WNBA All-Star Game 2022 – Next Generation Shines As Sue Bird, Sylvia Fowles Last Appear

CHICAGO – The All-Star Games regularly showcase a mix of the league’s seasoned vets and its promising young stars, but the All-Star WNBA Game on Sunday 2022 at Wintrust Arena – a Win 134-112 for Team Wilson – felt above all that the torch was transferred from the old guard of W to the new one.

Sylvia Fowles and Sue Birdnamed in the eighth and 13th All-Star Games respectively, bowing in their final performance in the event in style, with co-captains A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart Present them the flowers in the middle of the point in the game. Fowles made the crowd late in the first half with one secession dunkand she and Bird – who finished for the first time in a WNBA All-Star game without scoring – received a standing ovation from the crowd as they left the game one last time.

But as Fowles and Bird said adieu, guys like Stewart, Wilson and top scorers Kelsey Plum (30 points), Jonquel Jones (29) and Jewell Loyd (21) passed to assure all that the WNBA remains in good hands as its longtime legends drift away.

Plum, who was named MVP after setting a scoring record in Maya Moore’s WNBA All-Star Game, isn’t the only first All-Star to turn heads, as Sabrina Ionescu (19 points) and Rhyne Howard (13) also had an impressive debut.

“The best part about all of these players is that they are, 26 and under, and I can tell you, things are just getting better,” says Bird. “You’re only going to get smarter, and you’re only going to get more skilled, you’re going to start doing things. So when they hit their peak, which you could argue was 28 years or older. up, they’ll be even more enjoyable to watch.”

ESPN’s Mechelle Voepel and Alexa Philippou give their lessons learned from the changing guard on display and other All-Star Match developments.

Bird, Fowles (and ability Parker) go out in style

With more games behind than ahead, the Fowles are richly intertwined and Candace Parker will certainly go down as two of the league’s greats, and it’s fitting that at least Fowles (and possibly both) have to end the All-Star experience playing with one. same illustrious contemporaries in Team Wilson.

One special moment that was not witnessed by the public was that Parker and Fowles – who finished No. 1 and No. 2 in the 2008 WNBA – took to the podium during their post-match press conference.

When asked about Fowles’ impact on her, Parker – who indicated that this could well be her last season as well but she probably won’t know until the season runs out – gave give a thoughtful answer.

“I’m an adult ‘do as they do and not as they say’ [person] because I think a lot of people say a lot of things,” Parker said. But Syl, man, she does it every day. You know it’s going to be a battle every time you fight her…it’s unbelievable fighting [her] throughout the years. Honestly, I was advised to follow her. She just made me level up my game. “

Parker was also one of Fowles’ biggest cheerleaders as she threw it down in the second quarter.

“It’s mutual,” Fowles said. “Candace is very good. There’s nothing like that I’ve ever seen in a card player. And she wears it every night. I think people don’t recognize her for that.

“Yes, she can win. Yes, she can score. But that’s how she leads. She comes from two different organizations and she leads. That’s what you always have. respect in a player. I love the way she carries herself, well.” – Philippou

Which players stand out the most on Sunday among the young stars?

When she saw that Stewart didn’t pick Plum first in the captains draft, Bird said she was worried, expecting Las Vegas Aces guard to have a big gig in Chicago. That proved to be the case, as Plum added the All-Star MVP Award to her Olympic 3×3 basketball gold medal from last year as one of the highlights of her career so far. This after Plum struggled for the lowest score in Saturday’s 3-point contest.

“Especially [as] Someone saw yesterday, I have to atone,” said Plum. I’m not a cheap shooter. I’m more of a shooter. I am very happy that it was successful.

“I was a kid in a candy store. I was happy to run; I could run up and down the whole time and I would be satisfied.”

Plum, the 2017 No. 1 draft player who turns 28 in August, is having the best season of her WNBA career after finishing as the NCAA career leader when live Washington. She is leading the Aces in points (19.9 points per game) and second in assists (5.7 points per game).

