The WNBA Playoffs are here
Goody gets you ready
By Adrienne Goodson
Okay my good people, the playoffs are here and I am so ready. This year has been truly interesting for various reasons: the new nine year contract extension with ESPN, the new CBA negotiations underway, the cat scratching going on in the Eastern Conference to make the playoffs, and last but not least who will come out of the Western Conference this year? This year has been monumental for the WNBA so it will be hard to talk about it all.
The Western Conference is good to go. All four teams are accounted for in the playoffs. Phoenix is number one with San Antonio, Sacramento and Seattle following up. My prediction is Phoenix and San Antonio for the conference title. I have to stick with my team in San Antonio but Dianna Taurasi (19), Penny Taylor (17.8), and Cappy Poindexter (17.3) are the “Big Bang Trio”, and they scare me. Phoenix is hot on all levels and will be tough to beat. They score in bunches, like 100 and something real fast. The Taurasi against Bird match-up should be a crowd pleaser.
The East is totally different. Of course! you have Detroit out front, Indiana in second, Connecticut in third but after that it was a war between New York and Washington for that fourth seed. New York went to DC and stole a win on Thursday night (73-72) then went back to New York on Friday and put away Connecticut (74-66). Let me remind you that everyone counted the Liberty out of the playoffs especially after that seven game landslide in July, but these ladies have a lot of character. They never gave up and kept their eyes on the prize even when things looked like they would never turn around. Laurie Moore, has been consistent all season. Shameka Christon and Janell McCarville has stepped it up in the second half of play big time. New York already had the Shocks attention. The Shock would rather see Washington because the Liberty is the only team that seemed to have their number all season long. This will be a nail biter, and Detroit will have to play hard to get to the next round. I bet Katie Smith will show up to play as usual, alongside Plenette Pierson, Deanna Nolan, Swin Cash and Ivory Latta but no Cheryl Ford. She is out for the season with a knee injury.
I don’t know how I feel about the Indiana-Connecticut series without Catchings playing. That foot has sidelined her since the All-Star break. Margo Dydek is my girl from back in the west coast days so I gotta give her a shout out but aside from that we had a great dinner and laughs after their loss in Washington. When I asked her about her strong play down the stretch she responded by saying, “My back had limited me a lot this season but my rhythm is back on track and now I can play more. I’m just glad to play better as we approach the playoffs”. The Sun will have to rebound well against Tan White, Tammy-Sutton Brown, Tamika Whitmore and company. Basically, they must win that first game at home on Thursday.
As I watched all of the games on Sunday, I can honestly say Phoenix and New York are the most excitable teams in the playoffs. I say Phoenix because they go from one end of the court to the next in three seconds flat. Only a team that transitions well back to defense will beat this run-n-gun style that the Mercury are packin’. New York, on the other hand, is the most unselfish and hard working team in the league right now. They literally pick teams apart with the extra pass and although there is no go to player on the team, they put it together in bunches. The Liberty have arrived to battle for the crown and to be quite honest, the team who is the most determined usually win championships.
I tip my hat to the eight teams that have come this far. I tip my hat to them believing in something much bigger than themselves, for being committed to a game plan that they may not have understood, and for all of the sacrifices that go unknown but most of all, for carrying on a legacy of women in sports.
The fat lady is gearing up to sing a tune and her last stop was in Motown but this year I think she may have to put on some chaps and Go South. West that is…….
32 Responses to “The WNBA Playoffs are here”
Aug.20 at 5:38 pm
Tarzan Cooper aka Jesus Shuttlesworth says:
and no one cares
Aug.20 at 5:42 pm
Tarzan Cooper aka Jesus Shuttlesworth says:
but seriously, i think san antonio will win. becky hammon is sick. but seattle is good too
Aug.20 at 6:16 pm
tazdevil says:
Thanks for the analysis. I can’t wait for the playoffs. I’m pulling for the Mercury and the Liberty.
Aug.20 at 6:47 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I had no idea that Cheryl Ford was hurt. Last I saw of her was the Bill Laimbeer “Real Sports” segment.
