A WNBA Preview
Sure it’s a little late, but ours is written by a former WNBA star.
Former ABL and WNBA All-Star Adrienne Goodson introduced herself to Slamonline readers last week with a look back at the now-defunct Charlotte Sting. She’s back today with a preview of the recently started WNBA season.
Where do I begin? This had to be the busiest off season in a while. I’m not just talking about players but coaches and general managers as well. San Antonio, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Indiana, and Sacramento all made changes that will strongly impact their teams this season.
Let’s take San Antonio first. A team that I had some pretty good ties to but with all due respect……. great city, great food, great fun, no wins. I mean the effort was their in the community as usual for Spurs Sports and Entertainment. The fans cheered loud and passionately, even when the team fell short time and time again for four long seasons. The Utah chapter of Jennifer Azzi, Marie Ferdinand, Adrienne Goodson, Natalie Williams, and Margo Dydek had come to a close in 2003 and that’s when the drama began. I have to tip my hat to Coach Dan Hughes for making powerhouse moves in Texas. He single-handedly gathered Becky Hammon from New York, Ruth Riley from Detroit, and Erin Beuscher from Sacramento. Now add that to Marie Ferdinand back from maternity leave, Kendra Wecker back from a torn ACL, the emerging Sophia Young as well as veteran standout Vickie Johnson. This ones gonna be nice to watch especially if Marie buys into the program. Coach Hughes has such a diversified team and with the looks of his roster, the second team can come in and really do work. Chantelle Anderson and newly acquired Helen Darling will definitely give them a boost off the bench. And as they say in the good ole’ southwest, “Get a rope!” At 2-1 early on, the Stars look pretty good so far.
Veteran All-Star forward Taj McWilliams-Franklin was traded from the Connecticut Sun to the Los Angeles Sparks but the biggest impact to that team will be the re-emergence of Micheal Cooper. In four seasons, Micheal Cooper better known as “Coop”, managed a 116 - 31 record, earned the 2000 WNBA Coach of the Year Award, and captured back to back championships in 2001 and 2002. Damn, dude ……. I can talk about the D-League in Albuquerque and how he won that title in 2006 or about his brief return to the bench with the Lakers this season but I won’t. I’ll just sit back and watch him whip up some off his Phil Jackson-like potion. And by the way, Jack Nicholson will be there.
Phoenix and Sacramento both added key ingredients to an already tasty soup. Tangela Smith, one of the players in the Charlotte Sting dispersal draft is now making Phoenix her home this season and what a help she will be alongside last years rookie sensation Cappie Pondexter, Diana Taurasi, and newly appointed general manager, Ann Meyers. Although Sacramento held onto the same core group of players such as Yolanda Griffith, Kara Lawson, Ticha Penicheiro, Nicole Powell, Demaya Walker, and Rebekkah Brunson they eagerly awaits the return of 2005 teammate Chelsea Newton who went to the Chicago Sky for one season. Maybe Chelsea will bring some of that fire they had over there at Rutgers in Jersey this past season.
The Indiana Fever got swollen real quick with the acquisition of Tammy Sutton-Brown down low. This a plus for the Fever because now Tameka Catchings (pictured) and her 18 ppg average now have a running mate. Do I need to mention rebounds? Look out, Detroit. Indiana is not playing games.
Another title is up for grabs and once again the WNBA is set to kick off the season but this time its the eleventh year and teams are hungrier. Ain’t nobody goin’ nowhere. At least the WNBA, anyway. Not as long as you remember one key thing: “David Stern is not going to be a part of something that fails, aight?”
52 Responses to “A WNBA Preview”
May.29 at 1:35 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Good stuff, Adrienne. Thanks. I’m thinking this may be the year the Best Women’s Player in the World (D. Taurasi) makes some noise in the Playoffs.
May.29 at 1:44 pm
Goody says:
Yeah, I think she’ll have a great season now that Tangela Smith is at the four spot. The powerhouse moves made in the off-season by the GMs across the league was an A plus. I gotta go with my girl Catching for the MVP. Who you like? Never mind……
May.29 at 1:48 pm
MALONE_FT_CLOCK says:
so, is there a regular day and time that games are on??? cuz i saw some of the playoffs last year, pretty entertaining
May.29 at 2:00 pm
Jason says:
I agree with Catch for MVP. But it’s ironic that she’ll win it now that she has real help (Whitmore - 41 points vs. Detroit in the playoffs last year, Sutton-Brown in the middle, veteran Sam and improved White at the 2, Tully at the point and a deeper bench). I’m looking forward to seeing Phoenix in the playoffs this year. They’re easily the most entertaining team in the league. But I’ve got Indiana winning it all, possibly Detroit.
