Though the Dream defeated the Fever, 86-77, Indiana players received their 2012 Championship rings in a pre-game ceremony.
The Liberty just squeaked one by the Shock, 78-76, in overtime. Some feel the Shock's last basket should have counted, and sent the game into a second extra period.
The Sun and Sky are still battling as I speak.....
Tomorrow the Sparks will be at the Silver Stars, and the Lynx FINALLY get their season started, hosting the Sun.
Other WNBA news:
Sparks....Candace Parker traces her love of basketball back to eighth grade.
Lynx....have named their anniversary team.
They aim to master the details to regain the title.
I'm wondering why it's taken so long for Minnesota to begin their season this year.
Shock....rookie Skylar Diggins is adjusting to WNBA life.
General:
WNBA President Laurel Richie is eager to watch this year's rookies develop.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Tina Thompson to retire after this season
The last of the original players of the WNBA's 1997 season - Tina Thompson - will retire after this season.
It's a sad day.
Check out the beautiful photo montage tribute on this message board thread.
It's a sad day.
Check out the beautiful photo montage tribute on this message board thread.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Three days off is too long
We get back to game action tomorrow night, after three gameless days.
The Fever's ring ceremony will precede their home opener. Rookie Layshia Clarendon and veteran Tamika Catchings talk about what it means.
The Fever will host the Dream.
New York will host Tulsa, and Chicago hosts Connecticut.
Other WNBA news:
Dream....meet rookie Anne Marie Armstrong.
Angel McCoughtry in slow motion.
Mystics....today's practice highlights.
Fever....the league has taken note of assistant coach Stephanie White.
Lynx....rookie Sugar Rodgers is determined to overcome her past.
Mercury....every Thursday, we'll get the Mercury five.
Sky....will the Sky crack the playoffs in their eighth year?
Sparks....Candace Parker balancing act.
Liberty....Essence Carson talks about her passion for basketball, and music.
Shock....rookie Skylar Diggins' game day rituals.
Sun....Kara Lawson brings poise and experience to the team.
General:
The WNBA is off to a strong start in the ratings.
One ESPN writer says it's time to stop celebrating dunks.
College news:
Louisville coach Jeff Walz says embattled Rutgers athletic director nominee Julie Hermann took care of Cardinal athletes during her tenure there.
Q&A with USC coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke.
Colorado has named former coach Ceal Barry interim athletic director.
Colorado State coach Ryun Williams continues to revamp the roster.
Catching up with Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff.
Notre Dame will have a tough schedule in its new league, the ACC, next season.
High school:
Former hoop stars Andrea Stinson and Ashley Battle have each landed their own high school coaching jobs.
The Fever's ring ceremony will precede their home opener. Rookie Layshia Clarendon and veteran Tamika Catchings talk about what it means.
The Fever will host the Dream.
New York will host Tulsa, and Chicago hosts Connecticut.
Other WNBA news:
Dream....meet rookie Anne Marie Armstrong.
Angel McCoughtry in slow motion.
Mystics....today's practice highlights.
Fever....the league has taken note of assistant coach Stephanie White.
Lynx....rookie Sugar Rodgers is determined to overcome her past.
Mercury....every Thursday, we'll get the Mercury five.
Sky....will the Sky crack the playoffs in their eighth year?
Sparks....Candace Parker balancing act.
Liberty....Essence Carson talks about her passion for basketball, and music.
Shock....rookie Skylar Diggins' game day rituals.
Sun....Kara Lawson brings poise and experience to the team.
General:
The WNBA is off to a strong start in the ratings.
One ESPN writer says it's time to stop celebrating dunks.
College news:
Louisville coach Jeff Walz says embattled Rutgers athletic director nominee Julie Hermann took care of Cardinal athletes during her tenure there.
Q&A with USC coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke.
Colorado has named former coach Ceal Barry interim athletic director.
Colorado State coach Ryun Williams continues to revamp the roster.
Catching up with Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff.
Notre Dame will have a tough schedule in its new league, the ACC, next season.
High school:
Former hoop stars Andrea Stinson and Ashley Battle have each landed their own high school coaching jobs.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
A bit more WNBA
Lynx....introduce the first of many regular podcasts.
Minnesota scrimmaged against men tonight, and they rallied to win, 83-81.
Mystics....have a fresh start.
Mystics minute with assistant coach Marianne Stanley.
Fever....Q&A with Briann January.
Mercury....Candice Dupree is a smooth operator.
Minnesota scrimmaged against men tonight, and they rallied to win, 83-81.
Mystics....have a fresh start.
Mystics minute with assistant coach Marianne Stanley.
Fever....Q&A with Briann January.
Mercury....Candice Dupree is a smooth operator.
Brittney Griner "owns the middle"
Great, in-depth story on Brittney Griner's life, coming out, and what it means to her new employer, the WNBA.
The most interesting part to me is this:
Over the past 16 years, the WNBA has tried, ever so gently, to create space for itself in the saturated sports world. Marketing campaigns have cherry-picked players who best seem to represent traditional feminine ideals, but in trying to court mainstream fans, the league has struggled to become culturally relevant in its own niche.
