Parker Records Two Dunks in Game

[erpowers]

No, not Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs, but Candace Parker of University of Tennessee Lady Vols. Parker got the two dunks in Tennessee's 102-54 win over Army (West Point). I know that some people think the fact that people make a big deal about girls dunking shows how women's basketball is lacking. However, I say give the girl her props. Also, I think there are many girls who could dunk on any given night, but dunking in the girls game until recently has been something that was a little looked down upon and people did not want to see it in the women's game.

[fishwax]

1. those were pretty impressive

I didn't see the game, but saw the highlights. :toast: to Candace Parker.

[bigwillq]

2. That was great!

Good for her! :bounce:

[LisaM]

3. Was that before or after they racked up a 40+ point lead?

Just curious.

[bigwillq]

4. I think one was before

and one was after.

But does it really matter? :shrug:

[LisaM]

5. Yes, it does. It's a TEAM sport.

Duh. How would YOU like it if your team was down by 40 points and some prima donna decided the game was all about her dunking the ball?

I've watched some of the games and seen girls crying on the bench as the other team ran up the score. These teams work hard to get there and the least the winning teams can do is show some dignity and sportsmanship.

[bigwillq]

7. It's part of the game.

if you can't take it, don't play.
Men on the college level (as well as in the pros) dunk all the time, regardless of the score.

I don't feel that dunking in this case was being classless.

[LisaM]

8. Ah, well, we differ

my family has been involved in coaching sports my whole life and not one of us believes in running up the score. We feel that sportsmanship is an integral part of the game.

[bigwillq]

9. I've been involved in sports

my entire life as well. My dad was my coach throughout Little League and Babe Ruth and yes, he too stressed not to run up the score.
But I don't really think that theory has anything to do with what Parker did in that game. She was just trying to have a little fun. The lay up opened up for her and she decided to dunk it. It wasn't like they were constantly shooting threes.

[LisaM]

10. It's really too bad that they did - otherwise I might have cheered too

But the thing that stands out for me in that article is the score. It detracts from what she did.

[bigwillq]

11. Come on

You knew Tenn. wa going to kick the shit out of that team. It's a first round game.
The girl made history as one of the few female players to dunk in a game.

[LisaM]

12. Well , it's Tennessee, so I never cheer for them anyway

They win too often!

[bigwillq]

13. I hate Tenn. too

but I thought it was cool what Parker did.

[erpowers]

15. Understand Point, But

I understand your point, but what were the Lady Vols and Pat Summitt supposed to do? Should they have just stopped shooting the ball or turned it over a few times in order to let Westpoint(Army) get back in the game? Should Pat Summitt have put the bench players in after the lady Vols went up by a certain number of points? It does not seem like the Lady Vols were trying to be brutal; they were just playing the game.

[bigwillq]

18. I agree (nt)

[LisaM]

20. Put the bench in

At least that's what I think.

[dr.zoidberg]

6. That's pretty good.

Next time, though, she needs to attempt to take it to the hole with some AUTHORITY!!!!!!! She's gotta do a two-handed dunk and attempt to break the fuckin' backboard. :)

[ProfessorGAC]

14. I Do Have Some Questions On This

Isn't she about 6'4"? If there is a male player in a Div I school that's 6'4" and CAN'T dunk, isn't he a laughing stock?

So, a woman dunking is news, when every guy that's 6'4" is expected to be able to dunk?

So, why is this news?
The Professor

[erpowers]

16. News Because

It is news partly because it is the first time it has happened on the college leveel. Also, it is news in that it shows that girls can do it and that the girls game may be slightly changing. As for me I am happy about this in that it proves that girls can actually dunk. However, I realize that this could have happened years ago. No one will ever make me believe that when Ann Donovan played basketball in college should could not have dunked on a daily basis. There are also other females like Lisa Leslie, Rebecca Lobo, Sheryl Swoops, and Tina Thompson who could have dunked than and can do it now. So maybe that is another reason why this is news; the thought that maybe females did not attempts dunks earlier in that people just did not want it in the women's game.

[ProfessorGAC]

17. Could Be

I guess i don't accept that a dunk by someone 6'4" tall is news no matter the gender. Geez, when i was in late high school, and until i was in my early 30's, i could dunk a ball and i'm only 5'9"!

I know nobody else has done it, but they don't run highlights on ESPN of a young girl hitting a home run in Little League!
The Professor

[erpowers]

19. Soon

I think it will be that way soon. Soon ESPN will not show highlights of girls dunking on ESPN unless the dunks are part of the top 10 plays. Now they do play highlights of guys dunking when they do the top 10 plays.

[northzax]

21. plus, it was a pretty lame dunk

for someone 6'4", I mean I could dunk way better than that in high school, and I'm 6'4" (and I wasn't good.)