So I've become a WNBA fan

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August 27, 2007

So I've become a WNBA fan

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Yup, I'll admit it. I haven't given the WNBA much of a chance until now. Any time there was a WNBA game on NBA TV, I always found something else to watch.

My hometown Silver Stars also have been a lottery team since they came to San Antonio from Utah.

I heard at the beginning of the WNBA season that the Silver Stars traded for Becky Hammon and made some other changes and figured they'd be much improved, but still never paid any attention to their games until about 3 weeks ago.

I ended up looking for something to watch on NBA TV and saw the Silver Stars were playing so I decided to watch and try to get some basketball in my system. I ended up watching for the next 20 minutes. Then the next time I saw them on I watched the entire game. Then I stared setting my DVR for the Silver Stars games.

I came to the realization that:

• If you are a fan of the sport of Basketball, it shouldn't matter whether it is men or women playing.

• The Silver Stars are fun to watch. No dunks or high-flying SportsCenter-making plays are needed to enjoy watching a WNBA game. They're out there playing their asses off as much as any men and make a hell of a lot less than their NBA counterparts.
• Dan Hughes, the Silver Stars coach and GM runs his team similar to the way Pop runs his.
• It's about damn time the WNBA get some respect, starting with me.

The Silver Stars are in their first franchise playoffs and are fresh off a routing of the Sacramento Monarchs in game 2 after they got pounded in game 1. Tonight, they have a chance to close the series out at home in the AT&T Center and advance to the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Mercury.

I'll be there rooting them on and I convinced three of my brothers to go with me and if you're reading this and live in the San Antonio area (I live in San Marcos) you should be there to get your dose of basketball while the Spurs aren't playing. Plus there is this coupon, where you can get your ticket, a hot dog, chips and a drink for $15 bucks.
Besides attending games and giving them some love in this blog, I've decided to start up a new blog called Silver Stars Central. I'll post the official announcement once it is all set up, but I hope to get some photos and video from tonight's game to post there when it goes live.

Tags: NBA, San Antonio Spurs, Spurs

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16 Comments on "So I've become a WNBA fan"

Posted by BVD, August 27, 2007 10:10 PM

monarchs gonna win man. Enjoy this, your last playoff game. What What!!

Posted by Michael A. De Leon, August 27, 2007 10:17 PM

that was quick. How'd you find this post that fast. Anyway, we;ll see tonight. The first two games have been so different so who knows what happens tonight.

Posted by KoNGo, August 27, 2007 11:08 PM

I love watching WNBA, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Not only do they play hard, but they play smart and effective team basketball.

As a pretty serious baller myself, but without the height or athleticism of the top players in the world (a la NBA players), while it's enjoyable to watch NBA games, it's not as easily translated to the court as a player. Their game is played "above the rim", and that matters.

Compared to the top men's leagues in the world, WNBA players (for the most part) aren't as tall, aren't as fast, and they play the game "below the rim" (all layups, as opposed to dunks).

I've learned a lot from watching them play ball, especially how to defend, shoot, and get into the lane.

They are quick, but not as quick as their NBA counterpart, so it's like watching great team basketball at a slightly slower clip - which is great if you are a student of the game.

Hey, watching basketball isn't all about being entertained. Sometimes, I want to learn.

Posted by bill, August 27, 2007 11:19 PM

who says "what what"? that's a term last used in 1991, I believe slap bracelets were still cool then too. Either way, Go Monarchs!

Posted by WhatUpThen, August 27, 2007 11:39 PM

The WNBA is awesome. I saw Game 2 where Hammon destroyed and she's just one of many legitimate stars in the league capable of that kind of performance. I've watched the WNBA off and on for several years and it's full of athletic players, energy players and smart players...and players with all three. And it's just entertaining. It's upsetting when people knock the WNBA saying it's not high-level play. It's a higher level than I could dream of achieving and it's wonderful to see.

Posted by Michael A. De Leon, August 27, 2007 11:39 PM

Thanks for the comments guys, and KoNGo, I completely agree with you.

