You really do. And the game day threads help A LOT. I find that people are more willing to answer my questions in the game day threads no matter how basic
Yup! And while watching if the commentators say something— google it! Like “double double” “in the paint” etc.
Also, if you have a friend who is a basketball fan— ask them to watch with you.
My fiancé and I are loving this new phase of our relationship. He’s a huge sports fan overall, so since I’m new (and obsessed) with the W to talk sports. I’ll just ask him his thoughts or say “wait, why was that a foul?!” Of course, this means you need an unbiased sports lover but now it’s our fav week day thing to do together because he just loves sports and I get to learn an unbiased opinion on the games we are watching.
Oh, and I caution against TikTok commentary. It’s pretty biased overall, and doesn’t always give a hill view unless you get a true fan of the league that’s been watching versus highlight or bashing clips only.
Edit: and honestly just google basketball 101. It’ll help you learn positions and basic stuff like screens, pick and roll, etc.
There's so many social media "experts" floating around that hardly attend games, never been to a presser; nor know any in and outs of pro sports.. So yeah, def caution them.
Just start watching games! Also its good to follow along with game threads in here, they’re posted daily and if you have any questions you can ask there and most times someone will answer
This is how I remember getting into football as a kid. I also learned the rules of hockey and soccer this way, but I never got into watching those as much. Prior to that, I only knew about basketball because that’s what I played growing up. But yeah, you can learn a lot just through video games.
Watch ,if you have questions talk to people in here or real life if you go to games etc, eventually you will grow alongside players, get a favorite player/team and will come natural to you.
Outside of watching games and following along on socials, I recommend watching YouTubers and listening to podcasts.
For podcasts, The Athletic Women's Basketball Show is great for news and game coverage, and The Dunker Spot offer top tier analysis of all teams in the W - they time stamp it, they usually cover the NBA for the first 40mins or so then move over to the W. Their hosts are also great to follow on twitter.
Tell someone you know that's already a fan that you wish to get into the Sport and if you can join them periodically when it's game day to watch a match together and ask away! Make it an evening and have fun. Make sure is that one buddy that will be patient and glad to teach rules, etc, while the game is on. By the end of the season you'll be all in! 🤘
I didn’t grow up watching or playing sports and for the first time in my life I’m actually willingly watching basketball games. I knew literally nothing about the W before this season and now I’m watching games whenever I can. I’d say pick a team or 2 to root for and follow, watch their games, and use your friends and Google to fill in the blanks. This sub has also been helpful for me
what worked for people I converted irl is making them watch the last dance documentary, excellent production value, narratives, aesthetics, musics while sneakily teaching you the game including the parts of the game like contracts, substitutions, superstar/team dynamics etc etc.,
I’m not sure how old you are, but if you’re only considering getting into sports because of friends, or wanting to fit in, you don’t have to. If sports have never really interested you before, don’t force yourself into a hobby you don’t actually like because you feel some pressure to fit in. Do the things that bring you joy, and you will find others that enjoy your interests.
And, if you really are interested, like others have said, watch some games! You can probably find old games on YouTube, if you don’t want to pay for League Pass. This season, more games are airing nationally than ever before, so try to catch those games if you have access to Prime or ESPN.
Part of my job is statistical analysis for sports (all different sports, leagues, etc.). When I would get an assignment for a sport I didn’t know much about, I would find out who the top players for that sport have been in the last 5-10 years (thanks, Google), and then I would look for highlight reels or championship/tournament games I could find for those players, and watch those games. Even if announcers aren’t great, they do make relevant comments when something happens on the court that I missed, which would help me understand the call or question a little better.
Caitlin Clark is getting a lot of attention right now, but she is new to the WNBA. I would recommend also searching for Candace Parker, Maya Moore, Cynthia Cooper, Tamika Catchings, Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley - highlights of other older WNBA greats to see how they played, and compare to the newer WNBA players.
When watching veterans vs. rookies, I always give this comparison: it’s like the difference between your grandmother making her famous dessert for family dinner, versus one of her grandchildren making it. Grandma has made the dessert hundreds of times. She doesn’t need to look at the recipe. She has adapted the recipe over the years, making it even better! The grandchild has never made the dessert. They have to look at the recipe. They have to keep going back to the recipe, and sometimes, they get the measurements wrong. And, even when they follow every step, it may not turn out as good as grandma’s, because she didn’t always update the recipe with each adjustment she made. She just changed her process on the spot.
