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

See ya gotta find the bright side in every pissy situation, and ours will be Monique, Cappie, Simone or Sophia. As depressed as Merc fans are right now, we have alot to look forward too next season!

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

I think we have a good chance of picking up some talent, but I think we need to package Anna in a trade and get some veteran talent who can make an immediate impact and get to the playoffs.

Don't lynch me now

andypanda · Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 354 Location: Santa Fe, NM

Yeah, an interesting draft coming up indeed, but there have been far too many lottery drafts under Seth Sulka.

My thinking is there'll be a few faces missing from today's Merc, though. That was as uninspired a performance as I've ever seen by a team whose shot at the playoffs is on the line, and - as game plans go - that was a pretty good way to showcase Dee as a player who makes her teammates worse, not better.

I'm no fan of Taurasi's, but if responsibility for the way the game *looked* rests on her shoulders, I'd be very surprised. I've always argued she was overrated, but I don't think I've besmirched her actual *character* in any way.

A grim and unpleasant tombstone at the end of a season for which I, for one, had great hopes.

At least Coach Cowens will probably make Chicago *run* ...

And, Mercurymaniac, no brickbats from me on your comment. I hear Anna loves Phoenix, but she'd sure be better off under a more fluid offense, and the Graf-Taurasi regime has done a number on her game. She deserved better, and - somewhere on this board, earlier this season - rebolpuppy & I both wanted her shipped to a team with a more suitable game plan.

Anyhow, that's it for me. You folks have a good winter down the mountain, there in the Valley of the Sun. :)

kitkat310 · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 303

OMG Wow...Okay, I'm not one to pick fights..but I'm sorry, that was so ridiculous.

Diana set up teammate after teammate..and they all missed..Anna missed at least FOUR wide open three pointers that Taurasi set her up with. (She stunk it up..if anyone did.) In fact, the only player who showed up today was Diana..and Kamilla to an extent..Penny, I'll give a break too..because she was clearly in a lot of pain..but there was a ton of grimacing on Taurasi's part as well..

Did you actually watch the game? You clearly have some sort of biasness against Taurasi. One player can only do so much. She was clearly hurt throughout the entire game, but was the Only Mercury player who looked like she wanted to go to the playoffs.

How anyone could ever blame Taurasi for this loss is beyond me..if anything, this game showed that Diana was the player that the media made her out to be.

I've watched Taurasi for five years now. She makes players around her much better..in fact..I'd bet Anna's numbers wouldn't be half of what they were if she was playing on any other team. Yes Diana had to take more shots than usual..but she shot 44% from the field..The rest of the team shot 34% ( Lets take Vodichkova out of that and you have..26%) Diana left it all out on the floor in this game..HER teammates didn't show up, and there was nothing Taurasi could do about them bricking wide open shots she sets them up for..

rebolpuppy · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:09 pm Post subject: Tough game

Grim is a good word, Andy.

I listened to the game on the web, and the Seattle announcers seemed to be portraying it as "Phoenix isn't playing like a team that wants to win" and the Diana vs Sue Bird show.

I know I'm not a Merc fan, but I would like to say I think you people deserve better performance for your years of loyalty, and there's not a smidgen of sarcasm intended or felt in that remark.

You folks are good Merc fans, as I'm a good Shock fan, and if I were you, I'd run Graf & Sulka out of town on a rail.

Cheers all. :)

andypanda · Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 354 Location: Santa Fe, NM

Look, kitkat, read what I wrote, okay?

This isn't English as a Second Language, it's just me expressing my opinion.

Buried in there you'll actually find a compliment to Diana Taurasi, and a complete signed confession she's hardly my favourite player.

Grow up, get an education, get a job, stop pissing people like me off.

Taurasi doesn't actually *need* people like you to defend her, you know. You may be doing more harm than good.

You have a real nice winter now, too.

rebolpuppy · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:17 pm Post subject: Yo! Mook!

