WNBA'S TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED

 

 EYE ON THE BALL IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

Bird and Toliver Fight for Loose Ball 

in Season Opener  
 

The first week of WNBA games has gone by and because this year's season started earlier than usual due to the Olympics, it would be unfair to expect fluid, cohesive play even among the league's most sure-handed veterans.  We saw major wheels turning right from the beginning when Seattle Storm coughed up TOs in their season opener to the Los Angeles Sparks - a game the home team Storm had full control of until the fourth quarter.  Turnovers would also hoist a cloud over teams like the Chicago Sky and the New York Liberty, who have gone 0-4 -- their worst start in six years.  

The Liberty's winless start kind of caught me off guard.  True, I did not expect them to have an outstanding season.  But despite decent play from Kia Vaughn, Kara Braxton, and Plenette Pierson, it seems as though they've been playing with four women on the court at times.   Cappie Pondexter remains their brightest star and even she appears flustered due to the occasional lethargic performance of a few of her teammates.  Their front office inexpicably did not make any major moves during the off season.  Center Janel McCarville has sat out the season for the second straight year.  Moreover, their draft pick, 6'6" Kelley Cain hasn't been able to put together a good set of quality minutes.   Nicole Powell has not been playing up to snuff and her days in the Big Apple may be numbered.  Add to that Coach Whisenant's personal crisis with his wife's diagnosis of ovarian cancer.  Some are already suspecting that the team may get Baylor sensation Britney Griner in next year's draft.  Already suspecting.  If they do get her, great.  But that's a long way off and no one likes long losing seasons -- least of all New Yorkers.

THE SUN IS THE BIGGEST STAR

Montgomery Fights Johnson to The Hole 

The Connecticut Sun's 3-0 start also surprised me somewhat.  I thought they would lose to the San Antonio Stars in Friday's contest and although the Stars did make a last minute comeback, the Sun controlled the tempo for most of the game en route to a 83-79 victory.  Connecticut look very good.  They are playing well aware of each player's strengths, thinking two and three steps ahead, moving smoothly in the half court.  Tina Charles and Asjha Jones have especially performed well and Coach Thibault seems to be galvanizing the offense around that tandem.   Smart.  Also smart was his decision to make point guard Renee Montgomery a role player off the bench.   Montgomery is a player with loads of potential who can run with the best of them and is capable of making some unbelievable highlight worthy plays.  But she also tends to get erratic at the wrong times.  The move has paid off so far.  In Friday's game she sunk 23 points, and her 5 turnovers didn't negatively impact the Sun's fate.   No telling how many TOs she would have had if she had started.   

On the Silver Stars side I've been pleasantly surprised with small forward Shameka Christon who's dropping 15 points a game -- the majority of her damage from downtown.  If used effectively, she has the potential to win some big games that could very well propel San Antonio into the playoffs and possibly beyond.  

The Atlanta Dream looks to have made up for the loss of Izi Marques with contributions from UConn alum Tiffany Hayes and ex-Merc Ketia Swanier.  Sancho Lyttle is running up the court and doing damage averaging 13.5 points and 8.5 boards a game.  And like franchise player Angel McCoughtery, she can steal too.   What was unexpected?   Ten points on 5 for 5 shooting with 7 boards from Russian center Yelena Leuchanka vs the Liberty.   She may not be able to fill Erika DeSouza's shoes all the way, but she may come close enough. 

MIGHT AS WELL JUMP

Johnson Looks Past Adams for a Deuce 
 

Due to technical difficulties WNBA LiveAccess was not able to broadcast a tight game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Tulsa Shock.  It was expected that WNBA Live Access would have issues as they did last year.  What was not expected is the $4.99 price for the season long pass.  Cheap -- but expensive if the video is shoddy or you can't see games at all.   And we've already witnessed cases of both in Week One.  (Ssssigh).   On the player side was the unexpected but superb work of Tulsa's Temeka Johnson.  I say unexpected only because her point totals have decreased in recent years.   Her 18.5 pts and 8 dishes a game makes it appear as though she's been set free from the Mercury after a mediocre 2011.  She's been nothing short of wonderful, playing ten feet tall.  

