Sports
The WNBA discourse is rife with racist and sexist madness as media attention increases
ESPN host Dominique Foxworth made a wonderful point during an appearance on the Bomani Jones podcast, stating the difference between a polarizing figure and a lightning rod. In the primary category, you do or say things that draw people into opposing camps. In this second category, you haven’t got to do or say anything. Your mere existence is enough to divide the masses.
Caitlin Clark is a lightning rod that crackles each in and out of the WNBA popular culture.
Her presence brought additional scrutiny to a 28-year-old league through which 70% of players are black and 100% are women. It’s no wonder fans and the media express a number of racism and sexism.
I can imagine ESPN’s Monica McNutt’s exasperation as she deals with assumptions about (mostly) black women’s response to the adulation of Clark, a (white) rookie who has done nothing as an expert. McNutt understands each of the above-mentioned -isms – race and gender – when even black men only know half of it. Sometimes it really works out like this for Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe on “First Take” on Monday.
“There’s a perception that the WNBA is mad that this little white girl is the great white hope” – McNutt said Monday throughout the 40-minute opening segment that went viral. “It was unfair and very frustrating for those of us who have been involved in the league for a very long time.”
She and the others are committed to it, which is nothing latest, while waves of Johns and Janes have just arrived, following Clark. This jogs my memory of a meme on Facebook I saw the opposite day. Someone sprinkled salt on a watermelon and after discovering the “new” world, he acted like Christopher Columbus. I actually have childhood memories of individuals salting melon.
Players don’t roll out the red carpet to draft the No. 1 overall pick, no matter who she is. Certainly not bending the knee, though Clark is the leading force behind the surge in viewership, attendance and merchandise sales. That does not imply they’re jealous haters, though, a growing narrative that has gripped the league, especially after Chicago’s Chennedy Carter committed a flagrant foul on Clark.
Smith and Sharpe suggested that WNBA players were jealous and bitter over Clark’s arrival as, to make use of Smith’s phrase, the “golden goose.” Last month Charles Barkley accused league veterans for his or her “irrelevant” handling of Clark’s remark. James LeBron he tweeted that in case you’re not “crazy” with Clark, you are a “STRAIGHT HATER!”
I’m undecided how these competitive athletes should treat Clark – apart from wanting to kick her ass. Not through dirty play and low-cost shots (which may occur when hotheads like Carter lose their cool in the warmth of battle), but through the use of all of the skill, strength and physicality they will muster. People #1 shouldn’t expect anything different, even when some people think otherwise. “It’s a very physical game and you’re going to feel the pressure,” Clark he said last month. “This is skilled basketball. Honestly, that is what it is.”
But too many fans and media see otherwise. They see racial resentment and resentment as an overarching theme within the broad portrayal of black women. The Chicago Tribune compared Carter’s foul to against the law. “Outside of a sports competition, it would be construed as an assault,” the article says editorial, possibly written by Karen. “Even in a sporting context it was bad.”
Sports
It wasn’t that bad, however it involved Clark, portrayed as the league’s savior. ESPN’s Pat McAfee summarized his thoughts on the rise in interest within the WNBA and dismissed any thoughts that other players deserve recognition as well.
“No, just call it like it is” – McAfee he said Monday. “There’s one white female dog on the Indiana team who’s a superstar.”
No wonder who he thinks is chatting with her in such language.
“I shouldn’t have used the word ‘white female dog’ to describe Caitlin Clark,” he later said apology. “Regardless of the context… even if we talk about race as a cause of some things.”
Of course, race is the rationale for a few of Clark’s electricity. Like her shooting, passing and sexuality. Like her Midwestern background and girl-next-door personality. WNBA players usually are not silly and do not need a monolithic temperament. Some people talk crap like Clark and some people don’t. Everyone knows she’s “the one” now.
But there are levels to this phenomenon; Full understanding requires a multi-layered and nuanced approach, which is often not the uniqueness of sports conversations. McNutt returned to “First Take” on Tuesday with ESPN broadcaster and former WNBA No. 1 prospect Chiney Ogwumike to further enlighten the lads.
Smith warned that players were “standing in the way” and hindering Clark’s profession as a money cow within the league. Sharpe complained about foul play, as if Clark needed to deal with low-cost shots each time he took the court. Everyone agreed that Carter’s foul would have been historyless had it not been for Clark.
She is definitely a lightning rod, a white woman who triggers racist and sexist madness just by her presence. Black women within the WNBA and beyond may ask the identical query:
“What else is new?”
Sports
NFL star Terrell Owens signs a contract with Michael Strahan’s talent agency
NFL Hall of Fame receiver and podcast host Terrell Owens has signed with a talent agency to further strengthen his claims within the entertainment game.
According to , Owens was signed by SMAC Entertainment, headed by host and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and his business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz has also joined SMAC Entertainment.
“We are excited to add TO and Jordan to the SMAC family. They are both at the top of their game and set the standard in their industry,” Schwartz-Morini said in a written statement. “TO and Jordan have already brought an infectious energy to our team, and we are excited to help them realize their vision for careers in media, business and branding.”
A five-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, Owens played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. In 2018, he was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
A member of the 2000 NFL All-Decade Team, Owens finished his profession with 1,078 catches for 15,934 yards, 14.8 yards per catch and 153 touchdowns, rating third all-time in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Since retiring from skilled soccer in 2012, Owens has already made several moves. He has appeared in several movies and tv shows, including “,” and in addition had his own reality show, “, on VH1.
