Who cares about women's basketball?
Many people ask that question whenever women's basketball is brought up. But this year's WNBA season could change your opinion about the game.
As an avid follower of WNBA basketball, this upcoming season will have at least five juicy story lines that will catch my eye.
1. The Return of Lisa Leslie and the Arrival of Candace Parker
Since its inception in 1997, the Los Angeles Sparks have been one of the more successful franchises.
Then, star player Lisa Leslie missed the entire 2007 season because of the birth of her child. Without her, the Sparks suffered their worst season in team history, which led to them drafting Candace Parker with the No. 1 overall pick in April.
Candace Parker was the most exciting player to watch in women's college basketball last year.
She was a great player during her tenure at Tennessee while playing for Pat Summit, and she led her team to back-to-back national championships.
CP is the total package. She can shoot inside the perimeter, rebound, and will even dunk the basketball on every once in a while.
And now that she and Leslie will be side by side, Parker and Leslie could form potentially the best frontcourt in the league. L.A. is already the favorite to win the Western Conference.
2. The Wild, Wild West
The parity will be nowhere as close or as good as the NBA's Western Conference, but they will have their similarities.
Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie already spell star power in the Los Angeles, but a few more faces will make the West worth watching as well.
Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter, Candace Wiggins, Lauren Jackson, Seimone Augustus, Becky Hammon, and Tina Thompson are just a few names that make the Western Conference the best it's ever been.
And though L.A. is the preseason favorite, Phoenix is still the defending WNBA champions. Plus, Seattle and San Antonio have legit chances to compete for a championship, too.
3. The 2008 Rookie Class
You've heard enough about Candace Parker, but she won't be the only rookie sensation this season.
Candice Wiggins of the Minnesota Lynx will make an immediate impact on both sides of the floor, and with Seimone Augustus by her side, they have a good chance of clinching a playoff berth.
Also, Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky), Essence Carson (New York Liberty), Matee Ajavon (Houston Comets), Nicky Anosike (Minnesota Lynx), and Tamera Young (Atlanta Dream) are all names to watch for in this deep freshman class.
4. Race for the MVP
Taurasi (Phoenix). Leslie (Los Angeles). Cheryl Ford (Detroit). Deanna Nolan (Detroit). Jackson (Seattle). Hammon (San Antonio). Take your pick, because these players will all be MVP candidates near the season's end.
Lauren Jackson, who led the league in scoring and rebounding last season, tops my top-five list of this year's MVP candidates.
5. The Phoenix Mercury's Title Defense
The Mercury's high-powered offense might not be as fun to watch this year because of the loss of their coach, Paul Westhead.
But Taurasi, Pondexter, and Penny Taylor are more than enough to lead this team to another Finals appearance.
The addition of Tangela Smith will also give them another needed low-post presence.
Phoenix begins their title defense Saturday against Leslie and the Los Angeles Sparks.
Need some basketball in your life after the NBA playoffs? Tune into what should be one of the best seasons in WNBA history.
Michael Whittenberg is an NBA Community Leader at BleacherReport.com
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2 months ago
I'll watch this season to see how Candace Parker does, but I'm not holding out for the league as a whole to be any more than a cure to my insomnia like it has since its inception. I guess Euroleague and NBA play's spoiled me to high octance ball, because the women just can't physically compete at that level and I find it just boring to watch.
from 15 days ago
Sang whoever da fuck u r u need to shut da fuck up cuz i wuld watch WNBA instead of dat bullshit NBA, all dey do in NBA is run down da court and dunk da ball..WOW.. Wat kind of fuckd up shit iz dat?!?! u want me to tell u wats borin? ur mothafuckin face and NBA, now if u say sumthin about WNBA again imma tell u we need 2 talk AND I SWEAR 2 GOD IF U SAY 1 WORD ABOUT CANDACE PARKER I WILL KILL U!!!!!!!!!
Have a nice day! :)
2 months ago
Michael,
I like the overview, but I can't agree that this is worth watching. I am a fan of basketball, especially fundamentals (see favorite player = Tim Duncan), but the WNBA lacks the entertainment factor that spectators need and want. There is no high-flying, above-the-rim action, just pass, pass, nice pass, shoot. I wish there could be something positive to say, especially with Parker and Wiggins joining the fray, but there really isn't. The WNBA will go through its 11th season just as boring as the previous 10.
P.S. I stopped watching once Cynthia Cooper retired, but she did have some epic battles with Theresa Witherspoon.
from 15 days ago
OH hell u did not just say dat WNBA is worth watching boo idk wat da fuck ur saying, NBA lacks entertainment ALL DEY DO IS RUN DOWN DA COURT GET THE BALL AND DUNK!! dat SHIT is so borin seein it in EVERY FUCKD UP GAME!! and BOO BOO WNBA 10th and 11th season was not borin
thx :)
2 months ago
I'll watch a handful of games this season and some of the playoffs, the same I usually do, but the basketball quality isn't the same as professional or even upper level men's college ball. The competition is great, so every hardcore basketball fan can at least get into some of the better games, but it's la lot like watching minor league baseball during the MLB's offseason: The quality of play isn't there.
Candace gives the league its first real ultra-marketable superstar, and gives the league a ton of hype, though. I'm sure with David Stern's ability to market, a sizeable increase in casual fans, especially female casual fans will tune in, especially if the Sparks are a powerhouse team.
from 15 days ago
................................................wat da hell
2 months ago
We get spoiled with the NBA and such. Whenever we think b-ball, we want the high-flying action. I like to watch the WNBA and women's college hoops (no, not to check out the players), but to see as Ben says 'the fundamentals'. Watching people execute the simple things of the game is pleasant to see because at times, the NBA loses focus on those things because it's an 'entertainment first' league.
The WNBA is filled with behind-the-back passes, gorgoeus low-post moves and fantastic shooting. Sure, the NBA may be more exciting, but a true basketball fan appreciates the game, no matter who plays it.
Good article Michael, I think 2008 will be a good year for the WNBA.
from 2 months ago
Well said, basketball is basketball no matter who plays it.
As long as it's played the right way I have no problem with it.
from 15 days ago
naw NBA isn't more exciting and i do appreciate the WNBA game but i dn't appreciate yall niggas ( and otha guys ) talking about WNBA like yall iz
2 months ago
I have to admit, I'll watch just to see more of Candace Parker....she a fox! Is that sexist? Oh well.
2 months ago
Just to no how sexist the game of basketball is, have you ever noticed there's no WNBA video game?
You can find a dozen different NBA games; The Live Series, 2K8 Series, The NBA 08' Series, and others.
There's been hundreds of titles but today there is currently no women basketball game out for the major consoles.
from 15 days ago
Soon there will be boo boo
2 months ago
LMAO
Sean, dude. I am ROTF thinking about a WNBA video game. You know they'd have to do things like program their breasts sizes and whatnot for when you want to 'create a player'. Also you KNOW someone out there will create a 'hack code' that allows you to have naked players. LMAO!!! I think that might just be too much to ask.
from 15 days ago
........... :/ seriously u have problems
2 months ago
Should be a great season. I can't wait to see the Sparks get their shine on. I won't be surprise if Candance Parker is a MVP canidate.
from 15 days ago
YES IT WILL!! GO LA SPARKS!!!!!
* Candace Parker #1 FAN!!! *
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