"Beauty fades, but stupid lasts forever."

Try not to be living proof of that, okay KK?

rebolpuppy · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:19 pm Post subject: Stupid?

"biasness"?

Biasness lasts forever, though, so I'm told.

kitkat310 · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 303

LOL, okay, I'm going to apologize, I read that way to fast..I missed the whole "as game plans go" thing..

Although, in the future, it would be nice for you to point out what you said..instead of personally attacking a person..(I don't believe I personally attacked you, just said your statement was "stupid..) Anyway..I'm sorry I got confused..I'm just a bit depressed (Comets/Sparks score is not helping :D ) And I missed a line..

andypanda · Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 354 Location: Santa Fe, NM

Quote: as game plans go - that was a pretty good way to showcase Dee as a player who makes her teammates worse, not better.

That's a knock against the game plan, not against the Great Tuna, okay?

Quote: I'm no fan of Taurasi's, but if responsibility for the way the game *looked* rests on her shoulders, I'd be very surprised.

That says a) I'm not her biggest fan and b) I doubt this half-baked excuse for a gameplan was her idea.

Quote: LOL, I'm not dumb, I know what you said

Okay, I answered you. Give me one single shred of evidence for the above statement.

Better still, let's take the argument off the board so that you don't further embarrass yourself. My email address is down there if you can find that on your own.

cbibat · Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 232

random thoughts after heart break....

I don't necessarily think Diana makes her teammates better. Last year, Diana's, Penny's and Anna's numbers were better..... this year teams knew how to stop us.

I think the person that made this a better team this year was Maria, not Taurasi. So does this mean Maria as the player or does this show us that we just need a more intimidating, stronger post player to support Kamilla? With more time can Irvin or Robinson be that player? This seems the be the key component we've all talked about, what for 3 yrs now - As people have pointed out on other posts, Maria made teams play honest, giving our perimeter players opportunity.

Anna will be an unrestricted free agent next year. And as much as she may love it in Phoenix I agree with Andypanda that her game has deteriorated since DT came on board. But, the league being what it is and management what it is, this is Diana's team, like it or not. I hope where ever Anna ends up its on a team that can use her talent, heart and work ethic. But, would still like to see her here next year.

That being said - the season was not lost in this game. This game was just a highlight reel of the whole season - we controled our own destiny and had plenty of opportunity to turn it around. It should never have come down to the last game.

Oh yah.... I'm still glad Maria showed up...... we did get a glimpse of the possibilities.

Blast away......

rebolpuppy · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:51 pm Post subject: cbibat?

First of all, Kitkat, I'm sorry, I should have stayed out of it, and the answer is Andy & I are very close and I'm off up here at school. Beyond that, my comments stand, and Andy can probably deal with you or not, as she sees fit.

My bad, but you and I *are* going to stay out of each other's way.

Cbibat, that's a *really* good take on the season and probably what's needed with the rancor we've developed in this thread. Thanks for that.

I doubt you'll see Anna back, both for contract reasons, and because - as you say, it's Dee's team. As far as I'm concerned, she's welcome to it, but I think - and I think Andy thinks - Merc fans deserve better.

Good post, cbibat.

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 7:14 pm Post subject:

I just want to clear up the theory that Anna's game has deteriorated since DT arrived:
Code: Year: Pts: Reb: Ast:
2003 11.9 3.1 2.1
2004 14.4 3.6 3.1
2005 13.4 3.5 2.4
i.e. it's just not true.

I like Anna. I believe she is a high-calibre player, and is a part of what makes our offence dangerous. I also acknowledge that 2005 wasn't her greatest year.

She is tradeable, for sure. More so than any other starters. But if we pull the trigger I want to be sure that we're getting value in return.
I don't want to trade her for a handy 18 minute per game bench player if it is going to leave a hole at the starting SG position. Right now our best 5 - and the 5 that played some impressive basketball - included Anna, and I don't want to see us weaken that 5 in any way.

