I like the WNBA sometimes.
But the WNBA game will never be as popular as the NBA--and there's nothing wrong with that--but don't tell that to the announcers of WNBA games. They are going all out in trying to sell the game to a basketball public that couldn't hardly care less. These announcers go so far in their sales pitch as to compare the L.A. Sparks' exciting and hugely talented new star Candace Parker to Lebron James--after only three games.
The WNBA management is trying way too hard to sell the game. Instead of talking about the actual game, the announcers spend nearly the whole game explaining why people should like the WNBA game. There are constant references to the NBA players, and stories about how "times are changing" for professional female basketball because some little boy was at a WNBA game asking about Candace.
Let the women play. The game is going to stand on its own. Babbling about why we should watch takes away from the real reason we should watch: Candace Parker is no joke.
But when she dunks for the first time in a WNBA game, the announcers, instead of shutting up and enjoying the sports moment for what it will be--no doubt an exciting play, 'cuz girl can throw down--the WNBA commentators will babble away at how women "have continued to arrive" in basketball, and that the public should watch "these super women" (lyrics to an Alicia Keys song that the WNBA loves to play just before and after commercial breaks).
Enough already. The WNBA will continue not to live up to its full potential unless it realizes that the ones who should be selling the game should be the players--not catchy Alicia Keys songs or announcers/sales people.
Copyright © 2008 Clymel Thomas
Publisher DarkstreetLit.com
