Diana Taurasi: Impassioned defense of the WNBA

I had my appetite ruined on Saturday.

It happened right after I read Melissa Rohlin's piece "Why this woman is a fan of basketball, but not the WNBA." It's hard to tell what's worse about the commentary: a) that the opinion offered was so antiquated and un-evolved; b) that a woman would go out of her way to hate on such accomplished professional women; or c) that the reality is, there are people who actually share such a sheltered view.

Nevertheless, I can cosign on three sentiments conveyed by Ms. Rohlin: that the NBA does feature the best athletes and the highest level of basketball in the world, that women's sports receive far less media coverage than men's and that discussion is always healthy. Of course, those facts are as much of a news flash as word that an African American is running for president.

What may not be common knowledge, however, is that the WNBA features the world's best women's basketball, which was proven by the fact that 26 medals were awarded to current and former WNBA players. And, contrary to Ms. Rohlin's opinion, many think the WNBA is entertaining. She would've known that had she looked beyond the 12 girls "trying out" for the team at her alma mater.

Ratings, attendance and website traffic aren't up because it's boring. No offense to the caring progressives at ESPN, but the network didn't commit to pay millions for the right to exclusively televise WNBA games because it wants to, as Ms. Rohlin said, "support the cause." The WNBA, in its 12th year, is the longest-running, most-successful professional women's league in America because it IS entertaining. 

Perhaps those like Ms. Rohlin who find us so boring are simply too close-minded to give the WNBA a chance, shackled by stereotypes, homophobia or an obsession with being accepted by men. Perhaps they aren't real basketball fans.

That's what makes the premise of Ms. Rohlin's commentary so absurd. It's not even possible to be a basketball fan and not be at least somewhat entertained by the WNBA. Sure, you can be an NBA fan and not have interest in our league. But basketball fans, real basketball fans -- who see the game as more than dunks and athleticism and personalities -- can enjoy all levels of basketball without being herded toward it by big-budget commercials. Yes, even varsity games at Palisades High.

Real basketball fans, like the NBA stars who watched our every game in Beijing, appreciate the game and its beauty, the athletes and their dedication, the competition and its intensity.

Will many think the NBA is more entertaining? Of course. How that means the WNBA is NOT entertaining is beyond me. That's what is disappointing, that when it comes to the WNBA, some people, even women such as Ms. Rohlin, (who can probably see Russia from her porch) still can only regard our league as the NBA's kid sister. Where was the NBA in its 12th season? Furthermore, the idea that if it isn't the MOST watched or MOST marketed that it isn't worthy is unfairly applied to women's sports. Such a rationale belies not only an ingrained sexism, but ignorance over the fact that NBA versus the WNBA doesn't have to be an either/or conundrum: we have different seasons.

Ms. Rohlin, are you a fan of college basketball, which doesn't feature Kobe Bryant or any of the world's best players? Is Serena Williams not entertaining because her serve isn't as fast as Andy Roddick's? Are you bored by sprint star Allyson Felix because women's 200-meter times haven't cracked the 20-second barrier like the men? What does Dara Torres mean to you?

The WNBA is celebrating its 12th season because women's basketball is proven entertainment, the league where the world's best come to play, and it's growing. The WNBA set a record with 46 sellouts this season. National TV ratings increased 19% over last year. Jersey sales jumped 46%.

Contrary to popular belief, men are watching the WNBA. Games on ESPN2 saw viewership among men ages 18-34 increase 28% (71% among women 18-34!). Attend a game and you'll regularly see NBA players sitting courtside.

Oh, and that lone player from the 12 Palisades varsity hopefuls you found that actually watched the WNBA? She just happens to be the best player on the team, the 23rd ranked scorer in Los Angeles' City Section.