Our new found lottery situation of course throws a curveball at the whole thing of course, because we now have the potential to replace Anna's place in the starting 5 with someone of comparable talent, if the balls fall (very) favourably.

I still think we should act cautiously though. This team is not far away from doing some major damage in the league. We've just been given a 6-week preview and I liked what I saw.

cbibat · Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 232

Dunkin Dan - went back and looked at the numbers and, you're right.

I guess what I'd really like to see is the Taylor/Taurasi/DeForge combo from last year with Maria and Kamilla - now.... that would be fun! We would be feared!!!!!

:D

dcalleast · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Posts: 8

Dunkin' Dan, I absolutely agree with what you posted; but if Anna were to be traded, to who and for whom would be viable?

dimples684 · Joined: 20 Aug 2005 Posts: 11 Location: Mililani, Hawaii

ALooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooha Peoples!!!

Well I know the Ladies tried their best on the court today and I give all

the props. Good Game Ladies. Well Diana and Kamila needed help from

everyone today. I know this game was on the line for a spot in the

playoffs but hey they tried. I know this won't make it better but hey we

got next season to work on the stuffs that we didn't do right this season.

I'm not gonna blame anyone for this game because it's not one of us out

there playing this game. Good Job Ladies and by the way Diana Taurasi is

my favorite player in the WNBA but that's just ME! Good Luck Ladies and

see you next season..

Aloha,

Adrienne

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

Anna, Gwen Jackson, and a second round pick for Tamika Williams and Kristi Harrower. I would substitute Shereka Wright for either Gwen or the pick as well.

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

I like that idea, experienced point guard and instant post presence.

oddball8450 · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Posts: 101

wouldn't we have to do some type of sign and trade with Anna - why would another team trade for as RFA?

Also, didn't we try to trade Anna last year and had no luck? Why would it be different now?

rebolpuppy · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:12 pm Post subject: Anna

I'd just like to clear up the theory that Anna's game has deteriorated since the arrival of Taurasi & Graf.

Instead of looking at selective statistics like scoring, rebounding, & assists, take a wee gander at her assist/turnover ratio and the sheer *number* of turnovers she's had in the last two years since the backcourt marriage from hell was first consummated.

I do realize it's pretty difficult for Dunkin Dan to see *those* stats from all the way over in Australia because of the great distance, and - oh,yeah - they contradict that little theory.

There's a person around here with the tagline "Give Anna the ball, she knows what to do with it." There *was* a good reason for that. She still knows, and sees the court as well as anyone on the club, I believe.

I figure there are a couple of reasons why the anti-DeForge sentiment is so strong - and poorly disguised - on this board.

The principal reason seems to me to be because some folks simply will not get over the whole Nancy Lieberman thing, and that, if it applies to anybody who reads this, makes you the moral and intellectual equivalent of Debbie Schlussell in my book.

Forget about it or go stand by the fire with Debbie.

Anna DeForge deserves to be judged on her performance, and that alone, I think - and will crank out the real numbers with an *actual* efficiency index which *works* to demonstrate my point that she's a good basketball player who's getting ground under by a bad system designed around Diana Taurasi.

For those of you pretending to be basketball experts who are carrying a few biases of your own because of NL, remember that Peter Pans are good for one thing only: target practice.

If she doesn't live in the house beside you, Nancy's probably not much of a threat there, is she, Alice?

oddball8450 · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Posts: 101

rebolpuppy

are you refering to the WNBA Eff. ratings they show with the players bio?

if so - the year - Anna is a +11

but - Diana was +14/Kamilla +14/Taylor +14. Maria was also +14.

I don't know what all that means, and I don't know how to find out Anna's previous years ratings, but....

As a big Anna fan, I'd like to see her happy playing at her potential, preferably with the Merc. But, stats aside, she didn't seem happy this year - not like she did in 2003,2004.

