2024 WNBA Thread

[Texsox]

We'll that got ugly fast. 

Sigh. 

[Harry Chappas]

Not sure if there is anything new but the issue with that team the games are not competitive so there is no compelling coverage. . 

[Texsox]

The one person who could have added some attention, CC,  was left off the roster. 

[caulfield12]

3 hours ago, Texsox said:

The one person who could have added some attention, CC,  was left off the roster. 

I'm sure they decided even before the WNBA season even started...that she was going to take too much attention away from the established veterans on the team whose spotlight "was stolen" by CC...rather than looking at all the positives she was bringing in terms of ratings, attendance, jersey sales, charter flights, etc.   Didn't want to answer questions game after game about why she wasn't playing very much, but there will be even more questions now.

Jealousy about her $28 million Nike shoe deal, and Wilson/Gatorade.

UConn/SC block of players and coaches against Clark would be another.

A lot of the coverage has been pitting straight vs. LGBTQIA, white vs. black, established stars vs. up and coming future of the game (the precedent has been set with "rookie/college" players such as Laettner, Taurasi, Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart, Lobo, etc.  A precedent had already been set for including the college stars over a number of Olympic teams.

70-3 Olympics record with pros is going to likely result in no game being less than 20-30 blowouts and little coverage...but HUGE questions if they stumble at all about why they didn't include CC.

 

https://athlonsports.com/wnba/wnba-coach-voices-frustration-over-caitlin-clark-coverage

Minnesota Lynx/Olympic women's coach said she wouldn't pick Clark "because she hasn't gone to war with her" and she has been quite outspoken about her getting so much more media attention than her own team with a much better record and Napheesia Collier (Olympian) as the star of the team.

"ALSO in action tonight - @minnesotalynx vs @chicagosky 7pm CST. Though fans won't be able to watch, #Lynx fans can go to the Lynx app to follow along via play by play. Or if you are in market, come to the game...as we start the season off right #12teams #theWismorethanoneplayer," the Team USA coach wrote.

See the tweet at the end of that article.

 

 

Plus, you have Taurasi at 42...they're giving her the chance to get six gold medals (Clark is shooting better from 3 despite facing the most ferocious defense/face guarding of any player in the entire league by like 25-30%, blanket covering her for 92 or 94' feet or whatever, just up and down the court, suffocating D)...the Aces' have four Olympians and only 5-4 record right now (two time defending champions) but their Point Gawd has been out with an injury since the WNBA finals in 2023 and then you have the Britney Griner case (marijuana/issues with the US government, debate with Kim Mulkey over her sexuality).  Arguably those are 3 players she could have been chosen over, particular the first two and then Clark is shooting better (despite the oppressive defense arrayed against her) than Jewel Lloyd of Seattle too, but Seattle is a MUCH stronger team than the Indiana Fever (now 3-10 overall and in 11th place, ahead of only the Washington Mystics).

[greg775]

Hate to say this but this Clark/WNBA/Olympic Game fiasco makes me wonder how brain deficient many people are in this country. 

1.) CC joins the league and immediately the players get to board charter flights instead of the dreaded commercial. Do the jealous WNBA players who reap this benefit deny that the charter flights are 100 percent because of CC? They were not going to switch to charter before she joined the league. ... Are the WNBA players, who make mere pennies compared to players in the NBA that dumb to realize their checks can only go up as crowds and TV deals go up? Is jealousy that rampant it wipes out common sense?? The more popular CC gets the more money is tossed my way? We've learned either the WNBA players are brain deficient or jealousy is more powerful emotion than desire for cold, hard cash.

2.) Virtually everybody outside of USA Basketball and the jealous WNBA has said it's downright dumb to not have CC on the Olympic team for myriads of reasons mostly involving $$ (jersey sales, media interest, etc). So they keep her off the team. Again, I guess we've learned jealousy trumps $$ in that world. All the commentators are aghast at keeping her off the team. Pure jealousy of the players to refuse to let their league grow by the people's choice, the Taylor Swift of women's hoops (little girls just love CC the role model) being allowed on Team USA. Sad. Sad Sad. Let the league grow.

