2024 WNBA Season Discussion Thread

[MrDollarBills]

I'm not trying to No True Scotsman it (and because I don't post in here as often as I probably should) but I feel like most of the negativity and toxic discourse is coming from people who don't actually watch the WNBA

Cause like the talking heads on ESPN like SAS and Pat McAfee don't actually watch, they're just using the same script generator they use for every other sport and trying to graft it onto the WNBA, and then the people who watch them get mad because they don't care about the WNBA and don't want to hear about it, but they have strong opinions regardless because that's the type of people who watch First Take and the like

On one hand, it does mean the WNBA is getting more attention, but on the other hand, it just sucks.

Agreed, we just have to hope that toxicity will wane as these Neanderthals both in sports media and social media go back to their caves once they lose interest while the folks who actually watch the games or are interested in learning more hang around.

There is a more insidious element to this in terms of misogynoir, because the same talking heads who are calling for Chennedy Carter's head didn't have that kind of furor when Alyssa Thomas slammed Angel Reese by her neck a week ago, but I'll let it speak for itself. Carter shoulder checked her, yeah. Dirty play. But nothing even remotely in the same realm as what was done to Angel. We know what the difference is.

[TimDunkin]

Why is the schedule so incredibly out of whack for the WNBA? It's weird to have a team that's played 11 games in 19 days and a team that's played 6 games in 19 days.

[MrDollarBills]

Anyway....hoops!

The Commissioner’s Cup continues tomorrow and there's two banger match ups:

Sky vs Liberty, 8pm

Mercury vs Storm, 10pm

Looking forward to seeing Jonquel and Stewie! give Angel and Cardoso that work JJ is not playing around, she looks to be back to her MVP level form.

[DOT]

There is a more insidious element to this in terms of misogynoir, because the same talking heads who are calling for Chennedy Carter's head didn't have that kind of furor when Alyssa Thomas slammed Angel Reese by her neck a week ago, but I'll let it speak for itself. Carter shoulder checked her, yeah. Dirty play. But nothing even remotely in the same realm as what was done to Angel. We know what the difference is.

As a huge AT fan, yeah that was way out of line. Now I know how Warriors fans feel rooting for Draymond lol

I think along with the race thing, it's also that one, AT is a star and Chennedy isn't, plus AT did it during a play and Chennedy did it with the ball being inbounded, but yeah if you swap Angel and Caitlin in those positions, I think the same people calling for Chennedy's head would be cheering for her, and saying AT should be sent to the gulag.

[MrBigShot]

If wemby was getting target cheap shotted during his rookie year like Caitlin clark is rn there would be some heavy suspensions handed out. Both to the offenders, and the spurs vets for the way they'd protect their marquee young player.

[nbanflguy]

Caitlin Clark’s game is fun to watch, but she has a long way to figure out how to be more effective in pro’s game… her turnovers are cringeworthy, do remind me linsanity and his turnovers… what is angel reese good for? Why wasn’t she selected No.2? Instead no.7… is it a real rivalry? Two players are not in the same status, not playing the same position either…

Yeah Clarke needs to slow down a bit. Her passing has looked good. Shots will eventually fall. Reese is not impressive at all. Very clumsy.

Reese is leading the whole league in offensive rebounds by a substantial margin (5.0 per game, which is 25% more than than anyone else, and has 30% more total offensive rebounds than anyone else). Offensive rebounding was her outstanding skill in college, and has translated to the WNBA at an elite level so far.

I genuinely don’t know this answer, but I can see her fg% is terrible. How many of her offensive rebounds are just rebounding her own misses at the rim? If she was shooting 50% would her offensive rebounds only be like 2 per game?

[MrDollarBills]

Monica McNutt embarrassed Stephen A and Shannon Sharpe so badly today that ESPN made the video private

https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=jePfxSHbNi6-D5GD&v=Nvw92DTzang&feature=youtu.be

If you happened to see it, that was an example of blatant misogyny right out in the open. SAS was calling for Caitlin Clark to be "officiated differently" or else the league risks losing viewers due to Clark being played physically.

She's not a child or a baby, why are they infantilizing her? This is the type of sh*t that is aggravating and embarrassing coming from other men.

And notice how these two Black men in the media had dick all to say about Angel Reese being chokeslammed. They didn't care when harm comes to a Black woman, but they're ready to start calling for craziness when CC got shoulder checked. This entire thing is gross man.

