Gotnext Women's Basketball Boards

mb · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:31 pm Post subject: Penny Taylor news

http://www.spmsportspage.com/published/pr/mercury-forward-penny-tay.shtml

Quote: Phoenix Mercury forward Penny Taylor will miss a majority of the 2008 WNBA regular season, the club announced today. She will train with and represent the Australian National Team in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
“Obviously, we’re disappointed,” said Mercury General Manager Ann Meyers Drysdale, “but we had anticipated that this might happen. We wish Penny all the best this year, and hope that she might join us after the Olympic Games.”

CamrnCrz1974 · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 1687 Location: Central Phoenix

Not surprising, but if she misses this year but comes back for others, that is fine by me.

And here's hoping she comes back after the Olympics!

PAkid103 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 10:49 am Post subject:

As sad as it is that she won't be playing this year, I would have been disappointed if she hadn't chosen to play for Australia. It's the Olympics...you have to represent.

Best of luck to PT.

potd41 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 4:46 pm Post subject:

CamrnCrz1974 wrote: Not surprising, but if she misses this year but comes back for others, that is fine by me.

And here's hoping she comes back after the Olympics!

That being said, why is it that LJ has committed to play for the Storm for a couple of months before joining her Aussie team. She has to be just as tired as Penny :?

SportsFan48 · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1107

The AZ Republic article says she will return after the Olympics....

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/mercury/articles/2008/04/30/20080430mercury.html

I am not going to take anything away from Penny's decision to stay home until after the Olympics. I really don't care that Lauren is playing before or not. I wonder if most of us put ourselves in Penny's shoes, how many would give as much as she has.

Does it hurt us? No doubt. It isn't easy to replace someone like Penny. However, I think our team is good enough to get into the playoffs and if Penny is here for the post season, we can go all the way.

mb · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 6:18 pm Post subject:

Not anything I wish to see happen, yet our chances in the West may have improved.

Tragically, both Lindsay Harding and DeMya Walker had knee patella injuries announced today.

CamrnCrz1974 · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 1687 Location: Central Phoenix

mb wrote: Not anything I wish to see happen, yet our chances in the West may have improved.

Tragically, both Lindsay Harding and DeMya Walker had knee patella injuries announced today.

Not necessarily. Minnesota and Sacramento are teams we are better than, even without Penny Taylor.

Keegan · Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

potd41 wrote: That being said, why is it that LJ has committed to play for the Storm for a couple of months before joining her Aussie team. She has to be just as tired as Penny :?

... because Lauren is stupid. Ahem anyway, that's for another topic.

Hopefully, she'll make it to Phoenix after the Olympics (with Snelly), but as an Opals fan, I am quite happy with this decision.

mb · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 6:25 pm Post subject:

CamrnCrz1974 wrote: mb wrote: Not anything I wish to see happen, yet our chances in the West may have improved.

Tragically, both Lindsay Harding and DeMya Walker had knee patella injuries announced today.

Not necessarily. Minnesota and Sacramento are teams we are better than, even without Penny Taylor.

"may have improved"

Agreeing that we are likely above those teams anyway, it seems that with two of seven teams suffering (and four making the playoffs), the journey may be easier. Of course, it would also then get easier for our other conference foes.

My predicted order of finish stands (see others in a thread at RebKell):

Quote: My predictions with no basis other than hunches:

EAST:

1. Indy...added Douglas, if Catch is healthy, TSB is solid
2. Det...Trader Bill usually gets a lot out of his team, Ford
3. NY...could be a good year for Lib fans
4. Chi...Fowles will prove big
5. CT...lost Douglas, the run is done
6. ATL...expansion team doesn't finish last
7. Wash...ouch!

WEST:

1. LA...with CP and LLL, teams must play 5 versus 8
*expect a drop if officiating improves and midgets falter
2. SEA...never bet against LJ, father time could trip them
3. PHX...we have Diana and you don't, supporting cast overachieves again
4. SA...if the Hamster is allowed to travel every possession
5. MN...could replace a faltering team in the playoffs
6. HOU...Snow, Lyttle not as solid as they could be, TT & guards feel age
*luck is with the Storm and against the Comets says my crystal ball
7. SAC...Brunson and Powell solid, Kara and Ticha old

Care to predict an order of finish, Cam?

.

mb · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 12:06 am Post subject:

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23640425-10914,00.html

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23629765-10914,00.html

Both links from RebKell thread re: Penny:

http://boards.rebkell.net/viewtopic.php?t=38374

CamrnCrz1974 · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 1687 Location: Central Phoenix

mb wrote:
WEST:

1. LA...with CP and LLL, teams must play 5 versus 8
*expect a drop if officiating improves and midgets falter
2. SEA...never bet against LJ, father time could trip them
3. PHX...we have Diana and you don't, supporting cast overachieves again
4. SA...if the Hamster is allowed to travel every possession
5. MN...could replace a faltering team in the playoffs
6. HOU...Snow, Lyttle not as solid as they could be, TT & guards feel age
*luck is with the Storm and against the Comets says my crystal ball
7. SAC...Brunson and Powell solid, Kara and Ticha old

Care to predict an order of finish, Cam?

.[/quote]

West:

1. Seattle
2. Los Angeles
3. San Antonio
4. Phoenix
5. Houston
6. Sacramento
7. Minnesota

Mercurymaniac · Joined: 04 Aug 2002 Posts: 1185 Location: Scottsdale

Wow!

Seattle, I guess I'll just be surprised if they stay healthy all season. On paper definitely

CamrnCrz1974 · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 1687 Location: Central Phoenix

Mercurymaniac wrote: Wow!

Seattle, I guess I'll just be surprised if they stay healthy all season. On paper definitely

Well, if Burse is out, I will revise my predictions. Of course, I post them the day before her injury is announced...