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caune · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1562 Location: Phoenix

Haven't confirmed it yet...but word is that Maria is on the way and will be here tomorrow.
Any thoughts, feelings, rants...and who gets cut to make room?
Lisa?

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 4:06 pm Post subject:

I think we could certainly use the extra boost at this point of some more experience in the middle.
Baby could use a little sun too after being stuck in Russia for a while now.
It's a win-win situation :)

BackInTheDayPlay · Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 33

:roll: :cry: :evil: :cry: :evil: :cry: :evil: :cry: :roll:

Boo.

potd41 · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 4:31 pm Post subject:

I will believe it when I see her on the court. I would welcome her since we stlill lack a consistant presence in the middle.

caune · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1562 Location: Phoenix

If having her play means more wins, I'm on board!

oddball8450 · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Posts: 101

Caune,

Someone actually has to be cut from the team, correct? Our IR is full? Would they cut someone and have them hang around until Maria goes home and then re-sign them?

caune · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1562 Location: Phoenix

If you cut someone, you can't resign them for 30 days....but I believe approx. 3 weeks before the season ends you have to cut to 12 players, so I suspect whoever goes, is gone for good, then one of the IR's takes Marias spot, and one is stuck on IR till next year

doubleDfan · Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 225

Who gets cut..maybe Angelina Williams...

IMO Lisa has earned her spot on the team..She has proven she has played just as well as Kayte..she has a lot of hustle, I think she's played well enough to be on the roster, especially if she isn't even on the IR..

Sandora Irvin, hasn't really gotten the ability to play yet, and is on the IR..but I just don't see Graf cutting her..she does have a lot of talent, and I think she can improve enough to be a pretty good contributer..

My guess is Angelina Williams, but I think the other options are Lisa and Sandora..

Keegan · Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

Sandora is NOT going to be cut. She's our #3 pick!

I say Angelina is probably gone and one of our PFs will magically acquire an injury. I'd still like a backup ballhandler as well though.

caune · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1562 Location: Phoenix

Angelina has so much up side, I'd hate to see her cut :x
I wonder...maybe we can make a trade for a draft pick, saves cutting someone, for now at least, any suggestions?

doubleDfan · Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 225

Hey, now that I think about it..y'all might end up with Strother in Phoenix next year..she would fit in perfect with the Merc..a tall (blonde) three point shooter...cause the Merc has a great need for a three point shooter. :D

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1043 Location: Phoenix AZ

doubleDfan wrote: Hey, now that I think about it..y'all might end up with Strother in Phoenix next year..she would fit in perfect with the Merc..a tall (blonde) three point shooter...cause the Merc has a great need for a three point shooter. :D
You are joking :!: :?: :lol:

2005 regular season league leaders for 3 pointers made

1. Nicole Powell....24
2. Katie Smith.......19
2. Diana Taurasi...19 - (must bleach hair)
4. Anna DeForge..16

Kelley · Joined: 16 Jun 2002 Posts: 29 Location: Atlanta, GA

Personally, I'd love to see Maria back. 8) She was such fun to watch in the Olympics. I think she has gained a lot of maturity and could be a great asset to the team.

Think about it, if Maria comes back, we will have Gold, Silver, and Bronze metal winners from this past Olympics on our team. :P

kb

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1043 Location: Phoenix AZ

"If" Maria comes back, it won't be as difficult for her to adjust as many may think. She and Kamila were on the same Russian team so know how to play off each other. Also Kamila speaks Russian so their won't be a need for a translator who doesn't even play the game. Besides, I would hope Maria has picked up more of the English language.

This is all a great big IF.

Seth said he would let us know when she really comes to AZ so the Brigade could greet her at the airport with signs :lol: . We haven't heard from Seth yet. We may not hear from Seth because he probably won't believe it either until he sees her get off the plane :shock: Would anyone blame him?

SportsFan48 · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1136

According to the AZ Republic news Maria has 10 to report. Everything is ready for her return, it is up to her.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/mercury/articles/0615merc0615.html

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1043 Location: Phoenix AZ

SportsFan48 wrote: According to the AZ Republic news Maria has 10 days to report. Everything is ready for her return, it is up to her.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/mercury/articles/0615merc0615.html
Rather brilliant announcing it in the paper 10 days before we find out if Maria is even coming. With 3 away games followed by Conn on 6/25, it hopefully puts the fear of "THE CUT" in our players. We need them to give their all (like we know they can) and win the next 4 games. There's no excuse for not winning the next 3.

I too, will only believe it when I see Espionage Barby with Spy Bebe in her arms & Undercover Hubby beside her as they get off the plane. Hurry :!: Get iced vodka.... must use subterfuge to get them to the cool hotel and swimming pool. Quickly!.... Before they get the full force of desert heat.

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

The Great Pumpkin is coming! The Great Pumpkin is coming! I won't hold my breath until I see her running up and down the court in home whites.

MercuryBoFan · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 256 Location: Glendale

If Maria is not gonna play the whole ( Rest Of ) season then why even bother to play at all this year ???

Don't get me wrong .. Maria is awesome and I would love to see her back ... but if its only for partial season and the not the rest of season then we don't need her ...

