Gotnext Women's Basketball Boards

mb · Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2002 4:02 pm Post subject: Mercury Roster Needs

Looking at our roster, who do fans think we need to add/subtract?

We always seem to mention 2 types of player:
1)the banging, rebounding, defensive post
2)the scoring, slashing, creating SG/SF combo player

Hopefully, we will be able to carry 12 players this season rather than eleven. Here's my version of the roster (needs to be whittled down to 2 per position with a floater):

Floater: Jen Gillom (deservedly guaranteed a post spot, and a "short-timer") Hannah, short-timer doesn't relate to playing time (it could?), it means she only will play a couple more seasons.

C: Maria Stepanova, Slobodanka Tuvic (Maria will return to form, Bobo has more potential than displayed under Cooper)

PF: Adrian Williams, Kayte Christensen (Adrain is a true 4, not a 5)

SF: Lisa Harrison, Tracy Reid???, Trish Fallon???, draft picks (I now doubt Fallon returns, Reid's injuries could be a problem)

SG: Susanna Bonfiglio, Illona Korstine, Jaynetta Saunders, Gordana Grubin (GG is a 2, not a 1; Jay could play at SF)

PG: Kristen Veal, Adrianna Moises(-Pinto) (Vealy will return with a flurry, Moises is quick)

Plus: college and dispersal draft picks

Perhaps one assumes Orlando goes to Hartford and Portland and Miami are dispersed?

gia · Guest

mb wrote:
Floater: Jen Gillom (deservedly guaranteed a post spot
If she has what she had last season I think she's a starter with short minutes. Quick sub 2-3 min. in and then bring her in and out as needed. So to me, the floater is Kayte/Adrain as the situation calls for.

Quote: C: Maria Stepanova, Slobodanka Tuvic (Maria will return to form, Bobo has more potential than displayed under Cooper)

I still have huge doubts about Maria's return so soon after giving birth. Couple that with possible visa issues for the boyfriend and it looks more like she won't be back. I don't care who is saying they're guaranteeing her return and how much she wants to come back this season. It's a crap shoot once the baby arrives.

Quote: SF: Lisa Harrison, Tracy Reid???, Trish Fallon???, draft picks (I now doubt Fallon returns, Reid's injuries could be a problem)
They don't need to go begging for their international players to return (except for Bonfiglio!) if Miami and/or Portland are part of a dispersal draft.

There will be salary heavy teams now that the owners are having to foot the bill for the players so there might be a lot of shuffling going on between teams. Reid and Grubin are dispensible in that scenario to make room for a bigger salaried player. Who has the biggest payroll? Probably LA? Who has talent we can use immediately? Probably LA.

Fallon is a big IF as it is (and not very committed to the WNBA). Korstine has yet to prove herself here (never had the chance under the previous coach). Do they gamble and give her a spot as a relative unknown or leave her spot open for someone who can contribute immediately? Better to work a trade for a committed WNBA seasoned player.

Quote: PG: Kristen Veal, Adrianna Moises(-Pinto) (Vealy will return with a flurry, Moises is quick)

Debbie Black? Betty Lennox? Pee Wee Johnson? ;)

skew11 · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 372

Portland...what about TJ (Jackson) guard w/Fire ... ?????? was impressed with game I saw...extremely quick..

Ranks #16 in the WNBA in Assists Per Game(3.0) Ranks #8 in the WNBA in Steals Per Game(1.72)
Ranks #14 in the WNBA in Assists(95.0) Ranks #8 in the WNBA in Steals(55.0)
Ranks #14 in the WNBA in Steals Per Turnover(0.86) Ranks #10 in the WNBA in Field Goals Per 40 Minutes(7.05)
Ranks #9 in the WNBA in Field-Goal Attempts Per 40 Minutes(16.82) Ranks #11 in the WNBA in Assists Per 40 Minutes(5.5)
Ranks #2 in the WNBA in Steals Per 40 Minutes(3.18) Ranks #14 in the WNBA in Points Per 40 Minutes(18.2)

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

TJ is too small, IMHO, and will end up injured the way she plays, she is very reckless
We need a Rebounding machine like a Tasha Beyers, and an athletic swing player, like maybe Abrosimova, I know neither is on a dispersal team, but ya'll asked who we needed :wink:
I think our biggest weakness is the 2/3 because we need someone who can flat out score, consistently, every night! and I don't see that person being available till the 2004 draft where there are 2 to choose from, Beard and Taurasi. So if a Sales or Sam or Lennox is available to hold us over and then use as trade bait to get us the 1 or 2 pick in 2004, then that's the way to go!

Keegan · Guest Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

Korstine is potentially a keeper though playing in the French league could keep her there after the WNBA season starts and she has to get used to the physicality of the WNBA.

I think a 2/3 scorer is essential and also a post (I'm going to assume the worst about Stepanova). If we get a top 2 pick in the 2003 draft, it's a win/win for us with either LaToya or Chantelle.

