WNBA? Still expecting great
As a fan of women's sports, I wish there was a way for others to watch games with the same excitement and enthusiasm as I do. Alas, this will never be possible as many view any form of competition involving females as simply inferior than the male alternative.
There is one way, however, to help pump up the volume in women's sports. How about we get the people who describe the action to act like they're enjoying the action?
It's so frustrating to watch the NBA Playoffs where commentators like Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy are totally into every dribble, every pass, every timeout. They point out all the subtle nuances of the action and they do it with humor or anger or excitement. Then, I watch the WNBA opener and all the commentary is monotone, void of passion.
I like Rebecca Lobo. I think she's a knowledgeable basketball person. But, and it's not just her, it seems as though most women commentators are afraid to actually voice their opinions. I know they're friends with the players but, come on, that's what commentators are supposed to do.
For instance, the play-by-play guy asked Lobo how she thought Sheryl Swoopes would do in her comeback season at Tulsa. The response was something to the effect of, "When she was healthy, Sheryl Swoopes was one of the best players in the league."
What the hell? Really?
That's like asking Van Gundy who he thinks will win between Dallas and Miami and he says, "When they're playing well, these are two of the better teams in the league."
I don't know if it's a female thing but women sports analysts don't or won't offer a negative opinion. I've seen replays where the official clearly gets the call wrong and they don't say anything about it. I've seen games where coaches make questionable decisions and they go completely unquestioned.
As frustrating is the lack of passion in the sport they're watching.
I watch the women's softball. I like it but the women broadcasting the game really don't. Or, maybe it just seems that way to me.
I watched a pitcher throw an off-speed pitch that was so incredible, I screamed in my living room. The play-by-play lady, however, practically yawned out loud.
It's that way a lot in basketball as well.
I'm not saying the analysts have to be like Dick Vitale and do a touchdown dance after a lefty layup. But, there are some outstanding plays being shown. These are the best in the world at their sport. Why aren't you happy to be there watching them?
Hey, if you're bored, the people listening to you are bored?
While I'm on the WNBA, I hate the promotional advertisements with the "Expect Great" slogan. It's just ... lame.
And, why do they insist on comparing the WNBA to the NBA. When idiots blast the WNBA because it's not as athletic as the NBA, I point out that it's a different game. You shouldn't compare the athletic ability to the NBA players. NBA players are the best athletes in the world. Hell, Major League baseball players don't compare themselves to the NBA.
But, when the WNBA compares its own players to the NBA, well ... damn!
It's frustrating to watch a league with a good product appear so mediocre. The level of play has grown dramatically in 15 years. But, until the product is packaged better, the WNBA will remain a niche sport on the verge of collapse.
There is one way, however, to help pump up the volume in women's sports. How about we get the people who describe the action to act like they're enjoying the action?
It's so frustrating to watch the NBA Playoffs where commentators like Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy are totally into every dribble, every pass, every timeout. They point out all the subtle nuances of the action and they do it with humor or anger or excitement. Then, I watch the WNBA opener and all the commentary is monotone, void of passion.
I like Rebecca Lobo. I think she's a knowledgeable basketball person. But, and it's not just her, it seems as though most women commentators are afraid to actually voice their opinions. I know they're friends with the players but, come on, that's what commentators are supposed to do.
For instance, the play-by-play guy asked Lobo how she thought Sheryl Swoopes would do in her comeback season at Tulsa. The response was something to the effect of, "When she was healthy, Sheryl Swoopes was one of the best players in the league."
What the hell? Really?
That's like asking Van Gundy who he thinks will win between Dallas and Miami and he says, "When they're playing well, these are two of the better teams in the league."
I don't know if it's a female thing but women sports analysts don't or won't offer a negative opinion. I've seen replays where the official clearly gets the call wrong and they don't say anything about it. I've seen games where coaches make questionable decisions and they go completely unquestioned.
As frustrating is the lack of passion in the sport they're watching.
I watch the women's softball. I like it but the women broadcasting the game really don't. Or, maybe it just seems that way to me.
I watched a pitcher throw an off-speed pitch that was so incredible, I screamed in my living room. The play-by-play lady, however, practically yawned out loud.
It's that way a lot in basketball as well.
I'm not saying the analysts have to be like Dick Vitale and do a touchdown dance after a lefty layup. But, there are some outstanding plays being shown. These are the best in the world at their sport. Why aren't you happy to be there watching them?
Hey, if you're bored, the people listening to you are bored?
While I'm on the WNBA, I hate the promotional advertisements with the "Expect Great" slogan. It's just ... lame.
And, why do they insist on comparing the WNBA to the NBA. When idiots blast the WNBA because it's not as athletic as the NBA, I point out that it's a different game. You shouldn't compare the athletic ability to the NBA players. NBA players are the best athletes in the world. Hell, Major League baseball players don't compare themselves to the NBA.
But, when the WNBA compares its own players to the NBA, well ... damn!
It's frustrating to watch a league with a good product appear so mediocre. The level of play has grown dramatically in 15 years. But, until the product is packaged better, the WNBA will remain a niche sport on the verge of collapse.
posted by Tony at
2:21 PM
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