I don't know what the answer is, but as Dunkin Dan did say - Anna is one of the best 5 we have to put on the court.

andypanda · Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 354 Location: Santa Fe, NM

Gee, I just finished my AA Big Book Study and I felt great.

Pup, we're not Merc fans. We're not Taurasi fans. We're not Australian. We don't have an axe to grind re Nancy Lieberman.

That's the core of this board, we should maybe just leave it alone, at least for tonight.

Everybody's angry tired & frustrated it's just time to quieten down and let it go or you'll go really nuts.

kitkat310 · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 303

I don't know how Anna's turnovers could be Diana's fault..there might be the occassional..Diana passes the ball too hard and it slips off of Anna's hand..but that's about it..Blaming Diana for Anna's turnovers..well, it's kinda weird..

Phoenix plays very fun basketball to watch, but it's kind of spazsy..And I think Anna needs a more structured offense. She would probably excell on a team like Sacremento..like Lawson has..but Anna is not the type of player you build a team around, she's not a franchise player though..she's a solid role player, maybe even a starter..but you can't build a team around her. She reminds me a lot of Svetlana Abrosimova..where sometimes Sveta is great..and sometimes she's not there..

I would prefere an Anna trade because I think the qualities she brings to the team can be made up by cheaper players..and I think Phoenix could get a quality player for Deforge.

And I would hope that no one has a dislike for Anna because of the whole NL thing..I would hope that no one cares about who she's dating, and what not..I for one, respect Anna in how hard she worked to get back into the league, and how good of a player she has become. I think she's a great role model in that way, and I think kids could learn a lot from her. .but as a fan of the Mercury, I think it would be better to try and find a post player to trade for Anna..And I think it would be good for Anna and the Mercury..(And I'll still root for her..unless she plays for the Sparks..)

dcalleast · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Posts: 8

Thank-you rebolpuppy for saying what I wanted to say, but couldn't find a way to phrase like you have. I am a huge fan of Anna and have found it disconcerting that every second thing said about her on some mesageboards tends to be about trades. I personally don't want to see her leave Phoenix, mainly becasue I don't want to see her coming off the bench for a team like Minnesota.

andypanda · Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 354 Location: Santa Fe, NM

Oddball, the efficiency ratings Suze is talking about are a lot more like a modified version of Dave Heeren's "Tendex". (The WNBA ratings are pretty useless and really don't factor in turnovers, assists and steals in any meaningful way.)

Best guess is the WNBA Efficiency ratings are for marketing big name players, but I doubt any one involved in the sport sees them as of any real use in player evaluation.

DenversCoach · Joined: 27 Aug 2005 Posts: 3

Wow, Andy needs a hug.

But really...doesn't make her teammates better...my god.

It is absolutely amazing to me how a bunch of people can sit back and look at a 22 year old young lady and pass ridiculous judgement. Are you nuts? She made about 30 players in Storrs, CT better. Half that 2004 team would have been bench warmers in most other programs, Diana led them to Championships. But, ok, we're not talking college, and no we're not in Kan...er... connecticut anymore...so let's talk about the W.

Lisa HarriWho, Maria Stepa-where'dshego, SandBOREa Irvin (the Sam Bowie of the WNBA Draft), Kamila Foulsalot, Anna DeMay-orMay-not-show-up, I could go on....
She can't do much more than she already is, does she have faults, absolutely, but please she's in her second year...with NO supporting cast...1 or 2 players with a good game every 4 games....c'mon now. And Carrie Graff .... Holy James Naismith! She has got to be the single worst coach in the WNBA. Steffie Graf could do better....hell steffi's son, that 3 year old in the commercial playing tennis, you know the one...HE could do better. So, you know...give the kid a break....she's trying to lead a team of sub-par players, under a front office who changes the roster like we change underweat...all while trying to fit in the game plan (or lack there of) of a coach ("coach" used lightly) who I wouldn't even hire as my High school assistant.

