Pure Basketball

I played basketball for a really long time.

Notice I say, “played,” since ,my days of running countless games with teammates are long behind me. 

It served me well.

It taught me about teamwork, about depending on others, and having others depend on you for success. 

It taught me about commitment and dedication and work ethic and many other things.

Some of the best times of my life were spent on the court, and with those I called basketball family and friends.

It even got me to college — something my family and I would have otherwise struggled to afford.

So, the game is special to me. 

But honestly, over the last couple of weeks I’ve found myself more proud of the game than I have been in a very very long time. 

Why?

Simple — because it is so awesome for me to see women’s basketball finally start to get the credit it deserves. 

It is, undoubtedly, the game in its purest form, and if you’re a hoops fan, you can appreciate the precision, the execution, the glory of the game played as it was designed to be played. 

The cuts, the screens, the pick-and-rolls, all of it… so much attention to detail is paid — at every level. 

Don’t get me wrong, the men's game is great. 

But it has evolved into a game of raw athleticism and freak athletic abilities found in most every player on the floor.

Heck, it’s basically become a position-less game, for the most part. 

The women’s game is not like that at all. 

Sure, it’s loaded with great athletes, but there is still an element to the sport that has stayed true to tradition. 

Now, this is a sports card column, and, believe it or not, I’m getting to that aspect of this article. 

I’ve been noticing recently more and more Caitlin Clark cards as I scroll through listings.

I’ve been noticing more women and girls at card shows seeking out WNBA cards and players. 

I’ve been noticing more colleagues of mine in the trading card business, suddenly aware of the the women’s game at both the collegiate and professional level.

I’ve noticed all these things — and I love it!

It’s long overdue.

It’s much-needed in this hobby!

And I’m so proud to be a small part of it.

Now, I highly recommend you all start to pay attention to it as well.