Points of View: Top Playmakers
In the first
of an ongoing series leading up to the season, WNBA players go around the league
and call out the best in the business. From scorers to shooters to creative passers,
we get to the heart of the matter to answer some big questions. In this edition,
we look at some of the top playmakers in the game to find out just what makes
a good playmaker? In short, it's all about the ability to create for yourself
and your teammates. Basically, it's all about making plays. Helen
Darling, Charlotte Sting
"I like to think that I'm a good playmaker
as far as getting to the hole, creating, kicking it out or whatever. Lindsay Whalen
is a great playmaker off of the screen-and-roll and deadly in the open court.
I like Nikki Teasley and Temeka Johnson, as little as she is, she is a great playmaker."
Becky
Hammon, New York Liberty
"Deanna Nolan. She can do a variety of things,
she can pass, she can score, she can create her own shot, she rebounds, and she
just makes plays."
Betty
Lennox, Seattle Storm
"I think Lindsay Whalen does a great job of that.
She is going to be one of the great point guards in this league for a long time.
She is developing really well and I think she does an excellent job of setting
up her players. She is not a selfish point guard, but will turn down a shot in
order to find a higher percentage shot. I also think Sue Bird does a great job
of that as well. She finds her teammates so well and knows when and when not to
take the shots. As far as creating, Sheryl Swoopes is not a point guard, but she
can create. You also have Betty Lennox who is able to create."
Kristen
Mann, Minnesota Lynx
"The first person that comes to mind for me is
Tan White. I know she schooled us last year when we played them and she's on the
highlight shows all the time."
Kelly
Miller, Phoenix Mercury
"I think of players like Ticha Penicheiro,
Lindsay Whalen and Becky Hammon as big playmakers for their teams."
Ruth
Riley, Detroit Shock
"I'm going to be biased and say Deanna Nolan,
because she's a player that's so talented in a one-on-one situation, and I think
Sheryl Swoopes, she's had the experience of being a playmaker for so long, and
Tamika Catchings, because she can play just about any position so she's a playmaker
at 1 through 5."
Lindsay
Whalen, Connecticut Sun
"Temeka Johnson, Sue Bird, Deanna Nolan, I
think Tweety gets in the lane so well, I had to guard her last year, sometimes
I didn't have a clue where she was going, she's a phenomenal player. Deanna Nolan,
she can pretty much do it all, Taurasi is a playmaker, with her ability to get
a shot off or make a play."