Then there is Charde Houston.  The Smooth Scalp One knocked down threes from the Virgin Islands in a 24 pt performance  against her former team, the Lynx, this past Sunday.  While still flawed (she collected multiple TOs in the game against Tulsa), her main adversary will be endurance, especially in the fourth quarter.

KRISTI IN MINNY

Toliver Squeezes Through For A Tough Basket

Which brings me to the Los Angeles Spark point guard Kristi Toliver.  The twenty two point per game Kristi Toliver.  Yes, all the talk about Nneka Ogwumike (who had a great breakout game against the Lynx) has made us temporarily forget LA's backcourt.   Shooting 55% from the floor and a whopping 60% from behind the arc, Kristi could certainly make WNBA's first Player of the Week of the 2012 season.   Her biggest challenge?  With backup point Sharnee Zoll out for the year with a torn ACL, Kristi will have to be amazing all season long.

Those have been the surprises that have leaped out at me thus far.  The Lynx going 3-0 is obviously no surprise at all.  In fact I wouldn't be surprised if they have an even better season this year, perhaps besting the 2000 Los Angeles Sparks record of 28-4.  They play together as though they've been at it for ten years.  They remind me of the San Antonio Spurs -- the perfect mix of stellar veterans and eager-to-win youth.

Still, the WNBA's night is young.   

- WNBA Jones   

WNBA'S EARLY SURPRISES

And what a extraordinary weekend it was, gang!  Some teams came out bangin.  Others could've used an extra week of pre-season.  No matter.  All and all the first few days of the 2012 WNBA Season did not disappoint!  

Here are the early surprises:

   

KRISTI TOLIVER (LAS)

Who woulda thunk it?  I knew Toliver was good.  But not good for twenty five points in the toughest arena to play in on the road -- off the bench!   Toliver gave Bird and the Storm the business and the receipts with her 25 pt performance in a riveting come from behind victory.  Perhaps her best game as a pro.

CHARDE HOUSTON (PHX)

The one great thing about a star player being out of the lineup is that someone you least expect to step up big can sometimes do just that.  Though the Taylor-less, Taurasi-less Mercs lost big to the defending champion juggernaut Lynx, a secret weapon was unleashed in the form of ex-Lynx role player Charde Houston.  With 24 pts including 5 tres, Charde ought to get the minutes she didn't get in Minny.

 TEMEKA JOHNSON (TUL)

Mercury fans, take a good luck at this picture of Temeka Johnson in a Mercury uni.  Telling from her play against the San Antonio, you may want her back in Phoenix.  She calmly sunk 21 pts while serving up 9 assists.  Yeah, the Shock lost, but the 2005 Rookie of the Year looks like her old self after a so-so 2011.  She and Ivory Latta should be exciting to watch this year.

 

SHAMEKA CHRISTON (SAS)

I love efficiency and Shameka Christon's performance against the Shock is a prime example of what efficient play is.  She dropped 16 points in ... 16 minutes, much of that due to her superb shooting from downtown.  It will be interesting to see how Coach Dan Hughes plays her alongside Shenise Johnson and the two Danielles. 

 ANN WAUTERS (SEA)

I like this addition for the Storm.  At the rate she was going early against the Sparks Friday night, I thought she'd leave Key Arena with 40 points.  As fate would have it she cooled off in the second in an embarrassing loss.  Still, with 17 pts and 7 boards, filling Lauren Jackson's shoes may not be as daunting as we thought.

- WNBA Jones

SURVEY SAYS!

Yeah, yeah!  We're just a day away from the inaugural tip off of the 2012 WNBA season, the league's sixteenth.  We've seen some exciting play during an early, crash course type of preseason.  We've also seen some drastic cuts made (the proper term "waived" doesn't make any such player feel any better).  And, as with every sport, we've been bombarded with a gang of team and player predictions before opening day. 

