Gotnext Women's Basketball Boards

PTFan14 · Joined: 07 Jan 2004 Posts: 37 Location: OHIO

What is going on? Only 24 points in a half!! Why ? San Antonio is not a good team and they don't have Latoya who's a very good player. Penny needs to shoot more than 4 times too. I sure hope they play better in the 2nd half and get a MUCH NEEDED WIN!

DTFAN · Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Posts: 104 Location: Newington CT

Great job in the second half ,so far, to get back in the game :lol: :lol:

PTFan14 · Joined: 07 Jan 2004 Posts: 37 Location: OHIO

Yes, they are tied now. I hope they can keep up the good play!!

doubleDfan · Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 225

Go Kamilla...She's playing really well..

PTFan14 · Joined: 07 Jan 2004 Posts: 37 Location: OHIO

WOW! What a 2nd half! It seems like they really played team basketball-which they have to do. And Kamila was on fire-her and Penny being here are going to make such a difference. Penny didn't shoot much, but she had 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Overall, a great game!!

Keegan · Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

I wonder what Carrie said at half time... and did they need the Aussies to translate? :lol:

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 4:04 pm Post subject:

52 points in the 2nd half - now that's more like it :).

A-Rob starting and playing only 7 minutes... is she ok?

Mercurymaniac · Joined: 04 Aug 2002 Posts: 1197 Location: Scottsdale

Quote: I wonder what Carrie said at half time

Possibly "get your sh-t together or I'll trade you to SA"

Quote: A-Rob starting and playing only 7 minutes... is she ok?

It seems like Kamilla is getting her minutes. Maybe she's a proxy until Kamilla gets into form.

tracey · Joined: 17 Jul 2002 Posts: 146 Location: chandler AZ

OK...that second half was more like it. I say we dub the following players the Fab Five because they seriously played some ball...
1. Diana
2. Penny
3. Anna
4. Plenette
5. Kamila

I think, and I admit I am a novice when it comes to basketball, that the first half was low scoring because Diana, Penny, and Anna didn't take as many shots. Granted, Anna had to deal with some tough defense. But...there are 3 definite scoring threats on the court, why is Gwen Jackson the one shooting the ball? Now, my spouse feels that this is deliberate because Diana seems to get tired in the second half when she is the one taking the majority of the shots. Plus, getting the rest of the team involved is important. Maybe. I'm not sure, but (without my looking at the stats) it seemed that our big three didn't get as many touches in the first half.

In the first half, SA had only 3 team fouls, and the Mercury were in the penalty. It seems to me that the team settles for the outside shot, and avoids driving to the basket. There are some exceptions...Penny comes to mind. Gotta love Penny. Anyway, it isn't easy to get to the free throw line if you don't go inside.

Anyway, the first half was painful to watch. The second half was pure joy. That team...the one that showed up in the second half...well...that's the Mercury I know and love. I have to be honest though, win or lose, I just love this team. Although, winning is much more enjoyable.

***If any of my observations are incorrect, please be kind....:) ********

doubleDfan · Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 225

I agree with you, I was so happy that at the end of the game, Diana kept going inside..Penny always has, I'd like to see Anna do that more, she seems like she's fast enough to drive past most guards to the basket.

It was great to see Kamilla playing so well, Personally I'd like to see Kamilla and ARob playing at the same time (with the big three) I know they are both Centers, but I think we could play Kamilla as a Forward...

Also, maybe instead of having the big three shooting less, but still playing in the first half, maybe Graf could rest them a bit..Is there a reason Snelly has not been playing?

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1037 Location: Phoenix AZ

Shereka, Snelly, Kayte, Gwen and Lisa played a combined 31 minutes.
Each made a contribution to the team effort. Taurasi did get rest in the 1st half. All of 4 min.

SportsFan48 · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1126

This was a good win and, I hope, the start of something good to come.

Keys to the game, IMO:

~ Dee kept her cool during the game and seemed to stay focused. Yes, she went to the basket more in the second half. I think one reason was she knew SASS were in the penalty so when she made those aggessive moves, she had a good chance of going to the line. She is such a smart player and was a great leader on the court today.

~ Only two turnovers in the second half. We took care of the ball and gave ourselves a chance to score on nearly every posession.

~ Rebounding - and well balanced rebounding.

~ Some solid, can I say inspired, play by Kayte. She came into the game at just the right time to give the team some energy and kick started them into their run. She only played 7 minutes, but it was a very productive 7. Some solid play from the bench all round. I would still like to see more scoring from the bench but appreciated the hustle, rebounding, and effort from the bench. (I realize that technically Kamila was off the bench, but I really don't view her that way and don't expect it to be that way for long.)

~ Getting to the line in the second half. The Mercury were 16-16 from the freethrow line; all in the second half.

