[lex24]

I thought Clark's remarks about Reese and LSU as a team were gracious.  However I disagree with Clark that taunting, insults, and trash talk should be part of the game.   In one interview Clark said it's done in the men's game so it should be acceptable in the women's game.  IMO a bad trait in the men's game doesn't make it right or mean it should be transferred to the women's game.

In one article I read a local Iowa food bank was planning to pay NIL to Clark for representing their project.  Instead Clark did it for free.  I like that.

Excellent observations.

There have occasionally been male athletes who have committed armed robbery, rape, and other hideous offenses, and obviously we don't think that the women's game needs more of that to be fully "equal" to the men.  Bad sportsmanship is not of the same magnitude as those kinds of offenses, but the principle is the same.  Imitation is NOT the highest form of flattery here.

What gets lost in a lot of this is that there are many fans who watch the women's game because it is different from the men's.  At least that is ME and I presume there are others like me.

If the women's game is seeking to be just like the men's, then it will be merely an inferior version.  But if it seeks to be its own distinctive game, with unique traits (including better sportsmanship?) then it will be worth watching in its own right, with no physical comparisons necessary.

  I think it’s a bit of a stretch to compare trash talking to armed robbery.

Having said that, if I could waive a wand, I’d get rid of trash talking.  But it’s been here a long time. And it’s going to stay.  It’s a cherished part of our society.  Quaint notions of civility are from a time long gone.  

And - we are talking about it.  Right?  So, expect a whole lot more of it.  It sells.

[lex24]

I thought Clark's remarks about Reese and LSU as a team were gracious.  However I disagree with Clark that taunting, insults, and trash talk should be part of the game.   In one interview Clark said it's done in the men's game so it should be acceptable in the women's game.  IMO a bad trait in the men's game doesn't make it right or mean it should be transferred to the women's game.

In one article I read a local Iowa food bank was planning to pay NIL to Clark for representing their project.  Instead Clark did it for free.  I like that.

Excellent observations.

There have occasionally been male athletes who have committed armed robbery, rape, and other hideous offenses, and obviously we don't think that the women's game needs more of that to be fully "equal" to the men.  Bad sportsmanship is not of the same magnitude as those kinds of offenses, but the principle is the same.  Imitation is NOT the highest form of flattery here.

What gets lost in a lot of this is that there are many fans who watch the women's game because it is different from the men's.  At least that is ME and I presume there are others like me.

If the women's game is seeking to be just like the men's, then it will be merely an inferior version.  But if it seeks to be its own distinctive game, with unique traits (including better sportsmanship?) then it will be worth watching in its own right, with no physical comparisons necessary.

  I think it’s a bit of a stretch to compare trash talking to armed robbery.

Having said that, if I could waive a wand, I’d get rid of trash talking.  But it’s been here a long time. And it’s going to stay.  It’s a cherished part of our society.  Quaint notions of civility are from a time long gone.  

And - we are talking about it.  Right?  So, expect a whole lot more of it.  It sells.