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cbibat · Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 232

We try to get Maria back - Korstine or Fallon?
How about Tuvic, Pinto, Grubin?
Will Veal be back after the drubbing she's taken the last 2 yrs?

In one article Seth said if he could just have the players he has come back, we would be competitive - agree/disagree?

Seems like Williams is doing well overseas in the areas she needs improvement.

Who do we put on the court next year? and do we field a team just for next year or with 2004 in mind and the Olympics (who of the foreign players will be back in 2004?)

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

It sounds like Maria is a definite coming back. Korstine would be nice to have back if she declined to do so because of Cynthia. Fallon, I don't think we should expend too much energy.

I think Moises is a keeper and Tuvic plays well with Maria and now that we have a coach who is good a developing talent we could have an awesome front line.

I would keep Moises, Bonfiglio over Grubin and give Veal time to develop and flourish now she's free of injury.

I do agree with Seth, that the talent is already here and it needs to be developed and coached and we will have a winning season and have playoff potential. We can give LA a run for their money.

We should develop the team for the long haul and not for just now. I think it should be kept in mind with the Olympics coming, we have to learn to be competitive without our foreign talent, if they get pressured to stay home as has happened in the past.

I'm so excited for next season because of the new coach and all of the possibilities.

Go Merc

mb · Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2002 12:06 pm Post subject:

Stepanova is almost definate to return. We should get one of Korstine or Fallon. Optimist that I am, I hope for both. Korstine scored 27 against Sheryl Swoopes in the World Chjampionships. Fallon was a scorer at SG for us and could return to the SF position.

With both returning, my line-up looks as follows:

PG: Moises-Pinto, Veal; SG: Korstine, Bonfiglio; SF: Harrison, Fallon; PF: Gillom, Christensen; C: Stepanaova, Williams.

Last spot: battle between draft pick, Saunders, Tuvic.

Trade bait: Reid, Grubin, players not making last spot. As well as Reed(?), Brogan(?), and Sarenac.

You also have two IR spots, and perhaps one of the overseas players doen't return.

We must remember that 2004 will be a quality draft.

After lining up the assistant coaching staff we must get return commitments from our overseas players. Only then can we assess our needs for the darft.

We have a great foundation and new leadership will mold this into a great team in the next few years. We should be able to compete this year and be above 500.

Go Mercury!

gia · Guest

Again, Stepanova seems like she's planning on returning BUT this is pre-baby arriving talk. I wouldn't put her anywhere near the most likely to return end of the scale until a month or two after the little tyke arrives. Tuvic is a keeper IF Maria returns, as pointed out, they play very well together.

I could live without Grubin (inconsistent), Reid (attitude, minimal contribution), Saunders (attitude). If Fallon comes back it would be nice but neither she or Korstine is going to make or break this team. Plus, we need to look past this season. She may be here this season and decide not to return next....again.

I think our best scenario is trading a package of up to 3 players (including Harrison if need be) for a big name, consistent "star" quality scorer who is committed for the long haul. Not sure who that is but they have to be able to take the go-to pressure off of Jen. I thought we had that last season but the expect go-to's never quite went anywhere.

cbibat · Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 232

Gia, don't remember Saunders having an attitude. I do remember seeing her try to pump up the team, Pettis-like, but.... does she have an attitude problem?

Hope we keep Tuvic, but last season clearly showed that she needs to play to keep her game up. Maybe a trade to some place that will play her more would be best

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

Very interesting tidbits...Korstine and Tuvic are playing on the same Fench team, Bourges..and they have an Australian Point Guard Alicia Poto.
Also in France, Brandy lasted one game before being kicked off the team and that poor Kristi Harrower, she has the misfortune of playing on a team in Provence :wink: How tough that must be!!

gia · Guest

re: Saunders....Sure she has talent, and she can be a spark in a game and from the bench but attitude is more than what takes place on the court. Let's just say she's been influenced in a not so positive way by other people's attitudes. If they trade that stuff away and she sticks closer to Jen, she'll be ok. She needs a lot more focus on the practice court if she wants to be seen as a star in this league......in my opinion. ;)

mb · Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2002 8:50 am Post subject:

Besides attitude and chemistry problems, (let us just say Gia is telling it like it is) here is my reasoning for offering the players I mentioned in trade:

1)There are only so many spots available.
2)Next years draft is very deep.
3)Grubin, a SG, was brought in to stabalize the PG position. Veal has recovered from injuries, and both she an Moises(-Pinto) have gained experience and improved.
4)Reid was to be a slasher/scorer taking pressure off Gillom. Moises, Bonfiglio, perhaps Korstine or Fallon could do that.

Saunders has much athleticism, and with the correct mentors could be something special. Tuvic plays well with Maria, yet needs minutes to play well, and may be of value to an East coast team like NY.