The league has released the results from their own 2012 Predictions survey on wnba.com.  The questions that stood out most?  

Which “sleeper” rookie is most likely to be a success?

Riquana Williams            36.36%

Tiffany Hayes                   18.18%

Shekinna Stricklen          18.18%

LaSondra Barrett            9.09%

Sasha Goodlet                  9.09%

Shenise Johnson              9.09%

So much depends on team chemistry and which player becomes the focal point of the offense.  That makes the above survey question tough to answer.  Riquana performed well during preseason, and everyone knows she played with all kinds of awesomeness throughout her college career.  However I would but Shekinna second and Shenise Johnson third.   I love Shenise's all-around energy.  I also believe Shekinna will be one the game's premier perimeter players. 

Which team will win the Eastern Conference?

Indiana Fever                   41.67%

Connecticut Sun               25%

Atlanta Dream                  8.33%

Chicago Sky                      8.33%

Always held the Fever in high regard, but I still have Sky winning the East despite their mediocre play in their final preseason game.   I just don't see the Fever being dominate as they were in '09 this year.  I think depending too much on older veterans Katie Douglas and Tamika Catchings for offense will get the best of them in the home stretch.  They need to trade for younger players.  

Which team made the best off season moves overall?

Chicago Sky                   45.4%

Los Angeles Sparks       27.3% 

Tulsa Shock                    18.2%

Washington Mystics      9.1%

I'd switch the Sky with the Sparks.  Don' get me wrong.  The Sky did well in trading for Swin Cash, LeCoe Willingham, and Ticha P. but the Sparks went buckwild.   They brought onboard a exceptional, more than qualified coach in Carol Ross, plus acquired Marissa Coleman and a healthy Alana Beard from the Mystics.  What am I missing?  Oh.   They drafted some so-so forward from Stanford.   I believe the Sparks are the only franchise that could possibly give the Lynx problems in postseason.  

The Shock have also made some interesting power moves.  They won't be a major threat but they won't be boring.  I say they finish 14-20.

Which was the most underrated acquisition?

Mistie Bass by Connecticut     18.2%    
Ruth Riley by Chicago             18.2%
Ketia Swanier by Atlanta         9.1%
Sharnee Zoll by Los Angeles    9.1%
Ticha Penicheiro by Chicago   9.1%
Tina Thompson by Seattle        9.1%
Temeka Johnson by Tulsa        9.1%
Noelle Quinn by Washington   9.1%
Kelly Miller by New York       9.1%

I agree that Bass did her thing for the Sun in preseason and could potentially be a secret weapon in some close games.  With that said, I don't think Riley will be as much of a factor for the Sky as Swanier will be for Atlanta.   I can picture the underrated Swanier filling an crucial void left by Izi Marques.   With her on the roster, Atlanta retains its quickness and adds perhaps better shooting efficiency.  It makes perfect sense (though Ericka DeSouza not being with the team for a good portion will hurt).

-WNBA Jones

 

PRESEASON ROOKIE WATCH: MOVE OVER, NNEKA

                                            

"STRICKLEE" BUSINESS

STORM'S SHEKINNA STRICKLEN
COULD STEAL NNEKA'S SHINE

Shekinna Stricklen put up 15 points against the Los Angeles Sparks in a tight preseason matchup that had the Seattle edging LA 61-60.   Also grabbed 4 boards.  I think she'll be pivotal in helping Sue Bird hold things down while Lauren Jackson is away Down Under.

                
RIQUNA WILLIAMS

I knew Riquna would do well but when she dropped 17 points against the Dream I thought she could make All Rookie Team.   In her second games she racked up 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals against the Storm.

 GLORY JOHNSON

Had the same point total as teammate Riquna battling Seattle but with 5 steals and 3 assists.  Earlier in preseason she had 11 pts and 5 rebounds versus the Dream.  Safe to say Tulsa won't be 3-31 this season.

