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[Kill3r7]

This would actually be really fun to watch at the higher levels. I'm sure if you go the YMCA in the general vicinity of UCONN you'll find some girls that will run with the best local guys.

I have seen Cappie Pondexter hold her own against JWill (prior to his bike accident). Caveat... No dunking/post ups allowed. Also many of the top women's college BBall teams compete against guys in practice. That doesn't mean they can win against the best men's team.

 

[dream]

The separation of sexes in sports isn't completely about being sexist. It gives the most talented women in their sport the chance to succeed. Unfortunately, the WNBA is a complete shit show right now.

And it shouldn't be. As the only WNBA fan on this forum, I watch Laurel Richie announce--every single year--that revenues and viewership are up, and they increase the price of LiveAccess on an annual basis. ESPN pays rights fees to the teams. They even have jersey sponsorships. So it's kind of maddening to see how little money the ladies make.

 

[Kill3r7]

And it shouldn't be. As the only WNBA fan on this forum, I watch Laurel Richie announce--every single year--that revenues and viewership are up, and they increase the price of LiveAccess on an annual basis. ESPN pays rights fees to the teams. They even have jersey sponsorships. So it's kind of maddening to see how little money the ladies make.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the league still heavily subsidized by the NBA or are they profitable on their own?

 

[dream]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the league still heavily subsidized by the NBA or are they profitable on their own?

My understanding, and this is from what Laurel Richie says, is that, between rights fees from ESPN and sponsorships, most of the teams are profitable. But probably not by much.

 

[BennyBlanco]

A max contract in the WNBA is $105,000? Wow.

 

[Jenov]

Its funny, why in mammals are males generally bigger and stronger. Yet in most other areas of life they are smaller and weaker?

Because mammalian males are generally in the role of protector/hunter and the females, being the ones that carry the offspring, are suited to then be the nurturer/caretakers. This is the same in humans for hundreds of thousands of years, and only recently has the idea of these roles come into question (which is good for humans since we don't need hunter/gather societies anymore). But as a result male humans became more muscled and bigger for their protector and hunting roles, and females remained smaller, with focus on more secondary characteristics like being able to nurse, wider hips for birth, etc. That's the reality of the world right now until another couple hundred thousand years go by where male and female humans physically evolve into more egalitarian roles.

So hilarious that people are denying basic biology differences here... smh gaf, we have enough anti-science as it is this week.

 

[Two Words]

i think people don't realize how big the gap really is.
or they don't want to, not sure which one.

like it makes women any worse or men any better.

The way I see it, men simply have boatloads of natural HGHs that women don't have. It's like men competing against men who use steroids every day in arm wrestling.

 

[soundahfekz]

A max contract in the WNBA is $105,000? Wow.

Yeah, I was genuinely shocked at how little they make.

 

[dream]

Yeah, I was genuinely shocked at how little they make.

To be fair, and this actually doesn't make it much better at all but yeah, the WNBA only has a 34 game season.

 

[Basileus777]

You know it's one thing to say that women can't do physically intense jobs well like military jobs for instance, but come on guys, the very end of the bell curve for men in physical strength is going to be more well suited for this game. Now I'm sure some women could be physically gifted enough to play point guard or shooting guard, but anything else will be a lot more rare.

Even that is extraordinarily unlikely.

 

[Cloudy]

Here is a good article I saw linked on Deadspin on how the Russian leagues can pay so much more

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=rollinginrubles

Like most owners, von Kalmanovic says he loses money on his team. Unlike most owners, his claims are believable. Spartak averaged approximately 3,000 fans a game, but the specific attendance doesn't really matter because tickets are free (the plan is to get fans hooked, then start charging admission). He says the team also pays to have its games televised. With salaries, travel, publicity, overhead and a youth basketball school his wife manages, von Kalmanovic estimates this year's expenses would run $5 million to $6 million. And how much revenue does he take in? "There is no revenue. I take in nothing."

When basketball is your passion and you're part of the new Russian oligarchy, what is $6 million over the course of a season? One person said he saw von Kalmanovic go through $1 million in a single weekend trip to France.

"I have friends who go to casinos," von Kalmanovic said. "I know friends who risk on the stock exchange. I am Lithuanian — for me, basketball is everything. It is a hobby, a pleasure, a casino, whatever you want."

"There are six or seven owners [like him] in Russia," Taurasi said. "They're hotheads who want the best women's basketball team, and that's their hobby, so they don't care how much they pay."

PS: I added Taurasi's open letter to fans in the OP

 

[RockTurtle]

i mean... can they try having lower rims for maybe, like , 1 season and use the publicity from that to springforth new viewers and THEN return rim height back to standard?

