Knicks · Liberty (page 1)
technomaster wrote:That was some sick execution in the last 2 minutes to take the lead off an 8-0 run... that was after falling behind by 4 in a back and forth battle. The Liberty had a lot of TOs thought. The one I thought might break them was on inbounds after a time out, but they recovered.
Now we're one game away from a title.BTW, I was just reading about how they put together a super team in 2023 - they have two former MVPs in Stewart (signed as FA) and Jones (traded) plus the pre-Caitlin Clark sensation Ionescu. Plus also picked up Vandersloot, a former all-star/all-WNBA player. I haven't looked up how the cap and salaries work in the WNBA... but with max salary peaking at around $240k, it seems as if players are banking on the extra exposure from the NY Media to squeeze out sponsorship deals.
Many of these girls play overseas in the winter and earn more money also. Minny has had 4 championships and they just broke their own attendance record. No Clark on the court drawing. The TV ratings have been good even without her.
Im not suggesting the WNBA is on the verge becoming a major sport. But its drawing in new fans and some of those will also tune in on the NBA if they did not previously. Are these games of interest overseas? Maybe a bit.
Lots of girls tuning in, and perhaps the sport of the LBGT crowd. Little girls see this and are playing more basketball.
Womens tennis is not about them being better than men, but its a more fundamental version than the power men have. Its different.
Womens golf? They are playing the course so its not the same.
I think I have watched about 10 WNBA games this season including the playoffs. Mostly Aces and Liberty.
Was fun watching Clark this season but Lexi Hull is not too bad herself!!!
WNBA has taken a long view and seems to be succeeding slowly.
Nalod wrote:technomaster wrote:That was some sick execution in the last 2 minutes to take the lead off an 8-0 run... that was after falling behind by 4 in a back and forth battle. The Liberty had a lot of TOs thought. The one I thought might break them was on inbounds after a time out, but they recovered.
Now we're one game away from a title.BTW, I was just reading about how they put together a super team in 2023 - they have two former MVPs in Stewart (signed as FA) and Jones (traded) plus the pre-Caitlin Clark sensation Ionescu. Plus also picked up Vandersloot, a former all-star/all-WNBA player. I haven't looked up how the cap and salaries work in the WNBA... but with max salary peaking at around $240k, it seems as if players are banking on the extra exposure from the NY Media to squeeze out sponsorship deals.
Many of these girls play overseas in the winter and earn more money also. Minny has had 4 championships and they just broke their own attendance record. No Clark on the court drawing. The TV ratings have been good even without her.
Im not suggesting the WNBA is on the verge becoming a major sport. But its drawing in new fans and some of those will also tune in on the NBA if they did not previously. Are these games of interest overseas? Maybe a bit.
Lots of girls tuning in, and perhaps the sport of the LBGT crowd. Little girls see this and are playing more basketball.Womens tennis is not about them being better than men, but its a more fundamental version than the power men have. Its different.
Womens golf? They are playing the course so its not the same.I think I have watched about 10 WNBA games this season including the playoffs. Mostly Aces and Liberty.
Was fun watching Clark this season but Lexi Hull is not too bad herself!!!WNBA has taken a long view and seems to be succeeding slowly.
I would say that if not for the spillover buzz from Caitlin Clark, I probably wouldn't be paying much attention to the WNBA. All of the buzz around Clark vs Reese spilled into social media, helping to spark greater awareness and familiarity.
The Liberty were in the finals last year and everyone on the superteam was already in place, but I'm pretty sure I watched 0 minutes of the WNBA playoffs and the entire season, and probably tuned out when it was mentioned on SportsCenter as if it were little league world series highlights.
This year, I watched chunks of the prior round and big bits of the finals,and have been tracking scores. Last night, I cared enough to research how we managed to acquire 2 MVPs - and learned that we are indeed a super team. And I learned that Stewart is pretty much the winningest player of all time across every level. Yeah
Some seeds were planted at the NBA all-star festivities when Ionescu took on Curry in a 3pt shooting contest.
All little bits of exposure, woven together. Heck, I even became aware of that the women in a car commercial were WNBA players... and that the State Farm guy is besties with Caitlin Clark.
All weird.
The last time I paid attention to the Liberty was back when Rebecca Lobo was on the team and we had the two Weatherspoons. (Funny that Theresa was Angel Reese's coach in Chicago, but was just fired) Oh actually, I paid a little bit of attention to Becky Hammon's teams - or at least was aware she was our PG. But hey, we ran into her as an asst coach for the Spurs, and it turns out she is now coach of the LV Aces (the team we beat in the prior round).
The thing is, maybe I'm a fan now. I have some knowledge of the history and "mythology" of some of the players.
I agree with you - there's something about the women's game that's cool - lots of fundamentally sound play. In the NBA, the freak athletes put in awe of something unattainable. No, I can never even imagine dunking like even the worst dunker in the league.
In the WNBA, there are some tall players that dominate with post up skills, but the players that are most impressive are the ones you play a bit more like Steph or Doncic - elite motors, killer footwork, ability to change directions on a dime, great skills and fundamentals.
These are things I can still strive for and incorporate into my play as a now 50yo 5'7" guy with shoulder pain. :)