[h=4]WNBA power rankings[/h](Though games played as of 8/23/13)
1. Minnesota Lynx: Some might be surprised to see the Lynx remaining atop the league given that they've lost four of five games. But a look at their post-All-Star break numbers pointed to a potential "excuse": their offensive rebounding has fallen off a cliff since the All-Star break (24.42% compared to 31.57% prior to the break), which is sort of odd given that they've been one of the league's best rebounding teams for three years running. Yet there's a pretty easy explanation for that: the three losses prior to Tuesday's road loss in Atlanta came without Rebekkah Brunson (once) or Janel McCarvile (twice). Brunson is one of the best offensive rebounders in the league and McCarville is the team's third-best offensive rebounder, if not dominant. They simply didn't have people to replace that production with those two out - it's not like they just forgot how to rebound. They didn't look good against the Dream, but then their closest competitor didn't look any better on the road.2. Los Angeles Sparks: The Sparks haven't had quite the dropoff that the Lynx have had since the All-Star break, but their turnover rates might be something to watch: since the All-Star break they've had a small negative differential while they had a positive one prior to the break. Their free throw rate has also been low since the All-Star break, but I feel bad to continue harping on the potential reason for that.3. Atlanta Dream (tl:dr version): The Dream have been one of three teams to continue considerably outplaying their opponents since the All-Star break, due in part to their ability to get to the free throw line at a higher rate (which is helped by the return of Tiffany Hayes).4. Chicago Sky: So what has happened to the Sky since the break? Since the break, you'll notice that the Sky have shot the ball less efficiently than their opponents which is a change in what they did prior to the break. Although it's allowing an eFG% of 46.31% isn't terrible, as a team that leans heavily on a pair of high usage perimeter players they're subject to get beat if jumpers aren't falling.5. Phoenix Mercury (tl;dr version): Phoenix is working harder defensively.6. Indiana Fever: The Fever have struggled to score all season, but they've picked up the offensive rebounding since the break (their 32.11% offensive rebounding percentage since the break is third in the Eastern Conference). But home court advantage in the playoffs looks like a distant goal - right now they're still fighting for a chance to defend their title in the postseason after overcoming a rash of early-season injuries.7. Seattle Storm: Who ever said basketball should be beautiful? The Storm continue to define whatever statistics that one might try to hold against them by winning games with blue collar basketball. Yes, they can experience some serious scoring droughts, but take out that terrible fourth quarter against the Chicago Sky recently and you have a team that is playing very competitive basketball over the last four games.8. Washington Mystics: I'm not sure any team has been streakier than the Washington Mystics this season: they can lose six of seven games, end their streak in Minnesota to start a new three-game streak, then go back to playing poorly albeit against two of the league's best right now. The result is that they current sit in fourth a half game behind the third-place Fever and one game ahead of the New York Liberty. Any guesses on what Albert would prefer they do?9. San Antonio Silver Stars: Danielle Robinson might not be the best point guard in the league, but she is a) the most efficient (league-high 6.1 pure point rating) and b) entered this week with the highest plus/minus of any player who had played every game entering this week, according to the numbers provided by the Minnesota Lynx (+19.6). That alone separates this team from the following three, but the Stars just don't have enough advantages over opponents to win consistently.10. Tulsa Shock: Similar to the Storm, the Shock have consistently defied their statistics this season. Unlike the Storm, they've underperformed their numbers. In the cases of both teams, that puts an associated spotlight on the coach, and in Kloppenburg's case that hasn't been a good thing. The excuse for the Shock though: they've had just one player on their roster play in all 25 games (Roneeka Hodges). Although other teams can claim more disastrous injuries, the Shock just haven't been able to establish any rhythm because it has been hard to field the entire roster.11. New York Liberty: To varying extents, the Liberty are allowing opponents to shoot better, rebound better, and control the ball better while still turning the ball over more often than any team in the Eastern Conference since the All-Star break. Yet they're a game behind the fourh-place Mystics for a playoff spot with their final game of the season in D.C. Can someone grab a photo of Albert if he shows up to that game wearing a Liberty jersey?12. Connecticut Sun: With Kara Lawson reportedly on her way back, the Sun announced that Kelly Faris and Allison Hightower will be out for the remainder of the season. That likely won't help their league-low offensive rating that has earned them just seven wins.
