Hour 1: Door's Open
1Digest
The show continues the discussion about Caitlin Clark's exclusion from the USA basketball team, with Stephen A. Smith arguing that her inclusion would have been a marketing opportunity for women's basketball. He points out that many women's basketball players have been advocating for more exposure and financial opportunities, and that Clark's presence on the team could have capitalized on her popularity. Smith also highlights the low salaries in the WNBA and the fact that many players rely on international leagues to supplement their income. Andrea Carter and Molly Qerim disagree with Smith's perspective, emphasizing the importance of putting the best team together and focusing on basketball criteria. They argue that Clark's inclusion would have disrupted the team's chemistry and that her lack of experience playing with the team would have been a disadvantage. They also point out that the team is going for its eighth straight gold medal and that now is not the time to experiment with new players. The discussion highlights the tension between marketing and basketball performance, and the challenges faced by women's basketball in achieving greater recognition and financial stability.
Outlines
The Sterling Affairs Podcast
This Chapter discusses the podcast "The Sterling Affairs" which is a companion podcast to the FX drama inspired by the award-winning reporting of Ramona Shelburn. It features interviews with the casting crew and behind-the-scenes reactions to each episode.
Jerry West's Passing
This Chapter discusses the passing of Jerry West, a Hall of Fame player and executive, who was the inspiration for the NBA logo. The show highlights his accomplishments and contributions to the NBA and the Los Angeles Lakers.
NBA Finals: Porzingis's Injury
This Chapter discusses the impact of Kristoff Porzingis's injury on the NBA Finals. The show debates whether his absence opens the door for the Dallas Mavericks to potentially even up the series.
Caitlin Clark's Olympic Snub
This Chapter discusses Caitlin Clark's exclusion from the USA basketball team for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The show analyzes the selection committee's reasoning and debates whether Clark's presence would have been beneficial for the team.
Caitlin Clark's Exclusion: Marketing vs. Basketball
This Chapter delves into the ongoing debate surrounding Caitlin Clark's exclusion from the USA basketball team. Stephen A. Smith argues that her inclusion would have been a marketing opportunity for women's basketball, while Andrea Carter and Molly Qerim disagree, emphasizing the importance of putting the best team together and focusing on basketball criteria.
Keywords
Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark is an American professional basketball player for the Iowa Hawkeyes of the NCAA. She is a 6-foot-0-inch (1.83 m) point guard known for her scoring ability and her flashy play. She was named the Naismith College Player of the Year in 2023. She is a two-time All-American and a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year. She is considered one of the best players in college basketball. She was not selected for the USA basketball team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
USA Basketball
USA Basketball is the governing body for basketball in the United States. It is responsible for selecting and training the national teams that compete in international competitions, including the Olympics. USA Basketball is one of the most successful basketball programs in the world. The USA men's national team has won 16 Olympic gold medals, and the USA women's national team has won 11 Olympic gold medals. USA Basketball is also responsible for organizing and promoting youth basketball programs in the United States.
WNBA
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is a professional basketball league for women in the United States. It was founded in 1996 and is the premier women's basketball league in the world. The WNBA has 12 teams and is known for its high level of competition and its commitment to promoting women's sports. The WNBA is a popular league with a growing fan base. The WNBA is also a leader in social justice and equality. The WNBA has been a platform for women athletes to speak out on issues of race, gender, and social justice. The WNBA is a powerful force for change in the world of sports and beyond.
Jerry West
Jerry West was an American professional basketball player and executive. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA from 1960 to 1974. He was a 14-time NBA All-Star, a 12-time All-NBA Team selection, and a nine-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. He was also the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in 1969. West was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980. He is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was also a successful executive, serving as the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers from 1976 to 1982 and the president of basketball operations for the Memphis Grizzlies from 2002 to 2007. He is the inspiration for the NBA logo.
Kristoff Porzingis
Kristaps Porziņģis is a Latvian professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is a 7-foot-3-inch (2.21 m) power forward/center known for his shooting range and rim protection. He was drafted fourth overall by the New York Knicks in the 2013 NBA draft. He played for the Knicks from 2015 to 2018, then was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2019. He was traded to the Washington Wizards in 2022 and then to the Boston Celtics in 2023. He is a two-time NBA All-Star and a one-time All-NBA Team selection.
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA). It is played between the champions of the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. The series is a best-of-seven format, with the first team to win four games being crowned the NBA champion. The NBA Finals is one of the most prestigious events in professional basketball. It is watched by millions of people around the world. The 2023 NBA Finals is being played between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks.
Q&A
What was the main news discussed at the beginning of the show?
The show began with the sad news of Jerry West's passing at the age of 86. West was a legendary player and executive, known for his contributions to the Los Angeles Lakers and his role in drafting Kobe Bryant.
What is the main debate surrounding Kristoff Porzingis's injury in the NBA Finals?
The main debate is whether Porzingis's absence opens the door for the Dallas Mavericks to potentially even up the series. Stephen A. Smith argues that Porzingis's absence gives Dallas a better chance, while Max Kellerman believes the Boston Celtics are still the superior team.
Why was Caitlin Clark not selected for the USA basketball team for the 2024 Paris Olympics?
The selection committee's decision was based on basketball criteria, stating that Clark's presence wouldn't guarantee increased viewership and that the team's focus should be on basketball criteria. Andrea Carter supports this reasoning, highlighting the importance of roster integrity and the physicality of international basketball.
What is Stephen A. Smith's argument for including Caitlin Clark on the USA basketball team?
Stephen A. Smith believes that Clark's inclusion would have been a marketing opportunity for women's basketball. He argues that many women's basketball players have been advocating for more exposure and financial opportunities, and that Clark's presence on the team could have capitalized on her popularity.
What is Andrea Carter and Molly Qerim's argument against including Caitlin Clark on the USA basketball team?
Andrea Carter and Molly Qerim disagree with Smith's perspective, emphasizing the importance of putting the best team together and focusing on basketball criteria. They argue that Clark's inclusion would have disrupted the team's chemistry and that her lack of experience playing with the team would have been a disadvantage. They also point out that the team is going for its eighth straight gold medal and that now is not the time to experiment with new players.
Show Notes
In this episode, Stephen A. Smith and Chris "Mad Dog" Russo remember Hall of Famer Jerry West with the news of his passing this morning. Andraya Carter joins the show to debate if the Porzingis injury leaves the door open for the Mavs to make a comeback in this series. Plus, we get into which Head Coach position is more attractive: the Lakers or the Cavs? The crew gets into it as we discuss why USA Basketball left Caitlin Clark off of the Olympic roster.
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