High-quality opener between the Fever and Wings, with Dallas winning 107-104.
I like that refs are calling fouls when there's contact. More freedom of movement and offensive excitement.
Clark didn't shoot well from 3 but excelled otherwise. Bueckers was great, as were Mitchell, Boston, Ogunbawale and Sims.
I missed Hiedeman's first game of the season last night because it was too late for me :).
Watched some of the Fever-Wings game today and was fun to watch.
Quote from: Marquette Fan on May 09, 2026, 07:25:34 PMI missed Hiedeman's first game of the season last night because it was too late for me :).
Watched some of the Fever-Wings game today and was fun to watch.
Hiedeman was mediocre at best. Hoping for better play from her.
Quote from: MU82 on May 09, 2026, 04:00:12 PMHigh-quality opener between the Fever and Wings, with Dallas winning 107-104.
I like that refs are calling fouls when there's contact. More freedom of movement and offensive excitement.
Clark didn't shoot well from 3 but excelled otherwise. Bueckers was great, as were Mitchell, Boston, Ogunbawale and Sims.
Great game, love Mitchell. I'll be following the Fever again this year. Kate Martin was released, read somewhere that perhaps she lands with the Fever. She was my favorite player from those CC Iowa teams.
Quote from: MU82 on May 10, 2026, 12:40:52 AMHiedeman was mediocre at best. Hoping for better play from her.
No Lynx Jinx. eff her
After scoring over Brittney Griner, Flau'jae Johnson made the "too small" gesture.
(https://media.tenor.com/WhhPxJryUxIAAAAe/family-guy.png)
just trying to get a scoop meltdown going
Quote from: #UnleashThePortal on May 13, 2026, 05:57:48 PM(https://media.tenor.com/WhhPxJryUxIAAAAe/family-guy.png)
just trying to get a scoop meltdown going
Wut?
Quote from: MU82 on May 14, 2026, 02:17:57 PMWut?
It's a reference to a family guy gag from like 15 years ago. The punchline was that the WNBA doesn't have any fans.
He's trolling.
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on May 14, 2026, 05:03:00 PMIt's a reference to a family guy gag from like 15 years ago. The punchline was that the WNBA doesn't have any fans.
He's trolling.
Ah. I guess "trolling" is now another word for "ignorant."
Natisha Hiedmean tied her career high last night - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV-afHCWxk4
Quote from: Marquette Fan on May 25, 2026, 06:02:57 PMNatisha Hiedmean tied her career high last night - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV-afHCWxk4
After a rough go early on, she's averaging 18.5 points and 4.5 assists the last 4 games, with only 5 total turnovers. We went to Friday's game, and she did a great job running the offense. And then, as you said, she scored her career high two days later. Good pickup by the Storm, a young team that needed an experienced leader.
5 games into the season with her new team in Atlanta, and Angel Reese is in line with a career low in FG% (40.7 vs her rookie year FG% of 39.8%), a career high in TOs/G (4.8, up from her high of 3.9 last year), and her lowest RPG (11.4 vs 1.26 last year).
She's still arguably the best rebounder in the WNBA (at least on the offensive), which isn't anything to scoff at, but its kind of wild how she's really not progressed in any other facet of her game now into her 3rd season. Her vocal supporters gave her a bunch of cover last year due to being on a bad Sky team, but now she's on one of the best teams in the league, playing with 2 other All Stars, and its not positively impacted her game at all. The Dream score a decent amount more than the Sky did, so even as the 3rd option, her usage hasn't dropped much offensively, but she's clearly not the primary defensive focus so that doesn't hold water either.
She remains a fascinating sort of player profile due to her fervent fan base, even if you further divorce her from the Angel vs CC debates. I don't know how you continue to argue for her being one of the league's stars (on pure stats/on the floor merit), much less a face of the league. She's still valuable and a stat stuffer (at least in 2 limited areas), but she's much more like Ivica Zubac or Mitchell Robinson than she is a well rounded star.
If you want to get real interesting, looking at other top rebounders this year, Cardoso has excelled without Reese in Chicago and has continued to improve YoY and Iriafen in Washington is as good of a rebounder as Reese but a far better and complete offensive player who does the majority of her rebounding on the defensive end.
One-trick pony with a flamboyant personality. She's the WNBA's Dennis Rodman.
The season's first WNBA All-Star fan ballot count is out ... and, somewhat stunningly, Caitlin Clark is in 5th place.
A'ja Wilson is first with 308,249 votes, followed by Paige Bueckers with 298,027, Aliyah Boston with 282,186, and Breanna Stewart with 255,879.
Clark, the No. 1 vote-getter in her first two seasons, has 253,602 so far this time.
Has the league's Everything Caitlin All The Time phase passed? Or is this not really a measure of anything? Either way, it's interesting IMHO.
I've seen the Fever play numerous times this season. Opponents are attacking Clark on D the same way Brunson mercilessly went at Harden. She's a poor defender, and opponents are making her work and often getting her in foul trouble. And she's whining a lot to the refs, drawing technicals that could lead to an eventual suspension.
She still turns it over too often, and her shot selection can be suspect, but she's a savant when it comes to passing the basketball. Reminds me of Pistol Pete.
Indiana was expected to contend for the title, and it might, but it lacks size and frontcourt depth, and it's a pretty bad defensive team.
Meanwhile, I watched last night's exciting Dallas-Seattle game, which featured lots of young current and future stars. The Storm's not good, but they have a budding superstar in 6-6 Dominique Malonga and a couple of other kids who are gonna be superb players, and they had Dallas on the ropes all night. But Bueckers was sensational down the stretch and sent the game into OT, with the Wings winning 112-110. Defense optional!
FWIW, there is zero doubt in my mind that Bueckers is a better basketball player than Clark, and almost any GM would take Paige ahead of Caitlin.
EDIT: In the second counting, Clark moved up to second in All-Star voting, trailing only Boston. She also left last night's game with back problems.
From The Ringer, a good essay about the WNBA, Caitlin Clark, social issues, and other related controversies:
https://www.theringer.com/2026/06/26/wnba/caitlin-clark-foul-alyssa-thomas-wnba-cathy-engelbert?
A group of 11 Republican lawmakers, led by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger of Texas, sent a letter to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Wednesday demanding the league take "accountability" for "multiple attacks" against Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
The lawmakers said they're concerned by reports that "attacks against Clark may be racially motivated."
Quote from: Jockey on July 08, 2026, 09:39:16 PMA group of 11 Republican lawmakers, led by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger of Texas, sent a letter to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Wednesday demanding the league take "accountability" for "multiple attacks" against Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
The lawmakers said they're concerned by reports that "attacks against Clark may be racially motivated."
Economic policies are an abject failure. International relations are a disaster.
Time to play the hits.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on July 09, 2026, 06:43:45 AMEconomic policies are an abject failure. International relations are a disaster.
Time to play the hits.
Lennys is cheering somewhere...
The only real racism in America is reverse racism. Everyone knows that.
Natisha Hiedeman scored a career-high 31 points for the Storm today.
She now has 375 points this season; that's just 24 shy of her career high, and the WNBA season is only a little more than halfway over.
Just because the WNBA has mandated charter flights for its teams doesn't mean the planes always work. The New York Liberty found that out the hard way Wednesday, when mechanical issues stranded them on a tarmac for 12 hours and ultimately led to the postponement of Thursday's road game against the Dallas Wings.
(From The Athletic)
Quote from: Jockey on July 08, 2026, 09:39:16 PMA group of 11 Republican lawmakers, led by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger of Texas, sent a letter to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Wednesday demanding the league take "accountability" for "multiple attacks" against Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
The lawmakers said they're concerned by reports that "attacks against Clark may be racially motivated."