Edited June 11 by greg775

[greg775]

Should be interesting to see how NBC handles coverage of men's and women's Olympic bball. The men's tournament includes a lot of NBA players not only on Team USA (LeBron LeBron LeBron mania means TV dollars) but other teams and all those games will have to be shown in their entireity.

So do you think NBC will go for equity and cover the women's team just as much as the men this year at the Games? Or do you think NBC, upset at the loss of ratings by a stupid decision to keep CC off the team, will essentially boycott coverage of the women? I say equity wins and the women will have unprecedented coverage at the Games. Also there will be no discussion of CC outside of pregame coverage of game one.

Edited June 11 by greg775

[caulfield12]

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/basketball/wnba/fever/2024/06/11/usa-basketball-explains-why-it-didnt-pick-caitlin-clark-for-olympics-team-popularity/74058895007/

If they're not taking into consideration growing the game (domestic as well as internationally) for the final spot on the roster, and the commercial sponsors of the Games that could have been converted into WNBA partners...just not sure what to say.

As soon as Iowa made the Final Four, it was over.

She would have had to be leading the WNBA in scoring/assists...not even sure that would have done it.

 

So Diana Taurasi fans can tune in for her record sixth gold medal at age 42 when her best days are well behind her...but they're going to lose 75% of their potential audience in the process.

 

Anyone connected to UConn, head Coach Cheryl Reeve, even South Carolina...none of those entities are willing to give her respect other than her personal hero Maya Moore.

(Probably will select Bueckers of UConn for the next Olympic team instead, lol.  Not that she might not necessarily deserve it if she's injury free still.)

[Stinky Stanky]

Underlying problem.  Women's basketball is on the level of a good boys' high school basketball game.  OK, it's boring.  The league has lost money since its inception and there's a reason why.

[caulfield12]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/mike-freeman/2024/06/12/caitlin-clark-culture-war-us-olympic-basketball-team/74047837007/

 

Except there hasn't ever been a woman's player who could consistently hit from 30-35 feet like Steph Curry or Trae Young.   Dunking was never all that excitement because there simply wasn't enough power or charisma involved on the women's side of that equation.

Secondly, while there are still a lot of missed bunnies, lay-ups, tip-ins and simply wide open shots, the SPEED of the game, the overall pace, is definitely increasing from last year.

That's why so many enjoy the Iowa style, the fast breaks, precision passing, team being stronger than the sum of its individual parts, etc.

 

WNBA Attendance Is 105% Higher When Caitlin Clark Plays

Key Highlights:

• Caitlin Clark has caused attendance figures to jump 87% compared to opponent’s average home attendance

• Clark has accounted for 33.5% of the total WNBA attendance in 2024

• When Clark plays, WNBA games average 15,591 fans in attendance (+105%) compared to 7,645 fans when she is not in action

• Indiana Fever average 36% more fans on the road (15,142) than any other WNBA team

 

At any rate, the next big 'cultural' debate will be when Clark is selected to the All-WNBA All-Star team to play against the US Olympic All-Stars.

Undoubtedly, Clark (because the voting is skewed towards the fans, 50%) will finish either first or second out of those 12 players to play against the 12 Olympians (not sure if the Aces' PG will be ready or not).

Edited June 13 by caulfield12

[Texsox]

10 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/mike-freeman/2024/06/12/caitlin-clark-culture-war-us-olympic-basketball-team/74047837007/

 

Except there hasn't ever been a woman's player who could consistently hit from 30-35 feet like Steph Curry or Trae Young.   Dunking was never all that excitement because there simply wasn't enough power or charisma involved on the women's side of that equation.

Secondly, while there are still a lot of missed bunnies, lay-ups, tip-ins and simply wide open shots, the SPEED of the game, the overall pace, is definitely increasing from last year.

That's why so many enjoy the Iowa style, the fast breaks, precision passing, team being stronger than the sum of its individual parts, etc.

 

WNBA Attendance Is 105% Higher When Caitlin Clark Plays

Key Highlights:

• Caitlin Clark has caused attendance figures to jump 87% compared to opponent’s average home attendance

• Clark has accounted for 33.5% of the total WNBA attendance in 2024

• When Clark plays, WNBA games average 15,591 fans in attendance (+105%) compared to 7,645 fans when she is not in action

• Indiana Fever average 36% more fans on the road (15,142) than any other WNBA team

 

At any rate, the next big 'cultural' debate will be when Clark is selected to the All-WNBA All-Star team to play against the US Olympic All-Stars.

