Comets Offseason

[Castor27]

Talk about the Comets off season here. WNBA playoff talk needs to be put into the playoff thread.

[pugsly8422]

This is going to be a long offseason, it just doesn't feel right not being in the playoffs. I guess I've grown too used to this team winning all the time. Oh well, now I know how the 93/94 and 94/95 Bulls felt when we won it all and then Jordan came back.

Pugs

[xiki]

So, where do you go to retool a WNBA roster? Free agency isn't like the NBA, the draft has been a dud for Van, and unless Arcain returns and maybe Figg and someone under the radar from abroad heads here then I don't foresee a soon return to glory for them.

[houstoncart]

Alright let me brake it down for those of you who arent caught up.

-Van has recently said he's been talking to Janeth Arcain and Amaya Valdemaro. Janeth is a veteran who knows what it takes to win, and Amaya has been there before with the Comets, they both play with tremendous heart..and fire.

-We are going to be picking pretty high in the draft, so thats a plus.

-Trading Swoopes isnt the answer. Most people here want to trade her, but you wont get anything better in return, believe me.

-One thing this team has been missing is the heart, fire, and desire to win. Swoopes and Thompson are the only ones who seem to play to win.

-I think with a good pick-up in the draft to go with Snow, Lambert and Canty, along with our veterans who have been there Swoopes, Thompson, Janeth, and Valdemaro is a good mixture of young and old. Which is the best ingrediant to win.

This organization as a whole needs to work extremely hard in the off-season to get this team back where it needs to be....Can it be done? Yes...

[MONON]

Comets & Rockets. Same organization & both are trying to find a point guard. Go Figure!

The Comets haven't had a point since Perot. Figg's as close as we've been. I hope she does come back. That 1st round pick should help also. I think they'll be ok next year.

[outlaw]

Originally posted by MONON
Comets & Rockets. Same organization & both are trying to find a point guard. Go Figure!


can the Comets borrow Tyronn Lue? :)

[Groogrux]

Originally posted by outlaw
can the Comets borrow Tyronn Lue? :)

Isn't Teresa Weatherspoon already on the Sparks?

[houstoncart]

Originally posted by MONON
Comets & Rockets. Same organization & both are trying to find a point guard. Go Figure!

The Comets haven't had a point since Perot. Figg's as close as we've been. I hope she does come back. That 1st round pick should help also. I think they'll be ok next year.

Figgs isnt coming back....She is officially retired, and making more money elsewhere.

[outlaw]

Poor T-spoon. Left NY to get a ring with LA and the Sparks are eliminated while the Liberty are in the final 4.

Sheila Lambert had some good moments at PG so I don't know if that's the position we need to target. Shooting guard we have Canty. Holland Corn quit on us. Ragland is subpar. Arcain is MIA. so I think we need a SG not a PG.

[houstoncart]

What position does everyone think we need to fill?

I think we need to draft a really good small forward, and move Sheryl to Sg. Swoopes has long arms, and can defend smaller players.

[houstoncart]

http://www.fiba.com/images/web/News/players_head_shots/bra/_192/bra_janeth_arcain.jpg

29/09/2004
BRA - Janeth focuses on World Championships

SAO PAULO (World Championships) - Legendary Brazilian guard Janeth Arcain needs no introduction to fans of basketball in both North and South America.

And, if she has her way, by the end of summer 2006 every corner of the basketball globe will be swooning at her ability at the heart of an all-conquering Brazil team.

Janeth, who burst onto the scene alongside the likes of Hortencia and Maria Paula Silva in the side that swept to glory in the 1994 FIBA World Championships in Sydney, is determined to end her country's wait for the biggest prize in basketball, when the tournament lands in Brazil in two years' time.

After such a glittering career, she could have been forgiven for slowing things down a little.

The 35-year-old's recent decision to leave the Houston Comets, after seven fruitful years at the top in the WNBA, to return to Brazil sparked rumours that she could be considering calling time on her days in the international team.

However, Janeth insists that the continental switch from North to South is a temporary one, designed to allow her to be razor-sharp ahead of Brazil's assault on the FIBA World Championships which will be staged in her native land.

Even though she is now in the twilight years of her playing career, quitting international basketball after her country missed out on a medal in Athens this summer was simply not an option.

"I hope to play three or four years more," Janeth told PA International.