Posted by TSW, August 27, 2007 11:46 PM

Becky Hammon is a goddess. But so is Yolanda Griffith. But it's Becky's turn. Just save some for New York, Becky. Wanna see a Silver Stars - Liberty Final!! (I can dream, can't I?) Go Liberty! Kill Bill! :)

Posted by Bonnie, August 27, 2007 11:54 PM

Nice article! Even as a female NBA fan I had initial reservations about the ABL & WNBA. However, I've been a full fledged convert and NY Liberty Season subscriber since Season 3 (1999). With my girls Becky and VJ now on the Silver Stars, I root mightily for this team as well. Just one request--please enlighten Tim Duncan about the Silver Stars. Yesterday, prior to the Liberty/Shock game I was watching a TV show (Inside the NBA?) hosted by Ahmad Rashad.

I was flabbergasted (and so disappointed) to hear Duncan state, that the Spurs are "...the only professional sports team in San Antonio."

Posted by Patrick, August 28, 2007 6:18 AM

I was where you were about five/six years ago. I was a Sonics fan who read some story about some Australian woman who was supposed to be the best female player in the world getting drafted to the Seattle team. I went to a game and have been an addict ever sense.

By the way...after the way Phoenix dismantled Seattle, your Stars are in for a tough series.

#10

Posted by Michael A. De Leon, August 28, 2007 6:44 AM

Patrick. First of all thanks for the comments. I agree, the Mercury look very good and have a lot of weapons, but so did the Monarchs. It should be a fun series to watch.

#11

Posted by Eugene, August 28, 2007 8:34 AM

Hmm, I watched a WNBA game in the hotel a few weeks ago, and while I enjoyed the effort the ladies put in, the thing that really struck me as annoying to watch wasn't the lack of an aerial game, but how careless the passing was. It was turnover after turnover, plenty of passes weren't crisp and there was just fumbling of the basketball all over the place. granted it was just one game.. but still.

#12

Posted by Chris, August 28, 2007 10:05 PM

wow mike this was a big hit article for you, congrats.
As for the WTA ive never had an opportunity to watch it but im all for it. You could say that the sport where the women have hte most success is tennis. and i am a tennis podcaster so i completely agree that women should be able to play more sports competitively.

#13

Posted by Michelle Hillison, August 29, 2007 5:07 AM

Excellent post Michael. I love basketball and I'm content to watch both men and women play. I enjoy watching NBA players dunk and dazzle but I also enjoy watching WNBA players play a more below the rim game - you actually get to see some great passing, screening and other fundamentals.

It is am inexpensive ticket and a good time. Easy to take a bunch of kids with you too, or a bunch of friends and sit together.

I've never understood why some people who are so hostile to the WNBA. If it isn't your thing, then that's fine. However I don't hear people out there with such vitriol for other sports like bowling, golf or bass fishing tours. Personally I don't like bowling or bass fishing but I'm not frothing at the mouth because some other people like them. I'm not railing like the Sports Guy at ESPN because they are on TV.

I'm happy to see more people being open to enjoying the game and catching on to the fun out there to be had with the WNBA.

#14

Posted by Dennis, August 29, 2007 5:22 PM

While everyone has been getting to know the WNBA I have been a fan of this game from the beginning. I understand that people may not like it but, just watching one game and knowing the difference between the men's game and the women's game is plain obvious. If you are a student of the game, you know that men's basketball is purely based on individuals. Whareas the girls game is all about team. Yes...there are some outstanding individuals, but what America doesn't see is that the Team game is the successfull game. That is why Argentina is so successful! America is finally learning and the men should learn from their women counterparts. The team concept, like Popovich's, is finally catching on. Let's go Stars!!!

#15

Posted by Chris Doelle, October 8, 2007 4:40 PM

I have been a WNBA fan since I first heard rumours it was going to start. The tremendous run of the Houston Comets to kick off the league didn't hurt any either (four straight championships.)

My love of women's basketball really began when I was in college at Stephen F. Austin University. During the years that I was there, we were ranked as high as #3 in the nation (Division I) and I saw every home game during my college years. My friends and I sat on the front row midcourt and were relentless to the officials and opposing players - it was a blast.

I didn't hurt that I dated a couple of them too. :)

The game to me is much more fun to watch. It is a pure form of the game without the thugs, the junk plays, the personal grandstanding. It is the epitome of teamwork and good sportsmanship. A lot of other sports could take a lesson.

#16

Posted by antonella, October 4, 2008 6:04 PM

bueno yo soy de Urugay y soy enamorada desde los 5 años de basquetbol y soy mi idola por100pre
y ahora ye tengo 14 años

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