7.20.2014

Rez Ball 28.5

The WNBA has been getting some attention lately...even if it is from Drake at the expense of Skylar Diggins. This past Wednesday night, not only did Diggins get recognized for her exquisite gracefulness, but another WNBA player also got called out. Maya Moore got the much deserved Best WNBA Player award at the ESPYS.

Moore has brought an unbelievable level of talent to the league. In her 4th year in the league, she is playing her best basketball. She is also playing with and against some of the best talent there has ever been in the league. Many fans, including myself, dismissed women's basketball after years of Houston dominating the league. When Swoopes retired, Lisa Leslie reigned...but it just wasn't enough to sell interest in the game. This year, there is Maya, Delle Donne, Diggins, Griner, Taurasi, Candace Parker...and many more. Each bringing their own game to the court. The best chemistry of young and old the league has ever seen. And yesterday's All-Star Game was probably the best display of all that talent.

There still isn't enough support for the WNBA to host an entire All-Star Weekend. Fair enough. But that doesn't mean there isn't enough talent. In one phenomenal game, we saw damn good basketball. The falling on the ground that stereotypes women's basketball was no more than what is seen in men's basketball these days. There were blocks, dunks, no-look passes, raining threes, and pure shooting. The veterans, Catching, Bird, and Taurasi held their own while the All-Star Rookies made it the Diggins-Schimmel Show. That game could have gone on for four more quarters.



I shared the news that Shoni's jersey was the number one selling jersey in the league with a colleague of mine. He responded with, "Do you even know what team she plays on?" Now I know - the Atlanta Dream. Shame on me for not knowing. But in my defense, she doesn't start for the Dream. I imagine Coach Cooper has his reasons for having Shoni come off the bench. But whether she is part of the starting line up or comes off the bench, there is no denying the court awareness and skill Shoni possesses. The Rez Ball she brings to the court is exciting and is exactly what the league needs.

I am determined to watch more WNBA games the rest of this season, instead of following the NBA head games and nonsense that is free agency right now. You should, too.


-bObD.