In 1979, Ann Meyers Drysdale became the only woman to sign an NBA contract (she did so with the Indiana Pacers). She never saw the regular season, but the groundwork was set. Thirty years later, no woman has gotten closer to an NBA roster than Drysdale. But David Stern thinks someone may in the next 10 years.
I don’t want to get into all kinds of arguments with players and coaches about the likelihood. But I really think it’s a good possibility.
It would be quite a stunt, throwing a woman into an NBA game. The problem is, this time it wouldn’t be a woman in her prime going against a hasbeen. The playing field would be even, and it would be ugly. An anonymous GM put it perfectly:
I think they have the necessary skill sets: If you give me the best of the best in the WNBA and put them on the (free throw) line with the best of the NBA, I think you’ll see they shoot the ball as well as men. But think about the overall speed, athleticism and strength (in the NBA). They can’t take the pounding, the wear and tear, the quickness, the strength. It’s not possible for them right now.
Take Candace Parker of the Sparks. She’s big, physical, and has some of the best skills and talent in the WNBA. Can I imagine her keeping up with LeBron James? Not in a million years. Again, his strength, speed and agility are too great. But that’s not what we’re talking about; We’re talking about making a roster. Milwaukee’s Michael Redd is tied for 150th in points per game in the NBA. Redd’s 6-foot-6, 215 lbs. Could Parker hang with Redd? She just doesn’t have the physical strength, speed or agility to do it.
I’m also thinking about how she’d fit onto the team. When we talk about gays in sports, we always have to talk about the locker room. Well I can’t imagine Parker even being allowed in the locker room. But maybe I’m wrong; Maybe the team would have her shower with her teammates. Or shower after them? I don’t know, but I have to believe that, more than having a gay guy there, having a woman in the locker room would be particularly awkward.
I’d love to see someone do it. I’m somewhat fascinated by the concept of men and women competing on the court and on the field. I think I know what would happen, but you never know for sure; And I’m curious to see how it would play out.
Is there a woman right now in basketball who’d be a better NBA fit than Candace Parker? And what do you think would happen if she got thrown into a Cavs-Celtics matchup?
on Dec 7th, 2009 at 3:21 PM
It would be nice to see it one day, but I just don’t think it will happen. I think a woman has a better shot of playing in something like MLB, golf, etc. I am not being sexist, just practical. Women’s bodies are “typically” not designed like men’s. There are exceptions of course. But if they were subjected to consistent body brusing that the NBA and NFL players are used to, they wouldn’t be able to hang very long if they did at all.
Also the skill level an NBA player has is probably even greater than someone trying out for an NFL team or any other professional league. NBA players are an elite bunch, especially considering the number of great and super college men who couldn’t make it in the NBA. Women also grow up playing with an undersized “girls ball”. So how do you all of the suddent adapt to a full sized men’s ball? Basketball is not easy, and then having to relearn it once you’ve in your 20′s is just near impossible.
on Dec 7th, 2009 at 5:25 PM
It’s funny you bring up LeBron James, because I remember reading a story on ESPN after Stern made this comment where he basically lauged at this and said it would be a LOT longer than ten years (and I agree).
I don’t think there’s ANY woman who’s close to playing at NBA level, but I do think there’s a few women who come a little bit closer than Parker. She’s the best women’s player out there, but I think Tamika Catchings and even Diana Taurasi (she looked to be in much better shape this year), would actually have more of a shot, since they can both hit outside shots, which I think is the ONE area where a woman could match up evenly with a guy…
on Dec 8th, 2009 at 1:20 AM
The only player who could is Diana Taurasi. Candace Parker couldn’t play b/c she’s 6’4″ post player, and has weak perimeter skills, no range, and not a good outside shot. However, she’s way above average for females, and she’s a mismatch nightmare. She definitely couldn’t play post in the NBA, couldn’t defend NBA perimeter players, and couldn’t score.
