Phoenix trades Plenette Pierson...fans and others question the decision. However, the decision is a smart one, for several reasons.
1) Phoenix needed to waive a player. Every WNBA general manager knew Maria Stepanova is in Phoenix for the first time since the 2002 preseason. Phoenix needed to waive a player to make room for Espionage Barbie. At least there is a draft pick to show for it.
2) Phoenix can now protect an additional player for the expansion draft in 2006. If teams are allowed to protect six players, Phoenix can protect Diana Taurasi, Anna DeForge, Penny Taylor, Maria Stepanova, and Kamila Vodichkova, plus an additional player (Shereka Wright, Sandora Irvin, or Angelina Williams). And Chicago probably will not take Gwen Jackson, given she just tore her ACL. Phoenix can keep its youthful core in tact.
3) Phoenix had to pay the injured Gwen Jackson regardless. Trading Plenette Pierson and subsequently waiving Andrea Stinson cleared over $40,000 in salary cap space.
4) Don't knock the second round draft selection in 2006. Detroit is only one-half game out of fifth place in the East. The draft choice could be a relatively high one...or it could be used as part of a trade package next season.
5) Pierson put up decent numbers in 2004, but teams have figured out she only has one post move (catch the ball in the lane, drop step, turn over the shoulder). Her face-up game is erratic, her rebounding efforts are inconsistent, and she repeatedly makes silly mistakes (e.g., shooting with three defenders under the basket and 20 seconds left on the shot clock, instead of passing to the open Mercury players). Moreover, she simply does not pass the ball out of the post and cannot handle double teams (2.67 turnovers per game).
6) Pierson had a reputation for being a malcontent and having attitude problems at Texas Tech. She was suspended in her junior year, but did play her senior year. But she has yet to figure out she is not a star in the WNBA. She will not have the luxury of receiving the benefit of the doubt from the officials. She is not an All-Star, and she will not average double-digit points for the season. Yet she (somehow) believed she was entitled to be one of the top offensive options on a team with two Olympians, another All-Star, and a starter on a WNBA championship team. Couple this with her 34 percent shooting from the floor, and the Mercury have achieved addition by subtraction.
When you figure what Maria Stepanova can contribute, there can be no question this player personnel transaction makes Phoenix a better team.
1) Phoenix needed to waive a player. Every WNBA general manager knew Maria Stepanova is in Phoenix for the first time since the 2002 preseason. Phoenix needed to waive a player to make room for Espionage Barbie. At least there is a draft pick to show for it.
2) Phoenix can now protect an additional player for the expansion draft in 2006. If teams are allowed to protect six players, Phoenix can protect Diana Taurasi, Anna DeForge, Penny Taylor, Maria Stepanova, and Kamila Vodichkova, plus an additional player (Shereka Wright, Sandora Irvin, or Angelina Williams). And Chicago probably will not take Gwen Jackson, given she just tore her ACL. Phoenix can keep its youthful core in tact.
3) Phoenix had to pay the injured Gwen Jackson regardless. Trading Plenette Pierson and subsequently waiving Andrea Stinson cleared over $40,000 in salary cap space.
4) Don't knock the second round draft selection in 2006. Detroit is only one-half game out of fifth place in the East. The draft choice could be a relatively high one...or it could be used as part of a trade package next season.
5) Pierson put up decent numbers in 2004, but teams have figured out she only has one post move (catch the ball in the lane, drop step, turn over the shoulder). Her face-up game is erratic, her rebounding efforts are inconsistent, and she repeatedly makes silly mistakes (e.g., shooting with three defenders under the basket and 20 seconds left on the shot clock, instead of passing to the open Mercury players). Moreover, she simply does not pass the ball out of the post and cannot handle double teams (2.67 turnovers per game).
6) Pierson had a reputation for being a malcontent and having attitude problems at Texas Tech. She was suspended in her junior year, but did play her senior year. But she has yet to figure out she is not a star in the WNBA. She will not have the luxury of receiving the benefit of the doubt from the officials. She is not an All-Star, and she will not average double-digit points for the season. Yet she (somehow) believed she was entitled to be one of the top offensive options on a team with two Olympians, another All-Star, and a starter on a WNBA championship team. Couple this with her 34 percent shooting from the floor, and the Mercury have achieved addition by subtraction.
When you figure what Maria Stepanova can contribute, there can be no question this player personnel transaction makes Phoenix a better team.
posted by Barry at 3:00 PM
