Hey “basketball fans”, do you remember #24’s last regular season game? Remember when #24 scored 60 points? Remember when #24’s former teammates were on the sidelines cheering and then giving #24 a huge hug after the game? Remember the video package of thanks and congrats for #24? Remember when #24 made a farewell speech and ended with “Mamba Out?” Of course, you remember that #24’s name doesn’t even have to be mentioned and you still know who it is, Kobe Bean Bryant. Funny thing is, Bryant isn’t even the greatest basketball player of all time in the league, and the majority of “basketball fans” watched that game over the 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors, as they were beating the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls season record with a 73-9 record. No one can blame you, though, because Bryant’s last game was truly iconic.

Now, “basketball fans,” do you remember #24’s last regular season game that just happened Sunday? Do you remember #24 only scoring 15 points? Do you remember #24 playing 30 minutes instead of 42, because #24’s body needs preserving for the playoffs? If you remember #24 of the Lakers last game, but not this #24’s last game, then maybe you should only call yourself a Kobe fan or NBA fan instead of a basketball fan. The game you missed included the greatest WNBA basketball player of all time, Tamika Catchings.

Kobe Bryant’s last game was a sell out way before the season even began. When Bryant announced his retirement in the 2015 offseason, people immediately scattered trying to find the golden ticket like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. What’s befuddling, though, is that “basketball fans” filled up 18,165 seats out of 18,165 seats at Staples Center to watch the one time MVP, but had a two years notice to get a Catchings farewell ticket. Only 17,704 seats out of 18,165 seats were bought. Thank God for Paul George buying 5,000 tickets or it would have been 5,461 seats open during that historic game. Paul George understands greatness when he sees it. As a true admirer of his “big sis,” Catchings, he decided to change his number to 13. He believes nobody in Indiana should wear #24. Another Indiana great, Reggie Miller, understand Indiana basketball greatness as he was also in attendance to watch the ten-time all-star lace her sneakers up one last time before the playoffs.

Now the NBA and WNBA encourage people to support equality with the “#LeanInTogether” Public Service Campaign, and sitting down and watching Catchings last game or actually going to the game and filling every seat would have been a small step to bridge that gap. Now, it’s understandable that the game was at 4 o’clock eastern time on a Sunday. That’s a prime time moment for football, but it’s only the second week, so you could miss this game and watch the 2011 Most Valuable Player do what she does best one more time. WNBA players don’t get the respect they deserve and a non-sellout event for Catchings last game is proof. Catchings doesn’t just inspire the players of today like Mya Moore, Ivory Latta, Seimone Agustus, but as previously mentioned, she is an inspiration to men like Paul George. So if you missed greatness on Sunday, then you probably missed these milestones as well.

You probably missed when #24 broke the all-time rebounds record on September 16,2016. If you missed that, then you missed when #24 broke the steals record that will probably never be broken. Just like Kobe, #24 is second in all-time scoring. #24 is also in the top ten for all-time assist and top 15 in all-time blocks. If you think that’s impressive, then you would love #24’s playoff record- breaking standings, as she is in the top five all-time in points, steals, assist, rebounds, and blocks. She led the Fever to a WNBA championship in 2012 as she was also the finals MVP. Catchings is a four-time gold medalist and the list goes on and on. If her milestones don’t impress you, then maybe her highlights will (http://www.wnba.com/video/tamika-catchings-career-highlights/). If you still can’t be convinced that women’s basketball should be respected, based on Catchings career alone, then don’t call yourself a basketball fan.

Catchings will be retiring after her playoff journey is complete with the Indiana Fever this year. Like Kobe, she started her career and is ending her career with one franchise. For 15 years, she has climbed the ladder to be the greatest WNBA player ever. If you missed her for the past 15 years, you might want to get your head checked, cause you just missed out on the best fever you could have ever had.