WNBA Playoff Capsules

I agree the WNBA needs to earn its TV time. Many networks have experimented (notably Oxygen), but the ratings weren't there. However, as the talent grows, so will the fans and their demand. And, please, let's not start claiming the referees were paid to call the game for Phoenix, or other ridiculous conspiracy theories. It's true they made a mistake that cost Parker some minutes, but she still played most of the first quarter and the second half, and she only scored six points, so it was obvious Phoenix focused on stopping her, after she burned them for 28 points the previous game. Phoenix had the home court advantage, and yet if LA had won the opener on their substitute home court (thanks, Britney), LA could've swept Phoenix in two games, so it's not the referee's fault - BTW, I'm a Sparks fan, and I still respect the slight superiority of the Phoenix team this year. If Tina Thompson, DeLisha Milton-Jones, Betty Lennox, and Candace Parker all return healthy and ready to play at the beginning of next season, they could be favored to win it all even w/o Leslie, and that's not even considering what player they may get with the draft pick they have in their pocket (a better guard, perhaps?). Go Sparks and GO WNBA!

Hey Maria, you asked why isn't Candice Parker taking more shots? The answer is that she got ripped off by the refs, and had to sit out with 3 fouls in the first half of the game 3. They made a mistake and she only had 2 fouls and wasted all the time, sitting on the bench for nothing.....The Sparks got cheated big time....no surprise, on the home floor of Phoenix team and the refs in their pocket.....L.A. Got ripped off., I wonder how much money Phoenix had to pay the refs for their mistake, must of been worth it..We all saw the game and the hard fouls on L.A with no calls and the smallest of fouls on Phoenix with calls right away.....It was fixed totally.....and I don't even care who won really, it was just called very unfair....

I've loved the WNBA since the beginning and will support it until the end. GO SKY!!!

I've loved the WNBA since the beginning and will support it until the end. GO SKY!!!

I feel like everyone else,it's not enough games on networks that people can watch.And hey, i love this game!

This guy loves this game, and I am looking for the Shock to repeat! They had a rough start to the season, but now they are peaking at just the right time.

I also wish that more games were televised, and I was disappointed this season to learn that the local Fox Sports Detroit station had dropped Shock coverage for this year. We can't even keep current contracts when we win a championship? But I think that really says more about the economy than it does about the game. At the rate we are going, in a few more years it won't matter what Fox Sports Detroit broadcasts anyway, because there won't be anyone left in the state of Michigan to watch.

Keeping teams stable and getting them on television will get easier (as will a lot of things) when the economy improves. I think that it would be very short-sighted for the NBA or the government to pressure TV stations into airing a "fair" or "equivalent" number of WNBA games, since that would build more resentment than anything else. Let the WNBA earn its air-time just like everyone else. It will, in time.

As for expansion, I agree that it is good to put teams in more markets, and I've heard rumors that Oklahoma may be in line for a new franchise soon. But the league already made the mistake of expanding too quickly once, doubling from eight teams to sixteen in their first three years. The talent spread too thin, the play got sloppy, many fans were turned off, and several teams collapsed. We still see complaints on forums like this about players not even getting the fundamentals right, and I would like to ask these critics, "Have you seen a game lately?" The league has recovered now, and they are expanding again, just more slowly and cautiously this time.

So my advise to fans is just stick with it and be patient. The league will grow with time, and when it does, we will be among the relatively few fans who can say that we were here all along. Until then, the critics and haters just don't know what they're missing.

Go Shock!!!

The WNBA has boring and sloppy play. The players aren't even fundamentally sound. With their long downcourt passes, they think they're quarterbvacks. Too many turnovers, which create long, boring stoppages in play. That sux. I'd rather watch the Kardashian sisters mud wrestle the Spears sisters, anyway.

