man on women's sports

Los Angeles at Minnesota: Minnesota, home court advantage.

Seattle at Sacramento: Sacramento, home court advantage.

Indiana at Houston: the whole idea of a league that garners public support is in this game: Indiana should walk away from this game with a 4-0 record. I must responsibly abdicate.

San Antonio at Phoenix : Phoenix, home court advantage.

New York at Indiana: indications on.

LA at Chicago: indications on.

. . . and just too much to see. Anastasia Myskina knocks out Sania Mirza in first round at Roland Garros Sania Mirza is Muslim. She puts her life on the line each match.

It's interesting how the American liberators brought short dresses and Madonna to Afghanistan. Represent!

Tatiana Golovin loses first match back at French Open She doesn't get much American press, but the French aren't crying. Below, China's Jie Zengh.

Photo sources: both: Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Alastair Grant

(I'm just using their stuff!)

Lisa, in the first round, ouch! (You remember Lisa: she was the one who was upset when Serena was chosen as Venus' doubles partner for the 2000 Olympics.) Martina Hingis fires past Lisa Raymond for Roland Garros win

But . . .

Isn't Martina's new upper body development scary?

photo source: Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Peter Andrews Warsaw May 1, 2006

New York at Indiana: this is definitely not the one game New York is going to win this year.

LA at Chicago: things are settling down in the league now, all the wishing and hoping and praying and shoulda's and woulda's aside, the mind of the former champ will prevail over the newbie.

Yesterday, I provided a background post to this, showing the US women gymnasts as world champs in 2003 (first time ever) and team silver medalists in Athens the next year.

I've loaded the recording. Recording notes: US Gym Champ, Channel 2 (NBC) August 13, 2005 7pm 1 hour.

The entire US world and Olympic teams are no-shows. The announcer continues:

"Now a new generation, with another teenage phenom born in Russia but nurtured in the same gym as Carly [Patterson], Nastia Liuken, now begins her journey at the national championship mixed with other hopefuls . . .. The destination is Beijing 2008."

First rotation, Nastia vaults. Not her best apparatus, start out of a high of 9.8: 9.366.

Announcer: "I mean, look at her resume: first, first, first, first . . .."

Second rotation, uneven bars, her forte: 9.75, the highest score of the night.

Preparing for the third rotation, we talk to dad, Valeri:

"But, at this point, she's won too many meets, and its going to be hard when she is not going to win. It's gonna' happen, . . . and it's going to be hard."

Third rotation begins with Nastia leading with a score of 19.116 (you're welcome). Nastia mounts the balance beams. Nastia jumps all over the balance beam. She prepares to dismount.
An oh so tiny slip. She spins only (!) twice.
She falls; there is no dismount.
She scores . . . terribly.

Asking Diana Taurasi to play with heart right now is probably one of the most insidious things a person (even a blogger) can do: the problem is, she is already.

She is not invincible. She is most assuredly not invulnerable: the song says "She takes just like a woman . . .."

Maria Sharapova, world number 4, barely escaped Mashona Washington (WTA ranked 97) 6-2 5-7 7-5 in the first round of the French Open yesterday. A world was shocked.

All but the French world, that is: they have a singular preoccupation with Amelie Mauresmo (WTA number 1), who encountered mild difficulty with American Meghann Shaughnessy (WTA number 56) 6-4 6-4 in that first round match also yesterday.

pic left, Mashona Washington vs Sharapova May 28, 2006
photo source: Yahoo! News/AP Photo/David Vincent

pic right, world number 1 Amelie Mauresmo before the home crowd May 28, 2006
photo source: Yahoo! News/AFP/Christophe Simon

For the first time since 2001, Marina Hinges beat Venus Williams: 0-6 6-3 6-3 in the semi-finals of the Italian Open.

Martina the next day defeated Dinara Safina 6-2 7-5 to claim her 41st career singles title, more than four years after claiming her 40th. (Me myself personally, I wouldn't click on that link for Dinara's stats: the WTA site must be getting a grazillion hits now during the French Open. But if you've got lots of time and patience . . ..)