 

 

SHENISE JOHNSON

Yeah.  Got 11 points to go against the Fever the first time around (May 5th).  Got 15 more against the Fever the second go w/4 rebounds and 3 assists as side orders.  She will be fun to watch.  I'd have Tully B. coming off the bench and Shenise starting if I were Dan Hughes.

  

KATELAN REDMON

Don't know if she'll make the roster but nothing can take away her 10 points and 3 boards for the Liberty against the Sun May 7th. 

 

 SAMANTHA PRAHALIS

Expect lots of no-look passes that would make Ticha Penicheiro proud.  In 19 minutes of play, "Styles P", as they call her dished off 7 passes to go along with her 7 points against the Japanese Team.

 

 NATALIE NOVOSEL

Natalie Novosel collected a surprising 6 rebounds against the Connecticut Sun in recent preseason play.


Ladies and gentlemen, the woman's pro game is a hard fought game -- even before the regular season starts.   Very cutthroat.    Only 12 teams and 11 spots per roster.  The best of the best.   And yet some of the best may still not get a chance.  While I salute these players I ask that the WNBA keep expansion on its list of priorities while avoiding the earlier mistakes made by branching out too much too soon.  

Now go on with your bad self.

-WNBA Jones 

THE WNBA'S DARK HORSE PLAYERS

  

A STAR IS BORN

2011'S DARK HORSE DANIELLE ADAMS

 
The dark horses.  We all know them.  They're apparent in every sport -- players least expected to come up big who end up doing exactly that.  Telling from this year's pre-season, I've put together a list of such underestimated achievers.  Star players and this year's first round draft picks don't count in this list.  Those women are expected to do well.

 

  

ALEXIS GRAY-LAWSON

 (PHX)

GUARD

When we think about the Phoenix Mercury, Taurasi, Taylor and Dupree are likely to be the first players who pop into our minds.  But Gray-Lawson's 34 points against the Japanese team on May 8th could change that, especially with Taylor out this season.   At only 5'8" she plays much bigger.  It would be interesting if Coach Corey Gaines gives her a good amount of playing time. 

  

MISTIE BASS

  (CONN) 
FORWARD

Mistie's been in the league awhile with the Houston and Chicago but hadn't really made her presence felt.  If given decent minutes, she could contribute significantly to The Sun.   In just under 20 minutes, she scored 12 points with 6 rebounds and 4 assists against the defending champion Lynx on May 10th.  Not bad for the daughter of famous R&B singer Chubby Checker.

 RONEEKA HODGES 

(IND)
GUARD

Scored 16 points against her old team San Antonio Stars on May 5th.  Dropped 10 against them four days later.  Never heard her name mentioned before, but she plays with determination and could be very effective when Katie Douglas and Briann January are on the bench.

NATASHA LACY

(WAS)

GUARD

Sunk 10 points and grabbed 6 rebounds against the Sky this past Thursday.  Didn't think the Sparks would trade her but she did have her ups and downs and sometimes a particular team and a certain player are simply not the right fit for each other.  If her FT% improves, her contribution to the the Mystics could be very valuable this year.  We shall see.

MONIQUE CURRIE
(WAS)
FORWARD

Currie is back and healthy and after a disappointing season last year, the Mystics could certainly use her all of her talent.  She scored 12 points against the Sky on May 10th and went 4 for 4 from the charity strike.  With Marissa Coleman gone (a mistake made by the Mystics, I thought),  I'd look for Currie's production to increase, perhaps to career highs.

  

 
VICTORIA DUNLAP

(SEA)
FORWARD

Made an impressive showing with 13 points against the new and improved Tulsa Shock on May 11th.   No player can truly fill Swin Cash's shoes,  but Dunlap could play an important role throughout the season.   We'll see how Coach Agler utilizes her.

LAURIE KOEHN

(ATL) 

GUARD

First she was in the WNBA then she wasn't -- getting cut by the Mystics and then playing overseas for Poland.  Though Poland played poorly, she was one of their few bright spots, dropping close to 18 points a game.  Fast forward and now she's with the Atlanta Dream.   She scored 21 points, all from downtown, against the Shock this past Saturday.  This is a welcome surprise for Atlanta primarily because the team isn't known for their 3 pt shooting.   Looks to me like a welcome backcourt addition to Lindsay Harding, Tiffany Hayes and guard/forward Angel McCoughtry.

