2025 WNBA Thread

[CreightonWarrior]

Does Caitlin hold the distinction of being the first athlete to be face guarded for the entirety of an all star game? Genuinely hilarious

[rocket surgeon]

Amazing what one little white girl can accomplish. There have been many other better players who never moved the neddle even a little bit.

  and who's the racist??  DEI has warped your brain too i see

[MU82]

Just took a look at the upcoming WNBA schedule on ESPN.com.

Among other things, it shows that tickets for tonight's game in Atlanta vs. Phoenix can be bought for as low as $9 ... tickets for Friday's game in Atlanta also vs. Phoenix can be bought for as low as $36 ... and tickets for Monday's game in Atlanta vs. Indiana can be bought for as low as $296.

[lawdog77]

Just took a look at the upcoming WNBA schedule on ESPN.com.

Among other things, it shows that tickets for tonight's game in Atlanta vs. Phoenix can be bought for as low as $9 ... tickets for Friday's game in Atlanta also vs. Phoenix can be bought for as low as $36 ... and tickets for Monday's game in Atlanta vs. Indiana can be bought for as low as $296.

See the prices for Indiana/Chicago-
https://www.vividseats.com/chicago-sky-tickets-wintrust-arena-8-30-2024--sports-wnba/production/4738978?showDetails=VB10483082434&groupId=&qty=1

14K for floor tickets

[JWags85]

Angel Reese shows up in a Rodman Bad Boys era Pistons jersey.  I guess I see what she was trying to do but a real weird choice in Chicago...but then they proceed to get SMOKED by the Fever and Clark going off for a career high 31 on a super efficient 14 shots plus 12 assists.

Meanwhile Reese had 5 points with 4 min left and was out chasing a double double down 20+ while the Fever had their starters out.

Pretty emphatic slamming shut that discussion

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Got to experience the Caitlin Clark effect in person for the first time. My father in law is visiting this weekend. He asked me to turn on the Fever game. I was pleasantly surprised given some previous conversations we have had previously. Plus, we don't have much in common but a game on the TV gives us something to talk about. The next hour was a near non-stop rant about how Clark was as good as Jordan, that the WNBA would be bankrupt without her, that the "Black lesbos" have it out for her, and that the "thugs" should be thanking Clark for all the money she is making for the WNBA. He also impressed by knowing one of Clark's teammates by name (naturally, it was Lexie Hull). The rest of Clark's teammates were named "that Black girl with *insert identifying feature here*"

Clark is a generational talent who deserves every bit of praise she's given. But there have been some really weird side effects that I was not anticipating.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Got to experience the Caitlin Clark effect in person for the first time. My father in law is visiting this weekend. He asked me to turn on the Fever game. I was pleasantly surprised given some previous conversations we have had previously. Plus, we don't have much in common but a game on the TV gives us something to talk about. The next hour was a near non-stop rant about how Clark was as good as Jordan, that the WNBA would be bankrupt without her, that the "Black lesbos" have it out for her, and that the "thugs" should be thanking Clark for all the money she is making for the WNBA. He also impressed by knowing one of Clark's teammates by name (naturally, it was Lexie Hull). The rest of Clark's teammates were named "that Black girl with *insert identifying feature here*"

Clark is a generational talent who deserves every bit of praise she's given. But there have been some really weird side effects that I was not anticipating.

My 82-year old mother is convinced that Angel Reese is a man and is therefore responsible for ruining sports.

[MU82]

Got to experience the Caitlin Clark effect in person for the first time. My father in law is visiting this weekend. He asked me to turn on the Fever game. I was pleasantly surprised given some previous conversations we have had previously. Plus, we don't have much in common but a game on the TV gives us something to talk about. The next hour was a near non-stop rant about how Clark was as good as Jordan, that the WNBA would be bankrupt without her, that the "Black lesbos" have it out for her, and that the "thugs" should be thanking Clark for all the money she is making for the WNBA. He also impressed by knowing one of Clark's teammates by name (naturally, it was Lexie Hull). The rest of Clark's teammates were named "that Black girl with *insert identifying feature here*"

Clark is a generational talent who deserves every bit of praise she's given. But there have been some really weird side effects that I was not anticipating.

