1 (.359) in 3-point accuracy and No. 2 (.348) in 3-point usage.

No. 4 Los Angeles Sparks, 11-4 (18.5)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 4

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 4]

KK:  +3; (4 Road Wins – 1 Home Loss) / No. 2 overall (tied)

Flow:  +2.20; (42.8 stops OF opp [No. 9] – 40.6 stops BY opp [No. 1] / No. 2 overall

Striping:  0.00; (+0.90) conversions [No. 8] – (+0.90) opp conversions [No. 2]) / No. 8 overall

SPOR-t:  -5; (522 [No. 7] – 527 [No. 6]) / No. 6 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Sparks’ .471 FG shooting leads the WNBA.

No. 5 Washington Mystics, 10-5 (19.5)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 2

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 5]

KK:  +1; (4 Road Wins – 3 Home Losses) / No. 5 overall (tied-4)

Flow:  +1.27; (42.7 stops OF opp [No. 10] – 41.5 stops BY opp [No. 3] / No. 5 overall

Striping:  +1.37; (+2.43) conversions [No. 2] – (+1.07) opp conversions [No. 9] / No. 3 overall

SPOR-t:  +4; (570 [No. 3] – 566 [No. 10]) / No. 5 overall

Abacus Revelation: Washington improved its per-game scoring by 9.8 points from Fortnight II to Fortnight III.

ABACUS INFOMERCIAL

Scoring Pace 33 games [89 overall]

100+ points: 3 games [11 overall]

90-99 points: 13 games [31 overall]

80-89 points: 22 games [54 overall]

70-79 points: 21 games [61 overall]

60-69 points: 5 games [18 overall]

<60 points: 2 games [3 overall]

No. 6 Minnesota Lynx, 8-6 (22)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 8

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 9]

KK:  +2; (4 Road Wins – 2 Home Losses) / No. 4 overall

Flow:  +0.64; (43.5 stops OF opp [No. 8] – 42.9 stops BY opp [No. 6] / No. 6 overall

Striping:  -1.04; (+0.54) conversions [No. 10] – (+1.57) opp conversions [No. 11] / No. 10 overall

SPOR-t:  +69; (554 [No. 4] – 485 [No. 1]) / No. 2 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Lynx outplayed their opponents by 5.60 possessions per game during Weeks 5 & 6.

No. 7 Dallas Wings, 7-7 (27.5)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 6

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 7]

KK:  +1; (3 Road Wins – 2 Home Losses) / No. 5 overall (tied-4)

Flow:  -0.14; (44.4 stops OF opp [No. 2] – 44.6 stops BY opp [No. 7] / No. 8 overall

Striping:  -0.36; (+0.57) conversions [No. 9] – (+0.93) conversions [No. 3] / No. 9 overall

SPOR-t:  +9; (530 [No. 5] – 521 [No. 3]) / No. 4 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Dallas defense generates 44.4 “stops” per game, No. 2 in the league.

ABACUS INFOMERCIAL

Scoring Differential 33 games [89 overall]

1-5 points: 3 games [21 overall]

6-10 points: 10 games [31 overall]

11-15 points: 12 games [17 overall]

16-20 points:  3 games [9 overall]

>20 points:  5 games [11 overall]

No. 8 Atlanta Dream, 7-7 (33.5)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 9

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 6]

KK:  +1; (3 Road Wins – 2 Home Losses) / No. 5 overall (tied-4)

Flow:  +0.43; (46.8 stops OF opp [No. 1] – 46.4 stops BY opp [No. 12] / No. 7 overall

Striping:  -1.32; [-0.75) conversions [No. 11] – (+0.57) conversions [No. 1] / No. 11 overall

SPOR-t:  -23; (495 [No. 11] – 518 [No. 2]) / No. 9 overall  

Abacus Revelation: The Dream’s FG defense (.410) leads the league.

