Unrivaled's Most Improved Team: Phantom's Rise to Contention
In the early stages of the Unrivaled season, one player's remarkable transformation has sparked a team's resurgence. Aliyah Boston, once a 5x5 specialist, has evolved into a 3x3 force, and her impact on Phantom is nothing short of transformative.
Last season, Phantom languished at the bottom of the league with a dismal 4-10 record. They were outscored by a staggering 138 points, a deficit of nearly 10 points per game. But this season, Phantom has emerged as a true contender, boasting the league's best scoring margin. With a record of 3-2, they've outscored opponents by over eight points per game and a cumulative 41 points.
Boston's strengths have directly contributed to Phantom's areas of improvement. The team has become a force on the boards and more active defensively, with increased rebounds, steals, and blocks per game. Boston's passing prowess, arguably the best among Unrivaled's big players, has given Phantom an extra dimension.
Boston's debut season in Unrivaled was underwhelming, suggesting her game was better suited to the traditional 5x5 format. However, this season, she has transformed into the player fans know and love from her South Carolina days and her first three WNBA seasons with the Indiana Fever. She's averaging an impressive 18 points and eight rebounds per game, leading the league with two blocks per game and ranking fourth overall with 1.8 steals per contest. Her assist numbers have also skyrocketed, with 2.6 assists per game compared to just nine total last season.
But it's not just the stats that make Boston a force to be reckoned with. She's a master of the little things that irritate opponents and delight teammates. From drawing in defenders to create favorable scoring opportunities for her guards to her more notorious tactics like swinging elbows and setting moving screens, Boston is a player who leaves her mark on every game.
Her teammate, Kelsey Plum, has become an unlikely beneficiary of Boston's screening tricks. Plum, who has often been on the receiving end of Boston's illegal screens, now thrives in a two-woman game that is the best in Unrivaled. Their fast partnership, along with Plum's rapid adjustment to Unrivaled, has been instrumental in the Ghost Gang's growth.
Phantom's head coach, Roneeka Hodges, deserves credit for recognizing the effectiveness of the Boston-Plum pairing. She has established rotations that maximize their shared court time, a strategy that has paid dividends.
As the Ghost Gang prepares for their next challenge against Vinyl on Friday night, the question remains: Will Vinyl find their groove, or will Phantom continue their dominant run? Vinyl has been inconsistent, much like last season, with moments of brilliance followed by listless losses. Dearica Hamby, coming off a poor performance, will be eager to bounce back.
In another intriguing matchup, Rose and Mist, both veteran clubs, face off in a desperate bid for a win. Rose has lost two straight games, and Mist is seeking redemption after their last defeat. The key for Rose lies in finding a balance between their high-usage player, Kahleah Copper, and the rest of the team. Mist, on the other hand, must maximize the potential of Allisha Gray, who has proven her worth as one of the fittest players in the sport.
Will these teams make the tough decisions necessary to secure a victory, or will they fall short once again? The answers lie in the upcoming matches, where the stakes are high and the outcomes uncertain.
