Women playing in the NBA

by Kevlar Rocket on Jan 25, 2012 12:52 PM PST

I know my thoughts will cause some to tighten their sphincters, but discussion is the point of having B.E.

It's true that women, in general, have a smaller build compared to men. It's true that a small percentage of women have a body shape that more resembles a man. It's true that most of the NBA players are of African American decent. Out of all the people on the planet, there are only a select few who can play NBA quality basketball.

I think diversity is a great and a wonderful aspect of nature.

The question I bring forth is why has there not been a woman in the NBA? When it comes to stereotypes about size, didn't Yao show who can be big? There has to be a woman out there who could contribute to a NBA team.

As far as I know, it's not a legal issue. What am I missing?

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Paul Allen can't afford to buy another locker room for women.

A displaced Sonics fan that has somehow emerged as a Blazers fan (and loves it).

by anitachampionship on Jan 25, 2012 1:06 PM PST reply actions

In that vain one women would require all teams to put in a women's locker room

I don't give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way.
Mark Twain

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/mark_twain_4.html#ixzz1IE4sPu16

by Tyler Durrden on Jan 25, 2012 3:19 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Uh, woman

I’m gonna try and blame that on spell check

I don't give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way.
Mark Twain

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/mark_twain_4.html#ixzz1IE4sPu16

by Tyler Durrden on Jan 25, 2012 5:21 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

There would be too many hands wandering ..

Could turn into a legal issue.. sexual harassment..

by CaptainWhiskey on Jan 25, 2012 1:09 PM PST via mobile reply actions

There has been one woman to get a shot at the NBA..

If memory serves it was Ann Meyers & I think it was the Indiana Pacers. I will see if I can find a link.

Somebody step up! - Mike Rice

by We-B-Dunkin on Jan 25, 2012 1:40 PM PST reply actions

$50,000 contract but didn't make the roster

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2009/09/17/nba_20090917_ann_meyers_pacers.nba/index.html

Nice lefty scoop, but 5’9 134 was probably a little small even for the ’79 NBA.

by BaylessFace on Jan 25, 2012 2:45 PM PST up reply actions

thx, I guess I should google my question before I start a thread.

Good thing is I’ve got you all to help out. Long live the Blazers

by Kevlar Rocket on Jan 26, 2012 4:31 AM PST up reply actions

We got next?

two thoughts real quick

1) People in general vastly underestimate the physicality involved in NBA basketball.
2) in theory this could work in a specific role – spot up 3 point shooter for instance. even in that role, they would get abused defensively and would probably be susceptible to having their shot blocked.

"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave

by douglast on Jan 25, 2012 1:42 PM PST reply actions

I think the issue is your premise...

…that there is a woman out there that is good enough to play in the NBA. Sure, there are quite a few women out there more than capable of beating men of varying levels, but we’re talking about the elite level here. Just like other pro sports, up to this time, woman are not yet at level of men when it comes to the elite level of some sports. NBA, NFL, MLB, Golf, etc. Maybe eventually, but not right now.

by jigglyai on Jan 25, 2012 1:43 PM PST reply actions

sure. why not.

But will a man then be allowed to play in the WNBA?

i like it here, there, everywhere.

by Name's Ash on Jan 25, 2012 1:50 PM PST reply actions

No, and for good a reason.

Due to size and strength, the majority of men are better at basketball than women.
I’m just thinking that there is enough diversity in our species where it’s possible for a big, strong, tall, talented woman bang with the big boys and make her team better.
I, for one, would like to see it.

by Kevlar Rocket on Jan 26, 2012 4:46 AM PST up reply actions

Answers pretty obvious

If there was a woman capable it likely would have happened by now. It requires more than ability to play in the NBA it takes phenomenal Athleticism. If it was just about skill the stash would still be playing.

by skott75 on Jan 25, 2012 1:52 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

Disagree

I think there are more substantial barriers than athleticism to a woman playing in the NBA. We still have a ways to go…

by BaylessFace on Jan 25, 2012 2:43 PM PST up reply actions

there may be other hurdles but

if there was a female player that could be a difference maker in the nba, Stern would be tripping over himself to get her in the league.

by skott75 on Jan 25, 2012 3:03 PM PST up reply actions

Yes she signed with the Pacers in 1979.