I made the mistake of opening a Threads account (that lasted less than a week), and man, the seething hatred of Clark not just as a player but as a person on there was absolutely insane from all of the Bluesky refugees. Anyone who didn't agree was a homophobe (probably because I made the mistake of responding and saying I thought A'ja and Phee were the top two players in the league), racist, and "MAGA." I feel sorry for her - she hasn't asked to be a political pawn, but each said has decided to make her one.
Nm
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on July 19, 2026, 12:12:20 PMI made the mistake of opening a Threads account (that lasted less than a week), and man, the seething hatred of Clark not just as a player but as a person on there was absolutely insane from all of the Bluesky refugees. Anyone who didn't agree was a homophobe (probably because I made the mistake of responding and saying I thought A'ja and Phee were the top two players in the league), racist, and "MAGA." I feel sorry for her - she hasn't asked to be a political pawn, but each said has decided to make her one.
The bad actors who have chosen Clark to be the cudgel in their culture war (whether it's racial, LGBT related, or tangentially feminist/anti feminist) have really done such a horrible disservice to someone who doesn't deserve it in any way. I have no issue "both siding" it cause there are absolute losers and bias agenda pushers at both extremes using her without any real actions from CC to justify it.
The Clay Travis's and other douchebags who never watch women's sports, much less the WNBA, suddenly latch onto her as a way to trash the W under a thinly veiled cover of caring about the what's "best" for the league. The irony is their general point "the league/other players don't respect/protect/support one of, if not the, most marketable players in the league that is key to continued growth"...isn't wrong and is totally fair and with some real merit. However, its just used in such bad faith and to create absurd and outrageous strawmen and grievances that they totally expose their true intentions.
Then their diametric opposites rush to heap every negative white/MAGA/non-LGBT stereotype on Clark. Some of it is a response to the group mentioned above, absolutely, but plenty has a life of its own that seeps through their posts and commentary. The same sort of "fans" gatekeep the league to an absurd degree (doing stuff like you mentioned above) and act like they are nuanced WNBA fans that "new fans" couldn't grasp but then blow up all credibility by talking about how Clark isn't a top 5 PG in the league or the most overrated player in league history.
But as you alluded to, Clark has done very little to deserve it. She's handled herself admirably with the media and press going back to her last year at Iowa. She's been largely neutral/quiet when it comes to anything political (which is used as a weapon against her by her haters but IMO, that's wholly unfair cause it's not like she speaks on certain topics and not on others). Can she be over the top begging for calls and voicing and/or screaming displeasure to refs? Of course. But that can be found on all 6 continents where pro basketball is played and is a ridiculous excuse to vilify her in someway or make her a champion of "straight white privilege" or some nonsense.
Im the farthest thing from a fan of Angel Reece, but racial attacks and insults way outpace any of the legitimate criticism of her on court performance and even the stupid actions/statements she's made and said. It just boils down to bald personal hatred that is
maybe dressed up as a critique. But the accompany hatred for Clark is equally as blatantly personal, toxic, and unhinged. The disturbing part of that, for me, is that the Reese racist troll brigade are largely drive by tourists who will move onto something or someone else in months or next year. But the Clark contingent are largely WNBA fans, avid followers, or members of the ingroup that should be most strongly supporting the W.
It's a giant mess, a really unnecessary side story/narrative taking away from the best stretch of PR and success the league has ever had, and a microcosm of the divisive polarization of seemingly EVERYTHING in the public eye these days. But I think it's pretty undeniable that Cathy Englebert has handled everything terribly and new leadership is needed, also for many reasons beyond just this.
I don't really understand how poorly the WNBA and Nike have marketed Clark. Seriously, she shold be all over the place as the face of the league, and the face of the Nike brand. But they've done nothing.
very well stated, JWags.
What I find most interesting about the biggest Clark haters (at leats on that hellsite, Threads) is that they don't consider A'ja or Phee the best players in their league, or consider Olivia Miles to elite; they've elevated Bueckers to greatest of all-time status.
Superbly stated, Wags. The whole saga is a real clusterf@ck, and a sad commentary on America itself.
Of all the crazy Caitlin Clark hot takes, Nancy Armour's may be the craziest. Apparently Clark's flopping puts other players at risk of ... lynching?
It seems there is a white nationalist faction to Clark's fandom that is deeply, deeply problematic, made even more so because the WNBA is made up predominantly of Black women, many of them queer. When Clark claims fouls that don't exist, when she goes on profanity-laced tirades at referees, those racists see her as a white woman in need of saving and take matters into their own hands.
...
It shouldn't need reminding this country has an awful history of Black people being harmed, even killed, in the name of "defending" white women. The irony of the WNBA's All-Star Game is that it's happening this weekend in Chicago, the hometown of Emmett Till, who became an icon of the civil rights movement after his tragic murder. The local art gallery is currently hosting an exhibit imagining his life if he hadn't been lynched. While it's incumbent on the WNBA to do more to protect its players, there also should be an expectation on Clark to recognize the broader implications of her actions being weaponized.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/nancy-armour/2026/07/22/caitlin-clarks-reaction-to-noncalls-puts-wnba-players-at-risk/91002124007/?taid=6a60c8374bd5dd000191598c&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
Quote from: Pakuni on July 23, 2026, 02:50:55 PMOf all the crazy Caitlin Clark hot takes, Nancy Armour's may be the craziest. Apparently Clark's flopping puts other players at risk of ... lynching?
It seems there is a white nationalist faction to Clark's fandom that is deeply, deeply problematic, made even more so because the WNBA is made up predominantly of Black women, many of them queer. When Clark claims fouls that don't exist, when she goes on profanity-laced tirades at referees, those racists see her as a white woman in need of saving and take matters into their own hands.
...
It shouldn't need reminding this country has an awful history of Black people being harmed, even killed, in the name of "defending" white women. The irony of the WNBA's All-Star Game is that it's happening this weekend in Chicago, the hometown of Emmett Till, who became an icon of the civil rights movement after his tragic murder. The local art gallery is currently hosting an exhibit imagining his life if he hadn't been lynched. While it's incumbent on the WNBA to do more to protect its players, there also should be an expectation on Clark to recognize the broader implications of her actions being weaponized.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/nancy-armour/2026/07/22/caitlin-clarks-reaction-to-noncalls-puts-wnba-players-at-risk/91002124007/?taid=6a60c8374bd5dd000191598c&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
I was going to mention this too. This was unhinged and the editor in chief should be fired for allowing this to be published. How unhinged was it? Commentators like Emmanuel Acho, who has been a vocal critic of CC, were openly agreeing with Clay Travis, Riley Gaines, and Dave Portnoy.
I said it earlier in this thread - I feel bad for CC. She's being used by the far right because she's white and straight (you know, the people who hate identity politics), and bashed by the left for being white and straight.
BTW, Phee is back and looked like her old self. Nobody is stopping the Lynx if they stay healthy.
And this was Armour's justification. Weasel words to the core:
https://x.com/schadjoe/status/2080343864632541657
Quote from: Pakuni on July 23, 2026, 02:50:55 PMOf all the crazy Caitlin Clark hot takes, Nancy Armour's may be the craziest. Apparently Clark's flopping puts other players at risk of ... lynching?
It seems there is a white nationalist faction to Clark's fandom that is deeply, deeply problematic, made even more so because the WNBA is made up predominantly of Black women, many of them queer. When Clark claims fouls that don't exist, when she goes on profanity-laced tirades at referees, those racists see her as a white woman in need of saving and take matters into their own hands.
...