Undoubtedly, Clark (because the voting is skewed towards the fans, 50%) will finish either first or second out of those 12 players to play against the 12 Olympians (not sure if the Aces' PG will be ready or not).

Jordan was frozen out in his first All Star game. So this isn't unusual. 

I wonder if this is also a tug of war between Olympics and the WNBA. The little sister sticking it to the big money sister. 

[caulfield12]

6 hours ago, Texsox said:

Jordan was frozen out in his first All Star game. So this isn't unusual. 

I wonder if this is also a tug of war between Olympics and the WNBA. The little sister sticking it to the big money sister. 

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/cote-lionel-messi-hero-savior-170740807.html

Comparing reaction to Messi in Miami to Clark in WNBA, so much revolves around race (and left un spoken was sexual orientation).

See the complete lack of support from teammate Nalyssa Smith ... who went to support her gf (on another team) on the night before a game today. Of course Carrington on CT just happened to repeatedly mock Clark in their game this past Mon, then continued it on social media.

Carrington seemingly attended the Angel Reese eyelash academy...to add to the racial animus.

[greg775]

21 hours ago, Stinky Stanky said:

Underlying problem.  Women's basketball is on the level of a good boys' high school basketball game.  OK, it's boring.  The league has lost money since its inception and there's a reason why.

That's why I'm wondering why all of a sudden there's talk of a HUGE TV contract coming for WNBA. CC can only play in so many games. I guess whoever buys the rights will just show 90 percent Fever games and CC will be on pretty much 9 of 10 games. p.s. Have you seen how many inside shots are missed in women's basketball since the women don't dunk except on rare breakaways? If CC isn't playing is attendance actually up or not? In non CC games in arenas.

[greg775]

35 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/cote-lionel-messi-hero-savior-170740807.html

Comparing reaction to Messi in Miami to Clark in WNBA, so much revolves around race (and left un spoken was sexual orientation).

See the complete lack of support from teammate Nalyssa Smith ... who went to support her gf (on another team) on the night before a game today. Of course Carrington on CT just happened to repeatedly mock Clark in their game this past Mon, then continued it on social media.

Carrington seemingly attended the Angel Reese eyelash academy...to add to the racial animus.

The jealousy is off the charts. It's as if most of the NBA players would be fine with kicking Clark out of the league. I guess they are offended people are saying the league can't make it on its own (sans Clark). I wonder when there will be a real fight in a game. Which WNBA player is going to flat out slug CC with a right hook?

Edited June 13 by greg775

[greg775]

17 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/mike-freeman/2024/06/12/caitlin-clark-culture-war-us-olympic-basketball-team/74047837007/

 

Except there hasn't ever been a woman's player who could consistently hit from 30-35 feet like Steph Curry or Trae Young.   Dunking was never all that excitement because there simply wasn't enough power or charisma involved on the women's side of that equation.

Secondly, while there are still a lot of missed bunnies, lay-ups, tip-ins and simply wide open shots, the SPEED of the game, the overall pace, is definitely increasing from last year.

That's why so many enjoy the Iowa style, the fast breaks, precision passing, team being stronger than the sum of its individual parts, etc.

 

WNBA Attendance Is 105% Higher When Caitlin Clark Plays

Key Highlights:

• Caitlin Clark has caused attendance figures to jump 87% compared to opponent’s average home attendance

• Clark has accounted for 33.5% of the total WNBA attendance in 2024

• When Clark plays, WNBA games average 15,591 fans in attendance (+105%) compared to 7,645 fans when she is not in action

• Indiana Fever average 36% more fans on the road (15,142) than any other WNBA team

 

At any rate, the next big 'cultural' debate will be when Clark is selected to the All-WNBA All-Star team to play against the US Olympic All-Stars.

Undoubtedly, Clark (because the voting is skewed towards the fans, 50%) will finish either first or second out of those 12 players to play against the 12 Olympians (not sure if the Aces' PG will be ready or not).