Our trade/draft needs remain the same as always. A banging, rebounding, defending PF (groom to replace Jen) and a scorer. We MUST have a CONSISTENT offensive threat besides Gillom! We also need to shore up defense and rebounding. Coaching will achieve some of this, yet personnnel must help.

Lisa Harrison, a defensive gem, must step her offense if she wants to take it to the next level. She has always had a very high FG percentage.

Packaging two or three players for one that can have an immediate impact, as well as trying to gain some draft positioning, would be prudent for our club.

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

Tuvic and Korstine playing in France could be a large wrinkle in the fabric of the team. If they honor their french contracts, they will miss all of training camp and likely the start of the WNBA season, add that to the new CBA/contract negotiations and I would not bet on either being around next season, it's a long shot in my opinion, because of all these mitigating factors.
Shu has to work with what we have, which includes Jay, Gordana and Reid.
I say get everyone we can in camp and let them battle each other for the spots!

gia · Guest

Those darn French are always mucking things up ;)

I hope in training camp it comes down to a combination of talent, desire, and chemistry. I don't want to see talent and no desire, or desire and no chemistry.

Everyone needs to commit to be part of the complete TEAM package which means no whining about playing time, no subverting the coach, no causing dissention amongst the troops. The time has come for everyone on this team to grow up and play ball!

mb · Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2002 3:12 pm Post subject:

AMEN. You're preachin' to the chior girl!

gia · Guest

mb, I never knew you were a choir girl! :lol:

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

Much better to be a Choir Girl then an Altar Boy :twisted:

Keegan · Guest Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

mb wrote:
2)Next years draft is very deep.

Are you sure you haven't mixed it up with 2004? Next year's draft is shallow as.

bballprincess31 · Guest Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 40

Just going along with the original topic/subject. The hiring of John Shumate was the perfect choice. He fits what they need perfectly and I think because of this, the Mercury will do very well in 2003, there's no doubt in my mind. Success will be inevitable.

mb · Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2002 8:55 am Post subject:

Gia and Caune,

That should have read "...you're preaching to the chior, girl."
My that comma is important. By the way, I was an altar boy...where do you think I got my affinity for alcohol?

Keegan,

Yes, I was referring to the 2004 draft.

SportsFan48 · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1136

Lots of good thoughts about our team. I thought I would add my nickle's worth too.

My pessimistic side would say "be careful" about thinking the Mercury will be a playoff team this year, even with Shumate as coach. It is a good thing I am not a pessimist.

The WNBA is getting better. The skill level of the starting players and the bench depth on each team is improving annually. The Mercury took some steps backward when other teams were leaping forward. This we all know. We all know the reasons for this as well. We have had poor administrative decisions, unloyal/undedicated players, career ending injuries (what a difference it would have been to have Timms for a couple more years to act as a on the floor general and mentor for Veal), pregnancy, etc.

If the the planets align themselves correctly, the Mercury could be in playoff contention this next season. Maria's return and conditioning are going to be a key element. I am interested in finding out what Korstine can really do, since she didn't get a fair chance when she was here earlier. While I liked Fallon's consistency and play, I am weary about her return without a guarantee that she is commited for the long haul.

I have had reservations about some of our players but I also have reservations about their opportunities to really show what they can do. I am glad we finally have a coach who doesn't have his own personal agenda except to take this team to the next level.

gia, I agree that our best bet is to try to acquire some talent in trade, but I don't think that will happen. No team out there is in a position to give up the type of player we need, unless they are a trouble maker - and I, for one, have had enough of that type.

mb, Lisa is a role player and plays her role well. She just doesn't have the supportive cast. She is not going to be our "go to" player or one of our leading scorers. However, she is the type of player that you build a team with (not around - with). And it would hurt us more than we know, in the long run, to give her up. Of course, she has proven others wrong (those that never thought she would a have a post college career, those who never see her as a starter at the beginning of the season and quickly see the error of their ways, those who think she is stuck up and snobbish because she doesn't react the way the want, etc.) and it wouldn't hurt my feelings if she proved me wrong and became the all-star player you want her to be. All she would have to do is match her offensive skills to her defensive expertise and do that for 32 games. Something I think she could do, if she put her mind to it.

Go Mercury.

mb · Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2002 9:20 am Post subject:

Very good analysis, sportsfan.

Lisa plays her defensive role tremendously, and can contribute on offense.
Since her defense is All-Star caliber, I selfishly wish for her offense to match it. That and lack of other scorers on our team as of late. She takes smart shots and has a high FG percentage.

You are correct, however, that it is asking a little much of her to be one of our main scoring threats, while continuing to be our defensive stopper. If she can...WOW!