2024 WNBA Discussion Thread

[VolFuture]

Yes. And yes.

Poor Indy, just more of the same. Granted, they opened with one of the best teams in the league and the reigning MVP, but yikes. My gut tells me the Indy fans came in there thinking maybe they'd get the win tonight. Instead, they took their usual beating.

Gotta feel for them. As for Clark, she has done her best to prepare fans for the reality that she has a LOT of adapting and learning to do as a new pro but, again, I suspect their fans are probably thinking their superstar is just sandbagging and will step up and score 25-plus every night.

it'll be interesting to see who ends up being named ROY after this season. Right now I'd say Angel Reese is living up to her hype. Good for her.

CC is the run away favorite still… she had 21 when she played Dallas.. just a bad draw on reg season opponents so far. Still putting up triple double pacing.

 

[madtownvol]

I thought about all that money that’s been shelled out for all those tickets in all those cities. You can tell CC feels it too. Tons of pressure on her.

What has happened to Boston?

The Sparks games were more fun bc both were close, unlike this fanny kicking tonight. Remember when Rae used to be a baby deer on skates? That’s how Rickea is right now. Won’t get much better soon, next game is against the Aces in Vegas.

A few thoughts on Caitlin. She is carry more of a load and game responsibility than anyone in her draft cohort. She is being thrown into the fire (and getting scorched) but I expect her performances will get better as the season goes on.

And it is one thing that teams are throwing tough defenses at her (and nobody on the Fever is making them pay for this overplaying) but CC is also getting hacked to death out there. The refs are letting it be open season on the rookie and it seems that they too have bought into the Diana Taurasi narrative about putting CC in "her place" because honor..... The league needs to step in and say "hey, call the dang fouls." This "old school" code is literally killing their golden goose. If the W loses this influx of new fans and media attention, they might not come back.

 

[chuckiepoo]

A few thoughts on Caitlin. She is carry more of a load and game responsibility than anyone in her draft cohort. She is being thrown into the fire (and getting scorched) but I expect her performances will get better as the season goes on.

And it is one thing that teams are throwing tough defenses at her (and nobody on the Fever is making them pay for this overplaying) but CC is also getting hacked to death out there. The refs are letting it be open season on the rookie and it seems that they too have bought into the Diana Taurasi narrative about putting CC in "her place" because honor..... The league needs to step in and say "hey, call the dang fouls." This "old school" code is literally killing their golden goose. If the W loses this influx of new fans and media attention, they might not come back.

…hmm. Was planning on watching Saturday. First full W game since Comets. We shall see if they can drag me back in…

 

[lvocd]

A few thoughts on Caitlin. She is carry more of a load and game responsibility than anyone in her draft cohort. She is being thrown into the fire (and getting scorched) but I expect her performances will get better as the season goes on.

And it is one thing that teams are throwing tough defenses at her (and nobody on the Fever is making them pay for this overplaying) but CC is also getting hacked to death out there. The refs are letting it be open season on the rookie and it seems that they too have bought into the Diana Taurasi narrative about putting CC in "her place" because honor..... The league needs to step in and say "hey, call the dang fouls." This "old school" code is literally killing their golden goose. If the W loses this influx of new fans and media attention, they might not come back.

Yep. If Caitlin's spirit is crushed like a bug and she is "put in her place," that sure will make the vets feel good that they weren't shown up by the rook, won't it?

Too bad they're shooting the league's first legitimate shot at becoming more than just a niche sport in the foot in the process. Stupid.

It was my biggest fear. There's still time, but typically new viewers only take a game or two to make up their minds about how they feel about the W, and it has been a rough start.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

…hmm. Was planning on watching Saturday. First full W game since Comets. We shall see if they can drag me back in…

Saturday is a big day, l plan to watch Rickea ball, and softball.

 

[glv98]

A few thoughts on Caitlin. She is carry more of a load and game responsibility than anyone in her draft cohort. She is being thrown into the fire (and getting scorched) but I expect her performances will get better as the season goes on.