No. 9 New York Liberty, 4-10 (35)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 5

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 8]

KK: -4; (1 Road Win – 5 Home Losses) / No. 11 overall

Flow:  -2.07; (43.6 stops OF opp [No. 7] – 45.6 stops BY opp [No. 10] / No. 10 overall

Striping:  +0.86; (+1.94) conversions [No. 4] – (+1.04) opp conversions [No. 7] / No. 4 overall

SPOR-t:  -32; (491 [No. 12] – 523 [No. 5]) / No. 10 overall

Abacus Revelation: Liberty opponents attempt 7.79 more FT’s per game, the league’s worst differential.

No. 10 Las Vegas Aces, 5-11 (37)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 12

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 11]

KK:  -2; (3 Road Wins – 5 Home Losses) / No. 9 overall

Flow:  -0.56; (44.3 stops OF opp [No. 3] – 44.9 stops BY opp [No. 8] / No. 9 overall

Striping:  -3.31; (-1.25) conversions [No. 12] – (+2.06) opp conversions [No. 12] / No. 12 overall

SPOR-t:  -17; (525 [No. 6] – 542 [No. 9]) / No. 7 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Aces were the league’s most sure-handed team (TO%, .135) during Weeks 5 & 6.

ABACUS INFOMERCIAL

Masters of the Craft (Part 2)

Are not the exceptionally inept worthy of some recognition? Here are the teams that hold a Bottom Four offensive and defensive ranking in our key elements of play: FG shooting, three-point shooting, PPG, Offensive Rebounding, Turnovers and SPOR-t.

FG%: Indiana

3FG%: Indiana

PPG: Chicago, Indiana

OR%: Phoenix

TO%: Chicago, Minnesota

SPOR-t: Phoenix

No. 11 Indiana Fever, 1-14 (38)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 11

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 10]

KK:  -7; (0 Road Wins – 7 Home Losses) / No. 12 overall

Flow:  -4.13; (41.7 stops OF opp [No. 11] – 45.9 stops BY opp [No. 11] / No. 12 overall

Striping:  +0.40; (+1.43) conversions [No. 6] – (+1.03) conversions [No. 6] / No. 6 overall

SPOR-t:  -18; (518 [No. 9] – 536 [No. 7]) / No. 8 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Fever are the WNBA’s second-best defensive rebounding team (.772).

 No. 12 Chicago Sky, 5-9 (40)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 6

4-week Abacus Rank: No. 12]

KK:  -3; (1 Road Win – 4 Home Losses) / No. 10 overall

Flow:  -4.00; (41.1 stops OF opp [No. 12] – 45.1 stops BY opp [No. 9] / No. 11 overall

Striping:  0.04; (+1.18) conversions [No. 7] – (+1.14) opp conversions [No. 10] / No. 7 overall

SPOR-t:  -87; (520 [No. 8] – 607 [No. 12]) / No. 12 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Sky scrapped their way to nine Offensive Rebounds per game during Weeks 5 & 6.

.

Abacus Revelation for the Road / per-game missed three-point shots

In 89 games, WNBA players attempted 3,389 three-point shots. They have been off-target on 2,250 of them – an average of 12.6 misses per game per team.

Las Vegas 6.56 missed treys [3FG%: .340, No. 8]  

Minnesota 9.57 missed treys [3FG%: .356, No. 3]

Los Angeles 9.80 missed treys [3FG%: .341, No. 7]

Chicago 11.86 missed treys [3FG%: .349, No. 6]

Atlanta 12.86 missed treys [3FG%: .268, No. 12]

Indiana 13.13 missed treys [3FG%: .318, No. 9]

Connecticut 13.93 missed treys [3FG%: .355, No. 4]

Phoenix 14.19 missed treys [3FG%: .359, No. 1]

Washington 14.40 missed treys [3FG%: .357, No. 2]

Dallas 14.79 missed treys [3FG%: .312, No. 11]

New York 15.36 missed treys [3FG%: .313, No. 10]

Seattle 15.44 missed treys [3FG%: .352, No. 5]

WNBA 2018 4-week Progress Report

While the early-season floundering of the defending champion Minnesota Lynx has drawn the bulk of the attention, last season’s runners-up, the Los Angeles Sparks, were having some troubles of their own – scoring under 73 points a game during Weeks 3 & 4, the WNBA’s lowest output over that stretch.

