Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

@josiahcohen.bsky.social

160 followers 110 following 510 posts

Ex Warriors. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete. I write about the Valkyries: https://riseofthevalkyries.substack.com/

riseofthevalkyries.substack.com

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · Jul 22

How will Iliana Rupert fit with the Golden State Valkyries? An Xs and Os look at how her game translates, from pop/spacing and empty DHOs offensively to active hands and rim protection defensively. Also, a BLOB that GSV should adopt.
riseofthevalkyries.substack.com/p/previewing...

Previewing Iliana Rupert's tactical fit with the Valkyries

The French Connection arrives in Golden State in its final form. How will Iliana Rupert mesh on the court with the Valks?

riseofthevalkyries.substack.com

1 3 16

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 12d

Went back into the clip archives to come up with the Most Valkyrie Play of the season, and then looked at some interesting lineup data on Janelle Salaün and Golden State’s French Connection as a whole. riseofthevalkyries.substack.com/p/most-valky...

Most Valkyrie Play, and other notes

Picking the most representative clip of the season, complimenting Janelle Salaün, and wondering if we saw the trailer or credits for the French Connection.

riseofthevalkyries.substack.com

1 8

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 12d

One thing the Valkyries did with All-WNBA Rookie Team member Janelle Salaün was move her around, starting her at three different positions on the season. Only Ceci Zandalasini (10 starts vs. Salaün's 33) also started for GSV at three positions.

(You'll probably want to expand this image)

2 8

Reposted

Marisa Ingemi @mingemi.bsky.social · 24d

The first season is over | @sfchronicle.com

www.sfchronicle.com/sports/artic...

Valkyries’ historic first season ends in heartbreak as Lynx rally late to win Game 2

After taking the WNBA’s best team to the brink, the Golden State Valkyries’ inaugural season ended Wednesday in a 75-74 loss to the Minnesota Lynx in Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs.

www.sfchronicle.com

2 6 56

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 24d

Thanks, Sabreena. Very much likewise.

I must say it feels strange to be this re-invested in a GS team from afar after being so invested in them from the inside for a while. This whole hyper-fandom thing is tough.

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 24d

"These moments don’t come around too often. More and more WNBA teams will join the league in the next few years, but there’s only one Valkyries inaugural season, only one Ballhalla, only one deeply personal connection for every fan."

Thanks, y'all.

riseofthevalkyries.substack.com/p/the-valkyr...

The Valkyries ascend to Valhalla

A crushing fourth-quarter collapse sees the end of a tremendously successful season.

riseofthevalkyries.substack.com

2 2 16

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 24d

💜

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 24d

Not putting up a shot at the end of the clock is putting it up there on a golden platter.

Ceci.

1 1

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 24d

Coaching meltdown

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 24d

The refs have not covered themselves in glory here, to be fair (and I am usually the last person to complain)

1 1

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 24d

Yes! Let’s go to the monitor to take us home here.

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 24d

Carrington has been exceptional all series.

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 24d

Liking the high screens especially now that MIN is leaning into the switches (rightly so). Nail-biter. Three missed FTs from Collier could make all the difference.

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 24d

Now Hiedeman locks up that move. There’s your shift. Details.

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 24d

Epitomizes the lack of discipline from MIN in this game that Smith got beat by an absolutely patented Burton move, hesi right cross

1 1 2

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 24d

Cannot think of a worse shot selection game from MIN. Credit to GSV.

1 4

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 24d

Instead of high screens, GSV has been dedicated to ball reversals to allay the high pressure/pickup points of MIN.

1 1

josiahcohen.bsky.social @josiahcohen.bsky.social · 24d

Just gotta keep shooting 83.3% from three and holding Minnesota to 25% from three. No problem.

In actuality, FTA parity and out-passing the rotations better than MIN helping GSV a lot right now. High-energy defense. Burton's gonna play all 40.