The WNBA took a much-needed step toward legitimacy yesterday when the Phoenix Lifelocks announced their two-game suspension of Diana Taurasi for her arrest for DUI on July 2nd. There’s nothing like an athlete heralded for their decision-making on the floor to commit a totally heinous act off it. Aw, I’m just kidding. DUIs kick ass.

In a release Thursday, the team said Taurasi was suspended “for conduct detrimental to the team.” Taurasi will miss Saturday’s game against Detroit and Wednesday’s game against Minnesota. via

How is it “detrimental” unless she’s driving the team bus? Is she going to kill someone on the road, only to have that person exclaim to throngs of media, “Well, that’s it! I’m never watching women’s basketball again!” This has totally shaken my worldview of the WNBA. It’s only a matter of time before the hordes of WNBA groupies are trying to get pregnant and sue the players for their $45,000 salaries.

We had something special lined up for today, but we’re having some technical issues with it (without giving away what it is) and we’ll roll it out tomorrow. Fortunately, reader Eric F. came through with this contribution that really, truly has me at a loss. Incredibly done, Eric.

The Stanley Cup Final resumes tonight, and the NBA Finals start up this evening as well. Kobe will be wearing a Lakers uni for that tip, I’d imagine. Lil Wayne wrote a song about Kobe, or a track about him, or whatever they’re calling those things now. And then there’s this video from The Rap Up, featuring a woman that looks mighty similar to Kobe’s accuser in Colorado. You’ll want to listen to the lyrics on this one, kids.

I've been hearing things about the WNBA playoffs recently, and it turns out the playoffs just ended, with the Phoenix Mercury beating the Detroit Shock in Game 5 of the championship series.  In case you're unfamiliar with the WNBA playoffs — really, and you call yourself a fan? — Game 5 was the deciding game, and the Shock was favored heavily at home.  Cappie Pondexter (who was NOT a pitcher in the Negro Leagues) won the series MVP.  For some perspective on the win, I turn it over to Diana Taurasi's blog:

Whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! [...] Through everything, thick and thin, through diamonds and coal, we did everything we could to win. People doubted the running game, they doubted Small Ball, they doubted the Rover defense and we say YES to all of the naysayers, doubters and haters. We did it.

We are Phoenix. We run-and-gun, we shoot the three and we win championships.

And people wonder why the WNBA isn't as popular as the NBA: if the league can't screw an exciting Phoenix team out of a title, how does it expect to survive?