Our real test in ahead of us. We have never won in New York. This is the year we need to change that. We have a difficult back to back against Washington and Minnesota too. Both of those teams gave us fits last year. I will bet the Mercury will not forget the last time they were in Minnesota. They gave up a 20 point lead and lost by 2.

mb · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 6:45 am Post subject:

Kayte played key minutes that coincided with the start of our run. Why she did not recieve more minutes during the previous road trip is beyond me.

As I recall, she started one game and played well, yet did not return to the game; then did not even play the next.

Hopefully we have started a win streak. Two of the next three seems quite attainable. It will be nice to play well on national tv...we haven't done that very often in the past.

Guess the tv at my office will be tuned to ABC instead of the Spanish channel and Caliente (one of my favorite shows) on Saturday afternoon.

CamrnCrz1974 · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 1689 Location: Central Phoenix

Quote: Kayte played key minutes that coincided with the start of our run. Why she did not recieve more minutes during the previous road trip is beyond me.

Another perspective to consider...

Kayte is averaging over 12 minutes per game, but is only producing 1.3 points and 1.86 rebounds...and that is including yesterday's game, when she scored two points and had two rebounds.

I love Kayte. We all love Kayte. We love the hustle plays, the fight for loose balls, the friendliness with fans, etc. But Kayte is averaging 2.29 fouls in her 12 minutes, meaning she is contributing more fouls than points or rebounds.

Now, consider those fouls in light of the fact the Mercury has attempted 186 free throws on the season...while our opponents have attempted 225 free throws. This means are opponents are getting 5 more attempts from the line than we are...meaning more "free" chances to score.

Kayte is the classic over-achiever...she gives as much as she can and she never takes a play off, but she just doesn't have the offensive capabilities to compete with the post talent currently in the league. The fouls hurt, especially when she doesn't have the offensive output to diminish the free opportunities given to the opposition.

taurasi2156 · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 1:38 pm Post subject:

im so happy they got the win and were able to overcome a deficit! i always post the score and stats of the merc games at another board so its always good when its posittive!! :D

BlznTr33s · Joined: 05 May 2004 Posts: 128 Location: Phoenix, AZ

mb wrote: Kayte played key minutes that coincided with the start of our run. Why she did not recieve more minutes during the previous road trip is beyond me.

CamrnCrz1974 wrote: Another perspective to consider...

Kayte is averaging over 12 minutes per game, but is only producing 1.3 points and 1.86 rebounds...and that is including yesterday's game, when she scored two points and had two rebounds.

I love Kayte. We all love Kayte. We love the hustle plays, the fight for loose balls, the friendliness with fans, etc. But Kayte is averaging 2.29 fouls in her 12 minutes, meaning she is contributing more fouls than points or rebounds.

As much as it disheartens me to say this, I have to agree with Cam. With the level of play getting better each year, I can't say that I've seen her keeping up with the times offensively. And then there's the foul issue...

She's a spark plug, though, there's no denying that. She reminds me of Bridget Pettis (later in her career) in the sense that she didn't usually contribute much in terms of points, but she lit a fire under the team when it was needed most. Unfortunately, with each batch of new players every season, the room for these players is becoming non-existant. Just look at how many of the 'stars and starters' of old are displaced and homeless right now...

CamrnCrz1974 wrote: Kayte is the classic over-achiever...she gives as much as she can and she never takes a play off, but she just doesn't have the offensive capabilities to compete with the post talent currently in the league. The fouls hurt, especially when she doesn't have the offensive output to diminish the free opportunities given to the opposition.

In her journal this season, I noticed that she started her own business as a wedding and event coordinator - I couldn't help but wonder if she's thinking perhaps her time in this league is limited, too.

mb · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 12:41 am Post subject:

Quote: As much as it disheartens me to say this, I have to agree with Cam. With the level of play getting better each year, I can't say that I've seen her keeping up with the times offensively. And then there's the foul issue...

She's a spark plug, though, there's no denying that. She reminds me of Bridget Pettis (later in her career) in the sense that she didn't usually contribute much in terms of points, but she lit a fire under the team when it was needed most. Unfortunately, with each batch of new players every season, the room for these players is becoming non-existant. Just look at how many of the 'stars and starters' of old are displaced and homeless right now...

Cam was accurate, and blzntr33s expounded very nicely.

Kayte, Lisa and many others around the league must hear the clock winding down.

Similarly, Bo Outlaw will likely not be back with the Suns, yet it is certain he contributed to this years success in ways most are unaware (of).

kharris · Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 172 Location: East Tennessee

Quote: Kayte, Lisa and many others around the league must hear the clock winding down.

This is Lisa's last year regardless, correct?

I agree that it's sad to see the roster opportunities for ladies who do the "little" things disappearing. Seems like those ladies most always possess outstanding character. That said, it's a great sign that the WNBA has progressed to the point that only the most elite players can secure a roster spot. I remember back in 1997 when the ABL was still trying to float, and the top-to-bottom talent in the WNBA was horrendous.