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Now I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t watch a lot of WNBA games. In all honest I don’t think I’ve ever seen a WNBA game from start to finish. I will watch bits and pieces of games when I come across them though. It’s not like I don’t like women’s basketball, but I’m generally watching something else when their games are on, and I just don’t flip over. Yesterday was an exception as I sat down to watch the WNBA All-Star game, but sadly I came away disappointed.

While I thought it was kind of interesting that they added a 4-point shot. The negative to that was it came off as gimmicky and it seemed as though any time someone took a 4-point shot it was unchallenged. The other issue I had with the game was it was way, way too much what the NBA All-Star game has turned into. I don’t think I saw anyone even attempt to play defense and I don’t mean just on those 4-point shots, but in the entire game. That was reflected in the final score.

Team Stewart beat Team Wilson 143-127. Jewell Loyd of Team Stewart was the game’s leading scorer with 31 points, but Team Wilson’s Kelsey Plum finished just one point behind her as she put up 30 points for her team. Loyd’s 31 points was an All-Star game record and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

The WNBA did correct one of the major flaws from last year’s game. Loyd’s MVP trophy was much more representable of what an MVP trophy should look like. Plum actually won the MVP award in the 2022 game and was given an MVP trophy so small that she referred to it as “my little teacup”.

Loyd’s MVP award continues a streak of guards winning that award. The last time a player that would be considered a true post player won the WNBA All-Star game award was in 2013 when Candice Parker who was with the Los Angeles Sparks at that time won the MVP award.

The captains are both forwards. Both had good games. Aja Wilson finished with 20 points and five rebounds; Breana Stewart had a game-high nine assists — but they were asked what needs to happen for a post player to take home the MVP trophy again.

“We just need to shoot more 3s … 3s and 4-pointers,” Stewart said, referring to the special spots on the floor for which four points were awarded. “Or if someone gets a triple-double.”

One of the biggest stories coming into and during this All-Star game was the return of Brittany Griner. During last season’s All-Star game Griner was still being detained in Russia, but she was named an honorary All-Star in 2022. The players actually all wore Griner’s #42 in the second half of last season’s All-Star game.

Griner was able to display her skills as she posted a double-double scoring 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Griner also blocked 2 shots and had 2 dunks in the game.

Griner’s team the Phoenix Mercury will be the host of the WNBA’s 2024 All-Star game. It’s a little too earlier to consider this, but it possible that this could be Griner’s teammate Diana Taurasi’s last All-Star game. Taurasi is signed through the 2024 season and has been a 10 time All-Star.

Taurasi wasn’t selected for yesterday’s All-Star game, but if next season did turn out to be her last season, you’d have to think that the WNBA would find a way to make sure Taurasi would be in the game.

2024 would be Taurasi’s 20th season in the WNBA. She has won three WNBA titles and was named the MVP in two of those finals. She was the WNBA’s MVP for the 2009 season, and she’s been named to 10 All-WNBA 1st teams. She was also the league’s Rookie of the Year in 2004. Taurasi has also led the league in scoring three times and led them league in assists once.

Did you watch any or all of the WNBA All-Star game? If so, what did you think? If you didn’t watch let me know why you decided to not watch? I’d also like to know if you think that the WNBA should find a way to get Diana Taurasi into next seasons All-Star game if it’s her last season?

Don’t forget to look for me on Twitter, I’m @Burketime.