[MrDollarBills]

There is a more insidious element to this in terms of misogynoir, because the same talking heads who are calling for Chennedy Carter's head didn't have that kind of furor when Alyssa Thomas slammed Angel Reese by her neck a week ago, but I'll let it speak for itself. Carter shoulder checked her, yeah. Dirty play. But nothing even remotely in the same realm as what was done to Angel. We know what the difference is.

As a huge AT fan, yeah that was way out of line. Now I know how Warriors fans feel rooting for Draymond lol

I think along with the race thing, it's also that one, AT is a star and Chennedy isn't, plus AT did it during a play and Chennedy did it with the ball being inbounded, but yeah if you swap Angel and Caitlin in those positions, I think the same people calling for Chennedy's head would be cheering for her, and saying AT should be sent to the gulag.

I absolutely love AT, love how she plays the game, but that was a bit too far even for me. That was disappointing to see, if she wants to knock Angel around cool, but that was crazy I don't think I've seen a foul like that in a long time. It made me respect Angel a hell of a lot more than I already did tbh. She's tough as nails.

If AT did that to CC there would be talking heads calling for her to have charges pressed against her. And I hate that because it's not like CC is asking to be treated differently from anyone else.

[MrDollarBills]

Yeah Clarke needs to slow down a bit. Her passing has looked good. Shots will eventually fall. Reese is not impressive at all. Very clumsy.

Reese is leading the whole league in offensive rebounds by a substantial margin (5.0 per game, which is 25% more than than anyone else, and has 30% more total offensive rebounds than anyone else). Offensive rebounding was her outstanding skill in college, and has translated to the WNBA at an elite level so far.

I genuinely don’t know this answer, but I can see her fg% is terrible. How many of her offensive rebounds are just rebounding her own misses at the rim? If she was shooting 50% would her offensive rebounds only be like 2 per game?

I don't know the answer to that, but Moses Malone and Dennis Rodman did the same thing. She's outrebounding her class by a wide margin.

I don't put too much stock into early rookie shooting percentages as they are all going through an adjustment period. Clark's FG is just as bad, hell Kate Martin is only shooting 25% and she's one of the better rookies too.

[JustBuzzin]

This Clark hype seems forced. It's like they want the WNBA to let her be the best player.

This was the #1 sports story today. Such a sad look for Clark.

She should have just joined the big 3. This is a grown women's league if she not up for the physicality then just join another league.

[sikma42]

This Clark hype seems forced. It's like they want the WNBA to let her be the best player.

This was the #1 sports story today. Such a sad look for Clark.

She should have just joined the big 3. This is a grown women's league if she not up for the physicality then just join another league.

Interestingly enough, the last two games (sky and liberty) she has gotten less team defensive attention. Think teams are starting realize that although she’s talented, she might not be the transcendent shooter they thought.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[MrDollarBills]

This Clark hype seems forced. It's like they want the WNBA to let her be the best player.

This was the #1 sports story today. Such a sad look for Clark.

She should have just joined the big 3. This is a grown women's league if she not up for the physicality then just join another league.

The problem here is that Clark hasn't said anything. Everything that you are attributing to her is 100% media driven by ESPN.

Also, I don't understand why she should have had to join a league to play with washed up nba players in their 40s and 50s to play pro hoops. Do you even watch the WNBA? Because this statement leads me to believe otherwise and you're not here to contribute in a positive manner

[JustBuzzin]

This Clark hype seems forced. It's like they want the WNBA to let her be the best player.

This was the #1 sports story today. Such a sad look for Clark.

She should have just joined the big 3. This is a grown women's league if she not up for the physicality then just join another league.

The problem here is that Clark hasn't said anything. Everything that you are attributing to her is 100% media driven by ESPN.

Also, I don't understand why she should have had to join a league to play with washed up nba players in their 40s and 50s to play pro hoops. Do you even watch the WNBA? Because this statement leads me to believe otherwise and you're not here to contribute in a positive manner

Bro she got shoved on a non basketball play.

That's the freaking point! Why is this even a big deal? Didn't Reese get body slammed just a few games ago?


It seems like Clark is just a media puppet at this point. Her game right now is not matching the hype. Either step up or stop making a big deal out of this girl. You can't have it both ways.

[Wingy]

There is a more insidious element to this in terms of misogynoir, because the same talking heads who are calling for Chennedy Carter's head didn't have that kind of furor when Alyssa Thomas slammed Angel Reese by her neck a week ago, but I'll let it speak for itself. Carter shoulder checked her, yeah. Dirty play. But nothing even remotely in the same realm as what was done to Angel. We know what the difference is.