 

[Wizman23]

Imagine a quality NBA player playing in the WNBA. He'd break every other record and be the league/Finals MVP every season.

Ha quality? Someone that has had a few 10 day contracts living in the D League would break records in the WNBA. This thread is hysterical.

 

[Siegcram]

i mean... can they try having lower rims for maybe, like , 1 season and use the publicity from that to springforth new viewers and THEN return rim height back to standard?

I don't think the potential viewers give a shit how high the rims are. That's not the issue here.

 

[eznark]

$107k max deal.

No wonder this league can keep going. Sheesh

 

[LyleLanley]

i mean... can they try having lower rims for maybe, like , 1 season and use the publicity from that to springforth new viewers and THEN return rim height back to standard?

I think we should have a mixed gender league where the women's teams shoot on a rim 1 foot lower and the men have a hoop that's 1 foot higher.

 

[GSG Flash]

I feel like, while this will probably always be the case for the NBA (where height plays such a prominent role), for other sports I see integration as not necessarily unrealistic. It is nearly impossible to know what kind of representation women would end up with if exposed to the kind of pressure and funding that men are.

Basically what I'm saying is that "the patriarchy" (or however you'd like to think of it) makes it impossible at this time to determine how significant sex is in explaining gender gaps in sporting ability, except in extreme cases like basketball where height, reach and arm span play enormous roles.

Hayley Wickenheiser, probably the best women's hockey player in history, played full time hockey and got the same funding and training as any male hockey player would get outside of the NHL(and players do get good funding and training outside of the NHL). She played in the tier 3 Finnish hockey league with men, where she did ok, and even she had to leave the team when it was promoted to the tier 2 league because she couldn't keep up with the other players.

Being politically correct can't explain away the natural physical differences between men and women.

The Canadian women's ice hockey team, which is probably one of the best organized and well funded women's organized sports teams in the world, plays exhibition games against highschool kids.

 

[eBay Huckster]

Brittany Griner is as fast, agile and athletic as Shawn Bradley yet she is built like Michael Carter-Williams. What exactly is she going to do playing with/against any competent men's team?

Be acquired by the Knicks.

He said competent.

 

[wandering goat]

Can't say I blame her. In the big men's sports leagues you can make enough to retire on after a few years, but when the league max is just over 100k, then shed have to work well past sports retirement to make a living.

 

[jwhit28]

Wouldn't it be easier to start with a weight class sport? Have some man vs woman boxing and mma matches and see how that goes.

 

[LyleLanley]

Wouldn't it be easier to start with a weight class sport? Have some man vs woman boxing and mma matches and see how that goes.

Didn't this happen a few years ago in mma?

 

[PhoenixDark]

Really

What a disgusting thing to say

Are you honestly implying that woman are so shit at everything that is not cooking and child rearing that they could never ever compete on the same level with men?

I am 100% anti feminism and all that stuff but saying that woman are inherently weaker than men just because they are woman is very small minded

Stop it. This shit is so tiring and asinine. There's not a single woman in the WNBA who could play in the NBA. There's not a woman in the world who could play a non-special teams position in the NFL. It's a fact that males have more muscle mass due to higher testosterone.

Women play a variety of sports well. But the idea that eliminating "gender barriers" in sports would be good for women is laughable to any logical person who isn't marinating in tumblr bullshit. God dammit.

 

[Takuan]

She's being paid 10 seasons' worth of her standard salary to rest her body and spend time with her family. No reasonable person would blame her for taking the deal. Good for her.

Stop it. This shit is so tiring and asinine. There's not a single woman in the WNBA who could play in the NBA. There's not a woman in the world who could play a non-special teams position in the NFL. It's a fact that males have more muscle mass due to higher testosterone.

Yup, totally ridiculous position to take.

 

[LyleLanley]

Stop it. This shit is so tiring and asinine. There's not a single woman in the WNBA who could play in the NBA. There's not a woman in the world who could play a non-special teams position in the NFL. It's a fact that males have more muscle mass due to higher testosterone.

There's no way a woman could play a special teams position in the NFL. I think there's a chance that we could see a woman in the NBA at some point, but not something as physical as football.

 

[PhoenixDark]

There's no way a woman could play a special teams position in the NFL. I think there's a chance that we could see a woman in the NBA at some point, but not something as physical as football.

I think it's at least possible a woman could be a kicker/punter, but that's it. I'm not suggesting a woman could return kicks - she'd probably get killed, literally.

 

[DonasaurusRex]

What's stopping them from forming an integrated NBA league with both men and women?

women would no longer get paid to play.

 

[MMaRsu]

Those differences in skill exist due to prevailing subversive gender norms, not inherent biological differences.

Hahahaha WHAT?

