For obvious reasons, the 2020 WNBA season will come and go without holding an All-Star Game. Here at Winsidr, we feel All-Star teams should be selected every year, regardless of whether or not the game is being played. Career accolades are too important to both players and fans. Luckily, our Brandon Davis and Owen Pence are here to rectify the situation!
Starters were selected first, with the intention of imitating an All-Star Game voting process. Thus, players who have larger fan-bases or are more well known to the casual fan were prioritized. We filled out our starting lineups by picking two backcourt players and two frontcourt players. We used a snake draft format.
*Owen and Brandon assumed the voices of the captains*
OWEN PENCE BRANDON DAVIS
| Breanna Stewart (captain) | A’ja Wilson (captain) |
| No. 1: Candace Parker | No. 2: Arike Ogunbowale (for Chennedy Carter) |
| No. 4: Diana Taurasi | No. 3: DeWanna Bonner |
| No. 5: Courtney Vandersloot | No. 6: Skylar Diggins-Smith |
| No. 8: Napheesa Collier | No. 7: Brittney Griner |
BS: Parker looks completely reinvigorated and it’s lovely to see. The Sparks hum when she’s running the show. If you anticipated Parker being a Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner at age 34, you deserve the medal of clairvoyance. Parker is Team Stewie’s first selection.
AW: I need some swag from a guard, so I have to go with Arike here. She’s currently leading the league in scoring in just her second season. Simply put, she’s electrifying. She’s one of the most exciting guards in the league. It’s the All Star game, so it’s all about fun. Ogunbowale will definitely be fun to see.
AW: DB!! That’s who I’m taking. After so many seasons with Phoenix, It’s been fun to watch Bonner in a new environment with the Sun. She started this season shooting lights out. Bonner understands how to create her shot, but also has size that makes her able to defend all positions. Once again, my team will have that swag and confidence.
BS: Did someone say swag and confidence? Now summoning: DT! Taurasi is averaging nearly six assists per game, the second-highest mark of her prolific career (she averaged 6.2 in 2013). Without her, Phoenix is dead in the water.
BS: Meanwhile Vandersloot looks at Taurasi’s assist total and chuckles. I’ve now surrounded Stewart (er, myself) with three fantastic passers. This showcase is at its best when the ball is flying around hot potato style. Mission accomplished for Team Stewie. Also, what DeWanna Bonner has been doing is ludicrous and I’m mad she didn’t fall to me.
AW: Ohhh, that’s a good pick. You know I was looking for attitude and you go snatch DT, so I’m going to have to get you back. I’m picking Skylar Diggins-Smith here. She missed last season due to becoming a new mom, but has in a sense picked up right where she left off of in 2018. Fans enjoy watching her, and she’s part of the new Big 3 in Phoenix. She can find her open teammate, and she brings that edge when she plays.
AW: I’m also not leaving Griner on the board for you either, so I’ll take her on my team. BG is just fun to watch. She shoots, she passes, and we know she likes to bring out the dunks in the ASG. Look! You’re going to have to catch up. My starting lineup is FIRE already.
BS: I can’t argue with that. Your five is solid. But you know what it’s missing? HUSKIES. We’re adding a third UConn grad to the crew. I hate to break up the best podcast duo in America, but it must be done. Sorry, A’ja. Here’s my tea: Napheesa Collier will win the MVP award sooner than later. The star of the shimmy brings some ridiculous positional versatility to my starting five, not to mention that fun factor you’ve been talking about. Good luck scoring against this frontcourt!
| No. 9: Alysha Clark (for Sylvia Fowles) | No. 10: Jewell Loyd (for Aerial Powers) |
| No. 12: Myisha Hines-Allen | No. 11: Dearica Hamby |
| No. 13: Ariel Atkins | No. 14: Chelsea Gray |
| No. 16: Kelsey Mitchell | No. 15: Cheyenne Parker |
| No. 17: Nneka Ogwumike | No. 18: Kahleah Copper |
| No. 20: Alyssa Thomas | No. 19: Angel McCoughtry |
| No. 21: Bria Hartley | No. 22: Betnijah Laney |
BS: Fowles getting sidelined with a calf injury was a major bummer. She’d be among the ten starters had she stayed healthy. It’s absurd how good she still is at playing professional basketball. Things get a whole lot dicier for the Lynx when Fowles isn’t on the floor. Clark remains the most under-appreciated player in the WNBA, and I’m not just saying that because she’s my vet. She spaces the floor to the tune of a 44 percent mark from deep while guarding the opponent’s best wing. Clark is deserving of Defensive Player of the Year. Change my mind!