As a huge AT fan, yeah that was way out of line. Now I know how Warriors fans feel rooting for Draymond lol

I think along with the race thing, it's also that one, AT is a star and Chennedy isn't, plus AT did it during a play and Chennedy did it with the ball being inbounded, but yeah if you swap Angel and Caitlin in those positions, I think the same people calling for Chennedy's head would be cheering for her, and saying AT should be sent to the gulag.

I absolutely love AT, love how she plays the game, but that was a bit too far even for me. That was disappointing to see, if she wants to knock Angel around cool, but that was crazy I don't think I've seen a foul like that in a long time. It made me respect Angel a hell of a lot more than I already did tbh. She's tough as nails.

If AT did that to CC there would be talking heads calling for her to have charges pressed against her. And I hate that because it's not like CC is asking to be treated differently from anyone else.

I saw the AT foul on Angel and was blown away that this seemed like the league “culture” toward rookies that I just assumed you guys (ie - the vets of this board) talked about in very general terms…and this was some kind of effed up “normal” for the league.

In addition, at least the refs got it right and AT was ejected. The refs made the CC/CC incident worse by calling a blatant flagrant as a common foul.

Upon seeing the Carter foul, and with the AT foul in the back of my mind, it made me go - this is just ****ing stupid. “this” being what I assumed/perceived as the existing “culture” toward rookies. Enough is enough…this is just dumb.

Smack talk, physical play, hard fouls with a play on the ball- all good. But if what I’ve seen with CC/Angel is the way, then it’s gotta change for the betterment of the league. Side note that I completely agree with the sentiment that Clark whines and complains WAY too much about regular physical play. A lot like Luka/Ant regularly crying to the refs.

I disagree with the thought that shining a spotlight on this stuff is some kind of misogyny or whatever. Sure I recall doubters, haters, non-believers, but I don’t remember any NBA rookie icon in waiting getting into these similar types of early altercations. We didn’t see anything like it with Wemby. Maybe I’m forgetting, but I don’t recall anything like it with Lebron and all his crazy hype. It’s just bad for business, and doesn’t make any sense for it to continue no matter how much some people might miss the Bill Laimbeer days.

[G R E Y]

Read on Twitter

[G R E Y]

This Clark hype seems forced. It's like they want the WNBA to let her be the best player.

This was the #1 sports story today. Such a sad look for Clark.

She should have just joined the big 3. This is a grown women's league if she not up for the physicality then just join another league.

The problem here is that Clark hasn't said anything. Everything that you are attributing to her is 100% media driven by ESPN.

Also, I don't understand why she should have had to join a league to play with washed up nba players in their 40s and 50s to play pro hoops. Do you even watch the WNBA? Because this statement leads me to believe otherwise and you're not here to contribute in a positive manner

Bro she got shoved on a non basketball play.

That's the freaking point! Why is this even a big deal? Didn't Reese get body slammed just a few games ago?


It seems like Clark is just a media puppet at this point. Her game right now is not matching the hype. Either step up or stop making a big deal out of this girl. You can't have it both ways.

Well Wemby got shoved and stared down by AG. Rookies have to adjust to physicality, have to develop their bodies, mature physically and to the mental grind. These all take time. Just as with Wemby's early games, there were flashes of brilliance and also some struggles, and the early hype was proclaimed unjustified. Not saying she is Wemby level impact, but they hype surrounding them had something to do with factors beyond them.

Can we at least let CC get through a single season first? She's a great talent but of course not ready made for each level to be easy. If anything, it makes how she adjusts and still finds ways to be impactful through the struggles more interesting. There will continue to be growing pains but let's also enjoy the game she brings.

[Wallace_Wallace]

This is similar to Beverley shoving Chris Paul in the back during a timeout (WCF 2021 game 6), the ball wasn’t even in play. Face guarding, pick her up full court and making her play defense are perfectly acceptable to me, but that’s not even basketball at this point.

The fact that Reese and the Chicago bench seem to approve of the action is rather off putting as well.

[MrDollarBills]

Read on Twitter

Killa Cam is also shooting 47% from the field (37% from deep). With 3blks per

Her and Rickea are going to be a nightmare combo to play against by Year 3.