 

- WNBA Jones

LET'S MAKE A DEAL: THE BIGGEST TRADES IN WNBA HISTORY

In sports, a pivotal trade can make a front office look like a bunch of geniuses or a bunch of mules.  The WNBA is no different.  These are the biggest of the fray so far.

 
KATIE DOUGLAS

After performing so well for the Connecticut Sun for so many seasons, you'd think the franchise would never trade her.  Well, that's what happened to one of WNBA's best perimeter scorers, Katie Douglas.  I personally could not imagine the Sun making it to the WNBA Finals without her.   What boggles my mind is that her numbers were on their way up right before she got traded to the Indiana Fever for Tamika Whitmore in 2008.  The very next year the Sun came awfully close to eating crow when Indiana made it to the WNBA Finals in '09 before falling to the Phoenix Mercury in a tightly fought five game series.   Douglas dropped nearly 16 points a game when it was all said and done.  Connecticut, meanwhile, went a mediocre 16-18 and haven't been to the Finals since Katie's departure. 

 

TEMEKA JOHNSON

I like Temeka because she's the underdog who's always proven the doubters wrong.  As a scrappy point guard for LSU, she was never thought to be anything more than an above average playmaker.   Few gave her a shot to succeed because of her size (5'3").   What did she do after getting drafted by the Washington Mystics in 2005?   Simply lead the league in assists and grab the Rookie of the Year Award, that's all.  Surprisingly this wasn't enough for the Mystics and she was sent packing to Los Angeles.   After three up and down seasons with the Sparks she was traded again -- this time to the Phoenix Mercury where regained recognition en route to a championship in '09.

BECKY HAMMON

The one two backcourt combo of Teresa "T-Spoon" Weatherspoon and Becky Hammon seemed destined to bring a crown to the Big Apple.  But we didn't know it at first.  Becky, an undrafted Colorado State grad, seemed to drift into New York out of thin air.   There was no line on her.  She had to prove herself.   And prove herself she did, hitting her stride in '03 and becoming a highlight reel staple week after week, summer after summer.   Unfortunately, the Liberty didn't see her in their future and traded her after eight impressive seasons.  In San Antonio she put up even better numbers, navigating her new team to a Western Conference title in '08.  And while they would lose to the superior Detroit Shock in the Finals, the Stars became a respectable franchise and top contender for years to come partly due to Hammon.   Back at the ranch, the second overall first round pick she was traded for, center Jessica Davenport, has yet to get a ring either.  
 

 

 

 LINDSAY WHALEN

What were the Connecticut Sun thinking when they traded All Star point guard Lindsay Whalen in 2010 to the Minnesota Lynx?   All she did was commandeer the franchise to two straight Eastern Conferences titles. And though the Sun were no longer top contenders by the late 2000's, Whalen was still one of the top five floor generals in the league.  Now don't get me wrong. I've been impressed with Renee Montgomery (the woman Lindsay was traded for) but Renee is not quite on Lindsay's level.  Not yet.  Lindsay had one of her best seasons in 2011, setting career highs for field goal and three point percentage as well as leading the WNBA in assists.  Most importantly she played a vital role in the Lynx winning their first championship.  While the Sun did return to the playoffs in 2011 after two disappointing years, the end result was that they once again fell short to a better team.
  

