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Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:51 am Post subject: Maria Stepanova - the Part-Timer

I've read a lot of mixed feelings about Maria Stepanova's situation this year.
Right from the start, the organisation knew she would arrive late and also knew she would be leaving early.
So I just wanted to see what people thought of the deal, and whether their feelings had changed since the deal was done.

Did it work out ok? Was it important for the organisation to get as many wins as possible? Did it take the pressure off a raw Irvin, or did it have a negative impact on her development? Was losing Plenette too high a price?

Personally I supported the idea at the time, and seeing what I've seen since her departure, I'm still glad she came.
For me it is a big positive to look forward to for next year, it seems to have allowed Irvin to find her feet instead of being thrown into the deep end, and finally it seems to have given Maria a good taste of what this team can do - hopefully making her more likely to play a full season in 2006.

Thoughts?

cbibat · Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 232

I'd probably add another line - "didn't believe she was going to show, but was glad when she did"

I enjoyed watching her play, watching the team 'gel' with her in there. I also think it bought time for Irvin and Robinson. I think we started to get more quality minutes out of Robinson when she came off the bench and Irvin clearly looked lost early on. It seems that both Irvin and Robinson are much more comfortable now and I think they got that way because they weren't pressed into to being starters before they were ready. They both have a long way to go but at least they weren't 'thrown to the wolves' too soon.

I'd even like to see Maria come back - but again I'll believe it when I see her in a uniform on the court, during the season......

ThatGAgirl · Joined: 08 Jun 2004 Posts: 118

I will admit, I thought it was a silly idea at first. I mean, why bring in a player for a few games when most likely she'd be leaving in the heart of the playoff race? I thought it would only further complicate the chemistry of the team, which at the time I felt was already shaky. It just made no sense to me.

Boy have I never been more happy to be wrong.

In hindsight, I can see why the decision was made. The fans of Phoenix deserve to have the best team possible to represent their city. IMO its managements responsibility to do everything within its power to reward its loyal fanbase with a winning team. And thats just what they did. They saw an opportunity to bring in a player who could maybe improve the product on the floor, and thats what they did. How can I be mad at that?

Yes it was a risk and could have backfired, but it seems to have worked out well for the Mercury. I have great respect for Mr. Sulka and the Mercury organization for having the guts to make a decision like this, knowing the risk involved as well as the scrutiny and critisim that would surely follow. It was fun to watch the Mercury gell so quickly and become the hottest team in the WNBA after the All-Star break. And as stated above, it gave Maria a glimpse at what the Mercury could be and hopefully encouraged her enough to come back next season to reprise her role as 'The Missing Link'. :P

As far as Sandora, I still believe she could have gotten a few more minutes than she did, especially at the beginning of the season. But I do agree that Maria's arrival did help take some pressure off. In some of her earlier games she looked nervous and hesistant. Since Maria's departure, she looks a little more confident and seems to have grasped the system a bit better. She's still raw, but I'm glad she's getting an opportunity to play and hopefully continue to improve.

All in all, I think the moves made to get Maria here (including the Pierson trade) were good for the Mercury. I didn't think we got enough for Plenette, but not being privy to all the information (such as who else was interested and what was offered etc), I would like to think PHX got the best deal that they could at the time.

Kudos to the Mercury organization. It's been a fun season. Now cap it off by giving yourself a chance at the playoffs! GO MERCURY!! Beat Seattle! :D

[edit] And GO COMETS! :twisted:

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

Quote: (such as who else was interested and what was offered etc),

The answer to that is no one and nothing :shock: It was cut her or take a second rounder for her :?

As to Maria, I think the important part was getting her and her husband here, making sure they were comfortable and saw this wasn't a bad place, they could happily spend summers here. Now we offer her the max for next season and pray she can get here to start the season.
She clearly makes us a much better team, and 6'-8 don't grow on trees :!:
Ash will need a least 2-3 years to develop into a Maria type, so wouldn't it be great for Maria to be the one she learns from!

Hoopslady · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 127 Location: Illinois

now the GM has to start doing his work and make sure that the very low second round pick is a very good one, or else they could have just cut her and got the same value for her

kitkat310 · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 303

Caune, are the Mercury supposed to have Maria for the full season next year?

oddball8450 · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Posts: 101

Seth has said that she wants to come back next year. But isn't there a conflict with the World Championships?

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

The world chanpionships do not start till september (around the 10th I believe)....and the US is playing in them too so I suspect the league will have to do some schedule tinkering to end the season earlier, or the US sends a team of college players to the worlds?

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 7:47 am Post subject:

Yes, it will affect a lot of teams.
I guess the big question is: will Russia place more of their excessive demands on Maria?
If past form is anything to go by then the answer is probably yes. :roll:
Hopefully Penny can give Maria some lessons in how to tell the national team to get lost :P

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

Our friend Keegan reports on Rebkell that Russia lost the European Championship to the Czechs yesterday. Maria had 18 points, 12 rebounds, and was named Eurobasketball MVP along w/ being named to the all-tournament team.

Happy that Maria was MVP. That's our girl! :D Wish Russia would have won, so that I don't have any twinges about hind-sight, etc. Oh well..... :?

However, articles I've been reading about next summer's Worlds leads me to believe that Maria won't be the only "part-timer" next year - there will be many, from many teams and countries including our own, perhaps.