Oddly, Coach Brian Agler’s crew managed to accomplish this rather dubious feat while simultaneously posting the third best FG% (.455). The less-than-flattering data places the Sparks last in TO%, second-to-last in OR% and third-to-last in FTA differential (attempting almost five fewer fouls shots per game than the opposition).

LA’s June 12 home game against the Atlanta Dream provides a good example – though they out-shot their guests, the Dream won both the rebounding and turnover battles. With the aid of a seven-to-two edge in three-pointers, the Sparks eked out a 72-64 victory.

Defense has carried the day for Agler’s gang during Fortnight II – No. 1 in scoring defense (70.0) and defending the trey (.243), No. 2 in forcing TO’s (.161).

In the most talent-laden professional sports Association on the planet, such early-season strife may well push a perennial power like LA or the Lynx into the “Guillotine” rounds of the post-season.

The Season by the Numbers (per-game per team) thru 56 games:

Possessions: 79.5

Points: 81.3  [PPP: 1.023]

FG: 29.6 – 67.9, .436

3FG: 6.2 – 19.1, .327

3PAr/Usage rate: .281

FT: 15.9 – 20.2, .788

(Off – Tot) Reb: 8.8 – 34.2  [OR% .256]

TO: 14.0  [TO% .155]

Stats and data represent play through Thursday June, 14.

An explanation of the criteria for ranking is available here.

Progress Report thru Week 2 available here.

No. 1 Connecticut Sun, 7-2 (10)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 3]

KK:  +2; (3 Road Wins – 1 Home Loss) / No. 2 overall

Flow:  +5.56; (46.8 stops OF opp [No. 2] – 41.2 stops BY opp [No. 3] / No. 1 overall

Striping:  +0.22; (+1.06) conversions [No. 6] – (+0.83) conversions [No. 5] / No. 6 overall

SPOR-t:  +198; (662 [No. 1] – 464 [No. 1]) / No. 1 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Sun average over 90 points per game despite missing 5.56 FT’s a game.

No. 1 Seattle Storm, 7-3 (10)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 1]

KK:  +1; (3 Road Wins – 2 Home Losses) / No. 3 overall (tied-5)

Flow:  +3.40; (43.8 stops OF opp [No. 5] – 40.4 stops BY opp [No. 1] / No. 2 overall

Striping:  +1.75; (+2.60) conversions [No. 1] - (+0.85) opp conversions [No. 6] / No. 1 overall

SPOR-t:  +75; (605 [No. 2] – 530 [No. 5]) / No. 2 overall

Abacus Revelation: The accurate Storm rank first in both three-point shooting (.364) and overall FG shooting (.470).

ABACUS INFOMERCIAL

Masters of the Craft (Part 1)

Which teams are performing the rudimentary skills of the game most proficiently at both ends of the floor? Let’s consider six elements of play: FG shooting, three-point shooting, Points per Game, Offensive Rebounding, the matter of turnovers and the SPOR-t score of our ratings. These teams hold a Top Four rank offensively and defensively:

FG%: Connecticut, Phoenix

3FG%: Minnesota, Washington

PPG: Connecticut

OR%: Connecticut, Minnesota, Seattle

TO%: Atlanta, Connecticut

SPOR-t: Connecticut

 No. 3 Phoenix Mercury, 8-3 (20)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 10]

KK:  +3; (5 Road Wins – 2 Home Losses) / No. 1 overall

Flow:  +1.00; (43.0 stops OF opp [No. 7] – 42.0 stops BY opp [No. 4] / No. 4 overall

Striping:  +1.09; (+2.23) conversions [No. 3] – (+1.14) opp conversions [No. 9] / No. 4 overall

SPOR-t:  -60; (499 [No. 12] – 559 [No. 10]) / No. 11 overall

Abacus Revelation: The wily Merc lead the “W” with five road victories.

