5 Bold predictions for the Las Vegas Aces' 2023 Season
The Aces are coming into 2023 as league champions. Will they hold onto their title? Here's what we think about the Las Vegas Aces' 2023 season.
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Source. YouTube.[/caption]
While the Las Vegas Aces have slowly built a super team over the last two years, that doesn't guarantee anything. In fact, with other super teams forming around the league and a two-game road trip to start the season, the Aces are in for a struggle. A struggle that could set the tone for much of their 2023 campaign.
Now, this doesn't mean that the Aces aren't playoff bound, but they just need time to get things clicking on all cylinders. Things like team chemistry, Becky Hammon's coaching, and their schedule are all going to play a factor. Fortunately for the Aces, it's not how you start; it's how you finish!
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Source. YouTube.[/caption]
Another thing Las Vegas will have to deal with in 2023 is the ongoing investigations into its previous actions. This includes claims that the Aces tried to pressure Dearica Hamby into not having a baby and then traded her when she disagreed. They also supposedly questioned her commitment to the team.
As if that wasn't enough, the Aces are also accused of paying players under the table in order to get certain deals done. None of this has been confirmed yet, but these are very damning allegations against a pro-women organization. It also raises questions about possible punishments for the Aces should the claims be true.
Unfortunately, this is something that will be a storyline for much of the 2023 season. Even if they manage to get on a hot streak, defeat a super team or make the playoffs, this will always be in the background. The only way to make it go away is to be cleared of all allegations and win back-to-back titles.
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Source. YouTube.[/caption]
Becky Hammon rocked the league when she signed on to be the Aces' head coach and seemed to be unstoppable. Not only is that evident by her leading the team to a 26-10 record, but also by how few times the team suffered a loss. Then there are the playoffs, where Hammon and the Aces went 8-2 and won the championship. The organization finally reached the promised land, and Hammon served a huge role. The only downside of this outright dominance is that other teams know what to prepare for.
Fast forward to 2023, and the other teams have had more than enough time to study Hammon. They now likely know her coaching tendencies, what adjustments she could make, and more. Of course, the addition of Candance Parker will give her another weapon, but Hammon's strategies are no longer secret.
Related: 5 Las Vegas sports conspiracies you need to know about
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Source. YouTube.[/caption]
The Las Vegas Aces have a way of developing chemistry as the season goes on, which could lead to a large winning streak! In fact, with stars like A'ja Wilson, Candance Parker, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Grey, this team could run the table all the way to the title. That's why a ten-game winning streak doesn't seem that difficult.
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Source. Facebook[/caption]
There just isn't a perceivable scenario where the Aces don't come out on top in 2023. The Aces have an embarrassment of riches in almost every single position and a Hall of Fame head coach in Becky Hammon. The truth is that no one is going to come close to this super team when it counts. Now, that doesn't mean they won't lose a few games, but they will learn from those losses. Furthermore, they will use what they learned to beat their opponents in the playoffs.
They also have a super weapon in A'ja Wilson, who excels on both offense and defense. Between her, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, and Riquna Williams, they are going to be a tough team to score against. A championship just seems imminent for this kind of team. The only things that could possibly halt this are an injury or some sort of unforeseen prediction. Barring those two things, expect the Aces to go all the way for back-to-back titles in 2023. There's just no beating lineup and skillset.
Next: 5 Las Vegas Raiders rumors that may be true
#5 The Las Vegas Aces struggle at the beginning of the 2023 season
[caption id="attachment_26191" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube.[/caption]While the Las Vegas Aces have slowly built a super team over the last two years, that doesn't guarantee anything. In fact, with other super teams forming around the league and a two-game road trip to start the season, the Aces are in for a struggle. A struggle that could set the tone for much of their 2023 campaign.
Now, this doesn't mean that the Aces aren't playoff bound, but they just need time to get things clicking on all cylinders. Things like team chemistry, Becky Hammon's coaching, and their schedule are all going to play a factor. Fortunately for the Aces, it's not how you start; it's how you finish!
#4 The allegations against the Aces overshadow them
[caption id="attachment_24227" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube.[/caption]Another thing Las Vegas will have to deal with in 2023 is the ongoing investigations into its previous actions. This includes claims that the Aces tried to pressure Dearica Hamby into not having a baby and then traded her when she disagreed. They also supposedly questioned her commitment to the team.
As if that wasn't enough, the Aces are also accused of paying players under the table in order to get certain deals done. None of this has been confirmed yet, but these are very damning allegations against a pro-women organization. It also raises questions about possible punishments for the Aces should the claims be true.
Unfortunately, this is something that will be a storyline for much of the 2023 season. Even if they manage to get on a hot streak, defeat a super team or make the playoffs, this will always be in the background. The only way to make it go away is to be cleared of all allegations and win back-to-back titles.
#3 More teams will figure out how to combat Becky Hammon's coaching
[caption id="attachment_27802" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube.[/caption]Becky Hammon rocked the league when she signed on to be the Aces' head coach and seemed to be unstoppable. Not only is that evident by her leading the team to a 26-10 record, but also by how few times the team suffered a loss. Then there are the playoffs, where Hammon and the Aces went 8-2 and won the championship. The organization finally reached the promised land, and Hammon served a huge role. The only downside of this outright dominance is that other teams know what to prepare for.
Fast forward to 2023, and the other teams have had more than enough time to study Hammon. They now likely know her coaching tendencies, what adjustments she could make, and more. Of course, the addition of Candance Parker will give her another weapon, but Hammon's strategies are no longer secret.
Related: 5 Las Vegas sports conspiracies you need to know about
#2 The Las Vegas Aces will go on a ten-game winning streak
[caption id="attachment_27520" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube.[/caption]The Las Vegas Aces have a way of developing chemistry as the season goes on, which could lead to a large winning streak! In fact, with stars like A'ja Wilson, Candance Parker, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Grey, this team could run the table all the way to the title. That's why a ten-game winning streak doesn't seem that difficult.
#1 The Las Vegas Aces win the 2023 WNBA Title
[caption id="attachment_27674" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. Facebook[/caption]There just isn't a perceivable scenario where the Aces don't come out on top in 2023. The Aces have an embarrassment of riches in almost every single position and a Hall of Fame head coach in Becky Hammon. The truth is that no one is going to come close to this super team when it counts. Now, that doesn't mean they won't lose a few games, but they will learn from those losses. Furthermore, they will use what they learned to beat their opponents in the playoffs.
They also have a super weapon in A'ja Wilson, who excels on both offense and defense. Between her, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, and Riquna Williams, they are going to be a tough team to score against. A championship just seems imminent for this kind of team. The only things that could possibly halt this are an injury or some sort of unforeseen prediction. Barring those two things, expect the Aces to go all the way for back-to-back titles in 2023. There's just no beating lineup and skillset.
Next: 5 Las Vegas Raiders rumors that may be true