WNBA All-Stars in the house
Goody’s got the details on this weekend’s WNBA All-Star Game.
By Adrienne Goodson
Okay! So the starters are all set for the WNBA All-Star Game. Boy did the fans have their way with the East squad; but start means just that. So here they are:
East All-Stars
Deanna Nolan-Detroit
Anna De Forge-Indiana
Tamika Catchings-Indiana
Cheryl Ford-Detroit
Kara Braxton-Detroit
West All-Stars
Sue Bird-Seattle
Becky Hammon-San Antonio
Diana Taurasi-Phoenix
Lauren Jackson-Seattle
Yolanda Griffith-Sacramento
In the East, MVP candidate Tamika Catchings was a sure shot joined by her Indiana teammate gaurd Anna De Forge. Three members of the Champion Detroit Shock team round out the lineup. Deanna Nolan, Cheryl Ford, and center Kara Braxton are a force to be reckoned with. Bill Laimbeer, head coach of the Detroit Shock will set the divas on a mission to defend their All-Star title.
In the West, the top vote getter was Sue Bird, though she will need to be replaced due to arthoscopic knee surgery. She is expected to miss four or five regular season games. Diana Taurasi will be joined by Becky Hammon, Yolanda Griffith and MVP candidate Lauren Jackson. Taurasi’s teammate Cappie Pondexter from the Mercury is my number-one choice as a replacement player. The West will be led by Jenny Boucek, head coach of the Sacramento Monarchs.
The reserves will be announced this week. They are picked by the coaches which is, frankly, a higher achievement than being picked by the fans. These players are my picks because they are truly coming up big since day one of the season and continue to improve every game:
East Reserves
Lori Moore-New York
Alana Beard-Washington
Candace Dupree-Chicago
Katie Douglas-Connecticut
Tammy Sutton-Brown-Indiana
Honorable Mention East: Katie Smith, Asjha Jones, Plenette Pierson, Chasity Melvin, Delisha Milton-Jones.
West Reserves
Lindsey Harding-Minnesota
Seimone Augustus-Minnesota
Sophia Young-San Antonio
Tina Thompson-Houston
Janell Burse-Seattle
Honorable Mention West: Nicole Powell, Rebekkah Brunson, Erin Buescher, Kara Lawson, Penny Taylor.
The East will be forced to sub rather quickly because they will not have an answer for Lauren Jackson at the four spot. She’ll come up with MVP numbers like 31 and 10 easily. If my fantasy team comes into play Bill Laimbeer will have matchup problems all over the floor. Now don’t get me wrong, names like Deanna Nolan, Alana Beard and Candace Dupree are no cream puffs but realistically the west coast is deeper at the guard spot. Cappie Pondexter, Diana Taurasi, Becky Hammon, Lindsey Harding, and Seimone Augustus all like to get up and down the floor. Besides that, they’re interchangeable meaning, all of these guards can play small forward as well. Throw Lauren Jackson, Sophia Young and Tina Thompson in the mix and kaboom.
The defenders of the crown will bang all day long because this is Bill’s style of play since back in the Bad Boy days of Detroit, but rebounding will not be the only determining factor. Controlling the tempo of the game will be big. Tamika Catchings, Deanna Nolan, Alana Beard, Candace Dupree and Cheryl Ford will have to carry this team, if they want to repeat in 2007. The game will be full of excitement. First of all, for the crown and second, revenge is sweet. The west hold a 9-1 advantage over the east (losing for the first time last year) and as from the famous words of Lil’ Jon, “ It’s a about to be a girl fight” for real.
Post your All-Star Team and who you think will be the games MVP. The game is this Sunday in DC and I plan to be there.
14 Responses to “WNBA All-Stars in the house”
Jul.9 at 12:17 pm
Ben Osborne says:
I think it’s dope that Tina Thompson is still balling.
Jul.9 at 2:48 pm
Matt Caputo says:
Ben, you’re a total hoops guy. Even I have little knowledge of the ladies game.
Jul.9 at 3:01 pm
Cheryl says:
The MVP will be D.C. itself. Should be some good parties, if I know my hometown. Can’t make it myself, but y’all have fun, Goody! -ASPOV
Jul.9 at 6:09 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Stay away from Lonny Baxter while your there.
Jul.9 at 6:13 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I’m with Ben on the Tina Thompson love. Did a piece on her WAY back when she first made the W.
Jul.9 at 9:10 pm
Goody says:
Its real nice especially now that the league is for the youngens. Just shows how discipline is real important after 30. I watched some people retire too early because of bad work effort. She’s a jewel.
Jul.10 at 7:18 pm
Amy says:
I just looked on the All Star game web site. Tina Thompson is on the team as a researve. However Loree Moore from the NY Liberty is not on the team. THere are no players from NY on the team.
Jul.11 at 12:04 am
Scott says:
Fan All*Star voting is nothing new, but with the excruciatingly limited WNBA TV coverage, the popularity contest is only further magnified. For fan involvement, sure, let them vote for their favorites, but not necessarily the Starters, that should be decided by the coaches and the production numbers of the players. Best players play (or at least Start). With the caliber of play and numbers they put up, Katie Douglas and Seimone Augustus should be starting. Snubbing Katie Smith is an insult to competitively-effectual tenacious ballers all over.
I’ve watched the WNBA since it’s inception. These Women play their hearts out and it’s inspiring. It just pisses me off that in this day and time women are still getting less than second-hand TV coverage and support!! We kiss their butts enough when they’re in bikini’s, how about showin’ them some love when they giving us their hearts!
Jul.11 at 2:03 am
Cheryl in San Antonio says:
This Cheryl in San Antonio echoes the previous Cheryl’s response. I,too, being a “Chocolate City” product know there will be some partying going on. I only hope that Erin Buescher gets invited along with Sophia Young. Who knows your prediction may be right? San Antonio and Indiana.
Jul.11 at 2:13 am
Tiffany Clark says:
I’m pleased about the reserves. However I’m disappointed about the starters for the East. For One Kara Braxton, for the starting spot, no way. Tammy should’ve got that spot. I know the all-star will be great fun to watch. My prediction is the East will win in D.C.
Jul.12 at 11:35 am
Jason says:
The east is screwed.
Jul.12 at 12:33 pm
ELLISIA SHAFER says:
LADIES ALWAYS DO IT BIG yall doubters dont believe wait til m kicks step on the court ITS A RAP>..ELLISIA SHAFER #40 HOUston Tx * Im always on fire thats why I hoop at the firestaiton* HOLLA AT YA GURL
Jul.12 at 10:29 pm
Krys says:
The west are deep with guards but the east has Tamika Catchings. Tamika is a BEAST!!!
Jul.14 at 5:15 pm
aja brooks-ms. shelia's friend says:
IM SO EXCITED TO SEE THE ALL STAR GAME THIS YEAR. BOTH THE EAST AND THE WEST IS DEFINITELY GONA PUT ON A SHOW FOR THE FANS AND IM SO EXCITED. DEFINITELY EXCITED TO SEE DIANA TAURASI MY FAVORITE PLAYER ANND THE REST OF THE WEST TEAM. I THINK THE WEST IS GONA TAKE THIS GAME DIS YEAR, BUT THE EATS IS NOT GONA LET THEM TAKE IT WITHOUT A FIGHT. LETS GO ALL STARS