Becky Hammon’s blunt Paige Bueckers admission says everything about Dallas’ rise originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Dallas Wings didn’t just beat the Las Vegas Aces on Monday night. They embarrassed one of the WNBA’s premier franchises.
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Dallas rolled to a stunning 96-66 victory over the defending champions, improving to 9-5 on the season and continuing what has quickly become one of the league’s most surprising turnarounds. While the Wings received contributions throughout the lineup, much of the conversation afterward centered on the player who has completely changed the trajectory of the franchise.
The former UConn superstar didn’t need a huge scoring night to make her impact felt. She finished with 10 points, five rebounds and seven assists while once again controlling the game in ways that don’t always show up in the box score.
And after watching her dissect the Aces firsthand, Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon offered a response that perfectly captured what the rest of the WNBA is beginning to realize.
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Becky Hammon couldn’t hide her admiration
Hammon was asked after the game what makes Bueckers such a difficult player to defend. Her answer was revealing.
“What makes her so versatile? She plays the right way,” Hammon said.
The longtime Aces coach went on to explain how Bueckers consistently punishes defenses regardless of what coverage they throw at her. Take away her scoring opportunities and she’ll find open teammates. Send extra defenders and she’ll make the right read. Leave her in single coverage and she’ll make you pay herself.
It’s a skill set Hammon clearly appreciates.
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“You want to take out one aspect, she’s going to hurt you in another aspect,” Hammon explained. “She’s a very hard player to defend because you bring a double team, she’s going past it. You don’t, she might score over you.”
Then came the line that quickly caught fans’ attention.
“She’s just a stud. I’m a fan.”
When praise like that comes from one of the most respected coaches in basketball, it tends to carry significant weight.
Paige Bueckers is transforming the Wings faster than anyone expected
The numbers tell part of the story. The bigger story is what Dallas looks like compared to a year ago.
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The Wings finished last season tied for the league’s worst record after winning only 10 games. Expectations improved after adding Bueckers, but few expected the turnaround to happen this quickly. Now Dallas sits at 9-5 and looks every bit like a legitimate playoff contender.
The roster deserves credit across the board. Arike Ogunbowale remains one of the league’s most dangerous scorers. Azi Fudd has added another dynamic offensive weapon. The Wings suddenly have depth, balance and confidence. But Bueckers has become the engine that makes everything work.
Her ability to control pace, create opportunities and consistently make the correct decision has elevated everyone around her. That’s exactly what Hammon was describing.
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The WNBA is starting to see a future superstar
Perhaps the most impressive part of Bueckers’ rookie season is how mature her game already looks. Many young stars enter the league relying almost entirely on athleticism or scoring ability while they adjust to professional defenses.
Bueckers arrived with a different approach. She plays with patience. She reads the floor. She rarely forces the action. And she consistently makes winning plays, whether she’s scoring 25 points or finishing with seven assists.
That’s why coaches love her.
It’s also why opposing teams are quickly learning how difficult she is to stop. Monday’s blowout victory over Las Vegas may have been remembered for the final score, but Hammon’s comments afterward could prove just as telling.
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The Aces coach didn’t sound frustrated. She sounded impressed. And judging by Dallas’ rapid rise, she’s probably not the only one.