"I hope to be at the 2006 World Championships in Brazil, and the 2007 Pan-American Games as well. I feel good.

"At the moment I haven't got a contract, but I have had some proposals. I've received offers from some European teams, but I intend to stay in Brazil.

"I'll decide my future in October - the Brazilian Championship starts at the beginning of October.

"Sao Paulo/Guaru, Universo/Juiz de Fora and Unimed/Ourinhos are all good teams. I'll deal with one of them. I intend to come back to WNBA after this season, but I need to deal with the manager before confirming it."

Janeth feasted on a diet of basketball during her teenage years in Sao Paulo, after watching the 1983 FIBA World Championships on her doorstep in the
Brazilian city.

The chance to wear her country's famous yellow and blue colours in the FIBA World Championships back where she first developed a passion for hoops, has given Janeth an irresistible chance to fulfil a dream, and exorcise the ghost of the fourth-place finish at the Olympics this summer.

Brazil were one of the favourites to reach the podium in Athens, but they suffered a 71-62 defeat by Russia in the bronze medal game.

"Other teams were well prepared, and we could have been calmer than we were," she said.

"I think that we could have done better at the Olympic Games, but other teams like Russia and Australia were well prepared. If we were calmer we
could have won a medal."

Janeth was the star of a Houston team that dominated the WNBA in the late 1990s, as they swept to four consecutive championship crowns between 1997 and 2000.

She made 130 consecutive starts for the Comets, and was named as the WNBA's Most Improved Player of the Year in 2001.

On the international stage, she helped Brazil claim a silver medal at the Atlanta Games in 1996 and a bronze in Sydney 2000, and also helped her country to gold in the Pan-American Games in 1991 and 2003.

So what does she put her success down to?

"I believe that I'm an illuminated person. I am a lucky woman," added the modest Janeth.

"I'm used to being in the right place at the right moment, that is why I've been winning so many titles.

"Otherwise I've got a normal life, I try to get some rest whenever I can."

Once she has her immediate future in Brazil sorted out, don't bet against Janeth igniting a revival in Brazil's fortunes as she looks to go out with a bang.

From Julio Chitunda, PA International, Exclusively for FIBA

[DavidS]

Those of you watching the NY/CONN play-offs. Keep an eye on Lindsay Whalen! She can play!

[outlaw]

Originally posted by DavidS
Those of you watching the NY/CONN play-offs. Keep an eye on Lindsay Whalen! She can play!

it's not like they would trade her to us though
i wonder if Jamie Carey from UT could be a similar player to Whalen in the pros.

[DavidS]

Originally posted by outlaw
it's not like they would trade her to us though
i wonder if Jamie Carey from UT could be a similar player to Whalen in the pros.

Oh, I just meant to watch Whalen just to see a excellent basketball player. Not because I thought we could get her. :)

[steddinotayto]

i wished cooper never decided to come back last year

[DavidS]

Originally posted by steddinotayto
i wished cooper never decided to come back last year

You mean because it affected our draft?

[houstoncart]

Originally posted by DavidS
You mean because it affected our draft? I affected us in many ways that we didnt need, but it was worth taking a risk on....

[houstoncart]

I miss Comets basketball already....sighhhh

[DavidS]

Originally posted by houstoncart
I miss Comets basketball already....sighhhh


True. But I'm enjoying watching Sac/Sea play. Man! The Storm are packed. They
have four excellent player in their starting lineup.

Sheri Sam
Betty Lennox
Sue Bird
Lauren Jackson
Kamila Vodichkova

Sac's team is packed too. I'm surprised each team didn't score 80+ already.

[outlaw]

we had the 2nd worst record in the league after SA but there should be a lottery for the #1 pick in December

the other lottery teams are: San Antonio, Phoenix, Charlotte, Indiana

here's how last years odds were

2004 WNBA LOTTERY TEAMS
Team Lottery Chances (out of 1,000)
1. Phoenix 410
2. Washington 256
3. San Antonio 163
4. New York 73
5. Indiana 73
6. Seattle 25

here's how it ended up
1. Phoenix
2. Washington
3. Indiana (traded to Charlotte)
4. San Antonio (traded to Conn)
5. New York
6. Seattle (traded to Minnesota)

so I guess we have a 1 in 4 chance of getting the top pick

[DavidS]

Anyone know who the best PG are in the next draft?