 SWIN CASH 

Everywhere Swin goes she wins.  So when the UConn alum got traded by Detroit to Seattle in 2008 I was left wondering why.   And I know I wasn't the only one.   According to reports, she and Shock coach Bill Laimbeer just couldn't see eye to eye. This is a surprise to me, considering they had already won two championships together ... but then again maybe not so much, since the Shock won their third title the year Swin went to the Storm.  The first round pick she was traded for turned out to be Alexis Hornbuckle, who would contribute to that third Detroit title (as well as win another with the Minnesota Lynx three years later).  In any event, Swin brought her rough and tumble, rebounding ways with her to Seattle and, in joining forces with former UConn teammate Sue Bird and perennial All-Star Lauren Jackson, won it all in 2010. Her stats slipped in 2011 and she was traded again -- this time to the Chicago Sky.  And yes, I have Chi-Town winning the East this year.  I believe in Swin's charm that much.  

 KATIE SMITH

The fact that Katie is a living legend in hoops circles clearly makes this one of the league's biggest trades.   In 2005, the Minnesota Lynx astonished many by shipping Katie to the Detroit Shock.  This was a woman who dropped 20 and 23 points a game in 2000 and 2001 and was always feared for her perimeter shooting.   Although she never dominated in Detroit quite the way she did in the Twin Cities, Smith was able to create beautiful chemistry with backcourt partner Tweety Nolan and help snatch not one but two WNBA championships.  When the Lynx finally won in 2011 after years of bad breaks and untimely injuries, people remarked that the "Katie Jinx" had finally been removed.  I don't remember who Katie was dealt for.  My guess is neither do you.

SPECIAL NOTES

Incidentally, for those wondering, Penny Taylor was never traded but rather chosen by the Phoenix Mercury in a dispersal draft after the Cleveland Rockers, Taylor's former team, folded in '04.   And man, did the Merc luck up on that one. 

I would have included Taylor's former teammate, Cappie Pondexter in this list.  Her being dealt by the Phoenix Mercury to the The New York Liberty in 2010 was certainly one of the more controversial trades ever.  But while Cappie has continued lighting up the opposition, the Liberty haven't exactly struck post season gold since her arrival.  They're still footstools for other better teams to step on en route to a championship.   It's not Cappie's fault at all.  As I mentioned in a recent post, I feel the team, as a whole, is a little too long in the tooth to remain competitive down the stretch.   

If there was any other trade that you felt was noteworthy, chime in.

Until then ... this is WNBA Jones.

PRESEASON PANDAMONIUM

THE WNBA'S SENSATIONAL SCORERS

MAY 5 THRU 8 2012 
(R) = ROOKIE 

A. GRAY-LAWSON  PHX   34 PTS  FG%: 52  REBS: 7



LAURIE KOEHN  ATL   21 PTS*  FG%: 77 

N. OGWUMIKE (R)  LAS    20 PTS  FG%: 57  REBS: 11



KARA BRAXTON   NYL    18 PTS  FG%: 50  REBS: 11

IVORY LATTA   TUL    18 PTS 

RIQUNA WILLIAMS (R)  TUL   17 PTS 

RONEEKA HODGES  SAS   16 PTS

CAPPIE  PONDEXTER  NYL   16 PTS


MARISSA COLEMAN  LAS    15 PTS

* 7 three pointers

GREAT WORK, LADIES!!!

JUST WHO IS LAURIE KOEHN?

When a player you only vaguely remember has an impressive pre-season game dropping 21 points in 20 minutes, you need to refresh your memory.  

 

http://www.wnba.com/dream/dream_sign_laurie_koehn_2012_02_14.html

http://dcbasketcases.blogspot.com/2007/07/shooter-mystics-own-laurie-koehn-proved.html 

http://www.hutchnews.com/Sports/koehn2008-07-19T21-12-26

Wish her luck with the Dream.  Looks promising.

- WNBA Jones

GOTTA PUT A RING ON IT: THE WNBA'S BESTEST OF THE RINGLESS

                          
                                                CATCHING FEVER

                       Catchings Fights McCoughtry For Loose Ball

 

We've all heard it said: it's not whether you win or lose it's how you play the game.  Tough to take if you're a longtime Liberty or Fever fan, a little easier when Tamika Catchings brings home the MVP or Teresa Weatherspoon is named one of the 15 greatest WNBA players.   