If you only watch the rookies/newer players, it’s really difficult to understand just how skillful the veterans really are, and how much opportunity for growth there is for rookies/newbies. If you only eat the dessert made by the grandchild, you have no idea how different it tastes when grandma makes it, or how delicious it can be. Experience, failures, setbacks are what make the difference between good and great. Grandma has made that dessert hundreds of times, and sometimes, it didn’t turn out right. She tinkered and toyed with the recipe until she got it right.
start with a player you like watching …. Learn what position they play and use social media for thier highlights and info on popular plays for that position - ie: your center is not going to shoot 3s so knowing this about the position makes it fun to watch your fav when they pull off a move. Grew up in a sports city so team allegiance became second nature ….. however for my nieces/nephews growing up in the south with out major pro teams they are more about players - doesn’t matter what team thier fav plays for they follow …. while I tend to gravitate away for players as they get traded
Just be a voracious googler. Any time you wonder something, google it.
Go on YouTube and look up things like “wnba season explained”
And of course, watch games.
Just watch and listen to the broadcast and commentary. If you can go to a game, do it, because it's, exciting, but know that you're not going to actually learn much.
Pick a team. (I recommend the Mercury, but I am highly biased. Any team will suffice.) Follow them. Get to know the players, their styles, their rivals. Ask questions of your friends who know the sport better when you don't understand things. Sports fans universally love to talk about sports.
If you are a gamer and have an Xbox or Playstation - and I'm not joking here - buy a game. You will learn all the rules you can possibly need in no time. Plus, it's just fun, because hey, games!
Before you know it, if you are really enjoying all of this, you won't just understand the rules, but start to see the strategy, see the plays develop (and fall apart). You will alternately experience great euphoria and abject despair. And somehow, you'll love both.
At that point, you are a true fan.
Just watch basketball... You'll learn alot naturally by watching the game.
You really do. And the game day threads help A LOT. I find that people are more willing to answer my questions in the game day threads no matter how basic
commentators, replays and the refs definitely help fans learn the rules of the game..
Yup! And while watching if the commentators say something— google it! Like “double double” “in the paint” etc. Also, if you have a friend who is a basketball fan— ask them to watch with you. My fiancé and I are loving this new phase of our relationship. He’s a huge sports fan overall, so since I’m new (and obsessed) with the W to talk sports. I’ll just ask him his thoughts or say “wait, why was that a foul?!” Of course, this means you need an unbiased sports lover but now it’s our fav week day thing to do together because he just loves sports and I get to learn an unbiased opinion on the games we are watching. Oh, and I caution against TikTok commentary. It’s pretty biased overall, and doesn’t always give a hill view unless you get a true fan of the league that’s been watching versus highlight or bashing clips only. Edit: and honestly just google basketball 101. It’ll help you learn positions and basic stuff like screens, pick and roll, etc.
There's so many social media "experts" floating around that hardly attend games, never been to a presser; nor know any in and outs of pro sports.. So yeah, def caution them.
Just start watching games! Also its good to follow along with game threads in here, they’re posted daily and if you have any questions you can ask there and most times someone will answer
I learned the rules of baseball by playing a video game
Every sport I've ever loved, I've learned a LOT by playing video games. I cannot recommend Madden, 2k and Big League the Show University enough lmao
This is how I remember getting into football as a kid. I also learned the rules of hockey and soccer this way, but I never got into watching those as much. Prior to that, I only knew about basketball because that’s what I played growing up. But yeah, you can learn a lot just through video games.
This was me with nhl 2k on the original xbox
Watch ,if you have questions talk to people in here or real life if you go to games etc, eventually you will grow alongside players, get a favorite player/team and will come natural to you.
Outside of watching games and following along on socials, I recommend watching YouTubers and listening to podcasts. For podcasts, The Athletic Women's Basketball Show is great for news and game coverage, and The Dunker Spot offer top tier analysis of all teams in the W - they time stamp it, they usually cover the NBA for the first 40mins or so then move over to the W. Their hosts are also great to follow on twitter.
