Quite frankly, I hadn’t come to Los Angeles to write a specific story. In fact, I even left my voice recorder back in South Georgia. But whether on vacation or on business, I can’t stay away from basketball too long, especially just coming off a month-long break. As it turned out, there was plenty of news afoot in the three games I caught during my part vacation, part basketball stay on the Mediterranean Coast of the USA.
The Numbers Racket…
Those of you who read my columns regularly know I continue to be suspicious of WNBA attendance figures. Washington and Detroit top my list of questionable sources in that area. Most realistic to me appear to be numbers out of Seattle and Connecticut. Having just been here, Los Angeles strikes me as more realistic than I previously thought. Of the three games, I would only question the figures provided for the third, against Minnesota (9.072). The Sacramento (8,480) and San Antonio (9,923) crowds seemed more on target, while the Labor Day (Lynx) game appeared to have the smallest live attendance of the three. On television, all these crowds would appear high so read on to learn why the state of affairs is better than I, for one, had realized.
The Staples Center is so vast that it is really hard to gauge attendance in the building from a television screen. But that’s not the big news. Before my first game of the three I attended, I was reviewing ticket prices. They are extremely reasonable, ranging from $9.50 for the back of the “end zone” to $155 for courtside. Center-court seats in the lower bowl above courtside go for $54 per game. (The uppermost level is closed for Sparks games.) Immediately above the lower bowl are 18 sections of purple-colored seats (at least 2,000, and perhaps as many as 3,000, seats in total), designated as “Premium Seating.” I was informed by a member of the Sparks office staff that all of these seats are pre-sold, and give the ticket holder a regular season ticket to Lakers, Clippers, Sparks, Kings (NHL hockey), Avengers (Arena Football) and first right to purchase playoff tickets for the above franchises, as well as first crack at events such as concerts at Staples Center for one year. I nicknamed them the “Super Seats.” The cost per seat was estimated at around $70,000 per year, so obviously they are only for corporations and wealthy individuals! I could not get confirmed exactly what cut is received by the Sparks from the Staples Center but they get one. My guess is that it is at least close to what it costs to open the building for an evening, likely in excess of $50,000. Given that, a huge overhead item is off the board in running the Sparks! As to head count, all those seats are counted in the attendance, as are individuals in the luxury boxes (I was told the Sparks derive no revenue from the Sky Boxes). What this means is that you can legitimately add 1,500-2,500 to the head count for any Sparks game as the Super Seats and Sky Boxes are “ paid,“ even though in all three contests I attended at least 75% were unoccupied. With this in mind, my conclusion is that this franchise is “holding its own financially.”
Rumor has it a few other WNBA venues have “Super Seats” but I have not yet been able to confirm which ones. Look for sites with NBA, WNBA and NHL teams at a minimum.
Everything at Staples appeared to run in a first-class manner, as was the case the last time I attended a Sparks home game a few years ago. Sparky the mascot (a floppy-eared dog in a Sparks jersey) has been added and the Sparks Kids (dancers) are now younger by a few years. However, the most major difference is that new principle owners Carla Christofferson and Katherine Goodman are front and center on game days, much more visible and approachable than I remember the Buss Family although Johnny Buss was usually around.
Talking hoops LA style…
Sparks Coach Michael Cooper stressed how the team worked on perimeter defense during the Olympic break. It showed! He also stated that he was not concerned about how Olympians Lisa Leslie and Delisha Milton-Jones would return from China, as they had been through this before. He said he had been concerned about Candace Parker, as she had no time off since coming to the WNBA directly from her college season. From watching her up close, I think Coach can sleep comfortably as she looked as great as ever. As to turnovers, he was accepting of the latest numbers (19 versus Sacramento, 17 versus San Antonio and 16 versus Minnesota) given that he pushed for an up tempo style.
