Opinion: Valkyries’ Veronica Burton more than feel-good story, should be recognized as one of WNBA’s elite
SAN FRANCISCO Veronica Burton is plenty of things for the Valkyries She is the reliable point guard who has started every championship this season The crew s emotional leader The versatile playmaker who leads the squad in almost every crucial statistical category If Valkyries coaches and players get their wish Burton who has started all games this season will also be recognized as the WNBA s The greater part Improved Competitor Golden State Valkyries' Veronica Burton takes a shot against the Indiana Fever in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco Calif on Sunday Aug Nhat V Meyer Bay Area News Group It would or will be a well-deserved award for a participant who was a year ago an anonymous reserve in Connecticut But with the kind of tear the Northwestern product has been on since the All-Star break it is fair to ask Does just calling her greater part improved sell her short as she leads the expansion club to a stunning run to the playoffs Shouldn t Burton also be in the running for one of the coveted All-WNBA slots awarded to the best players in the league The competition for a spot on the gang will be stiff Seven superstars A ja Wilson of Las Vegas Alyssa Thomas of Phoenix Napheesa Collier of Minnesota Nneka Ogwumike of Seattle Allisha Gray of Atlanta and New York s Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu are mortal locks to make the unit And then among guards Burton is competing with the likes of Wings rookie sensation Paige Bueckers points assists per battle Sparks star Kelsey Plum ppg Minnesota s Courtney Williams ppg apg and Seattle s Skylar Diggins ppg apg all players with more impressive raw statistics Golden State Valkyries' Veronica Burton dribbles against the Phoenix Mercury in the first quarter of a WNBA challenge at Chase Center in San Francisco Calif on Tuesday May Ray Chavez Bay Area News Group But even with all of those factors working against Burton should the Valkyries floor general still be in the running for an All-WNBA spot Hell yeah Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase declared adding She s not just improved she should be All-WNBA with the numbers she s putting up After all none of those other players are carrying an expansion crew one expected to reside in the cellar And for those who are mathematically inclined her numbers are still eye-catching Burton is still averaging points rebounds and assists and leads the band in almost every major statistical category That also includes blocks a staggering total for a -foot- guard She doesn t stop fighting When she gets hit she bounces back up Nakase commented I m definitely on board with her being all-WNBA She deserves it Golden State Valkyries Head Coach Natalie Nakase speaks to Veronica Burton on the sidelines in the second half against the Seattle Storm at the Chase Center in San Francisco CA on Saturday June Don Feria for Bay Area News Group As the starting lineup began to operate like a revolving door because of EuroBasket assignments and remained so with injuries to other players Burton has remained a steady presence perpetually making the correct decision at the top of the floor and on drives Her biggest games include a cool points seven rebounds and seven assists in a domination at Washington A stellar -point -assist output against Phoenix An epic -point -rebound four-block performance against Dallas Her impressive statistics are not just a product of raw volume either Related Articles Valkyries activate center Monique Billings from injury waive Bree Hall Valkyries find spark in Kate Martin as playoff push heats up Clock issues can t stop Valkyries in win over Caitlin Clark-less Fever Valkyries-Fever match plagued by clock malfunctions He represented that underdog story Valkyries Chen Nakase reflect on Jeremy Lin s impact Since the All-Star break Burton is shooting from the field from behind the arc and from the free-throw line I ve had a coaching staff and teammates that instill a lot of confidence in me and that goes a long way in terms of success on court and so just a lot of work and repetition Burton explained the Bay Area News Group earlier this season But also just opportunity and trust as well Burton has earned the trust of her teammates and made the the bulk of her opportunity She isn t just a feel-good story anymore Veronica Burton is one of the best players in the league Golden State Valkyries' Veronica Burton and Phoenix's Kahleah Copper struggle for a loose ball in the fourth quarter of a WNBA challenge at Chase Center in San Francisco Calif on Tuesday May Ray Chavez Bay Area News Group
