2025 WNBA Thread

[JWags85]

Bueckers is the front runner for ROY, make it back to back #1 picks to win it.  She's so much fun to watch.  But it's also interesting how different of a player she is to Clark.  Clark gets a lot of Curry comps, but other than the excessive foul baiting, Bueckers reminds me a lot of Jalen Brunson's game with her turn arounds, short angled jumpers, and propensity to get to her spots on the floor to score it.

[MU82]

Two outstanding players, for very different reasons.

To me, Clark's best skill is her passing. She is gifted - sees plays develop better than any other player in the league.

Bueckers is just solid at everything. A willing defender, too.

[Billy Hoyle]

injured on a non-contact play? Blame the refs:
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/caitlin-clarks-brother-blames-refs-latest-injury-fever-star

[JWags85]

injured on a non-contact play? Blame the refs:
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/caitlin-clarks-brother-blames-refs-latest-injury-fever-star

To be fair, it was her brother in a silly heat of the moment tweet upset about his sister, that he then deleted.

And while its silly on the face, its probably not totally without merit.  If you think the refs have allowed opposing teams to overly physical and rough with Clark, which is debatable but not unreasonable depending on perspective, it can add up to a bunch of wear and tear and little injuries that can all of a sudden manifest into a bigger injury, even in a non-contact scenario.

[MU82]

I watch lots of WNBA games. Point guards in general are roughed up - lots of crowding, hand-checking, etc. And if the PG takes it to the hoop often, she is routinely crushed.

Clark is mauled on several plays every game. She also complains a lot, so that also might influence the refs. I see similar with Seattle PG Skylar Diggins - she takes a lot of hits, and feels she has to constantly let the refs know it. (In general, WNBA officiating is quite poor - but that's a whole nother issue, as it's not just poor for Clark.)

Now, whether such physical play has anything to do with Clark's non-contact injuries, who knows? Wags' theory is as good as any.

[JWags85]

(In general, WNBA officiating is quite poor - but that's a whole nother issue, as it's not just poor for Clark.)

This is a good point.  I'm also not totally in favor of the kiddie gloves that some NBA stars get with officiating, but the WNBA is completely the other way in that they do NOTHING to protect their stars.  If you're an opposing coach and your strategy to limit the other team's star is to beat the hell out of them, the refs will usually let you.  I saw someone from the Wings try to take off Aja Wilson's head last night and I'm pretty sure they delayed even calling a common foul, much less a flagrant.

[MU82]

I'm not a doctor, and don't even play one on TV, but ...

Clark played a TON of basketball in 2024. She went right from a long and grueling college season that went all the way to the final game, to a full WNBA season in which she played in every game.

Then, her off-season was filled with travel, endorsements, photo shoots, etc.

Then she starts the 2025 season and is defended HARD on just about every possession.

Could a wear-and-tear factor have had anything to do with these injuries?

[MU82]

During warm-ups before the WNBA All-Star Game last night, players wore T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase: Pay Us What You Owe Us. And as  Napheesa Collier accepted the MVP trophy, the Indy crowd chanted: "Pay them! Pay them!"

Negotiations between the league and the players union are said to not be going very well.

As for the game itself, I thought maybe the WNBA players would bring more intensity than their NBA counterparts do to that league's ASG ... but no, not really. And I get it. Nobody wants to get hurt in an exhibition game.

[CreightonWarrior]

I'm curious what they are owed.

[Billy Hoyle]

I'm curious what they are owed.

If they are owed a share of the league's profits they'd get a bill

[wadesworld]

If they are owed a share of the league's profits they'd get a bill

So would employees at plenty of companies, some big ones.

[The Sultan]

If they are owed a share of the league's profits they'd get a bill

Odd that so many are lined up to buy franchises then.

[GB Warrior]

Nm -  wrong thread

[Pakuni]

If they are owed a share of the league's profits they'd get a bill

Are you sure?
A lot has changed over the past seven years - the last time Adam Silver publicly discussed WNBA profits - and the league's media revenues are about to increase 250%.

[Pakuni]

Odd that so many are lined up to buy franchises then.

Yeah, but has the owner of a professional sports franchise ever lied about financial losses?

[The Sultan]

I get that, but while these teams operate at a financial loss, there is a reason people want to get involved. And I don't blame the talent for leveraging that.

Not to mention I have a feeling that the WNBA isn't "profitable" largely because of how the NBA allocates costs more than anything. 

[Pakuni]

I'm curious what they are owed.

NBA players get 50% of basketball-related revenues. NHL players get 50%. NFL players get 48%.

WNBA players? 9.3%.

[Pakuni]

I get that, but while these teams operate at a financial loss, there is a reason people want to get involved. And I don't blame the talent for leveraging that.

Not to mention I have a feeling that the WNBA isn't "profitable" largely because of how the NBA allocates costs more than anything. 

I'm agreeing with you, and suggesting that the NBA/WNBA/owners wouldn't be above exaggerating losses, just as other leagues have done.

[Shaka Shart]

If they are owed a share of the league's profits they'd get a bill

What about a share of the $250m per expansion fees

[Shaka Shart]

I'm agreeing with you, and suggesting that the NBA/WNBA/owners wouldn't be above exaggerating losses, just as other leagues have done.

Sports owners would never accept a publicly funded stadium and then use the depreciation expenses on the assets to push the perception that they only break even.

Never

[panda2.0]

I find the product mostly unwatchable, save Caitlin Clark, and the stars mostly unlikeable however the players shockingly have the leverage here. The league is growing a ton in popularity, thanks Caitlin Clark, and franchise fees are low. One team will sell and watch the valuations skyrocket. 

[Shaka Shart]

I find the product mostly unwatchable, save Caitlin Clark, and the stars mostly unlikeable however the players shockingly have the leverage here. The league is growing a ton in popularity, thanks Caitlin Clark, and franchise fees are low. One team will sell and watch the valuations skyrocket. 

That's about white

[MU82]

I find the product mostly unwatchable, save Caitlin Clark, and the stars mostly unlikeable however the players shockingly have the leverage here.

What do you know about the likability or unlikability of WNBA stars? Name a half-dozen whom you believe are "unlikable." Do you cheer for male athletes in any sport whom others might credibly find to be unlikable? When is the last time you actually watched a WNBA game?

The players' leverage isn't "shocking" at all. The league's popularity is at an all-time high, and there is no league without the players.

[panda2.0]

That's about white

Why would you say that?

[panda2.0]

What do you know about the likability or unlikability of WNBA stars? Name a half-dozen whom you believe are "unlikable." Do you cheer for male athletes in any sport whom others might credibly find to be unlikable? When is the last time you actually watched a WNBA game?

The players' leverage isn't "shocking" at all. The league's popularity is at an all-time high, and there is no league without the players.

I watch the wnba all the time. My daughters love basketball and they are obsessed.

It's been mostly a poorly run mom and pop shop business subsidized by the nba. The league is thankfully and rapidly growing in popularity which gives the players leverage to make a salary which won't force them to play overseas during the offseason.