WNBA Season

[Coolbreeze44]

After the stunning Lakers trade over the weekend, today I see the Bucks are going to rest Giannis, Lillard, and Middleton tonight in OKC. Jeez, hard to believe this league is losing popularity.

That brings me to the title of the thread. I know I'm not the only one who follows the WNBA, or the only one who is high on it. I'm actually looking forward to play beginning again and it seems my interest in growing by the year. As many of you know, I coached some high-end AAU girls basketball. I had a couple players who were among the final cuts for WNBA teams. I have a lot of respect for the woman's game, the way they play and how coachable they are. If the NBA continues in the direction they are going, I see the WNBA gaining more and more in popularity.

I'm curious who your favorite teams and players are. I've always followed the Lynx and still do, but I must admit to being swept up in the Caitlin Clark hysteria last year. I'll be rooting for the Fever to make a playoff run to see how she does under the bright lights. I like the way she goes against the league establishment even though she publicly downplays it. Let me know who you guys like in the league and whether your interest is gaining.

[kekgeek]

After the stunning Lakers trade over the weekend, today I see the Bucks are going to rest Giannis, Lillard, and Middleton tonight in OKC. Jeez, hard to believe this league is losing popularity.

That brings me to the title of the thread. I know I'm not the only one who follows the WNBA, or the only one who is high on it. I'm actually looking forward to play beginning again and it seems my interest in growing by the year. As many of you know, I coached some high-end AAU girls basketball. I had a couple players who were among the final cuts for WNBA teams. I have a lot of respect for the woman's game, the way they play and how coachable they are. If the NBA continues in the direction they are going, I see the WNBA gaining more and more in popularity.

I'm curious who your favorite teams and players are. I've always followed the Lynx and still do, but I must admit to being swept up in the Caitlin Clark hysteria last year. I'll be rooting for the Fever to make a playoff run to see how she does under the bright lights. I like the way she goes against the league establishment even though she publicly downplays it. Let me know who you guys like in the league and whether your interest is gaining.

I really enjoy the WNBA. Some of it is probably because my cousin is a key contributor on one of the best teams in state in MN. So I have been following a ton of college women bball because the state of MN has produced some really good talent lately.

I like the Lynx a ton. So much drama in the league and I think getting to know the players playing at one school for 4 years helps a ton

[Monster]

The Women's game has changed so much in the past 20 or so years. I used to go to a fair amount of Nebraska Women's games back in the day as my brother had season tickets. For a few years he coached the women's team at the small college both of us graduated from so that advanced his interest. Anyway I go to at least one women's game every year and actually went to Nebraska's loss to Ohio state a couple weeks ago. That was the most I have ever seen at a Nebraska Women's game.l although they are pretty well attended.

Anyway the skills and the way the players play now is much more enjoyable to watch including a faster pace in general. I liked watching it before but it was often so much more structured. I have a friend that swears he wouldn't watch women's basketball ever unless his wife or family member was playing etc. He said he ended up watching a college women's game last year and was like...hey I guess this isn't too bad. Lol

Meanwhile Women's volleyball is trying to be a legit pro sport and the state of Nebraska is part of that. I would not be surprised if that league takes off at some point. I think Cool hits on a point where some fans are gonna be more interested in following a sport where it's about the players playing the sport than all the drama of the big sports. If there are leagues and games there are fans that will watch and with the technology we have today it's easier for people to actually do so than 20 years ago or whatever.

I'm always a little frustrated with myself that I don't watch and follow the Lynx more than I do which is very little. They are good, play a fun brand of basketball and keep finding ways to be competitive. There have always been a few other players that I liked in the league as well but the only team I would actually follow is the Lynx.

As for Clark...I'm a fan and it's a little weird to me that some people seem upset by her. People just enjoy what she is bringing and quit being haters. The league was on an upward trajectory before she came but she added a whole new thing too. She isn't the only one who makes people want to watch but she certainly has brought a significant number of people to watch the league. Plenty of other players years before her built up the sport including a player like Maya Moore. I don't like everything about some of the most popular NBA players either but anyways.

