2024 WNBA Thread

[pilight]

Only four of the top six picks from the 2024 draft are American

[thehef]

OK, pedant I'll fix my tongue-in-cheek sentence for ya...

That all said, the committee probably could've filled the roster with the top six American picks in the 2024 WNBA draft, plus six average American WNBA reserves, and the team would be good enough to yet again cop the gold

[dsvitak]

Originally Posted by thehef

I originally posted (on the subject of CC not making the Oly team) that it was a missed opportunity from a marketing standpoint. But after giving that more thought, I no longer think that. Although we can debate the merits of her getting one of the final spots on the team, if that had happened she likely wouldn't have played much. So then the outsized focus on her as opposed to the gals actually getting the minutes, plus the questions about her lack of playing time, all leading to additional resentment (among some of the players, and those in the media and elsewhere who are always looking to insert a racial wedge into anything & everything) towards her, most-likely would've negated any marketing benefits from her inclusion on the team.

I have no clue if any of that factored in on the decision, but if so, it would make sense.

And I have no problem with Griner making the team. I assume she's only played two games so far this season because she's easing back into shape or recovering from an injury, but expected to be 100% by the time of the Olympics. When healthy, she's a dominant big. And she's a proven commodity on the Olympic stage. Should any team shock the world and actually challenge the U.S., you'd want her on the court.

That all said, the committee probably could've filled the roster with the top six picks in the 2024 WNBA draft, plus six average WNBA reserves, and the team would be good enough to yet again cop the gold

I agree with this, and I think CC does as well. She hasn't fought to get on the team at all.

[monkeyman576]

Just because she hasn't "fought for it" doesn't mean she doesn't want it.

On the other hand maybe a season of college basketball, a WNBA season, and then the olympics is just to much work.

[thehef]

Originally Posted by dsvitak

I agree with this, and I think CC does as well. She hasn't fought to get on the team at all.

I would imagine the competitor in CC is a little bent about it, or at least just craves to play on that stage against the world's best. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if the more-rational part of her is really looking forward to the break (especially when compared to the circus that would follow if she were on the team, not playing much, and not clicking with some teammates who might resent her getting that last spot). Some time to just chill has got to be looking pretty good

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by monkeyman576

Just because she hasn't "fought for it" doesn't mean she doesn't want it.

Originally Posted by thehef

I would imagine the competitor in CC is a little bent about it, or at least just craves to play on that stage against the world's best.

Pure speculation. And its so easy for some people to make a jump from this to speculating she must be really pissed because of the unfairness of it all, the exclusion for reasons other than her talent.

[pilight]

Originally Posted by monkeyman576

Just because she hasn't "fought for it" doesn't mean she doesn't want it.

I'm sure many players who weren't selected wanted to be on the team.

[dsvitak]

Originally Posted by pilight

I'm sure many players who weren't selected wanted to be on the team.

Agreed. I just don't see a compelling reason to force a roster spot for her.

[Brad K]

"People should not be using my name to push agendas" - Caitlin Clark

https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/40348852

[monkeyman576]

I appreciate if she wants to be non controversail but:

a) that's just not gonna happen.

and

b) free speech and all.

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by monkeyman576

I appreciate if she wants to be non controversail but:

a) that's just not gonna happen.

and

b) free speech and all.

Speculation about what someone thinks or feels is kind of excessive, don't you think? Certainly if I speculated about the motives of some of the people in this thread (and considering there is evidence to support it, making it better than mere speculation) I'd be slapped by the mods.

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by monkeyman576

I appreciate if she wants to be non controversail but:

a) that's just not gonna happen.

and

b) free speech and all.

Free speech doesn't exist on this board. And it shouldn't. However the restrictions are not uniform. They should be.

[BaseballMan]

I don't think the other players should take it easy on CC but why would
they want to play dirty?
I get that they may not like that shes getting all the attention but isn't that what the league needs?
If she is successful isnt that gonna bring more revenue to the league and help them?
Its like wanting Larry Bird to fail because you only want Magic to succeed.
A good respectful rivalry would be good for the league.

[monkeyman576]

Originally Posted by Brad K

Free speech doesn't exist on this board. And it shouldn't. However the restrictions are not uniform. They should be.

I was referring to Clark's comments about the population in general, not about this board specifically.

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by monkeyman576

I was referring to Clark's comments about the population in general, not about this board specifically.

This board is a subset of the general population so it is included by her comment.

[thehef]

Originally Posted by monkeyman576

Yeah, you could make the argument on LeBron, but even he has mellowed in age. You don't see him doing The Decision anymore.

No, but he probably would if he still could - if he were in that same position (peak of his career). As evidence? The self-absorption and narcissism of insisting on playing with his son.

Originally Posted by monkeyman576

You could make the argument that Mookie is top tier, but he's overshadowed by Ohtani and Judge in the media.

True. None of those three seem to be attention wh*res like LeBron (and many others). But the media focuses more on Judge because he's a great player in New York, and loves Ohtani because the international unicorn.

[Syd Thrift]

Originally Posted by BaseballMan

I don't think the other players should take it easy on CC but why would
they want to play dirty?
I get that they may not like that shes getting all the attention but isn't that what the league needs?
If she is successful isnt that gonna bring more revenue to the league and help them?
Its like wanting Larry Bird to fail because you only want Magic to succeed.
A good respectful rivalry would be good for the league.

I’m seeing absolutely nothing that she’s getting that other WNBA athletes, and NBA athletes for that matter, also got when they came into the league with a lot of hype. I feel like y’all are being read scripture by some kind of ghost organization because I really see zero sign that she’s being treated any differently than Lebron or Bird or MJ or Shaq when they came into the league.

Like, are we pretending not to remember the Jordan Rules now?

[dsvitak]

Jim "Catfish" Hunter, during a post game presser, stated that "the sun don't shine on the same dog's ass every day."

Well, today, the sun isn't shining on Angel Reese's ass. She gets the "L", and a flagrant foul, while CC goes 22-8-9.

[monkeyman576]

“I’ll look back in 20 years and be like, ‘Yeah, the reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of one person. It’s because of me too,’ and I want y’all to realize that. “ - Angel Reese

https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/16/sport...ntl/index.html

Sorry Angel, but no one is watching basketball because of you. She seems verry bitter.

[pilight]

Originally Posted by monkeyman576

“I’ll look back in 20 years and be like, ‘Yeah, the reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of one person. It’s because of me too,’ and I want y’all to realize that. “ - Angel Reese

https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/16/sport...ntl/index.html

Sorry Angel, but no one is watching basketball because of you. She seems verry bitter.

You're underselling Reese's popularity. She's got millions of followers on social media. She had an impression on SNL long before Clark's cameo. She was in the SI Swimsuit Issue. Her draft announcement came in Vogue.

You shouldn't buy in to the MSM's narrative that only Clark is responsible for WBB's recent explosion in popularity.