The WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes, well-known for her direct and frequently contentious comments, has sparked controversy by questioning the Las Vegas Aces’ chemistry. Swoopes, who has never been afraid to criticize teams and players bluntly, recently commented on the ‘chemistry’ of the Aces, a team attempting an unprecedented WNBA three-peat. Her criticism comes at a critical juncture, as the Aces are battling after winning back-to-back titles and defensive lapses.

On an episode of the Queens of the Court podcast, WNBA icon and legend Sheryl Swoopes expressed on record that she was genuinely concerned about the possibility of the Las Vegas Aces going on to win their third straight WNBA championship. The discussion regarding whether the Aces can overcome the obstacles of the disconnect between A’ja Wilson and the others has sparked a disbalance in the Aces as they faced “Olympic fatigue”.

The podcast had Swoopes point out the major inconsistencies in the Aces. The Aces have plenty of offensive talent, but Swoopes noted that their defensive play seems haphazard. She said, “It’s like each person is on their own… They’re just not on the same page,”  highlighting how the defense chemistry of the Aces has deteriorated from prior years. Swoopes believes that a major problem of the Aces’ success is this lack of unity.

Another factor Swoopes believes could affect the Aces’ chemistry is the fatigue from international play. Several Aces, including A’ja Wilson, competed in the Olympics. “Olympic fatigue…the aces do have four Olympians, four Olympians for Team USA”, mentioning A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray, who represented Team USA. Swoopes mentioned being able to maintain the Olympic harmony on the WNBA three-peat as a major concern yet still hoping Aces to save the day.

The Aces’ Trump Card

Despite her initial reservations, Sheryl Swoopes couldn’t deny A’ja Wilson’s extraordinary impact on the Las Vegas Aces. “We got A’ja Wilson, and y’all don’t,” Swoopes declared, echoing Dawn Staley’s sentiment and emphasizing the unparalleled advantage Wilson brings to the team. This season, Wilson has solidified her reputation as one of the WNBA’s elite players, averaging an impressive 26.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game over 29 regular-season games.

Even with Swoopes’ concerns about the team’s chemistry, it’s clear that A’ja Wilson is a linchpin in the Aces’ pursuit of a historic three-peat. As Swoopes noted, Wilson is performing at an incredible “25-15 every single game” level, highlighting her consistent dominance on the court. However, Swoopes also warned that without improvements in their defensive play, Wilson’s talents alone won’t be enough to secure another championship. With Chelsea Gray sidelined due to an injury for the entire first half of the season, Swoopes reminded fans that “it’s just a matter of time before Chelsea Gray is back to her old self.”

The Aces’ depth doesn’t end with Wilson and Gray. Jackie Young has emerged as a dynamic guard who can score, distribute, and defend with equal prowess, while Kelsey Plum continues to shine as a sharpshooter, making significant contributions from beyond the arc. Their combined efforts have been key to the Aces’ ongoing dominance in the WNBA, but they face a tough road ahead.

The team’s biggest challenges could stem from defensive lapses and the lingering effects of Olympic fatigue. To maintain their edge and rediscover their championship chemistry, the Aces will need to address these issues as the season unfolds.

Don’t miss out on more updates and in-depth discussions. Tune in for the next episode of the “Dual Threat Show,” where our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.