Ugh. Sounds like all too many of the social media posts I've read.

And sorry that you have an FIL who is such a bigot, TAMU. That must be difficult for you to deal with.

[MU82]

Caitlin Clark is having an amazing rookie season - better even than most thought she could have - and she's been especially good since the long Olympic break. She should be the unanimous choice for ROY, and should get plenty of MVP votes (but won't win the award, nor should she).

She is on pace to set the league assist record, has recorded the only two triple-doubles ever by a WNBA rookie, and is shooting close to 50-40-90 since the break.

And here's a great stat from Yahoo Sports:

Most games with 20 points and 10 assists in WNBA history:‌

Courtney Vandersloot: 10 (422 games played)

Diana Taurasi: 9 (559 games played)

Caitlin Clark: 7 (34 games played)

She does already have the league record for turnovers in a season, but that's a pretty small quibble given all of her positives and given how much time she spends with the basketball in her hands.

Clark's backcourt partner, Kelsey Mitchell, might be the fastest player in the league and is a dynamic scorer on every level. Her high-arching 3s remind me of Kam's. She's the league's #2 scorer since the Olympic break, and there hasn't been a better backcourt than Mitchell/Clark. Really fun to watch.

Not getting picked for Team USA might have been the best thing for Clark, Mitchell and the other Indiana players. The Fever looked fresh right out of the break and have been outstanding, while other teams seemed tired, especially the first couple weeks after returning. Indiana has been the league's hottest team, and just clinched its first playoff berth since 2016.

[MuggsyB]

Caitlin Clark is having an amazing rookie season - better even than most thought she could have - and she's been especially good since the long Olympic break. She should be the unanimous choice for ROY, and should get plenty of MVP votes (but won't win the award, nor should she).

She is on pace to set the league assist record, has recorded the only two triple-doubles ever by a WNBA rookie, and is shooting close to 50-40-90 since the break.

And here's a great stat from Yahoo Sports:

Most games with 20 points and 10 assists in WNBA history:‌

Courtney Vandersloot: 10 (422 games played)

Diana Taurasi: 9 (559 games played)

Caitlin Clark: 7 (34 games played)

She does already have the league record for turnovers in a season, but that's a pretty small quibble given all of her positives and given how much time she spends with the basketball in her hands.

Clark's backcourt partner, Kelsey Mitchell, might be the fastest player in the league and is a dynamic scorer on every level. Her high-arching 3s remind me of Kam's. She's the league's #2 scorer since the Olympic break, and there hasn't been a better backcourt than Mitchell/Clark. Really fun to watch.

Not getting picked for Team USA might have been the best thing for Clark, Mitchell and the other Indiana players. The Fever looked fresh right out of the break and have been outstanding, while other teams seemed tired, especially the first couple weeks after returning. Indiana has been the league's hottest team, and just clinched its first playoff berth since 2016.

Caitlin Clark (other than the Olympics) hasn't really had a break or a full training camp since she left Iowa.   It seems to me that you can argue she's already the 2nd best player in the entire league.  No one could argue she's not top 5.  When you take into account all the hype, her popularity, petty jealousy from other players,  hate from some in the media, etc, etc, etc, she handled everything pretty much flawlessly.   She's had as big an impact on her sport than anyone I can remember since Tiger Woods. 

[MU82]

Yep. Her ability to deliver through intense scrutiny has been impressive.

[StillAWarrior]

Yep. Her ability to deliver through intense scrutiny has been impressive.

Amazing, really. The "she's been playing against 18-year-old girls...she's not prepared to play against experienced professionals" narrative has been left in the dust. I will admit that even though I knew she was an outstanding college player, I expected her to struggle more than she has with the transition to the WNBA. Impressive indeed.

[MU82]

Amazing, really. The "she's been playing against 18-year-old girls...she's not prepared to play against experienced professionals" narrative has been left in the dust. I will admit that even though I knew she was an outstanding college player, I expected her to struggle more than she has with the transition to the WNBA. Impressive indeed.

