Do or die. Win or go home.
Elimination
Determination
Desperation
Contemplation
Mediation
Try not to hate....you get the jist. It's a big game. Should be fun. No predictions from me but I will go out on a limb and say that it should be closer than Saturday.
By now you know the players or you wouldn't be here. I have a few quotes from Cappie, Temeka (on guarding Hammon) and Sophia that I will get posted before the game starts.
Temeka Johnson talking about Becky Hammon the way the team defended her in game 2
"That's one thing you have to do as team collectively. We have to trust each other and believe that we can get the job done as a whole and I think that's the mindset that we had. You respect her. Of course you are going to have to pay more attention to her then you would most others but you just have to respect the player that she is and her capabilities and concentrate on what it is that we have to do."
Cappie Pondexter talking about game 3 and how to match the Silver Stars aggression and determination
"I'm sure, I'm sure they will have the energy but for us it's a matter of sustaining the energy level for all four quarters. I think that's the important thing. The X-factor (the Mercury crowd) was awesome in the last game and I hope we can feed off that energy again tonight."
Sophia Young talking about any hangover effect from game 2 on Saturday and about the keys to beating Phoenix
"It really doesn't. Phoenix, they're a team that scores a lot in transition and so we know that they are capable of playing a game like that. We've just got to worry about playing our game and playing with intensity....I think the main thing was Diana and Cappie being more aggressive and their team kind of feeds off of them and so whenever they get themselves going it's difficult to win."
0 recs | 123 comments
Phoenix needs to put it away early
The last thing Phoenix can afford is to let SASS hang around and hang around, and give XAMMOH a chance to steal it in the fourth quarter. Merc need to come out firing like they did in Game 2, put the hammer down and have the game basically put away at the end of 3.
PeachBasket - September 21, 2009
Xammoh? So wrong.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Hey, Stan. Good luck tonight. :)
LatinD - September 21, 2009
thanks, you too
Seth Pollack - September 21, 2009
I just hope for a good game
It seemed to me that SASS was trying to run with the Merc the last game… if they can get back on D and be more patient on offense, they have a chance…
(Don’t ban me for making such blasphemous comments, Stan)
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
oh they have a chance alright
that’s a good team that is going to fight and make smart adjustments….this one should be a barn burner
Seth Pollack - September 21, 2009
You put this on twitter...
….but the crowd looks weak from the ESPN vantage point…how does it compare to normal?
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
It looked strong at SA. I thought the Mercury would be more popular.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Yikes...two for CP...
No good…
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
Aw, c’mon…
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Oh my gawd, So.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
How could Becky miss that layup? What was she thinking?
LatinD - September 21, 2009
I'm waiting for someone to remind us how she practices those tricky shots...
I’m sure we’ll hear it 2 or 3 times before the end of the game…
Not hating on Hammon… just saying… sick of hearing it…
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
Needs to practice that one a bit more. :)
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Incredibly good first quarter. Me likes.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Go-Go Bonner ARMS!
That rebound in the last few seconds was crazy…
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
What LA/SEA should have been.
That was a great first quarter. Hammon can definitely nail the 3-pointer. This one is going to be tight.
James Bowman - September 21, 2009
Why are you bringing up that debacle again?
;)
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
Not even bleach will burn that one away. :D
James Bowman - September 21, 2009
Chewing Gum
It looks like Johnson and Hammon are both chewing. Hmmm. Breakfast of playoff contenders?
James Bowman - September 21, 2009
Taurasi is special.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Barkley watching the WNBA????
Whoa — Stan, you gotta get an interview with that guy! :)
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
I swear I’m going to die if the Stars don’t start to box out someone. Someone!
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Great ball movement by the Merc on that CP three
“Championship teams are great passing teams.”
True or false? Can’t think of a counter example…
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
What’s up with Pondexter’s hair?
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Both teams will break ninety at this rate.
James Bowman - September 21, 2009
Stealing my thoughts is not allowed here...
:)
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
“Get out of my head!!”
James Bowman - September 21, 2009
Ummm... these teams are going to break all kinds of scoring records tonight...
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
Sorry I'm late!
Did anyone see former D-Leaguer and Dakota Wizards Carlos Powell?
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
There were a lot of people in the crowd. Someone named Charles Barksdale, I think. Bald guy, sort of pudgy….
James Bowman - September 21, 2009
Oh
Not familiar. I hate pudginess.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
Welcome Scott
Didn’t he play for the GS Warriors for a hot second in summer league?
