***official wnba thread*** (2 Viewers)

[Desert_Power]

It wasn't necessarily style that was the issue as much as there was only a handful of women that had real high talent, so you weren't watching a lot of talented basketball

I don't think talent level is the reason people chose to watch/not watch the WNBA.

The WNBA is unquestionably significantly higher in talent than Women's college basketball, and yet up until just now, women's college basketball was always more popular.

I tend to watch more Women's college basketball mostly because my alma mater has been pretty awesome at it since hiring Dawn Staley.

I don't really care about any of these teams too much. None are particularly close. Suppose I lean towards Vegas because of A'ja Wilson.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Rough night for Clark in another blow out loss.

Only 3 points on 1-10 shooting.

 

[Capella]

Rough night for Clark in another blow out loss.

Only 3 points on 1-10 shooting.

I read they’ve played 11 games and some teams have only played 6. I imagine they’re all very tired. Seems kind of unfair but what do I know about their scheduling.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Rough night for Clark in another blow out loss.

Only 3 points on 1-10 shooting.

I read they’ve played 11 games and some teams have only played 6. I imagine they’re all very tired. Seems kind of unfair but what do I know about their scheduling.

From what I understand, the Olympics have really screwed up the scheduling as the league will be taking a break during the Olympics.

 

[Jayrod]

Watching that performance. I'm sorry Joe, I might be about to say something you don't love.

Here we sit a bunch of fat old dudes (I can say that I'm a fat old dude) telling this league what they need to do to get people to watch. Some people ain't ever gonna watch, especially the old dudes concern-trolling about the league being too physical.

The credit belongs to the man in the arena. We love that quote, don't we.

Diana Taurasi doesn't give two ##### about what our old out of shape ###es think the WNBA needs to do.

She's been too busy in the arena for the last couple decades while we play pretend sports.

It's an entertainment business not the military. Middle aged men are the primary driver of sports money.

If Turasi and Co. don't see that, then they can shut up the next time they want to complain about how much money they make or what planes they fly on.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Watching that performance. I'm sorry Joe, I might be about to say something you don't love.

Here we sit a bunch of fat old dudes (I can say that I'm a fat old dude) telling this league what they need to do to get people to watch. Some people ain't ever gonna watch, especially the old dudes concern-trolling about the league being too physical.

The credit belongs to the man in the arena. We love that quote, don't we.

Diana Taurasi doesn't give two ##### about what our old out of shape ###es think the WNBA needs to do.

She's been too busy in the arena for the last couple decades while we play pretend sports.

Nobody has cared about watching Diana Taurasi since she left UConn.

 

[parasaurolophus]

Women helping women. Thats what i think of when i think of the wnba.

 

[The Duff Man]

Congrats to Carter, no one knew who she was and now more people do. Forever known as “That woman who fouled Clark”

Good look.

 

[BassNBrew]

Watching that performance. I'm sorry Joe, I might be about to say something you don't love.

Here we sit a bunch of fat old dudes (I can say that I'm a fat old dude) telling this league what they need to do to get people to watch. Some people ain't ever gonna watch, especially the old dudes concern-trolling about the league being too physical.

The credit belongs to the man in the arena. We love that quote, don't we.

Diana Taurasi doesn't give two ##### about what our old out of shape ###es think the WNBA needs to do.

She's been too busy in the arena for the last couple decades while we play pretend sports.

Admire your dedication to this schtick.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

People voicing their opinion, discussing the league, and generally from the view point of being concerned and interested in the future health of the league is somehow trolling?

 

[Keerock]

This may come off as sexist, but I find women trash talking and taunting far more annoying and cringeworthy than when men do it... and that's saying A LOT as someone who finds the NBA abhorrent in that respect.

 

[Bogeys]

Watching that performance. I'm sorry Joe, I might be about to say something you don't love.

Here we sit a bunch of fat old dudes (I can say that I'm a fat old dude) telling this league what they need to do to get people to watch. Some people ain't ever gonna watch, especially the old dudes concern-trolling about the league being too physical.

The credit belongs to the man in the arena. We love that quote, don't we.

Diana Taurasi doesn't give two ##### about what our old out of shape ###es think the WNBA needs to do.

She's been too busy in the arena for the last couple decades while we play pretend sports.

But she is also whining about pay and benefits. The WNBA players don't get to choose who is popular with the public, and the cheap shots and welcome to the league stuff will absolutely loose them the eyeballs they have gotten if CC gets hurt on one of these and is out for any length of time.