[AbeVigodaLive]

A couple of notes...

- I coached youth basketball (boys) for years. I'm coaching youth basketball (girls) now. It's different, and even one young hooper girl I know MUCH prefers the speed of the boys/mens game... but I'm enjoying the experience, enough that I'm definitely looking forward to sitting in the stands and watching a lot of HS girls basketball in the coming years.

- Cool... the issue I have with the WNBA is that it's still a fledgling league financially... which makes the leadership (decision-making) seem more in line with some of the failed moves of the ABA/NBA era before Magic and Bird came along to save the day. I was extremely disappointed in the WNBA Finals. I don't have the reputation for being a provincial rube... but the officiating in the deciding game was amateurish for any legitimate sports league. It was an outright embarrassment for the league. But the worst part was how the league (and its partners) acted afterwards. They didn't address it and simply ran from it.

A real league acknowledges mistakes... it doesn't encourage those mistakes because they don't have confidence in their product. They manipulated the WNBA Finals because they didn't believe in their own product. There's no way around it.

The way the league (players) handled the Clark/Reese stuff was bush league, too.

- Monster... volleyball is growing in popularity very quickly. In fact, some places are seeing a lot more volleyball players than basketball players right now. Like the other sports though... the better players are now year-round athletes and the costs are ridiculous. It is fun to watch though. I imagine its popularity will continue to soar, especially now that men's volleyball is officially a sport at the MN HS level.

[Coolbreeze44]

A couple of notes...

- I coached youth basketball (boys) for years. I'm coaching youth basketball (girls) now. It's different, and even one young hooper girl I know MUCH prefers the speed of the boys/mens game... but I'm enjoying the experience, enough that I'm definitely looking forward to sitting in the stands and watching a lot of HS girls basketball in the coming years.

- Cool... the issue I have with the WNBA is that it's still a fledgling league financially... which makes the leadership (decision-making) seem more in line with some of the failed moves of the ABA/NBA era before Magic and Bird came along to save the day. I was extremely disappointed in the WNBA Finals. I don't have the reputation for being a provincial rube... but the officiating in the deciding game was amateurish for any legitimate sports league. It was an outright embarrassment for the league. But the worst part was how the league (and its partners) acted afterwards. They didn't address it and simply ran from it.

A real league acknowledges mistakes... it doesn't encourage those mistakes because they don't have confidence in their product. They manipulated the WNBA Finals because they didn't believe in their own product. There's no way around it.

The way the league (players) handled the Clark/Reese stuff was bush league, too.

- Monster... volleyball is growing in popularity very quickly. In fact, some places are seeing a lot more volleyball players than basketball players right now. Like the other sports though... the better players are now year-round athletes and the costs are ridiculous. It is fun to watch though. I imagine its popularity will continue to soar, especially now that men's volleyball is officially a sport at the MN HS level.

That last game of the finals was stolen from the Lynx. I agree with you, it was really a bad look. I guess after watching the NBA playoffs for decades I've become numb to officials deciding series. But at least Reeve called a spade a spade in her postgame news conference and it was refreshing to see her do it. Do you remember what the commissioner wore to the game? Embarrassing.

[AbeVigodaLive]

A couple of notes...

- I coached youth basketball (boys) for years. I'm coaching youth basketball (girls) now. It's different, and even one young hooper girl I know MUCH prefers the speed of the boys/mens game... but I'm enjoying the experience, enough that I'm definitely looking forward to sitting in the stands and watching a lot of HS girls basketball in the coming years.

- Cool... the issue I have with the WNBA is that it's still a fledgling league financially... which makes the leadership (decision-making) seem more in line with some of the failed moves of the ABA/NBA era before Magic and Bird came along to save the day. I was extremely disappointed in the WNBA Finals. I don't have the reputation for being a provincial rube... but the officiating in the deciding game was amateurish for any legitimate sports league. It was an outright embarrassment for the league. But the worst part was how the league (and its partners) acted afterwards. They didn't address it and simply ran from it.

