Gotnext Women's Basketball Boards

mb · Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2002 12:25 pm Post subject:

Agree with most of the above. How unfortunate we missed out on Donovan. Also a mistake not to take Graf last time. She is loving Seattle and may not take the job if offered.

Hope we inquire about John Shumate.

Graf or Cook would be okay. NO, NO, and NO reguarding Agler, Lieberman, and Sharp.

Say it isn't so Seth.

With Jen and one other veteran staying, combined with all the young guns; we could surprise some folks next season. Even more so if the draft pick(s) have an impact.

Mat H · Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 168 Location: Glendale AZ

Isn't what I wanted to hear. Those candidates besides Cook couldn't possibly help the Mercury. Mercury need a new start, not back steping to Graf. :? Shumate. I would stop yelling his name if they gave me a reason why he isn't on the list :!:

gia · Guest

There isn't a reason Mat and I'm with you. Someone tell me that Shumate said No Thanks and then I'll stop expecting to see him on the bench instead of in the stands next season.

cbibat · Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 232

read an article in another paper where Seth was directly quoted as saying there is no short list. Wonder if the infamous 'short' list is just a list of the obvious, 'first ones who come to mind' coaches

Am going to ask a question - its a serious question - so after everyone's initial gag reflex would like a serious answer...... Why not Linda Sharp?

At the end of the season the team did seem to gel, there seemed to be better cohesion on the court, a greater comfort level with what they were doing..... is Sharp responsible for that? She has been/is a successful college coach, has coached in the WNBA - her first fiasco was LA, where they let her go mid-season, but more coaches than not could make that team work together... on other posts it seems that fans acknowledge that she appears to be a good teaching/development coach, she has continuity with the team so they wouldn't be starting over again next year. She knows the players. We didn't like her substitution schemes, but we didn't like Cooper's or Miller's either. She's not flashy, but she does appear to challenge the refs. The players seem to be listening to her when they're on court (which wasn't happening early in the season with either Coop or Sharp initially)

anyway.... why not Sharp?

Vladimir Taltos · Guest Joined: 15 Jun 2002 Posts: 72

Why not Sharp? You aren't serious, are you? 1 road during the whole season? Poor sub's and player groupings? Lack of real emotion? Few and far between home wins? The fact that she stinks? :)...

VT

cbibat · Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 232

Yeah VT, the question is a serious one - 1 road win the whole season .... remember it is Sharp's road win, not Coopers... poor sub/player groupings..... but toward the end players were in longer, not pulled when they flubbed, when a combo was working they were in longer (this is at the end of the season, not the beginning of Sharp's tenure)

lack of emotion - we sure are fickle...... guess we're looking for the mid-ground emotional coach - less than Cooper and Miller, but more than Sharp.. except, again toward the end of the season, she started 'emoting' more with players/refs.....

Gaucho_Don · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 223

Why not Sharp? actually could be a serious question, but I think the answer would be NO!

Sharp's substitutions did seem to improve at the end of the season some, but I'm not sure if that was luck, intentional improvement, or just wanting to get players time to showcase trade value.

Sharp did have the only road win of the season and finished 2-3, but that's still only 1 game of (how many road games did she coach?). And the 2 victories were over teams that were not playoff competition teams (even if Portland was borderline at the time)

gia · Guest

I don't have a problem with Sharp returning but I never imagined she would want to. Then again she did state that she'd want a new arsenal if she was to get the job. I don't blame her. She was doomed from the get go and it took a lot of courage for her to take over the helm given the animosity she was going to be up against from the players that were loyal to Cooper. As far as her subbing patterns go, she needed to see what worked for her and given the limits management put on her, she was unable to do what she wanted to do given what she had to work with and what she was told to do.

Mat H · Guest Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 168 Location: Glendale AZ

I didnt feel as if the players really responded to Sharp or gave their all for her. I wouldn't mind seeing her as an assistant. :P Th Mercury just need a huge change. A fresh face that isn't Agler or Nancy.

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

I like Linda Sharp and do think she could be a successful coach, unfortunetely, this isn't the team or the time.

