What are the lessons of the 2024 Olympics in women's basketball? And what can we expect in the stretch run of the W season? Our WBB column for the week of August 12, 2024.
Man I love this whole substack, but when Chauny weighs in I just want to jump up and clap every time. It is so frustrating to watch Paige and Cameron be lauded as allies for pointing out the most basic truth of American society. This is nothing against either player - who both seem great and I'm sure have the best of intentions - but do you know how many actual black players in the league have said these exact same sentiments? While speaking to their actual lived experience? Not to mention, while being better players than both of them?
I also appreciate you pointing out that nobody is actually giving up endorsements for black athletes, or even really trying to steer the media attention from themselves and towards black athletes. In our world of social media activism, it seems that the actual "act" part of activism is so often lost. Like what is Paige and Cam acknowledging white privilege really serving unless they're going to attempt to do anything with/about it? We all already know it exists. That interview for example reads as weird PR for Paige The Ally, when if they actually cared about the issue they're celebrating her for shedding light on, another athlete could've been the subject of this interview altogether.
To the Caitlin Clark on Team USA point, I feel like that's kind of always been my thought process - that there's likely going to be a lot of new faces on the next Olympic team, and it seems helpful to at least get her in for the experience. That, from my understanding, has always been the thought process with putting rookies on the team. And, to the point of discourse, it seemed like the discourse continued even without her playing - whether from those reiterating she should've been there, or those on the other end being like "and you all wanted CC there! She would've struggled so much with that press!" My thought was then that maybe they aren't planning on ever integrating her into the national team? Could it be like the case with Arike, that they just see her as too ball dominant?
I couldnt agree with you more Andrew, Mogul skiing is the best!!!!
Man I love this whole substack, but when Chauny weighs in I just want to jump up and clap every time. It is so frustrating to watch Paige and Cameron be lauded as allies for pointing out the most basic truth of American society. This is nothing against either player - who both seem great and I'm sure have the best of intentions - but do you know how many actual black players in the league have said these exact same sentiments? While speaking to their actual lived experience? Not to mention, while being better players than both of them?
I also appreciate you pointing out that nobody is actually giving up endorsements for black athletes, or even really trying to steer the media attention from themselves and towards black athletes. In our world of social media activism, it seems that the actual "act" part of activism is so often lost. Like what is Paige and Cam acknowledging white privilege really serving unless they're going to attempt to do anything with/about it? We all already know it exists. That interview for example reads as weird PR for Paige The Ally, when if they actually cared about the issue they're celebrating her for shedding light on, another athlete could've been the subject of this interview altogether.
To the Caitlin Clark on Team USA point, I feel like that's kind of always been my thought process - that there's likely going to be a lot of new faces on the next Olympic team, and it seems helpful to at least get her in for the experience. That, from my understanding, has always been the thought process with putting rookies on the team. And, to the point of discourse, it seemed like the discourse continued even without her playing - whether from those reiterating she should've been there, or those on the other end being like "and you all wanted CC there! She would've struggled so much with that press!" My thought was then that maybe they aren't planning on ever integrating her into the national team? Could it be like the case with Arike, that they just see her as too ball dominant?
Interested to know the consensus top 5 wnba players of all-time. Is Wilson no. 1?
I think she’s probably gonna finish in the top five if she keeps this up for another few years.
In no particular order my top is Leslie, Swoopes, Cooper, Lauren Jackson, Candace Parker, Taurasi, Bird, Maya, Tamika Catchings, Sylvia Fowles.
Which means A’ja, Stewie, EDD and a couple others are probably in the 10-15 range?