A real league acknowledges mistakes... it doesn't encourage those mistakes because they don't have confidence in their product. They manipulated the WNBA Finals because they didn't believe in their own product. There's no way around it.

The way the league (players) handled the Clark/Reese stuff was bush league, too.

- Monster... volleyball is growing in popularity very quickly. In fact, some places are seeing a lot more volleyball players than basketball players right now. Like the other sports though... the better players are now year-round athletes and the costs are ridiculous. It is fun to watch though. I imagine its popularity will continue to soar, especially now that men's volleyball is officially a sport at the MN HS level.

That last game of the finals was stolen from the Lynx. I agree with you, it was really a bad look. I guess after watching the NBA playoffs for decades I've become numb to officials deciding series. But at least Reeve called a spade a spade in her postgame news conference and it was refreshing to see her do it. Do you remember what the commissioner wore to the game? Embarrassing.

Yes. I saw the dress. And that's why I thought it was gimmicky. If the leaders of the league don't take it seriously... why should intrigued fans tuning in take it seriously?

The NBA has obviously had its fair share of officiating issues. But nothing like those Finals... in large part because seemingly everyone was unapologetically in on it from the announcers to the media outlets to the commissioner.

They treated their league like the gimmick its detractors claim it is.

[Coolbreeze44]

Have to admit, it was disgusting

[kekgeek]

Just doing a big Woman Breakdown on all levels right now because I know some people in hear like woman's bball.

High School in MN
I know a lot about the current state of high school girls basketball. My cousin just finished her last high school season after being a starter since her 8th grade year. She made state all tournament team what was sweet but the current talent in MN girls basketball is so good. My best friends wife is also the HC at a 4A program.

4A: Hopkins won yet another state title and they are pretty darn young they are going to be so good these next few years. Just a powerhouse. Sad Jordan Ode could not lead Maple Grove to the state title, she will be going to Michigan State this year. Prediction is Hopkins will repeat next year.

3A: Benilde st margaret just won their 3rd straight title what is crazy because Olivia Olson who was a top 15 recruit in the nation last year and plays at Michigan graduated last year. But lead by 2 D1 Seniors, A top 30 player in the nation sophomore and a D1 volleyball player (elite 3 point shooter) they won another state title. The seeding in 3A was so bad for the state title, teams like delasalle and Alexandria got punished for playing a tough schedule while Montocellio got the 2 seed for going undefeated but played 0 teams that made it to state. While DeLasalle and Alexandria played 9 teams that made it to state. Also controversy in 3A because Montocellio best player and 25 ppr scorer was suspended for the state tournament for drinking in the tournament while someone was blackmailing her with that proof all season apparently. 3A is going to look a lot different next year with Benilde losing 2 D1 girls, DeLasalle losing by far their best player who is going to Richmond, Marshall loses multiple starters, Rock Ridge loses their 3 best players and Alexandria is moving up to 4A and losing 4 1k point scorers to graduation. Prediction Next year is Hill Murray will win state. They have a D1 Sophmore and maybe the best 7th grader I have ever seen.

2A: Providence wins state for the 4th straight year. I know the head coach at Providence because he is a year younger than me and I went to college with him. This is the class of elite players Maddyn Greenway (Vikings Chad Greenway daughter) might be the greatest woman's basketball player I have ever seen play live. My cousin is a legit great defender and I have never seen my cousin get cooked including against players Olivia Olson and Jordan Ode but Maddy Greenway dropped over 40 on my cousin. She is so good. Providence will lose their D1 center next year what will hurt but they are so good and will win their 5th straight title next year. Other teams like Cosby Iornton have Tori Orhilen and is also a 4k point scorers like Greenway as a Junior, Tori will be going to the gophers, but they did recruit a 2k point scorers from Duluth to try and beat Providence but it lead to a state runner up. 2A also had Addi Mack from minnehaha who is a senior with over 4k points going to Maryland. They also have Chloe Johnson who is a top 10 Freshman in the nation at Duluth Marshall however they are in the same section as Crosby Ironton so only one team will make it to state next year. Overall this class is stacked with star power but Providence will win next year.

