Let's talk about the Golden State Valkyries and their impressive start to the new WNBA season. The team, which made waves last year as an expansion squad, has already addressed some of its key weaknesses and is looking like a real force to be reckoned with.
The Offense is on Fire
In just two games, the Valkyries have shown a remarkable improvement in their offensive output. They currently rank fifth in points per game and an impressive third in offensive rating. What's even more intriguing is that they've achieved this while maintaining a slow and deliberate pace, which was a stark contrast to their shooting struggles last season.
3-Point Shooting: The X-Factor
One of the biggest changes we're seeing is the team's newfound confidence from beyond the arc. The Valkyries have upped their 3-point attempts, with Janelle Salaun leading the charge. She's taking a whopping 8.0 attempts per game and has a scorching 56.3% success rate. While it's unlikely she'll maintain this hot streak, her past performance suggests she can be a consistent 40% shooter, which is a huge boost for the team.
The ability to stretch the floor with Salaun's shooting opens up opportunities for Laeticia Amihere to dominate inside. Amihere, who has been coming off the bench, is expected to soon take over the starting role from Kiah Stokes, as she already played more minutes in the recent game against the Mercury.
The Speculative Side
However, there's a speculative element to this success. The team's reliance on Kayla Thornton and Gabby Williams to maintain their current 3-point shooting percentages is a bit of a gamble. Thornton, a career 32.1% shooter, is currently at 42.9%, while Williams, a 27.8% career shooter, is at 35.7%. While Salaun's consistency is more assured, the team's offensive success truly hinges on these two players sustaining their current form.
Early Promise, Big Potential
Despite the small sample size, the early indicators are positive. If the Valkyries can keep this up, they're not just looking at a return to the postseason but could be fighting for home-court advantage in the first round. It's an exciting prospect, and one that many fans and analysts didn't see coming after their expansion season.
A Deeper Look
What makes this particularly fascinating is the team's ability to adapt and improve so quickly. It speaks to the talent and coaching within the organization. The addition of players like Williams and the strategic use of players like Salaun and Amihere showcase a team that's thinking creatively and effectively. This early success could be a sign of bigger things to come for the Golden State Valkyries, and I, for one, am excited to see how their season unfolds.
