Snubbing Lindsay is ABSURD

Nancy Lieberman talks about Lindsay Whalen's non-inclusion in that blasted All-Star Game on July 9, 4pm Eastern Time.

Through 14 games, Whalen is averaging 11.5 points, 5.6 assists and 4.8 rebounds in almost 32 minutes per contest. She shoots 44 percent from the field, 85 percent at the foul line. The only knock on her stat line is a 1-for-13 performance from downtown, but Whalen ranks tied third in assists per game and total assists (79).

Months ago, I used to hate Lindsay Whalen because she's one of those really good players that steal a lot of attention. I am a Sue Bird fan. No doubt that Sue might be the best point guard in the WNBA, there's a certain calm about her and her leadership skills cannot be questioned. She's a consummate leader, a great passer who makes everybody around her better players. She's got the best pull-up jumper from the foul-line.

But Lindsay Whalen sure has got mad skills. I ain't gonna take that away. And so far, she's successfully quarterbacking the Connecticut Sun team to a dominating 12-2 record (1st in the league). She can penetrate, kick out crisp passes, and it doesn't hurt that she's got great teammates surrounding her. Maybe it's because she's got great help that's why she's doing so great herself, unlike Sue who transforms her teammates for the better, but Sue is Sue and Lindsay is Lindsay. The two are different players, in their play, in their personality (thank goodness they're not thuggish like the spOrks).

Lindsay's got talent, she's performing so much that it's really absurd to leave her off the East Roster (thank God, she's in the East, or else the reality of making it to the West Roster is very dim).

Months ago, I hated Lindsay Whalen.

Now, she is my favorite Non-Storm point guard together with Becky Hammon of the NY Liberty (who by the way should just play her natural position --> shooting guard).

Months ago, I hate Lindsay Whalen.

But I cannot stomach the fact that those blasted Eastern Coast Coaches failed to include her in the All-Star festivities. Lindsay Whalen deserved to be an All-Star.

It's just so sad that all the others don't think so.

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Lieberman also included something on Betty.

In the West, it was surprising to see Seattle's Betty Lennox omitted. Last year's WNBA Finals MVP is having another solid season, and should be joining Storm teammates Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson in Connecticut.

But I beg to disagree. Betty Lennox is not having a solid season (save this morning's game against Phoenix where she got a double-double but the rest of the team did nothing). Prior to the embarassing Phoenix loss, Betty was in a slump. Things started downhill for her after Seattle Point Guard Sue Bird got her nose and cheek broken by an errant Lauren Jackson elbow. Lennox was pushed into quarterbacking the team, a position that wasn't her game. She is a shooting guard, streaky as one might say, and she just isn't a point guard. Anyway, trying to orchestrate the offense took the bulk of her mind and so her shooting suffered. Pre-broken-nose-and-cheek, Lennox's mentality was just score-score-score. After that woeful and depressing accident to Bird, she has had to make a decision whether to pass or to shoot. Hesitation leads to turnovers.

But no, I'm not saying that Betty shouldn't be an All-Star. And I will go as far as saying that they should knock Leslie off the list (heehee) because three centers on the roster is also an absurd idea. But sadly, she and the rest of the Storm aren't very consistent this season.