Team Wilson and Team Stewart meet Sunday in the 2022 WNBA All-Star Game at the Wintrust Arena.
Team Wilson will be coached by Las Vegas head coach Becky Hammon and this club will start two first time all stars in Kelsey Plum and Sabrina Ionescu. Rhyne Howard also makes her first all star appearance. Team Wilson includes two hometown Sky players in Candace Parker and Courtney Vandersloot, which should make them fan favorites. A'ja Wilson and Sylvia Fowles close out the starting five while Dearica Hamby, Ariel Atkins, Natasha Howard and Brionna Jones all make their second all star bids. Team Wilson has a lot of balance to its roster in terms of shooting and post play, and there’s potential for a lot of offense here.
Team Stewart will be coached by Chicago’s James Wade, and he’ll have two of his players in Kahleah Cooper and Emma Meesseman on his roster. Sue Bird makes her 13th career all star appearance, while Nneka Ogwumike makes her seventh. Jackie Young is the first time all star player on this roster, while Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones round out the starting five. Team Stewart also features veterans Skylar Diggins-Smith, Jewell Loyd and Alyssa Thomas. Team Stewart is absolutely loaded with experience and players who have been here time and time again, and that could be key down the stretch if the game is tight.
Team Stewart is probably the better roster in terms of top level players and the experience is big. However, this is an all star game at the end of the day, and it's hard to predict who wins as it's often who has the ball last or the team that can string together a stop or two. The total is nearly 270 points, which tells you all you need to know. I usually grab the points in meaningless exhibitions. Also, Team Wilson has the two best Sky players in Parker and Vandersloot, and we know Parker would love nothing more than to get the win in her home city. There should be some motivation there. Give me Team Wilson and the free bucket.
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
Mitch's Take...
