2024 WNBA Discussion Thread

[DarkPhoenix]

The Sky is 6-9 in her willing the team to victory. Not sure if this deserves the Jordan Flu (food poisoning) praise.

Nobody is close to Jordan, but she’s special in how she carries her teams to wins at every level she’s played at.

 

[VolBall09]

Nobody is close to Jordan, but she’s special in how she carries her teams to wins at every level she’s played at.

Delulu

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Delulu

Don’t listen to me, go listen to Holly Rowe. I’m sure that’s someone you respect.

 

[VolBall09]

Don’t listen to me, go listen to Holly Rowe. I’m sure that’s someone you respect.

lol no not really.

I’m not sure why you’re always so caught up with race. I literally do not care. My favorite player, GOAT, is Candace Parker.

Tamika Catchings is probably my second favorite player. Followed by Courtney Paris and Sylvia Fowels.

I love how each of those women played the game, handled their self and the humility and perseverance they showed.

This whole “trash talk is good for the game” narrative. No, it’s not, or people would like it. It’s clear nobody cares for it but players like Reese and Carter continue to run their mouth. I also Despise Taurasi for the same reason. They are hateful, ungrateful, poor examples for children and a poor excuse for “professionals.”

This isn’t a white or black issue. This is a character issue.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

lol no not really.

I’m not sure why you’re always so caught up with race. I literally do not care. My favorite player, GOAT, is Candace Parker.

Tamika Catchings is probably my second favorite player. Followed by Courtney Paris and Sylvia Fowels.

I love how each of those women played the game, handled their self and the humility and perseverance they showed.

This whole “trash talk is good for the game” narrative. No, it’s not, or people would like it. It’s clear nobody cares for it but players like Reese and Carter continue to run their mouth. I also Despise Taurasi for the same reason. They are hateful, ungrateful, poor examples for children and a poor excuse for “professionals.”

This isn’t a white or black issue. This is a character issue.

I did t bring up race, Nalyssa Smith didn’t have a problem trash talking. Smith and Reese even said it’s not big deal. Candace is my goat as well but we don’t have to like the same things, just like u like 3pt shooting and I look for other things is the players I support, which I mostly winning intangibles. I’ve always hated losing so I like players that look at it the same way.

 

[VolBall09]

I did t bring up race, Nalyssa Smith didn’t have a problem trash talking. Smith and Reese even said it’s not big deal. Candace is my goat as well but we don’t have to like the same things, just like u like 3pt shooting and I look for other things is the players I support, which I mostly winning intangibles. I’ve always hated losing so I like players that look at it the same way.

Did I say I liked it from Smith either?

ITS BAD FOR THE GAME.

The average fan at those games is about 10 with their parents also in attendance. This is not the same target audience as the NBA.

Women have proven over the last 3 seasons they can’t handle it either. The talk has ended up in physical altercations on a national stage numerous times.

Not good for the game. Period.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Did I say I liked it from Smith either?

ITS BAD FOR THE GAME.

The average fan at those games is about 10 with their parents also in attendance. This is not the same target audience at the NBA.

Women have proven over the last 3 seasons they can’t handle it either. The talk has ended up in physical alternations on a national stage numerous times.

Not good for the game. Period.

If u don’t like trash talking u shouldn’t be watching sports, maybe u should watch golf, I don’t think I’ve seen trash talking in that game

 

[NashVol11]

This whole “trash talk is good for the game” narrative. No, it’s not, or people would like it.

Lots of people are good with trash talk, myself included. This was against Tennessee and I still love it

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Lots of people are good with trash talk, myself included. This was against Tennessee and I still love it

I have a few moments from high school and AAU, she’s always been a dawg and I love it.

 

[lvocd]

Lots of people are good with trash talk, myself included. This was against Tennessee and I still love it

People either get a lot of enjoyment from shows like Jerry Springer and Maury Povich in which undisciplined, undignified, often undereducated people go at each other in full-on trash mode, or they don't. Same thing with modern sports fans.

In the couple of times I ever watched Springer I found myself feeling extremely embarrassed for the people who participated in those shows. Those shows were extremely popular, but they made me pity both the trash-talking, often brawling particpants as well as the hollering, wildly appreciative-of-the-conflict audience members.

This is a very similar dynamic to me. It's embarrassing.

 

[knoxvol52]

So it's okay for the NBA players to talk trash because they're men? But omg if the WNBA players talk trash it's the end of the world.

As long as the players don't get personal trash talking has ALWAYS been part of the sport, get over it people.

 

[glv98]

This whole “trash talk is good for the game” narrative. No, it’s not, or people would like it. It’s clear nobody cares for it but players like Reese and Carter continue to run their mouth.

Disagree that nobody cares for it. Many people absolutely love it and base their fandom on it. But many others detest it and base staying away from the game bc of it. I'll split the baby and say bc many people can't get enough of conflict reality tv, it's temporarily good for the game. But not a good permanent foundation to build it on bc it eventually gets so tiring. And needs to be ratcheted up to have the same effect.

