WNBA Awards

Let's talk WNBA awards.  Saw some numbers on DK and wanted to see people think here.

MVP: Collier (-350): Think she probably wins even with the injury that will sideline her two weeks. Alyssa Thomas now +300

Most Improved: Allisha Gray (+200): Talking with someone who follows the league he tells me this is a steal. Is that accurate?  Azura Stevens is second choice at +250

Coach of the Year: Nate Tibbetts (+300):  Very intriguing because if the Valkyries don't fall off a cliff, Natalie Nakase at +350 seems like the play.  Even if Valkyries don't make the playoffs, she has a real shot.

Sixth Player:  Naz Hillmon the favorite at +175 with Jessica Shepard at +400.  Real movement of late on DeWanna Bonner to +500.

 Nakase down to +225 for COTY.  If Golden State doesn't implode, she is winning that award.  Gray is looking great, too.

Natalie Nakase has a great shot but I think they need to make the playoffs for her to win. My opinion it will be between Seattle and GS for the 8th spot. Should come down to the wire. 

I was looking at possibly Seattle to not make the playoffs at +650. Kind of a shot but value at those odds. Between Sparks, GS, and Seattle for that last spot. I think Sparks make the playoffs. Seattle is the better team with more talent but the coach sucks. 

Other than that I stopped playing NBA/WNBA futures on players. Injuries have crushed my plays over the years. 

@MrFreedo

 I hear ya when it comes to injuries. Collier will still win MVP but she went from -2000 to -350 with her injury. Shows how quickly things change.

@CKP22

I saw Wemby -2500 dopy, Cade -500 mip, and CC was -300 earlier all get injured and toast lol. I think Bonner has no shot at 6poy. Gray if already the front runner might be worth a shot if she doesn’t regress even though I don’t think she’s improved a ton since last year but if Dream keep winning it will look good. 

Where we stand as of Aug. 28

MVP: Collier (-600): Up from -300 a few weeks ago as she has returned.

Most Improved: Veronika Burton (-300). Big shift as Allisha Gray was the +200 favorite on Aug. 12.

Coach of the Year: Natalie Nakase (-130) has ascended to the favorite after being +350 on Aug. 12. Reeve is the second choice at +300.  I missed the boat but did grab some Nakase at +175 and +125.  

Sixth Player:  Naz Hillmon remains the favorite at +140, down from at +175 on Aug. 12. Jessica Shepard at +200 is the second choice.

DPOY: A'Ja Wilson now the firm favorite at -170, followed by Alanna Smith (+350), Collier (+450) and Gabby Williams (+900).  Wilson won't win MVP so I see her getting this honor.  Williams odds should be lower.

I really don’t understand how Naz is the favourite for 6poy. She has started the last 11 games for Atlanta and probably continues to start for them the rest of the season. 

Shepard is getting similar attention for how she filled in with Collier hurt. 

Bonner has been surprisingly good off the bench in PHX, but that’s mostly just in the month of August. 

In my opinion, the best bench player over the course of the season has been Natisha Heideman. I don’t expect her to win the award, but I think she’s had the most consistent impact off the bench (0 starts) of any player this season. 

@MrFreedo

 FWIW, Allisha Gray career high in eFg%, points, rebounds, and assists. Compared to last year she is up 3 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist per game. The real improvement is in the consistency, which won’t show in averages. Less highs and lows from her than any other year. Atlanta has been able to depend on her scoring most nights and that’s the real improvement. Still, I expect Burton to get this one.