Ok, that's all...
One Game, One Love,
Coach

P.S. What were we all doing at age 22? hmmmmmmmmm

andypanda · Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 354 Location: Santa Fe, NM

Well, seeing as how you kinda missed the point about the Taurasi Effect on other players' stats, and you manage to trash every other player on the roster, let me suggest to you that nonsense is 13 turnovers in two games down the stretch. That doth not superstar make.

I saw little of her in college and fail to see how it's germane to the Mercury. (Went to UVA, but a closet LadyVols fan.)

Bad coaching? Yeah, uninspiring, late recognition and I *really* now hope she's homesick for Australia. I have a cousin in Perth who can put her up indefinitely.

I'll take a rain check on the hug, Big Fella.

dcalleast · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Posts: 8

DenversCoach wrote:
but please she's in her second year...with NO supporting cast...

Whoa Nelly! NO supporting cast? I strongly doubt it.

andypanda · Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 354 Location: Santa Fe, NM

Um, yeah, like she said.

What's Penny Taylor? Chopped liver?

It ain't all about Diana Taurasi.

DenversCoach · Joined: 27 Aug 2005 Posts: 3

ok, first...Not a ..."fella" **could say something here, but I'll be nice**

second... the players surounding her...with the exception of maybe 2...are not great players...they are mediocre players, who have played, at times, beyond expectation. Diana has no one leading her. I don't care who you are, if you are a leader, and are not being lead...the caravan will end up lost. MJ had Phil, Swoopes had Cooper, Bill Russel had Red. Turn overs...yea, she has got to clean those up, like I said, the kid has faults...but, the whole team turns the rock over, and it's Ms. Graff's job to make that stop...the way that woman subs is alarming...but worse than that...is she stands...wait, no...she kneels... when Diana or anyone else is sinking further and further into the quick sand that is a bad game. Diana is a player who is at her best when she is coached. If you want to blame someone, blame Carrie for most of it....10 consecutive points for houston...and no time out? what?! it's that kind of lack of leadership that sinks this team.

And, for the record...I didn't trash every player on the roster...last time I checked...they had 15 or so on the squad. All I said, was she doesn't have a TEAM on the floor with her, night in and night out. She has 1 or 2 players step up.

In almost every single regular season game this year...there were 3 or more players who had significant minutes...with little or no pruduction.

If you would like to discuss Diana's weaknesses, hey...even I could list a few...but...do not let the instability of this franchise fall on her.

One Game, One Love,
Coach

andypanda · Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 354 Location: Santa Fe, NM

Remedial Reading 201

What I said originally was the game-plan was a bad one, and that Graf's plan was lousy.

I never suggested this was all Diana's fault. I think she has a good supporting cast of three players, so there we have a disagreement.

Finally, I think it's possible that the only people on the Merc who think Diana is the heart and soul of this team are Seth Sulka, Carrie Graf and Diana Taurasi.

Part of the reason I think that is that Diana led them the whole week, Miss Clutch Championship Leader, and I can count on one finger the number of players who followed her.

ThatGAgirl · Joined: 08 Jun 2004 Posts: 118

andypanda wrote: Remedial Reading 201

What I said originally was the game-plan was a bad one, and that Graf's plan was lousy.

I never suggested this was all Diana's fault. I think she has a good supporting cast of three players, so there we have a disagreement.

Finally, I think it's possible that the only people on the Merc who think Diana is the heart and soul of this team are Seth Sulka, Carrie Graf and Diana Taurasi.

Part of the reason I think that is that Diana led them the whole week, Miss Clutch Championship Leader, and I can count on one finger the number of players who followed her.

What makes you think that Diana thinks she is the heart and soul of this team? Seth and Graf maybe, only because I think I remember reading quotes saying something to that effect. Don't remember hearing anything like that from Dee herself. But I could be mistaken.

