Charles and Sugar Beat Dallas Inside and Out

Erin Phillips of the Dallas Wings dribbles the ball against the New York Liberty during the game on May 15, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

The New York Liberty walk around with a certain swagger now. It’s not so much loud as it is sure. What we got in New York’s 79-71 win over the Skylar Diggins-less Wings was a powerful one-two punch in scoring, new pieces showing the goods, and a youth movement who now controls the destiny of the 2016 Liberty in it’s 20th season.

The duo of Tina Charles and Sugar Rodgers was unstoppable all night. Charles scored the first eight points of the game. Rodgers hit two of six threes on the night to share the team scoring lead at 24 each.

But what stood out was the starting guard decision of Bill Laimbeer, who entrusted the offense to Sugar Rodgers and Brittney Boyd. This made the Liberty much more quicker, athletic, and explosive than they have been in recent memory. They nearly ran the Wings off the court to a 27-15 lead after one. “The best way to describe it in basketball terms would be to say that the game has slowed down for her, and she is taking advantage of it,” explained Head Coach Bill Laimbeer.

The release of Swin Cash to waivers necessitated a change and Tanisha Wright was installed as the starting forward. But the Wings were able to get back into the game by winning a matchup at center with rotund Courtney Paris pounding at new addition Amanda Zahul B, taking advantage of errors to score 13 points and grabbing 12 boards. But Amanda was willing and supplied the best bench scoring with ten to mask some of the damage. The Liberty led by seven at halftime.

The new players. It’s what will make the Liberty more versatile. Lindsey Harding, a former number one draft pick showed her ability to control a game from the point as she got significant minutes and five assists. “Harding is a quality guard, she understands the game of basketball, she can run the show, and and is also a solid defender,” Laimbeer said.

Shavonte Zellous added eight points and is just starting to flex her muscles. Shoni Shimmel, who looked the heaviest she has ever been, was used for one stint but her long range three reminded of what she can bring to the table. “Zellous can attack and shoot mid-range jumpers, also a solid defender,” Laimbeer responded.

But as Dallas, behind Odyssey Sims and Theresa Plaisance, 14 points each, closed to a three point deficit, Tina Charles, with the game tied, showed her elite quality by cutting into the passing lane, stealing a pass and motoring from one end to the other and fouled in the layup attempt. Then she threw an excellent outlet pass to the streaking Rodgers who was alone and scored an easy two. Sugar also threw a classic Magic Johnson style pass from deep diagonally to a breaking Zellous and the game was pretty much decided there.

The New York defense was relentless, physical, but smart. Kiah Stokes added five points and seven boards and caused a few jump balls as she was quick to snatch at balls from guards and centers alike. New York looks like a team that knows what it takes and is no-nonsense in getting the little things done to secure victory. They now stand at 2-0 with a week off before the next home game this Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks.