Lay Off Britney? (Front Page Story)

[Turtleboy]

How in the world does this :

“She’s one of a kind. She’s like a guy playing with women. It’s just there’s so many things that she can do that I’ve not seen a lot of women (do).” (Muffett McGraw)

constitute picking on someone? What am I missing?

[wgl1228]

In our politically correct world today you can't say anything that sounds sexist even if its true. In this case by saying Brittany plays like a man its hinting that men are physically stronger than women (something everyone knows but for some reason can't say in public). The world has gone nuts!

[OldPhiKap]

I thought McGraw's comments were pretty much stating the obvious, frankly. Britney is a physically gifted player who does things you do not normally see in women's basketball. I am sure it was not meant as an insult. If a player can slam dunk, let alone almost flat-footed, that's more indictative of what you see in men's basketball not women's. Doesn't make either better or worse -- but you can't ignore that there is a difference.

[wilko]

I think the reaction to the story is a non-story.
Is there some back-story to the story, that makes the reaction to the story a real story?

(say that 3xs fast..)

[roywhite]

In our politically correct world today you can't say anything that sounds sexist even if its true. In this case by saying Brittany plays like a man its hinting that men are physically stronger than women (something everyone knows but for some reason can't say in public). The world has gone nuts!

No, I'd say the issue involves suggestions or speculation that Brittney is a man.

Is this a similar situation to that with Caster Semenya, the terrific South African middle distance runner, who was subjecteed to gender testing, suspended from competition, and later re-instated?

One thing unfortunate here is that Brittney seems to face harsher treatment than many athletes who intentionally use performance enhancing drugs; there is no indication that Brittney has cheated or been deceptive.

[wilko]

No, I'd say the issue involves suggestions or speculation that Brittney is a man.

Is this a similar situation to that with Caster Semenya, the terrific South African middle distance runner, who was subjected to gender testing, suspended from competition, and later re-instated?

Ahh - some back-story..

I dunno I didn't get that take from the story at all. It didn't feel like an accusation to me.
If you made that kind of accusation w/o proof that's a slippery slope... and even if you HAD proof what does that say about who went to the trouble to obtain it?

[rthomas]

I think that part of the front page reaction was apparently the Tweet-universe was going off on her at the same time the ND coach made her statement with stuff like, "She looks like a man." and "She sounds like a man." "She has a y chromosome." I don't really fault the ND coach. Griner does play like a man. She dunks. But I would prefer that people don't use the "man" term derogatorily like it sounds on Tweeter.

[Saratoga2]

I think that part of the front page reaction was apparently the Tweet-universe was going off on her at the same time the ND coach made her statement with stuff like, "She looks like a man." and "She sounds like a man." "She has a y chromosome." I don't really fault the ND coach. Griner does play like a man. She dunks. But I would prefer that people don't use the "man" term derogatorily like it sounds on Tweeter.

I noted in the pre-game introductions that when ND was introduced, they had a variety of school backgrounds, such as graduate studies, etc. In the case of Baylor, all five starters majored in Athletics and Human Performance, whatever that academic major consists of. It occurred to me that the academic standards at Baylor might give them a leg up in the recruiting arena.

[FerryFor50]

I noted in the pre-game introductions that when ND was introduced, they had a variety of school backgrounds, such as graduate studies, etc. In the case of Baylor, all five starters majored in Athletics and Human Performance, whatever that academic major consists of. It occurred to me that the academic standards at Baylor might give them a leg up in the recruiting arena.

Are you trying to say they genetically engineer their female athletes?

[JStuart]

I noted in the pre-game introductions that when ND was introduced, they had a variety of school backgrounds, such as graduate studies, etc. In the case of Baylor, all five starters majored in Athletics and Human Performance, whatever that academic major consists of. It occurred to me that the academic standards at Baylor might give them a leg up in the recruiting arena.

Long ago, during the 60's, all players in ACC games were announced with their hometowns and majors. One year, when State came to Duke Indoor Stadium, their starting five were all listed as 'rural Recreation' majors, and the late, great Art Chandler, M.D. got a bit toungue-twisted, I believe. This, compared to the Duke players' history, economics, and poly sci majors, brought a few chuckles to the audience. Jim Sumner can probably give a better timeline, but I believe the next season, no one had their majors announced with the starting lineups. Wonder if the current unc team would have had some Swahili majors interspersed?
Happy Easter to all,
JStuart

[JG Nothing]

Wonder if the current unc team would have had some Swahili majors interspersed?

What is wrong with a major in Swahili? Is it any less legitimate than a major in French or German?

[-jk]

What is wrong with a major in Swahili? Is it any less legitimate than a major in French or German?

I believe the unc football scandal featured a paper on Swahili that was plagiarized in large part. I seem to recall the professor - the former chair of the Dept of African Studies - resigned his chairmanship over it.

There were many discussions here when the ncsu folks found the plagiarism after the unc judicial board hadn't.

-jk

[cspan37421]

There were many discussions here when the ncsu folks found the plagiarism after the unc judicial board hadn't.

-jk

In the filing cabinet of my mind I'm gathering items to explain why NCSU is so well-regarded here (or well-wished) compared to other ACC schools (after Duke of course). This is a fine specimen to add to my collection - thanks! I had forgotten the circumstances of the discovery.

[-jk]

In the filing cabinet of my mind I'm gathering items to explain why NCSU is so well-regarded here (or well-wished) compared to other ACC schools (after Duke of course). This is a fine specimen to add to my collection - thanks! I had forgotten the circumstances of the discovery.

I'm not sure how you're reading that into my post - I was using it to point out the incompetence of the unc judi board.

-jk

[cspan37421]

I'm not sure how you're reading that into my post - I was using it to point out the incompetence of the unc judi board.

-jk

Actually I'm with you on that. I've generally found the amity toward NCSU expressed on the home page with articles wishing them well, how important it is for them to be great again, and on and on. I've always found it rather curious, as I would think we have a lot more in common with a school like Wake Forest than NCSU.

Nevertheless, you post reminded me of both NCSU's intrepid sleuthing and the (intentional?) incompetence of UNC's judicial board.

Sorry for the confusion/mash-up.

[brevity]

I'm reviving this old thread in light of the news bits this week about Mark Cuban expressing interest in either drafting Brittney Griner in the 2nd round or (more likely) inviting her to help represent the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Summer League. (I attended a few games in last year's Summer League. It was low-key. Griner would make the 2013 Summer League the opposite of that.)

Among the immediate responses were Geno Auriemma (against it) and Nancy Lieberman (for it).

I wasn't going to post anything about this, but then Shane Battier weighed in.

Miami Heat forward Shane Battier, who has played several pickup basketball games with women over the years, predicts that the NBA is not far away from having its first female player.

"There's no doubt that in our lifetime, there will be a woman NBA player," Battier told ESPN.com after Thursday's Heat practice at AmericanAirlines Arena.

He did not go so far as to sign an Executive Order to that effect, mostly because he is not President yet.

[cspan37421]

I'm reviving this old thread in light of the news bits this week about Mark Cuban expressing interest in either drafting Brittney Griner in the 2nd round or (more likely) inviting her to help represent the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Summer League.

It is difficult to imagine her successfully battling for position as a center or PF in the NBA, because she is listed as 6'8" yet under 210 lbs. I see no harm in making an extra spot for her in the summer league to see how she does (or more accurately, show the viewing public was she can do ... I'm sure she could show what she can do in a scrimmage). If she has an outside shot (I don't follow that closely so I don't know), then maybe she could play on the perimeter as a SG or SF and shoot over some guys. But if there's no a priori reason to suspect she could succeed, and this is just a gimmick to get attention (shocking to consider, I know), I'm really not crazy about it b/c it could take away a spot from someone who could truly compete for a spot. That's why I say "making an extra spot" in the summer league.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

I believe the unc football scandal featured a paper on Swahili that was plagiarized in large part. I seem to recall the professor - the former chair of the Dept of African Studies - resigned his chairmanship over it.

There were many discussions here when the ncsu folks found the plagiarism after the unc judicial board hadn't.

-jk

Do remember that the professor involved in that matter at UNC was a Duke graduate.

[-jk]

Do remember that the professor involved in that matter at UNC was a Duke graduate.

Yes, Duke Law, '90. I guess he lost his way when he went over to the Light Shade.

-jk

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

No, I'd say the issue involves suggestions or speculation that Brittney is a man.

Is this a similar situation to that with Caster Semenya, the terrific South African middle distance runner, who was subjecteed to gender testing, suspended from competition, and later re-instated?

One thing unfortunate here is that Brittney seems to face harsher treatment than many athletes who intentionally use performance enhancing drugs; there is no indication that Brittney has cheated or been deceptive.

Gender is the back story that's been in the background for some time. Such an issue seems to be in the news more frequently these days... look at the recent matter involving a contestant in Donald Trump's beauty contest.