Arike Ogunbowale said, “It’s been good.” But let’s be real, good is just the polite word for not quite there yet. Ever since Paige was drafted by the Wings, the hype train left the station at full speed. Everyone was buzzing about how Paige running point and Arike playing off the ball would be an absolute nightmare for defenses. But, since there’s always a but, there might be a tiny crack—just a hairline—for now. If left unfixed, that crack could spread, making it harder and harder to stay upright. The irony is that it will unfold around the very duo that was hailed as the best backcourt, and as per one reporter, one could see glimpses of that in Paige’s debut with the Wings. 

Everyone thought that Arike and Paige together were going to be the highest-scoring duo, leaving even the likes of Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell behind. And it does seem so on paper, right? Ogunbowale, after all, topped the scoring charts as a PG last season, averaging 22 points per game. Then Bueckers, fresh off a dominant college run, averaged 19 points at UConn. So, add it up. While 2+2 makes 4, people were convinced this duo could actually defy and make it a 22.

Now, this backcourt duo has only taken the hardwood floor together for one game so far, and that was against the Las Vegas Aces. Even though the game ended in a loss, Bueckers and Ogunbowale were an important aspect of the Wings’ offense in that game. More importantly, they showed glimpses of greatness together! However, according to analysts, there are a few lingering questions that ought to be answered with the Dallas offense before the season comes around. Because nothing is ever that easy, and considering that the Wings do not have a lot of great scorers if we leave their backcourt alone, things become even more complex.

On the podcast ‘In Case You Missed It’ with Khristina Williams, the show host discussed the dynamics of the Dallas Wings’ backcourt. Seeking some clarity on where things stand, especially considering Arike didn’t have a major role in the 112-78 loss to the Aces, Williams said, “I don’t feel like I got to see a lot of Arike in that preseason game. So that’s kind of where my curiosity remains with Paige. I think that’s a huge key.”

While she also gave a potential reason, the concerns just could not be swept under the rug like that. “That’s a lot of talent in your backcourt, so you want to see it at its best, and obviously that wasn’t going to be in the first game that they played together.” 

See, the thing is that both are versatile players, both can play either as a shooting guard or as a point guard, and effectively so! What makes everything a tough terrain to navigate is that the Wings want to give their all-star a chance to establish herself at the top, after all, she did set the WNBA All-Star Game Scoring record with 34 points. On the other hand, they want Bueckers to explore every single aspect of her game as well.

So, yes, this is exactly why the team’s approach to this backcourt duo is attracting a lot of attention. They will have to design an offense that maximizes both players. Bueckers’ presence as another on-ball guard will likely lead to a dip in Ogunbowale’s output. And to make up for it, she will have to ramp up her efficiency. Yet, that will not take care of all of it. So, we might see Arike going 40% from the floor, but with fewer shot attempts. She won’t be averaging the same as last year, though.

For fans, though, some sort of relief has been there, and they could see it burgeoning even in the training camp. If the stars themselves are positive, hopefully, things will figure themselves out.

What’s the chemistry like between Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale?

The thing is, two big names sharing a stage, however large it may be, rarely pans out for the best. Because where there’s a crowd, there’s a quarrel. But Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale are determined to make things work!

Paige has been quite open about her excitement to join Dallas and play alongside the five-foot-eight guard. “She’s electric, can score on all levels, just a bucket getter,” The UConn alum said about Arike. “I’m looking to assist her a lot, space the floor, get her open looks.” A match made in heaven if there ever was one! Considering that she’s a true point guard, Bueckers is looking forward to space the floor with the offensive talent of Ogunbowale.

And the dynamic scorer is matching Bueckers’ vibe! “It’s been two good days; we’ve been playing well together,” Ogunbowale said to sports journalist Joey Mistretta. “I think there’s been a lot of good combinations, her and myself, her and other people, me and other people. So it’s been good.”

Speaking about how things might play out more often, Arike had also said, “I’ve always been an off-ball type of player, so she’s great on the ball… When I take it down, she goes off the ball… We’ve got a good little thing going right now, and I think it’s gonna be really good.”

If their outlook remains this pure, there is no force on Earth that can stop this backcourt from flourishing. It will be interesting to see how the Dallas Wings progress through the course of this season. They might have fallen to the Aces, but their story is not over yet! Stay tuned for all the action.