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
couple seasons ago
He was also in camp with them that year… Played with Phoenix this Summer.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
now this feels like a playoff game
although it is not very physical…but intense…fun
oh and Lou Amundson is in the building showing the girl how to rock the pony tail…
Seth Pollack - September 21, 2009
Forget him, dude...
Barkley, you gotta get Barkley’s take on the WNBA…
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
Catch me up, by the way
What should I be watching? This game/game thread is what I’m using to make me interested in the WNBA.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
SA/Phoenix right now. ESPN2.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
That much I got
Just be impressed by Diana Taurasi blocking shots and making good cuts?
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
What about rooting for the underdogs to pull off the upset and ruin Stan’s night? :)
LatinD - September 21, 2009
I'm all for ruining Stan's night
But it’s hard to cheer for a San Antonio team..
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
What team do you root for?
LatinD - September 21, 2009
WNBA?
None. I’m close to the Lynx, but they’re obviously not great/in the playoffs.
I’m a WNBA free agent.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
NBA. I was trying to get to the bottom of your Spurs dislike. :)
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Haha
Oh. I’m a free agent there as well. I just like good, fun to watch, basketball.
Grew up with the Bulls, but kind of decided just to like basketball during the down years.
It’s helped in that I now can find reasons to care about a lot of basketball games that I wouldn’t usually (any game involving the Grizzlies)..
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
Well, there are plenty of reasons to watch the Grizzlies this year. They are one Starbury away from meriting a reality TV show. :)
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Haha
This is true. I’d actually watch that show without Starbury.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
Well, Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor just hooked up for a beautiful back door...
Passing will be the thing to watch with these two teams.
PHO takes a lot of quick threes, but you gotta watch how these teams move the ball to create scoring opportunities…
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
Have you seen Bethlehem Shoals' article on the WNBA before?
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Baseline/entry/view/30231/the_wnba_much_better_than_you_think
A good way for NBA fans to step into the WNBA…
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
Just read
If Shoals can appreciate it, so can I. Just don’t tell our pal Stan.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
tell who?
Seth Pollack - September 21, 2009
Oh, a different Stan
Notice I said ‘pal’ – You’re more like a ‘bro’.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
Why has my screen frozen?
James Bowman - September 21, 2009
They could have been playing so fast that they stopped time.
James Bowman - September 21, 2009
Technical Difficulties
Ouch.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
Technical difficulties...
HEY! That happened last night in Key Arena too!
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
We’ll get Art Eckman from the Dream on play-by-play. (Inside joke among WNBA buffs: Eckman is a hilariously poor announcer.)
James Bowman - September 21, 2009
I'm a D-League follower
This makes me reminisce. Love the jokes 9 people will get.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
LOL
We even get the Direct Access kludges when it’s on ESPN!
PeachBasket - September 21, 2009
Aw, C’MON.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
This kind of stuff can’t happen. Just can’t.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Yahoo WNBA.
We’ll just have to make up our own play-by-play.
James Bowman - September 21, 2009
Boxscore.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
I like Yahoo better than WNBA.com...
http://sports.yahoo.com/wnba/boxscore?gid=20090921006
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
And they got the wires uncrossed and we’re back….
James Bowman - September 21, 2009
Dude, stop copying me... :)
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
I can’t help it if your internets are slow. :D
James Bowman - September 21, 2009
Game back on...
For those that switched away..
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
We don't get a real halftime show!?
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
I’m liking the game. We need to hang in there for the entire game, and then stake them in the heart in the last two minutes.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
YEAH! This is a great game!
I have to leave soon too…which sucks…
Because you can never bet on live access to actually make the games available in a timely fashion…
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
that never happens in Phx....
well at least not on any day that isn’t December 25th
Seth Pollack - September 21, 2009
Good thing you added that disclaimer. (Or any day Manu doesn’t score 44. :)
LatinD - September 21, 2009
or any day
that two key players aren’t suspended
Seth Pollack - September 21, 2009
Heh. At least we have a lot of history, Stan. :)
LatinD - September 21, 2009
The Silver Stars make the
Mercury look like a good rebounding team
Seth Pollack - September 21, 2009
Yeah, it’s ridiculous and frustrating. I blame Coach Hughes, because I can’t believe 8 players forget to box out game after game because they’re unable to do it.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
your team
is pretty undersized actually
Seth Pollack - September 21, 2009
Doesn’t excuse Ann and Sophia from grabbing 2 defensive rebounds.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Well
This is just what I was talking about in my comment at the top of the thread. The longer SASS hangs around, the likelihood of the game being decided on some circus shot goes up up up.