It shouldn't need reminding this country has an awful history of Black people being harmed, even killed, in the name of "defending" white women. The irony of the WNBA's All-Star Game is that it's happening this weekend in Chicago, the hometown of Emmett Till, who became an icon of the civil rights movement after his tragic murder. The local art gallery is currently hosting an exhibit imagining his life if he hadn't been lynched. While it's incumbent on the WNBA to do more to protect its players, there also should be an expectation on Clark to recognize the broader implications of her actions being weaponized.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/nancy-armour/2026/07/22/caitlin-clarks-reaction-to-noncalls-puts-wnba-players-at-risk/91002124007/?taid=6a60c8374bd5dd000191598c&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
The "journalist" is a Marquette grad.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on July 24, 2026, 09:41:35 AMI was going to mention this too. This was unhinged and the editor in chief should be fired for allowing this to be published. How unhinged was it? Commentators like Emmanuel Acho, who has been a vocal critic of CC, were openly agreeing with Clay Travis, Riley Gaines, and Dave Portnoy.
I said it earlier in this thread - I feel bad for CC. She's being used by the far right because she's white and straight (you know, the people who hate identity politics), and bashed by the left for being white and straight.
BTW, Phee is back and looked like her old self. Nobody is stopping the Lynx if they stay healthy.
And this was Armour's justification. Weasel words to the core:
https://x.com/schadjoe/status/2080343864632541657
Who on the left is bashing CC for being white and straight?
Regardless, this is really a failure by the WNBA to market its stars better. Too much of a vaccuum being taken up by this nonsense.
Quote from: The Sultan on July 24, 2026, 01:00:17 PMWho on the left is bashing CC for being white and straight?
Regardless, this is really a failure by the WNBA to market its stars better. Too much of a vaccuum being taken up by this nonsense.
Jemele Hill if she's still around?
Quote from: MuggsyB on July 24, 2026, 01:02:53 PMJemele Hill if she's still around?
Here is what Hill said:
"Caitlin Clark is the most popular player in the WNBA, and the biggest draw. She's not the face because she's not creating a new standard for winning (yet). She does not have accomplishments that people want to take (yet). What team is everyone trying to beat? The Aces. What player is everyone trying to match? A'ja Wilson. The standard for winning is A'ja. Michael Jordan became the face of the NBA because he became the standard by which every player is measured. Everyone wanted to stop him. Caitlin isn't there."
I don't agree with her, but even then she was hardly bashing her. She just doesn't think she's the face of the league (yet).
At no point did she mention, or even infer, anything about her race or her sexuality.
Quote from: The Sultan on July 24, 2026, 01:00:17 PMWho on the left is bashing CC for being white and straight?
Regardless, this is really a failure by the WNBA to market its stars better. Too much of a vaccuum being taken up by this nonsense.
Wrong choice of word: many bash her *because* she is white and straight (if you have the stomach for it, check out Threads), just as the right loves her (even if she doesn't love them) because she's white and straight. It's not much different than the left demonizing and consistently calling Sophie Cunningham "MAGA Barbie" even though she has said nothing about being a right-winger or Trump supporter...other than wearing a red hat last summer that read "Hot Cowgirl Summer."
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on July 24, 2026, 01:56:42 PMWrong choice of word: many bash her *because* she is white and straight (if you have the stomach for it, check out Threads), just as the right loves her (even if she doesn't love them) because she's white and straight. It's not much different than the left demonizing and consistently calling Sophie Cunningham "MAGA Barbie" even though she has said nothing about being a right-winger or Trump supporter...other than wearing a red hat last summer that read "Hot Cowgirl Summer."
Soph has said some transphobic stuff too. IMO, it comes from a place of ignorance rather than hate.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on July 24, 2026, 02:12:24 PMSoph has said some transphobic stuff too. IMO, it comes from a place of ignorance rather than hate.
Signed jerseys going up in mequon dental clinics I hear
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on July 24, 2026, 01:56:42 PMmany bash her *because* she is white and straight (if you have the stomach for it, check out Threads)
I'm not sure finding a bunch of randos - probably half of them bots - saying dumb things on social media qualifies as "many" in the sense of a representative sample of any group of people.
QuoteIt's not much different than the left demonizing and consistently calling Sophie Cunningham "MAGA Barbie" even though she has said nothing about being a right-winger or Trump supporter...other than wearing a red hat last summer that read "Hot Cowgirl Summer."
Welp.
https://meidasnews.com/news/sofie-cunninghams-maga-tiktok-activity-exposed
FWIW, I don't care what Sophie Cunningham likes/reposts/follows on social media (neither should anyone else), but this isn't going to help her beat the charge.
Anyone notice Marquette alum Natisha Hiedemen is becoming the face of the Seattle team and is having quite the nice career?
https://www.instagram.com/p/DbMqJDFDSKd/?igsh=MWo2OGVxeXR2cnZtaw==
https://www.instagram.com/p/DbMvuhzjVPg/?igsh=M3F6cGl1bjZtdzJ2
Quote from: pbiflyer on July 25, 2026, 07:56:47 AMAnyone notice Marquette alum Natisha Hiedemen is becoming the face of the Seattle team and is having quite the nice career?
I am a Storm partial-season ticketholder, and I watch most of the rest of the games on TV.
Natisha is having a solid season, and she provides a steady veteran presence for the WNBA's youngest team. A backup most of her career, she has taken advantage of this opportunity to start at PG and play big minutes.
I wouldn't call her the face of the team, though. At 20, Dominique Malonga is already an All-Star center. Rookie Flau'jae Johnson had emerged as the Storm's energy-generator and soul. Another rookie, Awa Fam, has quickly become a fan favorite. Almost all of the team's advertising campaigns focus on those three, who are being counted on to grow up together and carry the franchise.
If I had to name a franchise "face," I'd say Flau'jae. But, as I said, it's more about the young core.
It's the ease at which Dominique Malonga dunks the ball that stands out.
(https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Flibrary.iterable.com%2F1557%2F5037%2F40b957f1ca7b4386ba848b02e960ed6a-asdunk-ezgifcom-optimize.gif&t=1785077879&ymreqid=3c8d0d78-3338-e941-1ce0-4c0001018200&sig=7ub1iEDGtUO1nwNQm9htlw--~D)
Quote from: MU82 on July 25, 2026, 04:47:36 PMI am a Storm partial-season ticketholder, and I watch most of the rest of the games on TV.
Natisha is having a solid season, and she provides a steady veteran presence for the WNBA's youngest team. A backup most of her career, she has taken advantage of this opportunity to start at PG and play big minutes.
I wouldn't call her the face of the team, though. At 20, Dominique Malonga is already an All-Star center. Rookie Flau'jae Johnson had emerged as the Storm's energy-generator and soul. Another rookie, Awa Fam, has quickly become a fan favorite. Almost all of the team's advertising campaigns focus on those three, who are being counted on to grow up together and carry the franchise.
If I had to name a franchise "face," I'd say Flau'jae. But, as I said, it's more about the young core.
Thanks! I just see the social media and seems they are playing her up.
She seems like a great person and a good mentor to the young players. Very happy to have our fellow MU alum on the Storm!
Heideman has a lot of game.
Tonight, Natisha had her ninth 20-point game of the season.
She had five 20-point games in her first seven WNBA seasons.
So...the Cleveland Sirens (https://x.com/clevelandwnba/status/2084655481914626237?s=20). I want to like it, but I'm not convinced. First of all, Sirens =/= Mermaids. Pretty slick hype video, though.
Of the two logos they've released, I think I prefer the one with just the C&S (not surprising because I tend to like letter marks). But I'm not wild about either.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HO4vUZrXgAAjxRh?format=jpg&name=large)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HO4vX1cWgAAn1z1?format=jpg&name=large)
From a purely aesthetic standpoint, I prefer the logos for both of Cleveland's coming soccer teams - Cleveland Astra (Women) and Forest City Cleveland (Men).