I think Reid is REALLY dispensible; she doesn't have the perimeter skills we need.

As for dispersal, I really think Orlando will go to Hartford so Sam would be #1 on my hitlist. Lennox possibly if she learns the concept of shot selection. Stiles wouldn't be bad either if she learned not to be so predictable and took care of herself better.

mb · Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2002 6:01 pm Post subject:

Reid is definately dispensable if there is a dispersal draft. In fact, Grubin could become trade bait in that scenario (as a SG who can play PG).

Sam always performs well at AWA and I like her, yet I see the Mercury going after Lennox.

Korstine is a keeper. When she did play here, I saw flashes of excellence.
After hearing she scored 27 while guarded by Swoopes in the World Championships, I can't wait to see the tape!

Is Tamicha Jackson a PG or SG? How would she fit?

Before all of the disarray, we should have unloaded players for draft picks this season and next. Oh yeah, I suggested that.

gia · Guest

Come one, mb, you want Korstine here for her looks ;) One good game vs Swoopes does not a star make and there will be many strong players in a dispersal draft that are already proven. All things being equal, it's better to have someone that is used to the WNBA game and not have to learn how to play within it. I think we already have one or two of those type players :)

skew11 · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 372

:D http://www.bourgesbasket.com/equipe/ilona/ilona.htm#photos

whats her story? I know she was with the team previously just one season?

gia · Guest

They drafted her 29th overall the same year Veal was drafted. Cooper barely played her. Though you could see she had the talent when she got her very limited minutes, she was never really allowed to get into the flow.

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2002 8:56 am Post subject:

Yeah I think we could do a lot worse than picking up Korstine, provided she seems committed to the WNBA.
She's still young, and she is a high-scoring 2-guard with a good outside shot.

We were going to be faced with a lot of options before, but now with all the teams folding it's going to make it that much harder to make the most of our recruiting possibilities.

It really would have been nice if Shumate had coached a little at the end of last season, just to help him decide the direction he wants to take with all the upcoming roster decisions he's going to have to make.
One thing is for sure - there is excellent potential for us to improve next season!

mb · Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2002 9:34 am Post subject:

While having the utmost confidence in Shu, it will be an adjustment for him coaching women. He admitted as much when scouting. That makes the hiring of one or more ot the Seattle assistants all the more important. More on that later...article in the Republic.

My hope is that he doesn't try to overcoach the girls. His defense wil be awesome, yet he may have to tone it back with the offense. Also, will the players respond positively or negatively to being coached for the first time with the Mercury.

Gia, the game is basketball...is it my fault the Mercury players are hot?!?

mb · Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2002 9:38 am Post subject:

Assistant coaches:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/azetc/1220azdigest1220.html

gia · Guest

Tone down nothing. He needs to push them as hard as he can defensively and offensively. Hopefully management and the team knows there is no room for negativity this coming season lest they go the way of Orlando, Miami, and Utah next season.

It's time to stop the whining and prima donna attitudes and make a commitement to act and play like PROFESSIONAL basketball players.

mb · Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2002 12:22 pm Post subject:

AMEN, Sister!

Keegan · Guest Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

I'm interested what plans he has for Vealy. She's been constrained by the coaches she's had in the WNBA so far. I'm not suggesting she be allowed to fling passes all over the court with no self control but no one has allowed her to BE HERSELF in a game so far and watching her control a game is oh so nice.

gia · Guest

Not sure where Vealy fits into the plans but she's going to have to come in with guns blazing to prove she's the starting PG. A strong season in Oz will boost her confidence but any sign of hesitation about her by the Merc coaches is only going to send it back down. She's been stifled long enough (by coaches & injuries) and it's time to let her play her game.

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

Once Coach gets the tapes of Vealy from her WNBL season so far, I think he will have a better idea of how she works in his plans.

mb · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2002 10:15 am Post subject:

Coach Shu wants to really put on the defensive pressure and I suspect Moises will get the nod at some times over Veal due to footspeed. Vealy isn't fast, yet isn't slow either. She has hieght, so that should help.

We know she can see the entire court and make awesome passes in transition. We also know she can shoot when she is getting steady minutes.

Her teammates should look forward to being on the receiving end of some nice assists, and I look forward to her being a team leader. If they practice as hard as she does, we will be a much improved team this season.

cbibat · Guest Joined: 14 Jun 2002 Posts: 232

Veal's best game was one of the 1st preseason games she played when she a huge number of assists and no one really knew what to expect. She had the freedom to play her game. She and Bridgette and I think Fallon were in tune that game. They were at the end of her passes.... but, so much of that kind of play depends on the familiarity players have with each other, what to expect, where to expect someone to be.... this was borne out when Veal got back on court with Jackson. Its no different then good quarterbacks and receivers in football and pitchers and catchers in baseball - its the familiarity of two people that finish each others sentences. That's why, with playing time and roster stablity, Veal will be an excellent point

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2002 7:37 am Post subject:

Unfortunately for Vealy, she is being coached by Maher this season in Canberra (Carrie Graf is having the season off). Tom's the kind of coach that likes to stifle her just like Coop did.
Also she hasn't had too many great TV games this season unfortunately.