It seems as if Ms. Rohlin and the L.A. Times are just late catching on. Fortunately, you still have a chance at redemption. I challenge anyone who calls themselves fans of basketball, or even just a fan of sport, to watch the 2008 playoffs. If you agreed with Ms. Rohlin, but teared up during the Olympics, pick a team and follow them through (Ms. Rohlin, I'll even get you some tickets to see it live. I already have Coach Brown bringing the Palisades team to the game Thursday). Or watch the WNBA Finals from start to finish. Media and sponsors? Lead the way and provide enhanced activation and coverage.

I guarantee you will be entertained.

-- Diana Taurasi

Diana Taurasi is a three-time WNBA All-Star with the Phoenix Mercury.

Photos: Top: Taurasi drives against Houston's Michelle Snow. Credit: Paul Connors / Associated Press. Bottom: Taurasi and teammates after winning the gold medal in Beijing. Credit: Filippo Monteforte / AFP / Getty Images

Comments

[James Martin]

Dear Diana,

I do not watch the WNBA because of how boring it is. Tell me how it is exciting when I see missed layup after missed layup, set shots from outside that hit the backboard so hard, I'm surprised one hasn't been shattered yet, women acting and dressing like men. Yes, you've been around for 12 years, and for that you should thank the NBA because if it wasn't for their backing, you wouldn't have lasted this long and you know it.

Accept it for what it is. Low level, boring basketball. Maybe if they lowered the rim and allowed for more women to play at the rim, it might bring more excitement, maybe you should push for that.

Until then, I will continue to laugh as I watch all the missed layups, bricks and wanna be men playing playground ball.

[LPB]

The "world's best women's basketball"? Really?

Wow! I might just turn off the "world's best accordion player contest" and watch the WNBA instead!

[kwnyc]

Awesome, DT. Much better written than the original piece, too.

[overandback]

Preach it, Dee. One thing a true basketball fan should appreciate about the WNBA (and which Dee is perhaps not in a position to say) is that every one of the players is in it because they love to play - if they were in it for big bucks they would play in the overseas leagues and rest during the summer. They come here, even though it means playing year-round basketball and risking injury, because this is the league with the highest level of competition in the world. And it gets better, and more fun to watch, every year.

The conference finals this year feature Deanna Nolan's ridiculous vertical, Candace Parker's leave-you-in-the-dust drives, Becky Hammon's how-did-that-go-in circus shots, and my New York Liberty, who play a kind of old-school team ball that I find most engaging of all because you never know who's going to pull the trigger. Dee's right - every game will be a good one. Unless you only watch basketball for the dunks.

[TNLadyvofan]

This is a thoghtful and well written defense of the WNBA. Diana did the WNBA and Womens Basketball fans proud.

John H

[DeAngelo]

Damn, so Taurasi can shoot the ball better than Ms. Rohlin, and now I know she can write better than her too. The LA Times should give this chick some print space.

[Nathan]

Very well stated! It's sad that some people seem to revel in mocking the WNBA and women's team sports in general. Why? If you don't like it, don't watch it. I don't find soccer entertaining, but I don't feel the need to say harsh and unnecessary things about the sport or its players. They work hard and are fantastic at what they do. The women of the WNBA work just as hard than any other professional athlete, yet the pigheaded and sexist echelons of our society will continue to denigrate their work for absolutely no reason whatsoever. People need to stop trying to turn the league into some kind of butt of a joke, and they need to evaluate why they have such a harsh, negative reaction to it in the first place.

Anyways, thank you Diana for articulating exactly what I was thinking! You sounded like a natural writer :)

[amcguire]

To James Martin:

I guess your eyes see only what the want to see....because NBA players blow layups too...and those dudes are closer to the basket than women are.
There are plenty of bricks in the league too... the reality is.... the WNBA is closer to the San Antonio Spurs style of play than the flashy nonsense that DONT win championships... The Celtics knew what they needed to do and actually rolled back, and played fundamental basketball to beat the Lakers. That's what the ladies do in every game...and it works. I don't understand dim witted view of some male sports fans. I don't like golf... but, I'm repulsed by it... It's just not that serious guys.