And it is one thing that teams are throwing tough defenses at her (and nobody on the Fever is making them pay for this overplaying) but CC is also getting hacked to death out there. The refs are letting it be open season on the rookie and it seems that they too have bought into the Diana Taurasi narrative about putting CC in "her place" because honor..... The league needs to step in and say "hey, call the dang fouls." This "old school" code is literally killing their golden goose. If the W loses this influx of new fans and media attention, they might not come back.

Yep. If Caitlin's spirit is crushed like a bug and she is "put in her place," that sure will make the vets feel good that they weren't shown up by the rook, won't it?

Too bad they're shooting the league's first legitimate shot at becoming more than just a niche sport in the foot in the process. Stupid.

It was my biggest fear. There's still time, but typically new viewers only take a game or two to make up their minds about how they feel about the W, and it has been a rough start.

IMO it's not the old school W vet narrative doing the damage. That's to be expected. Problem is the hype narrative surrounding CC has been wildly but predictably out of control for a long time. Predictable that everyone ran with it and that fans literally bought it, snapping up tickets and causing venues to be changed because they expected CC to score 30 every night and make the Fever immediate contenders That was never, ever going to happen. To her credit, CC tried to tamp it down, but it was already out of control. Lazy WBB media gets teeth into one narrative and can't let it go. Last night in the post game interview, after one of the best games of her MVP career, the second question asked of B.Stewart was about - CC.

Not sure what anyone expects the vets to do except what they're doing - throw the best defenders in the WBB world at CC and lock her down. IMO Clark's problem is not being hacked or fouled more than anyone else, it's that she's never seen defenders defend like Carrington and Laney have defended her. Actually she did see it at least twice in college - from Muhl and from Raven so we had seen a little preview of this. There just aren't many defenders, esp in college, with the motor and athleticism to play her the way these players have. When CC scored 20 in her first W game it was only late in the game when the issue was decided and they let up on her defensively. Same last night, when she made that little surge in the second half it was w Sabrina on her while Laney took a well deserved break.

It is unfortunate that the Fever has no one who can make the opposition pay for the defensive attention spent on CC because of whatever has happened to Boston and bc of Smith's raging inconsistency. Not helping the situation at all.

Don't think you could do anything approaching asking the refs to even watch for CC being fouled more closely. That would involve also not letting her do the little push off move she loves. Whatever vets say is one thing and not all that important. It's what they're able to do on the court that's blowing up the fantasy. If new fans find that disappointing and want to bail, not sure what can be done. Asking the refs for help won't make anything better.

Saturday is a big day, l plan to watch Rickea ball, and softball.

Don't judge RJ or the Sparks by what happens Saturday in Vegas. It's likely to be a slaughter. Sparks lost their best player to free agency and their center, the only player remotely capable of bothering Wilson at all, is out with injury. Their game next week against the Mystics will be much more enjoyable.

 

[brittannica]

Idk, but I think the narrative around Caitlin Clark who me and my people loathe only makes the rest of the W seem more impressive. For example, I want to watch more Suns game now because Im
maybe in love with DiJonai Carrington.

 

[glv98]

Idk, but I think the narrative around Caitlin Clark who me and my people loathe only makes the rest of the W seem more impressive. For example, I want to watch more Suns game now because Im
maybe in love with DiJonai Carrington.

That's the hope, that they'll come for CC and stay for "the rest". My new crush is Laney, the only really likable Liberty player IMO. She was a +43 last night!

I've loathed CC too, mostly for the overhype but also for the theatrics, but now I feel really sorry for her. Of course she was going to ride the wave of the crazy publicity but now she's paying for it. You could really see it last night, she felt intensely every single fan she had "let down".

 

[brittannica]

That's the hope, that they'll come for CC and stay for "the rest".

I've loathed CC too, mostly for the overhype but also for the theatrics, but now I feel really sorry for her. Of course she was going to ride the wave of the crazy publicity but now she's paying for it. You could really see it last night, she felt intensely every single fan she had "let down".

It’s too much for a kid. During the tournament it looked like several of them were not having fun, and it’s sad to see that carry over into their pro lives. Oddly enough, Angel Reese might benefit the most since she had so much attention in college but everyone seemingly expected her to not perform as well in the W. She has the opportunity to exceed expectations whereas CC not replicating Candace’s rookie season is nothing short of a failure. Too much pressure.

