Wnba/ou

[jerry]

Just checked all the rosters in the WNBA and Danielle Robinson is the only ex OU player on a roster.

 

[SoonerNorm]

That's not good. We need more elite players.

 

[jerry]

That's not good. We need more elite players.

Agree.

 

[Soonerbay]

More elite players are definitely needed, which equates to the need for better recruiting; strategic recruiting. But that is not directly related to potential of WNBA draft. There are only 12 teams with a roster limit of 11. Then you have more players playing until they are 30+.

How many players from OU are playing abroad, year after year?

Look at THIS list of waived WNBA players. You could get at least 2 very competitive teams from those waived this season.

http://www.wnba.com/transactions/transactions_2013.html

 

[sybarite]

I notice a story on Yahoo that says that the WNBA is one of ten brands likely not to survive 2014.

 

[SoonerNorm]

That's not surprising. The good news is, there are several countries that offer good playing situations.

 

[Three toe]

That's not good. We need more elite players.

Each one of us can measure "eliteness" in his/her own terms. Some may measure it whether or not a player succeeds in a league that is almost certainly doomed to failure.

I, however, measure it by the likes of Dr. Caton Hill, Nurse Phyleshia Whaley, Attorney Stephanie Simon, etc., etc., etc.

 

[sybarite]

Each one of us can measure "eliteness" in his/her own terms. Some may measure it whether or not a player succeeds in a league that is almost certainly doomed to failure.

I, however, measure it by the likes of Dr. Caton Hill, Nurse Phyleshia Whaley, Attorney Stephanie Simon, etc., etc., etc.

That is university excellence.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Each one of us can measure "eliteness" in his/her own terms. Some may measure it whether or not a player succeeds in a league that is almost certainly doomed to failure.

I, however, measure it by the likes of Dr. Caton Hill, Nurse Phyleshia Whaley, Attorney Stephanie Simon, etc., etc., etc.

You don't have to play ball to become a nurse, doctor, or lawyer.

But, if they are elite basketball players AND go into great career fields, I'm all for that.

 

[sybarite]

I think Three toe's comments state what is really important about the players. They are here to get an education, and the university is here to provide one. Our pride is in the academic excellence of those who play for our team because that is what they are here to do. If we lose sight of that, we are surrendering to the old "pay for the highest bidder every Sunday" attitude that led to the establishment of the NCAA and rules. What having ringers play for a college team meant to the purpose of a university was a perversion. Some of us resent the perpetuation of that perversion, and it provides the microscope through which we see people like Mulkey, or the discoloration of the purpose of a university.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I think Three toe's comments state what is really important about the players. They are here to get an education, and the university is here to provide one. Our pride is in the academic excellence of those who play for our team because that is what they are here to do. If we lose sight of that, we are surrendering to the old "pay for the highest bidder every Sunday" attitude that led to the establishment of the NCAA and rules. What having ringers play for a college team meant to the purpose of a university was a perversion. Some of us resent the perpetuation of that perversion, and it provides the microscope through which we see people like Mulkey, or the discoloration of the purpose of a university.

I don't think that is unique to OU although it seems that some think it is.

Let's not forget that OU's main objective is to educate the students. It is Sherri's job to have the best basketball program she can produce.

 

[Soonerbay]

The academics are primary. Without qualifying grades, one cannot play sports so that's a given. But one should also strive for athletic excellence at the highest level, otherwise, all of the NCAA purpose...

ABOUT THE NCAA
Founded more than one hundred years ago as a way to protect student-athletes, the NCAA continues to implement that principle with increased emphasis on both athletics and academic excellence.

http://ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/about+the+ncaa

...is useless. OTHER THAN ALL OF THE MONEY THAT'S MADE! If athletic excellence at the highest level is not to be pursued AS WELL, then let's get rid of all of the NCAA stuff, Academic All American Awards, AP POY, Naismith, Wooden,Heisman...and offer intramurals and club sports only. There are schools where that is the reality! But they are not NCAA member schools. But that would mean a whole buncha' folks won't make money off college sports.

 

[Soonerbay]

I think Three toe's comments state what is really important about. Our pride is in the academic excellence of those who play for our team because that is what they are here to do. If we lose sight of that, we are surrendering to the old "pay for the highest bidder every Sunday" attitude that led to the establishment of the NCAA and rules. What having ringers play for a college team meant to the purpose of a university was a perversion. Some of us resent the perpetuation of that perversion, and it provides the microscope through which we see people like Mulkey, or the discoloration of the purpose of a university.

Thats just part of it. But go ask all the student-athletes what will happen if they miss practice, not give it the best effort the coach expects, miss VOLUNTARY summer workouts or decide to for go a road trip to the final four because he/she wants to study or stay behind to take a prep course for the LSAT. Then you'll see that BOTH are a high priority. Well...and some places it's ok to just get the 2.0...just stay eligible.

 

[SoonerNorm]

If Patty Gasso can bring elite players to OU who do well in the classroom and win national championships, you cannot tell me it is not realistic to expect the same in basketball.

 

[badger]

I, however, measure it by the likes of Dr. Caton Hill, Nurse Phyleshia Whaley, Attorney Stephanie Simon, etc., etc., etc.

But...but... WNBA players make millions in salary and endorsement like NBA players do! [/clueless knowitall]

 

[Mac]

I notice a story on Yahoo that says that the WNBA is one of ten brands likely not to survive 2014.

Year after year the same thing is said about the WNBA; sybarite is this your way of saying it doesn't matter that We don't have players in the pro because it won't be here long?

 

[sybarite]

Year after year the same thing is said about the WNBA; sybarite is this your way of saying it doesn't matter that We don't have players in the pro because it won't be here long?

You've been watching too many political shows. It's my way of saying that there is a story on the front page of Yahoo that says that the WNBA is one of ten brands likely to disappear in 2014. I don't know how many of the team members shop at J.C. Penny's or have Volvos or Mitsubishis, other names likely to disappear in 2014. I didn't mention Nook or Martha Stewart because I don't know and don't really care, respectively. Nor did I mention Olympus, a camera that I do have. I also paid some attention to a story about Barbara Eden donning her "Jeannie" costume again at age 78, but I didn't think to attribute that to any particular aspect of the OU women's basketball team.

 

[badger]

Year after year the same thing is said about the WNBA; sybarite is this your way of saying it doesn't matter that We don't have players in the pro because it won't be here long?

The WNBA is doing certain things that they didn't do in the past to become profitable, which is key for an American league success (unlike English soccer, where wealthy owners splurge in the name of winning, lol).

1- No more endless free tickets. Franchises like the Mystics did this initially, then couldn't sell the tickets later because fans would just wait for the tickets to be free again.

2- Jersey sponsorships. Like soccer leagues (including the United States/Canada's MLS), having a company name on the front of a jersey (or two or three) instead of a city name is lucrative.

3- Longterm TV deal with ESPN. ESPN money is not just for the SEC and the Bevos.

These three things have made about half the teams profitable so far, up from one (Connecticut Sun) a few years ago.

Now, don't get me wrong --- **** the WNBA and their repeated cuts of Sooner players from their rosters --- but they are doing some things better than they used to now. Perhaps someday they'll allow larger rosters so that the old farts won't keep hogging the limited roster space and give younger players a chance in the league

 

[badger]

Implying implications: When you cut a Sooner from the roster, you are doomed.

Not sayin', just sayin': The Tulsa Shock are 0-4 since cutting Courtney.

 

[Mac]

Drob is off to an hot start she agving 11 ppg and 8 appg; and her Jumpper is on right now!