(https://www.clevelandprosoccer.com/hubfs/Cleveland%20soccer%20crests%20side%20by%20side.png)
Quote from: The Sultan on July 24, 2026, 01:00:17 PMWho on the left is bashing CC for being white and straight?
My goodness. "...because she's white and straight" work better for you?
Additional Sirens logos (https://news.sportslogos.net/2026/08/04/hear-the-call-cleveland-wnba-franchise-unveils-sirens-nickname-logo/basketball/)...
(https://news.sportslogos.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/secondary-script-s-logo-20260804-wnba-womens-national-basketball-association-cleveland-sirens-name-logo-expansion-team-franchise-2028.jpg) (https://news.sportslogos.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/secondary-siren-CS-logo-20260804-wnba-womens-national-basketball-association-cleveland-sirens-name-logo-expansion-team-franchise-2028.jpg) (https://news.sportslogos.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/secondary-claw-lake-erie-logo-20260804-wnba-womens-national-basketball-association-cleveland-sirens-name-logo-expansion-team-franchise-2028.jpg)
(https://news.sportslogos.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/primary-logo-20260804-wnba-womens-national-basketball-association-cleveland-sirens-name-logo-expansion-team-franchise-2028.jpg)
Still not a huge fan. Hopefully there will be a little more color on them than just the royal blue and light blue to add some depth and detail. They just seem really bland to me. It seems clear that they've invested quite a bit into the development and design...the unveiling at the arena and the video are well produced. But I feel like the logos themselves are too monochromatic.
Sophie Cunningham would like it very much if everyone would please ignore the dumpster fire she chose to start.
Quote from: Jay Bee on August 04, 2026, 11:17:35 AMMy goodness. "...because she's white and straight" work better for you?
I don't care about her race or sexuality; I just hate her because she whines and flops and comes across as entitled.
I enjoy watching Caitlin Clark play basketball, even though I wish she'd whine less.
There are quite a few WNBA and NBA players one can say that about, BTW.
Enes and Royce will be a fun watch
Quote from: Jay Bee on August 07, 2026, 10:37:45 PMEnes and Royce will be a fun watch
Nice of them to get in on the grift.
Quote from: cheebs09 on August 08, 2026, 07:38:08 AMNice of them to get in on the grift.
If there's one thing the culture warriors on the right are good at, it's grifting. And with the mouth breathers who don't give a rip about women sports and are buried in the closet or wish they were women, they'll have a bunch of support.
Quote from: cheebs09 on August 08, 2026, 07:38:08 AMNice of them to get in on the grift.
"We embrace justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion," the players' union said. "Those are the values that unite this Union and allow it to protect women's sports while creating transformational change.**
**Certain exceptions apply. Looking at you, Ms. Cunningham**
Quote from: cheebs09 on August 08, 2026, 07:38:08 AMNice of them to get in on the grift.
Give the guys a break. They washed out in the only thing they ever had going for them in life.
Quote from: Pakuni on August 08, 2026, 12:20:56 PMGive the guys a break. They washed out in the only thing they ever had going for them in life.
the third overall pick, 11ppg (career high of 18.7) and 8rpg (career high of 11 three times) over an 11-year NBA career with $102 million in career earnings. Yeah, what a loser. He should have played at least 13 years. ::)
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on August 08, 2026, 02:50:06 PMthe third overall pick, 11ppg (career high of 18.7) and 8rpg (career high of 11 three times) over an 11-year NBA career with $102 million in career earnings. Yeah, what a loser. He should have played at least 13 years. ::)
Obviously he had a very successful basketball career. I'd categorize Royce White the same way. 3.46 million in three years and a cup of coffee in the league makes him more successful at his profession than any of us.
None of that changes what he said, though.
What a testament to the players and product of the wnba that they've grown so much in spite often the absolute incompetence from leadership.
Imagine being NBA players and not getting drafted into the W. This stunt is one of the more inane things I've seen in awhile.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on August 08, 2026, 02:50:06 PMthe third overall pick, 11ppg (career high of 18.7) and 8rpg (career high of 11 three times) over an 11-year NBA career with $102 million in career earnings. Yeah, what a loser. He should have played at least 13 years. ::)
Third overall pick who was largely a career backup who bounced around the league. But sure, he made a bunch of money.
And yet, he's still a loser. I wish him the best on his transition, though.
Quote from: panda on August 08, 2026, 04:23:18 PMWhat a testament to the players and product of the wnba that they've grown so much in spite often the absolute incompetence from leadership.
It's remarkable really and gonna be a fascinating topic for books and case studies a decade or so down the road.
There has been terrible leadership from league officials, an abundance of absurd and obnoxious gate keeping and exclusionary attitudes from the legacy and long time fan base, and an overall disjointed messaging and marketing push cause the W's top teams and stars can't even seem to align on what they want to be. But despite all of this, the league continues to grow and find ways to thrive.
Even taking out CC and the league's failure to market/capitalize there, I think the W markets its other stars terribly. It feels like the focus of the league and its media (before the recent Cunningham kerfluffle) was Aja Wilson, CC vs Angel, and then a whole host of random off the court personal and relationship drama . I mean, you don't have to be a Clay Travis level biased/bigoted commentator to think that an overemphasis on the lesbian contingent/culture/relationships of the W is not an effective angle to broaden the league's reach, appeal, and marketability. I think the Stud Budz are funny and have a unique part to play in the league's growth (Courtney Williams could be the most likable/uniformly liked star in the league), but the ASG weekend and the coverage around it and their off the court antics is a prime example.
This is gonna be a really important offseason for the league. Hope they get a new commissioner and sort a myriad of things out. While a fan, I've been critical of the overall quality of play at times, but I think it's improved greatly over the last 2 years.
Quality of play is quite high. So impressed with newcomers like Miles, Malonga, Bueckers, Clark, etc, to go with the stars who have been around for a bit.
Leadership (or lack thereof), conflicts, imaging, etc are mostly a hot mess.
More than any other U.S. pro league, the WNBA reflects our nation's divisions. Not sure there's any way to "fix" that.
Quote from: MU82 on August 11, 2026, 04:36:07 PMQuality of play is quite high. So impressed with newcomers like Miles, Malonga, Bueckers, Clark, etc, to go with the stars who have been around for a bit.
Leadership (or lack thereof), conflicts, imaging, etc are mostly a hot mess.
More than any other U.S. pro league, the WNBA reflects our nation's divisions. Not sure there's any way to "fix" that.
Will absolutely not get into politics - simply bringing it up because it's cogent.
Extremely weak leadership allowed the discourse to reach this point and for fringe media outlets to latch onto the league as they have.
They cannot stop slipping on banana peels. No other league would allow what carrington did without some degree of punishment.
New leadership can take this league and women's sports to the next level. Current leadership is actively prohibiting massive growth because of their inexperience and fear or upsetting the minority.
Quote from: panda on August 11, 2026, 04:51:36 PMWill absolutely not get into politics - simply bringing it up because it's cogent.
Extremely weak leadership allowed the discourse to reach this point and for fringe media outlets to latch onto the league as they have.
They cannot stop slipping on banana peels. No other league would allow what carrington did without some degree of punishment.
New leadership can take this league and women's sports to the next level. Current leadership is actively prohibiting massive growth because of their inexperience and fear or upsetting the minority.
for years the W was so desperate for coverage they would allow any journalist to cover them and it's showing. The column in the Athletic by Candace Buckner this morning is a perfect example of that. Time for hack journalists like that to go away and focus on basketball, not some weirdo street preacher who shows up at every event in Indy.
