All Sports Everything: Dishing What's Relevant Across The Board
Dishing What's Relevant Across The Board
photo via AP
Without Baylor or Notre Dame to contend with, there was no doubt that Geno Auriemma and the Lady Huskies were poised to win the championship this season. While the Lady Cardinals of Louisville had an incredible run, last night they proved to be no match. They were simply out played and routed by a dominant UConn, losing 93-60.
Congrats to UConn and of course, Auriemma on his eighth national championship!
photo via http://luzelliscruz.wordpress.com/
Yesterday, Mark Cuban’s attention-grabbing comment about his willingness to consider drafting Baylor’s Brittney Griner in the second round of the NBA Draft caused a stir. While most people debated whether Griner’s skill and athleticism were enough to compete with the best male basketball players in the world, I instead reflected upon the first time Lisa Leslie, also considered a player special enough to redefine the women’s game, became the first WNBA player to dunk in the history of the league, back in 2002.
Like most people, I missed Leslie dunking live. Yet, I do vividly recall the hype surrounding this moment after it occurred. Overnight, the WNBA went from being insignificant to being covered by every major media outlet. The buzz was so loud, people debated if Leslie’s singular achievement could finally propel the WNBA into mainstream popularity. But, we all know the rest. Over 10 years later, the WNBA and its players are still fighting for respect, despite all of the talent in the league.
This summer, Brittney Griner will go on to play in her first WNBA game. Since 2002, Candace Parker, who’s dunked twice, is the only other WNBA player to join Leslie in the record books. Which, when you think about it, makes Leslie’s accomplishment that more incredible. But something tells me that Griner, who’s dunked 18 times in her collegiate career, will not only have her name added next to Leslie and Parker’s, but she’ll have many record-setting entries unto herself.
However, before Griner enters the league and shatters all of the records, let’s take a look back at the pioneering Leslie, who retired a two-time WNBA champion, three-time WNBA MVP, and four-time Olympic gold medalist, coming off the fast break and taking off above the rim. Warning, the footage is extremely low res.
Told you…lol.
Four words: Brittney Griner. Skylar Diggins.
Last night, both women gave their respective fan bases a night to remember as they played their final home games of their collegiate careers.
It’s no secret Griner’s the most dominant player in women’s college hoops, but it’s what she did last night that may have earned her the defining title, GOAT. In a 90-68 victory over Kansas State University, Griner recorded the following stats: 50 Points, 21-28 FG, 8-10 FT, 6 Rebounds, 2 Blocks, and 1 Dunk. Not only did her impressive performance set a Big 12 Conference single-game scoring record, but she’s now ranked second on the career scoring list in Women’s Division I basketball with 3, 123 points.
If there was anything to make that night more enjoyable for Griner and Baylor Bears fans, it’s that all of this took place on her homecourt. Griner’s dunked 14 times in her collegiate career, but she last dunked at home as a freshman. Needless to say, the home crowd has waited a long time to witness that type of greatness, and Griner delivered.
If you missed last night’s performance, don’t worry, I did too, check out the highlights including Griner’s sweet spin move and dunk.
And, Skylar Diggins. Whoa, Skylar Diggins. She absolutely shined in last night’s battle against the University of Connecticut. It seems like yesterday that Geno Auriemma’s Lady Huskies were unbeatable, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Notre Dame has won six of the last seven meetings, including defeats in the NCAA national semifinals in each of the past two seasons. And the reason for Notre Dame’s dominant play has been Diggins. Entering last night’s game, she averaged 20.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.0 steals against UConn.
But it never comes easily, and last night was the toughest test of all. It took the Lady Irish 3OTs and 55 minutes from Diggins to finally defeat UConn. The final score was 96-87. Diggins, the heart and soul of the Lady Irish, played every minute of the game and finished with 29 Points and 11 Rebounds. The win earned Notre Dame its sixth Big East Championship. Click for highlights.
We’re two weeks away from the start of the NCAAW tournament. There’s no doubt Diggins and Griner will deliver great performances as they each try to lead their respective teams back to the NCAA Championship game in their final seasons. And if we’re lucky enough, we’ll get a Baylor/Notre Dame rematch of last year’s NCAA title game. Will Griner end her collegiate career with back-to-back championships, or will Diggins finally taste victory and win a championship of her own, something that’s eluded her two years in a row? Trust me, if you’ve never watched women’s hoops before, Diggins and Griner are two of the best reasons to finally tune in.
Photo via William Perlman, USA TODAY Sports
Entering Tuesday night’s game against South Florida, the Scarlet Knight’s were sitting on 899 wins for four games straight; each time falling short of claiming that illustrious 900th win for their head coach and leader, C. Vivian Stringer. However, the magic number turned out to be five.
Last night, Rutgers defeated South Florida, 68-56, giving Stringer her 900th career win. The Hall of Famer, in her 42nd season as head coach, is 900-330 overall in her career; which is a 73% winning percentage.