Guess who's huffed up for Roland Garros?


pic left, the goddess returns (literally) May 20, 2006

pic right, Venus Williams battles the goddess in Rome May 20, 2006

photo source, both: Yahoo!News/REUTERS/Chris Helgren

Detroit at Connecticut: indications off. Fortunately, I was wrong, but it was on ABC. (Box Score)

Minnesota at Washington: indications off. Not so fortunately, the ex-LA tandem gone East has pulled it together sooner than I anticipated: Latasha Byears 20 points, 14 rebounds standing under the basket. The season is young, not much in the way of statistics upon which to predicate projections. For yet the next week or so, one must consider history and intangibles: Suzie McConnell Serio, as lovable and adorable and cuddly as she may be, is the greatest asset Minnesota has. Despite the fact that Latasha broke loose, it was Minnesota with the lesser number of personal fouls for the game; ordinarily, fouling is one of the ways employed to contain Byers. Coach Suzy maintained the discipline needed to succeed on the long haul. Good coaching. (Box Score)

US women's national team, Greece, 2004

Before you can fully appreciate this very Tauras-a-resque moment I am going to describe from the last US national gymnastics championship, I've got to bring you up to date on US women's gymnastics. Everyone who was not stationed on Mars knows of the "Magnificent Seven" from Atlanta in 1996. Everyone knows of our somewhat disappointment in Sydney. We may not remember too clearly what happened in Athens. For this, this article from usa-gymnastics.org is a must read: USA Gymnastics Enjoys Most Successful Olympic Games In Modern History. Bet'cha didn't know that, huh? Note: the article is important in its discussion not only of the games but also of the years, and the year, leading up to Greece.

Carly Patterson, all-around gold, Greece

Annia Hatch, individual vault, silver

photo source: http://www.usa-gymnasticsolympics.com/2004/news/

Detroit at Connecticut: unfortunately, Connecticut is going to win this, and lose the whole prize. Were Detroit to win, Connecticut would wake up, for the rest of the season. Now, however, they're going to just walk up to the Eastern conference crown, and accept their defeat at the West's hands in the finals.

Minnesota at Washington: I think Minnesota is psychologically ready to pull this off.

Indiana at Chicago: indications off. I’m glad I missed the webcast, as the scoring by quarters tells the whole story (third Q, ouch):

Total	1st Q	2nd Q	3rd Q	4th Q
Fever 75	17	21	18	19
Sky 60	16	18	8	18

Tan White showed up for the contest for Indiana: 14 points on 5 of 9 shooting, 5 rebounds 4 of which were offensive, 3 assists, 1 steal, and only 1 personal foul in 24 minutes off the bench. Her two turnovers were a negative: Tan has the potential for better concentration and focus. Again, man does not want to push things, but man does not mind watching the ball fall in the basket: Tan showed so much potential, on the collegiate level at least.

San Antonio's radio announcer last night said he saw Tai Dillard, right, enjoying the game courtside. I guess she didn't make the team this year. I thought she might have been placed on the inactive list, but that is where Marie Ferdinand is, returning from pregnancy and not expected to play 'til midseason.

This is the 10th anniversary of this league (10th anniversary means 10 years in the lives of people.) Dogg.

photo copyright the author, 2004, 2006

Indiana at Chicago: This is probably one of the most important games of the WNBA '06 season: Chicago is going to see what Indiana is made of (talk aside), and Indiana is going to be found to be wanting

LA at SA: indications off (Box Score). But look at some primary statistics: LA field goals 26 made of 66 attempted (39.4%), SA field goals 26 of 62 (41.9); LA 3-point goals 4 of 13 (30.8%), SA 5 of 13 (38.5); LA free throws 24 of 28 (85.7%), SA 14 of 19 (73.7%); LA turnovers 16 in the game, SA 17 for the game; LA total personal fouls 19, SA 20. Is San Antone' on the brink of busting out or what?

Seattle at Phoenix: indications off (Box Score). Yep, Sue, the Houston game was on national TV (you think she and her Seattle teammates may have become aware now of the embarrassment.) I've got an aside on Diana Taurasi I will get to over the holiday weekend (veterans are heroes true).

Houston at Sac: indications on (Box Score).

Washington at Charlotte: indications on (Box Score). What impressed me was how the Charlotte Sting themselves seemed to have enjoyed that third and fourth quarter of shutting "the Press" just totally down. And do not expect me to side with Washington's opponent often: they've added Latasha Byers formally of not LA fame but championship LA fame. That's DeLisha Milton-Jones and Nikki Teasley of same fame expert at feeding the ball to Latasha who is never more than three feet from the basket: never. This in Latasha's bio: "Ranks #6 in WNBA all time field goal percentage (.516)", because she just stands there and hammers the ball into the basket, and took LA to a championship doing so.

