The Houston Roundball Review's Archived WNBA Notebook: July 8, 2000

The WNBA notebook was updated throughout the 2000 season.

Charlotte Sting: 3 - 14. Summary: This team has too much talent to have such a dismal record. G Andrea Stinson is the only consistent player on the squad. If Charlotte had a winning record, Stinson would be considered for league MVP honors; however, Andrea is playing by herself on most nights. The team's attendance (barely 5,000 per game) is lowest in the league; and, in their first home win of the season, the announced crowd was less than 4,000. Not good at all.

Cleveland Rockers: 8 - 8. Summary: The Rockers have won only 2 of their last 7 games. They suffered a huge loss when F Eva Nemcova tore her ACL last week. She's, obviously, out for the season. Nemcova was their best three point shooter and one of their top scorers; so, it may take the team some time to adjust to her loss.

Detroit Shock: 8 - 9. Summary: Winning 3 of their last 7 indicates the Shock is still a very inconsistent club. They lose to a Phoenix team which could only dress nine healthy players; but, follow that loss the very next night with a win versus a healthy Utah team. Rookie guards Edwina Brown and Tamicha Jackson are both having solid rookie seasons.

Houston Comets: 17 - 2. Summary: The Comets have won 8 straight and hold a 1 game lead over white hot LA. However, the team took a jolt this week when Cynthia Cooper announced she was going to retire at the end of this season. For whatever reason, Coop feels it's time to move on, period. The offense is clicking with better ball and player movement. The defense has improved. Another distraction (Coop's retirement announcement) has surfaced. In other words, all is right with the Comets.

Indiana Fever: 3 - 13 Summary: Nine straight losses has dampened the enthusiasm that existed early in the season. The team has gotten into a rut of starting games slowly; catching up; getting big leads; then blowing those leads down the stretch. Team confidence is at a low point right now.

Los Angeles Sparks: 15 - 2. Summary: Eleven straight victories. The Sparks are, obviously, playing great basketball. Team defense has been rock solid all season. Lisa Leslie is getting consistent scoring help from her teammates (re: Mwadi Mabika). Forwards Allison Feaster and DeLisha Milton have improved their play this season. They are right on the Comets' heels for best record in the league. The two teams meet again Friday, July 14, in LA. The Sparks would love to send another message to Houston; so, the game should be very intense.

Miami Sol: 6 - 11. Summary: Winning ugly is Miami's philosophy this season. They don't shoot a high percentage; but, they continue playing tough defense. In addition though they're 5 games under .500, they're only 2.5 games out of playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Not bad for an expansion team playing in front of very sparse home crowds.

Minnesota Lynx: 10 - 7. Summary: Minnesota may be in trouble. They're only 4 and 3 in their last 7 games; but, more importantly, F Andrea Lloyd Curry is out for the season after tearing her ACL. Curry was the "do everything" player for the Lynx. At 6'1, she could run the offense; rebound; pass; score from the outside, etc. She was the third scoring option behind F Katie Smith and G Betty Lennox; so, with Curry injured, teams have begun to swarm Smith and Lennox and make the rest of the team beat them. So far, the rest of the team hasn't been able to do the job.

New York Liberty: 9 - 9. Summary: Here come the Liberty. They've won 5 of 8 and are making a steady climb up the Eastern Conference. C Tari Phillips has been nothing short of spectacular with her play of late. She has carried New York over the last 2 weeks. Despite her lack of height, 5'6 guard Becky Hammon has become a consistent offensive threat this season. F Rebecca Lobo should return by the middle of this month from her second torn ACL. Lobo's return should strengthen New York's solid front line.

Orlando Miracle: 11 - 6. Summary: Winning six of their last 7 has opened a small cushion for Orlando over the rest of the East. Shannon Johnson is playing great ball. She is probably the best point guard in the league. Taj McWilliams and Nykesha Sales are playing well, too. If the team can stay focused, they have an excellent shot of representing the East in the WNBA Finals.

Phoenix Mercury: 10 - 6. Summary: G Michelle Timms surprised team personnel by opting to have knee surgery back in Australia. The surgery showed more damage to her knee than was originally thought; so, she's gone for the season in all likelihood. C Maria Stepanova tore the meniscus in her right knee and could be gone for the season, too. As a result, Brandy Reed is going to have up her scoring; but, also get her teammates involved in the offense. It's not going to be easy for Phoenix to make the playoffs; but, they are going to have gut it out to get it done.

Portland Fire: 4 - 12. Summary: Losing by 40 and scoring a league low 39 point at Houston aside, Portland is playing competitive ball. They're close in almost game; but, they can't get over the hump. F Sophia Witherspoon has really increased her scoring over the last 2 weeks; however, none of her teammates are sharing the offensive load during the same stretch.

Sacramento Monarchs: 12 - 6. Summary: Winning 2 thirds of your games would be a great accomplishment for most teams; unfortunately, however, for Sacramento they are playing in the same conference as Houston and Los Angeles. Therefore, the Monarchs are in third place in the ultra - competitive Western Conference. Outside shooting is still vital to the team's success. Yolanda Griffith and Tangela Smith can provide the inside scoring; however, if Ruthie Bolton Holifield and Kedra Holland - Corn aren't shooting well from the perimeter, teams are going to collapse down low making it harder for Griffith and Smith to score. Point guard Ticha Penicheiro needs to score more.

Seattle Storm: 3 - 14. Summary: Edna Campbell and Kamila Vodichkova, Seattle's 2 best players, are on the injured list which means a team that struggled to score is really in trouble without them. However, guard Robin Threatt has increased her scoring; but, it hasn't been enough to stop the losing.

Utah Starzz: 9 - 9. Summary: Guard Jennifer Azzi returned from her broken right hand, July 7, but the Starzz still lost to Detroit. Utah is 2 and 4 in their last 6 games. Margo Dydek, Natalie Williams, and Adrienne Goodson are playing very well; unfortunately, the three have only played well together once or twice in the same game. Azzi's return should begin to stabilize the offense and allow Utah to make a push for the playoffs.

Washington Mystics: 8 - 8. Summary: All seems to be calm after Chamique Holdsclaw publicly questioned head coach Nancy Darsch's coaching philosophy about 2 weeks ago. The Mystics are still playing very inconsistently. They're only 3 and 4 in their last 7 games; plus, they continue to turn the ball over way too much. The offense is too streaky and their defense is to inconsistent.

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