The old players may be better, and have put in the work, but that hasn't made the league profitable or popular. Need to ride their golden goose. Not saying put cushions around her, but the refs need to start actually calling fouls and flagrants when warranted instead of swallowing their whistles.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

What a trash league. Clark is THE reason why these women are now all flying better and gonna be making more money, and they are crapping all over her. No one expects them to treat her with kid gloves, but this kind of treatment is pathetic. And the reasons are more than obvious, and probably don't need to be said.

I don't get the race angle at all either. Some of the best players in the WNBA already are white -- it is a pretty diverse league.

 

[mr. furley]

CAITLIN CLARK IS THE ONLY NBA OR WNBA PLAYER TO EVER HAVE BEEN TESTED AND IT'S BECAUSE SHE'S WHITE, GUYS

NO PLAYER BEFORE HER IN BASKETBALL HISTORY HAS EVER BEEN HIP-CHECKED OR TRASH TALKED! THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED!

WILL ADAM SILVER STEP IN AND STOP THE INSANITY????????

 

[bigbottom]

Watching that performance. I'm sorry Joe, I might be about to say something you don't love.

Here we sit a bunch of fat old dudes (I can say that I'm a fat old dude) telling this league what they need to do to get people to watch. Some people ain't ever gonna watch, especially the old dudes concern-trolling about the league being too physical.

The credit belongs to the man in the arena. We love that quote, don't we.

Diana Taurasi doesn't give two ##### about what our old out of shape ###es think the WNBA needs to do.

She's been too busy in the arena for the last couple decades while we play pretend sports.

1. Isn’t having a bunch of past their prime out of shape dudes debating and talking about professional athletes at peak physical performance and their respective leagues the central draw for sites like the one we are on?

2. Older males is a huge demographic for consumption of sports entertainment (and the dollars that go along with it). I would think making inroads into that market would be a good thing.

3. The fact that people here are debating this issue, while tangential, is ultimately good as it brings increased exposure to the sport.

 

[Gally]

Then why haven't other white rookies had the same problem? They have had plenty of really good prospects come in. Why was the girl throwing the cheap shot white?

Because nobody has every been hyped by the media like Clark for WNBA. There was already a discussion as to the reasons why she was hyped so much more than some of the other talented black players. It's been discussed as a reason for the insane hype which is why it is part of the conversation here.

This type of hype train has never been seen. It is the only thing that was hyped for the past two years for NCAA women's basketball. It's different and because of the publicity every little thing is being dissected. I am sure this tough play vs quality rookies has happened in the WNBA for all of eternity. The difference is the eyes on this particular player because she has been hyped beyond everyone else. That means every little bump will be talked about. Just look at what it has done in this thread.

I have watched WNBA in the past. It didn't interest me with respect to style of play etc. I never watched women's college basketball until this past year. I only did that because of the hype on Clark being shoved down my throat to the point that I had to see what the talk was about. I watched a couple games. It was fine but not something that interested me long term. I haven't watched a WNBA game yet mainly because right now I would prefer to watch college baseball tournaments, NHL hockey playoffs and MLB. If I stumble upon a WNBA game I will likely watch it to see if the hype holds my attention. I am open minded to a point but I do expect it to be similar to the style, pace, athleticism of the college games I watched this year. If it is, I am likely out. I am interested to give it a chance though........just not so much to miss the other sports going on right now.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

CAITLIN CLARK IS THE ONLY NBA OR WNBA PLAYER TO EVER HAVE BEEN TESTED AND IT'S BECAUSE SHE'S WHITE, GUYS

NO PLAYER BEFORE HER IN BASKETBALL HISTORY HAS EVER BEEN HIP-CHECKED OR TRASH TALKED! THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED!

WILL ADAM SILVER STEP IN AND STOP THE INSANITY????????

Yeah, I dont like the ...its because its racist angle.

That angle is being purposefully flamed to get clicks and as usual, its a shame and people are falling for it.

 

[General Malaise]

Kelsey Plum recently stopped by Kevin Hart’s Cold as Balls series to talk about her introduction to the league, as well as the fight for pay equity.

Plum says that while she entered the league as a college standout, it took some time to earn people’s respect.

“They were trying to kill me, I was humbled very quickly,” Plum says. “Growing up, I loved Diana [Taurasi]. That was kind of why I started playing basketball.”

During a game against the Phoenix Mercury, Plum says that Taurasi gave her something of an introduction into the league.

“I’m guarding Diana, it’s like a dead ball. She’s looking at me, she’s like ‘Hey Plummy, how you doing?’” she says. “And I’m like, a little phased. Ball comes in, she looks at me, elbows me in the stomach, hits a three and then winks at me.

“I was like, what just happened?”

