Sports in America: Match-Up No.2

NBA/WNBA/NCAA Basketball vs. PBV Volleyball

This match-up almost seems unnecessary because one of these seem outrageously superior to the other.  But, there’s always a George Mason, Oral Roberts, or Davidson.  So, we will see where this one goes.

With seemingly overwhelming odds, Pro Beach Volleyball has had very steady and moderate success in Florida and Southern California.  It is rarely seen on television and when it is on, Fox Sports Network usually carries the broadcast.  Volleyball gets no ESPN coverage or any main network coverage. 

Three individuals keep this sport on the map.  Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh have been teammates as long as I can remember.  I don’t follow volleyball in-depth, but every time I turn on the TV, I see these girls and they are phenomenal.  Phil Dalhausser is the male everyone is talking about now, but he’d not a stud.  Misty and Kerri get a lot more attention because they are attractive too.

So, how do these athletes compare to Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Diana Taurasi, and Mike Krzyzewski?  Simple.  They do not.  Even with the limited exposure of the WNBA, they could probably win this on their own.  With a rich tradition grounded with Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson, there is no single small sport that could contend with basketball.  We are not even looking at Lebron James, Kobe and Kevin Garnett, yet.

The bottom line:  The contest is a blowout.  Volleyball is a perfectly viable sport in it’s own right and one that I truly enjoy.  It just cannot compete with the Big Four in America.  The victory lies with basketball.

Tune in Monday, July 21 for the next installment where the PGA takes the PTA head on.  This is easily one of the most tantalizing match-ups in the bracket.

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