Caitlin Clark finally

[406dn]

NBA doesn't play chit for defense...another reason for the closer 3's and higher percentage.

The defense in the NBA is so awesome they score 227 points a game...boring.

I'm guessing you and I would score less than Bronny. No one gives Curry open looks without a fight.

The three point shot has caused defenses to have to defend much more area, than during the old days. The offense used to be centered around low post play. Now it is much more motion, off ball screens, and passing the ball rapidly, to break down a defense's rotations.

The top teams today would kill the teams of old. The old time teams could not cover the three point line, or make very many of them on offense. Today's NBA draws from a global talent pool. Previously, talent was almost entirely homegrown.

Every human endeavor gets better over a span of time.

 

[jimh406]

The top teams today would kill the teams of old. The old time teams could not cover the three point line, or make very many of them on offense. Today's NBA draws from a global talent pool. Previously, talent was almost entirely homegrown.

I don't think that's true. There were a lot of very good shooters, and they also could hit free throws. For sure, it's hard to argue that Larry Bird and Pistol Pete Maravich couldn't shoot, but that's just two. There are a lot more. For big men, it's hard to argue anyone is significantly better than Wilt Chamberlain.

The NBA game is different now, and some like it. I find it unwatchable.

 

[406dn]

I don't think that's true. There were a lot of very good shooters, and they also could hit free throws. For sure, it's hard to argue that Larry Bird and Pistol Pete Maravich couldn't shoot, but that's just two. There are a lot more. For big men, it's hard to argue anyone is significantly better than Wilt Chamberlain.

The NBA game is different now, and some like it. I find it unwatchable.

Certainly there have always been players who could shoot from distance. Back before the three, there was no bonus for taking a long two point shot. It took some time for people to realize how valuable taking three point shots are, with a 50% bonus, if you make it.

Then it took a generation of players at every level trying to master three point shots. Now, every team has several players comparable to Bird or Maravich at hitting three point shots.

Whether someone likes it or not is a personal preference. They would not be using this strategy if it wasn't the best way to win.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Why, because as soon as I saw Clark’s name I said someone needs to say who cares. Aren’t you all tired of the BS her and all of the other women players cause? I’ll leave the thread alone now and leave y’all to your Clark antics and attention…

 

[MNElkNut]

I like basketball and have watched a lot in the past 10 years. From 5th graders to the NBA, mens and womens. I really want to enjoy watching womens and if I watch them at the high level high school to WNBA exclusively, I can start to like it. But if I watch a mens high level high school to college game, it ruins it for me and I cannot go back to the womens game. Which kinda bums me out as I like basketball. I have had relatives play on state tourney basketball games for women so I have watched some decent womens. It is just me and my preferences, but I just cannot watch airball layups. I wish all the luck on Caitlyn and Paige (Paige is from my state). Those are the two players I enjoy the most as they have some serious women's talent.

Here is something to debate. Could a state tournament caliber high school mens team beat a WNBA team? I say absolutely and it wouldnt be close. Our boys high school team the last 3 years would destroy a WNBA team. What is your opinion? Please keep it respectful to both sides!

 

[Treeshark]

I don’t really like to compare, as I think it is unfair to female athletes. They are physically different, the sport is different, and comparing them does a disservice.

However… elite high school boys regularly surpass Olympic champion female times in sports with measurable performance metrics (track and field, swimming, things like that).

Infer from that what you will.

One thing I find interesting is that until roughly age 12, girls on average perform better at these same sports (qualifying times for swim meets are easier for boys than girls until the 13-14 age group, for example).

 

[SAJ-99]

I saw an article that makes this debate a little different. Would you invest in a WNBA team right now? Not like "whole net worth" kind of thing, but would you put meaningful money into shares of a WNBA team with a long-term view?

 

[mtmuley]

Every thread goes South somehow. mtmuley

 

[BuzzH]

I saw an article that makes this debate a little different. Would you invest in a WNBA team right now? Not like "whole net worth" kind of thing, but would you put meaningful money into shares of a WNBA team with a long-term view?

I would.

Been watching women's college basketball a long time. I mean from when tickets weren't needed. Evolved to free tickets with the purchase of men's tickets. Now, you pay for them.

The sport has come a long way.