This team needs a fresh start...they need to come to training camp next year a little scared of a new coach and know there is hard work ahead, and the new regime needs to start on day one of training
camp :!:

gia · Guest

Does anyone have any issues at all with a male coach (qualified of course)? Can't imagine it would cause any uproar but with this crowd one never knows ;)

I have no whatsoever....unless it was Agler, but that has nothing to do with his gender.

mb · Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2002 4:43 pm Post subject:

Instead of Cooper, I would like to have seen Carrie Graf or Anne Donovan.

At this time, perhaps a male coach would be a nice change. Most of us state our requirements as experience and respect for the game, players, and fans.

Agler aside, I doubt many would object to a male coach.

For now John Shumate seems to meet and exceed all the criteria and would be a step in the right direction for Seth, Bryan...the organization.

Mat H · Guest Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 168 Location: Glendale AZ

I actually think a male coach could do some good. Some of these ego's these ladies have need to go. The Mercury need one season to focus on basketball. :lol:

Rattler · Guest Joined: 09 Aug 2002 Posts: 6 Location: Phoenix

I think that a male coach would do great things for them. As a high school player I have played only for male coaches, it seems to work well for us. They do need a fresh start so why not give a male a chance?

SportsFan48 · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1138

Mat H said:
Quote: I actually think a male coach could do some good. Some of these ego's these ladies have need to go. The Mercury need one season to focus on basketball.

Mat - IF :?: "these ladies" had ego problems, I think it is ludicrous to suggest that a male coach could deal with them any better than a women coach.
And to imply that the Mercury were not focused on basketball is an insult to them. If the players lacked any focus this year, it really had nothing to do with the coach or players that stayed around, or their desire to play and win. Hopefully the distractions they faced this year will not return in another way.

The only thing you got right in your statement was that "a male coach could do some good." But only if he is the most qualified candidate, not because he is male.

I think the most qualified candidate, regardless of gender, should be chosen for the job. But if their qualifications are equal, I would have to be honest and say that I would prefer a woman coach. I am not gender biased, but since women aren't given a chance in the men's forum, then I would like to see the opportunities in this league given to qualified women.

Mat H · Guest Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 168 Location: Glendale AZ

Could you give me my head back? You took my comments out of context. First, the ladies have several distractions every season. This year, players weren't here to play, coach quit etc. Notice every time the media is discussing the Mercury, it's never about anything on the court. Always off the court issues. I meant the organization A.K.A "the Mercury" need a season away from the drama and focus on basketball. One season with no surprises pre or mid-season. It was not an insult to the players. Secondly, some of our players do have egos. It shows every season, but that's my opinion. I don't want Shumate solely cause he's male. He is qualified for the position, knows the league, knows the players, and would be a fresh breath to the organization. Not that this makes a difference, but every champ the league has ever known has had a male as a coach. Seems to be effective.

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

I sent an e-mail to Bryan Colangelo about "Coach Shumate" and I received a reply .......seems pretty "GM speak" but Gia, I am going to post it to see if you get any "good guesses" out of this :wink:

Thanks for your interest and concern for the Mercury. I agree with your
opinion on basketball being the key and appreciate your thoughts on Shu.

We will try to make the appropriate decision which best serves the team and
fans.

Thanks again.

BC

Well Gia? What do you think
And has everyone sent their e-mail to Mr. Colangelo?????

cbibat · Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 232

Leon Barmore retired....... think he might be a candidate

Hey Caune... at least it wasnt a boilerplate response... he actually mentioned Shu.....

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

I had mentioned Barmore in the past. The man is Van in tacky clothing :wink: He knows this game like few people do! hmmmm :?:

I was surprised to get any responce, so I am nominally impressed.

gia · Guest

Let me see if I can guess by sentence ;)

Quote:

Thanks for your interest and concern for the Mercury. I agree with your
opinion on basketball being the key and appreciate your thoughts on Shu.

We will try to make the appropriate decision which best serves the team and
fans.

Thanks again.
BC

Translation:
I'm amazed that someone actually has an interest and concern about a team I haven't been to see in lord knows how long. I didn't realize that basketball was the key to basketball coaching. Thanks for pointing that out, and also for pointing out how valuable Shu is........to the Suns.

Since I haven't been to very many (any?) of the games of that women's team we own, I really have no idea what the fans want but I'll do my best not make an assine decision like I did in 2001. I was told they didn't like it that much.