I am so in a hurry:

In all four games tonight, present indications favor the underdog:

Los Angeles at San Antonio (the underdog, reasons in recast)

Washington at Charlotte (the underdog, reasons in recast)

Seattle at Phoenix (the underdog, Phoenix is tired of losing!)

Houston (the underdog, with momentum) at Sacramento

Minnesota at Detroit: indications on: Minnesota could'a and would'a but didn't. Actually that tone is misleading: The critical statistic (Box Score): Deanna Nolan, Swin Cash and Ruth Riley made 17 of their combined 27 shots, or 63% This has been Coach Bill's game plan from day one "hey, we're gonna' play ball", and that's what it's about. Detroit can win when Ruth Riley is off, but the other team cannot when Ruth is on. Plus, (Tamika) Williams will recover quickly from knee surgery (and Chandi Jones is still recovering as well) (what?)

Wait! Wait! Okay, man's view on this is: I loved the way she shot in undergrad school: textbook!

Okay, now: Sting's Feaster seeks balance as mom, player Sorry, when I tested the link outside the search engine environment, I discovered it requires registration, which for me is quite enervating. The executive summary:

"[Allison] Feaster, Charlotte's leading scorer in 2004 and 2003, gave birth to daughter Sarah Aleece Strong on Feb. 3 in Spain. Then she got back to the diligent work that makes her one of the WNBA's top small forwards."

From my position, I can listen to my music quite loudly: elevator music won't work at 1 am. And I'm sitting here just moved by Selena and her Anthology collection. Selena goes at it: No Quiero Saber, La Bamba, I'm Getting Used to You.

But when I realized I was physically moving across the floor in my chair, it was like, okay, reality check time.

Hmmmm.

You know she played Sunday when SA was here. She played last night on national TV.

We've got . . . Mistie Williams . . .?

Yes!

I can't describe how absolutely terribly we've needed the infusion of new life, of life period! Might get to smile without being arrested for inciting to riot.

Sunday's attendance was in excess of 10,000. Interesting.

Minnesota at Detroit: Minnesota can beat Detroit, with difficulty but nonetheless; but nonetheless, they will not because Coach "Fuzzy bear" Suzy's confidence is momentarily shaken (the team could care less: they know that, when the dust settles on the regular season, they'll be there.)

Sacramento at Chicago: indications on: I told you Sac would dissect the anatomy of Chicago's season start, and bad news old school, there's more embarrassment forth coming from 'da Windy City: they've got a strong team. When the Chitown starters couldn't manage the Champs, the bench stepped in for 39 of the teams 63 total points. Not good, hood! (Tip: the game high points woman and the game high rebounds person should be on opposite teams unless they are both on the losing side. Think about it.) Box Score

New York at Washington: indications on: Seattle's radio announcer (with nothing else to talk about during the second half of that game) said: "Hey, New York is going to win one game this season, at some time this season!" Box Score

Houston at Seattle: indications way wrong: Hey, it was on ESPN2 (sorry, Sue, it was. Yep, it was, for real. Yep.) Box Score

Connecticut at Minnesota: indications not stated. Coach rested Seimone just a couple of minutes too long. Connecticut saw that she was out of the game, and just tested what the rest of the team was about. And, yes, it a good thing for the other teams in the WNBA that Katie Douglas is so inconsistent: scored Connecticut's last ten points, alone by herself brought the whole conversation to an end. She was too much! Box Score

LA at Charlotte: indications off: Charlotte played. That's all I'm talking about. Still, the most statistically significant indication is well within Charlotte's grasp: 21 field goals made (yes, all game long) of 62 attempted. Naw! Box Score

Indiana at San Antone': indications off: but, but look at this: Indiana's field goal percentage 39.0, SA's field goal percentage 34.4; Indiana's 3-point percentage 7.7, SA's 40.0; Indiana's total personal fouls 14, SA's 23, Indiana's free throws made 15. It's just about team chemistry. Box Score

LA at Charlotte: Here's where the mind of man falters re: the women's game. Charlotte should pulverize LA, but, see, the women's game seems to exude an air of more than, other than, the best (albeit howsoever momentarily the better) winning. I am engrossed in the women's game just to determine if man may know . . . what the heavens. This is very possibly quite presumptuous and oppressive on my part: I am trying to understand, but this cerebration may be an act of oppression; should I be here, but the question itself may beg offense for questioning. Sorry, I'm a scientist, and am absolutely thrilled at the aspects of this conundrum. And its answer.

