Including this year, we have awarded the NIHOF NBA Cup by awarding the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1. Obviously, we can’t watch all the games, but box scores and write ups give an approximate idea as to who were each game’s top five.

This year, we decided to the same for the WNBA.

The top players for the WNBA NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points.  It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.  

Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency, but snapshots of each game.

Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.  

So, like we said the last two years, WNBA players!  Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is our fourth update, as of July 11, 2023.

Here are the 2023 top ten rankings for the WNBA NIHOF CUP:

1. Nneka Ogwumike: Los Angeles Sparks, Forward: (#1 Last Week)

67 PTS, 18 Games, 3.72 Cup Points per Game, 19.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 26.5 PER, 3.3 WS

The 2018 MVP remains all alone at the top and she looks good in this spot. She has never finished over 20 Points per Game but Ogwumike is only .2 away from that. Currently, Ogwumike sixth in Points (19.8), seventh in Steals (1.7) and fourth Rebounds per Game (9.5). She is also fourth in PER (26.5).

2. (TIE) Alyssa Thomas: Connecticut Sun, Forward: (#2 Last Week)

65 PTS, 19 Games, 3.42 Cup Points per Game, 14.9 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 8.0 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 21.4 PER, 3.3 WS.

Thomas has finally been knocked off the top spot, but the three-time All-Star is posting the best numbers of her career, which included her setting a WNBA record with her fourth WNBA regular season triple-double. Her traditional metrics are the significantly higher than in previous years, and she is nearly averaging a double-double. She is at present the league leader in Rebounds (186), Assists (152), Steals (40) and Defensive Win Shares (1.7) and her per Game averages are better than ever.

2. (TIE) A’Ja Wilson: Las Vegas Aces, Forward: (#3 Last Week)

65 PTS, 19 Games, 3.42 Cup Points per Game, 19.6 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 2.2 BPG, 29.5 PER, 4.5 WS.

Wilson is the reigning two-time MVP, and is leading the WNBA in Blocks per Game (2.2), while also currently fifth in Rebounds (9.3) and seventh in Points per Game (19.6). She is also second in PER (29.5). We would not be surprised if she ascends to the top of this list before season’s end.

4. Napheesa Collier: Minnesota Lynx, Forward: (#4 Last Week)

63 PTS, 19 Games, 3.32 Cup Points per Game, 21.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 25.8 PER, 3.0 WS

The 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year is third in Points per Game (21.8) and sixth in Steals per Game (1.7). She is also the league leader in Field Goals (150).

5. Breanna Stewart: New York Liberty, Forward: (#5 Last Week)

58 PTS, 17 Games, 3.41 Cup Points per Game, 23.4 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 30.1 PER, 4.6 WS

Stewart has been phenomenal thus far in her first season in New York, and is close to averaging a double-double; a mark she has never finished a season with. She is the WNBA leader in Rebounds per Game (9.8) and is second in Points per Game (23.4).

6. Jackie Young: Las Vegas Aces, Guard: (#8 Last Week)

47 PTS, 19 Games, 2.47 Cup Points per Game, 19.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 26.4 PER, 4.2 WS.

Young is fifth in PER (26.4) and is ninth in Points per Game (19.0). The Ace’s Guard has proven herself as one of the top shooters in the league, as she is first in 3-Point Field Goal Percentage (.484) and Effective Field Goal Percentage (.659), and is second in True Shooting Percentage (.695). Young’s rank gives Las Vegas the first to have two players.

7. (TIE) Satou Sabally: Dallas Wings, Forward: (#7 Last Week)

46 PTS, 19 Games, 2.42 Cup Points per Game, 17.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 20.0 PER, 2.6 WS

Sabally was averaging a double-double up until this weel, but is nearly doubling last year’s metrics. The fourth-year player is fifth in Rebounds per Game (9.3) and is ninth in Steals per Game (1.5).

7. (TIE) Natasha Howard: Dallas Wings, Forward: (Unranked Last Week)

46 PTS, 19 Games, 2.42 Cup Points per Game, 17.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 16.8 PER, 1.8 WS

Howard makes her first appearance in the top ten after an incredible week.

9. (TIE) Brittney Griner: Phoenix Mercury, Center: (Unranked Last Week)

45 PTS, 15 Games, 3.00 Cup Points per Game, 19.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0,7 SPG, 2.0 BPG, 28. PER, 2.0 WS

Griner returns to the top ten, and is at present second in Blocks per Game (2.0) and third in PER (28.4).

9. (TIE) Jewell Loyd: Seattle Storm, Guard: (#9 Last Week)

45 PTS, 17 Games, 2.65 Cup Points per Game, 24.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 20.7 PER, 1.3 WS

Loyd is the current leader in PPG (24.9), though this has not generated a lot of wins for Seattle. She is also the league leader in Usage Percentage (33.1).

Dallas’ Arike Ogwunbowale and Washington’s Elena Delle Donne fell off of the top ten.

Our next update will be on the July 18.

Stefon Diggs played five good years with the Minnesota Vikings to begin his career, but thinking they had depth in the WR position, they traded him to Buffalo in 2020 for four Draft Picks.   It was the best thing that could have happened to Diggs, and a phenomenal acquisition for the Bills.

