The Keynote Speaker Was Rick Fox, unsilent majority, wnba

Gussying Up the WNBA's Rookie Class

The WNBA, like other professional leagues, holds an annual orientation for their new rookie class. Unlike other professional leagues, this orientation featured courses on hairstyles, makeup tips, and other non-pillow fighting related slumber party activities.

As part of the rookies' orientation into life as professional athletes, the WNBA for the first time offered them hour-long courses on makeup and fashion tips. The courses, at an O'Hare airport hotel, made up about a third of the two-day orientation, which also featured seminars on financial advice, media training and fitness and nutrition.
"I think it's very important," said Candace Parker, the Naperville product who was the league's No. 1 draft pick out of Tennessee. "I'm the type who likes to put on basketball shorts and a white T, but I love to dress up and wear makeup. But as time goes on, I think [looks] will be less and less important."

The NBA considered similar measures before realizing that their players spend more time on their hair than your average prom queen.

Chicago Sports

5:42 PM on Sun May 4 2008
By Unsilent Majority
13,632 views
47 comments

Comments

lisa at 05:52 PM on 05/04/08
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Brazil-Thrill, did she call you from the orientation...or at least text you?
Bearcat44 at 05:52 PM on 05/04/08
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"The NBA considered similar measures before realizing that their players spend more time [banging an] average prom queen."

Fixed
J-No at 05:53 PM on 05/04/08
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I am pretty sure you just made Brazil Thrill's month.
Baudolino at 05:53 PM on 05/04/08
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No, no, no, yes.
J-No at 05:55 PM on 05/04/08
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I am also a Naperville product, but not nearly as cute.
futuremrsrickankiel at 05:58 PM on 05/04/08
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I wish they would do something like this with MLB rookies... possible seminar topics could include How Not To Get Fat In The Off-Season and How Not To Grow Douche-y Facial Hair.
StevePerryPsychOut at 05:58 PM on 05/04/08
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two, please.
Brazil Thrill at 06:02 PM on 05/04/08
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♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥♥♥.
Brazil Thrill at 06:06 PM on 05/04/08
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@Brazil Thrill's Shot Was Blocked By KG: Huh, I left my "emotion" key lock on. What I tried to type was:

Even her reflections are yesses.
How do you spell retard? at 06:08 PM on 05/04/08
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@futuremrsrickankiel: I hope my children can live in a world sans extended soul patches/ male vag tags.
MrRedDevil at 06:09 PM on 05/04/08
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@lisa: hiya Lisa
Brazil Thrill at 06:10 PM on 05/04/08
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@lisa: Unfortunately no, though I'm strongly considering a quick drive from Atlanta to Chicago.

@J-No: It's certainly a nice distraction after my Hawks got flattened by the Celtics.
MrRedDevil at 06:14 PM on 05/04/08
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Chip Caray just said "fisted".

Very Nice

PS. Bill Engvall is NOT funny.
lisa at 06:15 PM on 05/04/08
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@MrRedDevil:
Hey...how's it going? Beautiful weather, and hubby and the kids are on their way back from the Renaissance festival...I'm just using my new Furminator to deshed the dogs...boring!
Shorty at 06:15 PM on 05/04/08
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Her armpits look a little crusty.

and Go Pens. Holy shit...Thank you!
lisa at 06:16 PM on 05/04/08
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@Brazil Thrill's Shot Was Blocked By KG:
I'm sure she tried...your cell service might have been out temporarily.
lisa at 06:16 PM on 05/04/08
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@J-No:
btw...the new shedding tool is the greatest thing for dogs since the Dyson!
MrRedDevil at 06:17 PM on 05/04/08
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@lisa: it's going ok, but it's hot as hell in Orlando right now.
lisa at 06:18 PM on 05/04/08
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oh yeah I remember...no relief till December :( I don't miss that about living in Atlanta
How do you spell retard? at 06:18 PM on 05/04/08
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@Shorty: Phuck the Pens!
Go Steve Downie.
Innings Eater at 06:20 PM on 05/04/08
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I don't read anything about the NBA, so forgive me if this has been said before, but Michael Beasley would scare the shit out of me were I drafting #1 overall. Has anybody whispered Derrick Coleman's name?

/Reading NBA shit on a lazy Sunday.
Brazil Thrill at 06:21 PM on 05/04/08
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@lisa: I'll drop Sprint in a heartbeat if that's the case. Who's the preferred cell phone provider for the University of Tennessee?
Becky_MI at 06:22 PM on 05/04/08
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@Brazil Thrill's Shot Was Blocked By KG: I was wondering how you were doing, and glad this post lessens the sting a bit.