I don’t mid the trash talk as long as it’s not personal. She grew up playing I’m the streets of Baltimore that’s just how it goes, they trash talk and things also get physical, i’m sure Suburban basketball is different but that doesn’t make one better than another.

The Baltimore excuse is so silly. This kind of behavior is everywhere from the suburbs to the executive board room to yep, Baltimore. Ironically, if we attributed other things about AR to her background or upbringing we'd be correctly called out for being prejudiced.

So it's okay for the NBA players to talk trash because they're men? But omg if the WNBA players talk trash it's the end of the world.

As long as the players don't get personal trash talking has ALWAYS been part of the sport, get over it people.

Can't stand the "but men do it!" comparison. Women don't have to be a bad as the worst men to be relevant. And trash behavior is a big reason alot of people don't watch the NBA.

We're really conflating 'trash talk' at all levels with what Angel does, which is trash talk on PEDs. True trash talk is often unnoticed by fans and it's always spontaneous within the context of the game. It's like you block a shot and yell "Gimme that sh*t!" into the ether, then quickly go on with the game.

Angel's is far from spontaneous, it's well planned shtick. Starts early and never stops, esp in games like yesterday where she knows there will be lots of eyes. That first prolonged stare down (which happened in lieu of hustling back downcourt) was into the camera, not at Smith. Alot of people absolutely love that, can't count how many times I've heard "that was a show!" "that was cinema!" about the game yesterday.

But like any show, just as many people are going to find it annoying and contrived. And here we are the next day talking about it. It's truly a "talk about me good or talk about me bad, just talk about me" kind of thing that Angel specializes in. Then in a few days her feelings will be hurt bc people talk bad about her.

Angel and others wrap themselves in the misperception that you have to act like this to be a "dawg". Jordan Horston begs to differ. She has become a truly effective dawg for her team and barely opens her mouth, at least that the audience can see. Her most frequent shows of emotion are in celebration with her teammates. In the longrun, that's the kind of dawg I like, but that's just me.

 

[knoxvol52]

Disagree that nobody cares for it. Many people absolutely love it and base their fandom on it. But many others detest it and base staying away from the game bc of it. I'll split the baby and say bc some people can't get enough of conflict reality tv, it's temporarily good for the game. But not a good permanent foundation to build it on bc it eventually gets so tiring. And needs to be ratcheted up to have the same effect.

The Baltimore excuse is so tiresome and silly. This kind of behavior is everywhere from the suburbs to the executive board room to yep, Baltimore. Ironically, if we attributed other things about AR to her background or geographical location we'd be correctly called out for being prejudiced.

It's like the participants think people are laughing with them, not at them. It is deeply embarrassing for all. But I suspect most of the participants would happily walk away with the pay check and noterity even if they knew.

Can't stand the "but men do it!" comparison. Women don't have to be a bad as the worst men to be relevant. And trash behavior is a big reason alot of people don't watch the NBA.

We're really conflating 'trash talk' at all levels with what Angel does which is trash talk on PEDs. True trash talk is often unnoticed by fans and it's always spontaneous within the context of the game. It's like you block a shot and yell "Gimme that sh*t!" into the ether, then quickly go on with the game.

Angel's is far from spontaneous, it's well planned shtick. Starts early and never stops, esp in games like yesterday where she knows there will be lots of eyes. That first stare down was into the camera, not at Smith. Alot of people absolutely love that, can't count how many times I've heard "that was a show!" "that was cinema!" about the game yesterday. But like any show, just as many people are going to find it annoying and contrived. And here we are the next day talking about it. It's truly a "talk about me good or talk about me bad, just talk about me" kind of thing that Angel specializes in. Then in a few days her feelings will be hurt bc people talk bad about her.

Angel and others wrap themselves in the misperception that you have to act like this to be a "dawg". Jordan Horston begs to differ. She has become a truly effective dawg for her team and barely opens her mouth, at least that the audience can see. Her most frequent shows of emotion are in celebration with her teammates. In the longrun, that's the kind of dawg I like, but that's just me.

So now we don't compare men's and women's sports or just selective when we do?

If you want these young women to act like Mother Teresa then watch Tennis or Golf.

 

[glv98]

So now we don't compare men's and women's sports or just selective when we do?

If you want these young women to act like Mother Teresa then watch Tennis or Golf.

I don't justify questionable behavior by women just bc men do it too. Don't know about you, but the Mom I grew up with was having none of the "but everyone else does it" excuse.

There's a wide gap btw Mother Teresa, tennis and tacky, show off posing. Very good, effective 'dawg' players can find a sweet spot in the gap. See above, Hortson, Jordan.

 

[glv98]

Angel did successfully wrestle the narrative away fm CC for a change, and for that I'm grateful at least LOL. Much as Angel's antics annoy me, I've never been so tired of a single name as Caitlin Clark.

If anyone was paying attention to CC, they saw that she openly argued w her coach a couple of times late in game (clips all over twitter). Justifibly so as Sides chose to go away from her in crucial situations. A one on one play for freaking Smith on the last chance to tie? Smith predictably airballed a 5 footer.

