Last year the Seattle Storm proved to be the best team in the WNBA. Seattle won the third WNBA championship of its history. Breanna Stewart proved to be among the top WNBA betting assets. To show the 2016 WNBA top draft pick won the most valuable player award. At the age of 24 Stewart was expected to keep the franchise at the top for years to come. However, her leadership and excellence will be missing in 2019. Stewart tor her Achilles tendon while playing in the Euro League. She is scheduled to return in 2020.
New 2019 Favorites
With Stewart in the lineup Seattle would have been a WNBA betting favorite to repeat as champions. Moreover, there was talk of a new dynasty in the league because of her. Commencing with the announcement of her injury the landscape has changed. There are three top favorites for the 2019 WNBA championship. And Seattle is not among them. To illuminate the Connecticut Sun and Las Vegas Aces are 5/2 favorites. At 7/2 are the Washington Mystics. Keep in mind Washington lost the Finals to Seattle last year. Following are the Los Angeles Sparks at 9/2.
Longer Shots for 2019 WNBA Title
By reason of Stewart’s absence has Seattle dropped all the way down to 25/1. Next are the Minnesota Lynx and Chicago Sky at 40/1. The Atlanta Dream are a 50/1 sportsbook selection. Bringing up the rear is the Indiana Fever at 100/1. Then comes the dreadful New York Liberty at 150/1. Finally, the Dallas Wings are the last pick at 250/1.
WNBA Shows Historic Growth
From its humble beginnings in 1997 the WNBA has overcome considerable skepticism. More than a few national sports commentators joked about the league. Fashion their predictions that the WNBA would never make it. Certainly, it took quite a while to get the WNBA off the ground. By contrast to now WNBA Betting was virtually non-existent 20 years ago. Thanks to nurturing from the NBA has the league become a winner. Now TV partners include CBSSN, ESPN, ESPN2, NBATV, NBA TV Canada, and Twitter. Five WNBA teams play in the same arena as their local NBA teams.
Will Vegas Come Up Aces?
With the void left by Seattle and Stewart Las Vegas emerged as a top WNBA favorite. Founded in 1997 as the Utah Starzz this is the third home for the franchise. The Aces played as the San Antonio Stars from 2003-2017 before moving to Sin City. Namely head coach and general manager Bill Laimbeer is a key reason for optimism. Laimbeer won three WNBA titles as head coach of Detroit. He boasts a career record of 243-191. A’ja Wilson was leading Las Vegas to start the season with 15.4 points per game. Kayla McBride averaged 15.2 PPG.
Sun to Rise in Connecticut?
At the onset of the 2019 season the Connecticut Sun broke out with nine wins in their first 11 games. Playing in Connecticut since 2003 the franchise has won two conference title. Head coach Curt Miller adds credibility with the 2017 WNBA coach of the year honors. Most important of all Miller has led the Sun to the playoffs the past two seasons. Leading the Sun was Jonquel Jones with 16.7 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.