Quote from: JWags85 on August 11, 2026, 03:13:32 PMI mean, you don't have to be a Clay Travis level biased/bigoted commentator to think that an overemphasis on the lesbian contingent/culture/relationships of the W is not an effective angle to broaden the league's reach, appeal, and marketability
I'm very much a casual when it comes to the WNBA, so I'll start by acknowledging that I may be missing something here. But in my limited viewings/readings, I've never come across anything that felt like an overemphasis on lesbian relationships. The biggest thing in that sphere that I can think of is how much the league tried to shut down the Azzi Fudd-Paige Bueckers angle at draft time.
What are some examples of this?
And as sick as many are of Travis and Taylor, I've never heard the complaint being centered around the hetero-normativeness of their relationship. Same with Steph and Ayesha Curry, or the Beckhams, or Myles Garrett or Chloe Kim, or Livy Dunne and Paul Skenes. Nobody suggests Bill Belichick tone it down with Jordon Hudson, lest they offend the gays.
If the argument is that the "lesbian contingent/culture/relationships" is somehow turning off potential fans, then aren't you really saying the league should bend to bigotry? Regardless, I'm skeptical that there's a legion of potential women's basketball fans who would be tuning in to the WNBA if the players were just a little less gay.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on August 11, 2026, 05:51:08 PMfor years the W was so desperate for coverage they would allow any journalist to cover them and it's showing. The column in the Athletic by Candace Buckner this morning is a perfect example of that. Time for hack journalists like that to go away and focus on basketball, not some weirdo street preacher who shows up at every event in Indy.
I mean, Candace Buckner works for the NY Times (via The Athletic). No league is going to make columnists and/or reporters from the NYT and similar outlets "go away."
Quote from: Pakuni on August 11, 2026, 07:04:36 PMI'm very much a casual when it comes to the WNBA, so I'll start by acknowledging that I may be missing something here. But in my limited viewings/readings, I've never come across anything that felt like an overemphasis on lesbian relationships. The biggest thing in that sphere that I can think of is how much the league tried to shut down the Azzi Fudd-Paige Bueckers angle at draft time.
What are some examples of this?
And as sick as many are of Travis and Taylor, I've never heard the complaint being centered around the hetero-normativeness of their relationship. Same with Steph and Ayesha Curry, or the Beckhams, or Myles Garrett or Chloe Kim, or Livy Dunne and Paul Skenes. Nobody suggests Bill Belichick tone it down with Jordon Hudson, lest they offend the gays.
If the argument is that the "lesbian contingent/culture/relationships" is somehow turning off potential fans, then aren't you really saying the league should bend to bigotry? Regardless, I'm skeptical that there's a legion of potential women's basketball fans who would be tuning in to the WNBA if the players were just a little less gay.
I follow the WNBA pretty closely, and I also do not believe the league overemphasizes lesbian relationships. Not sure what Wags is thinking with that.
Kelsey Mitchell is a heck of a player. Pure scorer with tremendous ball skills and the ability to lace the triple.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on August 11, 2026, 05:51:08 PMfor years the W was so desperate for coverage they would allow any journalist to cover them and it's showing. The column in the Athletic by Candace Buckner this morning is a perfect example of that. Time for hack journalists like that to go away and focus on basketball, not some weirdo street preacher who shows up at every event in Indy.
Just read the column. Not a clue of what it is in there that you found upsetting. Are we reading the same column?
Quote from: Pakuni on August 11, 2026, 08:27:19 PMJust read the column. Not a clue of what it is in there that you found upsetting. Are we reading the same column?
the "preacher" she specificaly blames Cunningham for attracting is at every event in Indy. Colts, conventions, Pacers, the US Swim Trials. And yet now it's Cunningham's fault:
And about what happened earlier ... regret to mention that a demonstrator of one spent an hour or so before the game outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, speaking into a megaphone about chromosomes.It any outlet is keeping the conversation focused on anything but sports in the WNBA it's the Athletic.
I don't know if there are any other leagues that more is talked about what happens off the court than on the court (besides, of course, the NFL and their treatment of Anders Carlson).
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on August 12, 2026, 08:57:30 AMthe "preacher" she specificaly blames Cunningham for attracting is at every event in Indy. Colts, conventions, Pacers, the US Swim Trials. And yet now it's Cunningham's fault:
And about what happened earlier ... regret to mention that a demonstrator of one spent an hour or so before the game outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, speaking into a megaphone about chromosomes.
OK. This sentence was not in yesterday's column. Nor is there any mention of a preacher, chromosomes, megaphones, etc.
Maybe you were reading something else?
Check for yourself:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7504642/2026/08/11/wnba-drama-sophie-cunningham-caitlin-clark-dijonai-carrington/
QuoteIt any outlet is keeping the conversation focused on anything but sports in the WNBA it's the Athletic.
Can I introduce you to Fox News, Barstool and OutKick?
From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Fox News mentioned the WNBA and Cunningham a combined 98 times. They slacked off yesterday, mentioning them only a combined 17 times.
Must not be anything newsy happening in the world.
Outkick currently has six (!) WNBA stories on its homepage. One of them is about sports.
https://www.foxnews.com/outkick
Quote from: Pakuni on August 11, 2026, 07:04:36 PMI'm very much a casual when it comes to the WNBA, so I'll start by acknowledging that I may be missing something here. But in my limited viewings/readings, I've never come across anything that felt like an overemphasis on lesbian relationships. The biggest thing in that sphere that I can think of is how much the league tried to shut down the Azzi Fudd-Paige Bueckers angle at draft time.
What are some examples of this?
And as sick as many are of Travis and Taylor, I've never heard the complaint being centered around the hetero-normativeness of their relationship. Same with Steph and Ayesha Curry, or the Beckhams, or Myles Garrett or Chloe Kim, or Livy Dunne and Paul Skenes. Nobody suggests Bill Belichick tone it down with Jordon Hudson, lest they offend the gays.
If the argument is that the "lesbian contingent/culture/relationships" is somehow turning off potential fans, then aren't you really saying the league should bend to bigotry? Regardless, I'm skeptical that there's a legion of potential women's basketball fans who would be tuning in to the WNBA if the players were just a little less gay.
Quote from: MU82 on August 11, 2026, 07:17:19 PMI follow the WNBA pretty closely, and I also do not believe the league overemphasizes lesbian relationships. Not sure what Wags is thinking with that.
I don't think its a direct marketing approach from the WNBA front office, but I do think its a pronounced angle from the "new media" associated with the league...Podcasts (both players and content creators), bloggers, prominent league affiliated social media, etc...
There is a sizeable contingent that view the WNBA as an LGBT league, not LGBT friendly or an LGBT ally, but that LGBT is a central part of the league and its marketing/narratives. Which is why some of the stuff around intra-player romantic relationships and drama, inappropriate behavior on livestreams at WNBA events during the All Star weekend, etc... is not curbed in a way that you'd see in other professional leagues.
Of course there is endless amounts of relationship and romantic improprieties in the NBA/NFL, but IMO, you don't see prominent media names in those leagues, social media or otherwise, amplifying it and its usually kept to fringe fan commentary. And to be fair, none of the relationships you're talking about are between players/within the league. Its a unique situation in professional, but instead of it all being approached mindfully and nuanced, the WNBA-verse (not explicitly the league office though they don't do ANYTHING proactively) seems to embrace and celebrate the messiness.
Does it bother me? Not in the least. I've already said how much I enjoy the Stud Budz and think they are great, authentic, and hilarious. But I don't think, for a league still in an uncertain arc, their live stream at an ASG after-party getting other players to twerk on them, aggressively cajoling Bueckers into and helping to take her shirt off, etc... is ideal. There aren't legions of womens basketball fans that are only staying away cause of that "gross lesbian stuff", but I think there are potentially a non-insignificant amount of sports fans who can be brought to the WNBA with the right approach...