Don't email me, I'll email you. How did you get my email address??

:shock:

I'll compose something to him tonight or tomorrow.

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

Gia, he was at the game Val Ackerman attended, of course :wink:

gia · Guest

Van Chancellor on Kevin Cook’s name linked with head coaching jobs:
Quote: Kevin Cook’s been with me six years. I think if there is any assistant in the WNBA who deserves an opportunity to become a head coach, I think he does. I think that if I was in San Antonio, (or) if I was in these places that had openings, I would consider Kevin Cook because he’s been here. He knows what it takes to win with a team. He also knows what it takes to build a team and build a fan base on the outside, putting on those clinics, making all those speeches. I do think that Kevin Cook deserves a shot at being a head coach. I would hate to lose Kevin. He’s been so valuable. But, I don’t think you should ever stand in the way of somebody making progress.

gia · Guest

Response from Bryan Colangelo re: Shumate
Quote: Thanks for your note. Be assured that John Shumate will be considered for the position and that decision on the hiring of a coach will be greatly influenced by the interests of the fans and of course, the chance of winning games.

BC

He pretty much sent the same thing to a few people give or take a sentence or so. Either he's placating or he's taking it into consideration. No choice but to assume the latter. Either way, that's the story. No need to keep pounding it home as he is aware of the wants (and not wants: Agler, Lieverman, etc).

Expecting Seth to take us all out for ice cream if it comes to pass :)

(Edit: the correct spelling should have been Lieberman.....though the spelling above is kind of funny if you think about it!)

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

Gia, If Shumate gets hired, I'll take Seth out for Martini's with ice cream on top!!!!

Mat H · Guest Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 168 Location: Glendale AZ

I'll buy him any non-alcoholic drink he wants! Ill even add a refill! :D

cbibat · Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 232

With Lin Dunn's resignation, does that make Graf a non-candidate? Keegan said something on another board or post earlier this season about Graf being groomed to take Dunn's place..... foresight or ?????

Now someone just needs to steal Agler and Lieberman out from under us...

eaction83 · Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 130 Location: Fremont, CA

Linda Hargrove is out too. "Declined to renew her contract" was the official line. In other words, fired. We'll find out now if all the Cheryl Burnett to Portland rumors we were hearing six months ago have any truth to them.

As for Seattle, I expect LJ will be lobbying very hard for them to hire Graf as the replacement up there.

mb · Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2002 4:49 pm Post subject:

Some links:

http://sports.yahoo.com/wnba/news/20020903/stormdunnresigns.html

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/wnba/85396_dunn03ww.shtml

Does this mean a WNBA head coaching job for Carrie Graf???

What does this mean for the Mercury?

LoveTheMerc · Guest Joined: 16 Jul 2002 Posts: 18 Location: Chandler, AZ

OK, now there's 4 Head Coach positions open (San Antonio, Seattle, Portland, and Us!) It seems that Cook will likely go to the San Antonio expansion team. Graf is an interesting one now. Since the HC is open in Seattle, it would probably be best if she was promoted there. However, if there are ugly politics in the Storm organization, they may not offer the position to her. And if that's the case, would we really want her? If she doesn't get offered the HC in Seattle, my question would be "Why not? and Why would we want her if her incumbent team didn't want her?" Interesting to see what happens with Graf and where she ends up. :?:

No on Angler!!! Lieberman is too interested the WNBA seeing her as a coach who can get things done - she wants the limelight. But, people please, have you heard some of her commentaries on ESPN? Yikes! :?

Can't wait until the end of the month when Colangelo and Sulka announce our new Head Coach! :)

mb · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2002 1:32 pm Post subject:

As a fan of Carrie Graf, I hope she gets the job in Seattle.

Wish she would have got the job here two years ago when the Cynthia Cooper mistake was made.

At this time I think John Shumate is the answer. Does Bryan Colangelo care enough about the Mercury to let him coach them in addition to performing his scouting duties for the Suns?

