Long before Paige Bueckers even entered the NCAA scene, her technique-forward game was already turning the heads of many big names in the basketball world. Her playing style was simple, as she did everything by the book. At UConn, she only made it more sassy. And while getting compared to NBA stars is nothing new to her, Chiney Ogwumike still gave her the props by drawing parallels with the Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic. Although agreeing, WNBA legend Sue Bird still pointed out one area of improvement for Dallas.

“We’ve all marveled at Paige’s efficiency from the previous year. It’s extended to this year,” Bird said to Ogwumike on Bird’s Eye View With Sue Bird. “When your backcourt is this efficient, you add on the best they’ve added. I like what’s happening in Dallas.

“They’ve got to figure out their defense a little bit, just like a little solid. But they can score, boy!”

This early success has been led by none other than Paige Bueckers. The point guard has averaged 19.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 3 rebounds per game. She is shooting 50.9% from the field and 45.7% from the three-point line. Numbers, which are more than elite. Her performances so far have incited comparisons to Luka Doncic. 

“The IQ and savvy of Paige Bueckers are remarkable,” Chiney Ogwumike said. “I hate using comparisons, but we’re going to do it.

“You know Luka Dončić is going to get to a certain spot and knock down the shot. You know he’s going to make his move at his own tempo, and you still can’t stop it. Paige reads the game at her pace in a very similar way to Elena Delle Donne.

“They’re going to have to buy into team defense because there’s no major athletic advantage. Once they figure out and lock in their rotations, they’ll be fine.”

To sort out their defense, they have brought in Alanna Smith, the defending Defensive Player Of The Year. However, the start to her Wings career has not been the best. She is averaging 3.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2 assists. There could be a system-related reason for it.

At the Lynx, she played in Cheryl Reeve’s system that emphasizes team defense with other elite defenders like Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams. 

With the Wings, she does not have the same long-term chemistry. The squad is pretty young, and experience is essential to the defense. Fudd is an emerging defender, and the team could figure things out once they get some role clarity. All these factors have contributed to their 12th-best 107.3 defensive rating.

While others try to push the pace to beat defenders, Bueckers stays in her lane and takes her time to be efficient. The poise is something she shares with Luka Dončić. He shoots 47.4% from the field over his career and loves the midrange as well, scoring 23.1% of his points from that area.  It also helps their decision-making, as Bueckers’ assist rate of 25.9% is among the best in the league. However, the Wings are no longer a one-woman show.

Jessica Sheperd dropped a 20 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists triple-double and now averages 13.4 points,11 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. After a rough start, Azzi Fudd had back-to-back 20+ point games and has now settled into the team. The Arike Ogunbowale-Paige Bueckers partnership is already looking better than it did last year. Once the defense improves, the Wings could actually become a threat in the conference.

Dallas Wings Overcome ‘Selfishness’ As Paige Bueckers Points Out Their ‘Super Power’

Coach Jose Fernandez was pretty straightforward, pointing out the team’s ‘selfishness’ after the first three games. Five games later, the situation looks much different.

Against the Aces, Arike Ogunbowale and Alanna Smith sat out due to illness. But Fudd and Siegrist seamlessly slotted in and impressed for the Wings. They also had Awak Kuier contributing 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks from the bench. This depth is something Bueckers is proud of, boasting it as a ‘superpower.’

“I think it was our response, resilience, and ability to play whatever hand we were dealt,” Bueckers said on the Ultimate Dallas Sports Show. “Arike was sick last night. Lan was out. Different people stepped up, played to their ability, played their role, and we had a selfless attitude about it. We know we have a really deep team, and I think that’s our superpower.

“But we’ve all really bought into that and into wanting to win and play team basketball. We’re all super competitive, super humble, and super hungry. We all just want to win. To have so many different people contribute in so many different ways is special. I don’t think we have a player on the team who plays like another. To have that many weapons in the starting lineup and coming off the bench is really a joy to have.”

Now, the next goal is performing when they have more eyes. Before these two wins, only improvement was expected, as they have a fairly new squad and coach while coming off a dismal season. After defeating two powerhouses, the fans expect them to compete among the best. This young team has more weight on its shoulders, but the ability to carry it as well.