All-Star festivities offer compelling stories; insight with the 3-point shootout
Jonquel Jones (r.) fires one of her four made 3-pointers in Las Vegas during a WNBA game on June 15. Jones is part of the five-player field who will compete in the 3-point shootout during the WNBA All-Star festivities in Phoenix.
PHOTO: Brandon Todd/New York Liberty
By W.G. RAMIREZ
MANHATTAN, Kansas -- A drive cross country won't keep me from watching the WNBA festivities in Phoenix. I’m looking forward to tonight's 3-point shootout and Skills Challenge, and of course, Saturday’s showdown between the greatest women’s players in the world.
First off, can we give a nod of approval to the WNBA for the best All-Star Weekend of the five major sports? It's really the only All-Star Game worth our time, as the specialty events have been stellar in years past and this year’s spotlight game will be bananas.
This year has to be the most anticipated All-Star Game of any sport in years when we have Team USA facing the WNBA All-Stars, which includes Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark as teammates. The way the WNBA has been on an upswing, and as much as everyone is talking about this weekend, it'll be compelling on every level both Friday and Saturday.
That said, I have some thoughts on the 3-point shootout, even if defending champion Sabrina Ionescu isn't competing. Last year she obliterated the field in Las Vegas. This year she'll watch.
No, Clark won't be in, and I'm fine with it.
I, for one, am not disappointed in Clark bypassing the 3-point shootout. The Rookie of the Year candidate has been pulled in every direction this season, and I can only imagine how much she's looking forward to getting some rest. From the court, from the fans, from the media... she deserves the break.
Instead, we have an impressive field taking the court for the long-range contest, and I have some thoughts.
Let's look at the field, with stats and rankings based on players who have played 20 games. Odds are courtesy of DraftKings:
KAYLA MCBRIDE (+140) - The 11-year veteran could be on her way to a career-best from 3-point range. In 2019, she shot a career-high 42.8% from the long stripe, and she comes into the All-Star Break hitting 42.7% from 3-point range. It's been an impressive run for the Minnesota Lynx star, who is taking 7.1 attempts per game. She's also making 3.0 per contest - tied for the league lead with three others. Her 42.7% clip from 3-range ranks sixth in the league. She closed the first half with 12 treys in her last three games, and it's not shocking she's the favorite.
MARINA MABREY (+320) - Mabrey was traded from Chicago to Connecticut earlier this week, right after she helped the Sky defeat the two-time defending champion Aces in Las Vegas. She may come out with a chip on her shoulder for this one. Mabrey is used to firing a lot of treys, averaging 6.7 attempts per game. For her efforts, she's shooting 38.1% from the floor in 24 games played. Of late, her average of 2.8 made 3-pointers is up a tick from her season-long average of 2.3. She made 11 in her last three before the break. With a chance to prove the Sky mistakenly let their gunner go, she'll be competing with vengeance.
STEFANIE DOLSON (+350) - The Washington Mystics sharpshooter ranks second in the league with 48.5% from long range, but she's also only taking an average of 4.2 from 3-point range each game. Be careful here, as the number might be a trap, looking as if she has a chance, as she's cooled off lately. She opened the season hitting 50% from 3-point range, hitting an average of 2.3 on 4.6 attempts over her first 19 games. But over her last five games, she's hitting only 38.5% (1.0 for 2.6).
ALLISHA GRAY (+600) - Here is the dangerous choice. When Gray is up for individual competition, she's a beast. She just won the Athletes Unlimited championship in March when she was unstoppable. It's been a disappointing season for the Atlanta Dream, and this would help Gray flash her trademark smile by besting the field with her long-range prowess. Gray hits 36% from the floor, in hitting 1.7 of 4.8 from 3-point range. She's had to contend with doing a lot this season, so I suspect she'll be taking in a breath of fresh air Friday night.
JONQUEL JONES (+700) - The former MVP flashed a smile and told the media she'd compete if she got an invite. Then she looked at Ionescu and said she'd beat her, too. Ionescu isn't competing, but the New York Liberty will be well-represented with Jones in this competition. Her 39.6% clip from long range ranks 11th in the league, as she's hitting 1.6 of 4.0 from the 3-point line. She had a nine-game stretch where she was hitting 53.5% from long-range (from June 8 to July 2), but cooled off over the team's last five games, hitting just 2 of 14. Jones is always entertaining at All-Star Weekend.
MY PICK: McBride
THE SLEEPER: Mabrey
THE LONGSHOT: Gray
