Is tonight's Lynx-Mercury game the most important of the season so far? One writer thinks so.
But Minnesota ain't worried 'bout nothin.'
The game has been picked up by NBA TV. It's at 5 p.m. Pacific/8 p.m. Eastern.
In other games tonight.....
It's Storm COO Karen Bryant's last.
Elena Delle Donne returns to the Sky lineup.
More WNBA news.......
Liberty:
Anna Cruz is a rookie as feisty as she is steady.
Shock:
How Courtney Paris got her groove back.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Hoopism is 6!!
Today marks the sixth anniversary of this blog. I started it on this date in 2008 with the intention of shining light on women's basketball, from the high school level to the pros. As of today, I've had almost one million page views.
The fun I've had blogging for the past six years has been worth at least a million dollars. Writing about basketball, both for this space and other websites, has taken me to arenas far and wide, three NCAA Final Fours, heart-stopping games and great WNBA events. I have met some fantastic and phenomenal people - both coaches and players.
It was captivating and gratifying to watch and chronicle Cal star forward Reshanda Gray ball out in high school, and to see her and USC star guard Ariya Crook play elite ball with club team Cal Sparks. To think they're both about to be college seniors messes with my mind.
Layshia Clarendon is another player who I watched in high school. She also went to Cal, and is now in her second year with the Indiana Fever. I talked with her the other night before they faced the Sparks here in Los Angeles, and she is a grown woman now - not a shy kid anymore. As a teacher, I can't think of anything more gratifying than to see that transformation.
Coaches at all the major colleges I cover have changed over these six years: UCLA, USC, LMU, CSUN, SDSU. I've watched each one of these teams have the ups and downs that go with the cycles of life, and not just basketball. The sport truly is a metaphor for life.
The WNBA keeps getting more talent-laden with each passing year. The game has truly evolved a lot. The new generation is very exciting to watch - Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike, especially, for me. But with veteran Tamika Catchings, you can never go wrong. As the league has become more like a business, I appreciate those that play with intense heart and passion more than ever.
Thanks for your readership. I will be back later to blog more.
The fun I've had blogging for the past six years has been worth at least a million dollars. Writing about basketball, both for this space and other websites, has taken me to arenas far and wide, three NCAA Final Fours, heart-stopping games and great WNBA events. I have met some fantastic and phenomenal people - both coaches and players.
It was captivating and gratifying to watch and chronicle Cal star forward Reshanda Gray ball out in high school, and to see her and USC star guard Ariya Crook play elite ball with club team Cal Sparks. To think they're both about to be college seniors messes with my mind.
Layshia Clarendon is another player who I watched in high school. She also went to Cal, and is now in her second year with the Indiana Fever. I talked with her the other night before they faced the Sparks here in Los Angeles, and she is a grown woman now - not a shy kid anymore. As a teacher, I can't think of anything more gratifying than to see that transformation.
Coaches at all the major colleges I cover have changed over these six years: UCLA, USC, LMU, CSUN, SDSU. I've watched each one of these teams have the ups and downs that go with the cycles of life, and not just basketball. The sport truly is a metaphor for life.
The WNBA keeps getting more talent-laden with each passing year. The game has truly evolved a lot. The new generation is very exciting to watch - Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike, especially, for me. But with veteran Tamika Catchings, you can never go wrong. As the league has become more like a business, I appreciate those that play with intense heart and passion more than ever.
Thanks for your readership. I will be back later to blog more.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
'Twas the night before the big showdown
Phoenix visits Minnesota tomorrow night in the battle of the West. A Mercury win means 17 - one shy of the WNBA record of 18 straight, set by the Sparks way back when.
Phoenix says they're not focused on the record.
More WNBA news.....
Mercury:
Diana Taurasi is spearheading the team's hot streak.
Lynx:
...revved up the intensity in today's practice, to get ready for Phoenix tomorrow.
Sixth annual Catwalk for a Cure photos. (Gotta check those out)
Sky:
Elena Delle Donne has rejoined the Sky after battling Lyme Disease.
She said she has no choice but to cope.
Shock:
Skylar Diggins broke the franchise single-season scoring record last night. She has 564.
Fever:
Briann January is Indiana's catalyst.
The Fever's pink night will be dedicated to center Krystal Thomas. Awwww....
College news:
Spokane will host NCAA regionals in 2015, the NCAA announced today. The city replaces Sacramento.
UConn's Morgan Tuck was granted a medical hardship waiver for last season.
Steve Wallace has returned to Kansas as an assistant coach.
The Arizona State basketball team has adopted a young girl with leukemia.
Twenty years of coach Bill Fennelly at Iowa State.
