NFL
By: Jeffrey Newholm
Americans have always been wary of technological displacement. Are machines coming for our jobs? Is strategic overoptimism ruining football and basketball?
However, even the mythical General Ludd, were he alive today, would surely be among the thousands in the Ticketmaster queue praying to be amongst those seeing the (very real) Caitlin Clark start her WNBA playoff career.
Newer fans who helped the WNBA achieve its status as a major sport may not know everything needed to fully appreciate the other seven teams in this year’s playoffs. Thankfully, Team NBS Media has a concise guide with only the vital facts to prepare for what is certain to be the most-watched playoffs yet.
#1 New York Liberty vs. #8 Atlanta Dream
In its refreshingly better Brooklyn home, New York boasts ample talent in its crusade for a first WNBA championship. Already two-time champion Breanna Stewart, of Storm and UConn fame, joins triple-double phenom Sabrina Ionescu in the city that never sleeps when the WNBA is on.
While Atlanta needed the final day to clinch its return to the playoffs, resurgent Tina Charles fights to ensure that the playoff dream will be a sweet one. Atlanta will need to split one of two games in Brooklyn to ensure a winner-take-all contest in Georgia.
#2 Minnesota Lynx vs. #7 Phoenix Mercury
Winning never becomes stale, as four-time champion coach Cheryl Reeve undoubtedly knows. With surging young star Napheesa Collier leading Minnesota, the Lynx prowl for its first Finals appearance since (gasp!) 2017.
Phoenix, meanwhile, is an atypical seven seed. Six-time gold medalist Diana Taurasi rejoins a freed Brittney Griner in their playoff return, following an understandable one-year absence.
#3 Connecticut Sun vs. #6 Indiana Fever
Experienced and championship-yearning coach Stephanie White mentors well-traveled leader DeWanna Bonner and newcomer Marina Mabrey. For a beautiful state with college glory aplenty, the Sun are running out of playoff mulligans before night falls on this roster’s quest for an ace.
Scribes new and experienced penned uncountable praises about Caitlin Clark (and rightfully so!). Her professional career circles back to Uncasville, where women’s hoops novices will jostle through the casino slots for a glimpse at the sport’s messianic excellence-elevator.
#4 Las Vegas Aces vs. #5 Seattle Storm
Las Vegas struggled (by their impossibly pristine standard) in the regular season and only earned one round of homecourt advantage. However, with outrageously talented A’ja Wilson leading an All-Star roster, a third straight championship is certainly on the table, and expected, in the desert.
After Stewart’s free-agency departure and Sue Bird’s retirement, Seattle experienced a dry 2023 season in the cloudless lottery. Behind stern assassin Jewell Loyd and the addition of once-and-forever LA Sparks MVP Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle’s winds ominously swirl again.
Alas, technological advances will not stop anytime soon. Ai may write all WNBA articles in the future while every person in the multiverse watches Clark through a front-row hologram projection. In the meantime, though, join General Ludd at your favorite sports bar as the women hoopers continue their fight for equality.
That is if one can find another seat at the table.
