Game One Observations

[University Blue]

Tina Thompson: It's clear that LA intends to collapse the zone once Thompson touches the ball.

The double-teams, however, were in-effective when Thompson was on the base-line -- too much distance for the defense to cover AND playing along the base-line, there were less Comets players and better spacing for Thompson to maneuver.

Thompson was most effective dribbling into the lane from the perimeter. Thompson does not have the quickest lateral movement, but the hesitation moves (and interior passing) were effective.

Amanda Lassiter: Amazing game!

Janeth Arcain: If Thompson moves out to the perimater, Arcain should definitely play the post. Against LA, in game one, she was most effective in the post.

Tamecka Dixon: Does she ever go left? What's disappointing is that Arcain, who also favors her right side, would not over-play Dixon to go right.

Delisha Milton: Milton's injured hand limited her rebounding and defense. Since it's her left hand, Thompson should be able to attack the basket from the right.

Ukari Figgs: Figgs shoots better at home. If Chancellor intends to use Washington in the second game, Washington should shadow Figgs -- making it a four-on-four game.

Lisa Leslie: She will probably win the regular season MVP this year; but despite all her accomplishments, there are times in the game, IMO she's looking to see if she's moved out from Thompson's shadow.

Van Chancellor: He saved his heavy artillery for game two (but so did Cooper). Let's hope it works out.



University (Manic Monday) Blue

[Sonny]

It was a good run. Really stinks that Swoops was hurt. They could have gotten #5.

Maybe they still will, but its gonna be tought to get two games in LA. Especially since they have won 22 straight at home...

Go Comets!!!

[TheReasonSF3]

I love the Comets but I hate to admit that their chances of winning the series let alone the championship are almost impossible.

[outlaw]

you left out the player that hurt us the most throughout the game, Mwadi Mabika. She's just awesome.

Lassiter was amazing. So was Tiffani Johnson (she is like Kelvin Cato - has an occasional big game to make you wonder).

With Swoopes returning and Lassiter and Lewis developing, would you trade Janeth for a strong post player? I would love to have a Taj McWilliams or Elena Baranova to help Tina down low.

[University Blue]

With Swoopes returning and Lassiter and Lewis developing, would you trade Janeth for a strong post player?


No.

Cooper is already gone. Jackson is about to retire. The Comets should try to hold onto the remaining members of the championship teams.

I would trade any combination of Johnson/Gibson/Washington/Henderson/Shakirova/Draft Picks for strong post players, a higher draft pick, and/or legitimate ball-handler.

Too bad Sonny Allen isn't still with Sacramento...or we could trade for Tangela Smith.

I would love to see Paulina Tsekova return to Houston.


University (Another Never-Ending Dream) Blue

[cometsluv4play]

Henderson won't be traded.....she'll be waived or cut prior to opening tip of the 2002 regular season. i agree that any combination of Johnson, Kelly-Gibson, Shakirova have trade value it is very minimal and probably will require draft picks included. however, most teams are going to ask for Lassiter. if Van is smart he will only listen to these request to direct their attention to a combination of the above mention and maybe if nessessary Valdemoro, Washington and Stafford-Odom and draft picks.

i'm of the opinion that Thompson, Swoopes, Arcain, Lassiter, Lewis are untouchable. Jackson's age will keep teams at bay and if she wants to play one more year, i don't see why not.

If Tzekova and Zasaulskaya refused to come over again i would say their draft rights are tradeable. they are still effectable players.....but they are both over thirty, maybe both over thirty-two and have limited basketball careers ahead anyway.....trade the rights while their still worth something.

i would be for trades involving Simone Edwards of Seattle, Adrain Williams of Phoenix, Dominque Canty of Detroit, Clarrise Machuaguana of Charlotte, Vicky Bullet of Washington or Elena Baronova of Maimi.

Seattle needs forwards in the worse way....i think Valdemoro and draft picks would get us Edwards......that would be a awesome trade this off-season.

[outlaw]

Would you trade Arcain for Maria Stepanova? I think I would.

Comets 2002
SF: Swoopes & rookie (Comets get 10th or 11th pick)
PF: Thompson & Odom
C: Stepanova & Shakirova
PG: Lewis & Washington
SG: Lassiter & Valdemoro

I didn't have much faith in Amanda in the start of the season but I think she can be a decent starter at 2 guard if given the opportunity. Tynesha should also be given a chance to start at PG over Coquese, who is an offensive liability.