 

[LyleLanley]

I think it's at least possible a woman could be a kicker/punter, but that's it. I'm not suggesting a woman could return kicks - she'd probably get killed, literally.

Even then, kickers and punters get hit every now and then. I imagine they'd be mostly useless trying to take down a returner but that's pretty much the same as most kickers and punters already.

 

[Diprosalic]

I think there's a chance that we could see a woman in the NBA at some point, but not something as physical as football.

nope, basically impossible.

 

[number47]

Really

What a disgusting thing to say

Are you honestly implying that woman are so shit at everything that is not cooking and child rearing that they could never ever compete on the same level with men?

I am 100% anti feminism and all that stuff but saying that woman are inherently weaker than men just because they are woman is very small minded

I like the part where he fills in the stereotypes for you.

 

[jmood88]

It's a shame that people in this country not only refuse to take women's sports seriously but they actually get upset about their mere existence.

 

[Basileus777]

There's no way a woman could play a special teams position in the NFL. I think there's a chance that we could see a woman in the NBA at some point, but not something as physical as football.

Basketball is one of the last sports where this could happen. Height, speed, quickness, hand size, wingspan, strength, jumping ability....these things just matter too much for a woman to play in the NBA.

 

[arts&crafts]

Really

What a disgusting thing to say

Are you honestly implying that woman are so shit at everything that is not cooking and child rearing that they could never ever compete on the same level with men?

I am 100% anti feminism and all that stuff but saying that woman are inherently weaker than men just because they are woman is very small minded

By the far the best post on gaf, thank you sir.

 

[Siegcram]

There's no way a woman could play a special teams position in the NFL. I think there's a chance that we could see a woman in the NBA at some point, but not something as physical as football.

Ah yes, the sport devoid of physicality and height advantages, basketball.

 

[LyleLanley]

Basketball is one of the last sports where this could happen. Height, speed, quickness, hand size, wingspan, jumping ability....these things just matter too much for a woman to play in the NBA.

I'm not saying we're going to see a woman in the NBA anytime soon if ever but I could see the possibility of a three point specialist being a woman.

Ah yes, the sport devoid of physicality and height advantages, basketball.

I never said that.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

There's no way a woman could play a special teams position in the NFL. I think there's a chance that we could see a woman in the NBA at some point, but not something as physical as football.

There is no chance. For one, the NBA is a lot more physical than you think. Two, the size differences also come with differences in skill sets. A player like Brittany Griner, who is a low post monster in the WNBA, is the size of most NBA 2 guards. She wouldn't be able to bang in the paint (which is her skill set) against men who are 6 inches taller and outweigh her by 70 lbs, yet on the other hand she lacks the speed, agility, ball handling sklls and athleticism to keep up with men more "her size". Nate Robinson is stronger and more physical than her and he's like a foot shorter.

I'm not saying we're going to see a woman in the NBA anytime soon if ever but I could see the possibility of a three point specialist being a woman.

I don't see it. Being a three point specialist still requires you to be agile and fast to get to open spots on the court, and physical enough to fight through screens, and then also requires getting the shot off over the outstretched hands of guys 6'4 and taller rushing at you to close out. A female "three point specialist" in the NBA would likely get never be able to get open or get a shot off.

 

[Siegcram]

I never said that.

Then what position on a basketball team can be filled by a woman?

 

[arts&crafts]

Ah yes, the sport devoid of physicality and height advantages, basketball.

Theoretically if a woman shoot 50% from 3 she could be on an NBA team. Half the players in the NBA don't even play defense. Look at Kapono or Novac, or to a less extent Korver (from what I have seen his D is better than the previous 2)

 

[Basileus777]

I'm not saying we're going to see a woman in the NBA anytime soon if ever but I could see the possibility of a three point specialist being a woman.

Those attributes matter for shooters too. And everyone in the game plays defense too.

Theoretically if a woman shoot 50% from 3 she could be on an NBA team. Half the players in the NBA don't even play defense. Look at Kapono or Novac, or to a less extent Korver (from what I have seen his D is better than the previous 2)

Korver doesn't belong in this discussion. And all of those men are better defenders with better physical tools than any woman would be.

 

[Siegcram]

Theoretically if a woman shot 50% from 3 she could be on an NBA team. Half the players in the NBA don't even play defense.

No player doesn't play any defense. And pure shooter is one of the most exhausting and physical demanding roles in a team.

 

[jmood88]

Really

What a disgusting thing to say

Are you honestly implying that woman are so shit at everything that is not cooking and child rearing that they could never ever compete on the same level with men?

I am 100% anti feminism and all that stuff but saying that woman are inherently weaker than men just because they are woman is very small minded

Why?

 

[arts&crafts]

No player doesn't play any defense. And pure shooter is one of the most exhausting and physical demanding roles in a team.

