Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, who was straight-up flirting with MVP contention in her second WNBA season, landed at sixth in Bleacher Report’s latest ranking of the league’s top 25 players. Hunter Cruse from B/R put her there, a spot that feels wild for a player who’s been this good, especially after making her second All-Star game in as many years and piloting the Wings back to the playoffs after a three-year absence.
Is Her ‘Passiveness’ Really the Issue?
So, what’s the deal? Why isn’t Bueckers cracking that top five alongside guards like Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Olivia Miles? Cruse pulls no punches, saying her “biggest obstacle is herself.” Ouch. He points to a “puzzling” passiveness sometimes, and claims her willingness to get to the rim has actually gotten worse. That’s a bold take. The evidence? Her shot attempts at the rim in half-court offense dropped from 18.7 percent in her rookie year down to just 12.7 percent in 2026. If those numbers are true, it certainly gives Cruse some ammo for his argument.
Historic Efficiency and Playoff Stakes
Despite that dip in rim attempts, Bueckers is still ridiculously efficient, like, historically efficient. We’re talking 51/40/87 shooting splits, and she’s averaging 20.5 points per game, which is sixth in the entire WNBA. Cruse even admits she might go down as “the greatest mid-range scorer in basketball history,” and one of the “best off-ball movers and processors we’ve ever seen.” That’s high praise for a player ranked outside the top five. It really highlights the debate: how much does that “passiveness” ding her perception when the actual numbers are this good?
Now, with the WNBA playoffs right around the corner, all eyes will be on Bueckers. Fans are finally going to see her in the postseason, and we’ve gotta hope that patellar tendinitis flare-up she had at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup doesn’t mess with her game. The Wings need her playing at her absolute best, not just flirting with MVP status, but actively bringing that fire, especially if she wants to silence the critics and climb into that top five where she belongs.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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