The chemistry on the team sucks right now as it is !

caune · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1562 Location: Phoenix

Don't get me wrong .. Maria is awesome and I would love to see her back ... but if its only for partial season and the not the rest of season then we don't need her ...

we do need wins, and if Maria gets us some don't ya think it's worth it??

Hey, now that I think about it..y'all might end up with Strother in Phoenix next year..she would fit in perfect with the Merc..a tall (blonde) three point shooter...cause the Merc has a great need for a three point shooter.

Bite your tongue!!!!
I know you're probably a UCONN fan, but strother is clueless at best and infuriating at worst. No thanks!

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

Quote: I know you're probably a UCONN fan, but strother is clueless at best and infuriating at worst. No thanks!
Strother = Kate Starbird in the W.

And Strother has stagnated since her freshman year...she has not developed a post up game (since she can post up guards at 6-2/6-3), her handle is average, and she is not particularly adept at putting the ball on the floor.

doubleDfan · Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 225

LOL, I was joking...I'm a Uconn fan, and I think she's a headcase...and she's infuriating on her good days...She's a three point shooter, and an okay defensive player....I was dripping with sarcasm when I said that the Merc needed another three point shooter (Who sometimes gets rather shy, and doesn't shoot)..but truthfully, when someone mentioned the draft next year, it reminded me that she was leaving...

I hope that if Maria does come back, it doesn't screw up the chemistry of the team..But even though Kamilla is a solid player, and ARob has improved, another post would help..

Keegan · Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

Mercurymaniac wrote: The Great Pumpkin is coming! The Great Pumpkin is coming! I won't hold my breath until I see her running up and down the court in home whites.

Is Seth the fairy godmother?

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

Quote: Is Seth the fairy godmother?

If he gets her back here, he'll be a miracle worker and should be up for GM of the year. Mainly because of his undying optimism.

SportsFan48 · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1136

Quote: If he gets her back here, he'll be a miracle worker and should be up for GM of the year. Mainly because of his undying optimism.

:lol: :lol:

I don't think Seth's "optimism" is really any different than you and I. He won't believe it either until she is at AWA in dress whites. But I do believe he would deserve a consideration for GM because he is doing his job. I will bet you he doesn't pursue many of the old Mercury players, but Maria is one that is worth pursuing. And I think she will make an immediate impact if/when she arrives. I really don't think chemistry will be a problem.

yrucrem · Joined: 18 Jun 2005 Posts: 1 Location: Phx, AZ

Link to AZ Central article...

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/mercury/articles/0618mercury0618.html

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1043 Location: Phoenix AZ

THANK YOU..... THANK YOU.... THANK YOU

You are very kind to tell us so early.

note to self: make signs to meet Maria at airport

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

I feel like Charlie Brown. (as she waits patiently in the pumpkin patch)

bball_novice · Joined: 01 May 2003 Posts: 59 Location: Mesa, AZ

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=43220

BTW, Linus waits in the pumpkin patch for the Great Pumpkin :-)

librarygeek · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 176 Location: Central Phx

Enough about the Great Pumpkin, this is starting to look more like Waiting for Godot... :roll:

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

My bad :oops: about Charlie Brown.

Are we going to have reality tv, watching Maria board the plane in Russia, flying in coach deseperate for a bulk head seat, ( no kids in the exit row), deplaning at Sky Harbor, being escorted to AWA in a motorcade and then her appearance in the lineup in home whites?

Eventhough the papers keep saying she's comng, we heard that after the Olympics.

-waiting with bated breath-

Str8_Butta33 · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 3

I hope she does show up, she's gonna help this team alot.

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 4:32 am Post subject:

Welcome aboard, Butta.
I hope she shows too. I'll also be very interested to see how (if?) Kamila can adapt to the 4 spot with Maria in the middle.

oddball8450 · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Posts: 101

ok..... so has she gotten on the plane?

:roll: :lol:

MercuryBoFan · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 256 Location: Glendale

The Bitch aint coming :roll:

Str8_Butta33 · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 3

Dunkin' Dan wrote: Welcome aboard, Butta.
I hope she shows too. I'll also be very interested to see how (if?) Kamila can adapt to the 4 spot with Maria in the middle.

Thanks DD. :D :D

Keegan · Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

Don't worry, there are platypuses armed with emergency cooling devices escorting Maria to the chartered plane.

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 7:45 am Post subject:

Str8_Butta33 wrote: Thanks DD. :D :D
No worries.
(Just FYI, you may know me as Luuuc from various other boards)

(and if you were really quick, also as Admiral_Needa_Shag, but don't tell anyone - it's a secret!)

So... is she here yet? is she here yet? is she here yet?

6TH_man · Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Phoenix

Does the league know something we don't? The 2005 profile seems ready to go to me.

http://www.wnba.com/playerfile/maria_stepanova/index.html

oddball8450 · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Posts: 101

she's going to make it here in time to leave....

:roll:

Sun Devil Mercury Fan · Joined: 13 Jul 2002 Posts: 154 Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Well, just for fun, I looked up another former Mercury Player, Kristen Veal, and found the 2005 column showing up on her profile as well.

Is Maria on the plane, yet?

http://www.wnba.com/playerfile/kristen_veal/index.html?nav=page