It is never going to happen so it doesn't matter either way.

 

[LyleLanley]

There is no chance. For one, the NBA is a lot more physical than you think. Two, the size differences also come with differences in skill sets. A player like Brittany Griner, who is a low post monster in the WNBA, is the size of most NBA 2 guards. She wouldn't be able to bang in the paint (which is her skill set) against men who are 6 inches taller and outweigh her by 70 lbs, yet on the other hand she lacks the speed, agility, ball handling sklls and athleticism to keep up with men more "her size". Nate Robinson is stronger and more physical than her and he's like a foot shorter.

I don't see it. Being a three point specialist still requires you to be agile and fast to get to open spots on the court, and physical enough to fight through screens, and then also requires getting the shot off over the outstretched hands of guys 6'4 and taller rushing at you to close out. A female "three point specialist" in the NBA would likely get never be able to get open or get a shot off.

I'm not saying it's likely or that it'll ever even happen but if a woman was to break into one of the big sports I think that's the only way it'll happen.

 

[turtle553]

Even then, kickers and punters get hit every now and then. I imagine they'd be mostly useless trying to take down a returner but that's pretty much the same as most kickers and punters already.

Only a FG kicker possible. Only worried about blocked kicks.

Female running back in the Arena League. It did not go well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AhUZpnFK-w

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Theoretically if a woman shoot 50% from 3 she could be on an NBA team. Half the players in the NBA don't even play defense. Look at Kapono or Novac, or to a less extent Korver (from what I have seen his D is better than the previous 2)

Kyle Korver is 6'8 and 200 lbs. He might not be an athletic superfreak by NBA standards, but make no mistake he is an elite athlete to be able to do with he is doing. I think people discount guys like him because they aren't jumping out of the gym or throwing down windmill jams but it takes a lot of physicality to be as good at Korver at what he does.

 

[LyleLanley]

Only a FG kicker possible. Only worried about blocked kicks.

Female running back in the Arena League. It did not go well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AhUZpnFK-w

"Five-foot-two, 130-pound female running back"

Who the fuck thought that was a good idea?

Edit:

This reminds me of the female kicker who claimed that she could kick 60 yard field goals and then kicked one for 19 yards at the combine.

Lauren Silberman, first female kicker to try out at regional combine, lasts two kicks before injury

 

[turtle553]

"Five-foot-two, 130-pound female running back"

Who the fuck thought that was a good idea?

Edit:

This reminds me of the female kicker who claimed that she could kick 60 yard field goals and then kicked one for 19 yards at the combine.

Lauren Silberman, first female kicker to try out at regional combine, lasts two kicks before injury

Some people in this thread would say size doesn't matter. It's all about will and being given proper societal influences since birth.

 

[Zeus Molecules]

Kyle Korver is 6'8 and 200 lbs. He might not be an athletic superfreak by NBA standards, but make no mistake he is an elite athlete to be able to do with he is doing. I think people discount guys like him because they aren't jumping out of the gym or throwing down windmill jams but it takes a lot of physicality to be as good at Korver at what he does.

didn't he do some underwater physical training or something this summer?

 

[Fjordson]

Kyle Korver is 6'8 and 200 lbs. He might not be an athletic superfreak by NBA standards, but make no mistake he is an elite athlete to be able to do with he is doing. I think people discount guys like him because they aren't jumping out of the gym or throwing down windmill jams but it takes a lot of physicality to be as good at Korver at what he does.

Seriously. It's not as if these guys just run around defenses untouched. Defenses are always toeing the line between fouling and legal defense. Bumping them hard on cuts, grabbing their forearms, etc. What Korver does is plenty difficult.

As for women in general in the NBA, I don't see it ever happening. The size of NBA players and the physicality of the game is too different I think.

Looking at the roster for the current WNBA champion, their biggest player is 6-8 and supposedly under 200 lbs. She weighs four more pounds than Steph Curry, who is consistently considered small in stature within the realm of the NBA.

 

[Kill3r7]

Theoretically if a woman shoot 50% from 3 she could be on an NBA team. Half the players in the NBA don't even play defense. Look at Kapono or Novac, or to a less extent Korver (from what I have seen his D is better than the previous 2)

She would be too much of a defensive liability, that is assuming she could get her shot off which is the hardest part of being a sharpshooter. Also please note that Kapono, Novak and Korver were all college stars on their respective teams.

Jason Kapono lead UCLA in scoring 4 straight years.

Steve Novak was an integral player on a very good Marquette team. Put up a 41 and 16 performance against an excellent UConn team his senior year.

Kyle Korver was an excellent college player at Creighton and was the best player in MWC during his junior and senior year.

Point being, they are specialist in the NBA but in college their skill set made them elite players.