Much of what I saw on the court offensively was not much different than earlier in the season on television. The big three of Leslie, Parker and Milton-Jones dominate. I would give first star to Parker against the Monarchs with Leslie being top performer in the next two games with Parker close behind. Milton-Jones played well in game one, poorly in the second and adequately in game three. For Milton-Jones, who often takes the toughest perimeter defensive assignment, defense and rebounding is at least equally important to her overall contribution as scoring. Perimeter scoring by others is a bonus. Shannon Bobbitt appears for now to be the starting point guard. She defends well and spots up for the 3, usually along the baseline. Her decision making, while improving, still needs work. Current back-up Temeka Johnson seems to be playing a mentoring role, gesturing directions to Bobbitt from the sidelines. When playing, the LSU product moves the ball more quickly than her Tennessee-trained counterpart but does not look for her shot as much. I would describe her as the steadier lead guard. Against the Lynx, she contributed more in similar playing time.
The off guard slot is filled even more by committee. Currently starting is Keisha Brown, who at least for now plays little or no point. Marie Ferdinand-Harris has continued to struggle to make shots and now is in a back-up role along with Rafaela Masciadri. Sidney Spencer primarily backs up Milton Jones. One note I would be concerned about from a Sparks view would be guard entries to the post. High-low and lateral post-to-post dishes appear to be much more dangerous weapons. Outside shooting remains an issue.
The Sparks, like everybody else in the league this season, have their issues. However, the frontline (best in league history) just wears opponents down. All three opponents lost their games (just after the Olympic break) at Staples in the second half. With the injury to Lauren Jackson very possibly keeping her out for the remainder of the season, I see the Sparks coming out of the West. The Silver Stars just can’t match the Sparks on the boards and Sacramento has trouble scoring at too many critical times. Houston is front-court dominant like the Sparks but at a lesser level. Minnesota is more guard oriented with the question of how they can hold the middle together against the Sparks being the issue. Phoenix has just about been eliminated (first to worst in West?) from the playoff hunt. More than a Penny short at this time!
Looking at the Monarchs…
I continue to see no All-Star level players on the Sacramento squad. Most impressive is the constant intensity with which they play as exemplified by the ever-tenacious Kara Lawson. DeMya Walker is back but she is not yet in playing shape and appears at least a half-step slow by her standards prior to this latest round of injuries. The good news: Rebekkah Brunson (knee scoped) is supposed to be back before the playoffs. Ticha Penicheiro, now in the latter stages of her career, is the consummate field general. She thinks pass first and second. For the 2008 season, she has shot the ball better than most years but scoring is not her thing. If it was, in conjunction with her normally solid defense and high basketball IQ, she might be discussed with the greats of the game. Instead, she will have to settle for being one of the best point guards in WNBA history.
An interesting question: Whom would you take today if you had to choose between Laura Harper (first round pick) and Crystal Kelly (third round pick by Houston picked up by Sacramento)? Through the game of August 30, Kelly is having slightly the better year, scoring 7.3 ppg, as compared to 5.4 ppg for Harper with the Western Kentucky Hill Topper shooting about two percent higher from the field. Harper stands better in rebounds at 4.1 per game, as compared to Kelly’s 3.4 per game. Kelly appears to play with greater energy but is probably no taller than 6-1 while Harper is closer to 6-4. The Maryland product appears to have more sophisticated post moves. I think there’s more upside with Harper but upside won’t likely win your next game.
In talking to several Monarchs staff members, subtly, they seem more pointed to the game Saturday against Houston (won) than concerned with the Sparks game that preceded it (lost). LA was a free shot. Houston was a must. I don’t see Sacramento getting by Los Angeles should they meet in the playoffs. Other potential playoff opponents present greater upset possibilities for Sacramento, still fighting for a playoff berth.
Seeing Stars…
On Saturday night, San Antonio blew into town. It was indeed a night of luminaries as Pat Summitt and a large Lady Vol contingent (here primarily for the Tennessee at UCLA football game on Monday, September 1) were present, along with Nikki Caldwell, former Lady Vol assistant and new UCLA head coach. Becky Hammon, who, of course, played for Russia, was introduced as “Bronze Medalist” to a chorus of boos.
