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It’s amazing isn’t it? I have somehow managed to come up with only three reasons why women’s basketball is shooting itself in the foot.

Of course there are many more reasons and scope for improvement across the board, but in a summer which has been extraordinarily hot and therefore I have been additionally grumpy, it feels like the time lay down my three biggest frustrations with the women’s game. And, I am not holding back. (Photo – FIBA)

Can’t shoot, won’t shoot

Over the years, it feels like I am having to say through my own teeth that the attractiveness of women’s basketball is the team-ethic, the passing and the shooting. Well, I don’t think I am going to be able to rave about the shooting anymore, since in recent years the perimeter shooting in particular has become an absolute joke. I have written before about the death of the pure shooter in the women’s game and coaches being seduced by players ambitions to be the do-it-all small forward who can dribble, penetrate, pass and shoot. Yes, that’s great if you are top level. But where are the specialisms? Where is the art? Is it better to be amazing at one thing and so-so at others, or better to be average at everything? Without the athleticism and regular dunking of the men, the women’s game can’t afford for three-point shooting to be nose-diving to new pathetic levels. Just about everyone shooting below 30% from downtown at a tournament is shocking. It’s not good enough.

Coaches at young ages need to get some of their players shooting that ball instead of extra hours in the gym working on physique. I truly believe that if women’s basketball doesn’t get the new generation to believe in the ability to shoot the ball, then the women’s game will die. Completely. I have sat at two tournaments now and seen players shoot from between the waist and the chin on a regular basis. Are you kidding me? And this is not me advocating a return to the ‘old skool’ and turning my back on having dynamic players. It is quite the opposite. This is about being positive and demonstrating the joy of teams that can’t guard you, the joy of being a go-to in the clutch and extending your range so you’re untouchable. I remember a couple of years ago, the sheer joy of a colleague who literally shouted ‘Man, that girl can seriously shoot,’. The excitement was palpable and we need to re-establish it as a premier skill in the game. For those spending so much time looking for excuses as to the slump, can we not just make sure we have both shooters and the modern-day over supply of small forwards wanting to dribble and penetrate to go 1 on 1? On the topic of which – is 3×3 having an impact? I wonder.

The lazy assumption things are improving

‘Things are slowly getting better- step by step’. I hear these things from so many people, all of the time. Should we truly believe it? Here is the newsflash – you probably need to start saying that ‘some’ things are getting better. We can’t stand still or put our feet up. Women’s basketball needs to help itself. It only improves if everyone – absolutely everyone, pushes, pushes and then pushes some more. To their credit, FIBA are taking some positive steps with some nice initiatives – especially the ones that get younger kids involved in women’s basketball. But we have to be absolutely focused that this is merely a teardrop in the river – albeit an important one. My issue is with so many Federations who still don’t take the women’s game as seriously as they should. It’s a pity, since together, strides could be made. I fear that some complacency is creeping into those ‘working’ in the women’s game.

Are the right people making the right decisions?

I merely ask the question. For example, there is a big fascination with having ex-players involved in making decisions and advising on the future shape of the game. On certain issues, they are absolutely the best placed people to do this. Nobody has an insight like them. This can’t be denied. However, just because you have played the game, does not automatically make you any kind of expert on the current state of the women’s game – on issues ranging from the youth scene globally, to how competitions feel for fans, media, coaches and players – or the commercial aspect in terms of levering PR for the game, attracting investment and so on. In some cases, I would hazard a bet that in a simple question and answer session with at least some ex-players, this would could be exposed. I would draw your attention to the use of the word ‘some’. I am sure some are excellent and do care, and are capable. The emphasis needs to shift to a skills based approach of not who they are, but what they know and how they can contribute.

At this controversial juncture, I must absolutely underline (and with an exclamation mark too) that this is in no way whatsoever related to the TIMEOUT project – the excellent initiative which is taking former players and ‘skilling them up’ to be an asset for their respective Federations and an asset to the global game in their post-playing careers. I was at the launch last year in Prague and the distinction with what I am talking about is clear (at least in my own mind). Where they have the skills and knowledge that is equal to anybody else, I think we should get them working in our Feds. Plus, the TIMEOUT course gives them skills to work in other sectors which is terrific.

A big thumbs up from me.

However, it’s just that when it comes to actually making decisions and shaping the women’s game specifically, I am sceptical.

I also get frustrated with others who freely parachute into the end of women’s tournaments to tick a box – frustratingly spending most of their time in meetings and chatting around the hotel or city. Not watching games and talking to as many people as possible at the sharp end inside the venues. It’s a little irritating. Sometimes I also do genuinely question who actually cares. So many people have a vested interest, but, I guess this is life.

We just have to be completely honest with ourselves. Patting each other on the back a few times a year at meetings, or coming up with the occasional initiative does not move the game forward.

Women’s basketball needs teeth to both survive and thrive – and some sharp ones.

There, I said it. So, shoot me.

Keep it locked to @basketmedia365

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Paul Nilsen lives and breathes women’s hoops. He’s is a freelance writer working for the sport’s world governing body FIBA where he pens a weekly ‘Women’s Basketball Worldwide Column’ - as well as providing daily content on major club competitions, international tournaments and the women’s youth game. He has an extensive network of contacts across the globe, including an array of elite play-callers and players. Also a qualified coach and referee, he is a big supporter of Blue Star Media and joined as a blogger during the fall of 2016.

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