Marty Mac's world: WNBA naysayers need to open their eyes
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Columnist
Everyone has likes and dislikes, but it's pretty funny to hear a lot of men profess their dislike for women's basketball.
It's not athletic enough, they say.
Well, these men need to remove their Secretariat-like blinders and recognize.
OK, few of the WNBA's best players are going to the rack and dunking a la Dominique Wilkins. However, their games are so competitive and intense, especially in the playoffs, it's difficult to watch and not appreciate their efforts.
And if athleticism is what you need, Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday night at Arco Arena will provide several ladies who clearly have more than your average dosage.
Detroit's Deanna Nolan and Sacramento's DeMya Walker, Rebekkah Brunson and Scholanda Dorrell are capable of exciting athletic performances.
Nolan is a marvel. She is listed at 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds but appears much taller. Nolan can get her jumper when she pleases and sink it.
In Detroit's Game 3 loss Sunday, Nolan's coach, Bill Laimbeer, watched her virtually keep the Shock in the game by herself, then talked about how much more she could have done. In his ever-annoying way, Laimbeer was complimenting Nolan. She scored 22 points, making 9 of 17 shots and 4 of 5 free throws.
Yes, she had a game-high six turnovers and no assists. However, no other core Shock player even approached a peak performance, and that's what's needed to win titles.
Watching Nolan's speed, quickness and explosiveness recalls a former Detroit All-Star guard, Dave Bing. As was the case with Bing, locking up Nolan defensively is rare. She's capable of doing what she wants when she wants and rendering her defender helpless.
Unfortunately for her and the Shock, it's unlikely to be enough if the Monarchs maintain their current efficiency. Despite not landing a first- or second-team all-league selection and John Whisenant not receiving one Coach of the Year vote, Sacramento just defeated Detroit while starting shooting guard Kara Lawson went scoreless.
Teams that win titles usually have five, six or seven players performing at a high level as one.
Howard an MVP?
It doesn't matter if the Philadelphia Phillies win the National League wild card. If first baseman Ryan Howard, who has 53 homers and 134 RBIs, continues his pace, he will earn the MVP award over the likes of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pújols and New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltrán.
Granted, Howard is not a Gold Glove candidate or baserunning terror. But approximately 60 homers and 150 RBIs (presumably without chemical enhancement) is a bit much to overlook, even if the award should be re-named the Most Outstanding Player. Yes, Pújols missed time because of an injury this season, but as they used to say, Tough nuggies, baby.
Turner still awaits a gig
Former Kings assistant coach Elston Turner still has not hooked up with another NBA team, although there have been some feelers. Something is wrong with that picture. The guy is all class and solid at his job but so far has been without "a guy" in the loop. That's how pro sports works.
Meanwhile, Turner's son, Elston Jr., is attracting attention from national college hoops programs as he enters his junior year at Roseville High School.
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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/monarchs/story/14317894p-15237792c.html
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Columnist
Everyone has likes and dislikes, but it's pretty funny to hear a lot of men profess their dislike for women's basketball.
It's not athletic enough, they say.
Well, these men need to remove their Secretariat-like blinders and recognize.
OK, few of the WNBA's best players are going to the rack and dunking a la Dominique Wilkins. However, their games are so competitive and intense, especially in the playoffs, it's difficult to watch and not appreciate their efforts.
And if athleticism is what you need, Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday night at Arco Arena will provide several ladies who clearly have more than your average dosage.
Detroit's Deanna Nolan and Sacramento's DeMya Walker, Rebekkah Brunson and Scholanda Dorrell are capable of exciting athletic performances.
Nolan is a marvel. She is listed at 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds but appears much taller. Nolan can get her jumper when she pleases and sink it.
In Detroit's Game 3 loss Sunday, Nolan's coach, Bill Laimbeer, watched her virtually keep the Shock in the game by herself, then talked about how much more she could have done. In his ever-annoying way, Laimbeer was complimenting Nolan. She scored 22 points, making 9 of 17 shots and 4 of 5 free throws.
Yes, she had a game-high six turnovers and no assists. However, no other core Shock player even approached a peak performance, and that's what's needed to win titles.
Watching Nolan's speed, quickness and explosiveness recalls a former Detroit All-Star guard, Dave Bing. As was the case with Bing, locking up Nolan defensively is rare. She's capable of doing what she wants when she wants and rendering her defender helpless.
Unfortunately for her and the Shock, it's unlikely to be enough if the Monarchs maintain their current efficiency. Despite not landing a first- or second-team all-league selection and John Whisenant not receiving one Coach of the Year vote, Sacramento just defeated Detroit while starting shooting guard Kara Lawson went scoreless.
Teams that win titles usually have five, six or seven players performing at a high level as one.
Howard an MVP?
It doesn't matter if the Philadelphia Phillies win the National League wild card. If first baseman Ryan Howard, who has 53 homers and 134 RBIs, continues his pace, he will earn the MVP award over the likes of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pújols and New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltrán.
Granted, Howard is not a Gold Glove candidate or baserunning terror. But approximately 60 homers and 150 RBIs (presumably without chemical enhancement) is a bit much to overlook, even if the award should be re-named the Most Outstanding Player. Yes, Pújols missed time because of an injury this season, but as they used to say, Tough nuggies, baby.
Turner still awaits a gig
Former Kings assistant coach Elston Turner still has not hooked up with another NBA team, although there have been some feelers. Something is wrong with that picture. The guy is all class and solid at his job but so far has been without "a guy" in the loop. That's how pro sports works.
Meanwhile, Turner's son, Elston Jr., is attracting attention from national college hoops programs as he enters his junior year at Roseville High School.
=====
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/monarchs/story/14317894p-15237792c.html
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