News: Weekend: Another one in the basket

Saturday, May 20, 2023

Weekend: Another one in the basket

"Frankmobile"

— The new name for Oscar Mayer's iconic Wienermobile. Hot diggity dog.

theSkimm With

Sabreena Merchant

The 2023 WNBA season tipped off last night — and the league isn't playing around. During her first official WNBA game since returning to the US, Brittney Griner had 18 points, six rebounds, and four blocks in 25 minutes. While the Washington Mystics scored a surprisingly easy win over the New York Liberty. Expect plenty more action as the league's 12 teams each play a record 40 games over the next few months. To learn more about the hoopla, we spoke to Sabreena Merchant, a women's basketball staff writer at The Athletic. Here's what she had to say...

Q: What will be some of the biggest storylines this season?

Now that the investigation into the [defending champions] Las Vegas Aces has been resolved, I imagine most of the conversation will revert to their chances for a second consecutive title. A team hasn't repeated as champions since 2002 and this might be the best chance any team has had since then, other than the 2017 Minnesota Lynx. I think that quest for a second consecutive title will be the dominant storyline, especially now that the Aces have added Candace Parker and Alysha Clark. Also, the continued rivalry between A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. They've won three of the last five MVP awards and they're easily the top two players in the league. So I expect to see the two of them continue to bring out the best in each other. And there's the return of Brittney Griner, which is going to be of great interest — not just to fans in Phoenix, but also around the country.

Q: Speaking of Griner, her detainment in Russia highlighted the fact that many players head overseas during the off-season to supplement their WNBA salary. Has the league made any changes since then?

The current collective bargaining agreement runs until 2027 and the players association doesn't have the opportunity to opt out until 2025. So it's unlikely that salaries are going to change for at least the next three years. I do think that the league has put in more effort to create off-season opportunities for players that are stateside ... [but] they're fairly limited ... Also, just having the ability to play basketball year-round is hard for a lot of players to pass up because the league only has 12 teams. So there's only so many minutes to go around. And if you're trying to develop yourself as a young player, it's really hard to do that when you're not getting the time on the court ... I think players will continue to go overseas so long as there are limited opportunities to play in the WNBA.

Q: Are there any other players that fans should keep an eye on?

We've got the number one pick, Aliyah Boston, fresh off of a collegiate career where she only lost nine games. Now, it's quite possible she'll lose more than that during her first season with the Indiana Fever, but Indiana has so much young talent — Grace Berger, Lexi Hull, Taylor Mikesell, Kelsey Mitchell. That'll be a really interesting team to watch ... I also think Atlanta is a team to watch [with] last year's rookie of the year, Rhyne Howard. The team also just brought in Allisha Gray, who's been underrated for the bulk of her career. And it has two incredible rookies, Haley Jones and Laeticia Amihere.

Q: The WNBA's 2022 season was its most watched in 14 years. What does its growing popularity mean for the league and women's basketball?

The future of women's basketball in this country is the WNBA. It's great that college basketball is achieving new heights, but players are maxed out at four years. Whereas careers in the WNBA can span 15 or 20 years. So for women's basketball to have a permanent foothold in the sports landscape, it needs to be in the WNBA. And in order for basketball not to get lapped by soccer or volleyball or other sports young girls are gravitating towards, there needs to be an example to strive towards. There needs to be something that little girls can grow up dreaming of achieving. That means continuing to make the WNBA as attractive as possible — pouring more money into the league, expanding to more than 12 markets across the country, and making it easier for people to actually follow teams.

Psst, this interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What's Happening

🎙 In entertainment...

Despite the ongoing writers' strike, the Tony Awards will be able to give its regards to Broadway on June 11. On the big screen, Disney's "Haunted Mansion" is coming back to life. (Fingers crossed you'll actually be able to tell what's going on.) Meanwhile, on the small screen, if you couldn't help but wonder when "And Just Like That" was coming back, the answer's here. Plus, "The Bachelor" franchise will enter its golden years this fall. And Reba McEntire will take her seat — well, Blake Shelton's seat — on "The Voice." In music news, the party don't start 'til you play Kesha's new album. Same with the long-awaited new music from Dave Matthews Band.

👗 In style…

Still not over the eleganza extravaganza that is RuPaul's house? Same. Even if you don't have the space for your own disco ball room, you can make a splash with some mermaidcore. Though, if you're currently saying 'sashay away' to home improvement projects, you're not alone. In fashion news, kitten heels may be the purr-fect summer sandal. The Wes Anderson aesthetic may help you tap into main character energy. And as some Swifties leave a blank space in their closets for tour merch, other people are guilty of loving trial merch. Plus, ring the alarm, because Beyoncé is apparently launching a haircare line.

🙃 In adulting…

Too tired to prioritize healthier habits? Maybe try adding a few more "filler episode" days to your schedule. Or, if that doesn't work, maybe the May new moon can help you enter a new phase. Speaking of new phases, some are opening their hearts to polyamory, while others are saying 'I do' to sologamy. And an increasing number of Jewish singles are saying 'matchmaker, matchmaker, make a match.' Meanwhile, for parents, little feelings have become the biggest thing. At least, for now. Oh and if you feel like your home is covered in their toys — or your toys — there are some solutions you can, ahem, toy around with.

Skimm Reads

"Dances" by Nicole Cuffy...Raise your hand if you love a ballet novel. Meet Cece, who has just become the first Black ballerina to become a principal dancer at the New York City ballet. This debut follows her as she juggles major media attention, a complicated relationship with her white ballet partner, and the disappearance of her beloved brother. It pairs beautiful writing (full of arabesques, etc.) with an exploration of racism in the dance world, and gets at what it's really like to be a professional performer.

Skimm Picks

Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…

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Weekend Escape

*Slams laptop shut until Monday.* We know the feeling. And we've got some tips for escape.

If you're one of the 42 million Americans traveling for Memorial Day, you might want to buckle up. Experts say next weekend is supposed to be one of the busiest in more than two decades. So whether you're hitting the road or heading to the airport, expect some company. That said, a little planning can go a long way. Here's how to get going...

Pack wisely. Turns out, bigger isn't always better — particularly when it comes to suitcases. To avoid bringing more than you need, stick to a carry-on. And try the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule. Now to make sure everything fits, consider using packing cubes and placing bulkier items, like shoes, at the bottom of your bag. To save even more space, you could also try the rolling method.
Prep your house. All that packing can get chaotic. And if coming home from a dreamy vacation wasn't already tough, returning to a mess ups the ante. So take a little time before leaving to tidy up. That could include putting fresh sheets on the bed, putting away any clothes that didn't make the cut, taking out the trash, and running the dishwasher. Future you will thank you.
Get a head start. Memorial Day is notorious for crowds, so it helps to be a bit strategic with your travel plans. Experts say Friday, May 26, will be the busiest driving day, so consider hitting the road early in the morning, after 6 pm, or even the night before. If you're flying, it's best to give yourself some extra time — meaning, get to the airport at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. And to make security run smoother, keep your ID, ticket info, and toiletries easily accessible.
Pack patience. Traveling can be stressful, so dedicate a few minutes to mentally prepare for your trip — whether that's double checking your itinerary or just taking a few deep breaths. And bring a couple items that can help you find calm even if things get chaotic. Think: downloading your favorite playlist or guided meditation, packing some comforting snacks, or bringing a book you can't put down.