Tamika Catchings’ game is built around defense and hustling. But she’s 6’1″ and doesn’t have strong enough perimeter skills.
Now Taurasi?! Most definitely! She’s 6’0″, a good build, and has unlimited range, a quick release, can shoot off screens, a great pull-up, can elevate, and can pass and handle the rock. Imagine her playing with Steve Nash! Taurasi grew up playing ball against men, has the swaggar, and wouldn’t be imtimidated at all…
on Dec 8th, 2009 at 1:22 AM
“Women also grow up playing with an undersized “girls ball”. So how do you all of the suddent adapt to a full sized men’s ball? Basketball is not easy, and then having to relearn it once you’ve in your 20’s is just near impossible.”
The USA is the only place that use the girls ball. International basketball and pro basketball overseas use the men’s ball. Most females are more comfortable playing with the men’s ball, and they struggle when having to change to the girl’s ball…
on Dec 14th, 2009 at 1:18 PM
The men definitely have a size advantage over the women.That much is true.But the talent level and skill level in the WNBA and the NBA are equal.As for the question of whether or not a woman can take the pounding,women are a lot tougher than people give them credit for.Here’s an example:I once read somewhere that DWade dislocated his shoulder during an NBA game and had to be taken off the court in a wheelchair.I don’t remember whether he came back into the game or not.I saw the 2008 NCAA tournament,and the Lady Vols were playing a game against Texas A&M,and Candace Parker dislocated her left shoulder twice in that game.She walked off the court under her own power,went in the lockerroom,the trainer put her shoulder back in the socket,put a shoulder brace on her,and she came right back on the court and finished playing that game with her team.She also continued to play the rest of the tournament,and Tennessee won the championship.I think that this is clear evidence that female athletes are just as tough as any male athlete(maybe tougher),and that the women can handle pain a lot better.As far as the pounding and injuries,the women get lots of in juries in the WNBA every season.They get concussions,shoulder injuries,knee injuries,back injuries,eye injuries,broken bones,and ankle and achilles injuries already.I don’t see how it could get any worse than that.Basketball is a contact sport,and no matter who you play against there is always a risk of injury.I’ve watched the WNBA games since 1997 and I still watch to this day.Trust me,these women can take hits and give hits right back.They are just as physical,aggressive,and competitive on the court as the men.And if a player can’t take all that contact,then they won’t last long in the WNBA either.Contact sports is going to be dangerous regardless of gender.
on Dec 14th, 2009 at 4:01 PM
I agree that Diana Taurasi is probably the only female who could even entertain the thought of playing a minute in the NBA. She definitly has the skills and the build for her postion. And I don’t just say that because she is a CONN Husky alum! Ok, maybe I do…just a liittle bit!
on Dec 15th, 2009 at 12:34 AM
Diana Taurasi is definitely good enough to play in the NBA,but I don’t think it’s accurate to say she is the only one who could make it in the NBA.Even though Candace Parker needs to work on her 3 point shooting,she is still gifted.She can play all five positions in the WNBA and she can dunk.She scored 34 points against Phoenix in her rookie debut in 2008.This year,despite coming off of maternity leave,she led the league in double-doubles and rebounds.And while Diana won the scoring title,Candace won the rebounding title.Both of them have been MVPs and Olympians.The only thing that sets them apart is that Diana has won 2 WNBA Championships.Candace has accomplished in 2 years what it took Diana and most other players 5 years to accomplish–minus the championships.Candace is aslo the only WNBA player to win both ROY and MVP in the same year.The only other people to accomplish that feat were two NBA players–Wilt Chamberlain and Wes Unseld.I also think Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson in their prime were good enough to make it.And Sylvia Fowles is a great post player who can also dunk.Also DeWanna Bonner shows a lot of potential.And Tangela Smith is an amazing post player who can also knock down the three.She reminds me of Tim Duncan.Then you have LJ who is an amazing all around player.