Full Court Press

I have followed (and written about) women's college basketball for 25 years and I agree with you. The problem with women dunking is the women use a smaller basketball than the standard one used on playgrounds nationwide, which leads to better ball control but also diminishes the control show. If it were only about leaping, then Jackie Joyner-Kersee, a star for UCLA in her day, would haev dunked many times over. There are others. I actually liked it when the NCAA banned dunking in the men's game and made the players play. the days of "come see the freak show at the circus" are long gone. The fans of women's college basketball are loyal but so much fewer than the men's game. It is not now nor will it ever be the same game. Celebrate it (or ignore it) for what it is, not for an ocassional freak show.

Oh boy! A woman dunked! Actually all it proves is that women's basketball is followig the same deterioration as men's basketball has. It is no longer about fundamental skills, but about a circus act of dunks, overdribbling, sloppy passing and no defense. Why are we no longer world basketball champions or the best in baseball. Because, we pay too much attention to home runs, dunking and other freak shows. The good basketball (or baseball)...look elsewhere where fundamental and team skills are emphasized.

forget all of you. i have been playin since i was 7.

I think that the dunk was tight. I don't get why people are trippin off of that, womens b-ball is gettin better and part of it is because of Candace Parker. Some boys basketball players can't dunk so i think people should stop talkin noise and give her tha props she deserves. I plan to be dunking real soon also, its not the girls are starting to play like the boys ya'll just need to step ya'll game up.

I help coach a 6th grade girls team and the head coach told our girls at practice that the problem with girls playing basketball was they always go for the fakes. As he was trying to teach them not to go for the fakes, he said the problem with boys playing basketball is there's no teamwork. Each boy wants to be the focus, they all want to be the star, they think only of themselves and teamwork will that comes last or not at all. I say there's a lot of truth in what he said that evening. Everyone wants to criticize women's basketball but for what, for playing fundamental basketball? I have sat through so many men's basketball games and I have only witnessed the disappearance of fundamental basketball, the foundation of the sport is lost.

Candace Parker is the sickest female basketball player ever

Well, I say Kudos to Candace Parker for dunking.

For those who think that it was no real feat since 'women use a smaller basketball' I think it's worth mentioning that it was decided that women should use a smaller ball as the average woman is smaller than the average man. I would think a real man would know that.
What's unexciting is to see a 'man' dunk with a women's basketball. What skill is there in that?

The point of the smller basketball is you want to compare atheltes on an even playing field, usingt he same dimensions and equipment, By Tre's argument, we should lower the basket, shorten the distance from the free throw line to the basket, shorten the court . . . I'd think a real man would know you compare athletes to athletes without any getting some kind of handicap advantage.

Kinda reminds me of the Good ole days that whenever blacks started dominating sports suddenly like basketball and started dunking suddenly they wanted to ban dunking.You can have your short girly pants,set shot ,no dribbling style of basketball.Are you embarassed Candace Parker can dunk and you cant?Dont say the race card is being played because the race card has been played on minorities for 400years.

man...why so uptight..it was a brilliant play by a brilliant althete...sports are supposed to be fun to watch and play...and that was FUN!

That was not a dunk. She laid the ball in and grabbed the rim. Anyway, in response to the comment that Candace Parker is the sickest female basketball player ever, remember this name: Elena Delledonne. Wait for her debut at a major college in 3 years and you'll be amazed.

hi lady vols. all of you guys are great, and candace you had a wonderful game against army. shanna you also had a great game against george washington and i love to watch the lady vols play. im also glad that alexis was back to play .love, tamarah hunter

Please, Please Please. She didn't even come close to dunking the baskekball. As far as the ball being smaller I have no problem with that since most women's hand are smaller. But make the rim the same percentage smaller as the ball is.

HOW CAN PEOPLE DOUBT THE WOMEN'S GAME???!!! Candace Parker's dunks aren't even the reason why the game has gained more respect! Have you seen her play??? Did you see how easy she cut through these girls like she was practicing these moves in her back yard or something??? When she plays like that, making EXTENDED fadeaway jumbers....T-MAC-like scoop floaters....MOVES THAT EVEN MOST NBA PLAYERS CAN'T PERFECT...that is when and why the WNBA should get that utmost respect! And as long as people try to downplay her dunks, those same people will remain in denial that the gap between the skills of men and women is steadily approaching ZERO!

I thought that candace did an awesome job...she could probably even dunk with a guys ball...she is the best lady basketball player very great influence she rocks..I love u candace

It is correct basketball is not about one aspect of the game, male or female its about teamwork and skills .If during the game personal bests or feats are achieved its all part of the game.

It is correct basketball is not about one aspect of the game, male or female its about teamwork and skills .If during the game personal bests or feats are achieved its all part of the game.

Stop drinking all that HATERAIDE!!

Candace, You Go Girl!!
It's all about you baby...

