u/goofygal1566

https://preview.redd.it/23wsdkwt5ffh1.png?width=1182&format=png&auto=webp&s=d903862d782b3c9775da7433e56068a137466f8a

There has never been a sport or even a game where i thought the officiating was good. But no league focuses on the officiating like the WNBA.

The reality is fans, coaches, players will never thing the officiating is good or even consistent. But when i watch the NBA i have the same complaints about the officials as i do watching the W. And when i watch mens college basketball I have the same issues. Same with NCAAW.

I think players and fans and coaches are being unrealistic with the expectations of the officiating. Its fine to complain about it but the degrees to which it has been the #1 narrative is crazy .

I believes its been like two weeks since we had one so it might be a two week combined POTW award in terms of length.

My guesses are Western Conference: Kayla McBride

Easter Conference: Kelsey Mitchell

Case for McBride, these are her last 4 games:

37 PTS (season-high), 11-17 FG
25 PTS, 8-17 FG
23 PTS, 6-10 FG
28 PTS, 10-19 FG

Case for Kelsey, these are her last 4 games:

29 PTS 2 REB 8 AST 3 STL
21 PTS 4 REB 3 AST 2 STL 8/17 FG
27 PTS 2 REB 3 STL 3 AST 10/19 FG
28 PTS 5 REB 3 AST 11/22 FG

Who do y'all got?
Who

1. Chelsea Gray

2. Ticha Penicheiro

3. Sue Bird

4. Caitlin Clark

5. Courney Vandersloot

6. Lindsey Whalen

7. Diana Taurasi

8. Alyssa Thomas

9. Teresa Weatherspoon

10. Candace Parker

Thoughts?

Lots of discourse today about Liberty fans (fans at the liberty game wearing Liberty merch/clothes /season ticket holder etc) cheering on the Wings yesterday against the Liberty and haven't seen it dicussed here.

Mostly Liberty fans freaking out it but it both criticizing Azzi/Paige fans but also LIberty fans for not staying loyal.

On the one hand I feel like it s a good sign that there are more fans to allow stuff like that too happen but on the other how sustainable are individual stan bases long term for the W?

Edit to add: Another POV could be is this part of a distinctly WNBA culture that SHOULD be celebrated instead of complained about?

Last year teams averaged between 17.5 fouls per game per team for an average of 35 fouls per game total and 14.3 free throws per team per game for an average of 28 free throws total per game.

So far in Pre Season: Average of 54 fouls per game are being called, and a combined 62.5 free throws per game are being shot. That is an INSANE jump. And honestly games have been tough to watch with so many phantom fouls being called.

I know there was an officiating committee that took place during the offseason but there HAS to be a balance between dangerous physicality and turning games into free throw shooting contests.

Some of this is pre season and bad players playing more but in general I think the officiating has been tough to watch.

Break down below (only games between 2 WNBA teams):

Dallas/Fever: 53 total fouls called, 42 and 17 free throws for each team

CT vs Toronto: 62 total fouls called, 28 free throws, 21 free throws for each team

Dream vs Sky: 51 total fouls called : 30 free throws, 30 free throws for each team

Portland vs Seattle: 61 total fouls called 41 free throws, 42 freethrows for each team

NY vs Fever: 49 total fouls called, 23 free throws and 30 free throws for each team

Mercury vs Sky: 58 fouls called, 48 free throws and 38 free throws for each team

Mystics vs Lynx: 52 total fouls called, 40 free throws and 26 free throws for each team

Valks vs Storm: 48 total fouls, 26, 16 free throws for each team

For comparisons sake, the NBA averages 39 fouls per game and 45 free throws per game and that is with 8 extra minutes.

Will be interested how this trends continues through the actual season.