.@sportsiren Sabrina Ionescu’s season break so far, plus what other players do #WNBAAllStar debut ️ pic.twitter.com/JvhhLivivZ

– ESPN (@espn) July 10, 2022

Meanwhile, New York Liberty Guardian Ionescu, another former Pac-12 star and #1 pick, had the perfect weekend. She won Saturday’s challenge of skills when paired with high school player Zoe Brooks and then had six rebounds and six assists on Sunday to go with 19 points from 60 percent shots from the field for Team. Wilson wins.

Ionescu, 24, said: “It’s great; it’s always great to be able to share on the pitch with the best players.” “A lot of us who are young and are new to this tournament have been able to see what these veterans have done and how they conduct themselves on and off the court. They gave us the key. This is where we want to be. Those are big shoes to fill, but everyone does it in their own style and really stays true to who they are.”

Ionescu leads Liberty in points (17.4), rebounds (7.6) and assists (6.3), and she’s had two doubles this season and three in her career. Fans of the “triple watch” are familiar with Ionescu’s college days at Oregon turned to her WNBA career.

“The game is now more fast paced,” says Ionescu. “It’s not really, ‘Let’s get down and run a play every time.” It just gives people more opportunities. “- Voepel

She was overshadowed in the All-Star Game, but Atlanta Dream Rookie Howard, the overall No. 1 pick of 2022, made her presence known throughout the weekend. She has a toned bust in the 3-point shooting competition, forcing Ariel Atkins finished second with 24 points to secure one of three spots in the final round, and then one of seven players to finish with at least 13 points – along with five bounces and four assists – into the Championship. Japan.

What stood out most, however, were the winged compliments older WNBA players gave Howard when asked about her potential. Three point shooting contest winner Allie Quigley even said that she and her wife/teammate Courtney Vandersloot predicted Howard would be Quigley’s toughest contest because of how smooth her jump was.

Parker said: “Rhyne is a beast. “[Las Vegas coach] Becky [Hammon] and I’m talking about Rhyne Howard and how she’s different, like the way she moves, the way she stands up. I know there are little things that the fans don’t see but our players see, like the spin she puts on the ball when she puts it on. She is different. “- Philippou

Who ‘won’ All-Star Weekend? Is there a team or group of players that shines the most?

All in all, it was a great weekend for basketball in the Windy City: The weather in Chicago was beautiful; Quigley, who played here for DePaul in college, she won the fourth 3-point shooting contest on Saturday; Wintrust Arena was sold out for Sunday’s game; and Vandersloot were assistant captains of Team Wilson and were part of the winning team along with Parker. Chicago sky Coach James Wade and two Sky players, Kahleah coin and Emma Meessemanof Team Stewart.

This is the first WNBA All-Star game to be held in Chicago, and the perfect timing is coming as Sky won the league title for the first time in October and is currently in first place.

While Plum leads Team Wilson in points, Connecticut SunJones of Jones, MVP of the WNBA for the 2021 season, will receive the MVP of the 2022 All-Star game if Team Stewart wins. Jones led the Stewie team with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists, and became the first player in WNBA All-Star Game history to score at least 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Jones has played the All-Star game before, in 2017, and she enjoyed Fowles’ dunk on Sunday. Jones – who has the third double in his career, surpassing Tamika Catchings (two) and Yolanda Griffith (two) most in All-Star Game history – said she appreciated what Fowles told her throughout the game.

“She said, ‘You know, you’re next. This is your league,” said Jones, 28. “I definitely don’t take it for granted.” – Voepel

How do 4-point snapshots and other rule changes happen?

The shortened shot meter ensured a good tempo and the elimination of free throws for all, but the last two minutes were a good call, although Parker was fouled with a four-pointer in the final 10 seconds. of the game and getting four shots from the striped charity is pretty funny.

I like the inclusion of 4-point capture areas, because why not. That said, the players made 5 innings of 30 on those shots, with only Jones, 6 feet 6 (!) forward/center, creating multiple times. Players may want to practice more 28-footers leading up to the game in the years to come, but Iowa star Caitlin Clark, a rising junior, was eager for it. – Philippou

4 Points in WNBA All-Star Game >>>> 🙂

– Caitlin Clark (@ CaitlinClark22) July 10, 2022