No Longer a Virgin

September 29, 2009 - the day I lost my virginity.

No - not that virginity you sicko, my WNBA virginity. On September 29, 2009 I attended my first WNBA game - game one of the 2009 WNBA Finals between the Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury.

If one were to hand pick my first game to attend this would have been the ideal game for the uninitiated WNBA observer. After all, it was only the opener of the championship series, and just happened to be the highest scoring game in the history of the WNBA.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve never been a WNBA basher - call me indifferent. I had no problem with the WNBA, but I have never had any desire to watch WNBA ball.  But when the Suns sent an email out to season ticket holders offering free tickets to the Finals game, I thought I’d go check it out. After all, my son loves basketball of any kind, and I didn’t have any plans on a Tuesday night.

What I saw was one of the most exciting basketball games I had observed in recent memory. Let by newly crowned WNBA MVP Diana Taurasi’s all around effort of 22 pts, 9 rbds, and 6 asts, the Mercury defeated the Indiana Fever 120, 116 in overtime. What I saw was clutch shooting from both teams, multiple lead changes, and clutch defensive plays when the game was on the line.  I saw an MVP prove why she was indeed the leagues Most Valuable Player by overcoming a poor shooting night by grabbing important rebounds, locking down defenders, and getting to the free throw line. I saw two teams shoot over 50% from the field and execute their gameplans.  And what I didn’t see, the above the rim of the NBA game, wasn’t even missed.

I don’t think that most WNBA games are this intense. After all, it was the Finals, but I’m  sure that my first WNBA game won’t be my last.