May.29 at 2:22 pm
Goody says:
This year is gonna be crazy check out San Antonio-Houston tonite on ESPN II @ 9. Rivals since Utah. Bad blood and all. Makes a nice post game story. San Antonio could come out of the West. Becky Hammon and co. are on fire. She is a good fit out there. Already averaging 18 in three games. There’s also another game on ESPN. I’ll have to check on who though.
May.29 at 2:48 pm
Ben Osborne says:
I think ESPN2 is doing a game, if not two, every Tuesday night. And ABC has Saturday afternoon games.
May.29 at 3:14 pm
Jason says:
Think it’s Indiana at Minnesota tonight before the Texas game.
May.29 at 3:27 pm
Goody says:
Yup!
May.29 at 3:31 pm
B. Fears says:
Hello? The Best team is the Detroit Shock…yes we will repeat because we have the best player in the women’s game….her name is Deanna Nolan…even tho Latta won’t get any PT…she will be a beast in years to come! DEEEEEEEEE-TROIT BAAAASSSSEEETT-BBBAAALLLLL!
May.29 at 3:59 pm
Goody says:
Can’t wait 4 the Indy-Detroit matchup. Tameka Catchings, Tameka Whitmore, Tan White, Tammy Sutton-Brown + Anna Deforge are all in the top 50 in scoring. Deanna Nolan, Swin Cash, Cheryl Ford, Katie Smith, and Plenette Pierson are in a close race. B. Fearful. I’m just saying. I’m just saying.
May.29 at 4:44 pm
Jason says:
Indiana or Detroit vs. Phoenix in the finals would be a sick matchup especially for attracting new viewers. Didn’t Phoenix drop 111 the other night on Houston?
May.29 at 5:08 pm
Goody says:
Scoring machines over there. Cappy averages 17, Diana 23, Penny Taylor probably about 12, Tangela Smith 10. Nice crew over there, but San Antonio is to be watched kid. Marie Ferdinand is on a slow start because of the baby thing but coming around nicely and when she catches up with Becky she’ll be unstoppable.
May.29 at 6:37 pm
Allie Prigrom says:
Inciteful material. I have only had the chance to watch one game so far, but after reading the article I am looking foward to the season.
May.29 at 10:52 pm
Butch says:
Thanks Adrienne, for that S.A/H.C. game reminder. Didn’t want to miss this one.
Nice Preview. Myself, I like L.A. this year.
Nice move, Slamonline for getting A.G. on board. Loved her on the ABL and WNBA backboards, now love her on the SLAM keyboards.
Looking foward to more great articles from the
All-Star…
May.30 at 1:40 am
hoop says:
With all this talk of Indy, Detroit and Phoenix, y’all better not sleep on the Sparks or the Sun. Even without Leslie, take a look at that LA squad. Can you say…STACKED! Conn is starting off a little slow, but they’ll definitely pick it up as the season goes on. I think DT will be the ROY, but I’m pullin’ for Catchings. Also, don’t sleep on the Sky..we’re comin’ up!
May.30 at 9:26 am
Goody says:
Come on hoop. Chicago is about lets say 5 years away from honorable mention. LA will get close but no cigar. I love Taj and played with her in the ABL. The leadership qualities are not that of Lisa Leslie. It’s not the pts. its the ability to drive your team. We’ll see because this is a good chance to prove herself. Connecticut will need to pick up another veteran forward in the post-game season. Chicago vs Sun tonite in Chicago. This should help Conn. get a “Win”.
May.30 at 9:28 am
Goody says:
PLEASE POSE QUESTIONS FOR MARGO DYDEK. I spoke to her last nite about the Sun and their slow start. We will do a question and answer with her.
May.30 at 9:51 am
Jason says:
Becky looked unstoppable last night but I still think it comes down to Indiana and Detroit after watching the Tamikas man handle Minnesota. That move Catch put on Quinn was ridiculous and if Whit is going to be hitting 3’s like it’s nothing, forget about it. I can’t believe I watched the majority of San Antonio vs. Houston, (switching between that and Cleveland) and Houston let San Antonio run the same play almost every single time down with either Becky or Zolman being wide open for 3’s. LA’s not winning anything with Holdsclaw palming the ball every time down. Their bench is terrible as well. They need Lisa and Tameka Johnson back.
May.30 at 9:59 am
Slovydal says:
Goody, You ain’t kiddin’ about The Indy/Detroit match-up! The Eastern Conference Finals will be the best WNBA we’ve ever seen. (Indiana goes on to win Championship)
May.30 at 10:45 am
Goody says:
Damn, Catch hit her up nasty. I fell off the couch for real. Highlight reel fo sho……….
