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Fuuuuuck me. I sure as hope this doesn't happen.
On the NBA’s Gender Barrier
SportingNews
Over at SI.com, Ian Thomsen raises a fairly weighty question: Will we soon, or ever, see a woman in the NBA? The headline, at least, makes you think that Commissioner Stern himself is on board. What he actually says is "Sure. I think that’s well within the range of probability." That’s in response to the very open-ended "Will it happen someday?"
I enjoy the WNBA. Even before this year’s bonkers Finals, I’d been attending and watching games. It’s come a long way since those early, crude days, and during the off-season, serious hoop fans could do far worse than to follow the W. But I’m just not buying Thomsen’s "reasons." Stern’s lukewarm, PR-required response doesn’t count. That the first female NBA player "would be a huge story" implies that hype runs the league, which starts us down the path of fixed playoff series and lottery fraud. The point that the women’s game has made great strides is certainly relevant here, but Dirk Nowitzki points out the problem with this rationale:
"Skills-wise, yeah," [Nowitzki] said, meaning they could shoot and handle the ball at an NBA level. "But physical-wise, it’s tough. Even all the little guys are pretty strong in this league and pretty athletic."
Certainly, the WNBA has shooters, passers, and overall students of the game on par with anyone in the men’s league. But Dirk makes the key point: Relatively speaking, men are bigger, stronger, and more athletic.
Maybe a star WNBA player could hold her own in today’s NCAA men’s game. The NBA, though, is where the best athletes in the world come to ply their craft. As much as I love Cappie Pondexter, it’s laughable to suggest that she could guard Dwayne Wade. Which leads us to Thomsen’s next reason: Rule changes have made the men’s game less physical, more reliant on shooting and all-around skill. This is where Diana Taurasi enters the conversation, seeing as she’s got height, dead-eye range and a great basketball mind.
What exactly would Taursai do in the NBA, though? Be a 6’ Kyle Korver? Would she want to do that? Would that really serve the purpose of breaking the gender line?
All of which undermines the final reason: "The first women will be greeted with newfound respect." This experiment only makes sense if a player is capable of playing her game with the men. Otherwise, it’s condescending, pointless and an insult to everything the WNBA has achieved on its own.
Fuuuuuck me. I sure as hope this doesn't happen.
lol women cannot play on the men's level. some women are pretty close like dirk said in terms of dribbling and shooting the ball, but the physical gap is just too far to bridge. i went to high school with a girl who was a mcdonald's all american and another girl who didn't quite get the same recognition but was one of the top scorers in the country. those girls would come to open gym and play pickup with the guys but by no means could either of them come close to beating me, and obviously i'm not in the nba. interesting idea but it would surely fail
Take 5 best WNBA players to Venice Beach or Rucker and watch them get run off the court.
that would be just mean and brutal, but true
How about 4 regular male basketball players and the best WNBA shooter?
instead of handicapping them why not just bring the best NBA shooter? plus, the best wnba shooter wouldnt be a good shooter with a male sized regulation ball. she would have to adjust
it can never happen. men plays differently with women, unless they are gay or something. plus it would be awkward in the lockerroom where guys go naked.
While I'm not for a woman being in the NBA, it would be perilously foolish to say that the 5 best WNBA players wouldn't be able to hold their own at the famed Venice Beach courts. I have seen plenty of female teams take games from their male counterparts.
To answer the question, just reverse the question.
Should extremely talented men be allowed into the WNBA?
No one would notice because nobody would watch...
women CANNOT play against men, dude. i've played against female mcdonalds all americans that dont stand a chance in at beating me, and i'm just a regular guy who's played ball for years. I'm not nba or college d1 level. they just can't compete man, it's nothing personal or sexist
I thought we already started this movement by letting Sasha Vujacic play
I'm surprised no one already said this untill now. lol
Then there's the whole mess of sexism. Someone is playing rough man to man defense, poking, prodding, body to body. Who's to say whats over the limit?
It just wouldnt work. Rules would have to be setup specific to women players and the moment that happens, it ruins the spirit of the game.
So, in essence, you're saying this response isn't personal nor sexist when you make a totalistic comment stating, "women CANNOT play against men?" That seems a little bit contradictory, because that whole remark is pretty much sexist in regards. To say without unequivable doubt that females cannot play is disregarding the whole female segment of the population. Which is kinda a huge statment to make without curtailing the lines of sexism.
Secondly, you played against McDonald's All-Americans who are barely out of high-school. Is that a fair comparison to an WNBA player? That is akin (hypothetically) to saying well, I beat LeBron in an AAU game, so that means I am definitely capable of taking down LeBron in an NBA game now. The girls who are All-American still have to go through the seasoning they'd get playing at a powerhouse like UConn or Tennessee and then making it to the WNBA for this whole debate to have merit.
While, I'm not in agreeance that women should play in the NBA, but to say that a WNBA squad can't hang with say, a pick-up game definitely does not sound right and to be quite honest, is probably dead wrong.
Me thinks you're underestimating the compe ion level at some of these places like Rucker park. There are guys in our country out in the streets that are as good or better than anyone in the NBA, the difference is they just never got the same opportunities. Do some research on Demetrius "Hook" Mitc and see what Gary Payton, and Jason Kidd among others say about him. They are on record to say he's the "best player they ever played against." But he didn't end up in the NBA, he ended up in the penitentiary. Stories similar to his are quite common amongst young blacks in our inner cities. Putting those girls out on the court at Rucker Park would be like throwing a deer with a broke leg into a crocodile pit.
In a coaching position, yeah. As a player, it'd need to be some kind of aberration. Big gap in athleticism.
That said, I think it makes sense that this question is raised because of Taurasi. She's a freak, she reminds me of LeBron James. I can see her being a decent player in the NCAA div 1 or in some European leagues.
Don't do it stern! or there will be less players Paul Pierce can kick in the crotch!
This shouldnt be debated. Ive played high level basketball tournaments my whole life. There are plenty of girls who can ing shoot lights out, you would be surprised but there is no way they ever belong on the same court. If a NBA team played a WNBA team,
the WNBA team would only score off free throws and maybe some fluke 3 pointers. The level is so dramatic its rediculous.
Not gonna happen.
SheBron? James not sure women ready for NBA
By Tom Withers
LeBron James can’t imagine having a female teammate or posting up against a woman in the NBA.
Commissioner David Stern said in an interview with Sports Illustrated that he believes women could be playing in the league within the next decade.
“I don’t want to get into all kinds of arguments with players and coaches about the likelihood,” Stern told SI. “But I really think it’s a good possibility.”
Asked about Stern’s take, James, the league’s reigning MVP, wasn’t convinced it will ever happen.
“Ten years?” James said before the Cavaliers hosted Chicago on Friday night. “That’s like right around the corner. I’ll be 34 and I’ll still be in the NBA. I think 10 years is a little pushing it. I love all sports. I love watching the girls, especially in the Olympics and in the WNBA. They’re great and there are a lot of great players.
“But 10 years? I think that’s pushing it.”
Cavaliers forward Anthony Parker, whose sister, Candace, is perhaps the top women’s player in the world, agreed with James.
“First of all, I don’t see why, other than to say a woman can do it,” he said. “But for long term? No way. My sister is a good player and has great skill, but as far as making an NBA roster? No. She’s 6-4, which is the average height of a shooting guard. I’m never going to say never.
“I just hope I live to see it.”
Holy , this was nasty
the worst NBA player in the league >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the best WNBA player in the league.
Matt Carroll could score 40 points a game in the WNBA.
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