Nine hundred wins is no common feat. Stringer, 64, is just the seventh coach in NCAAM and NCAAW basketball history to achieve this level of greatness. Stringer’s monumental win has secured her place in the history books along side Pat Summitt, Jody Conradt, Sylvia Hatchell, Mike Krzyzewski, Bob Knight, and Jim Boeheim. Great company.
After her victory, Stringer expressed gratitude and also relief for finally reaching the milestone. She said, “I think it’s beyond words. I’m happy that it’s over. I can hardly breathe. It’s over and now I can just coach and smile, and get back to what I love to do because it’s never been about numbers. If it’s something special for all the generations of players and coaches that I’ve been a part of, then, yeah, I’m happy. But I’m looking forward to more.”
Summitt released a statement congratulating Stringer. “I am fortunate to call Vivian my friend, and could not be happier that she has reached the 900-win milestone in her career. I have great respect and admiration for Vivian and consider her one of the great pioneers of our game. She has had an incredible journey, and I hope she adds many more to her ‘W’ column.”
Indeed. Nine hundred wins is a huge accomplishment and testament to Stringer’s dedication, consistency, and most of all, perseverance. Despite the challenges and criticism she faced throughout her career, Stringer pressed on and led fearlessly. The example she’s set for her players and young girls everywhere is heroic and admirable. Her personal reputation and contribution to sports speaks more loudly than a 900th win ever could, but it’s still a gratifying achievement added to her long list of accolades.
Congratulations, C. Vivian Stringer!
Photo via Corbis
In case you missed the memo, Lisa Leslie is a bad woman. She’s been a trailblazer in woman’s basketball since her arrival in the game and it continues.
The former LA Sparks player and first woman to dunk in a WNBA game has recently become the first former WNBA basketball player to invest in a WNBA franchise, the same LA Sparks team that she was a member of until she retired in 2009.
As a player, Leslie pursued modeling, took time off to start a family, but through it all, she remained loyal to the WNBA and the Sparks organization. So it’s only fitting that she’s now investing in a team and movement that invested in her early on.
Anytime a former player successfully makes that transition from athlete to businessperson or owner, it’s noteworthy. In fact, a similar move in the Big 4 Leagues is relatively uncommon despite the lucrative contracts and endorsement deals male athletes command. So, imagine how much more difficult it is for female athletes to attain similar financial success and freedom. The opportunities just aren’t there. But, unlike many of her female counterparts, Leslie was fortunate enough to create multiple streams of income that have sustained her beyond her 12 year WNBA career.
I admit Leslie is most definitely an exception to the rule, as it is necessary for WNBA players to play overseas in order to supplement their small WNBA salaries, but I’d like to believe that Leslie’s success story will resonate with and inspire other players like Candace Parker, Maya Moore, or Liz Cambage to follow her lead and seize as many opportunities as possible while the iron’s hot.
Much props to Lisa Leslie on her latest achievement.
Despite a history of franchise foldings, team relocations and ownership changes, the WNBA tips off its 15th season tonight. And while the offseason was one of the most stable in a while, it wasn’t without change.
In April, the WNBA named Laurel Richie as its new president and successor to Donna Orender. This news is exciting because while Richie lacks basketball experience, she has proven herself to possess strong marketing and branding knowledge; exactly what the league needs most.
Throughout the league’s tenure, they’ve battled an identity crisis in large part due to the ongoing changes referenced above. Their marketing messages shifted often, hindered the league’s growth; and made it difficult to connect with an audience.
Families, male NBA fans, women and young girls have all been on the receiving end of a WNBA communication at one time or another. And while they’re all potential fans, the message was lost in translation due to poor timing and execution.
So, the hiring of Richie comes as no surprise because the WNBA desperately needed someone who could not only define and commit to a target audience, but also properly market the WNBA as a product worthy of our hard earned discretionary income.
Richie is the right woman for the job as her track record proves that she’s transformed notable brands such as the Girl Scouts of America, American Express, and Pepperidge Farm.
Since the league’s inception, the level of talent has never been an issue. Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, and Sheryl Swoopes were all talented beyond measure. Unfortunately, the marketing campaigns failed to establish long standing connections with would be fans.
In a recent interview with WNBA.com, Richie mentioned that she is extremely committed to having an active presence in our communities, empowering young woman, and developing future leaders.
Fortunately, the WNBA shares a similar commitment. And, it is expected that Richie will leverage her relationships and know-how to create richer opportunities for the WNBA to prosper. While Orender’s legacy includes growing T.V. ratings and attendance, as well as establishing marquee sponsorship deals with teams; it is Richie’s goal to identify more strategic partnerships that will help the WNBA further develop an emotional connection with its valuable audience.
Richie hopes to build upon the good that already exists and grow from there. For example, the WNBA is full of amazingly talented basketball players who take pride in their roles as women, mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, girlfriends, and role models. They are extremely willing and capable of serving as an inspiration to young impressionable girls across the country.
