WNBA Fans

[thacabbage]

Do not take this the wrong way. In no way do I intend to sound condescending. This is an honest question to those out there who watch both the NBA and the WNBA:

How can you sit through a game of such inferior quality in the WNBA after having watched NBA games? Granted, this Spurs-Nets Finals puts the men's league to shame, but still, it's not even the same sport the men are at such a higher level. How can one downgrade to something so inferior after watching an NBA season? I have tried many times, but always find myself dozing off. The women play hard and have fundamentals. but it just isn't even the same sport.


So what is it about the WNBA that appeals to NBA fans?

[kidrock8]

WNBA has fans?

:confused:

[HtownRocks3]

Originally posted by thacabbage
Do not take this the wrong way. In no way do I intend to sound condescending. This is an honest question to those out there who watch both the NBA and the WNBA:

How can you sit through a game of such inferior quality in the WNBA after having watched NBA games? Granted, this Spurs-Nets Finals puts the men's league to shame, but still, it's not even the same sport the men are at such a higher level. How can one downgrade to something so inferior after watching an NBA season? I have tried many times, but always find myself dozing off. The women play hard and have fundamentals. but it just isn't even the same sport.


So what is it about the WNBA that appeals to NBA fans?

It's BASKETBALL. Thats like asking why are some NCAA fans NBA fans? Its a total different ballgame. The Houston Comet' fans are MUCH more intense than the Rocket' fans. Take the Rockets team of 2 years ago and match it up with the Comets team 2 years ago and the Comets would kick their ass. Come to a game, its much more exciting then watching it on the screen.

[PhiSlammaJamma]

I don't disklike you for liking great basketball. Most of us go to the art museum to see great art. We don't go to see sucky art, second hand artists, or children's paintings. You have to love art to want to do that.

[bobrek]

Originally posted by HtownRocks3
...Take the Rockets team of 2 years ago and match it up with the Comets team 2 years ago and the Comets would kick their ass...

You can't be serious? Not to start any gender debates, but the absolute best team of women cannot beat the absolute worst NBA team.

[PhiSlammaJamma]

That's what they said about Sorenstam. Yet she finished 3rd in driving accuracy. And beat several men with her score. Are you still going to deny that women can't beat men. It's not all physical. It's mental. So what your saying is that no women can be mentally superior to a man. And if that's not what your saying, then you must be saying that no matter how smart someone is they can never beat a physically superior opponent. I think you could find countless examples that defy that logic. Your statement appears to make sense. That no wnba team could beat even the worst nba team. It surely does. But it's not true.

[Groogrux]

Golf is not basketball.

[bobrek]

Originally posted by PhiSlammaJamma
That's what they said about Sorenstam. Yet she finished 3rd in driving accuracy. And beat several men with her score. Are you still going to deny that women can't beat men. It's not all physical. It's mental. So what your saying is that no women can be mentally superior to a man. And if that's not what your saying, then you must be saying that no matter how smart someone is they can never beat a physically superior opponent. I think you could find countless examples that defy that logic. Your statement appears to make sense. That no wnba team could beat even the worst nba team. It surely does. But it's not true.

I am not going to deny that women can beat men. They can and will. My statement is simply that the the best women's BASKETBALL team could not beat the worst NBA team. If you read my post you will see that I limited it to basketball.

You appear to take the stance that a WNBA team COULD beat an NBA team. The typical WNBA center is around 6'5" and cannot dunk. There is no way an NBA center could be guarded. The typical WNBA point guard is probably 5'8". There is no way they could guard the typical NBA 6'3" point guard.

Name one player in the WNBA that could make it in the NBA as a rotation player. Personally, I think Swoopes could because she seems to be able to get off her shot better than anyone else in the WNBA, but beyond her, I don't see any.

There is no doubt in my mind that a woman golfer would eventually make the cut in a PGA tournament. If Annika plays 5 tournaments, I suspect she'd make the cut in 1 or 2. There is also no doubt in my mind that a women's basketball team could not beat the Cleveland Cavaliers.

[ragingFire]

The NBA game is 10 times better than the men NCCA game.
Do you stop watching college ball?
The same holds true for the WNBA game.