And as far as her leading the team the whole week, what I saw was a player trying to step up and help her team get to the playoffs. No one followed her?? No one else besides Kamila even seemed to show up!

I understand that you are not a fan of Dee's and I respect that, but it seems that in your expression of your disliking of the overall gameplan, you are insinuating that Dee has bought into this 'Savior of the Mercury' nonsense. That I disagree with.

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

Quote: Half that 2004 team would have been bench warmers in most other programs, Diana led them to Championships

This is not to disrespect Diana, just to correct the poster.

Strother was National HS POY. Wolff won another National HS POY award. Turner was top 10 in her class. Crockett was top 20 in her class. Valley was a top-30 recruit, as was Battle.

Diana has had an amazing career, but she had a lot of talent around her at UConn.

DenversCoach · Joined: 27 Aug 2005 Posts: 3

Common Sense 101
1...I read just fine.
2...Take Diana off this team, and find out how much heart and soul you're left with
3...Carrie is paid to call a freakin time out, and she needs to start coaching and stop being a yes-woman...diana will respond and the mercury will be better for it
and
4...I don't know how much you know about this game...I could guess, but I won't...but you can not actually tell me with a clear conscience and sound mind that you were unimpressed with her at UCONN. You can hate UCONN, you can hate Diana...but really...overrated? I Can't stand Tennessee but I'm not about to sit here and tell anyone that Pat Summitt is not one of the greatest coaches of all time, or that Chamique Holdsclaw didn't make me secretly root for her at UT. Unimpressive? I'm not even annoyed at that...I'm almost sad for you, you missed a hell of a four year career.

It's late, and I have lost the will to spell.
God Bless, and goodnight.
One Game, One Love,
Coach

andypanda · Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 354 Location: Santa Fe, NM

Ah, now there's a good and fair point, ThatAGirl. It's fair to say I don't know that Dee's actually bought into the notion herself, so mea culpa, good point.

Quote: Common Sense 101
1...I read just fine.
2...Take Diana off this team, and find out how much heart and soul you're left with
3...Carrie is paid to call a freakin time out, and she needs to start coaching and stop being a yes-woman...diana will respond and the mercury will be better for it
and
4...I don't know how much you know about this game...I could guess, but I won't...but you can not actually tell me with a clear conscience and sound mind that you were unimpressed with her at UCONN. You can hate UCONN, you can hate Diana...but really...overrated? I Can't stand Tennessee but I'm not about to sit here and tell anyone that Pat Summitt is not one of the greatest coaches of all time, or that Chamique Holdsclaw didn't make me secretly root for her at UT. Unimpressive? I'm not even annoyed at that...I'm almost sad for you, you missed a hell of a four year career.

Well, Common Sense person, point 1 isn't clear to me at all.

2 is silly. I've never ever suggested that was even possible or even desirable.

3 I agree with but we dealt with that already, but to make it work, not only Diana would have to respond.

4 I don't hate UConn. Hell, I *love* Sue Bird. I saw Taurasi play exactly once at UConn, and will happily concede I missed all of what is unarguably a great career. UConn was two years ago, I didn't care then, and it's not relevant to the Mercury. My overrated comment is directed at the *only* Diana Taurasi I've seen, the one of the last two years, and it's just an opinion I'm entitled to hold.

I can just tell we're going to be stuck on point 1 all night, huh?

Quote: I don't know how much you know about this game...I could guess, but I won't

Please don't confuse courtesy with cowardice. Better you should skip the innuendo and say what you mean. Indulge yourself with a guess.

andypanda · Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 354 Location: Santa Fe, NM

I just realized that if I get the answer I expect, I can just say "Yep, don't know nothin'." and bail. :)

*poof*

AAEmotion · Joined: 19 Aug 2005 Posts: 39 Location: Australia

Let me get this straight ... The team loses, and then the fans start to bicker amongst themselves - is that it? Because that's all you lot have been doing since the game ended. I do believe Caune had more intelligent, and more optimistic things in mind when she started this thread - than the crap you lot have carried on with.