[houstoncart]

I love the Monarchs, their Gm did an incredible job putting that team together. I wish we had a Gm like that.

[outlaw]

think we could trade our pick for Shannon Johnson?

[houstoncart]

Originally posted by outlaw
think we could trade our pick for Shannon Johnson? Lmao.....I wouldnt be surprised.

[houstoncart]

What position does everyone think we need to fill.....Whatever we choose should be good, we'll get either 1st or 2nd pick...hopefully.

[DavidS]

PG or SG

[outlaw]

Originally posted by DavidS
PG or SG

well judging by the teams that are now in the Finals: Seattle and Connecticut it would seem PG is the most important position for a team.

Who are you guys rooting for? I think Seattle just cuz UConn has won the last 3 NCAA titles and that's just being greedy for one state :)

[DavidS]

Originally posted by outlaw
well judging by the teams that are now in the Finals: Seattle and Connecticut it would seem PG is the most important position for a team.

Who are you guys rooting for? I think Seattle just cuz UConn has won the last 3 NCAA titles and that's just being greedy for one state :)

Sac was just elimiated. Sac, because I know they would love to win it after beating LA (and all the years of LA thumping from the Lakers; their brothers).

Seattle beacuse of Sue and Jackson.

What's ironic is that Sue is going against her home state UCON! :)

[houstoncart]

Im rooting for Seattle....cause of Sue Bird. If Lisa Leslie gets MVP then atleast LJ will get the trophy.

[AroundTheWorld]

I think the Comets need to hire some pretty players to lure more fans into the stands! Any suggestions - post your (work-safe) pics here :D.

[outlaw]

Originally posted by Sir Jackie Chiles
I think the Comets need to hire some pretty players to lure more fans into the stands! Any suggestions - post your (work-safe) pics here :D.

you're German, go recruit Marlies Askamp for the Comets :)

http://www.basketball-bund.de/dbb/pages/teams/damen/fotos/aktuelle_fotos/askamp_geggus.jpg

[DavidS]

Originally posted by DavidS
Those of you watching the NY/CONN play-offs. Keep an eye on Lindsay Whalen! She can play!

What I tell you! SHE's BAD! :D

[houstoncart]

Go ahead David take credit...;)

I told you all about her before the draft. She's a special one isnt she?

[DavidS]

Originally posted by houstoncart
Go ahead David take credit...;)

I told you all about her before the draft. She's a special one isnt she?

I don't remember you saying that. But if you did, you're BAD TOO! :D

[houstoncart]

Sheryl Swoopes will be playing for Russia this winter...Dont have a link yet, but ill post when I do.

[Fegwu]

Originally posted by houstoncart
Sheryl Swoopes will be playing for Russia this winter...Dont have a link yet, but ill post when I do.

You mean playing in Russia right? Or did she change nationality? :(

[houstoncart]

Yeah thats what I meant.....Sorry.

[kaleidosky]

I think every team in the league should be comprised of Sue Bird and Sheryl Swoopes clones. After that, since no one has any real game, they should all be cut.

[houstoncart]

Originally posted by kaleidosky
I think every team in the league should be comprised of Sue Bird and Sheryl Swoopes clones. After that, since no one has any real game, they should all be cut. Sheryl and Sue are great players, but there are many other good players also...

Tina Thompson
Tamika Catching
Swin Cash
Diana Taurasi
Lisa Leslie
Chamique Holdslcaw
Marie Ferdinand.....I can go on and on.

[houstoncart]

Well since the Comets got robbed, and we're going to end up pick at #5, do you guys think we should draft or trade our pick?

[houstoncart]

Any comments?

[Smoke]

We have 2 picks in the top 15, 3 out of the top 28. There should be some quality help for the backcourt. Tan White, Cappie Poindexter, Tanisha Wright, Jamie Carey, Dee-Dee Wheeler, Loree Moore are possibilities. I would go draft and FA's before trading.

[houstoncart]

Comets 2005 Schedule (http://www.wnba.com/comets/schedule/)

[University Blue]

Tangela Smith is an unrestricted free agent. Maybe Chancellor can find time between Rockets broadcasts and do his GM job.


