nwwarrior09
Well-known member
Wembanyama voted unanimously ROY after averaging 21.4 pts, 10.6 rebs, 3.9 asts, and 3.6 blks. At worst, this was the most productive rookie season since LeBron with the Cavs in 2003-04.
Wembanyamba or Clark?
- Thread starter joesports
- Start date
soccerdad72
Well-known member
Not bad, especially considering that the Spurs had him on minutes restrictions most of the season.
Cedar_Point
Well-known member
We are talking about the WNBA. I never thought that would be a thing in my life. Lol
My concern for Wemby. Guys of that height tend to have knee/feet issues (Yao Ming)
Orin Swift
Well-known member
If you want to revisit it, you should probably clarify the question. You still haven’t clarified if you’re talking on the court or overall impact on the sport. It’s a different answer depending on the question.
eastisbest
Well-known member
Doesn't seem all that unclear to me.
In the first year, my choice would be Clark by a mile. Of course, the WNBA had more miles to go before hitting resistance to change. It's not just their attendance and marketing but a fundamental shift in how they're playing their game is happening. NBA hasn't needed to change to accomodate the skills of Wembanyamba. He's not inspiring anyone to grow taller. At the moment, he's just a really good young player, playing the same game that was already there. He's affected the team, but not so much the league.
nupanther
Well-known member
I would argue that Wemby hasn't really affected his team. They had the exact same record from the previous season. Attendance is in the same wheelhouse.
Maybe he will do a Giannis and transform his team to a real threat. But for now it's still the same old Spurs from the past 5-7 years or so
I think I have made it pretty clear … but answer it anyway you want.
Orin Swift
Well-known member
I’ll be clear: you haven’t.
It’s pretty obvious Wemby will have the bigger impact on the court. Clark has Yappi.com talking about the WNBA, twitter stan accounts arguing for days, and is often if not the focal point of an ESPN segment she’s at least mentioned or involved in the discussion. She clearly will have a bigger cultural impact.
You seem to be the only one not to know … but here is my opinion … Clark has made the WNBA relevant … not matter what Wemby does on the court will not change the fortunes of the NBA … my only question … can Clark have sustained success to keep the WNBA relevant?
eastisbest
Well-known member
Attendance and viewership is coming up across the board, not just the Fever games I think certainly supports that. I suppose someone could argue that this somehow would have been the magic year that would have happened even if Clark hadn't brought that following with her from College. Let them have that fantasy.
The last sentence I don't think is what keeps the league relevant. I think that depends on the rest of the teams and personalities holding up their end and not alienating the larger audience. Ultimatlely, it needs to reach down to more girls interested in playing and a deeper pool of solid coaches introducing them to the game, teaching fundamentals.
14Red
Well-known member
There has been little said about why the WNBA has not been on the radar before now. Brianna Stewart, UConn all american, she's white, she's been a league star for years, now an Olympic champion, BUT, she's a lesbian. It's fascinating how ESPN just sticks it's head in the sand on this. They are promoting the crap out of the WNBA, more marketing and attention than ever before, but there are players and teams that will NEVER get the adulation. Fair or unfair, that's the way sports are.
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
The fact that you care about the sexual orientation of certain players is strange. The fact that you think lots of other people know, and care about it, and that is why the league was not popular is an unbelievably flawed thought process.
The truth is simple. There was a lot of promotion and advertising around Clark's records this past college season. It drew in more fans to the women's NCAA games, and lots of people tuned in. Most of us normal folks have no idea about Caitlin's (or any other players) sexual preferences. Who cares?
Really weird post.
eastisbest
Well-known member
Yeah, that ruled out about 1.5% of the potential audience for women's basketball.
14Red
Well-known member
I don't care. I'm just making an observation. Generally THE BEST players in their sports are the most popular, unless there is a reason they are not. The media has boxed themselves in because they'll comment on everything about a person, except some things that are obvious.
Women's hoops kinda came on the scene in the mid 80's with Cheryl Miller, Nancy Lieberman, etc. What was the narrative of women's basketball back then? It was a lesbian league. This is not a secret. They lived that life and looked the part and the WNBA never really got off the ground. So isn't it facinating that in the last few years, many of these ladies are now wearing makeup, nails, dressing up really a marketing explosion.
nwwarrior09
Well-known member
It is still largely a lesbian league. That really hasn’t changed.
Only thing that has really changed is Clark having a large personal following, with some others to a much lesser extent having a “brand” following on Instagram, TikTok, etc. due to being hot.
Only thing that has really changed is Clark having a large personal following, with some others to a much lesser extent having a “brand” following on Instagram, TikTok, etc. due to being hot.
eastisbest
Well-known member
Large attendance is becoming more regular in non-Fever games. I think it's more than just the following Clark brought with her. Speculation but perhaps the media attention got enough people to watch a few games to see what it was all about and people found the game itself entertaining?
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
You think that the media should comment on the players' sexuality and preferences? Why? It should be private.
You think the early "narrative" of the WNBA was that they were a lesbian league? I do not recall any commercials that said "hey, come watch our lesbians hoop it up!"
You are "fascinated" that some of the players now wear makeup and dress up? are they not allowed to be image-conscious?
You have some weird hangups and need to seek professional help.
14Red
Well-known member
Dude you need to lighten up. Message boards are for commentary and dialogue. I'm not saying the media should comment on this, but you have to admit it's what's going on.
You think they wear fake nails and eyelashes and makeup to play basketball because it allows them to play better???
It's all about selling, marketing and with female sports, sex sells. Always been that way, always will be.
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
Believe me, the athletes are not dressing up and wearing makeup to impress or sexually titillate lonely weirdos in Ohio. It is just about their own self-image and for their sponsors. Get a grip.Dude you need to lighten up. Message boards are for commentary and dialogue. I'm not saying the media should comment on this, but you have to admit it's what's going on.
You think they wear fake nails and eyelashes and makeup to play basketball because it allows them to play better???
14Red
Well-known member
I'd say not so much for the first one and definitely yes on the second. And don't you think for one minute that the previous sentence doesn't have alot of merit, and of course not Ohio, across the country and the world.
Cedar_Point
Well-known member
Well Clark is going to lead her team to the playoffs in her first season. Wemby didn’t. Yea I realize there are less teams in the WNBA