Take the pissing contest to pm's and let this thread get back to its intended topic.

Caune from that list, I'd personally like to see Cappie in the Mercury uniform - if not for the fact that she has the coolest name in history, then for the fact that she's a feisty little son-of-a-gun and if she makes the transition from college to pro's successfully, she'll definately add a lot of positives to our guard rotation.

Keegan · Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

I think three of the top four could really bring something to the team - Monique Currie's strength, penetration and rebounding; Sophia Young's tenacity, skills and athleticism and Cappie Pondexter's toughness, court awareness and scoring power. Seimone Augustus is fun to watch but it's not like we're lacking jumpshooters and her floor game is "meh" at best.

rebolpuppy · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 12:41 am Post subject:

Quote: Let me get this straight ... The team loses, and then the fans start to bicker amongst themselves - is that it? Because that's all you lot have been doing since the game ended. I do believe Caune had more intelligent, and more optimistic things in mind when she started this thread - than the crap you lot have carried on with.

Take the pissing contest to pm's and let this thread get back to its intended topic.

Caune from that list, I'd personally like to see Cappie in the Mercury uniform - if not for the fact that she has the coolest name in history, then for the fact that she's a feisty little son-of-a-gun and if she makes the transition from college to pro's successfully, she'll definately add a lot of positives to our guard rotation.

Wow! 17 posts, judgemental & giving orders already! Nice job getting franchise in Australia though, I didn't know that.

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 12:44 am Post subject:

Wow... it's getting kinda heated in here. I like it :)
So many issues have been touched on, it's tough to address them all in a coherent manner.

I'll try to keep this orderly:

rebolpuppy wrote: Instead of looking at selective statistics like scoring, rebounding, & assists, take a wee gander at her assist/turnover ratio and the sheer *number* of turnovers she's had in the last two years since the backcourt marriage from hell was first consummated.
I do realize it's pretty difficult for Dunkin Dan to see *those* stats from all the way over in Australia because of the great distance, and - oh,yeah - they contradict that little theory.
I don't see the need for the snarkiness here, but let my try to reply.
I see a lot of things all the way over in Australia. Contrary to popular belief we do have TV and VCRs here. IMO, Anna's best season for us was 2004. That's without looking at any stats. That's just my gut feeling. The year before that, she came of age, but she also got under the guard of a lot of teams.
This year was not a good one. No way am I disputing that, but neither her declining FG% nor her increasing turnover count can be blamed in any way on Diana from what I've seen. Perhaps I can get an elaboration on that one.

Just for the record - and this isn't directed at anyone in particular - I have no personal allegiances in this team, I'm not buying into any politics, I just want the Mercury to be the best team they can be. I will cheer for whoever we put on the floor, and criticise where I see fit. Yes, I love my fellow Aussies Penny & Snelly, but I was a Mercury fan long before they ever showed up and I will be one long after they leave.

Taurasi.
My goodness... I thought she was an absolute trooper today! Don't know ehere this selfishness talk came from. IMO, she did exactly what we needed her to do today if we were to have any chance of winning. Anna was cold, Penny could have moved better in a wheelchair, A-Rob was out of her depth. Kamila & Diana were ALL HEART. I always knew that about KV, but to read the criticism here of Diana before watching the game, and then seeing what I saw... well frankly I can't believe I was watching the same contest.

I'm going to stop there for now, as I've totally lost my train of thought.

We went down swinging. That's all I can ask. We hung in there with Seattle & Sacramento long after we had any business doing so. We kept swingin' and swingin', but for various reasons our punches just didn't connect. Players out of form, players hurt, players ill-prepared and a questionable game plan are just some of the reasons. I will blame coaching, I will blame injuries and I will blame circumstances long before I blame any of our players for where we stand right now. I am proud of every one of them.