...Which sort of ties into my other broad reaching point. In a vacuum, who cares (outside of bigots or people with an agenda who don't actually care about the WNBA), sure. The vast differences in percentages of openly lesbian players in the WNBA vs gay players in other professional leagues, as well as differences in relationship behaviors of men vs women, is going to make it a unique situation, full stop. And if you enjoy the league, that's not going to make you any less entertained by the on the court action (it obviously and certainly doesn't for me). But like CreightonWarrior said, no league comes close to overemphasizing the off the count vs on the court, and that's not just from "haters".
But among the toxic sludge of discourse over the last 12-18 months (CC, CC vs Angel, collective bargaining and salaries, now the Cunningham stuff), there has been some interesting takes, podcasts, and posts about the idea that there are a lot of people associated with the WNBA (players, writers, fans) who still long for the "old", money losing, less high profile WNBA cause they could have it their way. And they view the WNBA's recent success as a negative cause they can't be the way they were 5 years ago cause its too "corporate".
A prominent WNBA podcast said something to the effect of "this league was built by black queer woman and we need to keep it rooted in that". CC's former teammate Sydney Colson has a fairly successful podcast where she was complaining that they used to be able to "speak up" and the league was about "speaking up" and everyone was united in that but now they can't cause they have more money and following and attention. Then followed it up with "maybe we should just have separate leagues where one is accepting of everything that we are about" and another one "where y'all have it however you want in a certain way".
Sports and politics have always been intertwined. I'm not going to say "shut up and dribble". And I'm not even opposed to a lot of the things Colson or others stand for that they feel they can't talk about as much anymore (though I think that's probably entirely overstated). But it all just feels profoundly immature and intentionally naive to the business of sports. There is a difference between asking to betray or deny your beliefs/hide your identity, and not have it be front and center at the expense of a business. If the WNBA is going to get even bigger, if those $1.2MM max contracts are going to go to $2MM, $4MM, $5MM...its going to be because the product on the floor is fantastic and keeps getting better and that's what the first thing people think of when they think of the WNBA. Not the relationship drama of the week, not the trans issue, not the league's LGBT identity, not racist trolls, etc... And unfortunately, that's still not the case. I want what's best for the league and its future and that comes down to leadership with a better vision, strategy, and a steadying hand which I think could alleviate a lot of this.
One last point, with regards to leadership, is speaking of Courtney Williams/Stud Budz and the ASG drama, knowing what I know of her and what I've seen, if a better/stronger commissioner got her 1 on 1 and was like "listen, be you, what you do is great, but when you're streaming, be a bit smarter about XYZ", I think the response would be favorable and well received. She's the WNBA's secret weapon that I still think they don't utilize well enough. Everyone has seen the infamous clip about Brittney Griner saying she could be Demarcus Cousins 1v1 and Auriema saying he'd bet his house on Cousins. Well someone was trying to bait Williams into talking about playing NBA players 1v1 and her response was hilarious about how she "wouldn't score crap, you kidding me?" especially given her game is heavily based around being a confident, cocky scorer.
Bit long winded, but hopefully that makes a modicum of sense. I do think the new crop of young stars, and even more so young fans, are pushing things in the right direction, so any of these "worries" may be moot in 2-3 more seasons.
I really think you're making way too much into the "WNBA overemphasizes LGBT" thing, Wags. But you made your points, and I'll let them stand.
I'm still floored by Billy wanting the NYT to somehow be kept from writing about the WNBA. That wasn't on my Scoop bingo card.
Quote from: Pakuni on August 12, 2026, 09:49:31 AMOK. This sentence was not in yesterday's column. Nor is there any mention of a preacher, chromosomes, megaphones, etc.
Maybe you were reading something else?
Check for yourself:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7504642/2026/08/11/wnba-drama-sophie-cunningham-caitlin-clark-dijonai-carrington/
Can I introduce you to Fox News, Barstool and OutKick?
From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Fox News mentioned the WNBA and Cunningham a combined 98 times. They slacked off yesterday, mentioning them only a combined 17 times.
Must not be anything newsy happening in the world.
Outkick currently has six (!) WNBA stories on its homepage. One of them is about sports.
https://www.foxnews.com/outkick
This is the article by Buckner I was referring to: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7499495/2026/08/08/sophie-cunningham-fever-wnba-protests-culture-wars/
I see now it was dated the 8th, but it came up in the morning email I get from The Athletic on Tuesday.
I don't read Outkick and the rest you mentioned, but it appears the mainstream sports publications like The Athletic are taking the bait and making sure the conversation they say they don't want to have continues.
Quote from: MU82 on August 11, 2026, 07:17:19 PMI follow the WNBA pretty closely, and I also do not believe the league overemphasizes lesbian relationships. Not sure what Wags is thinking with that.
I don't think they emphasize it, but the league is an outlier with players married to each other, be they teammates, rival players, or even coaches. Last year, DeWanna Bonner bailed on the Fever nine games into the season to sign with the same team as her wife. And a while ago, you had one of the faces of the league, Brittney Griner, arrested for beating up her fiancé, a player on another WNBA team. And the whole Buckers/Fudd situation isn't something one sees in other leagues. Those situations are not the same as players dating a singer, actor/actress, or an athlete in another sport.
Quote from: MU82 on August 12, 2026, 11:26:41 AMI really think you're making way too much into the "WNBA overemphasizes LGBT" thing, Wags. But you made your points, and I'll let them stand.
I'm still floored by Billy wanting the NYT to somehow be kept from writing about the WNBA. That wasn't on my Scoop bingo card.
NYT? No. Bucker? She's a hack.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on August 12, 2026, 01:13:23 PMI don't think they emphasize it, but the league is an outlier with players married to each other, be they teammates, rival players, or even coaches. Last year, DeWanna Bonner bailed on the Fever nine games into the season to sign with the same team as her wife. And a while ago, you had one of the faces of the league, Brittney Griner, arrested for beating up her fiancé, a player on another WNBA team. And the whole Buckers/Fudd situation isn't something one sees in other leagues. Those situations are not the same as players dating a singer, actor/actress, or an athlete in another sport.
Yes, there are lesbians in the WNBA. And yes, lesbians have some of the same relationship issues as heterosexuals do.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on August 12, 2026, 01:15:30 PMNYT? No. Bucker? She's a hack.
Media outlets choose their own writers/columnists. Leagues and teams do not tell them who to choose. Thankfully.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on August 12, 2026, 01:02:40 PMThis is the article by Buckner I was referring to: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7499495/2026/08/08/sophie-cunningham-fever-wnba-protests-culture-wars/
I see now it was dated the 8th, but it came up in the morning email I get from The Athletic on Tuesday.
I don't read Outkick and the rest you mentioned, but it appears the mainstream sports publications like The Athletic are taking the bait and making sure the conversation they say they don't want to have continues.
1. I detect no lies in that column. Having read both, I'm still not sure what you find objectionable. That Sophie Cunningham is being called out for pouring gasoline on this issue, lighting a match and then criticizing the media for reporting on a fire?
2. Where do they say they don't want to have this conversation?
Quote from: JWags85 on August 12, 2026, 10:01:44 AMI don't think its a direct marketing approach from the WNBA front office, but I do think its a pronounced angle from the "new media" associated with the league...Podcasts (both players and content creators), bloggers, prominent league affiliated social media, etc...
There is a sizeable contingent that view the WNBA as an LGBT league, not LGBT friendly or an LGBT ally, but that LGBT is a central part of the league and its marketing/narratives. Which is why some of the stuff around intra-player romantic relationships and drama, inappropriate behavior on livestreams at WNBA events during the All Star weekend, etc... is not curbed in a way that you'd see in other professional leagues.