May.30 at 10:57 am
Cub Buenning says:
Catch’s ridiculous skills aside, I used to love her pops when i was a youth in Milwaukee. Their family lived right next to my elementary school, which meants I prolly peeped a diaperclad-Tamika working on her game, back in the day. DENVER NEEDS A TEAM! My 1-year old daughter needs some ladies to look up to! Not to mention some of that fly gear she could rock, as well. Goody, Coop also coached the Nuggets for about a minute a few years ago. If nothing else, he makes for a great press conference. After one altercation between Nene and Olowokandi, Coop went one a five-minute rant about the time he beat up on James Donaldson! COOOOOOOOP!
Welcome to the SLAM fam!
May.30 at 11:01 am
hoop says:
I wasn’t saying that the Sky are championship-bound or even playoff-bound this year (I’m predicting 10 wins for us), I was merely saying that we’re getting better and that we’re comin’ up. I see what you guys are saying about LA, but if ya’ll are putting Phoenix in title-talks, then its silly to write-off LA. Everyone knows that run ‘n gun stuff doesn’t work in the playoffs.
May.30 at 11:13 am
Goody says:
Cub I’m feelin u. The Catching fam is “dynomite”.. Denver is a good city we had an ABL team there. They were very successful. Had superstars like Debbie Black, Edna Campell, and Crystal Robinson. Coop is the man for real. He coached me for the ‘02 AllStar Game. Our halftime talk was, “Lets score 100 and hurry up cause Beyonce’s getting ready to perform”.
Yeah hoop, that run and gun doesn’t work and they should learn from the Suns on that. I didn’t put Pheonix in the title. San Antonio vs Indiana for the ‘07 championship. SA will have to go through Seattle, Sac, and LA. Indiana will have to go through Detroit.
May.30 at 11:16 am
Cub Buenning says:
The ABL did do well here in Denver. It is a hotbed for girls’ HS hoops and an all-around great sports town.
Debbie Black is a baller.
Love the Coop halftime story.
May.30 at 12:15 pm
Goody says:
Hoop Madness can come to Denver too.
Go check out youtube.com/hoopmadness. We in your area code like whoa!
May.30 at 1:37 pm
CamrnCrz1974 says:
Without Taj in CT and with DeSouza still very young, is CT looking to use Margo Dydek more on the low block. She has always appeared more comfortable shooting the jumper than camping out on the low block. How has her role changed with the Taj trade?
May.30 at 2:06 pm
Goody says:
Good question I will ask Margo this one.
May.30 at 3:30 pm
Troy says:
What does Margo Dydek think she will have to do in order for the Sun to re-establish themselves among the league’s best?
May.30 at 7:40 pm
CamrnCrz1974 says:
Goody, if you get a chance, ask Margo about the incentive international players have for playing in the W. Obviously, they can make so much more money playing overseas. Yet a good number of the top non-American players play in the WNBA. What is their incentive/motivation for doing so?
May.30 at 10:47 pm
Raven says:
What does Margo plan to do once she finishes with playing basketball? Does her sister or cousins have any inclinations to play the game? Will she dunk one for the fans before she leaves the WNBA? Can she prepare perogy?
Has she ever dated anyone taller than her?
May.30 at 11:54 pm
Chris says:
You could ask Margo what changes she sees being made or what changes she thinks should be made in the next collective bargaining agreement. Also, what are her thoughts on expansion considering a player such as herself could end up being left unprotected? If I’m not mistaken she signed an extension with her Spanish team, how long does she see herself playing in the WNBA? Other than that, it’s good to click over to the women’s section and actually see some up to date content. It’s almost as good as watching Richie Adubato massively underachieve in Washington. I love the Mystics but I want that man away from my team as soon as possible. I didn’t even like him when he was in NY.
May.31 at 1:15 am
Tara says:
For Margo-
How is her back? Her minutes are down a bit — is she at 100% yet? Does she expect to be there within the next few weeks? If not, what are her expectations for her play — and her team — this season?
Thanks.
May.31 at 9:51 am
Goody says:
Yes, Margo’s back is hurt and it’s day to day but I will let her answer that more in depth.
May.31 at 10:11 am
Goody says:
Aight, Chris I feel u. The Mystics are really in desperate need of change. Delisha Milton and Crystal Robinson are the vets and will have to come together. This is what happens when they expect the young players to carry the team.
May.31 at 11:04 am
CamrnCrz1974 says:
Goody, even with some young players, there is plenty of experience on Washington with Beard, Teasley, etc. There is too much talent and too much high octane, energy players to be running Richie’s 10,000 plays and methodical, halfcourt style. My guess is he will not last the season.