It is a different flavor of the game. U watch what you like.

I enjoy the women's game less but I still enjoy the game.

[PhiSlammaJamma]

ok. forget golf if you want to. Although it illustrates that we have to look beyond what seems like reality.

Using the logic posted, Mugsey bogues could not score and could not defend a taller player. And yet he had a nice career. I know. You are just making one point. But so am I. Mugsy shouldn't be able to get off a shot. Yet he does.

Everything is not physical. It's mental. If I give you five girls you'll simply say that they are overmatched at every position. And you'll be right. No doubt about it. Physically. They will not have the height. They will not have the speed. They will not be able to jump with the men. And what I would say to that is that if the women play smarter than the physically gifted men they'll beat them every once in a while.

Anybody can get an open look in basetball with a pick. Being tall and strong can be overcome by intelligence.

The best team in the WNBA would probably be Swoopes, Cooper, Leslie, Sue Bird, Catchings. So you're tallest player is only 6'5. And no doubt this team would lose a great deal of the time to the worst nba team, but to deny that they couldn't find a way to win eventually, is to deny that the smarter player could not outwit the dumber player. And I'm only saying dumb because you are letting me pick the dumbest nba players and or team. Meanwhile I would be picking the smartest and most talented women. So yes, I think a wnba team COULD win. I'm not giving them much of a chance, nor would anybody, and I certainly would not bet on them, but they could win.

[bobrek]

Originally posted by PhiSlammaJamma
ok. forget golf if you want to. Although it illustrates that we have to look beyond what seems like reality.

Why forget golf? I admit that Annika would eventually make a cut. Pak and others probably would too. In a few years Wei may outdistance all of the women and truly be able to compete with the men. I agree with Tiger Woods. It is unfair to judge Annika on one tournament. Give her 5 and judge her then.

Using the logic posted, Mugsey bogues could not score and could not defend a taller player. And yet he had a nice career. I know. You are just making one point. But so am I. Mugsy shouldn't be able to get off a shot. Yet he does.

I'll clarify, there is no way the woman point guard or center could be guarded or do the guarding the vast majority of the game.

Everything is not physical. It's mental. If I give you five girls you'll simply say that they are overmatched at every position. And you'll be right. No doubt about it. Physically. They will not have the height. They will not have the speed. They will not be able to jump with the men. And what I would say to that is that if the women play smarter than the physically gifted men they'll beat them every once in a while.

Anybody can get an open look in basetball with a pick. Being tall and strong can be overcome by intelligence.

I agree, basketball is quite the mental game as well. Unfortunately physical talent tends to overwhelm the mental aspect over the course of the game the vast majority of the time. Occasionally the smarter team will win (just ask UCLA), but a smart set of WNBA players will not beat dumb NBA players.

The best team in the WNBA would probably be Swoopes, Cooper, Leslie, Sue Bird, Catchings. So you're tallest player is only 6'5. And no doubt this team would lose a great deal of the time to the worst nba team, but to deny that they couldn't find a way to win eventually, is to deny that the smarter player could not outwit the dumber player. And I'm only saying dumb because you are letting me pick the dumbest nba players and or team. Meanwhile I would be picking the smartest and most talented women. So yes, I think a wnba team COULD win. I'm not giving them much of a chance, nor would anybody, and I certainly would not bet on them, but they could win.

Even before the inury, you might want to rethink Cooper being one of the top 5 players :).I still think that team would lose to the Clippers or Cavs or Nuggets 50 times in 50 games. I think that Jason Collier would dominate Lisa Leslie. In another 5 years, my overall thinking may change. I am not bashing the WNBA. It is great that there is a league for women and young girls have something to aspire to. There is certainly a place for the WNBA, LPGA and WUSA (as well as other women's leagues) and I would not bet against the USA women's soccer team in a game against an MLS team. There are plenty of women marathoners who could finish among the top men.

