In the heated run-up to the WNBA playoffs, Indiana Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell isn’t leaving anything to chance. With the Fever gearing up for their first playoff appearance in over half a decade, Mitchell, a prominent figure on the team, has been gathering wisdom from seasoned NBA players who know a thing or two about high-stakes basketball.
A Nod to Experience and Old Friendships
During a recent practice session, Mitchell divulged her conversations with Los Angeles Lakers’ guard D’Angelo Russell, highlighting the depth of their connection and shared past,
“I recently talked to my close friend D’Angelo Russell. We go way back. Me and him go back to the point where we trained together at Ohio State. We kind of know each other so, from that perspective, it was good to get a conversation in regards to how [the playoffs] looked,”
Mitchell shared in an interview, echoing the sentiments of camaraderie and professional respect.
Russell, a veteran of four NBA playoff campaigns, including pivotal matchups during his tenure with the Lakers, brings a wealth of experience from the hardwood. Despite his mixed performance in the most recent playoffs—averaging 14.2 points and 4.8 assists—his insights are invaluable. His discussions with Mitchell likely covered the nuances of playoff intensity and the mental fortitude required, a mantle Mitchell is ready to take up.
Broadening the Advice Spectrum
Beyond Russell, Mitchell also sought out Miles McBride of the New York Knicks, tapping into his fresh playoff experiences. McBride, like Mitchell, hails from their shared hometown and recently participated in the Knicks’ playoff journey.
“I also got a chance to talk to [Miles] McBride…he made a run with the Knicks, so he knew what it was like, too. We’re from the same home town. I like to get as much information as I can so it’s been exciting to hear about it,”
Mitchell elaborated.
These conversations are part of Mitchell’s broader strategy to mentally and tactically prepare for the postseason. As someone who’s been pivotal in Fever’s resurgence—leading the team with an average of 19.6 points per game—her playoff debut is highly anticipated.
Playoff Experience within the Fever Roster
The Fever’s roster, while talented, is relatively green in terms of playoff experience. Only three players—Temi Fagbenle, Damiris Dantas, and Erica Wheeler—have tasted postseason action before. Both Fagbenle and Dantas were part of championship-winning teams with the Lynx, bringing critical insights and leadership to the table.
Mitchell’s proactive approach in consulting NBA players underscores a significant aspect of sports—leveraging experience from different leagues to fortify one’s game. As the Fever step into the playoff spotlight, the synergy of fresh talent like Caitlin Clark and seasoned advisors could prove pivotal.
Controversies Swirl Around Russell’s Future with Lakers
Meanwhile, in the NBA, debates concerning D’Angelo Russell’s future with the Lakers are heating up. Despite his crucial role in getting the Lakers to the playoffs, critiques about his performance have surfaced. Lakers writer Maxwell Ogden suggested,
“While it’s easy to suggest that trading Russell would be addition by subtraction, finding someone to replace his regular-season value will be much harder than it seems.”
This sentiment highlights the intricate balance teams must maintain between regular-season effectiveness and playoff performance.
As the sports world watches, the cross-pollination of insights between NBA and WNBA players like Mitchell and Russell not only enriches the players’ perspectives but also enlivens the discourse around playoff basketball’s demanding nature.
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