Griner happily embraces what the WNBA has long shied away from: controversy. "It's always been, 'Oh, it's just so nice the girls can play,'" says Mercury president Amber Cox. "We want role models, but we need lightning rods to balance things out. In that sense, Brittney has taken us to the next level. If someone is invoking emotion in people, they care. And apathy has been our biggest enemy."
Griner's arrival coincides with intriguing new research about WNBA fans. League executives admit that their marketing efforts have been schizophrenic at times as they've searched for a common thread among their eclectic audience. Now the research shows a theme: People who support the WNBA have progressive views on gender. "They share the ultimate goal of living in a world where gender equality exists in all its forms," says league president Laurel Richie.
The WNBA has been building toward the emergence of a player who can embody this philosophy, and now here she is with her size 17 sneakers and 88-inch wingspan. "This feels like a magical moment," Richie says. "I think years from now, we'll look back on 2013 as the pivotal year for this league."
I completely agree with the "needing to embrace controversy" part.
Fans of the league have puzzled for years over the ways the WNBA has tried to market themselves. Maybe they finally have a game plan.
The most interesting part to me is this:
Over the past 16 years, the WNBA has tried, ever so gently, to create space for itself in the saturated sports world. Marketing campaigns have cherry-picked players who best seem to represent traditional feminine ideals, but in trying to court mainstream fans, the league has struggled to become culturally relevant in its own niche.
Griner happily embraces what the WNBA has long shied away from: controversy. "It's always been, 'Oh, it's just so nice the girls can play,'" says Mercury president Amber Cox. "We want role models, but we need lightning rods to balance things out. In that sense, Brittney has taken us to the next level. If someone is invoking emotion in people, they care. And apathy has been our biggest enemy."
Griner's arrival coincides with intriguing new research about WNBA fans. League executives admit that their marketing efforts have been schizophrenic at times as they've searched for a common thread among their eclectic audience. Now the research shows a theme: People who support the WNBA have progressive views on gender. "They share the ultimate goal of living in a world where gender equality exists in all its forms," says league president Laurel Richie.
The WNBA has been building toward the emergence of a player who can embody this philosophy, and now here she is with her size 17 sneakers and 88-inch wingspan. "This feels like a magical moment," Richie says. "I think years from now, we'll look back on 2013 as the pivotal year for this league."
I completely agree with the "needing to embrace controversy" part.
Fans of the league have puzzled for years over the ways the WNBA has tried to market themselves. Maybe they finally have a game plan.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Much going on during a no-game day
General WNBA:
The rookies shone during opening weekend.
I have to agree with all of Helen's snap judgements after opening weekend.
Teams:
Shock....Fans showed up this weekend.
Lynx....There is still one week to go until the Lynx's opener. Hmmm.
The team is adjusting to the new WNBA rule changes.
Today's practice report.
An honor:
Indianapolis is going to create and name a court after resident Tamika Catchings. Ground has been broken on the project.
College news:
Incoming Rutgers AD Julie Hermann remains under fire. She was the focus of a 2008 Louisville lawsuit.
Semeka Randall had a meeting with Alabama A&M players before being introduced as the new head coach today.
Pat Summitt:
The legendary coach will be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.
U16 team:
....had two surprising additions and one stunning omission.
The rookies shone during opening weekend.
I have to agree with all of Helen's snap judgements after opening weekend.
Teams:
Shock....Fans showed up this weekend.
Lynx....There is still one week to go until the Lynx's opener. Hmmm.
The team is adjusting to the new WNBA rule changes.
Today's practice report.
An honor:
Indianapolis is going to create and name a court after resident Tamika Catchings. Ground has been broken on the project.
College news:
Incoming Rutgers AD Julie Hermann remains under fire. She was the focus of a 2008 Louisville lawsuit.
Semeka Randall had a meeting with Alabama A&M players before being introduced as the new head coach today.
Pat Summitt:
The legendary coach will be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.
U16 team:
....had two surprising additions and one stunning omission.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Mystics take Shock in overtime; Sky rout Mercury
In today's first game, the Mystics topped the Shock in overtime, 95-90, behind Ivory Latta's 27 points. Four players were in double figures for Washington, and three were for Tulsa.
Box score.
Then the Sky routed the Mercury, 102-80. Rookie Elena Delle Donne lead all scorers for a while, and ended with 22 while teammate Epiphanny Prince had 26. Phoenix rookie Brittney Griner dunked twice during the game.
Box score.
Good game quotes here.
Thoughts, in no particular order:
- Possible theme for opening weekend: expect the unexpected. It's a different league now, as evidenced by the Storm getting their asses kicked, the Mystics winning, and rookies going off. Veterans are also showing out. It's like everyone got some energy drink.
- Now, if we could keep some of these players with a team for more than two seasons, the WNBA would have something to really market.