May.31 at 11:10 am
Kay Nurse says:
Hey Goody.. Great story again… Yeah you arent lying San Antonio is the team to watch. I was at the game the other night between Houston and SA and Houston just lost the lead. Becky was draining every shot she was taking. We all know that you cant let Becky get hot. Houston is not off to a good start but hopefully they will get it together. There were a lot of changes during the off-season for Houston as well so hopefully all things will come together soon. Goody keep the stories coming and I cant wait to hear what all Margo has to say.
May.31 at 12:32 pm
Goody says:
@ Kay
Wait until my babygirl Marie catches fire in SA not to mention Vicky Johnson they have yet to break out. Pose a question for Margo Dydek. I will interview her on Saturday…..
May.31 at 6:50 pm
CamrnCrz1974 says:
Goody, there was an article in the CT paper about Margo’s back bothering her, to the point where she cannot really shot (she didn’t take a shot in the last game). Could you ask her about the status of her health and her course of treatment?
Jun.1 at 5:27 pm
Goody says:
PLEASE POST SHERI SAM QUESTIONS…….
Jun.1 at 5:41 pm
Goody says:
@ Chris Adubato Resigns As Mystics Head Coach
Tree Rollins Named Interim Head Coach
Jun.1 at 7:30 pm
Chris says:
Thank goodness. Maybe now he’ll retire and take his antiquated approach to the game with him. For Sheri, what is her role on Indiana and how has her mentality changed coming off the bench on such a deep team expected to contend as opposed to being a main option on a team not expected to do much? How would she compare Indiana this year to the Storm the year they won the championship?
Jun.2 at 12:56 pm
Butch says:
Margo D is one of my Favorite players, would
like to know what she plans on doing once her
great career is over?
Jun.2 at 1:01 pm
Butch says:
Allways enjoyed watching Sheri play, she was
a great player in the old ABL and still is a
great player in the WNBA. What does she feel,
she can bring to this young Indiana team?
Wanted to know from a player that’s been there
did that what she thinks about lowering the rim
two or three inches and would that make the
women’s game a little more interesting?
Jun.2 at 7:56 pm
Alison says:
Anxiously awaiting your interview with Margo. What are your thoughts on the Richy resignation and about Crystal signing on as an assistant coach?
Jun.2 at 10:00 pm
cathy coyle says:
Goodie!
What’s up fellow Jersey girl! Great blog and great comments on the Silver Stars. Wish you were back here to take part, could always use your veteran experience. Erin Buescher is an ANIMAL and the greatest addition yet! Long road ahead, but it looks to be a great year (finally) in SA. Fingers are crossed!
Jun.4 at 9:12 am
milas says:
“…make the women’s game a little more interesting?” Surely you’re not suggesting that the women’s game is not sufficiently interesting already? S
Jun.5 at 2:20 pm
David says:
Great to have WNBA articles, especially from such a great pro as Goody, on Slam! I have bookmarked the site because of this.
Jun.5 at 2:23 pm
David says:
Goody,
Margo is one of our absolute favorites as Sun STHs. I find it interesting she seems to be one of the few that speaks the same language as Erika. How many different languages to Margo speak, and does she see possibly coaching either here or in Poland after her retirement.
Jun.5 at 2:27 pm
CamrnCrz1974 says:
Ask Sheri, who is well-traveled (Orlando, Miami, Minnesota, Seattle, Charlotte, and Indiana), about what she has learned about developing good team chemistry on the court and in the locker room. With the W’s relatively short preseason, how are the players able to foster team unity and precision on the court to maximize their style of play?
Jun.5 at 8:51 pm
Slovydal says:
Sheri,
I haven’t had a chance to say hi since you came to play for my team - Welcome to Indy!
I was still living in LA, and a Sparks season ticket holder when you and Betty Lennox lit up Staples center for a Sol victory back in 2002. That was one of the best performances I ever saw in the WNBA.
I’m glad you won’t be playing for the opponent any more!
Speaking of opponents - you guys are down by 11 a the half in NY while I’m writing this… what the heck is going on there?
; )
Jun.8 at 8:38 am
Goody says:
Thank you for the questions. The support I get from all of you is great. Sheri and Margo enjoyed the questions a lot. Look for more. Holla………
Jun.11 at 9:34 am
Blackberry says:
Goody,
This is your dog in Kuwait. All I can say is you’re doin’it big. Keep up the up the good job. Hey but you better watch out for the Chi-Town crew. they’re going to suprise a lot of people. I asked Margo about that dunk…not sure if we’re gonna get it but she knows not to do in Chicago. LOL C-ya soon