NY at Washington: better NY at Washington Press. If Washington is in any way media aware, the Mystics must win.

Sacramento at Chicago: Sacramento, but this is going to be one of the most (statistically) significant games of the season. Chicago has begun its very first season in the WNBA with 3 wins, including two preseason. Now Sacramento will dissect the anatomy of those wins.

Indiana at San Antonio: Here, again, the Silver Stars, at this moment in time, is the better team, but . . . can the mind of Dan Hughes prevail just one more critical game.

Connecticut at Minnesota: where the Sac-Chi game is statistically significant, this one is crucial to the mindsets of both these teams, and thus to the final outcome of this WNBA season. Man should responsibly abdicate, and enjoy (sorry, the oppressive term is still in the vocabulary, sorry for acknowledging possible offense) the part of the WNBA experience that is intelligible to him.

Houston at Seattle: Seattle, the Comet's had Seattle's number, and will be just too lazy to rethink the situation.

I was beginning to think during March madness: "Hey, ladies, don't get too excited about the upcoming WNBA draft, because only, at best, maybe the first three or four draftees actually make the teams. I mean, the competition has grown so strong."

I'm glad I checked this before ever blogging it: not so say the stats! If the team rosters posted on each team's website were current as of yesterday ( a day after the deadline for final roster selections), 32 rookies made their teams, or about 2.3 per team. That's enough not only for all of the first round choices, but also the second and some over! This, if it is in fact correct, should rather encourage women hoopsters all the way down to grade school: there is a real chance of going pro. (I started out writing this thinking to remind parents of the importance of developing a strong Plan B alternative with their daughters. Alas.)

I'm going to update this in about 10 days after allowing more time for the website information to correctly reflect the final roster cuts in fact made.

San Antonio at Houston: indications on. Houston was surprised at the amazing depth of Dan Hughes' squad: LoToya Thomas came off the bench, Vickie Johnson 18 points, rookie Sophia Young double double, Marie Ferdinand not even present. (Box Score)

Los Angeles at Seattle: indications on. But the Juggernaut has fissures, not the least of which is that the touted Lisa Leslie - Lauren Jackson rivalry may not be all Lisa's doing, may not be mostly Lisa's doing. One would even wish that LA could be without Chamique Holdsclaw just one more game so that the team (minus Lisa) can get a better sense of what is required today, right now, immediately: Jessica Moore 0 field goal attempts as a starter, Tamara Moore (looking good as always or no) 1 field goal attempt as a starter, Temeka Johnson 2 field goals made in 11 attempts as a starter. Christi Thomas (6 points) and Doneeka Hodges (10 points) yet have a greater potential consistency even not starting the games. (Box Score)

Phoenix at Sacramento: indications off. Can you believe that Sacramento, defying tradition, came ready to play (banner raising or no.) I know the Champs just left the Oval Office and, in our current state of national security concern, I don't want to alarm anybody, but Sacramento may just have . . . moved forward, gotten better. Even with the loss of not only Chelsea Newton but DeMya Walker on returning maternity inactivity, Sacramento looked . . . precise, still drilled to precision. Diana Taurasi did play with heart, but in this grown-up women's game, that appears to no longer suffice. Keep in mind, Phoenix scored 78 points in the loss (Box Score).

ChiTown at Charlotte: indications off. By one point and one second left to play (Box Score): who would expect '04 Texas Tech standout Jia Perkins to make all three three-point-foul shots, leaving Charlotte with just a second to respond to the one point lead that gave the Sky. Still, in the last minute and a half, Charlotte showed what they are capable of doing, and one can only hope that they were really just getting warmed up. (Didn't tune in in time to find out if Allison had a boy or girl (quick search: daughter, Sarah Aleece Strong) or what had kept Tangela Smith's playing time down during the preseason (other than coach's decision) as was alluded to several times near the end of the broadcast. But Tangela ended the game with 14 points in 30 minutes, so . . ..) Gotta mention: Charlotte's rookie Bond, Chicago's rookie Dupree and vet Nikki McCray (9 points to her 1.7 point average last year - yea I'm saying something.) Chelsea Newton was on the East coast adding 12 points to the Chicago campaign while her former teammates on the West coast were pouring the champagne.