Since then, however, Plum has come into her own in the WNBA. The 2022 season was her best, with the guard averaging 20.2 points and 5.1 assists per game. It was also the first season in which she started all of the games in which she played.

 

[GoBirds]

Overpaid?

 

[Spartans Rule]

People voicing their opinion, discussing the league, and generally from the view point of being concerned and interested in the future health of the league is somehow trolling?

I don't know if trolling is the right word, but it's kind of the same thing you see in soccer threads around World Cup time.

Somebody watches 5 minutes of a game for the first time in their life, identifies a bunch of things that have to change immediately or they'll never tune in again, posts their grievances as if they're going to be the salvation of the sport, then acts shocked when actual fans roll their eyes. That's not usually the MO of someone with genuine interest.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

People voicing their opinion, discussing the league, and generally from the view point of being concerned and interested in the future health of the league is somehow trolling?

I don't know if trolling is the right word, but it's kind of the same thing you see in soccer threads around World Cup time.

Somebody watches 5 minutes of a game for the first time in their life, identifies a bunch of things that have to change immediately or they'll never tune in again, posts their grievances as if they're going to be the salvation of the sport, then acts shocked when actual fans roll their eyes. That's not usually the MO of someone with genuine interest.

That is annoying and funny.

I don’t think that’s a perfect analogy but I see your point.

 

[mr. furley]

People voicing their opinion, discussing the league, and generally from the view point of being concerned and interested in the future health of the league is somehow trolling?

I don't know if trolling is the right word, but it's kind of the same thing you see in soccer threads around World Cup time.

Somebody watches 5 minutes of a game for the first time in their life, identifies a bunch of things that have to change immediately or they'll never tune in again, posts their grievances as if they're going to be the salvation of the sport, then acts shocked when actual fans roll their eyes. That's not usually the MO of someone with genuine interest.

as someone who watches only the WC every 4 years, i think there's a lot that soccer could change to make the game more interesting

like, isn't offsides kinda silly? and what's the deal with the running clock? the game doesn't actually end at 90 and that's confusing. i've got lots other great tweaks that would help!

 

[McBokonon]

People voicing their opinion, discussing the league, and generally from the view point of being concerned and interested in the future health of the league is somehow trolling?

I don't know if trolling is the right word, but it's kind of the same thing you see in soccer threads around World Cup time.

Somebody watches 5 minutes of a game for the first time in their life, identifies a bunch of things that have to change immediately or they'll never tune in again, posts their grievances as if they're going to be the salvation of the sport, then acts shocked when actual fans roll their eyes. That's not usually the MO of someone with genuine interest.

as someone who watches only the WC every 4 years, i think there's a lot that soccer could change to make the game more interesting

like, isn't offsides kinda silly? and what's the deal with the running clock? the game doesn't actually end at 90 and that's confusing. i've got lots other great tweaks that would help!

It could use more scoring, Maybe get rid of goalkeepers?

 

[mr. furley]

People voicing their opinion, discussing the league, and generally from the view point of being concerned and interested in the future health of the league is somehow trolling?

I don't know if trolling is the right word, but it's kind of the same thing you see in soccer threads around World Cup time.

Somebody watches 5 minutes of a game for the first time in their life, identifies a bunch of things that have to change immediately or they'll never tune in again, posts their grievances as if they're going to be the salvation of the sport, then acts shocked when actual fans roll their eyes. That's not usually the MO of someone with genuine interest.

as someone who watches only the WC every 4 years, i think there's a lot that soccer could change to make the game more interesting

like, isn't offsides kinda silly? and what's the deal with the running clock? the game doesn't actually end at 90 and that's confusing. i've got lots other great tweaks that would help!

It could use more scoring, Maybe get rid of goalkeepers?

i LOVE this idea!

Americans want more points! football games are sometimes 28-21! why is soccer 4-3!?? big numbers help me understand more better! why don't soccer fans want to see 28 goals a game??

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I laugh because I was once guilty of some of those. The World Cup in Brazil a few years ago, changed all that for me. It was so intense, and I was on the edge of my seat for so many of the games.

I can’t say that that happens on lesser stages, but I do enjoy the World Cup.

 

[Jayrod]

Lots of strawmen getting their comeuppance in here.

 

[KarmaPolice]

People voicing their opinion, discussing the league, and generally from the view point of being concerned and interested in the future health of the league is somehow trolling?

I don't know if trolling is the right word, but it's kind of the same thing you see in soccer threads around World Cup time.