University (Intangible) Blue

[houstoncart]

Coach Alissa Scott is no longer with the Comets Coaching staff.....that was the Coaching announment. :(

[benzman501]

I dont follow WNBA but XML RSS feed says Comets Forward Thompson, and Heat guard to expect child in May

[benzman501]

Comets forward, Heat guard Jones expecting child in May

by Associated Press

[houstoncart]

Originally posted by benzman501
I dont follow WNBA but XML RSS feed says Comets Forward Thompson, and Heat guard to expect child in May You know you didnt have to put "I dont follow WNBA"....Dont worry they wont make fun of you... lmao

[rocks_fan]

Well, apparently the Comets have signed Tari Phillips to fill in for Tina while she's out.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3044140

Good signing, apparently. Four time WNBA All-Star. Plus, since she's 35, she'll fit right in with Van and the Comet's philosophy of developing as little young talent as possible (Thompson and Snow being just about the only 2 exceptions I can think of right off the bat).

[Rocket River]

How are Snow and T Johnson doing these days

Rocket River

[houstoncart]

Snow is doing good, and Tiff J. is hopefuly heading out the door.

[kaleidosky]

Originally posted by houstoncart
Sheryl and Sue are great players, but there are many other good players also...

Tina Thompson
Tamika Catching
Swin Cash
Diana Taurasi
Lisa Leslie
Chamique Holdslcaw
Marie Ferdinand.....I can go on and on.

Yeah, they're "good" by WNBA standards. Don't think they're actually good players or fun to watch though.

[DavidS]

Originally posted by kaleidosky
Yeah, they're "good" by WNBA standards. Don't think they're actually good players or fun to watch though.

kaleidosky,
But that's the thing. We don't compare them to the NBA. We love the WNBA for the WNBA.

If you keep watching them with *NBA eyes,* then you'll never be satisfied.

[kaleidosky]

Originally posted by DavidS
kaleidosky,
But that's the thing. We don't compare them to the NBA. We love the WNBA for the WNBA.

If you keep watching them with *NBA eyes,* then you'll never be satisfied.

That's true. Except that Swoopes and Bird have shown me that NBA-type talent can exist in the WNBA.

Yes, I know that it's like superstars in the NBA...and I can't expect everyone in the NBA to be like KG and Lebron. But although that theoretically makes sense, my mind only compares talent to talent--maybe because I haven't watched women's hoops all my life.

[houstoncart]

Hawks Swoop Into Dallas, Beat Fury 77-68 Friday, February 25, 2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dallas, TX - Sheryl Swoopes made a triumphant return to the NWBL as she led the short-handed Lubbock Hawks to a victory over the Fury in Dallas Thursday night.

Swoopes, who played for the Fury last season, was playing in her first game for the Hawks after having played the last several months overseas. Swoopes led all scorer with 25 points and also pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds.

In an inconsistent performance, the Fury were out-played by the Hawks who were forced to play with only six players due to injuries to both Stacy Stephens and Kelly Mazzante. The Hawks won the game by out-hustling the Fury. Lubbock had

[houstoncart]

Hawks Swoop Into Dallas, Beat Fury 77-68 Friday, February 25, 2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dallas, TX - Sheryl Swoopes made a triumphant return to the NWBL as she led the short-handed Lubbock Hawks to a victory over the Fury in Dallas Thursday night.

Swoopes, who played for the Fury last season, was playing in her first game for the Hawks after having played the last several months overseas. Swoopes led all scorer with 25 points and also pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds.

In an inconsistent performance, the Fury were out-played by the Hawks who were forced to play with only six players due to injuries to both Stacy Stephens and Kelly Mazzante. The Hawks won the game by out-hustling the Fury. Lubbock had 10 steals in the game which they converted into 14 points, several on uncontested lay-ups.

Fury coach Nancy Lieberman, in an attempt to energize her team, played all 11 players suited up. On multiple occasions, she substituted her entire rotation. The lone spark for the Fury came from 6'7" center Lello Gebisa, who scored 13 points and grabbed a team high twelve boards to record her first double-double of the season.

Dallas never established an inside presence against the Hawks, who held starting center LaToya Turner to seven points on just nine shots while starting forward Joanne Aluka shot an anemic 0 for 7. The Fury made an astonishing 32 attempts from behind the arc, connecting on ten.

The Hawks had a well balanced attack, with four players scoring in the double digits. Jocelyn Penn scored 16 points while contributing on the defensive end with five rebounds and four steals. Molly Creamer added 17 points and seven rebounds while Rochelle Luckett scored 14 and led the Hawks with four assists.

