WNBA Finals Recap
Singing a tune in Motown
By Adrienne Goodson
Detroit was singing a tune and dropping points like they were hot. I guess if I could associate it with any song it would be “Girlfight.” The first game is a wrap and Detroit is up 1 - 0 by earning an impressive 108 – 100 victory at the Palace in Auburn Hills. There will truly be cat scratching tomorrow afternoon for game #2. It would be good for the league if Phoenix wins the championship, especially for marketing purposes but Detroit has a plan and Bill Laimbeer is navigating the ship.
Detroit struggled in the first half. Katie Smith and Deanna Nolan had a problem with the zone defense but something magical always happens at halftime. I mean really, if you look at it you can see how a different team comes out of the locker room every time. I don’t know what that coaching staff says or does but it works. Collectively, the team bands together and the performance put on without Cheryl Ford or Deanna (11 points) having a monster game was very impressionable.
Katie Smith went off for 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Plenette Pierson and Kara Braxton combined for 45 points and 22 rebounds. Swin Cash had 13 points and 4 rebounds while Shannon “Pee Wee” Johnson had 4 key assists. The Shock bench outscored the Mercury 50 – 12.
The Mercury simply had no chance especially with Diana Taurasi in foul trouble, mouthing off to the refs on every call, and losing her cool which is a part of Detroits’ shock treatment. I love her game. She’s a good player. She will be a great player in the pros when she matures which is sure to come. Bottom line is this: No contribution from the bench and Diana out of the game = Detroit as Champions. Cappie Pondexter is amazing and Penny Taylor is a beast. Cappie finished up with 27 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists while Penny had 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. You have to credit the Shock defense for Diana’s 10 points and frustration, but she’ll be back without a doubt.
I knew that the lack of depth would eventually catch up to Phoenix and I’m sure Ann Meyers Drysdale will address it in the off season but for now, someone else has got to get hot or it’s lights out.
There are people still trying to figure out how the Mercury lost. I guess the excuse will be a curse dating back to General Manager, Jerry Colangelo and the 1976 Suns. Everyone including the commentators are banking on Phoenix winning the five game series but the fat lady may sing better in Motown.
My good people we have great playoff performances in our hands, but let me reflect for a few minutes cause you know your girl has got to vent about some things. I already realize that I am not one of the WNBA’s favorite former players right now because of the truth that I speak but so be it. Prayer and confirmation led me to the “Do the Right Thing” article so if you didn’t like what was said, take it to the man upstairs. I look around on their site for the truth and history and it’s not all there so here I am to tell it. Somebody had to be Adrienne Goodson and I will play her part until the end.
I often wondered if my articles were being read by anyone over there and they are. I know this because of how the comments have changed on television, how the Aussies (Penny Taylor) are being commented about, how Cappie Pondexter is now being uplifted, seeing Jennifer Gillom (former player of the Phoenix Mercury) at an event, and so forth. This is what I’m all about and that’s to create change and make people realize that their is a third eye in the universe who sees all that you do and you will be held accountable for it eventually. Blood, sweat, and tears is the foundation of the league and was done on the backs of many great women. I can’t let that be pushed aside. Yeah! the league has a new face but you are where you sit because of what was done in the past.
There are a lot of subjects up next but they will have to wait for after the playoffs. Some things will be revisited and some things will be new. I will tell you this though, “I will speak of the truth and I will have exclusive and powerful interviews with players”. Remember the third eye. I was the one who got fined for wearing it on my headband in 2002. You didn’t understand it then but you do now.
To all of my fans, supporters, and non-supporters I just want to say thank you for bringing out the best in me. Motivation comes from many places so we’ll always keep it moving over here in the Hoop Reality forum with exciting news, basketball updates and much, much more so stay tuned. The best is yet to come.
24 Responses to “WNBA Finals Recap”
Sep.7 at 4:17 pm
Cheryl in SA says:
Goody, I know you have a lot of stories to tell. I feel what you wish to speak on. Keep up the good work, and just be YOU. Your Friend 4 Life.
Sep.7 at 5:20 pm
d.Y. says:
Thanks for the article. I’d be watching the game if I had a TV. Methinks Diana Taurasi is tired from playing for the national team in this summer’s FIBA tourney.
Sep.7 at 5:47 pm
Krys says:
This is going to be a dog fight between Phoenix and Detroit. Keep the stories coming Goody. Somebody has to speak the truth.
Sep.7 at 6:26 pm
Chris says:
Keep doing you Goody. I’m feeling the Hoop Reality articles. Keep the player exclusives coming too. I’m more interested in hearing from the former players too…..Stint, Spoon, Kym, Dawn, Coop, etc. Keep up the good work regardless. If I want to read biased fluff, I’ll read the official site or listen to Doris Burke and Nancy Lieberman. I still think Phoenix has got this though. Diana and Cappie aren’t going to have as bad of shooting nights two more times.
Sep.7 at 9:01 pm
Detroit says:
Shock will sweep. They destroyed Phoenix inside the paint and on the boards despite playing without their best rebounder and post player. I don’t understand why anyone had Phoenix winning this. Defense always beats offence, the schock have more experience, the shock have more depth, the shock swept the Mercurey in the regular season, and the shock have home court. This will be easy.
Sep.7 at 11:35 pm
PG27 says:
Diana Taurasi has to step it up.The Mercury have to have considerable amount from Taurasi,Taylor and Pondxter to beat this strong Shock team.
Sep.8 at 10:21 am
Russ Bengtson says:
So will Laimbeer bounce to the NBA at some point, or are his coaching talents better suited for the women’s game?
