The Case for Queen Phee for MVP
This year in the W the level of play has been supreme. It has been building for the last few years but right now with all the eyes on the league, the players of the W are impressing.
A’ja Wilson
Wilson has been darn right dominant. She is top five in the following categories.
#1 in scoring at 26.6 ppg
#1 in block at 2.7 bpg
#2 in rebounds at 11.9 rpg
#3 in steals at 2 spg
Wilson has also accomplished the following:
WNBA record streak of scoring 20 or more points a game dating back to last year
First in WNBA history to record 20+ pts and 15+ rebs in three straight games
On pace to set the record for most points per game
18 double-doubles
It is undeniable on an individual level Wilson is putting up historic numbers. The problem is Las Vegas is not winning at the level they have grown accustomed to during their run of dominance.
The Aces sit fourth in the standings, tied with Seattle, seven games back from New York. This team is treading water. The early season struggles could easily be blamed on Chelsea Gray’s absence but post-Olympic break the Aces are 2-3.
Wilson is not to blame for the Aces’ poor performance post-Olympics. She is averaging an impressive 23.4 ppg/ 11.6 rpg/ 2.2 apg. But she is only shooting 45.7% from the field and 20% from three-point land.
Those three losses have been by an average of 12 points.
Las Vegas does not have it right now. The Aces are a combined 2-5 against the Liberty, Sun, and Lynx. An MVP on a superteam with four Olympians should elevate her team against the top three in the league but that is not happening.
Napheesa Collier
Collier and her Lynx teammates have been the best in the West this year. The Lynx currently are the third seed in the W and with the easiest remaining schedule post-Olympic break, I don’t see them falling.
Collier has been the MVP on her team and the MVP of the Commissioner'sCup.
Collier is currently in the top five in the following categories:
#4 in scoring at 21.1 ppg
#3 in rebounding at 10 rpg
#2 in steals at 2.1 spg
To go with 14 double-doubles and 3.6 assists per game. Individually Collier is not putting up the numbers that Wilson has but is right behind her.
An MVP should be the most valuable player on a winning team. The Lynx are 5-0 post-Olympic break with two wins over Vegas, two over Washington, and one over Indiana. They aren’t just winning but convincingly by an average margin of 12.2 points.
Collier has averaged 25.6 ppg/ 9.2 rpg/3.4 apg while shooting 66.2% from the field and 42.1% from behind the arc during those last five games.
Collier has simply been the best player, on one of the top three teams. The Lynx are a combined 6-4 against the Liberty, Sun, and Aces. Including two road victories in Vegas and defeating the Liberty in New York to take home the Commissioner's Cup.
Past MVP’s
Let’s look at the last three MVP winners.
Breanna Stewart 2023
#2 in scoring
#3 in rebounding
#2 seed
A’ja Wilson 2022
#2 in scoring
#6 in rebounding
#1 seed
Jonquel Jones
#4 in scoring
#1 in rebounding
#1 seed
As you can see, individual numbers are great but winning, wins this award. The Aces are in danger of finishing fifth in the standings. This means no homecourt advantage for the entire playoffs unless there is a major upset.
For me it is simple, Queen Phee is the league’s MVP. She finished fourth last year in MVP voting, so this is not out of the blue. Her team should finish as the number two seed and is my favorite to win the WNBA Championship.
Queen Phee here is to you!