[Melanie, Northern California]

Thanks, Diana! How odd that a major newspaper would deign to give the women's game some inches and that the result would be so negative. (Not to mention illogical: Rohlin hopes to "pique" interest in the game by slamming it? Huh?)

All this in a city that's lucky enough to host a WNBA franchise. L.A. can send Lisa Leslie and her colleagues north to the Oakland Arena any time; my husband and I and all the other U.C. Berkeley WBB fans would line up for season tickets.

[Natalie]

The more I hear from Diana Taurasi -- the more I like her. And I'm a Rutgers fan :) Dee - awesome job -- great writing (amazing that you even write more eloquently than most writers I know) -- I just look forward to the time when this kind of response is unnecessary. Thank you for speaking for so many of us so well! (The haters just make me crazy and I can't think straight) The LA Times should be ashamed for publishing that tripe to begin with -- but at least they have added Dee's voice. Seems to me Ms. Rohlin needs to do some serious soul searching, given her basketball background. In the meantime - have a great winter in Moscow, Dee. Your fans love you. And please send some love to Cappie :)

[Crow]

Diana, I understand your defense against negativity. But there are some issues that I think are worth discussing further as I did earlier at an excellent blog covering the Storm called stormdefense.blogspot.com and a general WNBA analytic blog called rethinkbball.blogspot.com.

The 3 point shot is very prominent in the WNBA more so than the NBA as a percent of attempts and it terms of shooting efficiency. A well executed play that ends in a 3 point make is a fine element of basketball but there are some fans that think this element is too prominent these days in both leagues but a bit more in WNBA making it somewhat less appealing than perhaps it could be with a different balance.

Trying to be positive I have suggested that the WNBA adjust rules to allow for more effective driving and post play- something that you as one of the few and very best triple threat players could use to be even more effective. Heresy I know compared to the philosophy of many fans and the league marketing but that is how I feel.

The WNBA promotes team play and the beauty of team play with lots of passing and unselfishness but I have said that to me skilled 1 on 1 moves are also quite appealing to my eye and I wish there were a few more WNBA players who could break down their woman defender in such a crafty way as you do as opposed to the too usual perimeter passing and shooting.

I am glad that the WNBA is doing well. Best wishes. But the depth of the league is something of a question to me. Comparing WNBA players leaguewide with a smaller ball that is theoretically easier to score with to the NBA there are far far more players in the WNBA with a effective shooting percentage below 40% than in the NBA and fewer who really excel (over 50% eFG%) and I find it a bit hard to watch players with eFG% below 40%. For the same reason I do not watch college or high school basketball. I want to see the best. I think a smaller league with bigger paychecks for the best players would be better than than the WNBA has right now.

I've even considered the idea of 4 on 4 to accomplish more driving and post play. higher average quality and a more unique product.

I would welcome hearing your perspective on these points.

[Daniel]

Last year, when my wife received corporate tickets to a WNBA game, I very reluctantly went with her, and much to my surprise, had a great time. So now, on top of being a Spurs STH, I also am a Silver Stars one. Having watched both leagues, whenever I see a column comparing the WNBA and NBA, I stop reading immediately. Yes, basketball is played in both leagues, but the game is so different as to render any comparison incredibly ignorant.

With that said, I would disagree with Diana Taurasi in that Ms. Rohlin is under no obligation to write positive things about the league because of her gender. She is a journalist first, a woman second. On the other hand, there was nothing original in her column. It was a simple regurgitation of every argument every detractor has ever made about women's basketball since women started playing. The only novelty being the writer's gender.

[BballFox]

In response to James Martin's comments:
Can you show me these missed layups? I'm not saying that there has never been a missed layupever, but there has also been missed shots in the NBA. There are also not shots that "hit the backboard so hard, I'm surprised one hasn't been shattered yet." Has a shot missed badly once or twice, yes, but that is not a regular occurance like you make it out to be.
And yes, the NBA helped the WNBA get off the ground, but now there are several (sorry I don't have the exact number) teams owned independent of NBA owners.
ANd I agree with the point Diana made. If you are a true basketball fan, you enjoy all basketball, not just the NBA. You don't have to choose between the two leagues. All we're asking for is a little credit for what women can do.

