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

Two wins in a row...now we have three home games. Time to build on the pre-All Star base.

Keys to the game:

1) Perimeter defense. As a team, Charlotte shoots 38 percent from three. Containing Feaster, Staley and Sam behind the arc is key. Feaster is the most likely to launch from three, as 50 percent of her shot attempts are from beyond the arc. Also, in wins, Dawn Staley is averaging 11 points and 8 assists while shooting 45 percent; in losses, Staley is averaging 4.4 points and 5.1 assists, while shooting 36 percent. Shut down Staley, and you shut down the flow of Charlotte's offense.

2) Halfcourt vs. Transition/Open Court. Charlotte has the worst record, but only gives up 66 points per game. Charlotte's stregth has always been its ability to slow down other teams and force them to play at the Sting's pace. This happened last year in AWA, as Charlotte walked in and won an ugly, low-scoring contest. The more Phoenix can get turnovers and run the fast break or use quick outlet passes to push the ball up the floor, the better Phoenix will be.

3) Rebounding. Charlotte is not great on the boards, giving up 4 more rebounds to its opponents. Second chance opportunities will be available for Maria and Kamila, but also for slashing players like Shereka who can sneak in for an offensive rebound and putback (or get to the line).

SportsFan48 · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1136

My key to the game is for us to make more baskets than they do. If we can match them on regular baskets, but make more 3's, we should win. But only if we are even or better on free-throws.

Of course, they could outscore us on the 3's, but then we would have to out shoot them with our regular baskets. For instance, if they score 7 three pointers to our 4 three pointers, we will need to out shoot them by 5 baskets. The free-throw variance remains the same, Phoenix must match or be better.

Other than having fun, I can't think of anything else. Except, I am going to miss Andrea Stinson.

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

Quote: Other than having fun, I can't think of anything else. Except, I am going to miss Andrea Stinson.

HaHa... how can you miss someone that didn't even walk through our gym door?? :?

SportsFan48 · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1136

Yes, she may not have been able to grace us with her permanent presense, however, she was bouncing up and down the court for the Sting for the 6 prior seasons. That was what I was alluding to. :)

mb · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 7:57 pm Post subject:

Hopefully the Sting will beat the Sharks tonight and wear themselves out doing so.

Nice job on keys to the game, Cam.

If we move the ball (and move w/o the ball) like we did the last couple games, a win is ours.

Getting into the bonus and staying out of foul trouble ourselves is another key.

We need Maria or Sandora to dunk with authority ASAP.

hellcat · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:49 pm Post subject:

I remember seeing on a tape Caune sent me a nice two handed dunk Maria did in warm ups. One of those would be good right about now, to show LL how it's done. :P

Keegan · Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

SportsFan48 wrote: Yes, she may not have been able to grace us with her permanent presense, however, she was bouncing up and down the court for the Sting for the 6 prior seasons. That was what I was alluding to. :)

My perverted mind interpreted the "bouncing up and down" in a very interesting way...

mb · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 4:48 am Post subject:

Sportsfan's wording was intentional.

mb · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 5:48 am Post subject:

Home victories are crucial, esp. against foes under .500.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=44484

Quote: ...Phoenix will have to turn the momentum of its two-game winning streak into at least a 13-5 record the rest of the way if it is to reach the postseason.

We have 12 home games left (and 6 on the road), so we must go undefeated at home or temper any home loss with a road win.

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

Dee is itching to pass to Maria for a dunk, let's hope Marias in the mood to show off something other then her legs in a miniskirt :twisted:

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

caune wrote: Dee is itching to pass to Maria for a dunk, let's hope Marias in the mood to show off something other then her legs in a miniskirt :twisted:

Although no one seemed to mind this...

M6Zara · Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 51 Location: Maryland

The whole team is playing well so far, well, at least the "BIG THREE" are running on all kinds of cylinders. Nice balance scoring and passing. I hope they keep up their energy.

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:22 pm Post subject:

Sounded like a really happy AWA crowd tonight, judging by the audio feed. Was great to hear :)
I'm loving the way we've started turning our fortunes around.
Now the next step is for our first 7 to maintain their level of play so that we can get those rookies involved in some non-garbage minutes.

Looking forward to hearing some reports from this one.

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

I have started the last three threads, with three keys to the game...and we have three straight victories. Lets keep it up!

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

My note about playing a transition game rather than Charlotte's slow halfcourt game was actually right...

Fastbreak points:
Phoenix - 11
Charlotte - 2

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

We had aprox 6,5oo+ attendance, but made enough noise for 12,000. D is having fun again. When D has fun, everyone has fun. The electricity is back for the whole team (I was going to say spark, but for some reason, I really don't like that word). The ASG did wonders for D. Reminded her how much fun the sport is. With no pressure on her, she was the vocal jester & prankster of the weekend. She found her real game again.

There was 1 particular highlight for many of us. Dee was called for a hand check foul (you know.... the phantom kind?) she turns to the ref with her hands before her in prayer mode and says, "I didn't even touch her!" with this pleading expression and then says "promise" as she makes the sign of the cross on her chest. Of course we couldn't hear her, but we read her lips real well. I'd call her a clown except, I think she was serious! When we stopped laughing all we could say was "If her mama was here she would slap her up side of her head! :lol:

All of our team played fantastic tonight, but I'd like to say a bit about our rookies:

It was great seeing Sandora play. Her speed running the court is amazing. 2 pts, 2 rebounds and 1 assist in 5 min. She made us proud & gained back some of her self confidence.

Angelina is showing us why she's a keeper. 4 pts, 3 rebounds, 3 assists & 1 blocked shot in 9 min. I marvel at her athleticism.

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

That was a fun game to watch - thanks again caune and Cam. Great game with some great defensive stops. Too bad it wasn't televised.

I have to agree with Carol, Dee was on the court having fun again. Hopefully she can keep that up the remainder of the season because it's obvious the BS calls aren't going to ease up much, if any.

The only negatives about yesterday's game.... There were a few times when players drove to the lane, had a wide open shot, and kicked it back out. Granted, at least they're going to the lane consistently, but if you get that deep and are all alone SHOOT!! :lol:

The 2nd negative - I missed the festivities afterwards. Had my friend been feeling better, we would have joined. I think I hooked him, though, and that's what matters most :D

kitkat310 · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 303

LOL, I rememeber the commentators going on and on about DT passing on her uncontested layup..hey, at least Penny made that three.

Also, just from listening and watching the games I can..it really does seem like Taurasi and Taylor have a lot of on court chemistry, which is really really good for the team.

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

I think the whole team has good chemistry, Maria is fitting in just fine, Kamila is worth every penny Seth gave her, the bench players are keeping their spirits up and hanging together, the rookies are adapting...if only this streak had happened 2 weeks earlier :roll:
I love the way the players went wild when Sandora made her jump shot, that was great to see :D

kitkat310 · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 303

Yeah, chemistry as a whole seems to be much better..(when I say chemistry, I mean how well they play together..not, whether they like each other or not :D ) But with Penny and Diana, it just sometimes seems like they always know where the other person is on the floor..just an observation, from what I've seen..I could be wrong, being that I only get to see a selected number of games.