archiveCurt Miller

DHJ Quick Take: Arike Ogunbowale's Arrival The Monday Milestone: Arike Ogunbowale's arrival on Monday evening marks the transition of the Wings' camp into its most critical phase. As Curt Miller noted, Ogunbowale is the final pillar of a "Top 8" group that has been trickling in from overseas, joining Alanna...

DHJ Quick Take: Alanna Smith Adjusts to Dallas The "Home Run" Addition: Curt Miller was clear: landing Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard was the "home run" that defined the Wings' offseason. By securing the 2025 WNBA co-Defensive Player of the Year in free agency, Dallas effectively built a defensive wall...

DHJ Quick Take: The Logistical Grind The Staggered Return: The Wings’ 2026 season officially hits high gear soon. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu (fresh off a Serbian Championship) returns Saturday, while Arike Ogunbowale—following her Game 5 in China—is expected Monday. Jessica Shepard’s arrival hinges on Thursday’s Italian Serie A1 result: a Schio...

DHJ Quick Take: The Culture Architect The Bueckers Factor: The most telling detail of the offseason is Paige Bueckers' active role in recruiting a 15-year veteran. This isn't just a second-year player finding her voice; it's Bueckers taking "ownership" of the roster construction. Her push for Alysha Clark shows maturity...

DHJ Quick Take: Laying the Defensive Foundation The Defensive Install: Jose Fernandez described his system as a "totally different language" on both ends of the floor. The coaching staff focused the session on aggressive low-defender rotations, X-out weakside coverage, and top-locking in the corner, emphasizing that he wants opponents forced...

DHJ Quick Take: Establishing the Standard The Defense-First Mandate: Jose Fernandez was blunt: defensive effort is not optional. By stating that he won't "coach effort," he is setting a professional floor that was often missing during the Wings' 10-34 campaign a year ago. His focus on "intentional" installation suggests a...

DHJ Quick Take: The Veteran’s Vision The Talent Magnet: Alanna Smith’s decision to join Dallas was fueled by the "young core" and the retention of Arike Ogunbowale and Maddy Siegrist. Her assessment that it is "hard to guard one person" when talent is spread across all five spots highlights the...

DHJ Quick Take: Court-Level Observations The Guard Game: The competitive shooting drills showcased the immediate chemistry of the UConn reunion. Azzi Fudd's quick release and Paige Bueckers' playmaking in transition were central themes of the perimeter-focused blocks. Positionless Post Play: Jose Fernandez’s emphasis on "slip, short roll, and space" confirms...

DHJ Quick Take: Notebook Observations The Velocity Gap: Fernandez's "Sports Car" analogy isn't just a quote; it’s a tactical roadmap. By noting the gap in pace between veterans and camp invites, he’s signaling that his rotation will be built on players who can process information at WNBA speed without sacrificing...

DHJ Quick Take: The Spacing Revolution The Zero-Hesitation Policy: Fernandez’s vocal frustration on Day 1 underscores the "Structural Pressure" mentioned by Aliyah Boston. For the Wings' offense to work, Fudd cannot just be a shooter; she has to be a threat. By yelling at her to "shoot the damn ball,"...