Too many times, I have heard the criticism that what makes the WNBA less entertaining is that players don’t dunk. The solution some have offered is to lower the net. I take both ideas as absurd and arrogant. The dunk is not the be-all and end-all of basketball. It is simply acrobatics, often well-executed acrobatics, but acrobatics nonetheless. The game is basketball, and it isn’t the circus. Or perhaps the NBA has become a kind of circus with a touch of biblical effect. The dunk is usually telegraphed better than Western Union could do it, and lo and behold! the players on the floor part, as did the Red Sea for Moses. That is not basketball; it’s egotistical showmanship.
The NBA has all but eliminated defense in favor of high scores and acrobatic nonsense. It is completely different when a great pass is thrown to the inside man under the basket and then he dunks. The timing of the pass and the execution of the dunk takes real skill, basketball skill. But for someone to run end to end with no one defending just for the sake of a dunk, well, that’s ego in a circus of ego.
Lowering the net
Now, lowering the net. There is nothing positive about that idea. Nothing. It is the typical response from those who inherently think that women playing basketball is (and I’ve heard this) a joke not worth watching. Of course, it is often masked by the comment, “Oh, I don’t hate the WNBA; I’m just not interested.” I am sure that may be a true statement for some. No one is obligated to like anything. But I do think that for the many who espouse this statement, it’s BS. It is the coward’s way to not say what you really think. I have more respect for out-and-out vitriol than that passive/aggressive remark. Say what you think and stand up for it. If you truly hate the WNBA, then say so, but then look yourself in the face and ask yourself why. You might find that the real answer is more about you than the WNBA.
Of course, the W doesn’t need me to speak for them. However, I will speak with them. The numbers don’t lie. Viewership is continually growing, even without dunking. I’m amused by those who make comments like “nobody likes the WNBA” or “nobody goes to games.” To those of you who subscribe to this thought, I say, “How’s life in your basement of the house owned by mom and dad?” The world doesn’t revolve on absolutes. Words like nobody likes, or everyone hates have no real meaning in the world of intelligent opinion.
Life is not black and white unless that’s your choice. As Hamlet tells Horatio, “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” I would modify this by saying, “There are more things in Heaven than the slam dunk, naysayer, than are dreamt of in your parent’s basement.” I am sure Shakespeare would approve. And lest we forget, a dunk is still only two points.
‘And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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