2016 WNBA Season Preview: Dallas Wings


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2015 Record
18-16
Lost in Conference Semifinals

Key Offseason Moves
Signed Skylar Diggins to contract extension
Traded Riquna Williams to Los Angeles in exchange for Erin Phillips
Re-signed Glory Johnson and Vicki Baugh

Draft Picks
R1, P5 – Aerial Powers, F, Michigan State
R2, P7 – Ruth Hamblin, C, Oregon State
R3, P6 – Shakena Richardson, G, Seton Hall

Change is nothing new for the Dallas Wings franchise. When the team was founded in 1998 they were the Detroit Shock. In 2010 the team was moved to Tulsa but retained the same name. Now, in 2016 the team has moved again, this time to Dallas, and this time with a whole new brand behind it.

The franchise brings with it a tradition of success. The Detroit Shock racked up four Conference titles and three WNBA championships in the mid-2000s, when they were home to greats like Swin Cash, Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith. But they hit a rough patch from 2010-14, falling short of the playoffs in their first five seasons in Tulsa.

Last year they made a return to the playoffs, persevering through some trying times. The team enjoyed its best season in six years despite superstar guard Skylar Diggins playing only the first nine games. Diggins suffered a torn ACL during a game that brought the Shock’s record to 8-1 at the time.

The two-time All-Star was drafted out of Notre Dame in 2013 and immediately made an impact with a team that was desperate to return to its winning ways. Diggins is an absolute blur on the court, and plays the guard position with an athletic ferocity that makes her a nightmare to guard.

“Skylar has a great basketball IQ and provides a real spiritual presence both on and off the floor. She makes everyone around her better,” said head coach Fred Williams.

Although the group did have Diggins’ basketball intellect from the sidelines, they were without her 17.8 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game output on a given night. Even so, they were still able to make the Conference Semifinals on the strength of a total team effort. Second-year guard Odyssey Sims and sixth-year forward/center Courtney Paris picked up the slack, and veteran Plenette Pierson enjoyed a resurgence that included the first All-Star appearance of her 13-year career.

https://youtu.be/S8bBKPgC1AY

Sims, Diggins’ backcourt running mate, led the team in scoring with 16.0 points and dished out 3.8 assists. On the other side of the floor, Paris held down the paint, leading the WNBA in rebounding at 9.3 boards per game while also swatting 1.2 shots. Collectively, the team rallied despite losing their superstar, and actually took the first steps to becoming a powerhouse in the WNBA once again.

The next big step the Wings took came this offseason when the team drafted Aerial Powers with the fifth overall pick. Powers is a versatile forward from Michigan State who is set to make an immediate impact from Day 1 and provide a viable third option to Dallas’ elite backcourt. She has already showcased her diverse skill set as she dropped 17 points in the Wings’ first preseason game, which was her first taste of WNBA action.

“Aerial has a lot of potential to do a lot great things in this league,” said Williams. “I’m looking for her to compete with the veterans and really be a contributor. In fact, she’s already done that in preseason. So I’m expecting a lot from her this year.”

Overall, the Wings have all the pieces to make a deep playoff run in 2016. Last season Dallas ranked third in the WNBA in points per game (77.7) while also committing the second-fewest turnovers per game (12.6). With a healthy backcourt pairing of Diggins and Sims, Paris presiding over the post, and an injection of youthful energy from Powers, this team is going to be able to put up points in a hurry.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing Skylar and Odyssey together in the backcourt again. I think both players can’t wait to see what they can accomplish this season,” Williams said. “With every team, you look forward to that championship run and in every city this team has been in they’ve seen success. We’re just looking to put ourselves in position for a playoff run and continue the success this team has had here in Dallas.”