No. 4 Los Angeles Sparks, 6-2 (21)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 4]

KK:  +1; (2 Road Wins – 1 Home Loss) / No. 3 overall (tied-5)

Flow:  +1.38; (42.3 stops OF opp [No. 9] – 40.9 stops BY opp [No. 2] / No. 3 overall

Striping:  +0.06; (+0.75) conversions [No. 8] – (+0.69) opp conversions [No. 4]) / No. 7 overall

SPOR-t:  -3; (522 [No. 7] – 525 [No. 3]) / No. 6 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Sparks lead the “W” in scoring defense, allowing but 75 points per game.

No. 5 Washington Mystics, 6-4 (22)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 2]

KK:  +1; (3 Road Wins – 2 Home Losses) / No. 3 overall (tied-5)

Flow:  -0.30; (42.5 stops OF opp [No. 8] – 42.2 stops BY opp [No. 5] / No. 7 overall

Striping:  +1.60; (+2.45) conversions [No. 2] – (+0.85) opp conversions [No. 6] / No. 2 overall

SPOR-t:  -32; (544 [No. 3] – 576 [No. 11]) / No. 8 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Mystics were the league’s worst defensive rebounding team (.632) during Weeks 3 & 4.

ABACUS INFOMERCIAL

Scoring Pace 29 games [56 overall]

100+ points: 2 games [8 overall]

90-99 points: 10 games [18 overall]

80-89 points: 18 games [32 overall]

70-79 points: 18 games [40 overall]

60-69 points: 9 games [13 overall]

<60 points: 1 game [1 overall]

No. 6 Atlanta Dream, 6-4 (22.5)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 9]

KK:  +1; (3 Road Wins – 2 Home Losses) / No. 3 overall (tied-5)

Flow:  +0.90; (46.9 stops OF opp [No. 1] – 46.0 stops BY opp [No. 10] / No. 5 overall

Striping:  -0.50; [-0.25) conversions [No. 11] – (+0.25) conversions [No. 1] / No. 9 overall

SPOR-t:  +2; (502 [No. 11] – 500 [No. 2]) / No. 3 overall (tied)

Abacus Revelation: The Dream defend the three-point shot (.284) better than anyone else in the league.

No. 7 Dallas Wings, 4-4 (24.5)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 6]

KK:  +1; (2 Road Wins – 1 Home Loss) / No. 3 overall (tied-5)

Flow:  +0.88; (45.9 stops OF opp [No. 3] – 45.0 stops BY opp [No. 9] / No. 6 overall

Striping:  -0.94; (+0.13) conversions [No. 10] – (+1.06) conversions [No. 8] / No. 10 overall

SPOR-t:  +2; (529 [No. 5] – 527 [No. 4]) / No. 3 overall (tied)

Abacus Revelation: The Wings earned over 10 second chances off the offensive glass per game during Weeks 3 & 4.

ABACUS INFOMERCIAL

Scoring Differential 29 games [56 overall]

1-5 points: 10 games [18 overall]

6-10 points: 10 games [21 overall]

11-15 points: 4 games [5 overall]

16-20 points:  2 games [6 overall]

>20:  3 games [6 overall]

  

No. 8 New York Liberty, 3-5 (29)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 5]

KK: -3; (1 Road Win – 4 Home Losses) / No. 11 overall

Flow:  -0.37; (43.5 stops OF opp [No. 6] – 43.9 stops BY opp [No. 7] / No. 8 overall

Striping:  +1.31; (+1.94) conversions [No. 4] – (+0.63) opp conversions [No. 3] / No. 3 overall

SPOR-t:  -7; (537 [No. 4] – 544 [No. 8]) / No. 7 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Liberty lead the league in usage of the three-point shot with 14 per game.