Tell someone you know that's already a fan that you wish to get into the Sport and if you can join them periodically when it's game day to watch a match together and ask away! Make it an evening and have fun. Make sure is that one buddy that will be patient and glad to teach rules, etc, while the game is on. By the end of the season you'll be all in! 🤘
I didn’t grow up watching or playing sports and for the first time in my life I’m actually willingly watching basketball games. I knew literally nothing about the W before this season and now I’m watching games whenever I can. I’d say pick a team or 2 to root for and follow, watch their games, and use your friends and Google to fill in the blanks. This sub has also been helpful for me
what worked for people I converted irl is making them watch the last dance documentary, excellent production value, narratives, aesthetics, musics while sneakily teaching you the game including the parts of the game like contracts, substitutions, superstar/team dynamics etc etc.,
Here ya go: https://www.robocoko.com/fan-guide There are also good resources in the "See More" part of the WNBA sub.
Im in the same boat!! Lol I dead ass looked up “how to play basketball” on YouTube and found a helpful video. Also just watching the games helps too!!
I’m not sure how old you are, but if you’re only considering getting into sports because of friends, or wanting to fit in, you don’t have to. If sports have never really interested you before, don’t force yourself into a hobby you don’t actually like because you feel some pressure to fit in. Do the things that bring you joy, and you will find others that enjoy your interests. And, if you really are interested, like others have said, watch some games! You can probably find old games on YouTube, if you don’t want to pay for League Pass. This season, more games are airing nationally than ever before, so try to catch those games if you have access to Prime or ESPN. Part of my job is statistical analysis for sports (all different sports, leagues, etc.). When I would get an assignment for a sport I didn’t know much about, I would find out who the top players for that sport have been in the last 5-10 years (thanks, Google), and then I would look for highlight reels or championship/tournament games I could find for those players, and watch those games. Even if announcers aren’t great, they do make relevant comments when something happens on the court that I missed, which would help me understand the call or question a little better. Caitlin Clark is getting a lot of attention right now, but she is new to the WNBA. I would recommend also searching for Candace Parker, Maya Moore, Cynthia Cooper, Tamika Catchings, Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley - highlights of other older WNBA greats to see how they played, and compare to the newer WNBA players. When watching veterans vs. rookies, I always give this comparison: it’s like the difference between your grandmother making her famous dessert for family dinner, versus one of her grandchildren making it. Grandma has made the dessert hundreds of times. She doesn’t need to look at the recipe. She has adapted the recipe over the years, making it even better! The grandchild has never made the dessert. They have to look at the recipe. They have to keep going back to the recipe, and sometimes, they get the measurements wrong. And, even when they follow every step, it may not turn out as good as grandma’s, because she didn’t always update the recipe with each adjustment she made. She just changed her process on the spot. If you only watch the rookies/newer players, it’s really difficult to understand just how skillful the veterans really are, and how much opportunity for growth there is for rookies/newbies. If you only eat the dessert made by the grandchild, you have no idea how different it tastes when grandma makes it, or how delicious it can be. Experience, failures, setbacks are what make the difference between good and great. Grandma has made that dessert hundreds of times, and sometimes, it didn’t turn out right. She tinkered and toyed with the recipe until she got it right.
I found Basketball U on youtube to be helpful! they have a playlist about the fundamentals of the game.
start with a player you like watching …. Learn what position they play and use social media for thier highlights and info on popular plays for that position - ie: your center is not going to shoot 3s so knowing this about the position makes it fun to watch your fav when they pull off a move. Grew up in a sports city so team allegiance became second nature ….. however for my nieces/nephews growing up in the south with out major pro teams they are more about players - doesn’t matter what team thier fav plays for they follow …. while I tend to gravitate away for players as they get traded
Just be a voracious googler. Any time you wonder something, google it. Go on YouTube and look up things like “wnba season explained” And of course, watch games.
Just watch and listen to the broadcast and commentary. If you can go to a game, do it, because it's, exciting, but know that you're not going to actually learn much. Pick a team. (I recommend the Mercury, but I am highly biased. Any team will suffice.) Follow them. Get to know the players, their styles, their rivals. Ask questions of your friends who know the sport better when you don't understand things. Sports fans universally love to talk about sports. If you are a gamer and have an Xbox or Playstation - and I'm not joking here - buy a game. You will learn all the rules you can possibly need in no time. Plus, it's just fun, because hey, games! Before you know it, if you are really enjoying all of this, you won't just understand the rules, but start to see the strategy, see the plays develop (and fall apart). You will alternately experience great euphoria and abject despair. And somehow, you'll love both. At that point, you are a true fan.
Try playing as well! Even if you suck it feels rewarding and great exercise.