She does seem to be settling back in to playing in general though, and improving as the season goes on. Just pacing herself to peak for the WNBA season I'm sure ;)

I agree that she'll need to be at her best for preseason though - there is going to be a lot of scrutiny at every position by the new staff I'm sure.

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

Has Timms decided to return as a coach or commentator?

gia · Guest

Commentator

mb · Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2002 4:48 pm Post subject:

Expect one or both (please!) of Seattle's assistants to join the Mercury this year.

gia · Guest

Story on Graf - says
Quote: Graf is tipped to either deputise for new Seattle head basketball coach Anne Donovan or become leading assistant at her former club Phoenix when the new WNBA season starts next May.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,5719053-23210,00.html

I still think that if Dunn goes to Minn (story today says they narrowed their search down to 3 women) there's still a possibilty that she will go there. Wonder why she didn't interview for the head coaching job in Minn. (or did she?)

Keegan · Guest Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

gia wrote: Story on Graf - says
Quote: Graf is tipped to either deputise for new Seattle head basketball coach Anne Donovan or become leading assistant at her former club Phoenix when the new WNBA season starts next May.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,5719053-23210,00.html

I still think that if Dunn goes to Minn (story today says they narrowed their search down to 3 women) there's still a possibilty that she will go there. Wonder why she didn't interview for the head coaching job in Minn. (or did she?)

The people on stormfans.org wouldn't believe me when I said Dunn had interviewed for the Lynx job :(

gia · Guest

Weren't there other people who thought Kevin Cook was a shoe in for the Minn job?

I'm thinking the 3 are probably Lin Dunn, Heidi VanDerveer, and......Linda Hargrove maybe? (Just guessing)

Keegan · Guest Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

gia wrote: Weren't there other people who thought Kevin Cook was a shoe in for the Minn job?

I'm thinking the 3 are probably Lin Dunn, Heidi VanDerveer, and......Linda Hargrove maybe? (Just guessing)

Yeah. Cook had an "extensive" interview with the Lynx.

I'm not going to take anything for granted till the announcement though.

If Lin does take the Lynx job, there'll be some interesting questions...

gia · Guest

The biggest question I have is why Seattle wanted to give her a shorter contract extension than what she wanted.

The official story was she wanted to spend time with her family, etc but let's not forget there's always that political, face saving spin that goes with terminations (i.e. Cooper's "resignation" to, coincidently, spend time with her family)

Keegan · Guest Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

gia wrote: The biggest question I have is why Seattle wanted to give her a shorter contract extension than what she wanted.

The official story was she wanted to spend time with her family, etc but let's not forget there's always that political, face saving spin that goes with terminations (i.e. Cooper's "resignation" to, coincidently, spend time with her family)

Maybe they realised she had set the groundwork for a perennial WNBA power and she had done all she could. Lin was a good talent evaluator and had a bright personality but her X and Os were a bit weak IMHO (Graf and Kloppenburg did that side of things).

I do think Anne is a better coach than Lin in this regard. 2001 was a good example.

mb · Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2002 2:41 pm Post subject:

Tracy Reid scores 30 in Israel...excerpt from game review:

Quote: Round 11's MVP: Tracy Reid
Playing in the league's most hostile arena and facing a powerful frontcourt did not faze Tracy Reid who finished with 30 points and six rebounds. Reid, in a great performance, took the ball to the hoop aggressively every chance she got, and scored a critical basket following her steal with under a minute to go in regulation.

She was 12/16 from the field and 6/7 from the line with 6rbs and 2 steals.
Scored 10 pts on 5 of 8 in her next game.

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

Does anyone know how Adrian Willams is doing overseas? Or any other Mercury players :?:

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

Mat,
Adrian is averaging in Euro cup competition, 17ppg, 10+ rebounds, shooting 52%, but 4 TO's pg.
Tuvic is playing euroleague (tougher then euro cup) and is in the top ten in scoring, rebounding and turnovers.
Grubin is also in the top 10 in TOs in euroleague...
I see a pattern here :roll:

This is all off the fiba.com website

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

Thankyou :D

skew11 · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 372

Fox Sports South today at 6pm cst will have Mississippi State (LaToya Thomas) vs South Carolina ...

mb · Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2003 10:08 am Post subject:

Apparently Moises is lighting it up in her league...high pts and fg%-age.

Hope to here some feedback after the meet the coach session tomorrow.

Keegan's Insane Platypus site usually has some good Euro league reviews.