In general, the delta between (a) being able to dunk in practice with a fully unobstructed path to the basket or when having the ball tossed for the dunk and (b) being able to dunk yourself in a game is brobdingnagian in the women's game, mostly because very few women (Fran excepted) can palm a ball. And that's a brobdingnagian, brobdingnagian edge in keeping control and momentum of the ball from the time the player leaves the ground to the time they get to their hand to the hoop. Most women who can dunk either need a contrived runway to get just the right amount of speed and momentum to leave the ground at just the right spot, or else need a player to toss the ball up to them that they effectively bat into the hoop. I bet Brink can dunk if it's tossed up to her but can't control it if she's driving to the basket on her own.
That is what makes Fran so special - on a live game breakaway, she can dunk it herself. And if you watch her as she approaches the basket you'll see she slows down just a half step to ensure she leaves the ground at exactly the right spot to ensure she can palm the ball through the rim. She is not actually that tall, so her ability to launch from the precise right spot, coupled with her ability to palm the ball and control it all the way to the hoop, is what sets her apart. It really is a matter of precise timing, speed, and ball control.
And a thing of beauty.
That is what makes Fran so special - on a live game breakaway, she can dunk it herself. And if you watch her as she approaches the basket you'll see she slows down just a half step to ensure she leaves the ground at exactly the right spot to ensure she can palm the ball through the rim. She is not actually that tall, so her ability to launch from the precise right spot, coupled with her ability to palm the ball and control it all the way to the hoop, is what sets her apart. It really is a matter of precise timing, speed, and ball control.
And a thing of beauty.