WNBA

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How appropriate that the winner of the WNBA championship last night were the Seattle Storm. As a big one ( or is it hype you never know) is heading for the Carolinas.

The MVP of the series was Breanna Stewart who was also named the MVP of the WNBA this season. Her Storm beat the Washington Mystics which featured a previous MVP winner in Elena Delle Donne. Donne was not 100% after getting injured in the previous round but it was nice to see two of the top WNBA young stars like Stewart , who is only 24 and Delle Donne square off in the finals.

Stewart is a rangy lanky phenome who just keeps piling up awards. At UCONN she was the leader of a team that won four championships. That had never been done before. She also won some MVP awards back in college along with being the MVP in all four college championships. And WNBA Rookie Of The Year in 2016.



Talk about a resume. A consummate all around basketball player at 6'4" she dominates all over the court and has a sweet shooting touch that extends out to three points. She nailed a bunch of them last night. Very fluid and athletic. A sight to behold. Many call her "Stewie."

Her teammate the much older Sue Bird and also former UCONN player (there was also one other UCONN player on the Storm this season) played a pivotal role throughout the season. She dished out 10 assists last night.

This team packs them in in Seattle and the parade is Sunday.

It is a reminder that through the gloom there are still white athletes that can tower above the grim landscape.

 

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Bad news. Probably the greatest female basketball player in the world Breanna Stewart ruptured her Achilles playing overseas.

I know these women want to pile up money but there is another side to that equation. Playing overseas in a structured league highly increases the risk of injury.

In my mind they are better sucking it up and living with their WNBA salary, even if they aren't satisfied with it. Who is satisfied with what they are making? Their call but I'm just saying.

But the moral of the story is too much going for the gusto isn't often worth it in the end. Sometimes the old fashioned conservative approach is the best medicine. Rest up and do some practice and exercise in the off season.

So now Breanna will probably miss the entire WNBA season. Good grief.

 

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The Seattle Storm swept Los Vegas last night to win their second title in three years. In fact they never lost a game in the playoffs as they dominated most games.

Ageless wonder Sue Bird, now 39, is still a whirling dervish point guard and she set a finals record by dishing out 16 assists in the opener. Must be drinking the same water as Tom Brady. Not only did she win two titles with Connecticut in 2000 and 2002 this becomes her fourth WNBA title to go along with ones from 2004,2010 and 2018. Imagine that? Winning and starring in titles 16 years apart? She is easily one of if not the greatest point guard of all time.

I prefer women's college basketball to the WNBA but I make it a habit to watch Seattle when I get a chance and I caught the bulk of these playoff games because my favorite female player for the past seven years has been Breanna Stewart. You can read about her history in the above posts. When she tore her Achilles last year I figured she wouldn't be as mobile etc. but it turns out she looked as good if not even better than ever during this shortened bubble season.

She outplayed the leagues MVP A'ja Wilson ( who played well to be fair) and was unstoppable. Stewart is a joy to behold. The way she swoops to the basket and she constantly beat the Vegas defense down the floor for layups. And she was as hot as hell from three point land throughout this series. She was too much. Last night she was 10-14 from the field and scored 26 points. She boarded, played tough defense with her wingspan and generally looked like some modern day ( healthy) Bill Walton with three point range as she bagged her second Finals MVP award.

A transcendent talent. Who says whites can't play basketball? Not me that's for sure.

I am looking forward to women's college basketball because another once in a generation player will be hitting the court for Connecticut in freshman Paige "The Pistol" Bueckers. She has been touted as the most exciting prospect to come around in ages and I believe it. Crowds swoon when they see this Minnesota native play.