New York at Connecticut: indications on. New York is rebuilding with younger, faster, stronger, younger. Box Score

Detroit at Indiana: indications off. Hmmmm, gotta' think about this one (Box Score).

Posted on the WNBA homepage today is a link to Minneapolis-St. Paul's StarTribune.com May 19, 2006 article "WNBA looks like it's here to stay". Here's the link: WNBA here to stay

But just in case you discover the link too late, it would be just too unfortunate for you to have missed this statement:

NBA Commissioner David Stern said his support of the women's league never wavered.
"I used to laugh about it," he said. "For years and years and years, baseball has been losing money, the NBA overall has been losing money, and hockey has been losing money but no one came in [to them] and said, "Have you considered pulling the plug?' "

The story was by Vin A. Chewer, Associated Press.

Martina Navratilova has complained recently of the fashion statements (or lack thereof) being mandated by the WTA and the associated tournament events. I was shocked at how absolutely no attention has been given her. Could it be that she had plenty of time, and occasion, to complain back in the day? (20 questions: . . .)

opps: source loss, but will gladly acknowledge when brought to my attention.

What I'm really doing now is waiting for the teams to finalize their rosters. Stop.

But since I've put my hand to the plow, I can't stick my head in the sand about the probable outcome of upcoming games, so:

Saturday, May 20th:
Phoenix will win at Sacramento if Diana Taurasi wills it. If she is like "where am I?", "what are we doing here?", as she can get at times, all is lost for Phoenix. Sacramento is a slow starter, and their having to adjust to the lost of Chelsea Newton (to Chicago in the expansion draft) indicates that the champ will not be all there, all ready tomorrow. But the game is on ABC at 4:00 Eastern.

Connecticut and their fans will need lots of coffee to stay awake against New York.

This next indication is scientifically untenable, based as it is on a single observation, that of the game Tuesday night when Detroit shot the lights out in Houston: Bill Laimbeer has wasted no time with recruiting, training camp, anything. It's: "Hey, we came to play!" I don't think Indiana will be able to match the Shock's preparedness.

The game of real significance this weekend, this month is Chicago at Charlotte. Again, Charlotte has Allison Feaster, Sheri Sam and Tangela Smith all on the same team (with Tammy Sutton-Brown leading them all in scoring). Man just does not understand how this team can dwell in the cell-er with that level of proven talent. Now they've added the great standout rookie Duke's Monique Currie and pulled out a fair stunner with Yelena Leuchanka who had 22 points here in Houston May 3rd and had a double double in San Antonio Friday (at the game I couldn't make). Forget preseason, this is Charlotte's game.

Sunday, May 21st:
San Antonio should surprise Houston.

Lisa Leslie has had impressive preseason stats (oh, the settled mind of the newly married), but LA is not up to game against the Juggernaut.

There are almost too many illustrations in the news today of my posting last week regarding today's media-scorned momentary parity and problems on the WTA tour. Currently, the players' eyes are on Roland Garros. Amelie Mauresmo and Mary Pierce will be under inordinate pressure to have a French woman win finally for the first time in centuries (almost).

Serena, suffering from chronic knee injury, is pretty much out of the French Open. Lindsay Davenport pulled out yesterday with back problems.

Struggling Venus is out there doing just that. But on May 4th, in Reuters words: "Venus Williams battled to a dramatic 4-6 7-5 6-4 victory over Martina Hingis to reach the quarter-finals of the Warsaw Cup". That was their first matchup since 2002, when Venus and Serena sent Martina into early retirement.

Venus had nothing left the next day for Svetlana Kuznetsova, who defeated Venus handily 6-4 6-2. That was Venus' only fourth match after being out four months with an elbow strain. I think I pretty much keep up with tour happenings, but, just to emphasize how media-deemphasized the tour has become, was nonetheless dumbfounded to be reminded that Kuznetsova was the 2004 US Open champion (I'm already searching back through my vcr tapes.)