Great post. Can you imagine the hatred that will be involved in that game?? The WNBA all-star team will not want to pass to Clark, their teammate. Meanwhile the Olympic all stars will be out to mug her so to speak. Clark will be pushed, shoved, maybe even a box and one on her. The mission will be to stop Clark at all costs. This is all so stupid and unneccesary. Even LeBron has spoken up for Clark and that did no good. It's going to be ugly in this game you suggest will be played. So ugly. Clark's teammates will 'hate' on her; the olympic team will be out to stop her at all costs.

[caulfield12]

2 hours ago, greg775 said:

That's why I'm wondering why all of a sudden there's talk of a HUGE TV contract coming for WNBA. CC can only play in so many games. I guess whoever buys the rights will just show 90 percent Fever games and CC will be on pretty much 9 of 10 games. p.s. Have you seen how many inside shots are missed in women's basketball since the women don't dunk except on rare breakaways? If CC isn't playing is attendance actually up or not? In non CC games in arenas.

Yes attendance is up overall but Clark must be around 75-80% of it.

Sky are drawing well with rookies Angel Reese and Cardoso.

Same with LA Sparks with Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson.

In coming years, you have the likes of Paige Bueckers from UConn, Juju Watkins (USC), Hannah Hidalgo (ND), Fulwiley (South Carolina) and Flaujae Johnson (LSU).

2 time defending champs LV Aces are under .500 and could go sub with a loss to Phoenix tonight due to injuries...so there's really a hyper competitive league now between the Top 5-6 in the league.  

 

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/06/11/wnba-attendance

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1236749/wnba-team-attendance/

https://www.acrossthetimeline.com/wnba/attendance.html

Compare these last two years. Only the Atlanta Dream are really drawing poorly this year.

8/12 teams are over 8,000+ averages and almost 5 over 10,000 per game...huge jumps across the league, Especially compared to low points in 2021 coming out of Covid.

Expanding to SF Bay area (Valkries) and Toronto the next two seasons..

Edited June 13 by caulfield12

[caulfield12]

2 hours ago, greg775 said:

Great post. Can you imagine the hatred that will be involved in that game?? The WNBA all-star team will not want to pass to Clark, their teammate. Meanwhile the Olympic all stars will be out to mug her so to speak. Clark will be pushed, shoved, maybe even a box and one on her. The mission will be to stop Clark at all costs. This is all so stupid and unneccesary. Even LeBron has spoken up for Clark and that did no good. It's going to be ugly in this game you suggest will be played. So ugly. Clark's teammates will 'hate' on her; the olympic team will be out to stop her at all costs.

And it's going to be in Phoenix, home of GOAT Taurasi and Britney Griner.

Both LGBTQIA and outspoken about Clark and also Griner with her comments about the US after her marijuana related arrest in Moscow and ten month detention.

[Stinky Stanky]

7 hours ago, greg775 said:

That's why I'm wondering why all of a sudden there's talk of a HUGE TV contract coming for WNBA. CC can only play in so many games. I guess whoever buys the rights will just show 90 percent Fever games and CC will be on pretty much 9 of 10 games. p.s. Have you seen how many inside shots are missed in women's basketball since the women don't dunk except on rare breakaways? If CC isn't playing is attendance actually up or not? In non CC games in arenas.

Playing with a tiny basketball and a standard size basket too.  Shooting percentages ought to be higher than the mens' version.

[caulfield12]

54 minutes ago, Stinky Stanky said:

Playing with a tiny basketball and a standard size basket too.  Shooting percentages ought to be higher than the mens' version.

The NBA uses size 7 balls, while the WNBA uses size 6 balls. Those measure a minimum of 28.5 inches in circumference, an inch smaller than the NBA basketballs. They also weigh less at 20 ounces (vs. 22 ounces).

3.4% and 11% difference, let's call it 7% and split the difference.

Of course, how much more power and speed and strength does Steph Curry have to Clark, who weighs 155 pounds and is 6 feet?

 

[greg775]

Nice posts Caulfield.

I realize there are some good players who have joined the league of late not just CC with those u mentioned still to come. But why the sudden interest in the actual women's game? They do not dunk. They miss a lot of inside shots. There is absolutely no athleticism. Yes some pinpoint passes are exciting but they've had the passing in year's past and nobody cared.