There was an adjustment period, to be sure. The Fever had a brutally difficult early-season schedule, and lots of veteran players wanted to put Clark in her place. She had several poor games and Indiana started something like 1-8.

But she figured things out darn quickly, played better, and has been one of the league's 2-3 best players the last month-plus.

[MuggsyB]

There was an adjustment period, to be sure. The Fever had a brutally difficult early-season schedule, and lots of veteran players wanted to put Clark in her place. She had several poor games and Indiana started something like 1-8.

But she figured things out darn quickly, played better, and has been one of the league's 2-3 best players the last month-plus.

If you're the WNBA leadership how would you maximize their business moving forward?  Their playoffs will compete with the NFL and MLB playoffs which isn't ideal.  They're also on like 4 different networks.  I'm just wondering if they could start in April even with the NBA playoffs?  Or maybe February and schedule games around the NCAA tournament?

[The Sultan]

If you're the WNBA leadership how would you maximize their business moving forward?  Their playoffs will compete with the NFL and MLB playoffs which isn't ideal.  They're also on like 4 different networks.  I'm just wondering if they could start in April even with the NBA playoffs?  Or maybe February and schedule games around the NCAA tournament?

I would move it to a regular Fall to Spring basketball league. Most of the teams play in their own arenas now, with some exceptions with teams that play in the same arena as an NBA team but not a NHL team as well. The only exception is the Sparks in LA.  That was the main reason they started out as a summer league anyway.

Furthermore I think their audience is fairly developed now. They will never compete with the NBA, but would consistently draw in the markets they are in.

[MuggsyB]

I would move it to a regular Fall to Spring basketball league. Most of the teams play in their own arenas now, with some exceptions with teams that play in the same arena as an NBA team but not a NHL team as well. The only exception is the Sparks in LA.  That was the main reason they started out as a summer league anyway.

Furthermore I think their audience is fairly developed now. They will never compete with the NBA, but would consistently draw in the markets they are in.

Are Caitlin Clark's games getting better ratings than regular NBA games?

[The Sultan]

Are Caitlin Clark's games getting better ratings than regular NBA games?

Many of them yes. Her NCAA games outdrew Men's games.

[MU82]

If you're the WNBA leadership how would you maximize their business moving forward?  Their playoffs will compete with the NFL and MLB playoffs which isn't ideal.  They're also on like 4 different networks.  I'm just wondering if they could start in April even with the NBA playoffs?  Or maybe February and schedule games around the NCAA tournament?

Maybe experimenting with schedule changes would be good, but who knows? Things seem to be working OK for the WNBA just as they are.

[lawdog77]

Caitlin Clark signature basketballs sell out in 40 minutes
https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/09/11/caitlin-clark-wilson-basketballs-sold-out

[MU82]

Over the weekend, Clark broke the league's all-time assist record and became the WNBA's all-time rookie scorer. She's been especially incredible since the Olympic break.

While A'ja Wilson will (and should) win MVP, Clark will (and should) be top-5.

[Uncle Rico]

It's hard to believe the success the WNBA is having at the moment without trying to sell itself with sex like Buffoon Cain thinks golf should do.

Interesting

[The Sultan]

It's also amazing that Clark overcame the horde of black lesbians trying to injure her. I think it's safe to say, as a white, straight woman, that God is on her side.

[wadesworld]

It's also amazing that Clark overcame the horde of black lesbians trying to injure her. I think it's safe to say, as a white, straight woman, that God is on her side.

Lol.  The narratives people come up with are so funny you wouldn't believe they were true.

[MU82]

Some of the same racists who supported Clark only because she is a white heterosexual woman in a league "full" of Black lesbians said they were done supporting her after she liked Taylor Swift's election-endorsement post.

[Uncle Rico]

Ratings way up

https://x.com/sarajgamelli/status/1844469293167280449?s=46&t=QSiaGcOIKZrrpw0ciZkI5Q

Staggering news for Willie