Now entering their twelfth season as a franchise, the Indiana Fever still are looking for their first WNBA Championship.
Today is the start of what appears to be another promising season. It’s training camp—time to institute plays, defensive sets and trim the roster from fifteen to eleven.
The WNBA has been wacky in how it sets the schedule the last half-dozen years. Some years the regular season starts in early May and most of the players aren’t back in the United States yet.
Most of the players play overseas during the WNBA offseason because the pay is a lot greater and it also allows them to keep playing. For the average player, the WNBA season goes from late May to early September—nearly four months. Therefore it is only practical for them to play overseas to earn a better living.
Most admit, they don’t play in the WNBA for the money but rather the chance to play in the US league and in front of family and friends.
All but recent acquisition Erin Phillips are in town. Phillips is schedule to arrive on Wednesday.
Nonetheless, training camp is later this year, allowing for all the players to take part in training camp. This is important for a multitude of reasons. First, more time together gives the team more time to gel. It is important from the outset to be comfortable with everyone and be on the same page. In previous years, four of the starters weren’t even back in time for the first preseason game and that was a shame. A big setback.
Second, it allows the coaching staff time to completely evaluate the talent. Due to budget cuts, the league has cut down on number of players allowed multiple times. The maximum is set at eleven, and that won’t be easy. That means many players that are very capable of playing but not fit for the system will be without a team. Rough life. With more time, the coaches can decide where they need the most help and who has the potential to make the biggest impact.
And finally, it gives these year-round players time to recuperate and recover. It is no easy task playing all year to earn a living. Not even the NBA players do it. Their games are from late October to mid-April. Their bodies need time to rest, heal and be rejuvenated for another run. Plus, with a handful of players with over 10 years of experience, they will take all the rest they can get.
The Indiana Fever training camp will be challenging because many are vying for the competitive roster spots. By my quick count, I believe six players have guaranteed spots and another three are highly probable. Thus, there are only two or three spots left for seven players.
It’s time for the players to prove what they can bring to floor and show they are deserving.
Indiana plays at Minnesota on May 24th and then hosts the Lynx on the 31st before trimming the regular season roster by June 4th.