So u are telling me the league is popular and not just cause of CC? Interesting. No offense but I'm not a big fan of the game. I do find CC's deep 3s intriguing though. The way they go through the hoop. She definitely is quite accurate. She puts the rock rite in the middle of the goal. What balance.

[caulfield12]

9 hours ago, greg775 said:

Nice posts Caulfield.

I realize there are some good players who have joined the league of late not just CC with those u mentioned still to come. But why the sudden interest in the actual women's game? They do not dunk. They miss a lot of inside shots. There is absolutely no athleticism. Yes some pinpoint passes are exciting but they've had the passing in year's past and nobody cared.

So u are telling me the league is popular and not just cause of CC? Interesting. No offense but I'm not a big fan of the game. I do find CC's deep 3s intriguing though. The way they go through the hoop. She definitely is quite accurate. She puts the rock rite in the middle of the goal. What balance.

https://sports.yahoo.com/caitlin-clark-blocks-boys-shot-123629240.html

[greg775]

13 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

https://sports.yahoo.com/caitlin-clark-blocks-boys-shot-123629240.html

Thanks for the link. I'm definitely a CC fan. She's even trying with an aggressive antagonistic media that for some reason is mainly asking her societal type questions, nothing about basketball. She's kept her cool and given great answers but I wouldn't blame CC for turning into a one word or two word interviewee. The media for some reason wants her out of the league; the players of course want her out of the league. Bizarre, sad, weird, I guess modern America. We hate each other greatly. We hate everybody.

[caulfield12]

10 hours ago, greg775 said:

Thanks for the link. I'm definitely a CC fan. She's even trying with an aggressive antagonistic media that for some reason is mainly asking her societal type questions, nothing about basketball. She's kept her cool and given great answers but I wouldn't blame CC for turning into a one word or two word interviewee. The media for some reason wants her out of the league; the players of course want her out of the league. Bizarre, sad, weird, I guess modern America. We hate each other greatly. We hate everybody.

The mainstream snd even right wing media love her...her story produces numerous spinoff articles on an almost daily basis.

It's the left or progressive side that seems to be taking an issue with her.

 

[Stinky Stanky]

Right wing media like a regular white girl in a  league that's dominated by a lot of "Others?"  Not exactly a news flash.  Nor is the opposite, as you say.  She's a good player, easy to like, I agree.

[greg775]

4 hours ago, Stinky Stanky said:

Right wing media like a regular white girl in a  league that's dominated by a lot of "Others?"  Not exactly a news flash.  Nor is the opposite, as you say.  She's a good player, easy to like, I agree.

I disagree. Here's the reason Clark was so popular in college and coming into the league and why the unexplainable jealousy and hatred of NBA players and media toward her is so disappointing: It has nothing to do with skin color. She shoots from the logo like Steph Curry which people LOVE. Her long-range shooting is special and remarkable and fun to watch those bombs flush through the hoop.

That's why attendance is so high in the WNBA for her games. Also in college she had spectacular passes like Maravich in some respects. Finally she is the bleeping ALL-TIME leading college scorer men or women for gosh sakes.

Kudos to Charles Barkley, LeBron, Paul Pierce and some others for speaking out in her behalf. And shame on Stephen A Smith for his little diatribe Friday blasting her. Very sad stuff. If I were Clark I would immediately leave the WNBA (she can afford losing a 75000 salary, big deal there, lol). Sign with a European team for the upcoming season, get a few weeks rest and see if Nike will keep her shoe deal, etc. Get out of that league now where she is considered the enemy and not even getting great support of her teammates. Just my take. (Some of the coaches statements have been disappointing as well re. Clark). Let her play ball. Geez.

Edited June 16 by greg775

[caulfield12]

4 hours ago, Stinky Stanky said:

Right wing media like a regular white girl in a  league that's dominated by a lot of "Others?"  Not exactly a news flash.  Nor is the opposite, as you say.  She's a good player, easy to like, I agree.

From flyover territory.  Look at voting trend last decade.  White boyfriend.  Catholic/family are churchgoers, but seem to be more old school or traditional/conservative in their beliefs as daughter also attended private Catholic DM Dowling.  ND was her first school choice, along with UConn.