The Las Vegas Aces were already 6-to-1 favorites to win the 2019 WNBA title. That obviously wasn't enough for team president and head coach Bill Laimbeer, who orchestrated a blockbuster deal to land All-Star and last year's WNBA MVP runner-up Liz Cambage from the Dallas Wings.
It used to not be a "major" deal when May rolled around and there wasn't professional hockey in Las Vegas. You know, back in the dark ages. In fact, other than the local Triple-A baseball team, it was basically reverse hibernation from the brutal desert sun. But, ever since the Vegas Golden Knights stole the hearts and minds of Sin City with its Stanley Cup Final run last year, May feels empty without VGK hockey.
When Las Vegas Aces general manager and head coach Bill Laimbeer headed to the 2018 WNBA Draft last year, there was no question in his mind who he'd be selecting with the first overall pick — standout forward A'Ja Wilson. It worked out well. Wilson won Rookie of the Year honors and became the face of the WNBA while the team missed the playoffs by one game. Now, for the third straight year, the Aces have the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft.
With 2018 coming to a close, it's time to look back on the most exciting year in Las Vegas sports history. Some of the greatest sports moments of our lifetime took place. While every sports fan has their special moments of the year, Sin City saw its "major league" sports credibility skyrocket this past year.
Las Vegas Aces center A'Ja Wilson has been named the Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press after a dominant first season in the WNBA. The South Carolina product tallied arguably the greatest rookie season in league history in the Aces' inaugural season here in Las Vegas.
The "powers-that-be" in the WNBA have struck again, this time forcing the Las Vegas Aces to forfeit a crucial game against the Washington Mystics after major travel issues forced the team to sit in an airport terminal for 25-plus hours.
Just when you thought it couldn't get any more crowded for the Las Vegas major league sports scene, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred has...