I thought about commenting on this earlier in the week, but by the time Monday rolled around, it seemed like the moment had passed… and if I had taken the time then to point out the suckiness of Tennesse’s Candace Parker’s dunk, it would have seemed just mean-spirited and sexist. And I try to hide the fact that I’m mean-spirited and sexist. Sometimes.
Anyway, I think Jason Whitlock nails it today, when he says that they kinda weren’t dunks, and even if they were… big fuckin’ deal. Not that I’m not happy for Candace Parker. She seemed excited about it, it got her some attention, it got her team some attention… that’s terrific. But do those dunks do anything for women’s college basketball? Do they do anything to make you want to watch? Are you putting up Candace Parker posters in your room because of them?
I dunno. All the glee that eminated from the women’s basketball analysts on ESPN seemed extremely starbury to me. They were patting themselves on the back for doing something sorta flashy, but something that ultimately has no impact on anything.
I could not agree with Whitlock more. To promote the dunk, to use it as an example of how great women’s basketball can be, is just dumb. “We can dunk, too!” is not a selling point. Sell the fundamentals. Sell the selfless play. Sell tits if you want to. But trying to get people to watch women’s basketball because of the dunks and athleticism… that’s like trying to get people to watch the Masters because of the cultural diversity.
tony Says:
March 23rd, 2006 at 2:29 pm
And in one shining moment, you go and ruin the “Trim” tag. *sigh*
Bouj Says:
March 23rd, 2006 at 3:32 pm
It wasn’t a dunk, it was a one-handed lay-up and rim-grab.
the mighty mjd Says:
March 23rd, 2006 at 3:41 pm
Come on… the “Trim” tag is still quite young. It still has tremendous potential.
Jamie Mottram Says:
March 23rd, 2006 at 4:00 pm
I couldn’t agree more, MJD. And your “Sell tits if you want to” line is priceless. Well done.
Rob Says:
March 23rd, 2006 at 4:05 pm
Never noticed how manly her arms are … she looks like a tiny Horace Grant with a pony tail.
As for why ESPN was all fruity over the “dunk” … anything to promote the chick tournament.
tony Says:
March 23rd, 2006 at 4:07 pm
I am completely behind the potential of the “Trim” tag, but stand firm that with a history that includes “ice fucking”, anorexics in swimsuits, and largemouthed former trophy wives, a “chick” throwing down an extra forceful layup or two just doesn’t mesh.
the mighty mjd Says:
March 23rd, 2006 at 4:19 pm
Point noted.
VTHokie01 Says:
March 23rd, 2006 at 6:32 pm
I would totally watch women’s basketball if they wore Sportsbras and thongs - the sportsbras should have the little nipple cutouts, though.
Think about it - Diana Taurasi in a basketball uni or Diana in an interesting getup? Not saying she’d stop traffic, but that might make it more interesting to watch for males who aren’t geno auriemma.
Mullet Says:
March 23rd, 2006 at 9:52 pm
You surely could have thought of a better example than Diana Taurasi. Sue Bird would’ve been MUCH better. Or that one chick from TN…she was like 6′2, blond, HOT. But you had to put the Diana Taurasi image in my head. Thanks for nothing, friend.
Adam Says:
March 23rd, 2006 at 9:56 pm
I’d be okay with ESPN people going apeshit over it if she had actually dunked (and I think she has before) but these weren’t dunks. Like someone said earlier, she layed it in and grabbed the rim. It’s not that impressive.
Mike Says:
March 24th, 2006 at 8:53 pm
Top Stories in Women’s B-Ball:
Swoopes coming out
Two quasi-dunks.
Quite a product they have to market.
A-mouse Says:
March 25th, 2006 at 6:24 am
Women’s basketball is a joke, and I don’t mean that as a sexist remark. I just don’t find it exciting. There’ no explosiveness to it. And yes, the “dunks” that get overhyped as something special are terrible, almost look like an accident. She’s like “holy crap, what did I just do?”
Even the way they shoot in women’s basketball looks odd to me. It looks painful.
And yes, I am jealous of them because I guarantee you they could whip me in a game of b-ball with ease.
You could never draw me to a women’s basketball game unless I knew someone playing. Just couldn’t do it.
as Says:
March 25th, 2006 at 4:28 pm
well, except the fundamentals are worse in women’s hoops