NCAA

It is loaded right now. Final 4 is looking like Texas, South Carolina, UCLA and Uconn (Up 10 in the 3rd). There has been such good basketball lately. Hope Paige Bueckers wins the title for UCONN. It really sucks that JuJu Watkins tore her ACL in the sweet sixteen.

Gophers woman are in the finals of the WBIT what is great because they lost their best player 3 games into the season and lost their 7th woman who was a 5 star transfer from Hopkins/Michigan to a torn ACL. Gophers have a legit chance to be a sweet sixteen team next year. They are so well coached and they have a great defensive culture. Need Mara Braun back (projected early 2nd round pick next year) and they will be able to make legit noise next year.

Also it's crazy how many girls are coming back to college instead of going pro because of NIL
Olivia Miles Projected #2 pick (Notre Damn/Transfer Portal)
Lauren Betts Projected #3 pick (UCLA)
Azi Fudd projected #8 pick (UCONN)

Have all announced they are coming back to college.


WNBA

Not a ton to report. The Liberty acquired Natasha Cloud what is such a steal for them. I think they should be heavy favorites to win back to back titles. They are so good and Cloud is such a great add.

Lynx are running it but I am curious how awkward it is going to be between Phee and Natasha Heidman. Phee is the owner of the Unrieval league and Heidman won the Unrieval league as a replacement player but she was not rewarded her 50k bonus. That has to make the locker room awkward.

Fever had an amazing off-season but until Clark can win at any level (0 High school state championships and 0 NCAA championship) I am not sure she can get it done when it matters.

Overall the WNBA draft is super weak this year outside of Paige. Kiki will have a career but with players dropping out of the draft I just don't see many players that will stick in the WNBA. Maybe one of the more talented players in Sendona has 3 different domestic assault charges and I don't know if anyone will draft her.

Those are my thoughts nobody asked for!

[Q-is-here]

Just doing a big Woman Breakdown on all levels right now because I know some people in hear like woman's bball.

High School in MN
I know a lot about the current state of high school girls basketball. My cousin just finished her last high school season after being a starter since her 8th grade year. She made state all tournament team what was sweet but the current talent in MN girls basketball is so good. My best friends wife is also the HC at a 4A program.

4A: Hopkins won yet another state title and they are pretty darn young they are going to be so good these next few years. Just a powerhouse. Sad Jordan Ode could not lead Maple Grove to the state title, she will be going to Michigan State this year. Prediction is Hopkins will repeat next year.

3A: Benilde st margaret just won their 3rd straight title what is crazy because Olivia Olson who was a top 15 recruit in the nation last year and plays at Michigan graduated last year. But lead by 2 D1 Seniors, A top 30 player in the nation sophomore and a D1 volleyball player (elite 3 point shooter) they won another state title. The seeding in 3A was so bad for the state title, teams like delasalle and Alexandria got punished for playing a tough schedule while Montocellio got the 2 seed for going undefeated but played 0 teams that made it to state. While DeLasalle and Alexandria played 9 teams that made it to state. Also controversy in 3A because Montocellio best player and 25 ppr scorer was suspended for the state tournament for drinking in the tournament while someone was blackmailing her with that proof all season apparently. 3A is going to look a lot different next year with Benilde losing 2 D1 girls, DeLasalle losing by far their best player who is going to Richmond, Marshall loses multiple starters, Rock Ridge loses their 3 best players and Alexandria is moving up to 4A and losing 4 1k point scorers to graduation. Prediction Next year is Hill Murray will win state. They have a D1 Sophmore and maybe the best 7th grader I have ever seen.

