W.N.B.A. Preview: With Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty Hit Refresh – The New York Times

Indiana Fever Coach Marianne Stanley smiled when she saw her teams season schedule.
The very first matchup protests the Washington Mystics, the safeguarding W.N.B.A. champs– and her old squad.
” I dont understand if that was by style by the league or what– possibly– however yes, Im really knowledgeable about Washington, clearly, but its interesting,” Stanley said. “I told our group, you know you only get to be a champ if you play the champ, and so the course for our growth and to the playoff and championship rounds is to play teams like Washington. What better way to start the season?”
Stanley, a member of the Womens Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn., who had been a Mystics assistant coach given that 2010, is now at the helm of a strong mix of proven veterans and young, promising skill.
Dont call it a reconstruct. This group is seeking to compete now.
They certainly have the pieces: Returning veterans, consisting of Candice Dupree, Teaira McCowan and Victoria Vivians– back after sitting out last season with an A.C.L. tear– and a backcourt featuring Kelsey Mitchell, Erica Wheeler and Tiffany Mitchell. Also on tap is the 2020 No. 3 overall pick, Lauren Cox, and guard Julie Allemand.
However an uphill climb awaits: Their last gaining season was 2015, they havent reached the postseason because 2016 and they finished last year ranked 4th in the East at 13-21.
Regardless, Stanley remains concentrated.
” We want to develop a culture of winning and a culture of gamers playing hard and playing together. I would anticipate you will see us improve each time we go out there,” she stated. “Thats what great groups do, what championship teams do.”