The Fury were led by Ana DeForge who scored 24 points, including six three-pointers.

The loss ends the Fury's win streak at six games and moves the Hawks into second place, above Dallas, in the league standings.

The Fury next take on the Power, in Birmingham, on Sunday at 3pm. The Hawks are on a three game road swing and will play in Birmingham tonight at 7pm and in Chicago Sunday at 3pm.


The NWBL is a six-team league that features more than 25 active WNBA players. Other teams in the league include the Birmingham Power (Birmingham, Ala.); Dallas Fury (Dallas, Texas); Chicago Blaze (Naperville, Ill.); San Jose Spiders (San Jose, Calif.) and Lubbock Hawks (Lubbock, Texas). For more information on the NWBL, visit the league website at www.nwbl.com.

[houstoncart]

Snow Dunks in Euroupe....

http://www.photofile.com/Photos/Albums/WNBA_Album/Images/Michelle_Snow.JPG


Italy: Dunking Donnette


11.03.2005

Dunking the basketball is not just the domain of men, as Donnette Snow reminded Italian basketball this week when she jammed one home in Lavezzini Parma's 75-65 win over CaraChieti.

Snow scored 22 points, but the biggest two came a couple of minutes before half-time when she soared 3.05m off the floor and dunked on a fastbreak.

The slam, more than any other play this season, it seems, has captured the imagination of the women's hoops fans in the country.

The 1.96m Snow's dunking ability has landed the soon-to-be 25-year-old, a former player at NCAA powerhouse Tennessee and a pro with the Houston Comets, on the front page of Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It's fantastic to dunk because you hear the fans having fun and there is nothing better than to put on a show for the fans," Snow said.

"I know that by dunking, I get the attention of those people who have never been interested in women as basketball players."

Snow is not different from many of the men around the basketball world who can, in basketball parlance, "throw it down".

"I started to dunk first with a tennis ball," she said, "then with a balled up T-shirt, and then with a ball.

"The first time I did it was at the age of 16."

She is also not the first woman to dunk in Europe this year.

Russian international Maria Stepanova dunked in a club game in November for VBM-SGAU in their 118-40 mauling of Vologda-Chevakata Vologda.

It was the first time that that had ever happened in a Russian women's game.

As for Snow, who averaged 15.5 points and 13.6 rebounds a game in the FIBA EuroLeague Women for Parma this season, she isn't going to be remembered exclusively for her basketball playing dunking ability.

Recalling her childhood, she said: "I wanted to learn how to play the saxophone, but seeing as I didn't have as much money to buy it, I joined the school band and they gave me a trombone.

"I still play it, but soon I will be able to buy a saxophone."


http://www.fibaeurope.com/Default.asp?coid=%7b325E51F7-6B4A-46B7-9D5F-340DEC6A6549%7d&articleMode=on

[DavidS]

I was waiting for that first dunk! Hope she does it in the WNBA!

[Faos]

Comets Add Jocelyn Penn

HOUSTON - The Houston Comets announced today the signing of forward
Jocelyn Penn to a free agent contract. Per team policy, terms of the
agreement were not disclosed.

"Jocelyn is a young, athletic player who has shown the ability to
score," said Comets Head Coach and General Manager Van Chancellor. "She
was a tremendous player coming out of the SEC when she was picked ninth
overall in the 2003 Draft."

[houstoncart]

She is currently playing with Swoopes in the NWBl....

She second only to Swoopes in scoring. Hopefully she can be a scoring threat in the WNBA, if given the chance.

[houstoncart]

The Wnba draft is this Saturday April 16th.

Any fans care to tell who you would like to be picked up with the #5 pick?

I personally think we should pick up Tameka Johnson at the point.

[DavidS]

Originally posted by houstoncart
The Wnba draft is this Saturday April 16th.

Any fans care to tell who you would like to be picked up with the #5 pick?

I personally think we should pick up Tameka Johnson at the point.


Dionnah Jackson - Oklahoma (G)

[Smoke]

Tan White

[xiki]

Originally posted by Smoke
Tan White

Is that a choose your color?

[houstoncart]

Originally posted by xiki
Is that a choose your color? lol

[University Blue]

Think Lyttle!