Why or why aren't their more games on TV - girls basketball in Oklahoma is hot, all the way from junior high through NAIA to NCAA but the closest team for us to go watch WNBA is San Antonio . . . unless a team materializes in Tulsa - but we can't even see the ladies play on TV - OU's Courtney Paris went all the way out to Sacramento and they've been on TV ONCE this season - the TV guruhs say there isn't a big enough following to warrant TV time but how can there be if a fan base isn't built - it's not fair to all the little girls who are looking for role models in sports

The Sparks should've won that game instead of losing by 5. Atlanta was flat footed, missed badly, misread the Sparks offense and failed to get second chances in the first half. To say the Sparks still lack that killer instinct. may have meant something last year, when Sophia Young made that clutch shot in the conference final. This season, it's not true. Only some of the team does.
Why isn't Candace taking more shots? Why isn't she driving the lane more? She could be cleaning up right now! Is it because she's still not physically there? Or is it something else? I just don't see her wanting it as much as she used to. She missed a game because her baby was ill. I can understand that. Especially being a new mom and all. But if you can't leave it all on the floor when you go out then maybe you should just not go out.
Lisa Leslie plays to win every time. She's fiercely competitive and rarely do you see her give it up even if she's getting hammered. She plays through adversity. Like atrocious officiating by refs who wouldn't know a foul from a hole in the ground. She plays through less talented players who let a lead slip away. She manages to hang in for some productive minutes even when she's not feeling 100 %. She makes good decisions. Players like Lisa are what has kept the limited attention of sports writers and fans alike. She has contributed greatly to growing this league into something that just may flourish. Her presence on the court will be sorely missed. Candace could pick up the standard and run with it, if she wants.

Hey noodlejean12: you are a first class b@#$% why hate ? Can't play? Or _agina envy?
WNBA rocks and if any of you care about your little girls and good role models turn off the NASCAR and poker and get to a frickin game. I'm out!

The WNBA is GREAT. All you haters, need to attend a game. You have NO idea, what your missing. I too, wish there were more teams, and more media support. Alot of talent out there. I love all the ladies of basketball. GO WNBA, stay strong!

I was told to expect great..i was disapointed

I love the WNBA. I think that the league might add a team from Oklahoma. That would be good. ESPN2 needs to show more games and so does ABC. The games are great and exciting to watch. I waiting for my girl Lisa Leslie to come back for injury and help the Sparks make the playoffs. GO SPARKS.

The WNBA rules! The only way it could possibly be better is if they looked into expansion. 13 teams isn't bad, but I do think they could use some more. Personally I wouldn't mind St. Louis getting a team. WNBA coverage on TV isn't all that great, especially here, and a new team here would be sure to solve that problem (for me anyway) and really help me get my WNBA fix. maybe someday, maybe. But until then, go Dream! Chamique Holdsclaw RULES!

I love the WNBA...but they dont have very many teams. If they would have more teams, they would have a better, longer schedule.

Fk i too love the wnba and wish the media all of them espn and the print would give the ladies as much print and air as they do the men, they would probably sell a million more papers and have 3 million more viewers.

I agree I love the WNBA as well, and also wish the games were more televised....you see the adds, but cant catch the games (wsup wit dat ) and Luis are you trying to tell me players like Candace Parker, Rebekah Brunson, Tammey Sutton-Brown etc, arent HOT?....thanks for setting all men back a thousand years. Also what IS up with NBATv and the adnausem replay of the draft and finals?....with summer sweeps, they could have a ratings bonanza if they showed more games

I love tthe WNBA especially the Sacramento Monarchs. I have season tickets but wish that
the games of all the WNBA were televised more often and on channels that are accessable
to everyone. hlucialuff@yahoo.com

Luis, you've climbed out from under a rock. Perhaps you ought go back.

i do love the WNBA, could watch it every night! The NBA does not keep my interest. Wish more WNBA games would be on TV also.

WNBA where women play a lot more exciting game than the NBA men. Thanks for the live access I can now keep up with my favorite team The Mercury Go D T great to see the new comer Ms Bonner to a great start. GO Mercury

Hollar. Double Hollar. Have been a fan since the league began. Have also watched as fewer and fewer games are televised. As with most things in this culture it must be related to $. Very sad to me that our players must play overseas to make a decent living.

I and many,many more are asking the question as to why WNBA is not being shown in TV most of the time. Until now there is no explanation to this effect.