By Courtney “I Am Not” Paris
The last couple days have been pretty exciting for the WNBA, although you wouldn’t know it by the sparse media coverage. The Lifelocks set a scoring record in their 115-104 OT win over the Monarchs (hope you guys bet the over on that one). Bill Laimbeer—easily the league’s marquee and most successful coach—resigned (consider that if Greg Popovich or Phil Jackson stepped down in the middle of the season, we’d be forced to watch 35 Jeremy Schaap features on their storied careers. The WNBA: expect media ignorance). Becky Hammon nearly shed her pretty-girl image by doing her best Robert Horry impression, but then subsequently incurred the wrath of all of America by fleeing the country to play for Russia. Sean Hannity reportedly has already publicly denounced Hammon for her lack of loyalty to the Greatest Country in the World. For WNBA fans, there’s no shortage of story lines to follow (and unlike its brother league, half of these story lines don’t suck. If I have to read one more Kobe-Phil puff piece, I honestly might head down to Bristol and go Ron Artest on the World Wide Leader).
One of the better subplots this season involves a die-hard Phoenix Mercury fan that’s going on a journey that is the real life equivalent of Kerouac’s On the Road, albeit with the WNBA substituted for coke. The Peter Gammons of women’s basketball, Alex Chambers knows more about the WNBA than probably anyone on this planet, including Nancy Lieberman, who has the dubious distinction of being the oldest woman to play in a WNBA game (was it a publicity stunt? Ask Laimbeer after he lands a job with Minnesota and signs Drew Gooden for 5 years, $80 million). I got the chance to interview Alex via email, and afterwards felt a little bit disappointed I’m only visiting one WNBA arena this season.
Below is my brush with WNBA expertise:
1. You’re probably the first non-WNBA-paid/affiliated person in the entire world to ever attempt a journey across the US to watch women play professional basketball. What influenced you to start “13 Teams, 1 Journey?”
I really have a thing for tall women. *laugh* Just kidding. Honestly, I wanted to take this journey because it is an opportunity for me to create a memorable experience for myself, involving something that I am very passionate about. Mind you , I was not always a big basketball fan. As a matter of fact, before I began watching WNBA games, I was not a big sports fan, period. I happened to go because I got season tickets as a gift. After attending just a few games however, I found myself really getting into it. I believe it was due to having very little influence from the more mainstream and male dominated sports. The WNBA just made an impression on me, and I’ve been a fan ever since. Last year, I thought it would be cool to go see a couple of road games, and visit friends and family I have in different cities where other WNBA teams play. One thing led to another, and I just thought, “Why not go to every city?” And thus, journey was born.
2. Outside of the obvious, what makes the WNBA different from the NBA?
I am assuming by obvious you mean gender, no? Well, a few more obvious differences; the size of the leagues (the WNBA’s 13 teams, compared to 30 NBA teams), the seasons (NBA’s season is comparatively longer) and the playoffs and finals (playoffs in the WNBA are best of 3, finals best of 5 – both in the NBA is best of 7) Other differences – about 80% of the athletes in the WNBA play overseas in the off season. Also, in the NBA you are going to see more dunks, that is basic physiology; women are not built physically like men and vice versa. However, the physical level of play and skill is about the same. WNBA players will routinely leave the court with black eyes, busted noses, etc. Most of the differences are superficial; both leagues present competitive basketball in an entertaining format.
3. I’m going to give you some NBA names. Tell me who the WNBA equivalent is and why.
Kevin Garnett : WNBA equivalent – Lisa Leslie, a pioneer in the area of women’s basketball, a great leader and skills on the court. Dwight Howard was quoted as saying he thinks Lisa Leslie is the female Kevin Garnett.
Kobe Bryant : WNBA equivalent – Diana Taurasi. A leader on the court with the skills to back it up. She also consistently is in the top 5 in scoring in the league (last year she was number 1)
Shaquille O’Neal: WNBA equivalent – Katie Feenstra. At 6’8” and 240 lbs. Feenstra is a undeniable presence on the court, much like O’Neal. And while you won’t see Katie dunkin’ like O’Neal, You can definitely see some parallels in how they play.
4. You’re a big fan of the Phoenix Lifelocks (formerly known as the Mercury). What’s the atmosphere typically like at home games?
Ha ha ha ha. Actually, they are still referred to as the Mercury. The full title is, “The Phoenix Mercury, presented by Lifelock.” But long time fans do joke about our team being called the Lifelocks. The feeling is a bit split here in the valley. I would say that many of the older, die hard fans took it personally. They did not like seeing the team name removed and replaced by a corporate label. Many of the other, “fair weather” fans didn’t mind it so much. Their main concern was, would the Lifelock branding be on all merchandise sold — and thankfully no, it isn’t. I think it will take some getting used to, but most fans have been pretty accepting; considering the current economy, and corporate sponsorship helping add financial stability.
5. How are the fans/players responding to the whole corporate sponsorship ordeal?
Players like it, but that is no surprise. Like I said, many athletes in the WNBA play overseas, with corporate branding on their jerseys. The Lifelock situation is nothing new to them. Fans, as I said before, some like it, some don’t. But as it becomes more of a standard, I think more fans will learn to accept it.
6. Phoenix was the highest scoring team in the WNBA last year. Offensively, what’s their biggest strength outside of the Poindexter/Taurasi combo?
Speed. Many teams we face just can’t bring it in the 4th q like we can. When other teams have tired out, that is when we strike. If you look at the scoring, Taurasi and Pondexter get a high percentage of their points in the 4th quarter. It’s run and gun at it’s best.
6a. What is this team’s biggest issue?
Last year we could not get our defense together. This is how we lost many games. Coach Gaines has what he calls a “rover” defense, that can be quite tricky to learn. This year I have seen a great deal of improvement in our defense. Coach Gaines has moved from a rover to a man-on-man or zone defense. Now we have to work on coordinating a better offense. We’ve got the speed, now we need the coordination.
7. Back to the epic journey. What cities are you most looking forward to visiting?
Well, I am looking forward to many of them, but for different reasons. I’ve never been to Atlanta, NYC, or Sacramento; I always love seeing somewhere new. I do have to say I am looking forward to New York City and seeing a game at the garden. I have family & friends in Chicago that I am looking forward to seeing (and getting some Chicago pizza and some white castle!). L.A. should be interesting, I wonder if I will spot any celebs. We’ll see. I might be back so some of these cities if they leave an impression on me.
8. How do your friends respond when you tell them about “13 Teams, 1 Journey”?
Some are very excited for me, mostly those who are big fans of the WNBA like myself. No one has had any negative responses, except maybe my mother. She worries. *laugh*
9. One of our writers did a piece on the hottest players in the WNBA. You would know better than anyone. Who is the finest female is the league?
Hmm, well, I did read that piece you are talking about, and I agree with several of your pics – Namely Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson. I have to say I can’t pick just one. Here are two others –
Kelly Mazzante (Phoenix Mercury) Sweet good looks like Hammon, with a rock star smile.
Penny Taylor (Phoenix Mercury) Another hot Aussie.
I would have to say Lauren Jackson gets my vote for hottest. After my journey, I might have some others to report back on.
10. Give us some predictions for the 2009 season. The WNBA: Expect_____?
Expect competition! In the first week of play, we have already seen 2 games go into overtime, Phoenix with a 115 point league record game, Washington and Minn – two teams many have counted out in the past, sitting at the top of their conference. With the rosters getting trimmed from 13 to 11, the bar has been raised. I know this is going to be one of the fiercest seasons yet.
Want more on the journey? You can open the Chamber of WNBA Secrets here or get Youtube updates on it here.
