The ratings growth for the WNBA this year was almost unfathomable.

ESPN reports that it averaged 1.2 million viewers for its games, up from 440,000 a year prior. By comparison, the NBA's average rating last season for games on ESPN and TNT was 1.56 million. Some 3.44 million watched the WNBA All-Star Game vs. 5.5 million for the NBA All-Star Game.

The Fever alone garnered five games with more than two million viewers and 18 with more than a million. This wasn't just Sunday afternoons on ABC, either.

A Friday night game on Aug. 30 against Chicago drew 1.6 million to Ion, easily the largest audience in the low-profile cable network's history. Two games on NBATV recorded 600,000 or more viewers.

It suggests that while Fever playoff ratings could set new records, there may be a sustained and extended boost for all postseason games that goes far beyond any reasonable expectation - mine in particular - of what Clark was going to deliver.

Clark slowly adjusted to the physicality of the WNBA while her teammates adjusted to her style of play. She enters the playoffs as arguably a top-five player in the league and is now regularly scoring 25 or 30 points a game, while hitting logo threes and tossing length-of-the-court passes. That's what drew so many to her in the first place.

I said back then that the W negotiated too low in their media rights package, and I received pushback as I noted the NBA's package was 97% of the total amount while the W's was only 3%. The W sold cheap. CC first signature basketballs sold out in less than an hour and her licensed gear outsells every other player's by a wide margin. Once her Nike signature shoe comes out, I predict it will set an all time record for first-run sales. It's almost a no brainer.

If you haven't watched CC play, do yourself a favor and tune in. She plays the game unlike most players male or female. But most of all you'll be entertained, and isn't that the point we watch and enjoy sports in the first place?