Sep.8 at 10:35 am
Goody says:
Russ,
Bill is a good coach for the women. Yeah he may be hard-nosed but he gets the best out of his player. His coaching staff is phenomenal, besides that why fix what ain’t broke ya know. Check out the playoffs @ 3:30 on ESPN. It will be a good one filled with redemption on the minds of the Mercury. I hope that Taurasi shows some poise and gets back on track today.
Sep.8 at 1:17 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Shoot, i have to help someone move at 3:30.
Sep.8 at 4:55 pm
Fundamental says:
So when Margo Dydek becomes a “former women’s pro” will she get a column too? “I often wondered if my articles were being read by anyone over there and they are. I know this because of how the comments have changed on television, how the Aussies (Penny Taylor) are being commented about, how Cappie Pondexter is now being uplifted, seeing Jennifer Gillom (former player of the Phoenix Mercury) at an event, and so forth” It’s all because of you…riiiiight…Cappie’s sick, she’s going to get the props evenually…Phoenix vs Seattle had two Aussies, they’re going to get commented on, c’mon now… PS..Detroit’s, not Detroits’. Getting better though, not gonna lie…
Sep.8 at 5:20 pm
Goody says:
Love you fundamentals you got skills baby. You like my column so just go ahead and admit it. Anyway, keep me on my toes baby. Bring out the best in me.
Sep.8 at 8:09 pm
Fundamental says:
Nothing but respect for ya, even though you did get my name wrong…looking forward to what you thought about today’s game…I’ll be checking in …
Sep.9 at 12:50 am
ForzaMilan says:
Sweep? sweep??!! hahahahahahahahaa
Sep.9 at 2:55 am
Goody says:
Anyway fundamentals now that I figured out who you are when am I going to get the exclusive for Slam? No back in the day college stuff. No blah blah blah. The real who you are right now and what you will bring that hasn’t already been done in the WNBA. I want something real. Oh! by the way I knew that my comments would get atchu. Nice game today. Game face and all. I want a shout out in the next one. What up Goody will be just fine…… I do have an editor by the way so the type o’s aren’t all on me. I mean u can only proof read but so much.
Sep.9 at 3:01 am
Goody says:
Oh my goodness I forgot the Margo thing. Yeah she should get a column. Every Polish American in the USA loves Margo to death. She could recruit one million people to buy WNBA tickets easily. Margo For President!
Sep.9 at 9:06 am
Harold says:
Keep doing what you do homie. The 1 of many things that I LOVE about u is that u say what u feel and I know that u will bring across what’s on your mind sometime soon. I do think it will be hard 4 The Shock to get a win in Phoneix but Bill does get the best out of his players. This looks to be very interesting. I’ll holla.
Sep.9 at 5:01 pm
Uknow11 says:
Nice article Goody. That was a very good game, the girls were ballin for sure. I think they macth up great and I can’t wait to see the outcome. Keep up the great job Goody.
Sep.10 at 9:34 am
Blackberry says:
Goody, You’ve done it again! kep spittin’ the truth and keepin’ people on their toes. Fundamental obviously likes your articles cause he/she would not keep coming back! It’s all good cause everyone has their opinions and I will call it just that cause I think all Fundamental pick on you for is the little things like spelling, grammar and things of that nature! Do your thing Goody! “I Gotcha back”, always! Having been at that last game Saturday in Detroit, Phoenix tore them a new butt hole and the Shock gave up! Thought I was going to see a better game!
Sep.10 at 12:37 pm
Ruff says:
The key is to enhance the game! The ultimate goal is to increase the awareness of the game. The quality and integrity of the sport. Let’s keep that in mind always because what this is about is giving American women the opportunity to play professional basketball in the USA. This also should be about growth of the league. Success within the league and sharing that success with those that help the league florish current and past players.
Sep.10 at 12:56 pm
Ruff says:
For what Cynthia Cooper and the Comets done I don’t think it gets the proper repect its due. For any team in this day and age to win 1 championship is a very tough challenge. Back to Back just ask Magic and Pat Riley how tough that is, but for Coop to put the Comets and the league on her back like she did it should be talked and preached about like they do the Celtics and the Lakers. If u think about when Coop played TV and live attendance was way up!
Sep.10 at 2:38 pm
Blackberry says:
Ruff,
Amen for that! It seems only the older players left in the league get the praise, we have forgotten about those who built it. I don’t think we will ever get a team that will win 4 championships in a row in the league again. Not to take away from the great players in and coming into the league but there is something to be said about the WNBA HERstory!
I can remember when the Mystics lead the league in attendance with 14,000 and they weren’t winning! Hopefully with more exposure we will get the attendance and veiwership in all the WNBA cities! These ladies deserve it!
Sep.11 at 6:25 pm
Butch says:
Can’t wait for Game #3 tonight. Game 1 great,
Game 2 the pits. Boy or should I say Girl how
can the three point shot ruin a game…
Very fast as us fans found out watching game 3.
That why I hate the three point shot, it ruins
a great game fast. One lady gets hot and next
minute she got 30 points and a great player is
watching instead of playing a Championship
game from the sidelines. Crual to the fans,
but I would think worst for the player, in this case the great D.T.
I guess most fans love the three point shot.
Watching the ball float in from afar, but I
rather watch a great player drive in and make
a great layup or watch a great jumpshot.
Interesting article, can’t wait for more
SLAMMING articles from the greatest rebounder
six foot and under to ever play the game.
Enjoy the game tonight Ladies and Gents,
should be a Great one. ( I Hope? )
Sep.26 at 5:46 pm
Lisa says:
Very informative..wish you were still out there… LSC
Oct.19 at 5:04 pm
kendrick says:
hey ,how yall doing ,yes i think shannon ,is one of the smartest and conning,players in this league and the sexiest,and i mean that sincerely