A Fudd-focused rewatch (and why everything is fine)
I rewatched the Wings-Fever game with special focus on Azzi's play. While she had a limited impact on the box score, I honestly thought she played well.
Defense
This is one big area that doesn't show up in the box score very well. The first possession she came in, she got a steal (pic 1). There was a CC drive that Azzi gave up too easily, but after pre-season foul trouble she's still trying to find how much physicality refs will allow. She did have a cheap reach-in foul later, but otherwise she played solid defense all her minutes on the floor.
Offense
Here's where I'm sure most fans were looking for more production than 1-of-2. While she was just spotting up a lot, there weren't a lot of opportunities because her defender was sticking to her. Which is fine, it opens up the floor for everyone. There were only two times Azzi was open but didn't get the ball: once on Maddy's made 3 (pic 2). Hard to complain on a made shot but that would have been a nice spot to swing the ball to the corner. The other was a wild drive from Sims (pic 3, Zaza also open lol). I think in that spot PB would have found Azzi, but Sims doesn't have the court vision and was probably trying to draw a foul she didn't get.
I did love that Azzi's made 3 was assisted by Jess, with crafty pass off a fake handoff to Paige.
Conclusions
Azzi is a smart player, she's playing good defense and taking the shots that come to her. She's mature and steady on both ends of the floor and her body language is good. Fernandez trusted her to sub her in after the TO when Fever tied the score 67-67.
Azzi will benefit from plays being run for her, but I think coach is being intentionally conservative about easing her in. Which is totally fine--as long as Wings get Ws, he can take as much time as he wants.
Fernandez seems to be a strong Xs and Os coach and will take advantage of Azzi's strengths and fit her into the team offense. I wouldn't be surprised to see Azzi starting later in the season, but whether starting or coming off the bench Azzi's production will increase steadily and consistently. As soon as Game 2.
Wings Up!