We need Maria to contend with Yo and Lisa. Tina can't do it alone. Cynthia needs someone like Arcain to be Phoenix's #1 option since it's unlikely Reed will be back.

[University Blue]

Would you trade Arcain for Maria Stepanova? I think I would.

Twenty-second time-out.

Outlaw, you're out of bounds.

I would love to have Stepanova on the team, but not at the expense of losing Arcain.

It would take maybe Johnson and Washington to trade for a solid C. This summer would be the best opportunity for Houston to work a trade -- with Houston appearing less than dominant and before the return of Swoopes.


University (Make that a full time-out.) Blue

[cometsluv4play]

as much as Stepanova is an inticing thought............no i would not trade Arcain for Stepanova. Arcain is peaking now, we would lose offensive production immediatley. Stepanova is coming into her own, but is still a few years away. she still seems lumbering in the lane even this year. that and Jennifer Gilliom only has about two years left and especially if she ( Gilliom ) is traded this off-season.....Stepanova is their Center for the future. i would have to believe that she is untouchable with them.......if she's not, then Cynthia is not doing her job.

we are not going to trade a superstar for another superstar.....we are only going to trade a second tier player or players for a second tier player or players. we have a need for two roles really only one..... a center. we don't need a superstar Center....just an effective one. Tiffani Johnson proved it could be done last year with a role player and had Sheryl played this year... i think again Tiffiani would have proved that we don't need a superstar Center to win. but if we are gonna win 25 plus games next year she has to play every night or at least 90 % of the regular season like its playoff elimitnation night.
the other is point guard............now this is not as pressing a role as the five because Coquese has done a good job and every third game or so shown flashes of greatness, only to be erased with a careless error or human err. on bad nights for her, there is always Arcain whom can log minutes at the point and be very effective. The tandum of Washington/Arcain i am comfortabel with when Sheryl returns next year. Tynesha Lewis is just " gravey " to groom for the future Point guard responsibilities. she may even be ready late next year...but she will probably log time as a back up two as well.

if Van finally addresses the five this off-season....i don't see any problems for the foreseeable future. besides the obvious over-looking of a five last draft....we had a great off-season in aqusitions of Lassiter, Lewis and Stafford-Odom. we have a glut at small forward. we need to beef up our front court with a sufficennt back up for Thompson and a starter and back up at Center....and we are set.

[outlaw]

There aren't many options in the draft for a center. We'll be drafting either 10th or 11th (tie with Utah). Michelle Snow may be available but she plays a lot like Tiffani, passive. Angie Welle and Tawana MacDonald aren't gonna make an immediate impact either.

You guys don't think it's going to be a problem with Sheryl coming back and taking shots away from Janeth? Is Janeth going to be OK with a lesser role yet again? In Phoenix she would be their go-to player with Reed gone and Gillom possibly gone too.

Maria at least gives us a rebounder and intimidator, something the Comets need desperately in the West. Counting on Tiffani is a mistake. Lisa has elevated her game and we need someone with the size and strength to contend with her and Griffith.

[outlaw]

Originally posted by University Blue
It would take maybe Johnson and Washington to trade for a solid C.

Tiff and Coquese alone will get you a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts but not a solid center.

The Mystics might take those 2 plus the 10th overall pick for Vicky Bullett, though at age 35 that might be overpaying.

I'd love to have Chasity Melvin from the Rockers. With Ann Wauters developing rapidly, Melvin might be available for the right price. At 25 she's one of the strongest post players in the league.

How about Lassiter + Johnson + 10th pick for Melvin?

F - Swoopes
F - Thompson
C - Melvin
G - Arcain
G - Lewis

[University Blue]

How about Lassiter + Johnson + 10th pick for Melvin?

How about just Johnson and the tenth pick for [fill in the blank].

You're under-estimating the "value" of Houston players. From an outsider's perspective, Johnson can provide size and height to a team deficient in the front-court.

There have been questionable talent traded for legitimate players (ie Byears, Mapp). Chancellor (maybe Dawson) should spend time this Autumn to determine (1) what went wrong (ie Rizzotti, Mapp) and (2) how LA, Sacramento, NY (and Minnesota next year) ended up with so many talented players.

Off the top of my head, Washington and Seattle are probably ready to discuss changes to their respective line-ups.


University (Isn't there a game tonight?) Blue