Achieving a three-peat in professional sports is a formidable challenge, as evidenced by the recent experiences of teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, the Golden State Warriors, and the Las Vegas Aces.
The Aces, despite being favored to clinch the 2024 WNBA title, faced an unexpected exit in the semifinals against the New York Liberty. Reflecting on this outcome, Aces’ star and reigning WNBA MVP, A’ja Wilson, provided insights into the team’s struggles.
In a candid interview with Callie Fin, Wilson discussed her own future.
“It wasn’t a championship locker room. I mean, out the gate, going into training camp, I was like, ‘We ain’t got it.'”
This sentiment wasn’t a critique of her teammates’ abilities but rather an observation of the team’s dynamics. Wilson recalled a lesson from her college coach, Dawn Staley, who emphasized that a winning team should “look, sound, and feel a certain way.”
Significant offseason changes for the Aces
The offseason brought notable changes to the Aces’ roster. One of the most impactful was the departure of Kelsey Plum, a trusted teammate of Wilson’s. Plum announced her decision to move on, expressing gratitude to the Aces and their fans.
“A move from San Antonio… It’s been an incredible journey to be a part of the Aces organization, and Vegas will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Wilson acknowledged Plum’s significant role
“Plum was our hard-nose player that did all of everything in the moment, whenever we needed her… You need that honesty in the locker room. We’re definitely gonna miss her,” Wilson explained.
Despite the loss, Wilson expressed happiness for Plum’s new journey and wished her well.
The Aces also experienced other roster changes. Alysha Clark, who had been a reliable bench player, returned to the Seattle Storm. Additionally, Tiffany Hayes, the reigning WNBA Sixth Player of the Year, signed with the Golden State Valkyries. In response, the Aces acquired Dana Evans, Queen Egbo, Tiffany Mitchell, and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus to bolster their lineup.
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