In any professional sport, rivalries and tensions between athletes are often the sparks that ignite fan excitement and elevate the competition to another level. While the NBA has seen its fair share of on-court and off-court drama, it seems that the WNBA could use a dose of that same intensity.
Ex-NBA player Gilbert Arenas recently shared his thoughts on the subject, emphasizing the need for more “beef” between players in the WNBA to enhance the league’s entertainment value.
Bringing the heat to the WNBA through Caitlin Clark
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Gilbert Arenas, known for his outspoken personality during his NBA career, didn’t hold back when discussing the current state of the WNBA. In a conversation with WNBA players Sydney Colson and Theresa Plaisance on Fubo Sports, he made it clear that he believes the league needs a boost in intensity and competitiveness.
Arenas passionately expressed his desire for more action and drama on the court, stating that he’s “falling and crying” for something to stir up the league. He even addressed that there’s already a fair amount of physicality and trash-talking taking place during games, but the issue lies in the fact that it often remains hidden from the public eye.
Meanwhile, Josiah Johnson, the cohost of the discussion, echoed Arenas’ sentiments, and said, “We need beefs” emphasizing that sports fans love to witness rivalries and confrontations between athletes, regardless of the sport. He drew a parallel to the WWE’s John Cena and his iconic “You can’t see me” gesture, which has transcended wrestling and found its way into various sports, including college basketball. When Caitlin Clark did the celebration in the game, it stirred controversies. But fans and former players like Arenas are all invested in this.
According to Arenas, such displays of personality and bravado add excitement to the games. He explicitly stated, “I love the disrespect, the cockiness of it, it makes us be a part of it.”
Arenas asks to take inspiration from the NBA
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Arenas emphasized the importance of players engaging in light-hearted banter and trash-talking, much like what occurs in the NBA. He cited Austin Reaves’ “You too small, bro,” against Patrick Beverley as an example.
The Los Angeles Lakers wing had a memorable encounter with his former teammate, Patrick Beverley, where Beverley dismissed LeBron James as too small to guard him. Reaves responded with a witty and skillful play during a game against Beverley’s new team, the Chicago Bulls. Which led to the AR15 ‘You too small’ celebration last season.
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In the NBA, these sorts of interactions are common and often go viral on social media, further fueling the excitement around the league. Arenas just wants the same excitement to uplift the spirit of the WNBA.