New post: an in-depth breakdown of all the stats and film on the Golden State Valkyries zone defense, and a quick look at the @valkyries shot selection (spoiler: threes). Also, an early WNBA soundbyte of the year contender.

Didn't talk about her defense too much, and the rim protection/shot-blocking comes first to mind, but Wilson's sheer length gave GSV problems on the perimeter. Hilarious deflection possession (another one on the next pass) and one where I think the length deterred the entry pass.

Vegas with as efficient a counter as any team has shown to GSV's usual end-of-quarter "Punch" double-team:

Couple of clips that didn't make it: Valkyries had some efficiency going against Megan Gustafson in high pick-and-roll, with less fluid Vegas switching:

"Wilson!" . How the Aces cast away the Valkyries, with a plot featuring a lot of zone-beating on the court and on the offensive glass, a ton of free throws, some missed three. Starring A'ja Wilson:

"The calls have to be consistent" - @NatalieNakase

If you liked this thread, you'll like the Substack. If you didn't like the thread, you'll like the Substack a little more.

That’s all, folks. Take a drink for every ���free throw” or “foul” mention in the post-game presser.

Ideal zone beater from LVA. The elbow flare from the weakside enables the flare screen to hit home as the Aces overload the top two players with three of their own. Big shot from Lloyd.

Credit where it's due! Smith gets a strip in the backend. Wouldn't mind Leite being a touch more patient, like Hayes was just before, attacking in the empty PnR off the stack exit, but good hands from Smith to strip Temi on the roll.

Smith in the backend of the PnR once again, and Hayes hits her with a hesi for an and-one. Free money once again.

No match here, just regular 2-3, and Vegas goes for double weakside flare screens into a Jewell Lloyd baseline midrange fade, which she hits. Charles in the game in crunch time again.

Valks absolutely matching Temi to Wilson in the zone looks. OREB allowed. Aces miss a corner three off the jump.

Clear out iso for Carla Leite off the offensive rebound. Pretty much had to win the non-A'ja Wilson minutes: now begins the endgame.

Another three for LVA off a flare screen, just like the previous game. GSV's had creeping issues with that; as a heavy low-helper team, the flare opens up a corner shooter on the weakside. Wilson takes advantage as GSV looks to help against her.

Yet another zone look vs. the Aces SLOB, and it still looks as if GSV is shading against Wilson in their 2-3. The old zone achilles heel of rebounding kicks in here, and Young hits the three. GSV wins this challenge, no and-one.

Zone beater: A'ja Wilson.

Valks continue to go zone vs. LVA SLOBs, and it works again, forcing a shot clock violation. Teams have generally refused to do anything against GSV's zone, like overloading one size, setting less than halfheated flare screens, etc. Easy money.

Halftime: A'ja Wilson has been the difference-maker in this game. Absolutely incredible. GSV tried their patented late-clock double, but LVA was prepared and hit a corner three; Valks got two back on the other end to cut it to 43-38 at half. Tough possession from Leite here.

The audio for this clip would be misleading. First-round caliber iso from Hayes, bucket. Vegas continuing to switch.

GSV looked more aligned when Kaila Charles pushed over on the baseline of the zone, keeping Temi on A'ja Wilson, compared to Rupert and Salaün adhering to the usual responsibilities and Wilson getting a hi-lo two. Wonder if they toggle that fully in the zone.