[Angela]

Diana,

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not your biggest fan, because frankly rivalries in college are deeply ingrained and I'm a University of Tennessee grad who covered the Lady Vols for the UT newspaper while in school (and watched you, in person, at way too many Final Fours). This response to Ms. Rohlin's article, however, is spot-on, exactly what I would have said.

Perhaps Ms. Rohlin should take a page from John Wooden's book and realize that women's basketball is basketball the way it is meant to be played--pure and unadulterated. While the WNBA officiating could use some help (ok, some substantial help!), women's basketball is only going to continue to improve as stars get to the level of you, and more recently, Candace Parker. The game is evolving, and if Ms. Rohlin is too "bored" to watch it, oh well, she's missing something truly great.

I grew up watching men's basketball, but these days would--by far--rather watch a women's game. It's just better basketball and if you look for entertainment, you will find it.

Sincerly,
Angela Williams

[Alonna Hutcherson #15]

Good article Diana. And to James Martin, the women who may miss layups a couple times. Would whoop u in basketball. . .if u watch Diana,Deanna,Candace, and Lisa and many more players. U would change your mind and shut your mouth. . . ok so the women don't dunk every game but they play with more heart than the men and that's a fact. So maybe if u pay attention u would learn some things. So yeah watch the playoffs on ESPN 2 and NBA TV and keep ya mouth closed but keep yo eyes open. So remeber my name cuz ima be in the WNBA and when i get on TV. I'll make sure ill mention all ma haters and u will definently be 1 of them. U just got told out by a 13 year-old fool!

[L]

This is a great article. I say men who come in women's stories and post negative comments are idiots.
Now, I must admit, this year marks my return to watching the WNBA(i.e, Candace Parker & Candice Wiggins) but, I've been introduced to some phenomenal athletes. DT3 is one of them.
Diana, you have a serious game. I was so impressed by you in the Olympics, and your teammate, Cappie P, is an extraordinary player.
This year, I've been allowed to see just how much the WNBA has grown.
Back in the late 90's, when it originated, I thought it was a little boring and lost touch with the league. But when you have rookies like Candace & Candice, vets like Tina Thompson,Sue Bird, Katie Smith, and Lisa Leslie, and exciting players like DT3, Cappie, Becky H, Sophia Young, and the list goes on, you can't help but like this game.
One of the biggest thing that I've noticed is the pace of the game has picked up. The games excite me, and I'm kinda disappointed that I fell off of womens basketball.
I'm definitely disappointed I didn't watch Ace & Ice whole college careers; the WNBA is giving me a chance to watch these two incredible young women play as professionals.

This was a great letter, Diana.

[Willie]

My appetite is ruined every time someone tries to shove the WNBA down my throat. Now DT, I have loved your game since your Chino days, but let's be real you with Parker and Pondexter are one of the only girls who can ball. The rest of them stand there shooting jumpers all night long. How you going to expect me to watch a league when Lisa Leslie is out there with ribbons up in her hair, running around in Stockton's old shorts?

[Chaffon]

Great commentary Diana!

I'm hopeful for the future of the game of women bball as more and more girls today are playing and who's taking them to the games? Their mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles. You get the gist?

[Barbara L.]

Dee, your response to Ms. Rohlin is a testimony to your continued passion for basketball, in particular, women's basketball. Whether we love or hate you, depending on our college and pro allegiances, we have all watched you and your game in awe of your tremendous ability. Thank you for your well-reasoned and well-written response to Ms. Rohlin -- I don't think anyone could have said it better. I count you, after 4 years of loving to watch your exceptional efforts at UConn, as solely responsible for my love affair with the WNBA and its excellent players, who give so much to the sport and to their fans. Keep it up! We will always love you in Connecticut! Congrats on being a Peak Performer and on winning the Olympic Gold for the second time! And, best of luck to you and Sue in Russia! Bambam

[Crow]

I reran the numbers and found some surprises.

