Six ejected, including Brittney Griner, as fight breaks out between Mercury and Wings

[Rocket009]

This interview validates what the video shows and what I suspected all along. It was not the events of this game that motivated Griner to do what she did. You could surmise this because in this last game Griner was the aggressor from the very start and Anigwe's actions were motivated by her attempt to get away, even her downward swipe at Griner. It was made while she was retreating. Griner had every intention from the very beginning to get Anigwe. If you watch the video closely that becomes obvious. Anigwe's first action came in reaction to Griners locking her up probably to get in some cheap shots in close. Even as Anigwe is backing up after she broke away Griner gets in a back hand to her head that is very difficult to see unless you stop action the slo mo. She was going to get her and Anigwe knew it.

Basically, as someone who plays in the post, Griner has to learn how to channel her anger into her play. There is a way, especially with her size that she could play aggressively and still dish out punishment legally within the context of play. She needs to watch Fowles, who has taken that to an entirely different level. She hurts people constantly and gets away with it.

This makes no sense. I think you went into this with an axe to grind.

 

[TheFarmFan]

One shouldn't poke the bear without expecting some kind of response.

Amen. I think Anigwe is still adjusting to a league where she doesn't get to get away with being the alpha (Cal) bear anymore... Personally, after seeing four years of her frequent muggings in the paint against Stanford, I think she got what was coming to her. And it doesn't surprise me at all that she and Ogunbowale are friends; they're two peas in a pod when it comes to taking the low road on court.

 

[azfan]

As an ASU fan and a fan of high School women's basketball I had opportunity to see an Anigwe play over seven years. Her Detroit Pistons style of play is one thing. Her me first attitude is indeed another. In another thread I posted is there an issue with Anigwe some of the responses wondered whether I had a ax to grind against her. The discussion here reflects a more complete view of the package a team gets with Anigwe.The comment that Anigwe and AO two peas in a pod is on point in terms of their me first attitude.

 

[uconnell]

As an ASU fan and a fan of high School women's basketball I had opportunity to see an Anigwe play over seven years. Her Detroit Pistons style of play is one thing. Her me first attitude is indeed another. In another thread I posted is there an issue with Anigwe some of the responses wondered whether I had a ax to grind against her. The discussion here reflects a more complete view of the package a team gets with Anigwe.The comment that Anigwe and AO two peas in a pod is on point in terms of their me first attitude.

And also their dirty play!!!

 

[uconnell]

The one thing I'd add to this thread is that fouls are down significantly in the WNBA this year. So Taurasi is right on the money there.

At the recent Sky/Liberty game, I was joking to folks in my section that Dolson and Charles might need 3 rounds in the UFC Octagon to settle things after the game. Fortunately, they never moved past shoving to punching.

Anecdotally, it seems to me that many of the fouls that do get called are of the ticky-tack variety while people are regularly getting clobbered in the paint without calls. It's just very strange. The way they are refereeing the league this year, they were basically asking for this to happen.

If they would just have the refs call fouls, this wouldn't happen. What's the cost of that? A few ugly games with lots of free throws and people fouling out? Seems well worth it.

Women’s college games are reffed by the same “see nothing” refs. Even obvious fouls like knocking down a point guard from behind while bringing the ball up court. Was not called. An obvious dirty play. Some fans don’t include their own team when complaining!!