Women are never going to be the atheletes men are. I don't understand why we as scoiety always try and compare the two. We all know men are stronger, faster, taller and can jump higer than women as a whole. Its like comparing Varisty to Freshman. Why can't we appreciate womens sports and accomplisments for what they are without comparing it to men. I like women athletes and I give credit to Candace and her performance...at least she's not taking steriods and ruining the game she loves.

Bridgette Presley wrote:
"And as long as people try to downplay her dunks, those same people will remain in denial that the gap between the skills of men and women is steadily approaching ZERO!"

You may very well be delirious. There is still quite a huge gap in areas of speed, strength, and unfortunately, EXCITEMENT, whether you want to believe it or not.

That being said, I enjoy women's basketball. Candace Parker is a great basketball player. Kudos to her, and good luck to her in all her future basketballery.

Now, just a few points:

A) Shame on those of you who are ranting and raving about whether or not she actually dunked the ball. In '98, if the Bulls' Judd Beuchler or Randy Brown got even CLOSE to dunking, you'd be supporting them 100%. And what's the next excuse...when a girl jumps up, dunks the ball, and puts her elbow in the rim, you'll complain because she didn't do a 360 first? Come on...

B) I'm glad she won the dunk contest in high school. The boys she was going against got overzealous and tried to do too much. If just ONE of them realized that all they had to do was perform dunks that were slightly better than Candace's (let's admit it now) fairly tame ones, they'd have been walking away with the crown.

C) The fundamental aspect of women's basketball does NOT deteriorate just because a few female players can dunk. When every ladies' basketball coach has an "alley-oop" play in their playbook, THAT'S when things have truly changed.

D) What's more, the dunk is one of the highest (if not THE highest) percentage shots in the game. I can see a problem with making it the sole part of your team's game, but in theory, it's a great shot to take.

E) It's not that there's little or no teamwork in boys' basketball. It's that there's little or no teamwork in NBA BASKETBALL. Try not to confuse the two.

And finally, F) There was an earlier poster who had it right: sports are supposed to be about fun. Try not to lose sight of that.

And I'm out.

I cant stand the hype over this girl. She won a dunk contest for missing a dunk. Makes no sense to me. I agree she has talent but I am sick of hearing about her all the time. She isnt that good. I hope people will come to their senses about her.

I've been reading everyone's opinion about Candice Parker and the one thing I have to say is "Hats off to Candice." She is a part of the evolution of women's basketball. When basketball first began, players could not even dribble. They had to catch the ball where they land and pass to another player in attempts to make it to the opponents goal. I enjoy seeing the progression in any sport but especially basketball. I have one question, What has men's basketball recently achieved to assist in the evolution of the game?

candace parker is a great player and the dunks she made were great. candace won the dunking competition in 2004 beting all the men. women b-ball is doing great things and candace parker dunk help a lot. it just show that women can be just as good as men or better. so haters gots go cause womens b-ball is doing it big

My oh my! That girl is something else look she only a Freshman and starting. MVP of the team, best player on the team. That girl has a gift and shes using it well. Im gonna dunk like next year when im in 9th grade

Candace is a great player hands down.Candace when I grow up I want to be just like you

Besides having skills, Cancace is a class act! I can't wait to see what the next three years brings!

i love Candice Parker SO MUCH!When i meet her i was about to cry my heart out. It was inbeliveable. When i grow up i want to be just like you.Candice if you are reading this, you are my role model!

Love,
Chelsea

I hope Candace is reading this now I want to let her know she is the best total b-ball player in the world if u said that wasn't a dunk than youz a hater because they were perfect dunks she CAN dunk with a mens ball probably she is the best and she knows I am her #1 fan I have an autographed CP ball and had both jersey's (home+away) and print out her new pics on the internet everyday I study her games and shes my role model I have to meet her one day my nickname is little CP I have sent her a 2 page letter and am hoping to get a response by the summer time she is awesome.NO-ONE CAN TOUCH CANDACE PARKER AT ALL!!!
Candace I want to let u know you are my role model and I hope you are reading this. I want to be just like you one day
I LUV CP
-Samantha A.

hey candice if you read this you are my role model man i've been your biggest fan for so long, it would be so awsome to meet you!

hey candice if you read this you are my role model forever, i even tried dunking last summer cuz i heard you were practicing after your knee injury so i said well i wanna be just like candice so know i will always try to follow in your foot steps.great dunking keep it up!enjoy the games!

What was funny in the dunk contest a few years ago was when Candace Parker jumps with all her might and barellllyyyy puts it in. Joe Crawford throws it off the backboard... and sticks his arm in the rim but yet he loses. Candace's very best dunk can't even compare to Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant's best dunk. This push for feminism has fried people's minds into stupidity.

wut it do.hey if candace read dis man i wanna let u know i'm da biggest fan in history.i luv yo game and the way u play.i'm a forward/guard and when people ask who i admire the most in women basketball 2day i say candace.there ain't no doubt about it.i saw the game when u came to cleveland 2 play against the tar heels, i wanted yall to win so bad but it didnt come out dat way.if u eva go 2 pros and there also in da pros please believe i will be gettin a signed jersey or hat.luv ya peace

clang!that is the sound of critics missing the point about Candace Parker dunk,Dont be afraid be very afraid ,This young lady barring injury can be one of the most dominating players ever.Why not have a league where men and women play together?