The wnba will evolve the same way that women's college basketball did...it already has.

 

[Hem]

I don't think that's true. There were a lot of very good shooters, and they also could hit free throws. For sure, it's hard to argue that Larry Bird and Pistol Pete Maravich couldn't shoot, but that's just two. There are a lot more. For big men, it's hard to argue anyone is significantly better than Wilt Chamberlain.

The NBA game is different now, and some like it. I find it unwatchable.

I loved Pistol Pete...I'll never forget as a kid the excitement of getting to watch him play.
Pretty sure I wore my Pumas to the game.

 

[sclancy27]

I saw an article that makes this debate a little different. Would you invest in a WNBA team right now? Not like "whole net worth" kind of thing, but would you put meaningful money into shares of a WNBA team with a long-term view?

I think I would. At no other point in my life have major corporations been putting the spotlight on women's basketball.

 

[mtmuley]

I loved Pistol Pete...I'll never forget as a kid the excitement of getting to watch him play.
Pretty sure I wore my Pumas to the game.

I wore the Nike swoosh shoes. mtmuley

 

[Treeshark]

I would not invest in the WNBA product at this time.

I believe the only female NCAA athletics program to operate in the green in the past 10 years has been Nebraska women’s volleyball.

The WNBA, to my knowledge, is still operating at a loss yearly (despite being significantly financially assisted by the NBA).

Kaitlin Clark won’t play forever, and unless the WNBA gets its act together quickly re:fouling, she won’t play for long. They need to recognize that she is their golden goose asap: start protecting her and stop disparaging her.

 

[noharleyyet]

https://greyflannelauctions.com/lot/pete-maravich-game-used-signature-floppy-socks/

 

[sclancy27]

I would not invest in the WNBA product at this time.

I believe the only female NCAA athletics program to operate in the green in the past 10 years has been Nebraska women’s volleyball.

The WNBA, to my knowledge, is still operating at a loss yearly (despite being significantly financially assisted by the NBA).

Kaitlin Clark won’t play forever, and unless the WNBA gets its act together quickly re:fouling, she won’t play for long. They need to recognize that she is their golden goose asap: start protecting her and stop disparaging her.

Many tech stocks operate at a loss (I remember an article saying 17% of new tech IPOs are profitable) it's about perceived value.

 

[jimh406]

Could a state tournament caliber high school mens team beat a WNBA team?

Why does that matter?

Many of the NBA players started just after high school including Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. Does that mean a high school team could beat a NBA team? ... probably.

As far as WNBA vs other basketball goes. There is more than one style of play in the WNBA. Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers play fast with good fundamentals. Some others ... not so much. I think the WNBA will figure it out and play fast with good shooting, eventually. I don't enjoy watching football with a basketball with lots of fouls not called and even if they call them the women can't hit the free throws.

As far as profit goes, WNBA made a profit last year for the first time without Caitlin playing. They regularly sell out the locations when she plays. Paige Bueckers has a good following as well. They should do better this year.

WNBA starts after women's and men's NCAA and finish way before they start back. You can watch both without interfering with each other.

 

[JEL]

The sport has come a long way.

Indeed. I’m old enough to remember when girls hs basketball started in my home town. My gosh they have come a long way.

I grew up playing and watching the MT Class C ball. Holy chit that’s some fun basketball.

 

[LopeHunter]

I don't think that's true. There were a lot of very good shooters, and they also could hit free throws. For sure, it's hard to argue that Larry Bird and Pistol Pete Maravich couldn't shoot, but that's just two. There are a lot more. For big men, it's hard to argue anyone is significantly better than Wilt Chamberlain.

The NBA game is different now, and some like it. I find it unwatchable.

Watching superb male athletes travel, double-dribble, carry the ball and walk is the lazy recasting of what was decades ago a graceful sport which required ball-control and passing.

Why require dribbling at all at this point?

 

[Straight Arrow]

I grew up playing and watching the MT Class C ball. Holy chit that’s some fun basketball.

Yes ... and the Montana PBS documentary, CLASS C BASKETBALL, is a wonderful film about Montana basketball at that level and accentuates the great team building, character building, and healthy community support and great dynamics of small town USA.

 

[Treeshark]

great team building, character building, and healthy community support and great dynamics of small town USA.

That level is the best part of sports