The 2020 WNBA season will be tipping off soon; it will be like no other season due to the global pandemic. WNBA teams will be playing in a bubble down in Florida. It will be a 22-game season with full playoffs. I am going to look into possible WNBA MVP candidates for the bubble season. Before you freak out on why Elena Delle Donne is not on the list. It is because I don’t think she will play this season.
Breanna Stewart Seattle Storm
Breanna Stewart is returning from a severe Achilles injury, but she looks fully recovered when healthy Stewart is one of the best players in the WNBA. She won WNBA MVP and WNBA Finals MVP in her last full season played in 2018. Stewart is a player that can do it all of the court score, rebound, and defend. In 2018, Stewart averaged 21.8 points, 8.4 rebounds per game on 52% shooting from the field, and 41% shooting from three. With point guard Sue Bird coming back, it could help Stewart’s chances as well.
A’ja Wilson Las Vegas Aces
A’ja Wilson is primed for a great season with Liz Cambage not playing this season; it will allow Wilson more space to work down in the post. Also, the addition of Angel McCoughtry will help Wilson see less double teams. Last season, Wilson averaged 16.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. I think both those averages will go up this season with Cambage out. It not far fetched for Wilson to average 20 and 10 this season. Expect Wilson to get a lot of touches this season and lead the Aces into the playoffs.
Diana Taurasi Phoenix Mercury
If Diana Taurasi is healthy, she is the best player in the WNBA. Last season Taurasi battled through a lot of injuries and played in just six games. It is crazy that Taurasi has only won the WNBA MVP one time in her career. I think she will be motivated to come off an injury and playing with Skylar Diggins-Smith will help her a lot as well. Taurasi will not have to work as hard on offense; Diggins-Smith will be able to find her in transition and half-court sets. In Taurasi’s last full season, she averaged 20.7 per game, i can’t wait to see her on the court again at full strength.
Brittney Griner Phoenix Mercury
As long Brittney Griner is in the WNBA, she will always be an MVP candidate. At 6’8, Griner controls the paint on the offensive and defensive end. Last season she averaged 20.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. Griner has never won WNBA MVP before, but this season Griner could have an excellent chance. Playing with Diggins-Smith will help Griner get touches in spots she likes in the post. With Taurasi healthy and Diggins-Smith on the roster, Griner could see less double teams.
Diamond DeShields Chicago Sky
For my dark horse candidate, I have Diamond DeShields. In her second season, DeShields put up good numbers with 16.2 points and 5.5 points per game. But she only shot 39% from the field and 31% from beyond the arc. If DeShields can improve her efficiency, her points per game will go up as well as her shooting percentage. The Chicago Sky has an excellent team and will need DeShields to take her game to an MVP level to succeed in the playoffs. DeShields is very athletic; she needs to be more efficient. It will be interesting to see if she can improve her shot.
Other possible MVP winners for this season are: Nneka Ogwumike and DeWanna Bonner.
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