It's a classic strategy to have a dedicated goon to rough up and psych out the opposing team's star. Hockey informally recognized the position for decades:
Where Clark's team failed was not having someone to fill this role and reciprocate. There should have been someone tearing off the bench to meet out immediate justice and force the refs to call double flagrants.
One thought, WNBA does not profit, perhaps this was orchestrated to create controversy, thus more attention on WNBA in the hopes of generating more revenue.
But you are spot on regarding the "enforcer" role and the "pest".
In football (soccer) it's the exact opposite they're incentivized to take a dive over any contact. I miss the good old days of Vinnie Jones making people sing with a testicle squeeze, or Cantona practicing his karate on trash talking fans
it's pro sports. Can't complain about a little contact
^ This, TBH.
It's a classic strategy to have a dedicated goon to rough up and psych out the opposing team's star. Hockey informally recognized the position for decades:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enforcer_(ice_hockey)
Where Clark's team failed was not having someone to fill this role and reciprocate. There should have been someone tearing off the bench to meet out immediate justice and force the refs to call double flagrants.
One thought, WNBA does not profit, perhaps this was orchestrated to create controversy, thus more attention on WNBA in the hopes of generating more revenue.
But you are spot on regarding the "enforcer" role and the "pest".
This is one reason why I gave up on pro sports. Players are incentivized to get away with as much as they can in order to win.
In football (soccer) it's the exact opposite they're incentivized to take a dive over any contact. I miss the good old days of Vinnie Jones making people sing with a testicle squeeze, or Cantona practicing his karate on trash talking fans
Should be where Catlin’s Head Coach failed. But, meh’ she’s concerned about getting fined. Remember, the WNBA is not the same as the NBA
thanks for the color.