NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal has recently shared his thoughts on how to enhance the women's game, suggesting that the WNBA should lower the rims to encourage more dunks. The WNBA had its most successful season in 2024, bolstered by the arrival of Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick from Iowa. The league saw significant growth in ratings, attendance, and media coverage. However, O'Neal believes that the WNBA can still evolve and continue its rise by increasing the number of dunks in the game.
Neal's two cents
Shaquille O'Neal, known for his dominance in the paint with teams like the Magic, Lakers, and Heat, pointed out that dunks are a fan favorite, with 60% of basketball fans indicating that dunks are their favorite part of the game. Yet, dunks remain rare in the WNBA, with only two active players, Brittney Griner and Jonquel Jones, having dunked in games. Griner has a total of 26 career dunks, but beyond her, dunks are not a common sight.
O'Neal tweeted, “60% of the fans said dunking is their favorite thing. The WNBA has none of that. So they make much less money. Just trying to get you that 300 million dollars you deserve @aja22wilson shaqwbnacommisioner. Love y'all @wnba.” He also added, “Do it for the WNBA All-Star game and watch the ratings go through the roof.”
A'ja Wilson's Strong Opposition
However, the idea of lowering the rims has faced significant opposition, particularly from reigning WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson. In a recent appearance on The Roommates Show with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, Wilson expressed her disagreement with O'Neal’s suggestion, questioning its effectiveness.
“What is it gonna do?. I would much rather just gear my offseason to, ‘Okay, vertical, maxing it out, let's focus on this jumping. Versus lowering it an inch? That could change all of our shots. Do y’all not understand that?," Wilson said, responding to O'Neal's proposal.
Wilson’s concerns center on how such a change could disrupt the skill sets that players have spent years developing. She emphasized that improving one’s vertical leap is a more sustainable and beneficial approach, rather than modifying the game’s physical parameters.
Challenges in Implementing the Change
Lowering the rims across WNBA arenas could be a relatively simple change, but it may not be as straightforward as it seems. One major hurdle is that players, especially young girls, grow up playing on 10-foot hoops in parks, gyms, and schools across the country. Creating a system with different rim heights in various courts would be a logistical challenge.
The idea of implementing two different rim heights at different venues would not only complicate player training but could also create inconsistencies in how the game is played and experienced at all levels. It’s a significant undertaking that may ultimately prove unfeasible.
O'Neal's Continued Advocacy for Change
Despite the pushback from Wilson and others, O'Neal has reiterated his position. On November 25, 2024, he again urged Wilson to consider the possibility of lowering the rims to better align the WNBA with fan expectations and increase excitement around the league. O'Neal stressed that 60% of basketball fans are drawn to the spectacle of dunks, which could help raise the profile of the WNBA and its players. By increasing the frequency of dunks, O'Neal hopes to draw more attention to the league and, in turn, increase its financial success.
However, for now, Wilson remains focused on the work needed to improve individual performance rather than altering the game itself. Her concerns about maintaining shooting accuracy and not disrupting established training routines underscore the complexity of any proposed changes to the WNBA's format.
Looking Toward the Future of the WNBA
The debate about whether or not to lower the rims in the WNBA highlights a larger conversation about how the league can continue to evolve and grow. As the 2024 season showed, the WNBA is making strides in attracting more fans and generating more media attention. The challenge moving forward is how to strike a balance between enhancing the entertainment value of the game while preserving its integrity and the development of player skills.