Before the game, I had a chance to sit down with San Antonio Coach Dan Hughes. He believed the loss of Shanna Crossley was a significant blow to the squad. He says she is still unable to play but her progress in recovering from her A.C. L. injury appears on schedule. Not surprisingly, he pointed to the addition of Ann Wauters, along with the maturation of Sophia Young, as key reasons for the Silver Stars’ success to date. Wauters is under a one-year contract. If she does not return for 2009, sell Stars stock immediately. As to the “Maria-Stepanova-to-San-Antonio” rumor, Hughes said it began with a senior staff member of another franchise but had zero basis in fact. He did not agree with me that Becky Hammon was having a down year from 2007. Hughes pointed to increased double teams, which were leaving others more open, making up for her lower shooting percentage. He believed the 2008 edition of the Western Conference top to bottom was as strong as it ever has been, maybe the best ever. When asked for his opinion on why first-round pick Kendra Wecker failed to make a long-term impact in the league, he cited her injuries with the bottom line being an inability to shoot the ball outside well enough on a catch-and-shoot basis.
As I expected, the game was decided by the Sparks control of the boards (41-29 overall, including a 14-6 margin on the offensive glass) along with an MVP second half by Lisa Leslie (total for the night: 18 points on 7/11 shooting, plus 12 boards). Parker quietly chipped in15 points on 6/13 shooting, plus 15 boards. The key shot of the game came late in the fourth quarter with the Stars up by four. Shannon Bobbitt hit a big baseline trey to cut the lead to one with 2:17 to go. From there, the momentum was all LA.
San Antonio would get its revenge on its own home court a week later with a 76-58 spanking of the Sparks that saw solid performances from Hammon and Wauters and a poor outing from Leslie. But at least for the moment, L.A. has reasserted its determination and ability to defend its home turf, an issue very much in doubt before the break.
Pat Summitt holds court…
At half time, Tennessee Lady Vol Head Coach Pat Summitt was gracious enough to meet with the media in a 10-minute Q & A session. About five journalists attended. Most questions centered on former Lady Vol players in the WNBA. She re-confirmed Candace Parker as her best offensive player ever. After a few seconds of thought, she went with Tamika Catchings and Alexis Hornbuckle as her top defenders in program history. Look for the Lady Vols to add UCLA to their regular schedule of West Coast opponents in the near future. In 2008-2009, the Lady Vols will host Stanford and San Francisco (coached by Tennessee alum Tanya Haave). For the upcoming season, Summitt sees Connecticut as pre-season Number One nationally. In the SEC, she did not list her Lady Vols in the top three (obviously due to extreme youth and lack of college experience). She saw Auburn as the SEC’s pre-season Number One (as do I) followed by Vanderbilt and Georgia. I responded by telling her I had the Lady Vols Number Two. I suspect by the end of the season they will be ready for a run to the Elite 8 but will experience more bumps along the way than might be expected for a Tennessee squad.
Finally the Lynx…
The Lynx represent a different approach from the Sparks with prime scoring coming from guards Seimone Augustus and Candice Wiggins. There is no third double-digit scoring option and team defense has been one of the worst in points allowed this season giving up 78.52 ppg while scoring on average 80.93 up until this game.
Before the game, Lynx Head Coach Don Zierden pointed to the maturation of second-year players Lindsey Harding and Noelle Quinn and the immediate contributions of rookies Candice Wiggins, Nicky Anosike and Charde Houston as to why the Lynx were a better team this year than last. He pointed out with pride that his club had only been blown out in one of their first 27 games. (After Monday’s game he will have to make that two.) He praised Wiggins’s passion for the game and lauded Anosike for leading the league in steals per game. When asked why Wiggins usually does not start, he gave several reasons. Most important was that he believed to be a championship team a club needs a sixth player to come off the bench to give the team that extra lift. He also noted that Wiggins usually finishes the game (more important than starting in Zierden’s opinion and mine). As for Noelle Quinn’s role on the team, Zierden said she was initially drafted to play point but was really a combo guard. In this contest, Wiggins played the back-up point guard some and Quinn logged less than five minutes in garbage time. For the 2009 draft, not surprisingly, Zierden would like to find more help at the post.
