I have become increasingly more enamored with the WNBA, the amazing talent level and compelling personalities representing the league along with the national media scrutiny based on increased attendance. Much of today’s success can be attributed to trailblazers like Cheryl Swoopes, Maya Moore, Lisa Leslie, Tameka Catchings and Sue Bird. Juxtaposed that lineage with today’s present and rising stars like Breanna Stewart, Brittany Griner, A’ja Wilson, Angela Reese and Caitlin Clark, very much indicative of a viable, ascending sports enterprise. The league’s marketing department also deserves credit for its innovative approaches to the game’s growth and national appeal. The skills challenge pre actual all-star game was brilliantly marketed, then having the sagacity during an Olympic year to pit the USA select team against the WNBA all-stars was masterful. The competitive nature of the ladies made for a compelling game because neither wanted to lose to the other. Notre Dame alum Arike Ogunbowale’s 3-point shooting in second half catapulted the WNBA All-Stars to victory. Trust result is not an omen of Paris Olympics performances.
The US men’s basketball team, on paper as talented as the 1992 Dream Team led by Michael Jordan, has had some close calls in 6 exhibition games, particularly Australia, South Sudan and Germany. With Lebron James, Steph Curry, Anthony Edwards, Jason Tatum, and Anthony Davis leading the way, one would think that most games wouldn’t even be competitive. Nothing could be further from the truth, however. Of particular note: all those teams have NBA caliber players on their rosters, The fact, simply put, is that the world basketball wise has definitively closed the talent gap since the days of the Dream Team. To win Gold, the women’s and men’s teams will have to earn it as nothing would be more satisfying or rewarding to competing countries than to relegate the USA to a silver or bronze medal.
The opening Olympic ceremonies begin on Friday, July 26, and the expectation is that the Paris Olympics may be historically the most anticipated and competitive. Let’s hope so.