Mo, Divas . . .
Mo. The BasketCases are happy -- but not surprised -- to see that the Mystics' newest addition, Monique ("Mo") Currie, has been getting some very positive press in the local media. Mo, who was born and bred in the D.C. area (starring at Bullis before starring at Duke), told the Washington Post's Marc Carig that returning to play for the Mystics is "like a dream come true." Indeed, as we can personally attest, Mo was a spectator at many Mystics games during her college summers.
More Divas. The Mystics' Divas, Nikki Blue and Tamara James, who got their big break as Divas right here on the BasketCases blog, have taken it to the next level with a great feature on WNBA.com. The piece is quite entertaining, and well worth the read. In particular, the comments of Diva-In-Training DeLisha Milton-Jones are priceless. After reading this piece, the BasketCases will never again go anywhere without
posted by BasketCases @ 10:28 AM
10 comments
10 Comments:
I think they need to drop the DIVA stuff and start playing good basketball. The reason college baskeball is so fun to watch is there is excitment in the game with players trying team basketball This junk makes the WNBA a bad scene. Drop the DIVA stuff and start playing basketball.
Wow, what a pathetic post.
I remember a few years ago when someone posted a message to the "MysticsFansAretheBest" distribution list on Yahoo criticizing our players for only doing the league-mandated minimum number of community service appearances each year. The message pointed out that very few of their appearances were well-publicized ahead of time. It was a strong critique of an area needing action by ownership.
Now, we have players who take those responsibilities seriously, and want to make community outreach more fun for the fans. Ms. Blue and Ms. James are to be applauded for doing their part to encourage more people to support the charities they work with.
Also, last I checked, Lisa Leslie had a pair of rings. Being an all-star and being a diva on the side aren't necessarily mutually exclusive activities.
Please grow up.
Dear Anonymous:
We agree that college basketball is fun, but we think the WNBA can be fun too, both on and off the court. Nikki and TJ are great young ladies, and if they want to have some off-court fun this way with their Diva personas, we're all for it!
--BC
I agree with previous thoughts - the fans pay for good basketball not well dressed women. This Diva stuff comes after winning - more thinking needs to take place about what it will take to win a basketball game not where is the next women's clothing store.
Anonymous,
We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. Professional sports are about athletics AND entertainment. Actually, we believe that fashion and other off-court pursuits ARE of interest to many fans. The reason why celebrity athletes (male and female) are featured in commercials and represent charities is because many fans actually do care about what their favorite players drive, wear or eat. That being said, we DO agree with you that winning games is the most important thing.
--BC
I'm way over the hyper-feminine portrayals of WNBA players. Diva or no, I'm tired of reading about their fashion, nails, hair, and beauty tips. I'm glad the Mystics self-professed Divas have so much fun together, I wish it carried onto the court where they could WIN together. When the biggest article you have about you is on your hair and nails, it's time for a reality check. I'd rather hear about Coco's workout routine or Alana's rehab.
I don't see how this is "the biggest article they have." There have been recent articles and photos posted of the team's training camps and other activities. This was just one of many designed to help fans get to know the players a little better.
I'm guessing part of the reason that WNBA.com focused on Ms. Blue and Ms. James is that many of our veteran players have already been featured in stories and participate in online chats with fans. Many casual fans don't hear as much about younger players who don't get as many minutes.
The fashion stuff just happens to be something that makes Ms. Blue and Ms. James stand out from the other players, so WNBA.com decided to call attention to it.
I'm afraid I just don't see how doing this article sends a message that they aren't focused enough on winning, or that it implies that they don't have their priorities straight. DeLisha, who has two championship rings, said that it made the locker room a little less somber after those first few losses, which is a good thing.
If the team's goal is to persuade new fans to come to games, then adopting a "bunker mentality" marketing strategy, just because they've lost a few games to start the season, isn't going to work. It may make some of the fans they already have happier in the short-run. But it isn't going to attract new fans who wouldn't ordinarily spend their money to watch basketball.
The league needs to attract more fans to grow in the long-run. Doing occasional, fun articles is just one ingredient – like promoting Coco's workouts or Alana's rehab – that can help make that happen.
Good grief. I've spent more than enough time kvetching about the over-fashiony ad campaigns this league has done, believe me, and I thought the article was kinda cute.
Would I prefer to read a Q&A with Mr. Tomato-Head regarding his coaching philosophy, his reasons for staying on this side of the line, and when the heck he's going to stop adding to that playbook? Uh, yes. Would I prefer to see the Mystics' front page article be on players who, um, actually play important roles for the Mystics? Uh, yes. (For that matter, I'd like to know why Nikki Blue switched off #19- did she think she'd proven her point to herself?)
When I saw so many comments on this post I was excited because I thought we would all be talking about Mo coming home and how amazing this is... because she's such a great player. I am a fan who loves the fashion the nails and the great ball, so why not talk about all three?
Rebecca: would you be willing to walk up to Ms. Blue and Ms. James and tell them that their roles with the team are meaningless to their faces?
Or are you just a spineless troll?
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