It is indeed that time of year again.
That time of year where the relatives that we have not seen or even talked to in months are over at our respective dwellings – and they share everything that has happened with them lately.
Yes – from that significant other that they had a falling out with to that office mate who has been not-so-subtly trying to be that new significant other.
Then – comes the Thanksgiving dinner … and the fear that the one person will bring up politics between commercial breaks of San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks.
Hopefully your turkey is well-cooked, your fries are well-seasoned and that there are more sports fans at your Thanksgiving tables than political junkies. We will worry about that more next year – 2024 is a presidential election year after all.
For those sports fans, with women’s sports continuing to be on the rise meaning more women’s sports conversations are likely to come up at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Here are five ideas for WNBA and women’s basketball conversations that are sure to spice up that Thanksgiving dinner conversation (and in a good way, too).
Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty
Round One of the WNBA’s newfound rivalry between its two superteams of Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty went the way of the Aces with Vegas prevailing over New York in four games.
Will the Liberty prevail and claim that first championship ever in franchise history? We believe that will happen and that it will happen soon.
Aces vs. Liberty is a topic that is sure to produce entertaining banter at the Thanksgiving table. And when it does, also mention that someone either in Hollywood or Tribeca needs to make a movie about Betnijah Laney’s career when the Liberty do win that first ring.
A’ja Wilson … GOAT?
Ahhh….there is nothing like a healthy GOAT conversation at the Thanksgiving table.
The NBA version of this with Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James has been worn out ad nauseum, but what about the W’s version?
A’ja Wilson is now a two-time champion and claimed Finals MVP honors in this past Finals against the Lib.
Where does she stand in the greatest of all time conversation? Is she up there with Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Swin Cash, Candace Parker, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi? Oh … and put some respect on Maya Moore’s name too while we are at it.
Team No. 14
There is arguably no word that WNBA fans love talking about more than the e-word…expansion.
The W already announced expansion to the San Francisco Bay Area prior to the Aces-Liberty Finals. There was talk that Team No. 14 would be either Toronto or Portland but both of those deals fell through the cracks.
The latest development sees Denver and Charlotte as the possible strongest suitors for the 14th WNBA team.
Which city do you (or those relatives) believe would be a great destination for the W? And who will be the first to say Billings, Montana?
NCAA freshmen
We know about Caitlin Clark. We know about Angel Reese. We know about Paige Bueckers.
But the early goings of this NCAA season has introduced us to a freshman class that is ready for the takeover.
Look at the numbers being put up by USC’s Juju Watkins and LSU’s Mikaylah Williams. The human highlight factory that is South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley. Hannah Hidalgo once again putting Notre Dame on the map. NC State has Zoe Brooks.
The talent pool in women’s hoops from the high school and AAU ranks to the college ranks to the pros has arguably never been deeper. And that can only yield positive results for the game at large.
This includes the WNBA. Hopefully with expansion we are moving to a period in time where the “hardship contract” is a thing of the past.
Which W player should be in … a movie?
Of course, we love to bridge the gap between hoops and lifestyle here at Beyond The W.
So, as a personal recommendation from us, an entertaining topic that would really make for lively and spicy Turkey Day banter is which WNBA player would one love to see in a movie?
We know the conversation about how athletes may not always make the best movie stars, but there are enough WNBA players with personalities that would shine through on the big screen.
Of course the obvious would have to be A’ja Wilson, but that could probably apply to the entire Aces team.
Give us a Sydney Colson and Theresa Plaisance comedy tour.
Give us DiDi Richards, Lexie Brown, Kalani Brown and Dijonai Carrington on the red carpet and in music videos.
Give us a Breanna Stewart or Elena Delle Donne sitcom.
Give us more WNBA players crossing over into music ala one of our faves – Epiphanny Prince.
Give us reality shows and “A Day in the Life Of…”
Give. It. All. To. Us. Because we are so ready.
Bonus!
If there were … let’s say … 10 women’s hoops luminaries (present or past, players, coaches, executives, superfans, etc.) one would love to share Thanksgiving dinner with, who would they be?