 

[LVsinceJV]

If you're the coach of the Sun, or the Liberty, do you tell your team to lay off defensively on a generational offensive talent? And how long do you keep your job as head coach if you make that a habit?

Certain teams play hard defense, bordering on dirty (cough Alyssa Thomas) which should be fairly familiar to Clark who herself is an extremely physical bordering on dirty at times player. To me, she's right at home and other than her unhinged fanbase with their extremely high expectations and bizarre sense of entitlement, she's having a fairly normal rookie experience.

 

[glv98]

It’s too much for a kid. During the tournament it looked like several of them were not having fun, and it’s sad to see that carry over into their pro lives. Oddly enough, Angel Reese might benefit the most since she had so much attention in college but everyone seemingly expected her to not perform as well in the W. She has the opportunity to exceed expectations whereas CC not replicating Candace’s rookie season is nothing short of a failure. Too much pressure.

Very true. Angel is also oddly benefiting fm Kamilla's injury bc now she's going to be allowed to just play through when it's not going well, like in the first half the other night. Lots of minutes.

One thing about Angel, she's an absolute pro at doing more with less, maximizing despite limitations, both on and off the court.

 

[glv98]

Jordy game at 9:30 tonight against the Lynx. That should be a really good game.

 

[glv98]

Lack of practice time really does make it harder for rookies and their teams. The lessons CC is learning should be happening in private against male practice players.

That said, the Fever did look dazed and confused by the end last night. Don't think I've ever seen Boston so defeated mentally.

 

[VolFuture]

Idk, but I think the narrative around Caitlin Clark who me and my people loathe only makes the rest of the W seem more impressive. For example, I want to watch more Suns game now because Im
maybe in love with DiJonai Carrington.

Yeah but that’s only a haters mindset and won’t grow the league. IMO it’s already over the W dropped the ball. And face guarding/double teaming a rookie isn’t the flex u think it is.

The fact the fever play Sun, Liberty, Liberty, Sun to start the year is OUTRAGEOUS and honestly a terrible business decision.

Imo the refs needs to be told to call any minor contact in Clark a foul and salvage her name. Idc if it’s lame to do but u have to think of it as a business move. Id the vets are so good they can get over a lil contact and bad foul calls. HOW THE HELL DOES CLARK GET 5 FOULS??? Atrocious negligence…

Don’t tell me pro sports are rigged anyway. Tipping the scale a bit for the app rookie team is a good decision imo.

 

[VolFuture]

If you're the coach of the Sun, or the Liberty, do you tell your team to lay off defensively on a generational offensive talent? And how long do you keep your job as head coach if you make that a habit?

Certain teams play hard defense, bordering on dirty (cough Alyssa Thomas) which should be fairly familiar to Clark who herself is an extremely physical bordering on dirty at times player. To me, she's right at home and other than her unhinged fanbase with their extremely high expectations and bizarre sense of entitlement, she's having a fairly normal rookie experience.

Yeah and it’s gonna kill the league… also do rookies normally play the league runners up twice and the best defensive team (3rd place) twice in their first 5 games???

 

[VolFuture]

That's the hope, that they'll come for CC and stay for "the rest". My new crush is Laney, the only really likable Liberty player IMO. She was a +43 last night!

I've loathed CC too, mostly for the overhype but also for the theatrics, but now I feel really sorry for her. Of course she was going to ride the wave of the crazy publicity but now she's paying for it. You could really see it last night, she felt intensely every single fan she had "let down".

No u can see the HATE these other players have for CC on top of the negligent coaching. My brother was excited to watch and turned the game off bc of the officiating and coaching (was complaining CC doesn’t have a green light).. Do you think the casuals will stay? No.

The Vets will get what they want.. insignificance.

Edit: I’m not even a huge CC fan but a league fan and it kills me yo see them make the worst business moves known to man

 

[LVsinceJV]

Yeah and it’s gonna kill the league… also do rookies normally play the league runners up twice and the best defensive team (3rd place) twice in their first 5 games???

Did Taurasi & Elderly Haters et. al. gather a meeting and decide on Indiana's first five games?