[MrDollarBills]

As a huge AT fan, yeah that was way out of line. Now I know how Warriors fans feel rooting for Draymond lol

I think along with the race thing, it's also that one, AT is a star and Chennedy isn't, plus AT did it during a play and Chennedy did it with the ball being inbounded, but yeah if you swap Angel and Caitlin in those positions, I think the same people calling for Chennedy's head would be cheering for her, and saying AT should be sent to the gulag.

I absolutely love AT, love how she plays the game, but that was a bit too far even for me. That was disappointing to see, if she wants to knock Angel around cool, but that was crazy I don't think I've seen a foul like that in a long time. It made me respect Angel a hell of a lot more than I already did tbh. She's tough as nails.

If AT did that to CC there would be talking heads calling for her to have charges pressed against her. And I hate that because it's not like CC is asking to be treated differently from anyone else.

I saw the AT foul on Angel and was blown away that this seemed like the league “culture” toward rookies that I just assumed you guys (ie - the vets of this board) talked about in very general terms…and this was some kind of effed up “normal” for the league.

In addition, at least the refs got it right and AT was ejected. The refs made the CC/CC incident worse by calling a blatant flagrant as a common foul.

Upon seeing the Carter foul, and with the AT foul in the back of my mind, it made me go - this is just ****ing stupid. “this” being what I assumed/perceived as the existing “culture” toward rookies. Enough is enough…this is just dumb.

Smack talk, physical play, hard fouls with a play on the ball- all good. But if what I’ve seen with CC/Angel is the way, then it’s gotta change for the betterment of the league. Side note that I completely agree with the sentiment that Clark whines and complains WAY too much about regular physical play. A lot like Luka/Ant regularly crying to the refs.

I disagree with the thought that shining a spotlight on this stuff is some kind of misogyny or whatever. Sure I recall doubters, haters, non-believers, but I don’t remember any NBA rookie icon in waiting getting into these similar types of early altercations. We didn’t see anything like it with Wemby. Maybe I’m forgetting, but I don’t recall anything like it with Lebron and all his crazy hype. It’s just bad for business, and doesn’t make any sense for it to continue no matter how much some people might miss the Bill Laimbeer days.

Joel Embiid literally injured Mitchell Robinson's ankle on purpose in Round 1 of the NBA playoffs. Let's not act like this is some crazy stuff only being perpetuated by women. The misogyny comes in when people, men, who don't watch or care about women's hoops come in screaming like banshees over physical plays/trash talk/hard fouls, as if women are these precious little cup cupcakes that shouldn't get into that kinda activity. As if people have never watched competition before. Sh*t happens. Frankly, guys need to get over themselves.

Yes, the WNBA is a tough physical league.

No, plays that happened to Reese and Clark are not the norm. But altercations/dirty plays happened in the W just like the NBA. It's not bad for business, was it bad for business when Draymond did a Super Mario Bros Goomba stomp on Sabonis' chest? How about when Draymond choked Rudy out?? I can drop a laundry list on Draymond alone in this thread, yet the NBA is doing fine and no one is crying about the sport being in danger based on TWO plays that crossed the line.

This is why the word misogyny is being applied here. There is clearly a double standard at play, and men seemingly can't handle seeing women get physical without losing their minds.

[MrDollarBills]

This Clark hype seems forced. It's like they want the WNBA to let her be the best player.

This was the #1 sports story today. Such a sad look for Clark.

She should have just joined the big 3. This is a grown women's league if she not up for the physicality then just join another league.

The problem here is that Clark hasn't said anything. Everything that you are attributing to her is 100% media driven by ESPN.

Also, I don't understand why she should have had to join a league to play with washed up nba players in their 40s and 50s to play pro hoops. Do you even watch the WNBA? Because this statement leads me to believe otherwise and you're not here to contribute in a positive manner

Bro she got shoved on a non basketball play.

That's the freaking point! Why is this even a big deal? Didn't Reese get body slammed just a few games ago?


It seems like Clark is just a media puppet at this point. Her game right now is not matching the hype. Either step up or stop making a big deal out of this girl. You can't have it both ways.

...Clark was literally named rookie of the month yesterday. She is a really good player who is, like every other rookie that came before her minus Candace Parker, adapting to the league. It's only been a month.

She's literally the only reason you're paying attention now, am I right? That's a good thing! But give her some time bro damn

I think the issue is, fans who turned eyes on the league because of CC are the ones who have been receiving a rude awakening...people vastly underestimated just how good WNBA players are, and it shows because we have folks openly wondering why a rookie isn't torching the league from day 1.

I predict the Caitlin Clark we saw in May will be vastly inferior to the CC we see in July.