The WNBA season has been underway for just over three weeks now. Although it is still early in the season, it has been full of surprises, letdowns, and drama.
As you know, I am a huge Dallas Wings fan. After last season, when we finished with 9-31 record, I thought that would be the worst things would get. It came as a shock too since we were in the Conference Finals the year prior (2023), where we lost to to the Las Vegas Aces. I thought we would be back for years to come. I could not have been more wrong!
I went into this season with that same excitement I had back in 2023 and with high hopes. This came after landing the first pick of the draft, which turned into Paige Bueckers, and several other off-season additions, most notably being Dijonai Carrington and her girlfriend, NaLyssa Smith.
Despite the many additions, Dallas lost some key players from last year, including Kalani Brown and my former favorite Wings player, Satou Sabally.
Nevertheless, the roster wasn’t the only thing to change. After last season, the Wings decided to fire Latricia Trammell, who coached the Wings for two seasons. Her replacement? Chris Koclanes, or man-bun.
As a fellow guy with long hair, I am appalled to go after one of my own, but Coach Koclanes is that bad. Don’t believe me? The video below provides some context to just how bad he is.
The Wings are off to their worst start in years, starting the season 1-9, with our only win being against the Connecticut Sun, who are now 2-7.
Coach Koclanes, in my opinion has done an incredible job this year…at losing. Somehow, he took a better, more talented roster (I think) than last year’s and has done a worse job. Are we intentionally tanking in hopes of landing the first overall pick again? Or is his leadership and game plans just that bad? Maybe both? Or maybe the roster isn’t as talented as I thought. Who knows. What I do know is that the start to this season has been nothing short of unacceptable and embarrassing.
To cut coach some slack, Paige Bueckers has missed some time due to a concussion. Still, games should still be won. We have lost several games that should have been easy wins, including two games against the Chicago Sky…who we lost to both times. Unacceptable.
What’s Next?
I understand this roster isn’t perfect by any means. It probably won’t be competing in the Finals later this year. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t compete.
With how many changes there were this off-season, I’m sure there are still some growing pains. A culture has yet to be built. Nevertheless, one needs to be built fast, as this can’t be our new culture.
So, with roughly 34 games left in the season, where do we go from here? Well, I thought you’d never ask (you didn’t but you’re going to hear my thoughts anyways).
1. Mess around with the starting rotation
I mean, would it hurt to change up the starting rotation every now and then? I don’t think you can sit Arike or Paige (when healthy), but everyone else? Make them earn the starting roles. Try some new lineups and see who plays well together. We’re 1-9. Clearly the lineups and rotations weren’t working before. Mix things up.
2. Get a better Center
Last year, we had Kalani Brown and Teaira McCowan as our centers, with both being swapped for the starting role here and there. I hated it. I am not a fan of Kalani or Teaira (sorry). Lately, the rookie from Germany, Luisa Geiselsoder, has been doing great. She should be starting. As for Teaira? Send her to CHina. I don’t care what happens. She can go. I think it is more valuable to get Luisa minutes and a chance to develop at this point. McCowan, you had your chance, but we want Luisa now.
3. Fire Chris Koclanes
This may be unpopular, and some might think this is way too early, but I think Chris Koclanes should be fired. Koclanes has experience working with USC as a video coordinator, Connecticut Sun as a video coordinator (Curt Miller, who is now the Wings GM, was Head Coach at the time), and was an assistant coach, serving as the defensive coordinator, with the Los Angeles Sparks. He has experience in the W, so what’s the problem?
Personally, I don’t think he’s ready to be a head coach yet. Without Curt Miller, I don’t think he would have been hired as the Wings head coach, or anywhere as a head coach for that matter.
The Coach Koclanes is shaping out to be a huge failure. Does Curt not want to fire his buddy? This is a business, and sometimes you have to make business decisions. He needs to go.
Not only that, but we have a great young player in Paige Bueckers who is being wasted away under Coach Koclanes’ system. She has had some good games, but I think she could do better. I don’t think Coach Koclanes can.
Truth Hurts
It’s looking like the Wings are headed towards a rebuild, whether they like it or not, and I think it is time to rip the band-aid off now before things get worse (can they? lol).
Next year’s draft will feature some outstanding, franchise-changing players like Azzi Fudd and Lauren Betts. Again, it’s clear we won’t be competing for anything meaningful this year, so why not blow it all up and try to get that first pick?
The Wings have a ton of young players and rookies on their team this year. If the losing trends continue, use the rest of the season to develop our young players, hopefully under a new coach.
Not only that, but I think we need to have some serious conversations about Arike Ogunbowale and her future with the Wings, but that’s for another story.
I Love My DaLLLLLLLLL Wings
In the end, I will still watch my Dallas Wings and continue to support them, but I know myself and other Wings fans are disappointed and want to see change. This is not who we are. If things don’t change, us Wings fans will be in for another long, miserable, disappointing season. So, Curt Miller, if you somehow read this, please do something. And soon.
Until next time, W Nation!
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