 

[glv98]

Don’t tell me pro sports are rigged anyway. Tipping the scale a bit for the app rookie team is a good decision imo.

Not sure if you meant don't tell you sports aren't rigged? Whether you think they are or not, what you're suggesting would be absolute confirmation this sport is rigged and therefore would go in the category with pro wrestling. Yes it would be a good biz decision and would keep the drive bys with the attention span of gnats. But would end any legitimacy of the sport, and I think it still has some.

My brother was excited to watch and turned the game off bc of the officiating and coaching (was complaining CC doesn’t have a green light).. Do you think the casuals will stay? No.

Speaking of gnats, I don't expect them to stay. It's looking like some of the ticket interest was resellers anyway. See those empty seats at the 'sell out' last night? Apparently resellers are already dumping tickets for cheap on future games. It's like the dang stock market.

I've seen others comment that CC didn't have "the green light". Green light wasn't the problem. Daylight was. Laney didn't allow her the ball most of the time, much less a shot. No screen she couldn't fight thru. I'm sure Indy would have loved CC to have 20 shots but that was never going to happen.

As far as being the victim of brutal scheduling, Kellie Harper says hold my So Car x3 in a month beer. Unfortunate, but it happens.

As far as CC's fouls, well lots of rookies get cooked on D right? That's why she's fouling.

All of this is simple. CC is seeing otherworldly defense. And she's a physical mismatch. And the team around her has mysteriously regressed. Boston, my God. But she's smart and savvy and a great passer. They'll get it figured out. But hopefully it won't involve artificially propping her up. If you're going to do that as a business decision do it with Cam or Rickea. They're cuter.

 

[glv98]

Regarding scheduling:

 

[VolFuture]

Not sure if you meant don't tell you sports aren't rigged? Whether you think they are or not, what you're suggesting would be absolute confirmation this sport is rigged and therefore would go in the category with pro wrestling. Yes it would be a good biz decision and would keep the drive bys with the attention span of gnats. But would end any legitimacy of the sport, and I think it still has some.

Speaking of gnats, I don't expect them to stay. It's looking like some of the ticket interest was resellers anyway. See those empty seats at the 'sell out' last night? Apparently resellers are already dumping tickets for cheap on future games. It's like the dang stock market.

I've seen others comment that CC didn't have "the green light". Green light wasn't the problem. Daylight was. Laney didn't allow her the ball most of the time, much less a shot. No screen she couldn't fight thru. I'm sure Indy would have loved CC to have 20 shots but that was never going to happen.

As far as being the victim of brutal scheduling, Kellie Harper says hold my So Car x3 in a month beer. Unfortunate, but it happens.

As far as CC's fouls, well lots of rookies get cooked on D right? That's why she's fouling.

All of this is simple. CC is seeing otherworldly defense. And she's a physical mismatch. And the team around her has mysteriously regressed. Boston, my God. But she's smart and savvy and a great passer. They'll get it figured out. But hopefully it won't involve artificially propping her up. If you're going to do that as a business decision do it with Cam or Rickea. They're cuter.

Yeah just tell me you don’t know how pro sports work. Keep hating

 

[VolFuture]

Regarding scheduling:

Like that couldn’t have been changed like the charter flights

 

[VolFuture]

Did Taurasi & Elderly Haters et. al. gather a meeting and decide on Indiana's first five games?

Probably bc Indiana is bad and those teams want to start 2-0 to build narrative

All I will say it’s it’s ridiculous to play the same team 2x in the same week

 

[glv98]

Yeah just tell me you don’t know how pro sports work. Keep hating

Wait, the one who thinks the W isn't rigged is the hater? How does that work?

Like that couldn’t have been changed like the charter flights

Changing anything for or against CC would be wrong and undermine the whole purpose. I stand by my "hater" naivete.

 

[madtownvol]

All of this is simple. CC is seeing otherworldly defense. And she's a physical mismatch. And the team around her has mysteriously regressed. Boston, my God. But she's smart and savvy and a great passer. They'll get it figured out. But hopefully it won't involve artificially propping her up. If you're going to do that as a business decision do it with Cam or Rickea. They're cuter.

I like the way you think!

 

[glv98]