[Timing]

I enjoy the WNBA because of the bond to the home team. The same thing with the NFL, MLB, and the NBA. I noticed that when Houston lost the Oilers I rarely watched the NFL at all and now that we have the Texans I keep up with the league again. If we didn't have a WNBA team in town I probably wouldn't bother with it. Comets games are infinitely more fun to go to than Rockets games though. The atmosphere is completely different and if I had to choose between going to one or the other I'd choose a Comets game just about every time unless it was a Rockets playoff game. Unfortunately, that atmosphere just doesn't carry over on TV.

[houstoncart]

As for WNBA players and NBA players, I would honestly put some money on Sheryl Swoopes beating Moochie Norris. Both of them cant dunk, both of them can Shoot from Nba range, both of them have speed, and one of them is a good shooter.

[DavidS]

Originally posted by thacabbage
Do not take this the wrong way. In no way do I intend to sound condescending. This is an honest question to those out there who watch both the NBA and the WNBA:

How can you sit through a game of such inferior quality in the WNBA after having watched NBA games? Granted, this Spurs-Nets Finals puts the men's league to shame, but still, it's not even the same sport the men are at such a higher level. How can one downgrade to something so inferior after watching an NBA season? I have tried many times, but always find myself dozing off. The women play hard and have fundamentals. but it just isn't even the same sport.


So what is it about the WNBA that appeals to NBA fans?

It's not a game of spectacular dunks and athleticism. It's a completely different type of game; fundamentals, shooting, and team work.

But you also have to realize that women will always be slower and not as physical as the men. So, given that fact, you wont have a game that as fast or specular as the mens game.

If you don't know what you are getting into (watching it), then don't watch.

You have to know what you are watching to appreciate it.

Just accept it for what it is.

[DavidS]

Originally posted by bobrek

I agree, basketball is quite the mental game as well. Unfortunately physical talent tends to overwhelm the mental aspect over the course of the game the vast majority of the time. Occasionally the smarter team will win (just ask UCLA),



No. This is not true. The mental part is 90% of the game, 10% physical. Now, the physical part of the game can carry a team through the first 3 quarters, but the last quarter requires mental focus and execution. Not just brute force.

The team with the most confidence, calmness and focus will win in the end. Regardless of athletic talent. This is especially true in the play-offs and Finals. Everything is magnified. It requires a lot of things, some being team cohesiveness, defense and communication.

And these are traits that the women use.

Originally posted by bobrek


Unfortunately physical talent tends to overwhelm the mental aspect over the course of the game

What you call "overwhelm" is just a residual of todays NBA where natural athletic ability has been pushed over the mental aspect. That's short term thinking. Because sooner or later, you'll realize that you can't win consistently like that. And it causes an unorganized offense.

Originally posted by bobrek

but a smart set of WNBA players will not beat dumb NBA players.


The physical ability of the women vs the men is so far off kilter that you're comparing apples to oranges.

A better statement would be this...(all things being equal except smart/dumb).

"A smart set of NBA players WILL beat a dumb set of NBA players, even if the dumb set has superior athletic ability."

Remember, the end of the game all that matters to the smart player. The dumb player dunks every play, pumps his chest, and slaps the backboard during the 1st quarter.

By the way, I think you underestimate the best WNBA players skills. Just ask some of the Rocket players how many times they've been burned by Swoops and Thomson during practice sessions.

[JBIIRockets]

I only watch what is popular...so that means I watch

NBA
MLB
NFL
NHL (don't really watch it, but I would if Houston had a team)
NCAA Football
NCAA Men's Basketball
PGA Tour Golf

I can't watch the following...

Tennis
WNBA
NCAA Baseball
NCAA Woman's Basketball
NCAA Hockey
Soccer

[DavidS]

Originally posted by JBIIRockets
I only watch what is popular...so that means I watch

NBA
MLB
NFL
NHL (don't really watch it, but I would if Houston had a team)
NCAA Football
NCAA Men's Basketball
PGA Tour Golf

I can't watch the following...

Tennis
WNBA
NCAA Baseball
NCAA Woman's Basketball
NCAA Hockey
Soccer


I watch what I like, not necessarily what's popular:

NFL
NBA
WNBA<---I'd watch even if Houston did't have a team just because I'm a fan of "basketball."
NCAA Men's Basketball
NCAA Woman's Basketball
Forma 1
IRL
CART
TRANS-AM Series
NASCAR
MLB
International Football (That's Soccer) <--when I travel to UK/Europe. I still can't watch MLS.