Diggs had a previous high single-season high of 1,130 Yards, but with Josh Allen as his Quarterback, Diggs would lead the NFL in Receptions (127) and Receiving Yards (1,535). Diggs also added his first Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro, and he could now claim that he was the undisputed top offensive weapon for a football team.

Diggs had continued to shine, adding Pro Bowls in 2021 and 2022, with over 2,600 Yards combined. More notable, is that Diggs cracked double-digits Touchdown Receptions in those years, a mark he had never done prior.  In 2023, Diggs went to his fourth Pro Bowl as a a Buffalo Bill, making it four-for-four in that honor, and 1,000-Receiving Yard years, but it ended without a trip to the Super Bowl, as he was traded to the surging Houston Texans in 2024.

Overall, Diggs had a strong four-year run in Western New York, accumulating 37 Touchdowns with over 5,000 Yards

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity. As such, we are very happy to present our post 2022 revision of our top 50 Baltimore Ravens.

As for all of our top 50 players in football we look at the following:

1. Advanced Statistics.

2. Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National Football League.

3. Playoff accomplishments.

4. Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, Baltimore made it into the playoffs, but only made it one game in. 2022 yielded two new entrants to the Top 50, and four elevations.

As always, we present our top five, which had no changes.

1. Ray Lewis

2. Ed Reed

3. Jonathan Ogden

4. Terrell Suggs

5. Marshall Yanda

You can find the entire list here.

Place Kicker, Justin Tucker, rises one spot to #8. He added his sixth Pro Bowl this year.

Quarterback, Lamar Jackson, who resigned with the Ravens, inched up one rank to #10.

Cornerback, Marlon Humphrey, climbed to #23 from #34. He went to his third Pro Bowl last year.

Tight End, Mark Andrews, moved to #35 from #44. Like Humphrey, Andrews added his third Pro Bowl in 2022.

The two new entries are Offensive Lineman, Ronnie Stanley and Linebacker, Patrick Queen. They debut at #39 and #46 respectively.

We welcome your input and comments and as always, we thank you for your support.

For Carolina Panthers supporters, the Matt Rhule era was a period of reflection and disappointment. With a paltry 10-23 record over two seasons under Rhule's guidance, the Panthers sought a fresh course, introducing Frank Reich as their newest head coach this past offseason.

A familiar face in both the college and NFL circuits, Reich's induction brings a new wave of hope and anticipation. His extensive knowledge of the game, coupled with his successful stints as a coordinator and head coach, presents a promising vision for the Panthers' future. This article will delve deeper into what Coach Reich has in store for the team and how he aims to augment the Carolina Panthers odds for the 2023 season.

Overview of Coach Frank Reich’s Career

Frank Reich, a seasoned NFL veteran, brings a valuable and diverse experience to the Panthers' organization. Before joining Carolina, Reich held the offensive coordinator role for the Los Angeles (formerly San Diego) Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles. His tenure with the Eagles culminated in a Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, a testament to his strategic prowess. He was able to get the best out of quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Nick Foles, leading to a memorable season and head coach interest.

Following his success in Philadelphia, the Indianapolis Colts identified Reich's potential, hiring him as their head coach. He demonstrated his coaching capabilities by securing a winning record and guiding the team to three playoff games. Reich's experience isn't limited to the sidelines, though. His background as an NFL quarterback affords him unique insight into the game's intricacies. This dual perspective will undoubtedly aid his decision-making in his new role.

One of Reich's most memorable feats as a player was his instrumental role in the Bills' dramatic 41-38 playoff victory over the Houston Oilers, despite a 35-3 deficit in the third quarter. His arrival in Carolina heralds a surge of energy and passion. With his impressive history as a quarterback, Reich stands poised to mentor No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young, aiding in his transition to the professional league.

Breakdown of His Offensive Strategy

Reich's offensive strategy is one of his standout strengths. He consistently demonstrates a keen ability to tailor his schemes to his team's strong points while nurturing young players into formidable contributors. Although quarterback Carson Wentz's career has taken a downturn, his shining moments came under Reich's tutelage.

Known for his dynamic and disciplined approach, Reich adeptly balances his run-and-pass game, ensuring unpredictability to keep opposing defenses guessing. His leadership qualities and astute understanding of the game have the Panthers faithful believing he could be the key to a postseason return.

Reasons for Panthers Fans to Be Optimistic

There are ample grounds for Panthers fans to feel excited about Reich's arrival. Reich's successful track record in nurturing young talent is one to note, especially considering the youthful roster of the Panthers. This roster includes a rookie starting quarterback, marking a period of fresh beginnings for the team.

The NFC South landscape is ripe for a power shift, given Tom Brady's retirement and the likely decline of Tampa Bay. The Panthers closed the 2022 season on a high note, with a 4-2 record in their final six games. A heartbreaking loss in Tampa in Week 17 was all that stood between them and a division title. Given these circumstances, many believe the Panthers could be the division favorites in 2023.

Reich has already started reshaping the Panthers' roster, showcasing his commitment to his new role. Not only did he play a key role in drafting Young, but he has also signed proven receivers like D.J. Chark and Adam Thielen to augment the passing game.