The only constant in sports (and life) is change. While consistency is key to a winning strategy, the ebb and flow of production often can’t be avoided.
Tracking the endless ups and downs over 40 games and nearly four months can become a heady operation. Segmenting the journey, however, into weekly updates allows managers to live (and play) in the now.
That’s exactly what my Risers and Fallers column aims to accomplish, as we utilize ESPN’s metrics database for a deeper look at the numbers.
Risers
Tianna Hawkins, F, Washington Mystics (Rostered in 51.6% of ESPN leagues, +6.9%)
Hawkins stepped up over the last month with Elena Delle Donne (ankle) and Shakira Austin (hip) sidelined. Austin returned to the court on Sunday and Delle Donne is expected back soon, so for the last week I’ve been expecting Hawkins’ percent rostered to drop. It hasn’t. In fact, Hawkins is the fastest riser right now because she just keeps producing while her star teammates work themselves back into shape. Hawkins has a total of 32 points, 16 boards and 3 combined steals and blocks in her last two games and seems likely to keep getting significant minutes at least through this week.
Sami Whitcomb, G, Seattle Storm (50.2%, +4.2%)
Whitcomb has set or tied a season-high in assists in three of her last games since…
