Sunday, May 31st, 2009 at 11:15 pm  |  29 responses

My Bi-Polar Allegiance

Everyone is welcome, but know the new world order is in place.

by Stephen Litel

Hello everyone and welcome to my new home here at SLAM. The title for this space–Year Round Hoops–is simplistic enough to cover my love of both the NBA and WNBA. Yes, I enjoy the WNBA greatly and believe that the coverage of that league is substandard, and I will do my part to bring as much coverage as I’m capable of to this space. During the NBA season, I will post non-Timberwolves related interviews and articles in this space, as I don’t want to step on Myles Brown’s turf and I have my other outlet for those anyway.

I’m not going to go through a complete introduction, as I did last year when I began writing for SLAMonline. Here is the short version, however. My name is Stephen Litel and I cover the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx for Downtown Journal in Minneapolis for the past four years. Last year, I began writing for SLAM, covering the entire WNBA and I’m very thankful for the opportunity.

This space will be a work in progress, as I decide how I want to go about communicating with you. Yet, there is a new world order here, which also excites me. I have the access myself to edit or delete reader comments and, therefore, will not tolerate WNBA bashing. I understand that the women’s league is not for everyone, but this will be a WNBA-friendly zone and that’s putting it mildly. This space will become one of the few online places where legitimate fans may communicate without the criticism of those who either have never given the league a fair chance or have preconceived notions regarding the athleticism or quality of the competition.

Feel free to comment/criticize my standpoints on the topics I cover if you disagree. Go ahead and analyze my writing style if you so wish. I’m a big boy and can take it and, to be honest, reader criticism pushes me to excellence. If I’m going to make a point, especially if it might be controversial or out of the norm, I sure better be able to back up my thoughts with concrete information. If not, you will call me on it and I welcome it.

The initial plan is to post about onMagic Mance a week, so put the main page of Year Round Hoops in your favorites on your computer and check back often. When I’m not posting new articles, I will take part in the conversation with readers in the comments section as much as possible. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you.

Now, with that said, it’s a great time of year for me as a basketball fan. The NBA Finals are set with the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic facing off for the Larry O’Brien trophy and the WNBA season is set to tip off next weekend.

So, let’s hear from you now…

Who will win the NBA Finals? How many games will it take? Who will surprise us in the Finals with their performance and who might fall off under the pressure?

WNBA fans. As the season is ready to tip off, what teams are you most excited about this season? Specific players? Will Detroit repeat?

  • Add a Comment
  • Share
  • RSS

Tags: , , , , ,

  • http://slamonline.com/ Ryne Nelson

    Glad to have you Stephen! Since you asked, I’m going with the Lakers in five.

  • ENDS

    I still wish the Miracle were still in Orlando

  • http://www.lkz.ch Darksaber

    Ryne is implementing his plan for worldwide B-Ball Blog domination. Getting knowledgeable B-Ball Blogger out there on Slamonline. Good one, Ryno.

  • KBlair2689

    I say Lakers in 7. I’m not goin to say Orlando can’t beat them, but if they can’t, it won’t be a quick series.

    As for the WNBA, as a Michigan native, I’m hoping the Shock repeat. They open there season against LA, I hope no one fights…lol :)

  • KBlair2689

    they open THEIR season, whoops.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    Good to see you here Stephen. Stopped by the Lynx practice last night and expected to see you there. Well have to catch up soon.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Cool.

  • http://www.twitter.com/TheDiesel Anton

    Hi Stephen! I’m the resident Kobe fanboy! I love everything Black Mamba related! Don’t you?! Kobe Kobe Kobe all dayyyy Gimmie that sweet jumper anydaaayyy. I have all his shoes in most colorways, tonnes of posters, and shirts (I know the pink ones are for girls but I wear them around the house anyway when no one’s looking…no homo!!).
    Too bad LeBrick couldn’t make it to the finals huh? Oh well, Kobe Finals MVP!
    Kobe
    Kobe MVP
    Kobe
    MJ
    Kobe

  • http://www.slamonline.com Todd Spehr

    Looking forward to reading more of your work Stephen. Magic in five.

  • larrylegend

    i love todd…

  • Michael

    so are we allowed to bash specific wnba players about their crappy play the way we do in every other story on this site? Or are the players above criticism too? I agree that “WNBA sucks” type comments arent very helful but if you are going to shelter the league and all its players from criticism here the comments will get very boring

  • http://ballislife.com Moose

    Hey, Stephen. First, I’ll tell you a little about myself. I’m a 13 year old (for now anyways, not for long anymore) from Boston who’s a huge hoops/Celtics fan. I write for Ball Is Life dot com, as well as the blog that is shared between me, BETCATS, Hursty, DP and RV. You’ll see them all here eventually. I’ve been here for a little over a year. Oh, and you know how Anton says he’s the resident Kobe fanboy? I’m the resident Rajon Rondo fanboy; been preaching his worth since he started out and I had many moments where I wanted to come here and just write “I told you so” over and over again. I’m pretty much the only constant C’s fan here as well. Anyways, glad to have you here! On to your questions. I think this is matchup hell for both teams; especially on the inside. Rashard can’t guard Pau with his finesse inside game, and Pau can’t guard Rashard on the outside. Bynum probably won’t be able to handle Howard. The X-factors in this situation are Mickael Pietrus and Rashard Lewis. If Rashard’s three-point shooting is on, they feed him the ball all day off of screens that Pau can’t keep up with, scoring at will. His three is unblockable at 6-10, that is a huge weapon. Also, Pietrus will get the most time guarding Kobe. So, if he shuts down the Black Mamba, that increases the Magic’s chance of winning exponentially. Of course, these are all variables, as I just demonstrated. But, I’ll go with Magic in 7. This one goes to the brink and ends on the big man.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Cub Buenning

    Welcome, Stephen! As a fan of the game at all levels (hs/ncaa/pro) and all genders I am stoked to see more WNBA coverage!