He currently co-hosts the podcast with former NFL player and sports analyst Shannon Sharpe.
SMAC Entertainment is home to stars similar to rapper and actor Common, Wiz Khalifa, Strahan, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and current NFL players similar to Stefon Diggs and DK Metcalf.
Sports
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker brings an NBA championship desire with his Olympic experience
The gold medal went to the USA Basketball team. Mission completed on the 2024 Paris Games. U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr just answered his final query during his final news conference on Aug. 10 after his team defeated France within the gold medal game.
However, before leaving the stage of the press conference in Paris, Kerr stopped to deliver an unsolicited message to media around the globe.
“Devin Booker is an amazing basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our unsung MVP. I just desired to say that,” Kerr said.
The “underrated MVP” compliment meant so much to the Phoenix Suns guard.
“It meant everything. No one really asked him,” Booker recently told Andscape. “That was probably something that was weighing on his mind throughout the entire process. A 12 months ago I said what I desired to do for this team and what we desired to do for the country.
“It was a lot larger than all of us. Survival was something we’d discuss for the remainder of our lives.
The USA Basketball team was centered around NBA star icons LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. There has also been some discussion amongst media and fans in regards to the lack of playing time for Jayson Tatum and, to a lesser extent, Tyrese Haliburton. Lost within the shuffle was the all-around, unselfish play of sharpshooter Booker wearing the armband.
Booker was fourth in scoring for the U.S., averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 assists and a couple of.2 three-pointers made early in all six Olympics, and likewise had the perfect plus/minus (plus-130) for an American. Kerr was impressed with Booker’s deal with a difficult defense, regardless that he is thought for his offense, ball movement and the way he has adjusted to not being one in every of the highest options on offense.
“I just understood what was at stake,” Booker said. “I’m proud to be from this country. I’m happy with playing basketball. Even though it wasn’t invented in America, we dominated for a very long time. Obviously the world is incredibly talented and the sport is growing, however it was just one other message to allow them to know who we’re.
Booker said he also learned in regards to the preparations from his all-star team, watching the preparations on and off the court. The 28-year-old added that he gained lifelong friendships.
“It’s cool to see that everyone has their own issues,” Booker said. “In my 10 years in the NBA, I’ve learned that you have to choose what you can use for yourself. But the level of detail, the attention to detail, the intensity – it’s all consistent across the board.”
As for Durant, Booker said the bond between the 2 Sun stars “is close and grows stronger every day.” They live about five minutes from one another within the Phoenix area and commonly spend time at home and on the road. Most recently, Booker had to steer the Suns without Durant, who was sidelined with an injury.
The amazing Durant averaged 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and three.4 assists, which were tops for the Suns. However, the 14-time NBA All-Star has been sidelined since November 8 with a left calf strain. Suns players Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) were also sidelined. The Suns are 1-5 without Durant, which incorporates 4 straight losses.
Booker and Suns sans Durant’s next rivals shall be the New York Knicks on Wednesday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET). Over the last six games, Booker is averaging 24.1 points, shooting 43.2% from the sphere and making 16 of 43 three-pointers. Suns guard Tyus Jones said there was numerous pressure on Booker offensively due to the injury.
“We’re asking a lot of Book,” Jones said after Monday’s 109-99 loss to the visiting Orlando Magic. “It’s numerous pressure for him. We are very focused on it. They are physical with him, holding him and grabbing him, throwing two or three bodies at him all night long. So he’s got so much on his plate and we just need to proceed to seek out ways to get him open within the moments we will and proceed to assist him when other players are taking shots and making plays.
Booker currently has two Olympic gold medals, 4 NBA All-Star appearances and one NBA Finals appearance. The only thing missing from the Suns’ second-leading all-time scorer is an NBA championship. Since the Suns joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968, they’ve yet to win a title.
After experiencing the joys of winning a gold medal, Booker as an NBA champion wants the gold Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy much more.
“Most of the guys that were there did it,” Booker said of his Olympic teammates who were NBA champions. “They were champions. This is standard for them. Anything lower than that, they need nothing to do with it. It’s contagious…
“That’s all I want. That’s all I want.”
Sports
New Unrivaled Women’s League Reveals Team Rosters and Coach Allocations
After months of introducing the players and coaches who will participate in its inaugural season, the brand new Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league announced its team rosters and coaching assignments on Wednesday.
Founded by WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled consists of six teams of six players each. The league was created to offer WNBA players with a substitute for playing overseas in the course of the offseason.
Although initially announced as having 30 players, the league has since expanded to 36, which Collier attributed “above financial forecasts”. The league has announced 34 players publicly up to now.
The inaugural season of Unrivaled will begin on January 17, 2025, with all games going down in Miami. Here are the official teams for the inaugural season, as well season schedule.
Vinyl Basketball Club:
– Coach: Teresa Weatherspoon
Rose Basketball Club:
– Coach: Nola Henry
Mgła basketball club:
– Coach: Phil Handy
Lunar Owls Basketball Club:
– TBD: wild card
– Coach: DJ Sackmann
Phantom Basketball Club:
– TBD: wild card
– Coach: Adam Harrington
Laces Basketball Club:
– Coach: Andrew Wade
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