Phoenix says they're not focused on the record.
More WNBA news.....
Mercury:
Diana Taurasi is spearheading the team's hot streak.
Lynx:
...revved up the intensity in today's practice, to get ready for Phoenix tomorrow.
Sixth annual Catwalk for a Cure photos. (Gotta check those out)
Sky:
Elena Delle Donne has rejoined the Sky after battling Lyme Disease.
She said she has no choice but to cope.
Shock:
Skylar Diggins broke the franchise single-season scoring record last night. She has 564.
Fever:
Briann January is Indiana's catalyst.
The Fever's pink night will be dedicated to center Krystal Thomas. Awwww....
College news:
Spokane will host NCAA regionals in 2015, the NCAA announced today. The city replaces Sacramento.
UConn's Morgan Tuck was granted a medical hardship waiver for last season.
Steve Wallace has returned to Kansas as an assistant coach.
The Arizona State basketball team has adopted a young girl with leukemia.
Twenty years of coach Bill Fennelly at Iowa State.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Count 'em: 16 consecutive wins
Tonight's results:
Make that 16 consecutive wins for the Mercury - they beat the Sparks, 90-69. It's the second-longest streak in league history.
The Liberty slipped by the Mystics in overtime, 80-76.
The Shock got by the Storm, 80-74.
The Stars routed the Sky, 92-74.
More WNBA news.....
Lynx:
....are preparing for Thursday's showdown with arch rival Phoenix.
Today's practice report.
Shock:
Coach Fred Williams appreciates the talents of center Courtney Paris.
Sky:
Jessica Breland's story: from cancer to All-Star.
Liberty:
Essence Carson has received the WNBA Cares Community Assist Award for June.
Make that 16 consecutive wins for the Mercury - they beat the Sparks, 90-69. It's the second-longest streak in league history.
The Liberty slipped by the Mystics in overtime, 80-76.
The Shock got by the Storm, 80-74.
The Stars routed the Sky, 92-74.
More WNBA news.....
Lynx:
....are preparing for Thursday's showdown with arch rival Phoenix.
Today's practice report.
Shock:
Coach Fred Williams appreciates the talents of center Courtney Paris.
Sky:
Jessica Breland's story: from cancer to All-Star.
Liberty:
Essence Carson has received the WNBA Cares Community Assist Award for June.
One down, four more games to go
Today's results so far:
The Dream downed the Sun, 89-80.
Four more games to go today.
Breast cancer awareness week:
The Fever's Krystal Thomas talks about losing her mother to breast cancer when she was 16.
More WNBA news....
Mercury:
The Mercury have shown they can score in a variety of ways.
Sparks:
A conversation with general manager/coach Penny Toler.
The Dream downed the Sun, 89-80.
Four more games to go today.
Breast cancer awareness week:
The Fever's Krystal Thomas talks about losing her mother to breast cancer when she was 16.
More WNBA news....
Mercury:
The Mercury have shown they can score in a variety of ways.
Sparks:
A conversation with general manager/coach Penny Toler.
Lin Dunn plans to continue work in basketball after retirement from coaching
Had a chance to sit down with coaching great Lin Dunn last night, who talked about the future, the past and the present.
Wrote a song about it - like to read it? Here it goes.
Following that, the Sparks edged the Fever, 77-73. Four players from each side were in double figures.
Wrote a song about it - like to read it? Here it goes.
Following that, the Sparks edged the Fever, 77-73. Four players from each side were in double figures.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Mediocrity or parity?
ESPN ponders the exact question that I have seen on twitter for the last two weeks: is there parity or mediocrity in the WNBA? Because only three teams have winning records: Phoenix, Minnesota and Atlanta. Power rankings for the week:
1. Phoenix
2. Minnesota
3. Atlanta
4. Washington
5. San Antonio
6. Indiana
7. Los Angeles
8. New York
9. Seattle
10. Tulsa
11. Chicago
12. Connecticut
It's definitely not mediocrity. This is probably the best-skilled WNBA we've ever seen, as showcased in the All-Star game.
It's some serious parity, as all of that talent is spread out amongst the league's 12 teams.
Players of the week:
....are Ivory Latta for the East and Maya Moore for the West.
More WNBA news.....
Lynx:
Maya Moore has become the face of the league.
Storm:
....have signed Waltiea Rolle to a second seven-day contract.
Eye of the Storm: Tanisha Wright.
Mercury:
Mistie Bass blogs.
Mystics:
Ivory Latta discusses a recent cancer scare.
1. Phoenix
2. Minnesota
3. Atlanta
4. Washington
5. San Antonio
6. Indiana
7. Los Angeles
8. New York
9. Seattle
10. Tulsa
11. Chicago
12. Connecticut
It's definitely not mediocrity. This is probably the best-skilled WNBA we've ever seen, as showcased in the All-Star game.