Thanks for a thoughtful, lengthy response. I couldn't hope to address everything here, so I'll reiterate that I'm not seeing some of the issues you've raised. That might simply be a result of not following the league closely ... I never have, probably never will listen to a WNBA player's podcast or follow one on Twitch.
I do agree that there's some LGBTQ gatekeeping around the league, and while unfortunate, it's not terribly surprising or unique. Soccer fandom, especially around the Euro leagues, wasn't exactly the most welcoming place 10-15 years ago. Just kind of a natural occurrence when something niche-y goes mainstream. Add in the fact that this particular niche group bonds over a shared history of marginalization, and you can perhaps understand why all the new fans and attention might make them feel squeezed out and less important.
I'm not defending the gatekeeping - it's counterproductive and shortsighted - but I get where it comes from.
As for the interpersonal issues ... yeah, I suppose that doesn't help the league's image, but I'm not sure what can be done about it. Unless they ban player relationships as part of a CBA (good luck), players will date and some of those relationships will end messy.
Of course, male teammate relationships never end messy either, right Shaq and Kobe?
Entertaining game last night between the Fever and Wings. Shepard and Fudd are out, and the Wings eventually wore down in the fourth quarter, but Bueckers did an amazing job keeping her team close. Meanwhile, Clark put on a show - she had 29 points, but it was her passing that was truly amazing.
Her feed to set up the basket that gave Mitchell her 18th consecutive 20-point game was especially incredible - a long bounce pass threaded between numerous defenders. (Mitchell's ability to catch the ball in traffic and turn it into an acrobatic layup was impressive, too.)
My son-in-law, a Canadian who is a huge hockey fan, watched a little of the game with me. He said Clark's ability to see the action ahead of her, to anticipate where her teammates were going and to make perfect deliveries reminded him of Wayne Gretzky. And as one who watched a LOT of hockey during Gretzky's heyday, I think the comparison was a pretty damn good one.
Quote from: MU82 on August 15, 2026, 09:58:26 AMEntertaining game last night between the Fever and Wings. Shepard and Fudd are out, and the Wings eventually wore down in the fourth quarter, but Bueckers did an amazing job keeping her team close. Meanwhile, Clark put on a show - she had 29 points, but it was her passing that was truly amazing.
Her feed to set up the basket that gave Mitchell her 18th consecutive 20-point game was especially incredible - a long bounce pass threaded between numerous defenders. (Mitchell's ability to catch the ball in traffic and turn it into an acrobatic layup was impressive, too.)
My son-in-law, a Canadian who is a huge hockey fan, watched a little of the game with me. He said Clark's ability to see the action ahead of her, to anticipate where her teammates were going and to make perfect deliveries reminded him of Wayne Gretzky. And as one who watched a LOT of hockey during Gretzky's heyday, I think the comparison was a pretty damn good one.
I think it is her greatest asset as a player. She is often a beat ahead of the team which sometimes leads to turnovers, but her passing is fun to watch.
Quote from: 21Jumpstreet on August 16, 2026, 09:53:06 AMI think it is her greatest asset as a player. She is often a beat ahead of the team which sometimes leads to turnovers, but her passing is fun to watch.
Yup. Most of her turnovers are due to either trying to be a little too aggressive with her passes or to teammates fumbling the ball. The latter actually has improved markedly as they (especially Mitchell and Boston) have learned to be ready for any pass any time.
Clark is playing her best basketball. Her numbers aren't as gaudy as they were at Iowa, but the competition is significantly better. She appears to be healthy for the first time in a while, and totally comfortable orchestrating the Fever offense.
I'm looking forward to seeing how she does in her first legit chance at a long postseason run. Games between the four most offensively talented teams - Minnesota, Indiana, Vegas and NY - should be really entertaining.
Another real good game between contenders yesterday, this time Indiana vs Atlanta.
Reese missed a point-blank layup that could have won it for the Dream at the end of regulation. Mitchell, who had struggled much of the game, hit a huge driving layup over Reese late in OT; it also extended her run of 20-point games to 19.
It was the league's marquee game, with the excellent Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lobo on the call. IMHO, they are the best announcing team in basketball.
WNBA news of Marquette interest: Natisha Hiedeman (shoulder injury) couldn't play yesterday for Seattle. It was her first DNP since 2019. The Storm really missed her in their 2-point loss to Chicago.
https://bsky.app/profile/rodger.bsky.social/post/3mtqrkinnx222
Enes got kicked out of a Sky game today for getting into it with a player. Fvcking loser.
Quote from: BM1090 on August 23, 2026, 10:14:50 PMEnes got kicked out of a Sky game today for getting into it with a player. Fvcking loser.
MAGAt trash.
Quote from: BM1090 on August 23, 2026, 10:14:50 PMEnes got kicked out of a Sky game today for getting into it with a player. Fvcking loser.
In addition to being ignorant, he is a despicable human being.
Agree about EK but from my reading it was instigated by the player which is likely what he wanted. She took the bait and gave the story legs. Best to just ignore him.
Unbelievably on brand that Kanter and Royce White identify as women.
Quote from: MU82 on August 24, 2026, 10:18:13 AMIn addition to being ignorant, he is a despicable human being.
Not every day you see a 7 foot dildo on the court
Quote from: wadesworld on August 24, 2026, 10:53:16 AMUnbelievably on brand that Kanter and Royce White identify as women.
One's a has-been, the other's a never-was.
Quote from: Spaniel with a Short Tail on August 24, 2026, 10:45:55 AMAgree about EK but from my reading it was instigated by the player which is likely what he wanted. She took the bait and gave the story legs. Best to just ignore him.
Yea, he was clearly sitting front row with the shirt for this very reason, but beyond that trolling, Cloud was the one that started it. Honestly, him standing up and moving towards the court was stupid cause if he sat and just yelled back and still got likely ejected, it would have made his ragebait even better and Cloud/WNBA officials look worse.
Yet again though, the WNBA can't stop stepping on the proverbial rake in all of this. Kanter and White are terrible and formulaic/lazy messengers, but even at that lame and unclever level, they are still getting exactly what they want out of the WNBA. The messaging from the league on the whole topic is still vague and inconsistent, the league (whether players, coaches, ownership) still look like they are shouting down/trying to silence voices they disagree with, and more of the poor marketing/league issues the WNBA has always dealt with.
Is this a minor issue being made into a huge culture war fighting point? Absolutely. But everyone involved is just chucking 50 gallon drums of gasoline onto the fire. Just because you think one side is "morally right", doesn't mean that all their actions/commentary/behavior around the topic is commendable and justified...and thinking otherwise is childish and tribal.
Quote from: JWags85 on August 24, 2026, 04:25:16 PMYea, he was clearly sitting front row with the shirt for this very reason, but beyond that trolling, Cloud was the one that started it. Honestly, him standing up and moving towards the court was stupid cause if he sat and just yelled back and still got likely ejected, it would have made his ragebait even better and Cloud/WNBA officials look worse.
Yet again though, the WNBA can't stop stepping on the proverbial rake in all of this. Kanter and White are terrible and formulaic/lazy messengers, but even at that lame and unclever level, they are still getting exactly what they want out of the WNBA. The messaging from the league on the whole topic is still vague and inconsistent, the league (whether players, coaches, ownership) still look like they are shouting down/trying to silence voices they disagree with, and more of the poor marketing/league issues the WNBA has always dealt with.