2A: Providence wins state for the 4th straight year. I know the head coach at Providence because he is a year younger than me and I went to college with him. This is the class of elite players Maddyn Greenway (Vikings Chad Greenway daughter) might be the greatest woman's basketball player I have ever seen play live. My cousin is a legit great defender and I have never seen my cousin get cooked including against players Olivia Olson and Jordan Ode but Maddy Greenway dropped over 40 on my cousin. She is so good. Providence will lose their D1 center next year what will hurt but they are so good and will win their 5th straight title next year. Other teams like Cosby Iornton have Tori Orhilen and is also a 4k point scorers like Greenway as a Junior, Tori will be going to the gophers, but they did recruit a 2k point scorers from Duluth to try and beat Providence but it lead to a state runner up. 2A also had Addi Mack from minnehaha who is a senior with over 4k points going to Maryland. They also have Chloe Johnson who is a top 10 Freshman in the nation at Duluth Marshall however they are in the same section as Crosby Ironton so only one team will make it to state next year. Overall this class is stacked with star power but Providence will win next year.

NCAA

It is loaded right now. Final 4 is looking like Texas, South Carolina, UCLA and Uconn (Up 10 in the 3rd). There has been such good basketball lately. Hope Paige Bueckers wins the title for UCONN. It really sucks that JuJu Watkins tore her ACL in the sweet sixteen.

Gophers woman are in the finals of the WBIT what is great because they lost their best player 3 games into the season and lost their 7th woman who was a 5 star transfer from Hopkins/Michigan to a torn ACL. Gophers have a legit chance to be a sweet sixteen team next year. They are so well coached and they have a great defensive culture. Need Mara Braun back (projected early 2nd round pick next year) and they will be able to make legit noise next year.

Also it's crazy how many girls are coming back to college instead of going pro because of NIL
Olivia Miles Projected #2 pick (Notre Damn/Transfer Portal)
Lauren Betts Projected #3 pick (UCLA)
Azi Fudd projected #8 pick (UCONN)

Have all announced they are coming back to college.


WNBA

Not a ton to report. The Liberty acquired Natasha Cloud what is such a steal for them. I think they should be heavy favorites to win back to back titles. They are so good and Cloud is such a great add.

Lynx are running it but I am curious how awkward it is going to be between Phee and Natasha Heidman. Phee is the owner of the Unrieval league and Heidman won the Unrieval league as a replacement player but she was not rewarded her 50k bonus. That has to make the locker room awkward.

Fever had an amazing off-season but until Clark can win at any level (0 High school state championships and 0 NCAA championship) I am not sure she can get it done when it matters.

Overall the WNBA draft is super weak this year outside of Paige. Kiki will have a career but with players dropping out of the draft I just don't see many players that will stick in the WNBA. Maybe one of the more talented players in Sendona has 3 different domestic assault charges and I don't know if anyone will draft her.

Those are my thoughts nobody asked for!

Good stuff Kek.

I don't follow women's basketball much, but I have enjoyed watching UConn in the last two NCAA tournaments. It's not just because of Bueckers either. I just love how they move, pass, and play a really unselfish brand of basketball.

[FNG]

Just doing a big Woman Breakdown on all levels right now because I know some people in hear like woman's bball.

High School in MN
I know a lot about the current state of high school girls basketball. My cousin just finished her last high school season after being a starter since her 8th grade year. She made state all tournament team what was sweet but the current talent in MN girls basketball is so good. My best friends wife is also the HC at a 4A program.

4A: Hopkins won yet another state title and they are pretty darn young they are going to be so good these next few years. Just a powerhouse. Sad Jordan Ode could not lead Maple Grove to the state title, she will be going to Michigan State this year. Prediction is Hopkins will repeat next year.

3A: Benilde st margaret just won their 3rd straight title what is crazy because Olivia Olson who was a top 15 recruit in the nation last year and plays at Michigan graduated last year. But lead by 2 D1 Seniors, A top 30 player in the nation sophomore and a D1 volleyball player (elite 3 point shooter) they won another state title. The seeding in 3A was so bad for the state title, teams like delasalle and Alexandria got punished for playing a tough schedule while Montocellio got the 2 seed for going undefeated but played 0 teams that made it to state. While DeLasalle and Alexandria played 9 teams that made it to state. Also controversy in 3A because Montocellio best player and 25 ppr scorer was suspended for the state tournament for drinking in the tournament while someone was blackmailing her with that proof all season apparently. 3A is going to look a lot different next year with Benilde losing 2 D1 girls, DeLasalle losing by far their best player who is going to Richmond, Marshall loses multiple starters, Rock Ridge loses their 3 best players and Alexandria is moving up to 4A and losing 4 1k point scorers to graduation. Prediction Next year is Hill Murray will win state. They have a D1 Sophmore and maybe the best 7th grader I have ever seen.