No. 9 Minnesota Lynx, 3-6 (34.5)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 8]

KK:  0; (2 Road Wins – 2 Home Losses) / No. 8 overall (tied)

Flow:  -2.11; (41.4 stops OF opp [No. 11] – 43.6 stops BY opp [No. 6] / No. 10 overall

Striping:  -1.00; (+0.39) conversions [No. 9] – (+1.39) opp conversions [No. 11] / No. 11 overall

SPOR-t:  -1; (529 [No. 5] – 530 [No. 5]) / No. 5 overall

Abacus Revelation: Despite their early struggles, the defending champs have been the circuit’s best defensive rebounding team (.797).

No. 10 Indiana Fever, 0-10 (38)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 11]

KK:  -6; (0 Road Wins – 6 Home Losses) / No. 12 overall

Flow:  -4.80; (41.5 stops OF opp [No. 10] – 46.3 stops BY opp [No. 12] / No. 12 overall

Striping:  +0.40; (+1.00) conversions [No. 7] – (+0.60) conversions [No. 2] / No. 5 overall

SPOR-t:  -34; (503 [No. 9] – 537 [No. 7]) / No. 9 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Fever attempted 10 fewer free throws per game than their opponents during Weeks 3 & 4.

ABACUS INFOMERCIAL

Masters of the Craft (Part 2)

Are not the exceptionally inept worthy of some recognition? Here are the teams that hold a Bottom Four offensive and defensive ranking in our key elements of play: FG shooting, three-point shooting, PPG, Offensive Rebounding, Turnovers and SPOR-t.

FG%: Chicago, Indiana

3FG%: Las Vegas

PPG: Indiana

OR%: Phoenix

TO%: Dallas, Minnesota

SPOR-t: Las Vegas, Phoenix

No. 11 Las Vegas Aces, 3-7 (39.5)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 12]

KK:  0; (2 Road Wins – 2 Home Losses) / No. 8 overall (tied)

Flow:  -1.60; (44.5 stops OF opp [No. 4] – 46.1 stops BY opp [No. 11] / No. 9 overall

Striping:  -4.10; (-1.90) conversions [No. 12] – (+2.20) opp conversions [No. 12] / No. 12 overall

SPOR-t:  -43; (503 [No. 9] – 546 [No. 9]) / No. 10 overall

Abacus Revelation: Not only do the Aces attempt the fewest treys (just under one of every six shots) in the league, their opponents attempt the most (just under one of every three shots).

 No. 12 Chicago Sky, 3-6 (41)

[2-week Abacus Rank: No. 6]

KK:  -1; (1 Road Win – 2 Home Losses) / No. 10 overall

Flow:  -4.33; (40.4 stops OF opp [No. 12] – 44.8 stops BY opp [No. 8] / No. 11 overall

Striping:  0.00; (+1.17) conversions [No. 5] – (+1.17) opp conversions [No. 10] / No. 8 overall

SPOR-t:  -93; (515 [No. 8] – 608 [No. 12]) / No. 12 overall

Abacus Revelation: The Sky defense yielded 53% FG shooting during Weeks 3 & 4.

Abacus Revelation for the Road / Random Ranking (3PAr)

Through this season’s first 56 games, WNBA players have lofted 2,135 three-point FG attempts among 7,601 total shots, 28.1 percent. That 3PAr is up from last season's league-wide 25.7 percent.

New York 191 – 548, .349

Seattle 231 – 675, .342

Washington 222 – 665, .334

Phoenix 231 – 697, .331

Dallas 166 – 536, .310

Connecticut 196 – 674, .291

Indiana 199 – 703, .283

Chicago 161 – 611, .264

Atlanta 174 – 703, .248

Minnesota 139 – 582, .239

Los Angeles 120 – 514, .233

Las Vegas 105 – 693, .152