Is this a minor issue being made into a huge culture war fighting point? Absolutely. But everyone involved is just chucking 50 gallon drums of gasoline onto the fire. Just because you think one side is "morally right", doesn't mean that all their actions/commentary/behavior around the topic is commendable and justified...and thinking otherwise is childish and tribal.
I mean, he "started" it a couple weeks ago when he said (hilariously!) that he was bidding to play in the WNBA. And then he trolled at the game, as you said, before standing up and moving toward the court when challenged by Cloud.
The league absolutely could, and should, do better on this topic ... but he's a douchenozzle and an agitator whose sole purpose of showing up was to cause trouble.
Quote from: JWags85 on August 24, 2026, 04:25:16 PMYea, he was clearly sitting front row with the shirt for this very reason, but beyond that trolling, Cloud was the one that started it. Honestly, him standing up and moving towards the court was stupid cause if he sat and just yelled back and still got likely ejected, it would have made his ragebait even better and Cloud/WNBA officials look worse.
Yet again though, the WNBA can't stop stepping on the proverbial rake in all of this. Kanter and White are terrible and formulaic/lazy messengers, but even at that lame and unclever level, they are still getting exactly what they want out of the WNBA. The messaging from the league on the whole topic is still vague and inconsistent, the league (whether players, coaches, ownership) still look like they are shouting down/trying to silence voices they disagree with, and more of the poor marketing/league issues the WNBA has always dealt with.
Is this a minor issue being made into a huge culture war fighting point? Absolutely. But everyone involved is just chucking 50 gallon drums of gasoline onto the fire. Just because you think one side is "morally right", doesn't mean that all their actions/commentary/behavior around the topic is commendable and justified...and thinking otherwise is childish and tribal.
The whole thing is incredibly stupid. I wouldn't characterize this as a moral dilemma.
Quote from: MU82 on August 24, 2026, 12:47:00 PMOne's a has-been, the other's a never-was.
But in MAGAt-Land, denigrating women will always make you a hero. And the fact that the majority of these women are black is a huge bonus.
Let's Go, Roysha!!!
#LetHerPlay
What is the good faith discussion about what Kanter and Royce are doing?
Quote from: jesmu84 on August 25, 2026, 06:32:53 AMWhat is the good faith discussion about what Kanter and Royce are doing?
There isn't one. Culture war distraction from the failures of the admiration amplified by right wing media. The mouth breathers and low iq idiots offended by beer cans eat it up.
Quote from: JWags85 on August 24, 2026, 04:25:16 PMYea, he was clearly sitting front row with the shirt for this very reason, but beyond that trolling, Cloud was the one that started it. Honestly, him standing up and moving towards the court was stupid cause if he sat and just yelled back and still got likely ejected, it would have made his ragebait even better and Cloud/WNBA officials look worse.
Yet again though, the WNBA can't stop stepping on the proverbial rake in all of this. Kanter and White are terrible and formulaic/lazy messengers, but even at that lame and unclever level, they are still getting exactly what they want out of the WNBA. The messaging from the league on the whole topic is still vague and inconsistent, the league (whether players, coaches, ownership) still look like they are shouting down/trying to silence voices they disagree with, and more of the poor marketing/league issues the WNBA has always dealt with.
Is this a minor issue being made into a huge culture war fighting point? Absolutely. But everyone involved is just chucking 50 gallon drums of gasoline onto the fire. Just because you think one side is "morally right", doesn't mean that all their actions/commentary/behavior around the topic is commendable and justified...and thinking otherwise is childish and tribal.
I think the WNBA is handling this fine. The front office isn't saying much and the players are sticking up for themselves. Kanter and White are coming off like fools who are clearly losing the "culture war" with those who actually care about the league.
What exactly do you think they should do that would actually make a difference? Those engaging in this nonsense aren't swayed by logic and reasoned discussion. I actually think they should throw more fuel on the fire and ban these knuckleheads for the rest of the season.
Quote from: JWags85 on August 24, 2026, 04:25:16 PMYea, he was clearly sitting front row with the shirt for this very reason, but beyond that trolling, Cloud was the one that started it. Honestly, him standing up and moving towards the court was stupid cause if he sat and just yelled back and still got likely ejected, it would have made his ragebait even better and Cloud/WNBA officials look worse.
Yet again though, the WNBA can't stop stepping on the proverbial rake in all of this. Kanter and White are terrible and formulaic/lazy messengers, but even at that lame and unclever level, they are still getting exactly what they want out of the WNBA. The messaging from the league on the whole topic is still vague and inconsistent, the league (whether players, coaches, ownership) still look like they are shouting down/trying to silence voices they disagree with, and more of the poor marketing/league issues the WNBA has always dealt with.
Is this a minor issue being made into a huge culture war fighting point? Absolutely. But everyone involved is just chucking 50 gallon drums of gasoline onto the fire. Just because you think one side is "morally right", doesn't mean that all their actions/commentary/behavior around the topic is commendable and justified...and thinking otherwise is childish and tribal.
Why is this an issue at all? A pedophile wants it to be and there are millions of dum people who will do his bidding to curry favor.
Correction: I forgot dum had a 'b' at the end.
Quote from: JWags85 on August 24, 2026, 04:25:16 PMYet again though, the WNBA can't stop stepping on the proverbial rake in all of this. Kanter and White are terrible and formulaic/lazy messengers, but even at that lame and unclever level, they are still getting exactly what they want out of the WNBA.
Genuinely curious as to how you think the league should be handling this or what the league has done that you define as stepping on the rake.
Like, specific examples of league actions/inactions, please.
Somewhere, a pickleball court is being flooded with tears.
NEW YORK (AP) — Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are not eligible for the WNBA draft, a person familiar with the decision said Monday.
https://apnews.com/article/wnba-enes-kanter-freedom-royce-white-4b23db1f7817caa2a5de018fa7c94b86
Quote from: Jockey on August 25, 2026, 08:28:37 AMWhy is this an issue at all? A pedophile wants it to be and there are millions of dum people who will do his bidding to curry favor.
Just curious - whose the pedophile you are referring too?
Quote from: MU1in77 on August 25, 2026, 07:10:45 PMQuote from: Jockey on August 25, 2026, 08:28:37 AMWhy is this an issue at all? A pedophile wants it to be and there are millions of dum people who will do his bidding to curry favor.
Just curious - whose the pedophile you are referring too?
The President
Now now ... as far as anybody knows, he's only the long-time best friend of a pedophile. And a pedophile protector who exchanged a transfer into a country-club prison for favorable testimony. And a cringey weirdo who said he wanted to schtupp his daughter. And a creep who used to go backstage to leer at naked teenagers when he ran beauty pageants. And a Supreme Court-confirmed sexual abuser.
But not a proven pedophile. No way!
Quote from: Pakuni on August 25, 2026, 10:23:17 AMSomewhere, a pickleball court is being flooded with tears.
NEW YORK (AP) — Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are not eligible for the WNBA draft, a person familiar with the decision said Monday.
https://apnews.com/article/wnba-enes-kanter-freedom-royce-white-4b23db1f7817caa2a5de018fa7c94b86
And just wait until he sees the news after he finishes pouting about a line call an octogenarian made
From espn.com:
The Indiana Fever-Chicago Sky game Sunday averaged 3.31 million viewers on NBC and Peacock to make it the most-watched regular-season WNBA game since the league's inaugural season in 1997.
It also was the third-most-watched regular-season game ever and peaked at 3.82 million viewers. That is behind only the June 21-22, 1997, opening weekend games that featured the New York Liberty-Los Angeles Sparks (5.04 million) and Charlotte Sting-Phoenix Mercury (3.59 million) matchups, also both on NBC.
Caitlin Clark and the Fever continue to be the league's top draw. They also have set all-time viewing records this season for games on CBS, ESPN and Amazon Prime Video.