WNBA discussion thread?

[madtownvol]

Oh boy. Cathy did de facto call her a liar by denying she said what Phee said she said. Understandable Phee canceled.

Ordinarily, the universally beloved and respected Phee would win this battle going away. But not this time. She (and Stewie) are giving the league the only possible leg they have to stand on.

In light of the extreme unlikelihood of a settlement happening in time for a WNBA season, I guarantee Alex B, also known as Mr. Phee, is already looking into the possibility of some kind of an Unrivaled season next spring and summer. It’s a huge conflict of interest for Phee and Stewie to be anywhere near these negotiations, esp with exclusivity being an issue. They should’ve stepped away from the beginning.

A more complete take on this exclusivity issue. It goes beyond the Unrivaled league. While Colliers and Stewart have a stake in these negotiations, it seems that the vast majority of players want an option to play and earn $ outside of the WNBA season.

The player case hinges on still relatively low salaries and the small window of the W season. The league obviously wants a monopoly on the best players

I did not think a strike/lockout would happen but I was not aware of this contract sticking point. I don't see this getting resolved in the short run.

PS. the W is being really short sighted if they try to keep players from competing in Unrivaled. I get wanting to have exclusive rights to your stars but unrivaled, helps to build interest in the women's game and unlike playing in Europe it is accessible to the US fan base who otherwise would not be paying any attention to WNBA players in the leagues lengthy off season.

WNBA CBA negotiations: How could a new deal affect outside leagues like Athletes Unlimited, Unrivaled?

The decisions codified in the new WNBA collective bargaining agreement will have an impact beyond the league’s walls, and others are paying attention.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[LV renaissance]

I always like to root for someone when I watch sports, especially a long series. I typically will root against the top dog if everything else is fairly equal in terms of my sentiment. So, I have been a bit for Phoenix so far. I am really impressed by Thomas's game and felt for her about the missed two free throws right at the end of game 1 but her excellent plays right before then were the only reason why it was still a game at that point. I get that vibe that Phoenix is not liked around here, so was curious about that? Also, what are others' thoughts about Alyssa Thomas?

 

[madtownvol]

I always like to root for someone when I watch sports, especially a long series. I typically will root against the top dog if everything else is fairly equal in terms om my sentiment. So, I have been a bit for Phoenix so far. I am really impressed by Thomas's game and felt for her about the missed two free throws right at the end of game 1 but her excellent plays right before then were the only reason why it was still a game at that point. I get that vibe that Phoenix is not liked around here, so was curious about that? Also, what are others' thoughts about Alyssa Thomas?

Loaded question since she flagrantly hunted down CP3 in the Sun v. Sky playoff series and took her out with a cheap shot to the knee. So, she ain't ever gonna be a fan fave on this board.

AT's lauded "physicality" has often bordered on dirty play. This season she seems to have reigned in that side of her game. She still pushes the limits but the refs are letting her get away with playing rugby on the court so that is more on the league. Her work ethic is top notch and she makes her team better, She has managed to become a consistent scorer despite having the most unorthodox shot this side of Angel Reese. As per Friday's loss, FTs are her Achilles heel.

 

[madtownvol]

It was a good game which I had on in the background. I can only manage really mild interest in this series and I wish it was five games, 7 is too much.

I don’t think this series will go past 5. Mercury might get one at home but the Aces are just firing on all cylinders. Chelsea Gray has been fantastic and Wilson and Young are now fully locked in.

 

[VolBall09]

Caitlin Clark is the first player since Kobe Bryant to make a noticeable impact on how players play the game. All the girls in seeing for 2027 and 2028 have so many of her moves in their game.

Specifically the right handed players going to the left on the shot. Kid, after kid, after kid is doing that same one dribble fade away to the left from three.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Caitlin Clark is the first player since Kobe Bryant to make a noticeable impact on how players play the game. All the girls in seeing for 2027 and 2028 have so many of her moves in their game.

Specifically the right handed players going to the left on the shot. Kid, after kid, after kid is doing that same one dribble fade away to the left from three.

Caitlin was not the first, by a decade.

 

[RetroVol]

All the girls in seeing for 2027 and 2028 have so many of her moves in their game.

Just watching some videos of Payton Starwalt, 2027 prospect from Oregon, and the similarities to CC are striking: logo bombs, step-back 3s, even some of the passing. 5'7" instead of 6', but still... Exactly what you said.

 

[VolBall09]

Caitlin was not the first, by a decade.

Right, read again. There have been many players who made a visual impact on the game.

Kobe is the last I recall having this broad of an impact though.

You can see a lot of Steph curry in how many young players are playing as well. Back in my day everyone was trying to emulate Michael Jordan or Kobe.

 

[chuckiepoo]

I guess Iowa should hang a banner…

better yet, paint a few x’s on the logo.

 

[glv98]

I always like to root for someone when I watch sports, especially a long series. I typically will root against the top dog if everything else is fairly equal in terms of my sentiment. So, I have been a bit for Phoenix so far. I am really impressed by Thomas's game and felt for her about the missed two free throws right at the end of game 1 but her excellent plays right before then were the only reason why it was still a game at that point. I get that vibe that Phoenix is not liked around here, so was curious about that? Also, what are others' thoughts about Alyssa Thomas?

I just don’t care for AT’s rugby style of play at all. Used to like Satou a lot but Shes turned into an unreliable, inconsistent whiney baby. Ditto Kah Copper. I also think the whole DB situation was sketchy.

It’s all so subjective. I wish I could get more excited about watching Aja, obviously the best player active, among the best ever. But the Aces, like the Merc, are just meh watches for me.

 

[madtownvol]

I guess Iowa should hang a banner…

better yet, paint a few x’s on the logo.

She turned water into wine, made the blind see, walked on water, but just could not get that natty or her pro team past the first round..........

 

[chuckiepoo]

She turned water into wine, made the blind see, walked on water, but just could not get that natty or her pro team past the first round..........

Auto update saves me again!

She purty good. Brought all the midwestern rural eyes to wbb and the W. Kudos to the young lady. She deserves her accolades. Just check them at the door. We've heard the narrative ad nauseum.

 

[madtownvol]

Auto update saves me again!

She purty good. Brought all the midwestern rural eyes to wbb and the W. Kudos to the young lady. She deserves her accolades. Just check them at the door. We've heard the narrative ad nauseum.

No question, I am looking forward to seeing her back on the court next season. It is just the endless stream of messiah talk is just too tempting to ignore.

 

[madtownvol]

I just don’t care for AT’s rugby style of play at all. Used to like Satou a lot but Shes turned into an unreliable, inconsistent whiney baby. Ditto Kah Copper. I also think the whole DB situation was sketchy.

It’s all so subjective. I wish I could get more excited about watching Aja, obviously the best player active, among the best ever. But the Aces, like the Merc, are just meh watches for me.

I have become an A'ja fan this season. Her game is similar to Rickea's except that A'ja is bigger and a more consistent shooter,. And her defense is lock down, even against smaller players.

She is pretty funny as well, her post-game line about her teammate "who is great at getting her hands on balls, and that woman has a wife..." was inspired.