Shaking off the rust...

[ChrisP]

and showing the Heart of a Champion! Big, BIG win over LA!!

I just can't get over this team. No matter what obstacles get in their way, they always find ways to win. No Coop, no Swoopes, no Valdemoro, no Tzekova, no chance. 11 days removed from their last game, up against the best team in the league that's on a 9 game winning streak, too much...

Man, what a game! Another playoff-like, down to the wire battle between the two best teams in the league. Some observations I have following our streak busting win:

Tina -- I think we all saw this coming. She's stepping up to prove she's one of the best players in the league - possibly THE best this year. She does it again tonight with 29 points on 11/21 shooting, 4/4 from the line and outstanding defense as always on Lisa Leslie. I love how frustrated Leslie gets when she goes head-to-head with Tina - she always loses her cool. http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

Janeth -- I'm sure I'm not the only one not surprised by her emergence this year as well. One of the best players in the world (as she proved in the Olympics) who has selflessly waited her turn on this team. 3rd in the league in scoring this year, first in steals... she has a poor shooting night tonight but still hits the game winner (again) and puts up solid stats like 17 pts, 6 bds, 5 dishes, and a steal. We might be undefeated if she'd just TAKEN the game winner in the first game vs. LA.

OH Tammy! -- I love this warrior!! Hell, I thought she retired before the season. She's baaaaack. 6 pts, 7 bds, 3 assts and a steal and a great all around game in 22 mins. She is simply fearless - bloodied lip, hyperextended knee and countless cheap shots by Leslie and she keeps coming back for more. TJ is clutch!

The role players -- Along with Jackson, I was happy to see contributions coming from Gibson in her first start, and Washington. Maybe it's just me, but I think Coquese is developing into a fairly solid point guard for us. Nothing flashy, but solid. 5 pts, 5 assts, 2 stls and a block and only 2 TO's. Gibson shot the ball well and contributed all over the court too.

Coach Chancellor -- Is this guy something? No matter what kind of adversity they face, he keeps them focused and confident. Gotta give the man props for developing one of the best winning percentages in pro sports. Sure, he's had great talent to work with (I can hear the Phil Jackson argument here), but the Comets have won because of a good system and great team defense as well. He may not have a great draft record, but he sure can coach.

Sheryl -- I just gotta give a big hoo-yah to Ms. Swoopes for looking so good on the sideline! Wonder if we could get her to dress like that in games too.

The Drive for 5 is officially for real folks! We just knocked off the only team in front of us and we're just getting warmed up.

Sucks to be the Sparks, though. They can dominate the rest of the league but they're still only second best. he he

What do y'all think? Was this a statement game? Or am I just a big homer who can't see how they are still going to fall back to Earth?

(yikes, that's got to be the longest post I've ever put on this board)

[This message has been edited by ChrisP (edited June 22, 2001).]

[CometsFan'01]

I have to second a lot of what you say ChrisP!

I think the Comets are for real and the Drive for Five, while a much more complicated course, is a realistic goal.

I think Tina is wonderful. We've seen her improve every single season. She's played a role for the 1st 4 years and is now asserting herself when needed. A true talent.

Janeth is another one to watch. She seems to be a bit of a rhythm player, so I hope that we don't have too many more layoffs like this last one. I think her confidence suffers with a few missed shots as well. I hope to continue to see her keep putting them up, regardless of her percentages. I would really like to see her drive to the basket more as well. When her confidence takes a dive, she starts settling for (often contested) jumpers. She's got great moves, she ought to show them off.

I was much impressed with Kelly Gibson. I think she will continue to improve and I hope that she will be our next X-factor. We need for her to at least keep defenses honest.

TJ ... the Legend. What a woman! Keep it up!

I think Tiffani gave some solid minutes as well. I would like to see her drop about another 15 lbs as I think it will help her elevation that much more. She's moving great and I think she has a lot of potential.

At the point ... Washington is getting there, but I hope she continues to work at it constantly. She still makes some decisions that I don't particularly care for (don't give Tiffani the ball at the top of the key any more - she always seems surprised and unsure of what to do with it).

I have high hopes for Stafford-Odom as well. She might want to focus on the defensive side of her game right now and become one of those forces that no one can get around. I think she has it in her.

Well ... I'm rambling enough, so I"m gonna stop. Feel free to comment.

LET'S GO COMETS!!!

Bring on Sacramento (a tougher matchup, if you ask me, than LA)!



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CometsFan '01
*I* Still Believe

http://www.allsports.com/wnba/comets/

[ChrisP]

Good points as well CometsFan. Arcain can fall victim to her own rhythm but she is starting to keep her aggressiveness, at least at the end of games when we need it most.

You may be right about Stafford-Odom focusing on defense too. We need defensive stoppers and Tammy can't last forever. I want to watch her and Henderson more closely in the future. Saw some good things from both last night but not enough to really comment. The importance of players like these will be huge this year.

Bring on Sacramento! That should be a heck of a test for Coquese - battling Ticha at point. If she can hold her own tomorrow, I'll be very impressed. I may miss the game since I'll be out of town but it is on NBC so hopefully I'll manage to catch it anyway.

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[GaryT]

Coach told Janeth she has to take the last second shots. So she's been doing it whether she is on her game or not. And it has worked like a charm. She just sticks the dagger in every time.

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WWMWW4!

[ZRB]

Moochie enjoyed the game.

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