    As a father of daughter(s), however, I am pining hard for a WNBA franchise here in Denver. One of the nation’s best sports towns and a major supporter of female college athletics NEEDS a team!!!

    Basically, my girls need some local ladies to go alongside Melo + Chauncey (and Birdman).

  • http://ballislife.com Moose

    ^Cub got it right. Beantown needs a WNBA team. Connecticut doesn’t count.^

  • http://Www.Slamonline.com Melvin ely

    Hi stephen! (can we call you steve-o btw?)PLEASE if you do have mod powers i implore you to let anton’s comments be. Also, game 1 belongs to the lakers, magic will have a tough time adjusting to a suddenly inspired laker team. Game 2 though, with the laker’s trademark complacency and orlando’s usual resilience, belongs to the magic. Should be a great finals in any case

  • http://www.slamonline.com/online/category/blogs/year-round-hoops/ Stephen Litel

    Thanks for the welcome, everyone.

    cc to Michael…go ahead and discuss whatever player/team/coach you’d like. Bash them if you like, as long as the argument actually has a point. The comments I’m not going to tolerate will be the blanket “WNBA sucks” type.

    All I’m asking is to have an informed opinion about a topic, rather than just hating for the sake of hating.

  • http://www.slamonline.com/online/category/blogs/year-round-hoops/ Stephen Litel

    …and, I’m begging you to NOT call me Steve-O.

  • Pingback: SLAM ONLINE |

  • DS44

    As much as I like Ron Jeremy,Skip and T.I the Kobester is trying to redeem the team from last years spankin,so Lakers in 6.

  • http://slamonline.com/ Tzvi Twersky

    Welcome, my man. As a b.i.g fan of bball (period), I look forward to seein’ some of your WNBA coverage.

  • Rome

    I’m Rome, I hate Mike Jordan (may my spit be upon him), I’m a Bad Boys Piston fan, and therefore a fan of hard tough physical ball.fav player of all time i Zeke..I am naturally of course a WNBa fan, I love watching b-ball on all levels, including womens..I am a Shock fan, they play the game they way it was meant, tough and physical, I go to Shock games occasionally.. I was also a fan of cooper and swoopes on those old school Houston teams..

  • ABIMATOR

    Hi,
    I’m a cameroonian (from Central Africa, my country is better kwown 4 his excellency in football (u call it soccer) and our best representative in that sport is Samuel Eto’o)
    i’m a huge fan of BasketBall, all the basket balls but here we can only wash nba (trice a week (wich is not enuff 4 me) + all of the finals live @ 2a.m in the morning Douala time)
    even though I don’t comment much, I visit this site everyday and try the read all the article.
    Since Enter the Wu and Biggie I like everything from the East coast and I hate the West, particularly the Lakers, and KB.
    normally My team is the Knicks (from the Spree, OAk, Big Moma and Pat era) but as they sucked so much these days (until summer next year) I’m routing 4 the Cs and my favorite player in the game is Double P…
    Enfin, do you have any clue why Bill Laimber isn’t trying his chance in the nba?

  • ABIMATOR

    plus, Slam (the magazine) is not delivered here in Cameroon and I try 2 buy it everytime I travel overseas, wich is only once a year, and i was wondering if it’s possible to have a subscription 2 the magazine online and have it mailed 2 me here in Cameroon?

  • BrittainyJoyner

    I am looking forward to CP3 when she comes back from having her baby, but also I am looking forward to the rookies theres alot of talent that came this year in my opinion!

  • Michael

    Chris Paul is having a baby?? Man that dude is talented.

  • http://www.triplejunearthed.com/dacre Dacre

    Hello and welcome Stephen, I’m a fan of sports writers and coverage of the WNBA is more than welcome! Becky Hammond is awesome, our hometown hero Lauren Jackson is a force! What are your thoughts on using s#x appeal to draw a larger male fan base? In Australia (the WNBL) the girls teams use lycra body suits to play in – as noted during their famous runs at the olympic level against the USA – and it’s an exciting aspect to the game.
    Your thoughts??
    ps.
    lakers in 6.

  • http://www.triplejunearthed.com/dacre Dacre

    * Why I put a “d” in Becky HAMMON’s name, I have no idea…

  • madmax

    Hope this is the beginning of a trend in mostly male dominated sports websites/blogs.Love the Shock,esp.Katie Smith and Deanna Nolan.Have been to majority of their home games since 2003.No one can elevate from a standing position like Nolan,to score or block.Looking forward to your balanced coverage, SLAM and Stephen!

  • http://www.slamonline.com/online/category/blogs/year-round-hoops/ Stephen Litel

    Dacre–I’m slowly gathering some information to put together on “sex sells” topic, so I’m not exactly going to give it away. GREAT question though, but I must admit that the answer to that seems very complicated.

    Thanks again for the welcome, everyone! Seems like most are going with the Lakers to win the title (as am I)…and most WNBA fans seem to favor Detroit. Let’s spread the word and get more WNBA fans in here. Don’t get me wrong…I love the Detroit fans, but if they dominate the conversation, we all may begin to think of Bill Laimbeer as a sweetheart. lol.

    And, I will never lie about my Minnesota Lynx bias…

Advertisement
Fullcourt.com