Somebody step up! - Mike Rice

by We-B-Dunkin on Jan 25, 2012 1:53 PM PST reply actions

I can't believe you just used the word "sphincter." LOL

Batum Shakalaka

by WesMoneyy on Jan 25, 2012 2:20 PM PST reply actions

i doubt a woman could physically compete in the nba

but does everyone here REALLY think that NO woman could do what Babbitt does? Food for thought. (even Jon Diebler…)

by mynamehere1212 on Jan 25, 2012 2:23 PM PST reply actions

sure

there are women that could do what Babbitt does currently, but if you match them up against Babbitt, who is 6’9’’ with decent handles, he would either torch them or post them. Griner from Baylor is absolutely dominant in NCAAW, but at 6’8’’ with subpar strength and athleticism by NBA standards, and lacking the skill set to be anything but a PF/C, even she would have no chance in the NBA.

Oddly enough, I think PG might be your best bet.

"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'

by sammymohawk on Jan 25, 2012 2:52 PM PST up reply actions

put babbit in the wnba and see what happens

maybe the could try the d-league first

by Jefferson541 on Jan 25, 2012 10:58 PM PST up reply actions

he would absolutely dominate, that's what would happen

"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'

by sammymohawk on Jan 26, 2012 2:07 PM PST up reply actions

I would not rule it out, eventually.

I’m not a fan of Malcom Gladwell, but the concept of “outliers” comes to mind: individuals who, through a coincidnce of nature and nurture possess unique or exceptional skill sets.

Humans are generally getting more athletic with time, as nutrition and training improve. I think one result of this progress is that the gap between male and female athletes is narrowing. Also, more girls are getting involved with competitive sports at a younger age, increasing the chances that some amazingly gifted female athlete will develop the needed skill set.

Marion Jones comes to mind. She was (and is) an amazing athlete, who was recently playing in the WNBA. If she’d stayed with basketball instead of pursuing track after college, I think she would have been fast and quick enough to go toe to toe with some NBA players. Open question as to whether she could hold her own in other categories.

So, to summarize, I think it’s unlikely, but not beyond the realm of possiblity. Especially if China or other nations continue “encouraging” procreation between star basketball players (I understand that this is how Yao was concieved.)

by Saba on Jan 25, 2012 2:26 PM PST reply actions

Everyone in the NBA right now is a outlier

They are all freakishly athletic, tall, strong, fast, etc. compared to the general population. It’s not just that women can’t play in the NBA. 99.99999% of men can’t either. At some point, the outlier is so statistically unlikely that it is not possible.

That being said, I think if it happens, it will be a 5’7" point guard with great handles and consistent outside shooting (with the men’s ball).

by jstamp26 on Jan 25, 2012 4:02 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

By definition, nothing is so statistically unlikely that it is not possible.

Even if it is not.

by your face on Jan 25, 2012 4:50 PM PST up reply actions

so what you are saying is...

“ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!”

by Saba on Jan 25, 2012 5:21 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by your face on Jan 26, 2012 1:28 PM PST up reply actions

Ann Meyers, out of UCLA, younger sister of Dave Meyers (also UCLA, never really stuck in the NBA),

tried out for the Indiana Pacers in 1979. She was 6’, 6’2" at most, meant to be a PG, white, not very athletic, just not any good at this level.

Pick any player you like out of the WNBA and try to imagine her in the NBA. Female players 6’5" for some reason can’t dunk….and if they’re 6’8" they’re slow as molasses. A PG like Sue Bird might seem like a good idea but she’d be both weaker and much less quick than a player like Houston’s Kyle Lowry, who’s 6’1" at most.

My sister, who is gay, follows women’s basketball intensely. Some of the college games are entertaining, but the best teams like UConn win by “Princeton Offense”-style passing and backdoor cuts. The best 3 pt shooters tend to resemble the male set-shooters of 1952.

Have you ever watched Women’s Boxing? It’s just on a different level than Men’s, though the Weight Classes are the same (Junior Welterweight = 140 lbs, etc.).

ignacio

by ignacio on Jan 25, 2012 2:33 PM PST reply actions

Fastest men vs female times running 100 metres

The current men’s world record is 9.58 seconds, set by Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, while American Florence Griffith-Joyner holds the women’s world record of 10.49 seconds.

ignacio

by ignacio on Jan 25, 2012 2:43 PM PST up reply actions