Will women ever play in the NBA?

It may have been a public relations move or maybe he really believes what he said.  But David Stern, the commissioner of the NBA ruffled a lot of feathers over the weekend.  When asked if a woman would ever play in the NBA, Stern’s response was “Sure, I think that’s well within the range of probability”.  Then the question was asked if he believed that a woman could possibly play in the NBA in the next ten years.  His response to this question really got the whirlwinds spinning.  His answer was “I think we might,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”.  I’m not a sexist or a male chauvinist, but women will not play in the NBA, ever.

Let me be clear, it may be possible for a woman to play in the NBA, but it will never happen.  The NBA game is completely different from the WNBA.  Ask yourself this question, “Who is the best player in the WNBA”?  Then ask yourself this question, “How do they measure up to NBA talent”?  The answer is that the best player in the WNBA would not measure up to the average NBA player.  By natural convention, men are stronger, faster, bigger, and more athletic.  That’s just the way it is.

Candace Parker can dunk, but can she play in the NBA?

A woman in the NBA would probably have to better than half of the men in the NBA just to get a chance.  Also, by the standards that the media puts on women, she would also have to be very attractive.  No NBA team is going to put a woman on the team just to come off of the bench.  She would have to contribute and make a big impact.  The expectations a woman would have to reach just to make it would be unrealistic.  The NBA would be forced to make modifications to the rules.  Now, I do think a woman has the skill set (shooting, dribbling, and passing) to be a NBA player.  But, the physical characteristics of the NBA would be too much for a woman to bare.

Can Diana Taurasi guard Kobe?

As I mentioned before, men are stronger, faster, bigger, and more athletic than women.  Could you imagine a women trying to guard Shaq?  She would die.  I can’t see a woman standing there and taking a charge from Dwyane Wade.  If guys cannot guard Kobe, then a woman has no chance.  Will a woman even be able to get a shot up without it getting blocked?  There are so many questions with very obvious answers.

You wouldn't put Sue Bird on D-Wade, would you?

Now, think of this issue from another perspective.  If you are the best WNBA player, would you even want to go to the NBA?  Would you want to go to the NBA knowing that you could not compete?  Would you want to be the last person at the end of the bench?  Would you want to take the trash talk and the sexual harassment?  It would be hard going from being the best in the WNBA to a peon in the NBA.  I don’t think a WNBA player would want this.

Could you picture Cheryl Ford guarding Shaq?

Here is what some NBA players/coaches have to say about the likelihood of a woman playing in the NBA:

LeBron James - ”Ten years?  That’s, like, right around the corner.  In10 years, I’ll be 34.  I’ll still be in the NBA.  I think 10 years is pushing it, honestly.”

Anthony Parker - ”First of all, I don’t see why, other than to say a woman can do it, but for long term?  No way.  My sister (Candace Parker) is a good player and has great skill, but as far as making an NBA roster?  No. She’s 6-4, which is the average height of a shooting guard.  I’m never going to say never.  I just hope I live to see it.”

Doc Rivers – “It would be a ridiculous story, it would be great for everyone … if it can happen. The key is whether the person is playing, or is she just on the team? The story will die down if she’s just on the team and not playing a lot. But if she is playing and helping the team improve and win, then it really is a huge story.”

Dirk Nowitzki – “Skills-wise, yeah, but physical-wise, it’s tough.  Even all the little guys are pretty strong in this league and pretty athletic.”

Kiki Vandeweghe – “The public would be excited about it.  Whether you’re in China or Europe or Africa, basketball is a common language and it breaks barriers.  It’s a language that’s spoken all over the world, and this is another barrier that it would bring down.  It’s exciting, and it’s a logical next step.”

Would you watch, if women played in the NBA?

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