There are all sorts of reasons why the greats in team sports haven't won it all -- lack of chemistry with teammates, differences with the coach, inadequate management, injury woes and so on.   Other times all the the right ingredients will be there but were also there for a slightly better team.   Nevertheless, win or lose, no one can doubt these players will to win.

Here are my top eight all time WNBA players who have yet to wear a ring.  Some have retired, some are still doing their thing.  They've all played more than five years and poured their heart and soul into every or almost every season.

THE  GREAT EIGHT

Teresa Weatherspoon  NY, LA (1997-2004)  Feisty spark-plug whose buzzer beater bank shot versus the Houston Comets in the 1999 Finals is now the stuff of legend.  Never a big scorer, she once led the league in assists and steals in the same season.  She also holds the record for most steals in a season with 100.  Made four trips to the Big Dance, sadly came up short every time.   In 2011 she was named one of the 15 Greatest Players in WNBA History.

 Sophia Young SAS (2006-Pres)  This woman exemplifies tough.  Career points per game average: 15.5.   Career rebounds: 6.2 a game.  Career FG%: .461.  Only missed four games in six seasons.  Made it all the way to the 2008 Finals after hitting a game winning shot against the Sparks in that year's Western Conference Finals.  The woman means everything to the Silver Stars.

Katie Douglas  ORL/CON, IND (2001-Pres)   Another scrappy player who's been denied time and time again with both the Sun and the Fever.   Katie Douglas has one of the sweetest shots in the game.  A perennial three point threat, she's also recognized for her ability to force the turnover, making the All Defensive Team five times.

Nykesha Sales ORL/CON (1999-2007)  She was  one of  UConn most feared players and brought much of that same ferociousness to the Miracle/Sun, making them a respectable franchise in the post season.  I've never seen her not give it her best.  She appeared in every game her first seven years, collecting 490 steals and also leading the league in steals in '04.  Made it to the All Star game an impressive eight times.

Dawn Staley CHA, HOU (1999-2006)  One of the most respected women in the game.  Everybody loves Dawn.  She did so much to promote the league in a positive way during its formative years.  Ranks seventh all time in assists with a whopping 1,337.  Was brought schoolyard to the court as only a  player from the rough and tumble streets of Philadelphia would.  No, she's never won a championship, but thank God for the Olympics (she has three Gold Medals).

Becky Hammon NY, SAS (1999-Pres)  She's won our hearts since her days subbing for Teresa Weatherspoon on the NY Liberty.  Undrafted in 1999, it seemed like she came out of nowhere.   It's been said that the Liberty letting her go was the biggest mistake the franchise has ever made.  Her impressive play for them turned into magnificent play for the San Antonio Silver Stars.   One of the game's all-time perimeter players, she ranks second in career field goals made from behind the arc.  Also fourth in career assists.  Teams know not to put her on the free throw line at a crucial time.  She's first in career percentage from the charity strike.  Listed as one of the top 15 WNBA Players ever and it's no question why.

Chamique Holdsclaw  WAS, LAS, ATL, SAS  (1999-2010)  If the WNBA could have included a sixteenth player in their All Time list it would be this woman.  From her days as a Lady Vol, Cham has always been a warrior and a winner.   The 1999 Rookie Of The Year would go on to put up stellar numbers for every team she was a part of and become a six time All-Star in the process.  The epitome of hustle, few were better at owning the boards when she was at her best.  Led the league in points and rebounds in 2002.   Seventh all time in the same categories. 

Tamika Catchings IND (2002-Pres)  This seven time All Star is perhaps the most versatile player the league has yet seen.   She can do it all.  Shoot, rebound, dish, and steal.   Rock steady from the free throw line with hands as quick as lightning, her 775 steals is second to ... you guess it, no one.  It's no wonder she's been a staple on the All Defensive Team and named Defensive Player of The Year four times.   Her 2010 season was simply a gem: 18.2 pts per game, four assists per game, a field goal percentage of .484,   and a  3pt percentage of .448.  Couldn't ask for a better single season performance.   