- Was there anybody else besides me who said Phoenix won't be as good as everyone expects them to be, and to not automatically hand them the championship? They may just end up taking it all, as four months from now is a long time. But they've got work to do, as we saw today. Making one good college player appear isn't necessarily an immediate solution.
- Two 100-plus scoring games on opening weekend is an indicator of a good season to come.
- Elena Delle Donne is ridiculously skilled. She filled up her stat column nicely, and matched Griner for rebounds and blocks, though she's much shorter. I took an unofficial twitter poll during the game today, and it was 50/50 on whether Griner should have been first pick, or EDD. Whatever the case, Chicago has a very special player.
- The guys in the weight room at my gym liked Griner's second dunk. Men will be paying attention to that, trust me. They don't think you can have a basketball game without a dunk.
- I thought the Liberty and the Shock would be off to a stronger start. I guess that goes with "expect the unexpected."
- Watch out for the Sparks. They are loaded.
- The Lynx need to hurry up and play. And are the Dream going to be better than people guessed they would?
- The claim to the trophy is wide open right now.
Box score.
Then the Sky routed the Mercury, 102-80. Rookie Elena Delle Donne lead all scorers for a while, and ended with 22 while teammate Epiphanny Prince had 26. Phoenix rookie Brittney Griner dunked twice during the game.
Box score.
Good game quotes here.
Thoughts, in no particular order:
- Possible theme for opening weekend: expect the unexpected. It's a different league now, as evidenced by the Storm getting their asses kicked, the Mystics winning, and rookies going off. Veterans are also showing out. It's like everyone got some energy drink.
- Now, if we could keep some of these players with a team for more than two seasons, the WNBA would have something to really market.
- Was there anybody else besides me who said Phoenix won't be as good as everyone expects them to be, and to not automatically hand them the championship? They may just end up taking it all, as four months from now is a long time. But they've got work to do, as we saw today. Making one good college player appear isn't necessarily an immediate solution.
- Two 100-plus scoring games on opening weekend is an indicator of a good season to come.
- Elena Delle Donne is ridiculously skilled. She filled up her stat column nicely, and matched Griner for rebounds and blocks, though she's much shorter. I took an unofficial twitter poll during the game today, and it was 50/50 on whether Griner should have been first pick, or EDD. Whatever the case, Chicago has a very special player.
- The guys in the weight room at my gym liked Griner's second dunk. Men will be paying attention to that, trust me. They don't think you can have a basketball game without a dunk.
- I thought the Liberty and the Shock would be off to a stronger start. I guess that goes with "expect the unexpected."
- Watch out for the Sparks. They are loaded.
- The Lynx need to hurry up and play. And are the Dream going to be better than people guessed they would?
- The claim to the trophy is wide open right now.
USA Basketball names U16 team
They have been named:
DeJanae Boykin
Kalani Brown
Chassity Carter
Lauren Cox
Crystal Dangerfield
Chelsea Dungee
Asia Durr
Sabrina Ionescu
Tori McCoy
Taylor Murray
Arike Ogunbowale
Katie Lou Samuelson
DeJanae Boykin
Kalani Brown
Chassity Carter
Lauren Cox
Crystal Dangerfield
Chelsea Dungee
Asia Durr
Sabrina Ionescu
Tori McCoy
Taylor Murray
Arike Ogunbowale
Katie Lou Samuelson
Last two season openers on tap today
The Mystics will tip off against Tulsa in a few hours, and the Sky will be at Phoenix later.
Then we have a three-day break until the next round of games Friday.
Around the WNBA:
Mystics....guard Ivory Latta is ready for a fresh start.
Mercury....what a journey it's already been for rookie Brittney Griner.
Phoenix is the talk of the league as their first game nears.
Sun....Kelsey Griffin aims to re-ignite her pro career.
Lynx....new feature column on the team website, Uncontested Shot.
Bonus: expect the WNBA to return to Sacramento.
College news:
Shareta Brown has left Detroit.
Oklahoma State's view from the top in Europe.
The diverse experience of Arizona State associate head coach Meg Sanders has strengthened the program.
New Rutgers athletic director Julie Hermann is already fighting for her job.
U16 trials:
The try out roster is down to 43.
California's Jaelyn Brown is battling for a spot.
Then we have a three-day break until the next round of games Friday.
Around the WNBA:
Mystics....guard Ivory Latta is ready for a fresh start.
Mercury....what a journey it's already been for rookie Brittney Griner.
Phoenix is the talk of the league as their first game nears.
Sun....Kelsey Griffin aims to re-ignite her pro career.
Lynx....new feature column on the team website, Uncontested Shot.
Bonus: expect the WNBA to return to Sacramento.
College news:
Shareta Brown has left Detroit.
Oklahoma State's view from the top in Europe.
The diverse experience of Arizona State associate head coach Meg Sanders has strengthened the program.
New Rutgers athletic director Julie Hermann is already fighting for her job.
U16 trials:
The try out roster is down to 43.
California's Jaelyn Brown is battling for a spot.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
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