Aug.20 at 7:06 pm
Blue says:
Hey Goody…What do you think about Tina Thompson’s desire to play over seas instead of the WNBA next season?
Aug.20 at 7:37 pm
CamrnCrz1974 says:
Interesting note you made about which teams are the most exciting to watch. In a sport clammoring for additional viewership, that is important. And, as we have seen with the Spurs and the Pistons, slow, grind-it-out halfcourt teams who play lockdown defense do not translate into high ratings. Great job, Goody.
Aug.20 at 7:38 pm
Bob says:
Any chance of spelling a few of the players’ names correctly? There’s one ‘n’ in Diana Taurasi, both Cappie Pondexter’s first and last name are spelt incorrectly, Loree Moore, Janel McCarville etc. etc. Kind of annoying. And Detroit are still hoping Ford will play at some point. She’s got another scan tomorrow.
Aug.20 at 7:42 pm
overandback says:
Great article, especially the parts about New York. They sometimes make things more exciting than they have to be (e.g. blowing a 10-point lead in the third quarter). But when they’re on, they’re on, and I think you’re right that they are in it to win it. They were dog-tired last night but they got it together, dug deep and found five minutes of great basketball to close it out. If they can keep their heads in it I really think they will upset Detroit.
Aug.20 at 8:58 pm
Krys says:
I am highly anticipating the WNBA playoffs. This season has been the most exciting so far. I think Detroit will win it even without Cheryl Ford. They have NOLAN and KATIE SMITH. Who is going to stop them?????????
Aug.20 at 9:16 pm
NYWheels says:
Thanks for the props for New York — the kids deserve it. With everyone but New York (knock wood) and Phx missing key players (Ford, Catchings (?), Jones (?), Erin, Walker, Burse) seems like mental toughness will be the intangible. Detroit has shown time and time again that, even when they drive Bill crazy, they can put it together and will themselves to win. Of course, I won’t be sad if it’s a Phx/NY final…. Thanks for the coverage and the passion, AG. We miss seeing you on the court, but is good to see you on the sidelines.
Aug.20 at 9:40 pm
P-MAC says:
unlike most i respect the WNBA, i favor the sparks cuz they in my home town but i gotta say Detroit is gonna get it again, nolan is nice, however i would like to see Diana get one
Aug.20 at 11:12 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Also,“Big Bang Trio”
Aug.21 at 8:17 am
Goody says:
Overseas has always been a female ballers number one option and will remain that way even after the contracts in the WNBA get bigger. Abroad your chances to play are better since there are only enough spots for 150 or more players in the “w”. Tina may follow in Chamiqua’s footsteps who just recently signed a fat contract with a team in Poland. She going straight to the bank divas Hahahahaha. At some point in time you should be paid like a seven time all-star. I’m just saying……
Aug.21 at 12:57 pm
Detroit says:
The Shock are going to win it all again. Have you seen there players. Swin Cash, Katie Smith, Deanna Nolan, and Plenitte Pierson, they are too good. Plus Cheryl Ford is practicing today and could be back for the playoffs. She was out for the regular season not everything, at least not yet. Do not be fooled by the four game slide. They had nothing to play for and rested their players. This team is much better than the Detroit team that won it all last year. They will easily repeat.
Aug.21 at 3:31 pm
PG27 says:
This playoffs are gonna be close it seems like anyone can come out of nowhere and take the ‘chip.I would have said Detriot too but be Cheryl Ford is a huge loss.She was there srongest presense on the boards and in the post its gonna take a big effort from the Shocks back court(Katie Smith& Deanna Nolan)to repeat as champions.But if Cheryl Ford does come back then the Detroit Shock are my pick to become World Champions(again).
Aug.21 at 3:52 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Goody is an awesome nickname.
Aug.21 at 5:33 pm
Pumpy says:
Please spell the players names correctly!! How can you be an ex-player & fan and not follow closely enough to notice that!!