Somebody watches 5 minutes of a game for the first time in their life, identifies a bunch of things that have to change immediately or they'll never tune in again, posts their grievances as if they're going to be the salvation of the sport, then acts shocked when actual fans roll their eyes. That's not usually the MO of someone with genuine interest.

as someone who watches only the WC every 4 years, i think there's a lot that soccer could change to make the game more interesting

like, isn't offsides kinda silly? and what's the deal with the running clock? the game doesn't actually end at 90 and that's confusing. i've got lots other great tweaks that would help!

It could use more scoring, Maybe get rid of goalkeepers?

i LOVE this idea!

Americans want more points! football games are sometimes 28-21! why is soccer 4-3!?? big numbers help me understand more better! why don't soccer fans want to see 28 goals a game??

These are the ones I love the best. I watched a lot of hockey in HS and my dad would ***** about the boring low scoring games. Meanwhile he would never ***** about a 14-7 football game where you see about 20mins of actual football in 3hours of watching.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

People voicing their opinion, discussing the league, and generally from the view point of being concerned and interested in the future health of the league is somehow trolling?

I don't know if trolling is the right word, but it's kind of the same thing you see in soccer threads around World Cup time.

Somebody watches 5 minutes of a game for the first time in their life, identifies a bunch of things that have to change immediately or they'll never tune in again, posts their grievances as if they're going to be the salvation of the sport, then acts shocked when actual fans roll their eyes. That's not usually the MO of someone with genuine interest.

I once took some work colleagues from Europe to a baseball game and they were suggesting major rule changes by the 3rd inning, as though 90 feet between bases hadn't been tested over a zillion games in 100+ years. The funny thing is that I'll complain about how boring and slow baseball can be with my American friends because its ours, but those foreigners thinking they could fix the game after watching 3 innings really pissed me off.

 

[RCon]

Lots of strawmen getting their comeuppance in here.

They probably deserved it.

 

[massraider]

I don't get the race angle at all either. Some of the best players in the WNBA already are white -- it is a pretty diverse league.

Well, I am sure everyone commenting is a long time watcher of the WNBA, and is not speaking out of their ***.

 

[mr. furley]

I don't get the race angle at all either. Some of the best players in the WNBA already are white -- it is a pretty diverse league.

Well, I am sure everyone commenting is a long time watcher of the WNBA, and is not speaking out of their ***.

i can't speak for anyone else but personally i started watching WNBA highlights for the first time this morning and i'm just ****ing outraged by the whole thing


eta: i have a cousin in the league. don't tell her i don't watch. TIA.

 

[Capella]

Mcafee with some insane rant on espn today. Is everybody doing ok?

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Im willing to wager that I’ve watched more woman’s basketball than 95% of this board. I’d say that since Kobe retired, I’ve watched triple the number of women’s games than then men’s.

You cant say that todays mens game is a better, cleaner version of the sport than the slugfests of the 90s out of one mouth, and then pretend to say that uncalled dirty fouls on Clark are acceptable out of your other mouth.

FWIW, I don’t want Clark to get special treatment, I dont think it’s solely race based (although you’re putting your head in the sand if that it isn’t a factor,) I just don’t like the direction this is goin.

You’ve got girls throwing full body weight hip checks into one of your youngest star players when they aren’t even looking. If that behavior goes unpunished, the fouls will escalate in severity and frequency.

To be fair to Clark, I haven’t seen her complain or whine about the rough treatment.

 

[General Malaise]

Mcafee with some insane rant on espn today. Is everybody doing ok?

There's really nothing else to talk about in sports right now.....few days away from NBA playoffs, nobody talks hockey, MLB doesn't move the sports needle, etc. Hot take artists need something to scream about and this is it.

 

[mr. furley]

Mcafee with some insane rant on espn today. Is everybody doing ok?

There's really nothing else to talk about in sports right now.....few days away from NBA playoffs, nobody talks hockey, MLB doesn't move the sports needle, etc. Hot take artists need something to scream about and this is it.

i'm all about Bronny news these days. the most important issue of this and any other day.

 

[Phil Elliott]

I don't get the race angle at all either. Some of the best players in the WNBA already are white -- it is a pretty diverse league.

Well, I am sure everyone commenting is a long time watcher of the WNBA, and is not speaking out of their ***.

Are there requirements to be able to comment?

 

[massraider]

I don't get the race angle at all either. Some of the best players in the WNBA already are white -- it is a pretty diverse league.

Well, I am sure everyone commenting is a long time watcher of the WNBA, and is not speaking out of their ***.

Are there requirements to be able to comment?

There sure aren't. People have been speaking out of their *** forever.

 

[General Malaise]

So Macfeefee called her a "white b!tch"? Gawd.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

So Macfeefee called her a "white b!tch"? Gawd.