Venus, Martina and Kuzy had impressive wins yesterday in Rome in their third round matches of what is essentially the Italian Open. No one is suggesting a clear favorite in the tournament (how exciting can that be).

Incidentally, (quiet as its kept) Venus won Wimbledon last year. Buzz. Over Lindsey Davenport. Media no-buzz.

These photos were taken during Sacramento's first visit to Houston last year.

They stank. I was embarrassed for Sacramento. World champene champions: who'd-a-thunk it?
Pic 1 tells the whole story: Air Houston over the grounded and tethered Monarchs.

Pics 2 through 5 are part of my continuing frustration at putting the vision of Nicole Powell (No. 14) on film (yes, film, still): not there yet, not there at all.

That's Kara Lawson (No. 20) defending in pics 6 and 7. She came through for her team in 2005. I was glad to see it for her, finally being real to herself. She is a champion.

Yes, aren't I lucky? John Whisenant in every frame.

Photos copyright the author 2005, 2006,

This was a posting to tell on the two superstars Lisa Leslie (No. 9) and Chamique Holdsclaw (No. 1), at left in Houston at the beginning of the 2005 season. But when I went to recheck my facts, what did I find: on a first name basis only the leader board on total number of turnovers for the 2005 season: 1. Shannon (granted, no surprise there) 2. Diana (yes, the . . .) 3. Becky 4. Sheri, Deanna, Lisa (tie) 7. Chamique 8. Tamika (catch this hint) 9. Lindsey 10. Temeka. Sue Bird was number 11.

The highest ranking world champene (that's the pronunstication, right) Monarch was DeMya (shame, shame) tying with Tammy Sutton-Brown at number 26. For turnovers per game, the numbers 1 and 2 spots were reversed. For this 2006 preseason, the league leader remains Shannon Johnson at 20 turnovers already in just 3 games. The turnovers caught my attention because I saw this basic tendency only too clearly exploited by the opponents, and just wondered what was going on inside the heads of these players that they didn't seem phased by this detriment to their teammates. Oh well.

Pic 2 below has Lisa facing her eternal nemesis (GOD Has already Assigned them adjacent Celestial homes). In pic 3 Christi Thomas is seated on the bench just beyond Lisa. She will do little sitting in 2006. If Christi plays here potential, LA will contend . . . strongly. Yet . . .

All photos copyright the author 2005, 2006.

Finally, the monster that has blown my weekend gets put to bed.

But I can still blog good vibes with several more shots from the Sting in San Antonio in 2004.

Pic 1: Dawn Staley, No. 15 (this is man's view, okay), and Tai Dillard (up against a brick wall to make the team this year, native San Antonioan (hey) or not.)

Pic 2: Tammy Sutton-Brown is a center. Margo Dydek (No. 12) is a center. Hummmm.

Pic 3: The floor general Dawn.

Pic 4: No better way to end the weekend. I can feel her 'bout now myself. And this weekend is ended.

Gotta jet.

Even as I prepared my earlier post this morning "The Sky and The Juggernaut", the Seattle website was announcing their losing their preseason finale to Minnesota. At that time, however, the box scores were unavailable. They're posted now (Box Score): from this point on, she will be known simply as "Seimone": Seimone -'til yesterday Seimone Augustus, number 1 WNBA draft pick recently of Pokey Chapman and her LSU Lady Tigers- Seimone scored 26 points in her first WNBA game. (We note here (parenthetically, oh so parenthetically) Svetlana Abrosimova's capacity to really have her 2-point (I'm talkin' 'bout total: 2 points) games at just the right anticlimactic instants.)

Seimone!

Svetlana!

Seimone!

And I take back not one word I said about the Juggernaut: Ann Donovan eats nails for breakfast (and so will her team for a while (watch out Tony!)! Next time!

Svetlana Abrosimova cannot have any more single digit scoring games this season. Period. It is time for her potential to be realized. Coach "Teddy bear" Suzy must not let up for an instant on Adrian Williams either: I could not believe her performance in Phoenix and with the Silver Stars in 2004! (Was it perhaps the playing year-round fatigue factor, I wonder? This was just not the same Adrian of 2002 and 2003, statistically, for sure.)

Illustration: Minnesota in Houston in 2004, with no. 25 Svetlana to the left defending no. 22 Sheryl Swoopes. Photo copyright the author 2004, 2006.