It would be awesome to see those still active get a ring before they retire.  For those who have since retired, there's always coaching a championship team. 


- WNBA Jones
            
  

GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT -- WNBA MARKETING

SKINS BEAT SHIRTS

Taurasi Bears Almost All For ESPN Magazine

The WNBA has enjoyed fifteen awesome years and is about to launch its sixteenth.  Ratings and merchandise sales are up, but what could be done to further the profitability of the league for years to come?   Hey, I'm no marketing major, but I've put together a list of ideas that could work for the betterment of the game.

1.  Ad spots for the upcoming WNBA season during NCAA March Madness.   Presently we see these spots midway through the NBA Playoffs.  I think they should also be televised during the NCAA tournament to better cement the connection between star college athletes and their future in basketball.   There are many younger fans who may still believe that college is the end of the road for their favorite players and thus may need to be reminded that a professional season is just a month away.

2.  Talk Show Exposure  I usually only see WNBA players on sports shows, and many aren't on TV but are part of a web series on YouTube or Daily Motion etc.   I think there's a good amount of upside to a Diana Taurasi or Lauren Jackson appearing on Ellen, Jimmy Kimmel, or Letterman.  The major talk shows have an eclectic assortment of guests -- not just singers, or reality show or movie stars, so I'm sure this would benefit the WNBA.

                                 MOORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM
                  Hopefully Maya Moore's Deal With Nike Will Set A Precedent.

3.  Endorsements, endorsements   I think endorsements and news of endorsements with WNBA players ought to be more publicized.  There are many opportunities in all mediums to bring the league and Madison Avenue closer together.  For one, cross market by having a WNBA and NBA player endorse the same company in the same commercial.   It could be Nike, Gatorade or any other brand commonly associated with sports.   Star players such as Kevin Durant and Diana Tauarsi in a clever ad for a popular energy drink, for example, would be a win for all parties involved.

4.  Social Media  The league has utilized this in recent years.  Every franchise has its own official Twitter and Facebook account and makes a reasonable effort to keep us informed of day to day activities.  A solid presence in this arena should be maintained and be given a chance to grow as technology and fan interest grow.  A suggestion here might be to attract celebrities who both embrace the women's hoops as well as social media.  Virtually anything a celeb expresses interest in, their followers tend to follow suit.

5. Appeal More To Men  So far the WNBA has made great strides in garnering the appeal of families and the LGBT community.  I don't have the answers, but I would hope the league comes up with bright ideas in bringing more men to the arenas.  Yes, there are many, and will always be many men, who may be put off by the woman's game believing it to be slower, not aggressive enough,  not as exciting as the NBA.  Ironically,  the lack of play above the rim in the WNBA tends to stress the fundamentals of the game -- which the NBA is sadly losing sight of in favor of an over reliance on constant three point shooting and the slam dunk.  Passing: remember that, guys?

6.  Learn from David Stern   I know.  There are those who don't have a very favorable opinion of the NBA Commissioner.  Usually happens during a lockout.  But it's no secret that the NBA grew exponentially during the 80s, 90s and beyond in part because of him, and not just Bird, Magic, or MJ.  Today's fans would be surprised to learn that up until 1982, NBA Finals games were not broadcast live.  They were on tape delay because advertisers were leery about spending prime time money on a sport they felt wasn't lucrative.  Stern played the Magic vs Bird rivalry brilliantly, and it served not only the Celtics and Lakers well but the entire league.  He infused fresh, hip ad campaigns that galvanized younger generations of fans.   Within no time at all, everyone I knew was wearing a basketball jersey -- even those who didn't know an illegal defense from an alley-oop.    The game became a larger part of American culture than ever before.  Well, The WNBA could do well to pay attention to history and forge ahead, especially since it has more outlets than the NBA had back when Stern first came aboard.

With all of that said, I really like President Laurel Richie and hope she and Stern can continue to work together to take the WNBA to higher heights.   She seems open to new ideas and I have a feeling she will be successful.


- WNBA Jones