Ann Meyers:
Sancho Lyttle, forward, Houston - Still very raw without a whole lot of experience, but she is another pure athlete. Very long, good defensively and can jump over everyone. She has to improve her offensive game and will get stronger.


Rebecca Lobo:
My second favorite name in the draft next to Tan White (see below). Lyttle is still a bit raw offensively but has tremendous upside because she's a great athlete with terrific size. (Lyttle's not little.) She's quick enough to defend and run with the bigs in the WNBA.

[houstoncart]

Originally posted by University Blue
Think Lyttle!

Ann Meyers:
Sancho Lyttle, forward, Houston - Still very raw without a whole lot of experience, but she is another pure athlete. Very long, good defensively and can jump over everyone. She has to improve her offensive game and will get stronger.


Rebecca Lobo:
My second favorite name in the draft next to Tan White (see below). Lyttle is still a bit raw offensively but has tremendous upside because she's a great athlete with terrific size. (Lyttle's not little.) She's quick enough to defend and run with the bigs in the WNBA. We have 2 Dunkers on the Comets team now. Good pick up. I hope this is the year that he finally lets Tiffany Johnson go.

[University Blue]

Roneeka Hodges, shooting guard, Florida State - A scorer, a shooter who also puts the ball on the floor. She is strong with good size and really helped herself when she transferred to Florida State. She put up great numbers all season and has a great chance to make it. She has a nice pull-up jumper, gets inside, shoots the 3 and is very versatile. But she also goes both ways and has worked on her defense.



Interesting, but probably the "best available player" pick at 15.

Who's got point?!

[Smoke]

Jenni Dant has a good chance to make this team. Sancho at 5 was a bold pick that could really payoff. Hodges is a good fit. All in all I think we did well.

[Smoke]

Even though we are in the after draft glow, any thoughts on players that were not drafted that could help the Comets?

[University Blue]

http://sports.espn.go.com/wnba/columns/story?id=2038894

Houston Comets
Kudos to coach Van Chancellor, who had a knockout of a draft. He added instant productivity -- and built a strong future for the Comets -- to his older, veteran team. DePaul's Jenni Dant (28th pick) was underrated, but plays an uptempo, pro-style game. She's also a slasher who can hit the 3. University of Houston senior Sancho Lyttle (fifth overall) is not only a hometown hero who will help sell tickets, but will someday (next year?) fill in when Sheryl Swoopes is gone. Lyttle, who's listed as a 6-4 center, is bigger than Swoopes, every bit as athletic and will end up Houston's point of press.

Everybody thought Houston was going to take LSU point guard Temeka Johnson, but Dant can slide over to the 1. She's unbelievably athletic and will be complemented in the backcourt by 3-point threat Roneeka Hodges (15th overall) out of Florida State.

Houston is now a monster of a team in terms of size with Lyttle joining 6-5 Michelle Snow and 6-4 Tiffani Johnson. And don't forget about the talented backcourt with Janeth Arcain, Dominique Canty and Felicia Ragland already on the perimeter. Grade: A-plus. The Comets just shored up every weakness they had.

Wow. I can't wait for this summer.

[bottlerocket]

Houston is now a monster of a team in terms of size with Lyttle joining 6-5 Michelle Snow and 6-4 Tiffani Johnson.

Wow, Lady Twin Towers!!

[Houstonrocketss]

I saw Van tonight at the Clippers game walking around in his hightop white socks and high cut shorts in a plain white t-shirt, nicest guy you will ever meet...

I told him congrats on the draft pick and he said they picked up 2 more players today but I did not ask him who...

He was playing the basketball game they have for fans to win prizes....he didn't win lol....BUT he is still a really nice guy!

[rocks_fan]

Originally posted by Houstonrocketss
I saw Van tonight at the Clippers game walking around in his hightop white socks and high cut shorts in a plain white t-shirt, nicest guy you will ever meet...

I told him congrats on the draft pick and he said they picked up 2 more players today but I did not ask him who...

He was playing the basketball game they have for fans to win prizes....he didn't win lol....BUT he is still a really nice guy!

Checking the Comets' website, it appears they resigned Vanessa Nygaard and added Jocelyn Penn. Both deals' terms were undisclosed.

