There are Juggernauts, and then it's the Las Vegas Aces.
The Aces are on the cusp of making history this summer. The team has a firm grip on the WNBA, embracing the role as the final boss of the league, and will look to hoist yet another championship this year; potentially joining the Houston Comets (1997-2000) as the only teams to have three-peated in the WNBA history.
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Las Vegas Aces Offseason: Same Team, New Season
The offseason was kind to the Las Vegas Aces, minus the news of Candace Parker's retirement, who is wrapping up a sixteen-year career after suffering a season ending knee injury last year.
The team retained most of its talent from last season's WNBA Finals run, including stars Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and A'ja Wilson, who are at the peak of their careers.
They also re-signed Kiah Stokes and Sydney Colson, who played significant roles for the Aces last season.
Elsewhere on the roster, they signed Megan Gustafson to a two-year deal. The Aces even had a strong draft, taking Syracuse guard Dyaisha Fair and Iowa guard Kate Martin as added depth to their roster.
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Aces A'ja Wilson on a Historical Run
The Summer belongs to A'ja Wilson.
Few women have shaken up in the WNBA this early into their careers quite like A'ja Wilson.
Her impact has been felt since entering the league coming out of South Carolina, and she has managed to lift this team into the stratosphere, helping them win two WNBA Championships.
Wilson along the way took home two MVPs, two WNBA Defensive Player of the Years, and a Finals MVP in 2023.
She is a special kind of talent, and will need to have another monumental year if the Las Vegas Aces hope for a three-peat.
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Aces Coach Becky Hammon Masterclass
Power in numbers for the Aces is on full display. Outside of A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas do still have an extremely talented squad with Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young, all of whom are stars in their own right.
It is evident that this team has a strong bond, as it was on full display during the finals last year.
"I know a lot of people may get annoyed by us or maybe say we're fake or we're doing this for cameras," Wilson said last year during the finals. "But, no, that's really us. The biggest thing is our joy, how we play and how much fun we have," she added.
Head coach Becky Hammon has played a significant role in the powerhouse Las Vegas Aces since taking over for Detroit Pistons legend and former head coach Bill Laimbeer.
Hammon's impact includes embracing a modern style with emphasis on three-point shooting, which is on full display by the Aces.
Under Hammon the Aces shot 36.1% in 2022 and 37.2% in 2023, as opposed to the slow low post oriented style they had prior to Hammon.
It's clear that this will be their core identity next season and Becky Hammon will try to continue evolving this offense, as teams around the league like the Mercury, Storm and Liberty have all gotten better.
Continuing to adapt and change the formula will be the key for the Aces if they wish to win it all for what will be the 3rd time in a row this season.
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