Yes, they are still out there serving and swinging on the WTA tour, contrary to the media's inattention. I mean what's wrong? This was the darling of all women sports until . . .. Until man lost control: darling Jelena Dokic is world's number 661 (darling, yes, the code of silence is broken) while, of all people, Amelie Mauresmo (we don't like her) is number one. Serena Williams (gasp) is number 105 while Martina Hingis is back and winning games (who invited the goddess back). Lindsey Davenport, at number 6, is the lone American in the top ten, except for that half she disowns of herself of (that, ug, "missy") Mary Pierce. Nadia Petrova (RUS), Elena Dementieva (RUS) and Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) are all in the top ten (they can't sell anything except to a schizophreniac, and, worse, they act like they don't want to). Man's mind cannot handle these women adjusting to their realities with just plain common sense: the tour is a bigger enemy than any dozen of the individual players; you win some, you lose some, but you play.

Right now you cannot predict the outcome of a single match. There's no one big enough to whip the girls back in line. In fact, they're beginning to accept vulnerability as more than just feminine but all of human. And they are hitting life back.

Now girls, ya’ll gon’ go and upset mo’ folks with that . . . maturing stuff!

Also Friday, Rita Williams played for the Chicago Sky in their impressive "win" in their preseason scrimmage with the Seattle Storm (Box Score).

The Storm are looking really strong this year. Ann Donovan seems to be bringing out even more of Wendy Palmer than Palmer's impressive play in San Antonio last year. Congress may ask Coach Donovan for a license to carry Barbara Turner (UConn '06). Donovan's Juggernaut seems poised . . . again. Preseason or no, a 71-43 loss is a loss period, and that was the score when Seattle played in the Garden May 7th.

For New York, the obvious was broken down in simplicity: no bench. Ditto for LA in their losses to Chicago (May 9th 78-73) and Indiana (May 11th 89-84), though LA knows that the team has the talent in house in hand. That, however, is another post for another day.

Actually, you (all, Texas) will have to cut me a little slack as it is actually 17 hours after the start of the big game. Seventeen hours after the end of the big game I'll be home (finally), and what fun is that.

Charlotte "won" the big game against "San Antone" 71 - 70 (Box Score). Note again, starting with Shanna Zolman, Katie Feenstra and Kendra Wecker, Shannon Johnson performed adequately.

Vickie Johnson and Biba were still no-shows in the line up, but, under the circumstances, that's a good thing.

Illustrations: Charlotte in San Antonio in 2004: pic 1 (from left) Tammy Sutton-Brown, Allison Feaster, Shannon Johnson. Ditto pic 2 with Dawn Staley, to boot.

Pics 3 and 4 are actually from the final 2004 LA at San Antonio game. The injured Marie Ferdinand is in red and black.

I'm outee.

All photos copyright the author 2004, 2006.

I want to make tonight's WNBA Charlotte Sting at San Antonio Silver Stars game, but it appears that the ol' wolf (Worldwide Organization against Living Free) is standing in the way (also called my supervisor at the ol’ “j”) (where I am writing this). (I missed Martina Hingis here in Houston last July 16th. Stevie Nicks was in town the same hour the same day. I refused to be emotionally torn. This would have been adequately compensatory.)

Charlotte has Allison Feaster (this is a first post, so I’ll not start with ultimate complexities.) San Antonio this year has Vickie Johnson (of New York Liberty fame), and has reacquired Biba (Agnieszka Bibrzycka.) San Antonio still has my favorite photo op Marie Ferdinand.

San Antonio has Dan Hughes, who this year seems bent on a quantum modification of the women's basketball game. It's going to be fun, yes, but more instructive to see how he introduces Shanna Zolman (Tennessee '06) and recovered KENDRA WECKER along with returning KATIE FEENSTRA to the mix. Didn't see the game, didn't read the highlights, but did see that SHANNON JOHNSON finally performed to minimally acceptable standards (3 rebounds, 7 assists and 14 points) in the May 9 preseason scrimmage against, again, Charlotte with Zolman, Wecker and Feenstra also in the starting lineup. Maybe people are being convinced that Dan can and will give the really supportive and enthusiastic San Antonio crowd a rewarding season without begging.

Hello.

(On the sad news side, the Washington Mystics waived Rita Williams Wednesday.)