“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, you’ll be successful”

Taken from @SwinCash.

Boy am I happy we traded for her.  This mindset, this approach to practice, to her profession, to games, to the locker room.  These are the people who persevere, who make everyone around them better.

I want training camp to start tomorrow!

2012 Sky Schedule

We will open our 34 game WNBA Regular Season on Friday May 19, in Washington D.C where we will face the Mystics and will return to Allstate Arena for the home-opener on Friday, May 25 at 7:30pm where we will host a match-up against our mid-West rival the Indiana Fever.

We enter our seventh season in the WNBA under the leadership of second-year Head Coach Pokey Chatman and will be led on-court by 2011 Defensive Player of the Year Sylvia Fowles, All-Star Swin Cash and our talented roster.

Weekends will be busy at Allstate Arena in 2012 as 10 of the 17 regular-season Sky home games will be played on a Friday (7), Saturday (1) and Sunday (2). Highlights include a visit by Diana Taurasi and the up-tempo Phoenix Mercury on Friday June 29, a match-up with Naperville Central High School graduate Candace Parker and the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday September 2, and a showdown against the 2011 WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday September 11.

For more information and to view and download the full 2012 Sky Regular Season schedule click here.

Thank you all for checking it out and staying up to date with your Chicago Sky!

What’s happening Sky Fans! It was another great week in the world of Sky Hoops!

Today is January 12th That reminds me…. did you wish Piph a Happy Birthday yesterday!?… January 11. Piph turned 24!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PIPH!

We are wishing Piph the very best of birthday’s this year and want to help lift her spirits, keeping Piph in our thoughts. Piph lost someone very; very close to her with the passing of Exodus AAU and Nazareth (NY) HS coach Apache Paschall. Piph and fellow WNBA player Kia Vaughn have taken it upon themselves to help raise funds for his services. That is leading with the heart and by example. Thank you Piph, be well.

FOLLOW THIS OR THE ABOVE LINK FOR THE REST OF THIS WEEK’S ENTRY.

Make sure you check out Big Syl’s BLOG

I thought you might like my overview for the 2011 Eastern Conference Playoffs.

The WNBA Playoffs feature eight tremendous teams.  Playoff time is execution time.  This time of year, every team knows every play, every set and every call you have.  It’s next to impossible to run anything offensively unless you are a tremendous screening and cutting team.  Even then, it’s hard.  The teams that are able to execute the best will be the most successful.  With that said, defense will be a major factor.  Being able to stop the individual play of the superstars involved in these games is a difficult challenge.  September is where great players, great teams and great coaches make their mark.

No predictions here… just some insight on what to look for and what to (try to) stop.

Good luck to all eight teams!

Eastern Conference – First Round:

Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty

Indiana and New York split the season series.  Many people believe it will be a sweep by the Fever in round one since one of New York’s two wins came with Tamika Catchings not playing.  Don’t count on a sweep.  New York’s “White Line” defense improved every game over the course of the season and is at it’s best right now.  The “White Line” is designed to take away post and paint touches and easy scoring opportunities by completely face guarding the post and providing deep backside help.  It did just that for New York, but what was even more impressive was New York’s ability to hold opponents to just 32% from the 3-point line – best in the league.  With a complete fronting of the post, the skip pass is open, theoretically.  New York did a very good job of recovering to shooters and will have to play great 3-point line defense vs. Indiana, as they are the league’s 2^nd best 3-point shooting team. (38%, behind LA’s 39%)  New York finished the season allowing opponents 74 ppg (3^rd best in the league) while holding opponents to 43% from the field (tied for 6^th best with the Sun.)  New York was one of the most difficult teams to play on their home court the last third of the season.

The one – two punch of Douglas and Catchings is still one of the best in the league.  Both players were visibly tired during the league’s last weeks and Indiana lost 3 of their last 5.  I don’t think that is a concern, they have had a few days of rest now and that should pay huge dividends for the Fever.  Indiana was the second best defender of the 3-point line (34% just behind New York.)  With both teams ability to shoot the ball and defend at a high level, something will have to give in this series.  For the team that is able to impose its will to that end will come the wins needed to capture the series.

Indiana’s “go to” set down the stretch was a slot P&R that caused many teams fits defensively.

Indiana’s ability to move a variety of players into different positions is tremendous.  Tamika Catchings can handle the ball in the pick & roll or be the one who sets the pick.  Katie Douglas will handle the ball coming to her left where she is nearly unstoppable.  Erin Phillips attacks the basket relentlessly out of the P&R, can score herself or find shooters.  Tan Smith will be lifted opposite the ball screen or set the pick, where she knocks them down at a 34% rate.  The corner shooters can be any number of players from Erin Phillips (who has saved the day for the Fever with January going down) to Jeanette Pohlen.  This looks like a simple set, but it is incredibly hard to stop.

New York added a baseline runner set late in the season combined with their “Floppy” action that provided them with many variations and scoring opportunities for Cappie, Nicole Powell, Essence as well as their tough post presence.

Any of the above-mentioned players running off the double baseline screens, and then attacking the basket is very hard to guard.  Especially, with Plenette Pierson and Kia Vaughn setting the screens and flashing to the ball.  Leilani Mitchell shot the three ball at a 36% clip and when she is spotted up opposite the P&R or dribble penetration it is hard to help and give her open looks.  Two players to keep an eye on in this series for New York are rookies Alex Montgomery and Sydney Colson.  Both Montgomery and Colson provided solid minutes for the Liberty all season, but it’s playoff time and neither has been through a playoff series yet.  The intensity is a little higher, the physical nature of the game a little rougher.  Their presence and ability to help provide depth for New York will be key.

