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

What is up with her not playing-is she still sick? The Mercury's inside game is virtually non-existent. I think they should play her to get experience, plus isn't she suppose to be a good rebounder and defender? That seems to be one of the Mercury's problems-they just aren't tough enough under the basket!

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 5:49 pm Post subject:

There could be any number of reasons that she hasn't played yet, but give the coaching staff a little credit... I'm sure they would be playing her if they thought it would help our chances of victory.

Sandora may be a shot-blocker, but she's really not that big. Maybe she's getting pushed around too easily at practice, or maybe Carrie even feels that what Irvin brings and what she lacks will be better balanced by Kamila being alongside her.

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1048 Location: Phoenix AZ

Quote: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkw/3212440

June 6, 2005, 1:28AM
Irvin could use some of Comets' mojo
Mercury rookie, fresh out of TCU, finds transition to WNBA isn't a piece of cake
By W.H. STICKNEY JR.
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

excerpt from above article:
Life should be so swell for the Mercury's Sandora Irvin.

Irvin was drafted third overall in April out of Texas Christian, where she became the NCAA's all-time leader in blocked shots. But the transition from outstanding collegian to rookie in the WNBA has been a chore.

On Saturday, as the Mercury fell to 1-4 and set a franchise record with 28 turnovers, it was business as usual for the niece of former Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin.

She played just two minutes, her average per game this season. Irvin was again a non-factor statistically, although the organization remains high on her talent.

The past two months have been painful for the 2005 Conference USA Player of the Year.

"The first couple of games, I didn't get in that much. I struggled a lot," Irvin said. "I woke up one day, I prayed about it and thought about it, said, 'OK, I've just got to make a transition, go out and play hard every day. I don't have control over it.'

"I was fighting with myself, struggling, thinking, 'I have to be on the court. I should be playing.' But I think my coaches have a lot of confidence in my game. Right now, they just want me to watch and learn; when I get in, make the best of it."

During her two-minute stint against the Comets, Irvin took one shot and missed. She also had one offensive rebound.

She played two minutes in the Mercury's season-opening loss to Indiana and had remained anchored to the bench from then until facing the Comets. As a senior at TCU, Irvin averaged 19.9 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.

She had 150 blocked shots, two short of tying the NCAA single-season record, and ranked 13th in the nation in scoring. On Jan. 16, 2005, Irvin set the NCAA single-game record with 16 blocks in a Conference USA game against UAB.

Aside from winning conference Player of the Year honors, Irvin was selected to the Associated Press first-team honor squad. It's a different ride now.

"My rookie year, coming in, just trying to make the transition from college to the pros, playing with all these go-to players, it's a little different," Irvin said. "In college, I'm the go-to player. Now, I've got Diana Taurasi (the 2004 WNBA Rookie of the Year), Anna DeForge, a lot of stars on my team. So I'm just sitting back right now, learning and trying to take everything in that they're doing. I'm enjoying myself. I'm at the peak of my career, or let's say, playing in the WNBA, where I've always wanted to play. So I'm having a good time."

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

She missed a few games with the stomach flu. But she should have played 5-10 minutes against Charlotte and Seattle. While her offense may not be WNBA-ready, her shotblocking and rebounding certainly are.

SuziQ · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 288 Location: Phoenix

While I am as enthused about her as anyone, I think the play of A-Rob lately has made it harder for Sandora to get minutes. I hope they start putting SI in more, but we need to get some leads for Graffie to be comfortable w/ her.

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

SuziQ wrote: While I am as enthused about her as anyone, I think the play of A-Rob lately has made it harder for Sandora to get minutes. I hope they start putting SI in more, but we need to get some leads for Graffie to be comfortable w/ her.

Yes and no. Robinson is a center. Irvin can play either post spot because of her mid-range jumper and her ability to score while facing the basket and with her back to the basket.

Irvin could have seen time with Robinson, especially in some of the games when Plenette was missing shots and not rebounding (and getting beat defensively).

That being said, I agree with Suzy...Graf has to be comfortable with Irvin.

SuziQ · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 288 Location: Phoenix

Thanks for the clarification. I may not know much about the "technical" side of the game (which I learn more and more about by reading this board, thank you all!), but I can recognize effort to get position and aggressive play.

You make an interesting suggestion - Irvin and Robinson. Would love to see that combo sometime.

Gil · Joined: 25 Jun 2002 Posts: 84

Yesterday, it was announced that Sandora was named the 2004-05 Conference USA Female Athlete of the Year based upon her accomplishments at Texas Christian University (TCU) last season. She beat out female athletes in all sports, not just basketball, including Sancho Lyttle who played in the same conference at the University of Houston (and is now with the Houston Comets). A link to the article is below:

http://www.collegesports.com/sports/w-baskbl/stories/062005aae.html

Congratulations, Sandora.

SportsFan48 · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1136

Thanks for the info, Gil.

I too would like to see Sandora getting some PT. There are several reasons I am sure why she isn't. Foremost might be that this team is still in transition as far as putting their roster together. I think it is getting harder and harder for rookies to get the playing time they need to develop and adjust. The season is just too short. That said, with a 3-7 record, one would think that maybe it would be worth a shot to give her a chance to really see what kind of impact she may be able to make.

BTW - way to go Sandora. Now we can say, "We have the Conference USA Female Player of the Year and you don't." Congratulations.

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1048 Location: Phoenix AZ

Congratulations Sandora - you go girl....

I hope you get to show us your stuff real soon

I think if we were winning more, coach would be more comfortable giving her more PT