Love it or hate it (and most of you probably hate it), but the WNBA actually starts tonight.
Well, the preseason does -- Seattle at Chicago at 8 p.m.
Are you excited? Probably not, and judging by the average attendance the league gets, I'm guessing only a few of you in select major cities even care about this league. In fact, most people who enjoy this league are women and kids. And you know what? That's ok.
I can't for the life of me figure out why so many people HATE this league and want to see it fail? I mean, I don't like soccer and haven't seen an MLS game in probably five years, but I dont root for the league to go under. What sense would that make? So I can laugh and say "See, I told you soccer sucks! Yeah me! I'm so smart and superior because I hate a league that folded."
For the people that enjoy the MLS, good for them. You just aren't going to get me to watch it.
I'm tired of hearing "Women's basketball blows, they can't dunk, the play is sloppy, I wish that league would fold."
Why? Why would anybody wish for the league to fold? Would it make you sleep better at night? If there was no WNBA going on during the summer, would that make you following your baseball team that more enjoyable? I just dont get it. I know some of you macho men can't stand women performing in sports and are so threatened every time a woman does something outstanding in the world of sports.
Wait...let me correct that -- it's ok for them to do something outstanding in their own element, but as soon as we start talking about equality, its time to crush them. Remember, we love Annika Sorenstam, but as soon as she wants to try to play with the men, we hate her and tell her to go back to the LPGA -- that's idiotic.
Sorry, I'm going off on a different rant, let me go back to the WNBA. This league has issues, mostly too many teams. If the league cut down to 8 teams, we truely would have the best women's basketball players and the quality of play would increase.
But never should anybody root for the demise. If you dont like it, dont watch it and dont go to games. Don't like "How I Met Your Mother" or "CSI" -- great, don't watch, but don't start writing letters calling for the show to be taken off the air because CBS is pushing it down our throats (I'm sick of that arguement too, the WNBA is forced down our throats -- grow up.)
Now, I'll admit, I've watching some games, hell, I've even GONE to some games. I see people enjoying the games, especially dads with their daughters. Now how could you look an 8-year old girl in the face and tell her "The league you root for SUCKS"
Ok I'm done. Now with the league starting, here is MY starting five:
G: Sue Bird, Seattle: This one probably has more to do with looks than her playing ability, but so what. This is my list! She's the girl next door, the sweetheart that you wish you could have dated in high school/college/early 30s. She can ball too and if I need a point guard, she's handling the rock for me.
G: Diana Taurasi, Phoenix: If you enjoy watching somebody shoot the long ball, this is your girl. Taurasi fired up 259 three-pointers last year. About eight a game. I've seen some highlights and I've seen her bomb shots from beyond NBA range. That alone makes her one of my favorites.
F: Candace Parker, Sparks: I know she hasn't played a game in the WNBA yet, but she is going to be something special. Easily the best player in college the past couple of seasons and she is ready to make her mark in the pros. Check back in about three seasons as she could be the best player the league has ever seen.
F: Lauren Jackson, Seattle: How are the Storm not winning title after title? They have two of the best players in the league and one who is averaging 19.0 ppg and 11.5 rpg. Kind of like having Kobe and Shaq and not winning it all.
C: Ruth Riley, San Antonio: She's not as good as she used to be, but she's missed only one start in the past five seasons and you need somebody in the middle you can count on. I'll admit it, I have a Ruth Riley autographed picture on my desk, so what? I've been following her career since the Notre Dame years and she'll always be a favorite.
