Do the Right Thing
Goody on Tamika Catchings, the WNBA Playoffs, and more
By Adrienne Goodson
The WNBA Playoffs are off the hook and to those sleeping on it, all I can say is have a nice night. If I can compare it to anything it would be to the NCAA and March Madness. There’s nothing better than pure, untainted, textbook basketball. Don’t get me wrong, I love the high flying trapeze acts put on by Shawn Marion, Allen Iverson, Amare, and Kobe but I also love the passion, desire, and heart that is depicted in the women’s game.
The games have gone down to the wire in every playoff game since Sunday. Some games required double and triple over time for one team to come out on top. The East coast was simply marvelous to watch and not to take away anything from the west because the last game between San Antonio and Sacramento was good but New York and Detroit were spectacular (not to mention the Indiana and Connecticut series). These were two teams with two totally different styles of play but each offering true excitement for the fans. Rookie sensation Tiffany Jackson and Most Improved Player Janel McCarville played their hearts out. They went at it against Cheryl Ford all night in the paint. I like to see two post players bang down low. It was sorta like a Hakeem and Ewing matchup from back in the day but Deanna Nolan stole the show for real. She went 1 for 9 in the first half and the Liberty defense was to blame but in the second half a refreshed woman came on the court. Deanna was scoring from everywhere. Steals, pull up jays, a three ball, you name it she hit it. It reminded me of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson’s McDonald commercial. “Off the lights, Off the backboard – Nothing but net.” Deanna had better save some of that for Indiana cause they are waiting.
Honestly, I truly pity the person who has to guard Tamika Catchings, The real MVP. Now let me go back a lil’ bit. First of all, I want to say to all the commentators on ESPN, ESPN II, NBA TV and the WNBA Marketing Department, “Stop trying to influence the minds of the voters. I like Becky Hammon and Lauren Jackson but the policing is not cute, quite annoying and hurts the game. Let the players sort it out. The cream always rises to the top naturally and the fans are tired of you deciding whose face goes on what cereal box”. How is Cappy Pondexter now being considered a go to player when she’s been that all along? How does Deanna Nolan just get mentioned last night as a posibility? How does Tamika Catchings not get blown up for having a double-double in every game since she’s been back from a six week injury? Her numbers in Game One 14 and 20. Game Two, 15 and 13. Game Three, 30 and 13. Stop P-O-L-I-T-I-C-K-I-N-G…..
I have many fans come up to me and ask me to speak the truth about things and so here it is. I love this league but things have got to change. I have to also give Big Love to the New York Liberty and Carol Blazejowski for being the one team who appreciate their former players enough to hire them. That’s true love. You find out just who your friends are when the ball stops bouncing. There are 12 other teams who need to step up to the plate. Your fans left right along with those former players. It’s not Rocket Science and as Spike Lee once said, “Do The Right Thing”.
20 Responses to “Do the Right Thing”
Aug.29 at 2:51 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Goody you are on top of your game.
Aug.29 at 2:52 pm
CamrnCrz1974 says:
Regarding the hiring of former playres, Phoenix has former star, Bridget Pettis, as an assitant coach…after Michelle Timms was an assistant coach. Also, if you look at Full Court Press, I did a piece at the end of July on the Fantastic Five (Jackson, Catchings, Nolan, Hammon, and Penny Taylor).
Aug.29 at 3:00 pm
2good2btrue says:
Cynthia Coooper also works for the Comets organization (broadcasting side) but, I don’t see why these teams should be/feel “OBLIGATED” to employ retired players
Aug.29 at 3:08 pm
CamrnCrz1974 says:
BTW, Goody, happy to see you continuing with the column. Always interesting to read your analysis and thoughts.
Aug.29 at 3:29 pm
Jason says:
Did the Liberty hire T-Spoon yet? I’ve seen her around the hood a lot doing great things for the kids and she still always reps the Liberty. I always thought she’d make an excellent assistant GM with her focusing on extending the fan base and Blazejowski worrying about the corporate nonsense. They need to go ahead and do that. If anyone knows how to get those attendance numbers back up, it should be the person who got them there in the first place.
