Over the past month, the world of sports has seen more action than usual. Baseball season has begun, the NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments are wrapping up and the NBA playoffs are just right around the corner. With all these happenings in sports come their fair share of scandals and controversies. We have all heard the stories surrounding the rumors about the Auburn 2011 Championship football team and the startling video of former Rutgers coach Mike Rice’s treatment of his players that eventually led to his termination.
The story that garnered my attention is the story surrounding Brittney Griner, center for Baylor University.
Griner is not just a regular center in women’s college basketball; this 6-foot-8-inch powerhouse has gained national attention for her dynamic post play and defense. Many have compared her play and use of her size to players in the NBA; yes, the male National Basketball Association. All this attention caused Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to offer Griner a spot on his team in the 2013 NBA draft. At first I thought it was a joke, but reading further into it, Cuban might have been serious. Griner was also serious when she accepted the offer.
My first thought to this new was pure absurdity. If Griner were to play in the NBA, would that not defeat the purpose of the WNBA and be a slap in the face to those who fought for the WNBA to even exist through Title IX? There would be so many other measures that would have to be taken. Griner would need her own separate locker room and doctor, possibly. Also, the scrutiny that would surround this decision would make it become more about her being a woman in the NBA and not how she can play with these powerful men. There is not a doubt that Griner has the talent to compete with these men, but her domination in the WNBA would be better for her career and give her talent the spotlight it deserves, because that is what it all comes down to.
Those who are for Griner’s entrance into the NBA say she puts others at a disadvantage in the WNBA. But is that not the point of competition? Is it not to overcome the disadvantages to win games? If Griner is allowed into the NBA, then that would open the door for men to play in the WNBA. Of course this is probably not ideal for any man, but the door would have to be opened. This debate doesn’t come down to a feminist movement; we must remember this is a promising athlete’s career at stake.
There is also the dilemma of size. Griner may be 6-foot-8, but she would definitely have to gain muscle mass and strength to play with athletes like Dwight Howard and other notable centers in the NBA. Griner is a great player, one that I personally enjoy watching. I would love to continue to watch her in the WNBA, not as a show pony for the NBA and their experiment.
Amber Patterson is a sophomore majoring in public relations. Her column runs weekly on Wednesdays.
