The Dream are now 3-0 after beating the Mystics, 73-63.
The Sky put away the Shock, 92-71.
The Storm rallied to top the Mercury, 75-72.
There's more parity in the WNBA right now than there's ever been. A lot of people are saying many things. So it's a good idea right now to remember:
- This is only the first week of the season. It's way too early to pick teams for playoffs or to write teams off. In the past teams have started slowly and picked way up; teams have started well and tanked; teams have had slumps in the middle and have overcome them; and other slumps have turned into tanks. We don't know what's going to happen this year yet. The playoffs are months away.
- Brittney Griner isn't an instant solution to team issues, and her presence doesn't necessarily guarantee a championship. The same is true for Skylar Diggins. Both are rookies, and need time to adjust to the pros.
Every year there is one - and usually only one - rookie who has no trouble switching from college to pro ball. Last year that was Nneka Ogwumike, and this year it's Elena Delle Donne. Everyone else will have a learning curve, and to expect "the three to see" to save their respective teams is not just unrealistic, but it adds more pressure to what is already a big load for these young women. They need to be given time to learn. This year's rookie class, in particular, was exceptional. They'll catch on. Fans need to give them time.
- Expect the unexpected. For example, the Dream and the Storm aren't as bad as fans thought they would be, while the Mercury and Liberty aren't as good as proselytized. It's fun, isn't it?
Marketing:
- Don't hate on Skylar Diggins for getting a car from manager Jay-Z. Be happy that a female basketball player is getting a huge gift as a signing bonus. That hasn't happened for a while.
- Let the WNBA use the "three to see" as a marketing tool to get people interested. Well-versed fans might be sick of them, but we're trying to bring new fans in. Let them get interested.
In her TV interview Friday night during a game, league president Laurel Richie said they're trying to get stories of the player's lives out there. That's the right approach.
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1 comment:
Diggins and Hill got bad deals. Phoenix wasn't a bad team, they just tanked it. Chicago wasn't bad, they were missing key people at critical stretches. The Shock and Mystics had been mismanaged for years, they are still reeling.
Anyone who thinks a rookie and just walk into a bad situation, and make a miracle turnaround just plain foolish.
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