Aug.29 at 3:31 pm
Goody says:
You’re right. Thank you Anne Meyers for hiring Bridget Pettis and the also the Washington Mystics for picking up Crystal Robinson after she retired. Other than that shame on the rest…….
Aug.29 at 3:34 pm
Jason says:
I agree about the commentators, although I think Jackson is deserving of MVP. I just think it’s a lot closer between her and Catch than people try to make it seem. But considering it’s a regular season award, I’d give it to Lauren. Now the playoffs? Catch has been absolutely sick. To do all that on a bad wheel and still play with the same intensity? If the Fever keep getting good production from Whitmore and DeForge, in addition to Catch, they’ll beat Detroit. They just need Tammy Sutton-Brown to join the party.
Aug.29 at 4:18 pm
Ron says:
Cheryl Ford is stuntin like her daddy these days, Detroit won’t be easy to beat, but I think Indy has as strong a chance as anybody. The Liberty pushed them to the brink. (with some help from the refs at the end of regulation)
Aug.29 at 5:07 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
i have been watching some but the series are over in 2 days. they really should be best of 5, not 3. is lauren jackson really going to quit the wnba? that is what they were saying when they lost to the silver stars
Aug.29 at 5:08 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
does anyone else think becky hammon is a mvp candidate?
Aug.29 at 5:35 pm
Goody says:
Definitely. She turned that team around and I love her for that.
Aug.29 at 5:35 pm
Goody says:
Definitely. She turned that team around and I love her for that.
Aug.29 at 5:42 pm
Uknow11 says:
Yo Goody talk that sh*t. Smokin article, I feel the same way. The cream will rise to the top. Goody you now ya stuff. I,m lovin it Goody
Aug.29 at 5:48 pm
Co Co says:
Great column. People have no idea what they’re missing.
Aug.29 at 6:23 pm
Krys says:
Excellent article Goody. I have to agree with you about the commentators. It seems like they have particuar players they hype up. When I hear some of the players they mention as top players, it pisses me off because the ones who are putting up numbers don’t get the recognition they deserve. The commentators need a reality check and they need to put their GLASSES on when they are watching the games.
Aug.29 at 10:54 pm
Blackberry says:
Another great article Goody, People look at the hyped players but if they actually look at some of the historical stats they maybe surprised at the numbers on a lot of underated players around the league! I’ll use you as an exzmple, wonder how many of your readers know that you are ranked 29th in the all time leaders fot the WNBA in scoring PPG and 29th in TP, if I am not mistaken you played 50 minutes in a game, don’t think that has been topped yet! My point is too many of the players that should be recognized aren’t.It’s time to look at all those out there quietly doing their thing than just the “usual suspects”! you said it STOP politicking! Let the game speak for itself!
Aug.30 at 4:11 pm
Goody says:
@2good2betrue- You must be somebody already in the WNBA who would be afraid of this movement because who in their right mind would make a comment like yours. We coming whether you like it or not. Feel the heat. I will continue to fight for my sisters so put a unhappy face on that……. No obligation yeah right. You people motivate me. You should come out with a throat lozenge you suppressant!
Aug.30 at 7:07 pm
Butch says:
Great article, AG, lots of interesting stuff.
I agree, the games so far have been off the hook. Some really great bb, and the women are
starting to make the men look like the weaker
sex. Anybody watching these great games have to
wonder why in the world aren’t these ladies
getting paid some decent money instead of the
chump change the NBA is giving them.
Aug.30 at 7:26 pm
Butch says:
Tamika, what can I say, truly a joy to watch.
Talent, heart, power, style, she got it all.
Can’t wait for tonight game. Should be a great
game. Myself, I rooting for SA.
This series should tell us who the real MVP is,
Becky or Catchings.
Sep.2 at 1:03 pm
PG27 says:
Tamika Catchings should win the MVP because in the regular season she led her team in points,rebounds,assist,steals,and minutes.She carries her team like like no other player in the league.If thats not an MVP I don’t know what is.If she dosent’t win the MVP it will be a damn shame.