Well if you ask me i thought it was an outstanding 2 dunks.I have it on my wall. She's one of my heros not only because she dunked it just because she's an all around great ball player.

So You go girl, keep it up

Well, where I come from; Australia, we are not overly obsessed with fancy dunks and And1 skills. We may not be the most fancy teams, but we have a high skill level and we use our team! (heads up Kobe)That is why I'd prefer to watch NBL or WNBL over the NBA.

Hey!!!! WAT UP C!!!! Once again this is Tiff and I just wanted to say thank you for impacting the game of basketball. You have impacted sooooo mant lives by doing what you have done. And me, I know you probably have everyone saying they are your biggest fan, I would say that to, but I am your #1 fan of all time. Now don't get me wrong, Im not one of those kill people or faint at the thought of meeting you. Im just a calm fan who is or will definetly see you in the future. I plan on attending the University of Tennessee when I graduate from high school. Ill be a freshman when you are a senior. It will be great. So, until then I will keep trying to get in contact with you and live out my dream.
See you soon,
Big Tiff

I luv you cp3 and u r my romodel. You will make a big change in women's basketball - and that's good!!!
PLJ
[got dat 4rom u!]

well all we see an hear about is how this guy broke this other guys ankels er how some streetballer guy burned on this other one! where i come from the girls play street ball right up there with the guys n we womp on em. our girls team has always been in the boys shadow! when candace dunked it guess what we did, lowered the hoop, n worked on our dunk forms! slowly we rasied it up n noone can dunk it but she inspired us to try an be as good or better than the boys! i think she started something an gave girls somthin to try for! her dunks was sweet n noone can deny it even tho she was a girl!
props candace, keep it up

Well....i think that candace parker can ball with the boys and anyone that disses on her knows they are jealous and i think that she can dunk as good as any boy it dont matter what size the ball is it is how you throw it down

for the people who look at this web site my name is TI i think that candace is the best player ever shes been my roll model since i was 9 but i started playing basket ball in the 8th grade but still i watched her play and i thought i can do that i am now 15 years old in the 10th grade i can dunk 2 hands i have a 38" inch vertical very very good for a 15 year old but anyways candace i think will become the greatest b ball player the womens basket ball game will ever see oh yeah and me im still only 15 dunking 2 hands how cool is that i can even dunk under my legs remember my name Tiai Leaea... youll see me...

The best girl player you can come up with could not make the varsity for any Division I men's team in America .... likely not DII either. No, not Parker.

Man what is there to say, the girl is sick! I have watched every game even some of the pre season games. Candice is the best player in the NCAA!

She IS sick. And raw and the best all a dat. I am so excited tfor mext season!!!!!!!

MAN, you don not know what you are missing. Womens basketball is very Exciting, but you wouldn't understand that. In my opinion we are more physical than guys because we play with so much more emotion. If a guy gets fouled they try to be macho man and fight while our coaches teach us to play through fouls. Friday I tore my ACL in a basketball tournament. It wasn't for my school, it was for an AAU team that I play for. My point is that I played hard. I played hard because I wanted to win. Because of that I loose half of my senior season, but I promise it was worth it. For you to say that you don't like women's basketball is an insult to me because you don't know what I would do for the game. But at the same time I understand that you are entitled to your own opinion. Maybe one day you will see the game in the light that I do, but then again, you probably woudn't be able to handle that!!

over the summer going into ninth grade i dunked it six times. Now i can do a reverse and dunk and and just a regular one handed slam and im only 5'10 and a half, and now school started

hi candace i'm a senegalese people and i live in senegal.im a your first fans in africa.i see their match and your dunk.you are very beautiful ok thank you and writte me please

Candace Parker proved that dunking isnt just for men and that females can be above th rim too... i as a basketball player have worked hard to follow in her footsteps and now that i can dunk it has opened up a whole new world to me...so i say keep doing what u do candace i hope to be at tennesse one day to help.

thats amazing. about time someone step it up and seen how women can do this

candace parker is the best of the best. she now has proved that women can do the same things as men. my advice is to keep doing what you are doing and thanks for setting a example for women today.

hey candace!love it when you dunked during the ronalds men dunking cition luv ya

i just love candace nicole parker i have followed her career since she was a senior in high school i know all her stats likes and dislikes i am your biggest fan i would love to meet her my birthday is April 4 1989 just 15 days before her birthday which is April 19 1986 i would do anything to meet her or at least go to one of her games she is such an inspiration to everyone especially me so someone please help my dream wish come true in meeting Candace Parker of the uivers