[houstoncart]

Originally posted by rocks_fan
Checking the Comets' website, it appears they resigned Vanessa Nygaard and added Jocelyn Penn. Both deals' terms were undisclosed. Those deals were done within the last 2-3 weeks.

One of the players he was talking about is Adrienne Goodson from the San Antonio Silverstars.

[rocks_fan]

Ah. OK then. Move on, nothing to see here.

[rocks_fan]

Saw that Nygaard decided to retire rather than play another year. Not a huge choice, since she was probably going to have to fight for a roster spot (again). Should open up a spot for our draft picks though.

[ChrisP]

Good news... Janeth Arcain is coming back to the team this year!

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3168534

May 4, 2005, 11:42PM
Old friend gives Comets new hope

Former All-Star Arcain back after year with Brazil's national team
By W.H. STICKNEY JR.
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

A few months after the close of the 2003 WNBA season, rumors began to filter up from Brazil that Janeth Arcain wouldn't rejoin the Comets in the summer of 2004.

She later confirmed an intention to remain at home and help the Brazilian national women's team qualify for the Athens Olympics.

Comets fans were upset, and it turned out that they had good reason to be. In her absence, the Comets experienced the worst season in franchise history and missed the WNBA playoffs for the first time.

If there was any doubt that Arcain might not return to the team, it was removed Wednesday morning at Hofheinz Pavilion. Four years removed from her only WNBA All-Star season, the now 36-year-old Arcain was on the floor running plays again.

"Just when I first heard that there was a possibility that she might be coming back, I got excited," Sheryl Swoopes said. "But I wasn't going to believe it until I could see it.

"She's still such a great player. But just to see her come back out on the court definitely gives me a great sense of hope that we can get back to that championship caliber where we used to be."

Impressive history

Until her absence last year, Arcain was one of only three players in the WNBA to have played in every preseason, regular season and postseason game in which their respective teams participated.

Over seven years, Arcain averaged 10.5 points per game and grabbed a total of 826 rebounds. She recorded 292 steals and 416 assists.

In 2001, with Swoopes sidelined following reconstructive knee surgery, Arcain blossomed. She averaged a career-best 18 points per game (14.5 in the playoffs) and was named to the Western Conference All-Star team.

Arcain had hoped to lead the Brazilians to a gold medal in Athens last summer. That honor went to her Comets coach, Van Chancellor, and teammates Swoopes and Tina Thompson as the United States claimed its third straight gold medal.

Brazil finished fourth behind Australia and Russia.

She was the leading individual female scorer at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. At Athens, she finished fourth (18.0 ppg).

"I'm so glad, so happy to be here again," she said. "I missed last season, but I feel like I was here.

"I'm back; I haven't changed. I'm still a team player."

Among the first things Arcain did upon reaching Hofheinz Pavilion was to renew friendships with Swoopes and Thompson.

Their conversations convinced Arcain of one thing.

"I think this is going to be a good season," she said. "I think we're going to enjoy it and do the best we can to put the Comets in a good spot again."

Last year, Arcain wanted to rejoin the Comets for their September push toward a possible playoff berth once the Olympics were over. But she said the Brazilian basketball federation had other ideas.

"They had a lot of personal appearances that they wanted me to make, so I couldn't come," she said. "But that's OK. You had to choose one thing, and last year I chose to stay there and play with the national team.

"Right now, I think the best decision for me is to play again here in Houston."

Arcain was never fully away from the Comets in 2004. She visited the Internet often to get updated results and had a few opportunities to watch Comets games on television.

"I missed being here a lot," Arcain said. "Words can't describe how much I missed it."

Early start

This is the earliest Arcain has arrived in training camp. Her commitment to Brazilian basketball the past eight years precluded getting in on time.

For those who wonder about Arcain's value to the Comets, Chancellor would direct them to last year's final standings.

"Arcain has been the kind of player who's unselfish, done everything we've asked her to do," he said.

"I think (last year) was an indication of how valuable she was to this team. That's why we're so excited to have her back."

[MykTek]

i was reading the comets website and wow, they had a very good offseason...

1. got Arcain back
2. drafted Lyttle and 2 others.
3. Signed free agents ...Andienne Goodson (career 13pts, 5reb, 2ast, 1stl) and Tari Phillips (career 11pts, 6reb, 1ast, 1stl)

looks like were gonna have a pretty good team, only thing i'm worried about is our outside shooting, our interior play should be awesome....