The Laces' secret weapon is already hinting at a championship destiny! When Unrivaled's inaugural season kicked off, the Laces boasted one of the most formidable rosters around. However, a string of injuries prevented them from reaching their full potential. Despite some significant roster adjustments, the Laces have managed to assemble a veteran squad centered around Jackie Young and Alyssa Thomas, and they are now truly living up to their immense promise. Currently, they're leading the league with an impressive 5-1 record. They've only stumbled once, against the Mist, but have managed to defeat both of last season's finalists.
It's not really a surprise that the Laces are excelling. Their starting lineup, featuring Brittney Sykes, Jackie Young, and Alyssa Thomas, is an absolute two-way powerhouse. Each of these players possesses the ability to score in multiple ways, create scoring opportunities for their teammates, and effectively guard players across various positions.
But here's where it gets truly interesting: the Laces' depth might just be the ultimate key to a successful championship run. They boast one of the most productive benches in Unrivaled, which is a huge advantage for Coach Andrew Wade. This allows him to rest his star starters without a significant drop-off in performance on the court. Furthermore, a deep bench acts as a crucial safety net, ready to step in when injuries or foul trouble inevitably strike the starting three. This depth was evident even before the season began, and six games in, it's clearly living up to its potential.
The Laces’ bench has been nothing short of spectacular through the first six games.
Leading the charge off the bench are Jordin Canada, Naz Hillmon, and Maddy Siegrist, offering a compelling blend of seasoned experience, youthful energy, athletic prowess, and versatile two-way play.
Jordin Canada, a two-time WNBA champion and a two-time member of the All-Defensive First Team, is a seasoned point guard. She led the WNBA in steals in both 2019 and 2023, showcasing her exceptional defensive capabilities and playmaking vision. She brings a calm and experienced presence to both ends of the floor. Naz Hillmon, who was honored as Sixth Player of the Year last season, has significantly expanded her offensive game by adding a reliable 3-point shot. She also contributed to her team's gold medal victory at the 3x3 AmeriCup this past summer. Maddy Siegrist, the youngest on the Laces' roster, brings a valuable combination of size, efficient interior scoring, and the ability to stretch the floor.
Together, this dynamic trio has been averaging an impressive 23.9 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in the first six games. In their most recent victory against the Hive, Canada, Hillmon, and Siegrist were instrumental, contributing 38 of the team's 70 points and a remarkable 21 of its 43 rebounds.
Currently, the Laces' bench unit is leading the entire league in overall production. However, they're facing some stiff competition. With Kahleah Copper back in action and Lexie Hull now on the Rose’s bench, the trio of Hull, Shakira Austin, and Sug Sutton could certainly challenge the Laces' bench dominance. Phantom BC is also seeing significant contributions from Kiki Iriafen and Natasha Cloud, and we haven't even seen Dana Evans make her debut yet!
What do you think? Is the Laces' depth truly their championship advantage, or could another team's bench ultimately steal the show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