[DavidS]

Originally posted by bobrek
You can't be serious? Not to start any gender debates, but the absolute best team of women cannot beat the absolute worst NBA team.

I remember they did a video story of the Charlotte Sting a few years ago. They followed the team around N.C. for a few weeks when they were publicizing the Sting for the 1999 season (I think it was that year).

Anyways, the Sting went to Camp LeJeune (Marine Military Base in N.C.).

They had a bunch of Marines in the gym on the basketball court. They challenged the Marines team for a game against the Sting.

Andrea Stinson, Dawn Staley, and Vicky Bullett were on that team.

Need I say what happened? The Marries team got smoked!

Vicky Bullett was the tallest player (6'3") on the Sting, and most of the men were around 5'10" to 6'2".

Oh, and Dawn Staley is only 5'6".

This is the difference between professional and "weekend warriors."

This time, the men vs women argument didn't apply.

If you think the game was rigged, all you need to do was watch the competition. Both teams were going at it! Plus, the Marines (with their egos) didn't want to be beaten by a bunch of "girls."

[RIET]

Originally posted by kidrock8
WNBA has fans?

:confused:

Many of them prefer an alternate lifestyle.

[bobrek]

Originally posted by DavidS
No. This is not true. The mental part is 90% of the game, 10% physical. Now, the physical part of the game can carry a team through the first 3 quarters, but the last quarter requires mental focus and execution. Not just brute force.

The team with the most confidence, calmness and focus will win in the end. Regardless of athletic talent. This is especially true in the play-offs and Finals. Everything is magnified. It requires a lot of things, some being team cohesiveness, defense and communication.

And these are traits that the women use.

Then why don't we see teams from Harvard, Rice, Princeton and other Ivy league schools doing better in the NCAAs? Their players clearly need a superior intellect to get into those schools.



The physical ability of the women vs the men is so far off kilter that you're comparing apples to oranges.

A better statement would be this...(all things being equal except smart/dumb).

"A smart set of NBA players WILL beat a dumb set of NBA players, even if the dumb set has superior athletic ability."

That may be true, but this conversation was started because the one poster wrote that the Comets from 2 years ago would beat the Rockets from 2 years ago.


By the way, I think you underestimate the best WNBA players skills. Just ask some of the Rocket players how many times they've been burned by Swoops and Thomson during practice sessions.

I don't underestimate their skills. I simply wrote that the best women players would lose to the worst NBA team (Cavs, Clippers, Nuggets). Sure, they'll burn an NBA player from time to time, but over the course of a 48 minute game they will not win.

[bobrek]

Originally posted by DavidS
I remember they did a video story of the Charlotte Sting a few years ago. They followed the team around N.C. for a few weeks when they were publicizing the Sting for the 1999 season (I think it was that year).

Anyways, the Sting went to Camp LeJeune (Marine Military Base in N.C.).

They had a bunch of Marines in the gym on the basketball court. They challenged the Marines team for a game against the Sting.

Andrea Stinson, Dawn Staley, and Vicky Bullett were on that team.

Need I say what happened? The Marries team got smoked!

Vicky Bullett was the tallest player (6'3") on the Sting, and most of the men were around 5'10" to 6'2".

Oh, and Dawn Staley is only 5'6".

This is the difference between professional and "weekend warriors."

This time, the men vs women argument didn't apply.

If you think the game was rigged, all you need to do was watch the competition. Both teams were going at it! Plus, the Marines (with their egos) didn't want to be beaten by a bunch of "girls."

I never wrote that WNBA women could not beat a team of men. I wrote that the best women's players could not beat the worst NBA team (e.g. Nuggets, Cavs, Clippers).

[DavidS]

Originally posted by bobrek


Then why don't we see teams from Harvard, Rice, Princeton and other Ivy league schools doing better in the NCAAs? Their players clearly need a superior intellect to get into those schools.



Because the other players in the ACC are NOT what you call dumb just because there're in the ACC.

Players don't live in a vacuums (all or nothing). Sports isn't like that.

[rocketabc]

What's the WNBA? :D