AW: The Mystics have really missed what AP brings to the team. Before her injury, she was one of the most exciting players to watch – and we all know she doesn’t back down from anyone. PUT SOME RESPECT ON HER NAME! Taking her place will have to be another exciting guard, so here I’ll have to add the Gold Mamba! Big shout out to Kobe (RIP) for giving her that name. Jewell Loyd brings athleticism, flash, scoring ability, and a winning pedigree.
AW: Gotta go with my teammate …THE LOGO!! Dearica is like our engine. She comes in and never gets tired. Her energy is insane, and she’s having a great year so far on all ends. Also, choosing her means more Amaya!! Who wouldn’t love that?
BS: Wait, I wasn’t told Dearica and Amaya were a package deal! That’s unfair!! Fantastic picks all around. Washington was sputtering before beating Atlanta on Wednesday, but even without Powers, this team has some rocks. Hines-Allen went from 2.3 points per game in 2019 to 15 in 2020, from 2.1 rebounds to 7.6, and from 0.3 steals to 1.5. Most impressively? After shooting 36 percent from the field in 7.8 minutes per game last season, she’s shooting nearly 53 percent on over 28 minutes per game in 2020. Sheesh.
BS: Atkins is having a very similar season to her teammate. She continues to hustle on defense and is flirting with the 50/40/90 club including a remarkable 46 percent from deep on considerable volume. We like players with rings over here at Team Stewie.
AW: Chelsea Gray’s game is so dope to me. While she may not be having her “best year” in terms of numbers, she still gets the job done. I still don’t know how she’s able to make some of her passes, but if it leads to my team winning, then bring it on.
AW: When talking about energy and attitude, that’s Cheyenne Parker all day. She’s having the best year of her career, and has been great for Chicago in some clutch moments this season. She’s a big part of their success. I can’t believe I just said that.
BS: No!!! I love Cheyenne Parker. Now it just got personal. I’ve been focusing predominantly on defense and the frontcourt, so now it’s time to take a pure scorer. Kelsey Mitchell, come on over! Do you think Kelsey can hit ten three-pointers in this hypothetical game we’ll never actually see? I want it to happen. Mitchell is another player flirting with a 50/40/90 season.
BS: You know who I hate playing against? Nneka Ogwumike. Problem solved! Our Players Association Prez fights for us off the court while giving us headaches on it. We need to start discussing Nneka in her rightful spot as one of the greatest players ever.
AW: Kahleah Copper! Here I am taking two Sky picks back to back. What has gotten into me? To be honest, she has blossomed so much. She’s been so crucial for the Sky as a full-time starter to begin the season. She’s athletic and fun to watch.
AW: THE COMEBACK SEASON! After missing all of 2019 with an injury, I was excited when McCoughtry came to Las Vegas. Angel has been a great vet for us, and has kept us in some really tight games. She attacks the paint and has been key defensively. Of course I had to keep my Aces together and have her on my squad.
BS: I’m thrilled Copper is getting the nod. She more than deserves it. As for Alyssa Thomas, this is about effort more than anything. She’s willing Connecticut into the playoffs alongside Bonner in the frontcourt. Brionna Jones deserves a shoutout, too, but Thomas drives this team where she wants it to go. Now I can sub her in for Candace as our backup point forward.
BS: New York is in the house!!! Not only that, but another Husky, too. Has anyone given a more emphatic middle finger to the social media chirp coalition than Hartley? This is Bria every time she scores another bucket in the Wubble. She also dished a season-high nine dimes against Los Angeles on Wednesday, helping keep Phoenix competitive in a grueling affair.
AW: Laney just has to win Most Improved Player, right? She’s been lighting up the stat sheets for Atlanta. People knew her for her defense, but she’s scoring like crazy right now. She has that aggressive play and always has her game face on. Welcome to my squad.
Last Five Cut: Azurá Stevens, Emma Meesseman, Candice Dupree, Jordin Canada, Jasmine Thomas
BS: Well, A’ja, that does it! I feel fantastic about my twelve. But how are we going to settle this? A ping-pong round robin in the lounge? A Tik-Tok danceathon? Who can consume the most Nothing Bundt Cakes in one hour? Wait, you drafted Kah so scratch that last idea …
AW: Are you sure you want to have a dance battle? I definitely think that my team wins. Let’s just say… I have something up my sleeves. That’s EASY! Or maybe the losing team throws a pool party and cookout? Whatever it is, just keep Phee and her sour cream away.
