Sometimes, you just look at a rookie, and you know that they’re built differently. For the last two years, we’ve been getting an amazing influx of talent in the WNBA. Last year was all about Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, and Cameron Brink, but this year is no less! Paige Bueckers, the young Dallas rookie, is tearing up the competition with her consistency and offensive brilliance. However, her efforts aren’t leading to results, and fans are getting frustrated…

Not at Bueckers, of course! After all, what more can you expect from a rookie? She’s putting up around 18 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and nearly 2 steals on decent shooting splits. Not to mention, she was voted in as an All-Star starter in her first year in the league! It simply doesn’t get better than this, and fans know it, too.

Don’t get it twisted, Paige Bueckers’ efforts aren’t just decent, they’ve been historic! In the game against the Golden State Valkyries, the Dallas rookie became the first WNBA player to total 350+ points and 100+ assists in the first twenty games of their career. Her ability to create her own shot, while still keeping excellent court vision and passing IQ, has been a nightmare for other teams to guard.

However, despite the All-Star guard’s stats and dedication, the Dallas Wings are still consistently near the bottom of the entire W. It has led to fans questioning head coach Chris Koclanes, who has come under fire for questionable roster decisions and rotations. His willingness to try out new combinations every single game rather than playing Bueckers at her natural position–the one–has drawn ire from fans aplenty.

To be fair? It makes sense. Bueckers had a legendary run with UConn while running point for the Huskies, and everyone was expecting a similar run in Dallas. And even though she’s been performing well individually, the six-foot-tall guard looks best while conducting the offense. So what exactly do the fans have to say about all of this? Let’s find out!

Fans call out the Dallas Wings for their treatment of star Paige Bueckers

When you have a playmaking genius on your squad, why would you make her play the 2? That’s a question that a lot of fans have for Chris Koclanes and Curt Miller as the Dallas Wings continue to lose games day in and day out. The Wings HC is slotting in Bueckers at either the 2 or the 3, and fans aren’t exactly happy about it!

Under a side-by-side post on X of Bueckers’ and Quinerly’s stats with the caption “Guess which one’s running Dallas’ point.” A fan expressed their displeasure with the strategies. “The entire Dallas Wings does except for Paige Bueckers. I do believe now Chris hates Paige like honestly.” They said on X, calling out Koclanes’ decision-making, which has led to a 7-18 record, making Dallas the second-worst team in the entire league.

It was more than just one fan, however, as supporters criticized how Bueckers is managed and used in games. “If I’m Chris Koclanes, I’m showing Paige Bueckers film of Q4 in the Wings/Valkyries game and saying, “do this every quarter, every game.” Koclanes as a coach can’t let his star phase herself out of a contest, ESPECIALLY when they are leading.” Another user tweeted. Bueckers, although clutch, has a habit of playing within herself from time to time, and fans want an answer from Koclanes as to why that is.

In response to Bueckers becoming the first WNBA player to put up 350+ points and 100 + assists in her first 20 games, a well-wisher pointed out how Koclanes might not be appreciating his star rookie enough: “Awesome the Dallas coach takes her for granted and doesn’t appreciate her basketball talents.”

Not so surprisingly, a Caitlin Clark fan pointed out how if the Indiana Fever star had a better coach in year one, she would’ve broken a lot more records. “If clark had a better coach in her rookie year she would have broken so many more records and probably went far in the playoffs.” This statement, albeit true, drew a lot of criticism from Dallas fans.

The thing is, Chris Koclanes isn’t the most well-liked head coach in the WNBA. Fans don’t understand his choices, and players don’t understand the offense that he draws up. The recent incident of Arike Ogunbowale, Paige Bueckers, and Haley Jones making faces as their HC drew up a play against the Valks went really viral. That basically summed up what the fans think of Koclanes.

But the Dallas front office isn’t catching a break either. GM Curt Miller did an amazing job getting Bueckers to this organization, but his lack of action to improve the roster is being called out on a regular basis. “Get Paige Bueckers some help. Dallas Wings roster seem like it was thrown together with no plan.”

All in all, the Dallas Wings aren’t exactly a coherent unit right now. Even with Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers leading the charge, they still have a lot to learn and a lot to adapt to before they can win consistently. It will be interesting to see whether Chris Koclanes will be able to get the best out of his young core this season and reach the playoffs.