The Golden Era of the WNBA

LOVIN THE WNBA

with Bell Fuller

'THE GOLDEN ERA OF THE WNBA'

The Golden Era of the WNBA is now upon us. YES, indeed we have the 3 to See trio in the fantastic rookies Brittney Griner, Elena Delle Donne and Mercedes Benz driving Skylar Diggins. YES, though Phoenix is the favorite this season we still have some of the most talent laden teams that the WNBA has ever seen and it will make for an incredible WNBA season. 

(ESPN's latest on the season- http://espn.go.com/wnba/story/_/id/9292630/wnba-2013-season-full-storylines-start)

But neither of those points make this the Golden Era of the WNBA. What does? The biggest, most talented, most intimidating, most dunkalicious, and greatest accumulation of post players in womens history will grace the league this season. 

Liz Cambage is flying back to the WNBA

The return of international star Liz Cambage with the drafting of college phenom Brittney Griner in conjunction with three of the most talented post players the WNBA has ever seen in Tina Charles, Candace Parker, and Sylvia Fowles makes this without a doubt the Golden Era of the WNBA.

Griner is ready to rock the league

This is a time to be cherished my friends. They don't come around often. Just last year the NFL draft produced Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III- RG3 and Russell Wilson as rookies. All three made the playoffs and the Pro Bowl, and just a year before the NFL produced one of the most talented qb's ever in Cam Newton. In cinema the 1970's showcased a young Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Robert Deniro and Meryl Streep with legends Marlon Brando, Sidney Poitier, Katherine Hepburn and more. Both examples are times that are heralded by their respective fields.

Now we have the leagues defending MVP in Tina Charles, a former MVP in Candace Parker, a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Olympian in Sylvia Fowles joined by the most heralded player to leave college since Cheryl Miller in Griner and the youngest talent of them all (1 year younger than Griner) an international star in Liz Cambage, who made the WNBA All-Rookie team two years ago at 19 years of age! I'm thrilled to death about this season. All five players are surrounded by an immense amount of talent and have a great opportunity to have a season for the ages.

This reminds me of when Shaq came to the NBA and joined Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Brad Daugherty, Rik Smits and Hakeem the Dream Olajuwon. Or what it must have been like to watch Bill Russell vs Wilt Chamberlin and then Chamberlin vs Lew Alcindor (Kareem) and so forth. But in this WNBA group we have 5 players that can easily be amongst the greatest ever all at one time. Let's take a look at each player. 

TALE OF THE TAPE

Tina Charles- 6'4" 198lbs. 24 yrs age. Our reigning MVP. Probably the most fundamentally sound of all these players. A work horse. A classic example of what can happen if you work hard to get everything out of your ability. Because I don't think she's the most gifted of everyone but she shines just as bright. As many accolades as anyone in the game. In 1 game vs Cambage/1 vs Griner/2 vs Parker/7 vs Fowles- Tina averaged 20pts-11rebs-1.7 blocks and was 7-4 (wins and losses) shooting 42%. AND she's the last person to take Brittney Griner to school!

  Sylvia Fowles- 6'6" 200 lbs. 27 yrs age. 2011 Defensive Player of the Year. If you built a center, she'd probably look like Syl. Physically gifted and a player with a lot of passion. Probably the least popular of these players and also the only American profiled without a NCAA title or WNBA title. It's no coincidence. Those types of accomplishments bring along MVP's, popularity and more money typically. But be clear, Syl is a beast. In 2 games vs Cambage/4 games vs Parker (incl last 2 college)/ 7 games vs Charles- Sylvia averaged 18pts-11rebs-1.7 blocks and was 6-7 shooting 47% (most efficient). I must add that other than Liz Cambage, Sylvia has clearly been on the least talented teams amongst this group. A big year by the Sky could do wonders.

  Candace Parker- 6'4" 175 lbs. 27 yrs age. Won the MVP award as a rookie teaming up with Lisa Leslie. Has suffered injuries and had a child birth in recent seasons. But when on the court, there is no question the most gifted player of all of these players mentioned. More of a wing than a true post but because of her ability to be a shot blocker, rebounder and overall bad ass I felt she should be included. In 2 games vs Charles and 4 games vs Fowles including their last 2 in college- Candace averaged 20pts-11rebs-2blocks and was 4-2 shooting 43%. She's a phenomenal talent who's mobility, size, athleticism and range make her a very difficult matchup for anyone.

Brittney Griner- 6'8" 207 lbs. 22 yrs age. What else is their to say? The most dominant force that womens basketball has seen in ages. Not even close to just a tall player. Skilled player with an incredible passion for the game. Now we look forward to seeing her play other big, tall, very talented players. She's fortunate to be on a team with a winner like Diana Taurasi amongst other extremely talented players. This will be the most challenging season of her career most likely and also the most fun as the Mercury could do great things. In her only game against one of these players vs Charles in college, Griner had 13 pts-6 rebs and 5 blocks. It was a humbling experience for her but will help her as she takes on all of the elite this season. 0-1 and shot 39%.

 Liz Cambage- 6'8" 216 lbs. 21 yrs age. Hurrah!!!!! She's back! I have really been hoping that Liz would return. You know growing up in Melbourne and moving to Tulsa, playing for a poor coaching staff, losing virtually every game and adding insult to injury by only being played 3 and 5 minutes a game near the end of the season...it's no wonder she didn't want to return initially. When motivated she's a player. Check the stat lines on her first two WNBA games as a 19 yr old rookie: 18 pts and 10reb and 16 pts and 15 reb. This season will be a refreshing experience with Kloppenburg and coaching and players like Skylar and Wiggins amongst a wealth of more talent to play with. In 1 game vs Charles and 2 vs Fowles- Liz averaged 9pts, 5reb and 1 block and 0-3 shooting 36%.

I'm READY. I hope you are. These women are going to be super to watch. The GOLDEN ERA OF THE WNBA is here!