PeachBasket - September 21, 2009
Enjoy the game guys!
Co-worker is turning 30… I cannot in good conscience ignore real world milestones in favor of the WNBA… hopefully the game will be on at the bar!
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
Ahem...not guys, folks...
Nate Parham - September 21, 2009
Bye, Q.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
So can the Stars
keep shooting 56% from three?
Seems like they are going to need to to keep the game close. Merc are 2 for 10 meanwhile…
I think that bodes well for the home team. Pause
Seth Pollack - September 21, 2009
Got tied up watching football
What a right handed push shot from the left block from Taurasi.
Still, fundamentally sound, that was not.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
If you're refering to the fundamentally sound argument for women's basketball.
Bad argument unless you’re talking to a guy whose favorite basketball memories are from the 60s and early 70s like John Wooden.
Women’s basketball is about having space on the floor to operate. It’s the angles and the spacing that you never see in men’s basketball because of the size and speed of the players. It’s unique players that you can’t really find a good comparison for on the men’s side.
Scotter - September 21, 2009
I was impressed
Just had heard that “more fundamental game” is one of the benefits of the WNBA game.
I was impressed with the way she created, don’t get me wrong.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
Diana is special. She can hit a lot of shots that most NBA players aren't capable of making.
In one NCAA championship game she hit a left handed jumper from the baseline, while fading behind the backboard.
Scotter - September 21, 2009
Dammit.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
They got the momentum.
I think you guys might be in trouble.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
Boom. Momentum schmomentum.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Diana was amazing to watch in college, but I can't say I thought
she would ever have this kind of shot creation skill, or be in this kind of shape.
Scotter - September 21, 2009
Barkley!
“I love doing nothing, I still suck at golf.”
Words to live by.
James Bowman - September 21, 2009
He might be drunk.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
Chuck's been doing nothing...
Why am I not surprised?
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
Tie game!
Also, Vicky Johnson reminds me of the Austin Toros Squeky Johnson. Related?
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
Foul. :/
LatinD - September 21, 2009
What a freaking game.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
We need a larger commenting contingent.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
Go to PTR’s game thread.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Sorry for the spamming, Stan. :)
LatinD - September 21, 2009
You'll be banned.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
Tied at 60. Wow.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Intensity is really picking up in here
this is playoff time!
Seth Pollack - September 21, 2009
Amazing game, Stan. Thanks for getting me into this league. :)
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Woah
that might have been the smartest time out evah
Seth Pollack - September 21, 2009
I like this Taurasi girl
Just so you’re aware.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
How could Wauters miss that?
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Wauters out. Damn.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
20-4 run. Ouch.
Scott Schroeder - September 21, 2009
holy crap
92-87
Seth Pollack - September 21, 2009
All of the sudden the Mercury lost any urgency. Diana needs to keep the ball and pretend it's 2003
Scotter - September 21, 2009
Dammit… we can do it.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
shutting down the
lap top….
no matter what happens now, this was a great game
Seth Pollack - September 21, 2009
It really was.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Penny Taylor makes the world better
Scotter - September 21, 2009
Crushed, once again. What a year.
LatinD - September 21, 2009
Great ballgame
Well done to all the players. Thanks for all the wonderful years and greats sport to VJ. Geez it’s hard to see them going, PeeWee last night, VJ tonight.
PeachBasket - September 21, 2009
Well, guys, it was fun. Thanks for letting me join the game thread. Congratulations, Stan – I hope the Mercury win the whole thing.
LatinD - September 22, 2009
The secret flava
is when Phoenix puts DT, Cappie, Bonner and PT on the floor together. It doesn’t matter who else is with them, that foursome plays together as well as any gorup of basketball players I’ve ever seen.
PeachBasket - September 22, 2009
Sue Bird, DT, Swin Cash, Tamika Raymond-Williams, and Asjha Jones in college was the best ever.
A machine unlike anything else that year the four of them were seniors, but DT, Cappe, Bonner, and Penny is special as well.
Scotter - September 22, 2009
02 Huskies
I have a DVD of their Elite Eight game against ODU. The first 12 minutes or so of that game looks literally like a clinic in team basketball, the result being that they made something like 13 out of their first 15 shots, all but about 2 on assists.
PeachBasket - September 22, 2009
Cappie said
exactly that thing in the post game conf
Seth Pollack - September 22, 2009
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