So, Richie’s biggest challenge won’t be discovering a way to connect with these young women. After all, she comes from an organization in which she had access to over 3 million girls nationwide. Instead, Richie must give young girls and their parents a reason to pay for access to their sheroes.
What perfect timing for Richie.
Liz Cambage and Maya Moore at the 2011 WNBA Draft
While the WNBA has always been bursting with the best talent in the world, the start of the 15th season stands a part from the rest because of this year’s first and second draft picks Maya Moore and Liz Cambage; respectively. Both young ladies have proven they’re marketable, having made headlines and drawn the interest of fans early on. Never shying away from the attention because they recognize that any exposure they receive ultimately benefits the WNBA; a major win for Richie.
Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx, is a proven champion and has been called the best female basketball player to ever play the game. And her most recent endorsement by the undisputed G.O.A.T., Michael Jordan, proves that Moore has the talent and star power to help advance the league. Jordan would not have bestowed Moore with the honor of becoming the first lady of Jordan Brand if she didn’t. Since Moore has grabbed Michael Jordan’s attention, there’s no reason why other fans shouldn’t also take notice.
Liz Cambage, of Australia, is also an incredible addition to the WNBA. A statuesque 6’8, Cambage is not only the tallest WNBA player, but she’s also the youngest. But don’t let her age deceive you. Cambage, Tulsa Shock, has played in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) in Australia since 2007 and has developed a physical game where she thrives inside the post. Like Moore, she’s a champion. Although she’s making her WNBA debut, she enters the league after winning the 2011 MVP award and championship in the WNBL.
While Moore and Cambage are the new kids on the block, don’t expect veteran players like Candace Parker, LA Sparks, Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury, or Sue Bird, Seattle Storm, to name a few, to fade from the spotlight. They’ve been the face of the league for the past few seasons and have already established a solid fan base and presence in their local communities.
It is Richie’s responsibility to take advantage of the fresh faces and vets in the league and create a new image for the WNBA. As seen with the NBA, there are enough marketing dollars and opportunities to go around.
The 2011 season is already off to a running start with the pairing of Maya Moore and Candace Parker against each other in tonight’s season opener.
The Minnesota Lynx and LA Sparks tip-off tonight at 11pm on NBATV. This is a rivalry in the making and not to be missed!
Congrats to Maya Moore for becoming the first woman to be signed to the Jordan Brand, a roster that includes Derek Jeter Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and many others.
In a press release, Michael Jordan had this to say about the new addition to the Jordan roster, “I am thrilled to welcome Maya Moore into the Jordan Brand. Not only has Maya proven to be a prolific winner on the court, but her hunger and determination to make an impact off the court makes her a valuable addition to the Jordan family. We look forward to working with Maya as she carries her success to the next level.â€
This is a great look for Moore, as well as women’s hoops in general. As the WNBA is weeks away from commencing their 15th season, the signing of Maya Moore to the Jordan Brand sends the message that WNBA stars are marketable, after all. Who knew?!?!
Seriously though, I think this move is long overdue. Although Moore is arguably the best female basketball player of all time, there have been many talented female basketball players worthy of being branded by the jumpman. Let’s hope this will be the start of a new trend by Brand Jordan and other sports apparel brands.
I’ll keep you posted on how the Jordan Brand plans to market Moore during the season.
The WNBA season begins June 3. Tune in as Maya Moore makes her WNBA debut for the Minnesota Lynx against Candace Parker and the Los Angeles Sparks.
Major congratulations to Coach Geno Auriemma, Maya Moore (setting a career high 41 pts., 10 rebounds), Tiffany Hayes, and the rest of the University of Connecticut’s Women’s Basketball team and program. Unsurprisingly, they have officially made history by surpassing UCLA and legendary Coach John Wooden’s 88 game winning streak after beating Florida State 93-62.
During last year’s Big East Tournament, I wrote about the Lady Huskies Rewriting HERstory and looked forward to this day. At the time, it seemed so far away, yet still very conceivable because that’s how stellar, consistent, focused, prepared, and dominant these ladies are.
Their remarkable feat should be celebrated and appreciated by not just female sports fans, but sports fans. Period. The fact that only one other sports franchise came this close to achieving such greatness speaks to how amazing this accomplishment really is. Game recognize game and give these ladies their props.
The Lady Huskies simply can’t be stopped. It’s extremely exciting to bear witness to history as they play to keep the streak alive. Can anyone say back to back to back NCAA championships with zero losses? No pressure, of course.
My girls did it! The Lady Huskies are the 2010 NCAA Women’s Basketball Champions. Back-to-back undefeated seasons. Unbelievable. They are 11 wins away from overtaking UCLA’s record for most consecutive wins. And, Coach Geno Auriemma is one championship away from tying Pat Summit’s record of eight championships. Both shall be done.
P.S. Notice I didn’t congratulate Duke on their win. That was intentional. I’m a hater.
Photo credit:Â AP/Eric Gray