He is a complete chooch. I say this unrelated to today’s statements

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Congrats to Carter, no one knew who she was and now more people do. Forever known as “That woman who fouled Clark”

Good look.

And with the infamy, I now know that she was released from 2 different teams for basically conduct unbecoming. Seems like a real peach.

 

[General Malaise]

Congrats to Carter, no one knew who she was and now more people do. Forever known as “That woman who fouled Clark”

Good look.

And with the infamy, I now know that she was released from 2 different teams for basically conduct unbecoming. Seems like a real peach.

Yeah, she's a very talented player but incredibly childish and prone to outbursts and team disruption. Her rookie year, a veteran player (a black player) got on her case for not giving her all early in a game. She responded by going into the locker room and refusing to return after half. Shades of Antonio Brown here. Super talented but scrambled in the brain.

 

[pollardsvision]

Watching the Fever-Libery blow out from last night. So glad the Fever are about to get 5 days off. That team is just exhausted.

 

[General Malaise]

Cameron Brink is probably a better WNBA player right now than Clark and in retrospect should have been the #1 pick but Indiana had to take Clark. Had to. But Brink's size and athleticism are otherworldly. Also looks like a super model. Notice nobody bullying her around or hot take turds yelling about her getting mistreated. Just out there blocking shots and signing shoe deals.

 

[belljr]

Cameron Brink is probably a better WNBA player right now than Clark and in retrospect should have been the #1 pick but Indiana had to take Clark. Had to. But Brink's size and athleticism are otherworldly. Also looks like a super model. Notice nobody bullying her around or hot take turds yelling about her getting mistreated. Just out there blocking shots and signing shoe deals.

Being 6'4 definitely helps and :

 

[pollardsvision]

Cameron Brink is probably a better WNBA player right now than Clark and in retrospect should have been the #1 pick but Indiana had to take Clark. Had to. But Brink's size and athleticism are otherworldly. Also looks like a super model. Notice nobody bullying her around or hot take turds yelling about her getting mistreated. Just out there blocking shots and signing shoe deals.

I'd probably agree, but mostly because the WNBA seems to be so heavily focused on bigs. Winning a title without an MVP caliber post player seems rare. WInning a title right now without an answer for A'Ja seems like a tall task. Liberty have 2 MVPs in the frontcourt, and even they couldn't do it.

Certainly no knock on Clark. She's doing great given the circumstances, and I think we might see some big improvements with a few days off to actually practice. She's an amazing passer, but It's really hard for that to translate without any actual practice time with her teammates.

 

[Stinkin Ref]

I'm that guy.....I watch basically zero women's sports except some world cup stuff in the past and a few of the women's ncaa tourney this last fall....all Clark games

my stupid take....if we want to bury our heads in the sand and act like we don't know what is actually going on here.....fine....be as PC or "woke" or whatever as you want...

I could care less about "how rookies are welcomed into the league"...."how it was when Jordan played"..."why didn't her teammates start a full bench clearing brawl"....

this Chennedy lady seems to be kind of a mess having been dismissed from at least two teams previously for team violations....as someone mentioned Antonio Brown type stuff...kind of a thug so to speak .... and the perfect person to "go take care of it"....she probably relishes that role....

it was a total cheap shot....I don't care what Clark may have said earlier etc....nothing worse than a cheap shot.....face her up and send a message (like a real woman or whatever...lol) if you want....don't cheap shot....if she is talking trash....take care of it right then....don't wait till her back is turned and cheap shot her...

the reaction from the bench, Reece, etc. is about all you need to know....this wasn't just "part of the game" and a "welcome to the league moment"....they went out of their way to send a message with a cheap shot....probably something that was talked about ahead of time....yeah I'll say it...planned...and yeah I said "they".....not just Chennedy....and that can include whoever you want it too...and however deep you want to get into the things you don't want to talk about.....

 

[Gally]

however deep you want to get into the things you don't want to talk about.....

Sounds like this should have come from Colonel @Nathan R. Jessep

 

[Drunken knight]

however deep you want to get into the things you don't want to talk about.....

Sounds like this should have come from Colonel @Nathan R. Jessep

we don't need her on that wall!

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Sorry. I missed that we weren't supposed to talk about it. Spoilered.

Spoiler

*whispers*I blame Keanu Reeves*whispers*

 

[pollardsvision]

BTW, if anybody is looking for a great podcast to listen to in-between off-season Cecil and Sig podcasts, I can't recommend "Queens of the Court" highly enough.

Sheryl Swoopes and Jordan Robinson. Funny, heartfelt, and informative. They love this game, and they love these ladies. Like Cecil and SIg, they find the humanity in it. It'll move you to tears at times. No hot takes. Just women that know and love this game.