The WNBA, to me, is like watching the NBA pre-Michael Jordan. The league doesn’t (yet) have a player who is so good she changes the sport, so good teams revamp their rosters trying to stop her, so good she’s infinitely marketable. How many young boys picked up a basketball because Michael Jordan became one of the most powerful and decorated athletes in the world? There will never be another Jordan due to his role in legitimizing the game of basketball itself in popular culture. However, I think the WNBA needs that caliber of player to inspire young girls. Sure, they can look at NBA players too, but it’s important for them to have a role model who looks like them and understands the path they have to take. Admittedly easier said than done.
It doesn’t start and end there. Some of the rules could be looked at. For example, there’s a split among women players regarding lowering the rim. Some think it would help advance women’s basketball, show off more around the basket skill. Others think it’d be admitting women’s basketball is inferior to men’s basketball and only suggested for dunking. Both sides make fair points. Dunking isn’t my favorite part of the game, but I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t hype me up in big games. Think about how a player dunking on someone to cap off a big run resulting in the opposing team calling a time out excites the crowd and can turn the tide of an entire game.