It's some serious parity, as all of that talent is spread out amongst the league's 12 teams.
Players of the week:
....are Ivory Latta for the East and Maya Moore for the West.
More WNBA news.....
Lynx:
Maya Moore has become the face of the league.
Storm:
....have signed Waltiea Rolle to a second seven-day contract.
Eye of the Storm: Tanisha Wright.
Mercury:
Mistie Bass blogs.
Mystics:
Ivory Latta discusses a recent cancer scare.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Second half of the season off to a new start
Well now.....
The Mystics are now second in the East after knocking off the Dream, 77-67.
The Lynx are all back finally, and it shows: they beat the Sun, 76-65. Maya Moore lead the way with 17 points.
The Shock downed the Sky, 79-69. Birthday girl Glory Johnson was Tulsa's leading scorer, with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
More WNBA news.....
Storm:
Awesome interview with outgoing COO Karen Bryant.
College news:
Arkansas State coach Brian Boyer's contract has been extended through 2017.
The Mystics are now second in the East after knocking off the Dream, 77-67.
The Lynx are all back finally, and it shows: they beat the Sun, 76-65. Maya Moore lead the way with 17 points.
The Shock downed the Sky, 79-69. Birthday girl Glory Johnson was Tulsa's leading scorer, with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
More WNBA news.....
Storm:
Awesome interview with outgoing COO Karen Bryant.
College news:
Arkansas State coach Brian Boyer's contract has been extended through 2017.
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Mercury wins 15th straight; Sparks finally notch one
Today's results:
The Sparks downed the Storm, 77-69. It was the first win for Los Angeles general manager and coach Penny Toler, and the fifth consecutive loss for Seattle.
The Fever rallied to beat the Stars, 75-68.
The Mercury routed the Liberty, 78-63. It's the 15th straight win for Phoenix.
More WNBA news....
Sky:
Elena Delle Donne could return this week.
Fever:
Coach Lin Dunn is savoring her farewell tour.
Lynx:
Maya Moore's career is rolling on and off the court.
Shock:
Skylar Diggins is soaring in her second year as a pro.
Liberty:
Veteran Swin Cash is bringing maturity and leadership to the Liberty.
Sun:
Alex Bentley looks to guide the Sun back to the playoffs.
College news:
Former Cal athletic director Sandy Barbour is now in the same position at Penn State.
Ruthie Bolton was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame last night.
The Sparks downed the Storm, 77-69. It was the first win for Los Angeles general manager and coach Penny Toler, and the fifth consecutive loss for Seattle.
The Fever rallied to beat the Stars, 75-68.
The Mercury routed the Liberty, 78-63. It's the 15th straight win for Phoenix.
More WNBA news....
Sky:
Elena Delle Donne could return this week.
Fever:
Coach Lin Dunn is savoring her farewell tour.
Lynx:
Maya Moore's career is rolling on and off the court.
Shock:
Skylar Diggins is soaring in her second year as a pro.
Liberty:
Veteran Swin Cash is bringing maturity and leadership to the Liberty.
Sun:
Alex Bentley looks to guide the Sun back to the playoffs.
College news:
Former Cal athletic director Sandy Barbour is now in the same position at Penn State.
Ruthie Bolton was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame last night.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Three-game night
Tonight's results:
The Mystics survived a bad fourth quarter to overcome the Shock, 82-77.
The Sky beat the Stars, 88-78.
The Sky edged the Dream, 79-75.
More WNBA news.....
Mercury:
Shay Murphy is providing a spark off the bench.
Liberty:
Swin Cash and Cappie Pondexter are launching blogs.
Storm:
Outgoing COO Karen Bryant interview, part two.
Lynx:
Lindsay Whalen podcast.
College news:
Central Michgan's new assistant coach is former Michigan State star Kristin Haynie.
High school:
Is Miami High School's Beatrice Mompremier the next Sylvia Fowles?
The Mystics survived a bad fourth quarter to overcome the Shock, 82-77.
The Sky beat the Stars, 88-78.
The Sky edged the Dream, 79-75.
More WNBA news.....
Mercury:
Shay Murphy is providing a spark off the bench.
Liberty:
Swin Cash and Cappie Pondexter are launching blogs.
Storm:
Outgoing COO Karen Bryant interview, part two.
Lynx:
Lindsay Whalen podcast.
College news:
Central Michgan's new assistant coach is former Michigan State star Kristin Haynie.
High school:
Is Miami High School's Beatrice Mompremier the next Sylvia Fowles?
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