2A: Providence wins state for the 4th straight year. I know the head coach at Providence because he is a year younger than me and I went to college with him. This is the class of elite players Maddyn Greenway (Vikings Chad Greenway daughter) might be the greatest woman's basketball player I have ever seen play live. My cousin is a legit great defender and I have never seen my cousin get cooked including against players Olivia Olson and Jordan Ode but Maddy Greenway dropped over 40 on my cousin. She is so good. Providence will lose their D1 center next year what will hurt but they are so good and will win their 5th straight title next year. Other teams like Cosby Iornton have Tori Orhilen and is also a 4k point scorers like Greenway as a Junior, Tori will be going to the gophers, but they did recruit a 2k point scorers from Duluth to try and beat Providence but it lead to a state runner up. 2A also had Addi Mack from minnehaha who is a senior with over 4k points going to Maryland. They also have Chloe Johnson who is a top 10 Freshman in the nation at Duluth Marshall however they are in the same section as Crosby Ironton so only one team will make it to state next year. Overall this class is stacked with star power but Providence will win next year.

NCAA

It is loaded right now. Final 4 is looking like Texas, South Carolina, UCLA and Uconn (Up 10 in the 3rd). There has been such good basketball lately. Hope Paige Bueckers wins the title for UCONN. It really sucks that JuJu Watkins tore her ACL in the sweet sixteen.

Gophers woman are in the finals of the WBIT what is great because they lost their best player 3 games into the season and lost their 7th woman who was a 5 star transfer from Hopkins/Michigan to a torn ACL. Gophers have a legit chance to be a sweet sixteen team next year. They are so well coached and they have a great defensive culture. Need Mara Braun back (projected early 2nd round pick next year) and they will be able to make legit noise next year.

Also it's crazy how many girls are coming back to college instead of going pro because of NIL
Olivia Miles Projected #2 pick (Notre Damn/Transfer Portal)
Lauren Betts Projected #3 pick (UCLA)
Azi Fudd projected #8 pick (UCONN)

Have all announced they are coming back to college.


WNBA

Not a ton to report. The Liberty acquired Natasha Cloud what is such a steal for them. I think they should be heavy favorites to win back to back titles. They are so good and Cloud is such a great add.

Lynx are running it but I am curious how awkward it is going to be between Phee and Natasha Heidman. Phee is the owner of the Unrieval league and Heidman won the Unrieval league as a replacement player but she was not rewarded her 50k bonus. That has to make the locker room awkward.

Fever had an amazing off-season but until Clark can win at any level (0 High school state championships and 0 NCAA championship) I am not sure she can get it done when it matters.

Overall the WNBA draft is super weak this year outside of Paige. Kiki will have a career but with players dropping out of the draft I just don't see many players that will stick in the WNBA. Maybe one of the more talented players in Sendona has 3 different domestic assault charges and I don't know if anyone will draft her.

Those are my thoughts nobody asked for!

Good stuff Kek.

I don't follow women's basketball much, but I have enjoyed watching UConn in the last two NCAA tournaments. It's not just because of Bueckers either. I just love how they move, pass, and play a really unselfish brand of basketball.

Yeah, appreciate the insights into a world I don't follow that closely. When I arrived in college, our women's basketball team was playing 6 on 6 basketball...each team had 3 offensive and 3 defensive players, and they would never cross midcourt. You either played offense or defense...you know, kinda like DLo . It was clunky and mostly unwatchable (although I recall the Iowa 3 on 3 high school tournament would sell out every year). How far we have come, and how great it is that half of our population can now participate in competitive activities that weren't available to them just a few decades ago!