Player Review: Angel McCoughtry

In 2014, Angel McCoughtry proved herself to once again be among the elite performers in the WNBA, while also continuing to improve and mature. One of the most � if not the most � dynamic players in the WNBA, McCoughtry�s size, skill, athleticism and determination furthered her status as one of the true stars of the league.

After two straight seasons as the league�s scoring champion, the first thing that many casual fans might notice was that McCoughtry�s scoring average dipped to 18.5 points per game, after four straight seasons averaging at least 21 points per contest. But that is not an indication that she struggled offensively. Rather, she trusted and relied upon her teammates to a greater extent.

As proof of this, McCoughtry averaged 15.8 field goal attempts this season after averaging 18.1 in 2013. It was the fewest shots she put up per game since her rookie season in 2009. She also shot a higher percentage from the field this season (42.0) than last (41.3), although it was slightly below her career average of 42.7 percent. In addition, her three-point field goal percentage was the second-best of her career at 29.5 percent, and her free throw percentage was over 80 percent for the second straight season.

Although she improved her three-point shooting, she was still at her best when she was running the floor in transition, slashing to the basket or working her way into the paint, managing to draw fouls from defenders. However, her free throw rate decreased this season, as she took fewer free throws (162) than any season since her rookie year, which was only 68 percent of the number of free throws she took in 2013 (238).

While McCoughtry ranked fourth in the league in scoring this season and was 16th in assists with 3.6 per game, which was the second-best average of her career, her she is also known as one of the league�s most disruptive defensive players. She led the league in steals for the second time in her career, averaging 2.4 per game, helping her earn All-Defensive First Team honors for the fourth time in her career.

McCoughtry also maintained a consistent rebounding rate, averaging 5.2 boards per game this season. She has averaged between 5.0 and 5.3 rebounds in four consecutive seasons, and ranked 20th in the league this year. And while she still turned the ball over at a high rate, she did show improvement, as her 3.7 turnovers per game was her lowest since 2011.

�I feel like I�ve become a better, more mature player,� said McCoughtry. �I felt like I�ve improved some of my work habits, but I�m going to continue to get better each year. That�s my goal.�

McCoughtry also continued to show that she often shines brightest on the biggest stage, as she once again excelled during the playoffs. She poured in 39 points during a Game 2 victory over Chicago in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, giving her three of the four highest-scoring playoff games in WNBA history. She averaged 26.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.7 steals and just 1.3 turnovers in the three playoff games.

Add it all together and it�s not difficult to see why McCoughtry finished third in the Most Valuable Player Award voting, why the fans elected her to start the All-Star Game for the third time in her career, and why she was once again nominated for an ESPY for Best WNBA Player.

Having just turned 28-years-old, McCoughtry would appear to be at her peak, but that�s not to say there�s not room for improvement. In addition to continuing to improve from three-point range and ball security, McCoughtry looks to continue to improve in the intangibles.

�I want to be a better teammate as far as leadership in tough moments during the game,� she said. �And I want my team to follow my lead and look up to me more.�

It�s no coincidence that Atlanta has made the playoffs six times in McCoughtry�s six seasons in the league. And with her continued development and maturation as a player, the team expects to use 2014 as a building block for even more future success.

�It was a great season,� McCoughtry said. �Of course it didn�t end the way we wanted it to, but I felt like we had a good team. We�re going to be reckoned with in the future and have a bright future ahead of us.