The 3 pointer took a modest dip in importance this year in WNBA compared to previous season after multiple years where the 3 pointer became more prominent. 3 pointers as % of total shots and 3 pt FG% both down a little (about 2%) and points from 3 pointers down more by the combination (over 4%).

Free throw rate up and points off them up too. Maybe the new blood is being a slightly different game. The prominence of free throw attempts is actually a pretty big issue. It shows diversity in the game beyond perimeter shooting ... but I'd rather see them be allowed to play more thru contact and get to the hoop for a FG attempt than sit thru a lot of free throws- about 8% more than in NBA.

3 point shot still more important in WNBA than NBA but my perception of its larger importance was bigger than what the numbers show 3 point attempt rate 7% higher in WNBA, % of total points off 3 pointers about 5% higher. Not huge but more than I would want. But perhaps league is correcting. Maybe the trends will shift further, find an even better mix.

Good luck and I'll continue to check in some.

[Crow]

A big reason why the WNBA / NBA 3 point rate gap didn't appear as big as I remembered when I was first struck by it is that the leagues are moving in opposite directions this season. Whereas the WNBA cut back on 3 pointer as a % of total shots the NBA increased 3 pointers 7% outright and 5% and a % of total shots. The original gap was indeed much larger. Just one of many developments in NBA I'd criticize. It is not the women's game I was criticizing too much long-range bombing which is not that 'pure" to the game. I feel the same way about the men's game today. NCAA and FIBA for men are shifting their 3 point line out and they are certainly in greatest need of doing so.

[Zac]

Hey Diana,

After reading your article, I'm thinking the L.A. Times should get themselves a new journalist - actually, scrap that - Rohlin doesn't even deserve the title. L.A. Times should just find themselves a journalist, full stop.
Oh and while they're at it, disconnect Rohlin's internet too.

To James Martin: you're obviously entertained by the WNBA since you take the time to follow up on the WNBA + read AND respond to diana's opinion piece. Good on you for showing your support to the league. Although your comment was disillusioned, I don't blame you for that. You're probably a 20 year old who is bitter about not making the high school team or college team. It's okay. Maybe Diana can give you much needed pointers, although there's no guarantee you'll be able to run the courts like she does - I mean, have you seen her play?! she'd beat you blindfolded!

Moving along, Rohlin - stop being bitter about not making it to the WNBA. The only thing not entertaining here is your opinion piece. If you really want to wind back on all the progress women have made, why don't you quit your job and become a housewife. Although, I can't say that you're a 'breadwinner' - do the L.A. Times really pay for your garbage?

Lastly, thank you Diana and the WNBA league. The world is basketball is looking brighter because of your presence.

[Crow]

The more you look the more you can find. Actually the WNBA didn't change its posture toward the 3 pointer. Basically just the Seattle Storm did. Take them out and rest of league increased rate of taking 3 pointers again, but by a very tiny amount. The entire decline in the league numbers is due to the year over year change in the Storm's 3 point behavior.

[genevieve]

I don't care if people just don't like the game played in the WNBA, but all too often the complaints include comments about how the players 1) look, act, or are pretending to be men (James) or 2) can't be taken seriously as althletes because they have "ribbons in their hair" (Willie). That pretty much betrays the commenter's ignorance, and I'm guessing they're not tuning in for the *game* if the league uniforms are going to make the league so unwatchable.

[UConnFanK]

Diana did a great job with this article and I agree with an earlier statement by DeAngelo who indicated that she writes better than Ms. Rohlin!

My HUSBAND and I both enjoy watching the WNBA...way better than the NBA. We attend several games a year and appreciate the skills and team play that they provide. The NBA has too many "individuals" who are more concerned about themselves than the "team." The skills the women provide are fundamentally sound and should be appreciated.