Now, could someone post the photos of the Granderson Men's Health spread so that I may be distracted by the Tigers shitting the bed today?
Brazil Thrill at 06:23 PM on 05/04/08
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@Innings Eater: I don't know... I haven't heard a compelling Derrick Coleman/Michael Beasley comparison yet. Beasley put up better stats with less talent around him during his freshman year.
lisa at 06:27 PM on 05/04/08
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@Brazil Thrill's Shot Was Blocked By KG:
I think Krispy Kreme has a service that's only in Knoxville...but I think she's already switched to a LA Galaxy company phone...we need the UT one for her replacement.
/cell phones easier to hide than large expensive cars
twoeightnine at 06:29 PM on 05/04/08
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There's a WNBA draft?
Brazil Thrill at 06:34 PM on 05/04/08
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@Becky_MI: I'm doing fine, thanks for the concern Becky. :-) The Hawks barely made the playoffs, so to force the best team in the league to a game 7 with such a young roster was already a successful season in my book. Hopefully we improve next year and build on this improbable playoff run.
How was your trip, by the way?
DontPracticeRenteria at 06:42 PM on 05/04/08
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This kind of reminds me of when Icebox tries to become a cheerleader in The Little Giants. I think that was the day I got into the whole dominatrix scene.
Brazil Thrill at 06:43 PM on 05/04/08
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@lisa: I could see how giving away cell phones is an effective recruiting tool. I'm still trying to figure out how to frame her husband, Shelden Williams, into the whole Elliot Spitzer - call girl debacle.
Shorty at 06:46 PM on 05/04/08
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@DontPracticeRenteria: She knew all along she was better suited to be a fullback though.
lisa at 06:50 PM on 05/04/08
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@Brazil Thrill's Shot Was Blocked By KG:
Yeah, I'd get into those files if I could...but maybe the McGreevey case in NJ would be a better death knell.
Lizabelle at 06:52 PM on 05/04/08
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What is WNBA?
$Image of What Would Kornheiser Do? Presented by Larsen\'s Biscuits$ What Would Kornheiser... at 06:54 PM on 05/04/08
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@Lizabelle: What ESPN refers to as a "pain in the ass" come contract negotiations with the NBA.
Yostal at 06:55 PM on 05/04/08
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@Becky_MI: Seriously, at this point, I don't know if I can find an "easy game" on the schedule any more because I can't figure out which Tigers team is going to show up. Maddening, just maddening.
EditorOfTheDailyFaberian at 06:56 PM on 05/04/08
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When are they going to make the WNBA players play in high heels?

That, I would watch.
amorphous at 06:57 PM on 05/04/08
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@twoeightnine: What do WNBA draft picks need media training for?
Brazil Thrill at 07:05 PM on 05/04/08
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@Lizabelle:
According to Shay Murphy it is:
R= Ready at all times.
E= Effected by no one
S= Surrender to nothing
P= Passion
E= Efficient effort given always.
C= Calm and collective in every situation.
T= Tenacity
the-Bored at 07:07 PM on 05/04/08
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@EditorOfTheDailyFaberian:I'd watch if they played in skirts. Preferably of the miniature variety.
Brazil Thrill at 07:08 PM on 05/04/08
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@lisa: Great idea! Throw John Amaechi's name in there to tie them together and we've got a winner.
Le Kangourou de... at 07:37 PM on 05/04/08
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Uh, seriously?

I think these women probably know how to apply makeup and dress appropriately, whether or not they choose to do so.

jeez.
TheRunningboard7 at 07:37 PM on 05/04/08
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It is good to see Naperville has produced something other than a settling ground for white-flight.
Becky_MI at 07:44 PM on 05/04/08
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@Brazil Thrill's Shot Was Blocked By KG: Yeah, that they won 37 and got that far was quite a feat. Bless them for wearing out the Celtics a bit. I hope. :) Trip was quick and boozy. Badly boozy.

@Yostal: Yep. And here I am with tickets through the rest of the summer. I hope Leyland's lineup changes shake things up some, and in a good way.
Rock You Like An Iracane at 07:46 PM on 05/04/08
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Are we here or above? I need to know.
$Image of josereyes.theroof wishes to perform Tim Harris\'s sack-dance for you$ josereyes.theroof... at 09:39 PM on 05/04/08
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@DontPracticeRenteria: @Shorty: I saw this movie. Twice. On a Amtrak trip from Chicago to DC. It made me cry... I was sixteen.
Secret Identity at 11:12 PM on 05/04/08
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I can't believe I'd give a "yes" to a WNBA player not named Sue Bird or Lauren Jackson.
elwood at 02:01 AM on 05/05/08
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@J-No: You're from Naperville for serious? What high school and what year?
That-Dude at 10:17 AM on 05/05/08
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@Secret Identity: Swin Cash? By all accounts, she shuts it down, i.e., end of contest.

[swincash.com]

Even Boston-bred Bill Simmons has to shout.