On May 14th the WNBA will kick off their 25th season where all 12 teams will be in action. Last month the W held their annual draft which was featured on ESPN.
This summer the league, fans, and basketball world witnessed a lot of player movement. Each team also watched familiar faces leave. The 2021 season is going to be explosive, especially with teams returning to their home arenas after last season’s “Wubble.”
Recently the WNBA revealed the new team uniforms which sparked a lot of excitement around the league. The W has always stood tall when it comes to representing the culture, speaking on social issues, and forcing tough conversations.
In addition to being change agents, WNBA players set the tone as leaders and athletes. Imagine if the WNBA was a soundtrack and each team represented a music group or artist.
Let’s take a look at WNBA teams and who their musical counterparts are in 2021.
Seattle Storm: Wu-Tang Clan
Obviously, the first team on the list is the 2020 World Champion Seattle Storm. This offseason the team said goodbye to two key players who helped the franchise win their last two titles in Alysha Clark and Natasha Howard.
As the Storm enter the 2021 season, they will miss Clark and Howard but they have more than enough depth to adjust. When watching Seattle the first thing that comes to mind is their ball movement.
The 2020 champs are like poetry in motion on the court and Sue Bird is the general making sure everyone is in place. The team is very unselfish and everyone gets a chance to touch the ball.
Seattle’s musical counterpart is none other than the infamous Wu-Tang Clan. Wu-Tang Clan is the most dynamic rap group to ever grace the microphone. The group was ranked as the number one rap group of all time in 2008.
Like Wu-Tang, the Storm can beat you in multiple ways, and any player can have a career night. Every player on the roster has their own swag and personal story.
Song to describe the Storms’ 2021 season: Wu-Tang Clan Aint Nuthing ta F’ Wit
Minnesota Lynx: Queen Latifah
Next in line is the Minnesota Lynx who always find themselves in the conversation to win it all. Despite Minnesota playing without Maya Moore for the last two seasons, the franchise remains competitive.
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeves continues to prepare her team every season. The Lynx are tough, gritty, and do not back down from anyone. During free agency, the team lost Odyssey Sims but signed Kayla McBride and Aerial Powers.
Not to mention the team drafted Rennia Davis out of Tennessee and the 2019 draftee Jessica Shepard may return this season. Minnesota’s musical counterpart is Queen Latifah, who is a legend in the Rap game.
Latifah does not always receive her flowers and is often overlooked. But she has laid down the foundation for MCs across the world. Similar to Latifah the Lynx are legends in the game and are one of the most winningest franchises.
No matter what the team endures they find a way to overcome and persevere just like Queen Latifah who had to navigate a male-dominated industry.
Song to describe the Minnesota Lynx’s 2021 season: Just Another Day
Los Angeles Sparks: Tony! Toni! Tone!
The third team on the list is the Los Angeles Sparks who are coming off of another disappointing playoff exit. Long-time Spark Candace Parker signed with the Chicago Sky in the offseason which is a huge blow. Not to mention Chelsea Gray took her talents to Las Vagas.
Parker helped the Sparks win a title in 2016 and is arguably one of the best players in franchise history. On the flip side, Los Angeles brought in three notable names in Bria Holmes, Erica Wheeler, and Amanda Zahui B.
Despite major changes in the offseason the Sparks have reloaded and look ready for the upcoming season. The Sparks swag and style of play is as cool as the other side of the pillow.
The Sparks musical counterpart is Tony! Toni! Tone! because of their versatility on the floor. Tony! Toni! Tone! had the ability to provide upbeat music as well as the classic slow jam. Los Angeles is the same whether they are running the fast break or playing high low.
Although the team lost Parker and Gray they will be healthy and will have their floor general in Kristi Toliver.
Song to describe the Los Angeles Sparks’ 2021 season: It Never Rains (Southern California)
Washington Mystics: Back Yard Band
At the end of the 2020 season, the Washington Mystics were one shot away from advancing to the second round of the playoffs. The franchise entered the Wubble without their big three in Elena Delle Donne, Natasha Cloud, and Tina Charles.
Washington said goodbye to Powers and LaToya Sanders who announced her retirement during the offseason(now assistant coach). The team added two-time champion, Clark, from the Storm during free agency, which provides defense and shooting.
The fact that the Mystics made the playoffs despite not being at full strength speaks volumes. Even though the franchise didn’t get a fair chance to defend their title the Mystics will be ready for action.
Washington D.C. is behind the Mystics and for that, it’s only right that Back Yard Band is their musical counterpart. GO-GO is very popular in D.C. and explains the culture of the city.
Similar to Back Yard Band the Mystics are multifaceted with their game strategy, plays, and sense of pace. The Mystics have multiple ways to beat you but remain true to their identity. Back Yard Band is one of the legends in the City and has always remained relevant just like the Mystics.
Song to describe the Washington Mystics’ 2021 Season: Everyone Falls in Love Sometimes
Connecticut Sun: Lauren Hill
Last season the Connecticut Sun were one game away from advancing to their second straight WNBA finals. Unfortunately, Connecticut was not able to seal the deal but this season Jonquel Jones will return after sitting out last season.
Connecticut has a strong core of players and continues to make noise in the postseason. Yet, the team is struggling to get over the hump.
Needless to say, as long as the team has Jones, Alyssa Thomas, Jasmine Thomas, and DeWanna Bonner on the floor they will be contenders.
The musical counterpart for Connecticut is the legendary Lauren Hill. Both Hill and the Sun have the ability to weather the storm and handle adversity.
Connecticut has a unique style of play that is different from the rest of the league just like Hill’s unique style of delivery. But both Hill and the Sun have struggled to show up when it matters.
The 25th season could be the season for the Sun to win it all if healthy.
Song to describe the Connecticut Sun’s 2021 season: Ex-Factor
Phoenix Mercury: Jay Z
Last but not least the Phoenix Mercury ended the 2020 season on a sour note as they let up in the second half. One positive takeaway is that they had a chance to advance to the next round despite Brittney Griner not playing.
2021 will be an interesting year for this team considering that this will be the second year Griner, Diana Taurasi, and Skylar Diggins-Smith play together as a big three.
Currently, Taurasi is 38 and could be playing her last season (hope not) and it would be amazing to see the GOAT go out on top. The way that the current roster is constructed a championship appearance is not farfetched.
The Goats
As part one of the music counterparts comes to an end it’s only right to go out with a bang. The Mercury’s music counterpart is Jay Z. Now before you throw your laptop or spill your beverage think about it.
The Mercury have won three championships and have endured major changes as a franchise. Also, Taurasi is arguably the greatest WNBA player to ever play. When healthy the Mercury are very tough to beat and they have a veteran squad.
Jay-Z and the Mercury are similar because of their longevity and ability to change with the times. Both the Mercury and Jay-Z have seen it all and nothing can catch them by surprise. Jay-Z’s timeless punch lines and endless lyricism is like Phoenix’s half-court offense with BG in the post which is unstoppable for the most part.
Stay tuned as the Mercury take the court this season as they try to help the GOAT win her fourth ring.
Song to describe the Phoenix Mercury’s 2021 season: Song Cry
The WNBA season is less than two weeks away and the preseason kicks off this Wednesday. As the 2021 season approaches get your popcorn ready and look out for part two soon. And follow me on Twitter @ZackeryRogers13.
