"If you’re going to talk big, you’d better be ready to back it up!" This bold statement from WNBA player Sophie Cunningham truly encapsulates the growing debate around the basketball tradition of post-game handshakes. In the latest episode of their engaging podcast "Show Me Something," which aired on Tuesday, Cunningham and her co-host West Wilson discussed a caller's inquiry about the decline in this customary gesture among basketball athletes. Cunningham suggested that the roots of this change could be traced back to the Covid pandemic, which led to a halt in many physical interactions. However, Wilson added an interesting perspective, pointing out that the practice may have diminished due to the potential for conflicts between players.
Cunningham, who plays as a guard for the Indiana Fever, reacted to Wilson's insights around the 39:30 mark of the episode, stating, "If you’re gonna talk s**t, then back it up; that way, you have nothing to fear. Many of those who refrain from shaking hands can't live up to their words. I think handshakes are fine, but honestly, nobody truly means it."
Interestingly, this scenario differs significantly from the NHL. In hockey, despite the physicality of the sport and occasional fights breaking out during games, the handshake line at the end of the match endures as a time-honored ritual. During the season impacted by Covid, players opted for fist bumps in lieu of traditional handshakes or hugs as a means of maintaining some level of camaraderie while still being cautious.
In contrast, basketball players in both the NBA and WNBA tend to handpick the opponents they wish to greet after games, often sidestepping any notion of a universal handshake line. For Cunningham, this practice seems superfluous.
Interestingly, she did mention that players in the basketball world do participate in handshakes or a quick greeting, often referred to as 'daps,' before the opening tip-off of the game.
Turning to a deeply personal note, Cunningham reflected on the Indiana Fever's recent near-miss in reaching the WNBA Finals. The Fever faced off against the Las Vegas Aces, champions of the league, in a suspenseful five-game series where they pushed the Aces to the brink in the decisive Game 5, only to fall short in overtime, a loss that echoed with a sense of helplessness for Cunningham.
“Had just a couple of calls gone our way, we could have been in the finals, which is a wild idea to consider,” she expressed during the podcast at the 20:20 mark.
It’s important to note that the Fever were playing without some key members, such as Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson, Chloe Bibby, Damiris Dantas, and standout point guard Caitlin Clark throughout the playoffs. Despite these setbacks, the Indiana team nearly crafted an incredible upset. The situation was compounded in Game 5 when they lost Kelsey Mitchell to cramps during the third quarter. Coupled with a foul from Aliyah Boston in the fourth, their resilience shone through as they managed to take the formidable Aces into overtime.
Looking ahead, while uncertainty looms due to ongoing discussions around the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), Cunningham remains optimistic. She emphasized a belief that if the organization can successfully unite the team for the upcoming season, the Fever have the potential to achieve something truly remarkable.