CC passed up a wide open 3 late in the game and I believe she did that purposely to "punish" or show up Sides.

 

[knoxvol52]

I don't consider what Angel Reese does as trash talking actually. It's just her trying to get the opponent off their game by letting her mentally mess with them.

 

[VolBall09]

So now we don't compare men's and women's sports or just selective when we do?

If you want these young women to act like Mother Teresa then watch Tennis or Golf.

When have men’s and women’s sports ever been comparable?

The only commonalities they have in the last few years is men IN women’s sports now.

 

[knoxvol52]

When have men’s and women’s sports ever been comparable?

The only commonalities they have in the last few years is men IN women’s sports now.

I posted my opinion you don't agree that's fine, although I bet the ones complaining about the trash talking will be watching when next game is on.

Kinda like flopping everyone complains and says this is going to have to stop but tune in to watch the flopping 30 minutes later.

 

[VolBall09]

I don't consider what Angel Reese dies as trash talking actually. It's just her trying to get the opponent off their game by letting her mentally mess with them.

Exactly, it’s not trash talk. It’s just her running her mouth and yapping non-stop which is incredibly annoying. No matter the context.

The average target fan of the wnba right now is about a 10-12yo girl. Yes, literally. Do we really think that’s a positive influence?

This isn’t the NBA whose target market is mostly men 25+.

Ja Morant also liked to run his mouth and yap and act like a gangster on social media. Beat up a 17yo playing pickup basketball and then threatened him with a gun. That is the culture that kind of behavior facilitates. I’m not for it now and never will be.

 

[Majors]

I don't justify questionable behavior by women just bc men do it too. Don't know about you, but the Mom I grew up with was having none of the "but everyone else does it" excuse.

There's a wide gap btw Mother Teresa, tennis and tacky, show off posing. Very good, effective 'dawg' players can find a sweet spot in the gap. See above, Hortson, Jordan.

Baltimore, MD or Brentwood, TN…geography doesn’t give a free pass. Agree, if fans here are going to blast Tennessee baseball for their antics the same energy needs to be applied for the women.

 

[VolBall09]

I posted my opinion you don't agree that's fine, although I bet the ones complaining about the trash talking will be watching when next game is on.

Kinda like flopping everyone complains and says this is going to have to stop but tune in to watch the flopping 30 minutes later.

Actually decided yesterday I was done. Completely. I deactivated my social media so I don’t have to see any of it and I’m done watching WNBA games this season.

It’s no longer about basketball. It’s the media pitting an immature idiot against a generational talent with a great head on her shoulders.

The way ESPN was trying to prop Angel up yesterday and she was just getting flamed in the comments tells you everything you need to know. I don’t need to see that much hate which is why I stepped out. She brings every bit of it on herself with her behavior.

Instagram and Twitter have to scrub comments like mad anytime she is posted by a major media outlet because….guess what? PEOPLE DO NOT LIKE HER.

Very often people are just getting back what they put out into the world. Angel Reese is an immature hater and that’s why she gets so much hate. It’s a direct correlation to her poor character.

 

[glv98]

I don't consider what Angel Reese dies as trash talking actually. It's just her trying to get the opponent off their game by letting her mentally mess with them.

Agree with this. It's one of the many unusual ways Angel finds to excel in the absence of actual basketball skills like a jump shot. And she's incredibly effective with it all, no question. But it's also the kind of thing that's very, very polarizing.

I don't think Aja Wilson spends much time worrying about mentally messing with opponents.

 

[VolBall09]

I don't justify questionable behavior by women just bc men do it too. Don't know about you, but the Mom I grew up with was having none of the "but everyone else does it" excuse.

There's a wide gap btw Mother Teresa, tennis and tacky, show off posing. Very good, effective 'dawg' players can find a sweet spot in the gap. See above, Hortson, Jordan.

Yeah, thankfully my parents encouraged us to think for ourselves.

I got in trouble one time as a high schooler. The first thing my mother said was, “It damn sure better have been your idea.”

Not because she was hoping I had been the one to decide to do something dumb, but because she definitely didn’t want me following others and doing something that could have a negative impact on my life.

 

[VolBall09]

Agree with this. It's one of the many unusual ways Angel finds to excel in the absence of actual basketball skills like a jump shot. And she's incredibly effective with it all, no question. But it's also the kind of thing that's very, very polarizing.

I don't think Aja Wilson spends much time worrying about mentally messing with opponents.

Because A’Ja stays getting buckets and is a skilled ball player. She doesn’t have to run her mouth and distract her opponent to have success on the court.

Stand up person and a great athlete. Best player in the league by a long shot right now.

 

[glv98]

Very often people are just getting back what they put out into the world. Angel Reese is an immature hater and that’s why she gets so much hate. It’s a direct correlation to her poor character.

There's no justification, no matter what Angel says or does, for the kind of racial hate she gets in return.

I'm not even sure AR has 'bad character' off the court. I just think the wrestling villian role she embraces on court is misguided and yes, very immature.

In 30-40 yrs, I'll bet AR will be like John McEnroe, saying I can't believe I actually acted like that.