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

Seth, for my birthday (October 3rd) could I please have John Shumate?
I'll settle for Leon Barmore if you can't swing Shu....but please don't ruin my 29th birthday with an Agler :roll:

I do think Carrie is the prime candidate for Seattle, and Portland has been rumored to be interested in Cheryl Burnett, Jackies old college coach..anyone hear anything about Minnesotas intentions?

mb · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2002 5:36 pm Post subject:

Caune,

Twenty-nine, huh? Your avatar (picture) makes you look much older. :twisted:

Hope you have a great birthday for many reasons, including Seth granting your wish. :D

xoxoxo, mb

Mat H · Guest Joined: 24 Jun 2002 Posts: 168 Location: Glendale AZ

I don't mean to be rude, but does anyone from the inside use their brain? The answer EVERYONE is looking for is already inside the organization. Shu already knows most of the players on a first name basis and knows the league. Yet, management looks the other way towards Agler and Nancy?! :x I'm worried to tell the truth. Not once have I seen his name in the paper or out of the mouth of management for consideration. Another losing season will do a number on this organization. If their not going to do it for the team, do it for Jennifer! Someone please prove me wrong, I welcome it. :cry:

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

Mat, I agree :!:

It's scary to keep seeing the same list of cast offs and throw aways (except for Kevin Cook). Recent ex-players and recycled coaches are not the answer :!: :!:

If Carrie Graf is so good we should have hired her instead of Cynthia :evil: :evil:

Let get some fresh blood as in Shumate :!: :!:

Vladimir Taltos · Guest Joined: 15 Jun 2002 Posts: 72

Did anybody catch THIS headline?

Kempton interviewed for Mercury head coaching job

The Arizona Republic
Sep. 10, 2002

Mercury general manager Seth Sulka interviewed Tim Kempton on Monday as he moved into the next phase of his coaching search.

Oh, brother! Now we're REALLY going for the friggin' stiffs. I'm starting to be GLAD I'm moving to San Jose...:(.

VT

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

VT, did you read the WHOLE article? It also mentioned Shumate at the end, FINALLY the mans name makes it to print!!!!!! :D
The thing I didn't like was the mention of Fred Williams????? Thats just really bottom of the barrel! And no mention of Linda Hargrove? Shes not my cup of tea coaching wise, but she has better credentials then some of the others mentioned!

mb · Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2002 9:54 am Post subject:

Tim Kempton???

Please add him to the list of NO's with Agler, Liberman, Williams, Sharp, etc.

Shumate or Graf please!!!

Caune, Shumate has been mentioned in print before (twice in the Tribune and even once in the Republic , I believe).

Ran across one of the coaching articles the other day with a couple quotes from Cooper. She mentioned something about how she was shocked and disappointed about the team's record. Something about going from an elite playoff contender to lottery pick. Also about how some fans thought her leaving would fix things.

Guess she doesn't get it...ego blocking clear thought. Soft home schedule while she coached, tough road trip after she left. Fans willing to watch losses rather than her tirades.

Did I mention that we should hire Carrie Graf or John Shumate?

mb · Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2002 10:01 am Post subject:

Hey Jeff's:

How about an article about Shumate's credentials and some comments on Bryan's willingness to allow him to perform both tasks (Mercury coach and Suns scout).

How much (or little) do Bryan and Jerry care about the WNBA team?
Is it still for sale? At what price?

Any more info on the likelihood of Fallon's return? Stepanova's?

Are any players being shopped? Some should be. Thanks.

eaction83 · Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 130 Location: Fremont, CA

Fred Williams just took the top assistant's job at Cal State Fullerton a couple of months ago. I sure hope he isn't a candidate--not only would it be kind of classless to stiff them before practice even starts, but he will actually be quite valuable to that team in that role. Which he would not be with Phoenix.

I see that Jody Runge was also mentioned--I kind of have mixed feelings there. There's no denying she can coach, but apparently she has such a grating personality that it drove her players to outright mutiny at Oregon (too intense and too critical, I believe were their complaints). If she's learned from that fiasco (a big "if" though), she would be a pretty good candidate. If she hasn't, she'd just be another Cooper.

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

Ahhhhhh! This is making me crazy. Please...please...please pick someone with experience, talent, a pulse and/or personality. This whole situation is giving me an ulcer.

By the way, I enjoy all the comments and information. I've learned so much from y'all. I would have never even heard of Shumate if it wasn't for this board. Thanks.