WNBA Recap: Lady of Magic

Wassup y’all! Ya boy (it me, ya boy) is back with another WNBA Recap. As the regular season winds down, let’s take a look at a couple highlighted things around the W. 

This post will be mostly dedicated to two-time MVP and consensus best player in the W, A’ja Wilson. Now, those who faithfully watch the W will already know all the superlatives that come with the way A’ja plays. So this won’t be a running just of her baby, baby achievements and abilities. Instead this is a perspective based around three broader view of 2024—which starts with the end of the 2023 season. 

For most, A’ja at the very least was a runner-up for the 2023 regular season MVP. Instead, she finished third in voting—with one infamous fourth-place vote—keeping get from winning her third MVP award. Rather than allow that slight to send her game into a rut, A’ja led the Aces to their second-straight championship. Then, she adds on with this season by having a record-breaking scoring season while maintaining her elite defensive play. She has scored the most points in a single WNBA season with still a handful of games to go. I didn’t even mention her being the Most Outstanding Player is the Summer Olympics and a big reason why Team USA won their eighth straight gold medal.

One of the things I about people who push for greatness, especially professional athletes, is the ability to mentally lock in and unlock a higher level of ability, productivity and focus—and everyone can see it. There is no denying that A’ja Wilson has elevated her play even beyond being the MVP she’s already been. There’s something admirable about not letting negativity hinder anything about ones progress towards their own desires. Everyone wants to be better at whatever it is they pursue. But it is natural for negativity to make us stumble and falter along the way. For A’ja to all but guarantee her third MVP when it’s very easy to lament the fact it is not her fourth, is commendable and a lesson in maintaining focus and intention with a purpose. Her 2024 has been wonderful to witness. 

Till Takes as the season winds down! 

• Another single season record fell recently as Dearica Hamby of the Los Angeles Sparks is the new leader in rebounds for the franchise. Hamby surpassed Hall of Famer and living legend Lisa Leslie in a game against the Seattle Storm.
• I do not know who will win the WNBA championship this year. There are more contenders than the have been in recent years. But what I do know is that the Minnesota Lynx will be a tough out during the playoffs. They have the W’s best defense and okay with crisp ball movement and spacing. Led by Olympian Napheesa Collier and veteran Courtney Williams, they are a formidable team and will make any series long and arduous.
• I’d be remiss if I don’t acknowledge the passing of music legend Frankie Beverly. The title of this post is a song by him and the band Maze, and I felt it appropriate to use given the main subject matter of it. I’ve if the best and most profound lines in song is at the begging of the record, “Happy Feelin’s”: “I’ve got myself to remind me of love.” May you all remember that, and from deep in my soul, I wish you happy feelings. 

That’s it for this WNBA Recap. As always, support Montgomery & Co. h checking out this site as well as the podcast. We’ll catch up next time.