Aug.21 at 6:04 pm
Mushface says:
Great Article. Keep up the good work…Yeah Goody is on point!!!
Aug.21 at 7:59 pm
ddubdawg says:
Nice column Adrienne, tought I do think the Storm will surprise the Mercury in the first round and the final series between San Antonio and Seattle will be one for the books. Hammon doing her ting and Jackson doing her thing. It will be amazing. If Catchings comes back, they are a lock for the Championship, if not, no matter how much I love the West teams, it will be Detroit.
Aug.21 at 8:02 pm
ddubdawg says:
I was also going to say…go U of L. The Cards will be a force to reckon with in the Big East and beyond this upcoming season. Thank you for all you have done to better women’s basketball, atleast by me, it is greatly appreciated. Derek
Aug.21 at 11:37 pm
Ben Osborne says:
This Chamique-to-Poland business is wild. Goody, if you can get an interview with her—even via text message—please post it. Apparently money had something to do with her “retirement.”
Aug.22 at 11:54 am
Blue says:
Too True, Goody. Wonder if it will take a mass exodus from the WNBA before the league realizes what needs to be done?
Aug.22 at 7:21 pm
Blackberry says:
Good observation Goody! The W needs to start paying these women. Most of the teams have NBA affiliations and there can be more money trickled down. If they (NBA) start to pay more attention to the W maybe they can draw more attention and fan base so more money will be coming in so they can stop saying they’re losing money and maybe that salary cap will go UP!
Aug.22 at 7:24 pm
Blackberry says:
Anyway can’t wait for the playoffs to get started! Good job Chicago ya done good for a 2nd year team! Chas get well soon!
Aug.23 at 12:43 pm
karen barefoot says:
excellent article!!!!
Aug.23 at 1:50 pm
Ruff says:
When is the WNBA going to improve the uniforms to better highlight the physics of the ladies. The NFL shows the builds of their athletes, the NBA tops highlights the ripped arms, chest and shoulders of their athletes. Women Tennis is very popular (more then the men)because of the simple fact men get to see their bueatiful physics and women crave their bodies. Saturday I’m flipping channels and instantly paused on women’s vollyball. Not a hugh volleyball fan, but the fact that the ladies where competing, I mean really competing in bathing suits not only caught my attention but I couldn’t stop watching the level of competitiveness they exhibited. It was a very well played best of 3 championship. The ladies had seveal different products painted on their bodies like tatoos for companies they endorse. It was a very good experience not only will I watch again, but would travel to a beach and watch it live. Its time we showcase Tameeka Catchings body the way Serena Williams is showcased!! Ruff
Aug.23 at 1:56 pm
Ruff says:
I too is interested in knowing the reason(s) why Chamique Holdsclaw selected international basketball over the WNBA.
Aug.23 at 11:27 pm
mcbias says:
I wish the Silver Stars could compete, but I think losing Buescher is too much to overcome. Detroit may yet be champion again, but I suspect they’ll follow the Spurs model of win one year, lose the next.
Aug.24 at 1:11 pm
hoop says:
@ Blackberry: yeah, Chitown had a good run this year. The Sky are definitely playoff-bound in ‘08. Anyway, another awesome article Goody. I really wanna see a Sun/Mercury final. Love the Fever too, but I don’t think they’ll be able to get past Conn, especially with Catch at less than 100% and not having played for the last few weeks (although Game 1 was thriller!). Should be an awesome first round in both the east and west. Thanks for the cool vid as well, Goody
Sep.9 at 5:25 pm
Uknow11 says:
The shock has a great team and they go hard. I think this is goin to get real physical. My money is on Det. Keep it rollin Goody
Oct.17 at 10:43 am
NoShuz says:
Goody your the bomb! I enjoy your articles, interviews and insight on the women’s profeesional game! Looking forward to next season!!!!
Aug.19 at 8:08 pm
Storm fan says:
Watch the Storm beat Pheonix and all those other teams you guys are talking about.The Storms got Sue Bird.Go Storms!