As to the contest, the Sparks came out flat and the Lynx led most of the first half with the score tied at 37 with neither team showing well defensively. The Lynx opened a six-point lead at the start of the second half only to be countered by an 11-point run. From that point on, the Sparks never trailed. The Lynx offense was too one-on-one for my taste. The posts did not seem to want to kick the ball back out once the entry pass was made. The worst offender was Charde Houston who scored all eight of her points in the first quarter but then continued to try to shoot over double teams (helping contribute to Leslie‘s eight blocks for the evening). Nicky Anosike actually showed some range on hitting four of eight and was the only Lynx player with more than four rebounds. (She had seven.) Vanessa Hayden-Johnson managed to force up six shots (hitting only one in about 8.5 minutes). Too often Augustus (an amazing middle-distance shooter) and Wiggins (more of a drive to basket hoping for score and/or foul) just took it one on one. Harding attacked the basket generally going right and hit on three of eight. Her one outside shot appeared to lack confidence. Her leadership could be questioned as well. On the plus side, she defended well and turned it over only twice in just under 28 minutes of play. Veteran Anna DeForge just seems out place among the kids. In 8+ minutes of action, LaToya Thomas appeared to be a player without position. I see her as a 4 but she seemed to be trying to play the 3. Nicole Ohlde continues to be too soft on defense and too mechanical in shooting the ball. The one time she got an offensive rebound rather than just shooting a relatively short open shot, she launched into an elaborate post move giving time for a defender to get position, The result: A miss, for what should have been a chippie.
On this night, the Lynx did not link up enough and were badly out-rebounded (47-29). On offense, they shot 32.9% from the field, with an ice-cold one for 12 from behind the arc. After the game Coach Zierden credited the Sparks defense for much of his club‘s poor showing. Look for a makeover in Minneapolis! My gut says there will be significant player moves by the Lynx management before next season. If they can continue to draft as well as in 2008 and make a couple of smart trades, they could become a regular playoff team over the next few years. There is hope for the future although a difficult finishing schedule makes a playoff berth unlikely this year.
The WNBA Finalists in 2008...
My prediction: Detroit versus Los Angeles, the media’s delight! If this match-up occurs, currently I lean slightly toward Detroit due to greater offensive balance. Pre-season, I picked L.A. (over New York). With Taj, the Shock got a more consistent post scorer, but they have still lost some rebounding strength with Ford‘s season-ending injury. Granted they have been home, but indications are that the Sparks defense has improved since late July. I would guess at least a four-game series. It is worth noting that these happen to be the two teams with the best rebounding differential. 2008 has been a season of surprises in the WNBA with no team all that dominant. Do not bet against further surprises in the playoffs.
Awards…
Through August, I have Candace Parker as leading both the ROY (a lock) and MVP races. Lauren Jackson now has missed too many games to be considered. Lindsay Whalen, out with injury against Seattle, had relatively quiet games in her first two outings after the break. With three strong post-Olympic performances, Lisa Leslie is making a case for another MVP award but I would still rate her slightly behind Parker for the season.
Give the sixth player award (assuming the league still has one) to Candice Wiggins.
I have Mike Thibault just about locked as COY.
Most Improved is still wide open. In hot contention: Hoffman, Christon, Willingham, and Lyttle.
I’ll leave the all-defensive awards to someone else.
Thank you, Linda, and good-bye…
Several reports I have received indicate Linda Hargrove will be out as Mystics GM after this season. I do not fault her on the trade of Taj McWilliams-Franklin, as Washington may have gotten nothing for her next year. The drafting of Crystal Langhorne, who appears to have limited upside, along with not picking any of the late round gems (Houston, Kelly, Mitchell) may have sealed her fate as the Mystics struggle for yet another season. I have no idea who will come in next. Originally, I guessed Mystics President Sheila Johnson would aim for Olympic Coach Anne Donovan. Now rumor has her going in another direction for the GM position.
Houston Comets…
I still see contraction once the season is safely in the books. I doubt the WNBA HQ would run a franchise by themselves to start a season.
Olympics Results…
I always had the USA winning. As it turned out, I called the three medalists in order, hardly brilliant as that was expected. Let’s give kudos to often-criticized Coach Anne Donovan. I like the USA to win about as easily in 2012. Look to sell your Australia and Russia stocks. Currently, neither country has players in the youth pipeline to maintain their current standing after 2012. Long term, look for China to move up to prime contender status in a decade or two.