Connecticut Sun vs Atlanta Dream

Connecticut and Atlanta also split their season series 2-2.  These two teams played all four games during the last half of the season, so they are both very familiar with each other.  All four games were great battles, with three of the four games in the 90’s and one overtime thriller – this series will be a great one to watch.

Atlanta is the hottest team in the league right now and Angel McCoughtry arguably the league’s best player.  She tied for the scoring lead at 21.2 points per game this season, but averaged 26.4 points per game in September including three 30+ point performances.  Simply put, Angel was incredible.  Unstoppable.  The Dream won nine of their last eleven games including an 11-point victory over the Sun.

Atlanta loved a play we referred to as “DROP 3”, an iso that allowed them to get Angel the ball in a variety of places:  post ups, backdoors, off a screen, in the corner and short corner iso’s.

McCoughtry is dangerous is so many ways.  She needs very little space and time to get her shot off and it is impossible to alter because of her high release and height.  She can play any position 2 – 4 and even handle the ball at the point.  She is a range shooter, is good in the P&R and posts up very well.  _­The ability of deSouza and Bales to play off her penetration, as well as the penetration (especially in transition) of Armintie Price is a very volatile combination.

Atlanta’s Achilles Heel and their greatest asset are the same thing… points per game.  The Dream allowed 81 ppg, only behind Tulsa and Phoenix for the most points allowed this season.  BUT, the Dream can put a boatload of points on the board in a hurry… 83 ppg.

Connecticut’s one of the most well balanced squads in the league.  The Sun are very sound defensively, they play offensively with a pace that can adjust to a fast paced running team like Atlanta and Phoenix or a half court execution team like Indiana or Seattle.  They have tremendous veteran leadership in Charles, Jones, Lawson and White.  This team rarely gets rattled.  Connecticut averaged 80 ppg, 4^th best around the W, while holding opponents to 77 ppg on 43% shooting.

When the Sun needed a basket they had plenty of options to go to.  One set they like to go to is a great low block duck in for Charles right out of transition.

Kara Lawson often handled the ball with Montgomery running over the top of Charles on the baseline, but either is dangerous handling the ball or coming off the baseline screen.  Charles’ defender forced to help or bump the cutter at least a little to take away the potential layup and when they do… BAM… Tina ducks in for an easy seal, basket and often a foul.  Atlanta has to be able to stop Charles without getting in too much foul trouble.  Front court foul trouble for Atlanta will spell a great deal of trouble for the Dream.

This series will go the distance and don’t be at all surprised if we see at least one overtime game.

Stay tuned for my Western Conference preview coming soon!

Let the games begin…

Chicago Sky Staff & Syl at walk thru

Syl had us all in tears when she came sprinting out of the tunnel for walk thru…. an annual tradition, she says.  Wait until the coaches get into the act in 2012!  Look out!

Vote now for the Top 15 Players in WNBA History….. HERE.

This is a tremendous listing of 30 players.  I have wondered aloud… why only 30?  Reply back to this post with thoughts on additional players omitted and as to why you believe they should be on the list to be considered among the Top 15 WNBA Players.

The nominees were selected by a panel comprised of media members and basketball experts, with consideration given to such factors as on-court performance and ability, leadership, sportsmanship and community service, as well as to contributions to team success and the overall growth of women’s basketball.

That is a broad range of criteria and opens the discussion for people who have had a major impact on the league overall.  I have some thoughts on some omitted players.

No disrespect to any of the 30 players on the list.  They are all deserving of the honor.  I would have like to seen a list of 45-50 for the Top 15 spots.  There will be never ending debate on who should be on the list, so let’s get it started…

I can only speak first hand of the ones I have been fortunate to coach.  My list will obviously have a New York Liberty bias… it’s OK, it’s my website.

My additional players for consideration:

Who else should be on the list?….

Vickie Johnson

“VJ”, the consummate professional.  One of the first thoughts I had when I joined the Sky organization was to ask Pokey to sign VJ.  Dan Hughes put her on the bench before we could get to it.  Smart move.  The 12th overall pick in the second round of the inaugural WNBA Elite draft in 1997, which was composed of professional women’s basketball players who had competed in other leagues.

She was a two-time WNBA All-Star and was the first New York Liberty player to record 2000 points.

Johnson ended an eight-year career with the Liberty by signing with the San Antonio Silver Stars on February 9, 2006.

Sue Wicks

No one meant more to a team in the locker room than Sue.  Our run to four WNBA Finals appearances were largely due to the work that Sue did, especially in the locker room and behind the scenes.  She developed into an All-star player, participating in each WNBA All-Star Game from there until her retirement.  In 2000, she received the WNBA’s top award for sportsmanship, the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award. In 1999 and in 2000, we reached reached the WNBA Finals.  In 2002 we returned to the Finals again, Sue was integral to our success in New York.

In 182 WNBA games played, Wicks scored 823 points, for a total of 4.5 points per game, had 182 assists for one assist per game, recovered 788 rebounds, for a total of 4.3 per game, and had 158 blocks, for a total of 0.90 blocks per game. She finished her WNBA career as the number eight leader of all times in shots blocked.

Rebecca Lobo

Both as a player and as an ambassador for the league, “B” has long been a top the list of the leagues best.  Lobo’s career was cut short when she tore her left anterior cruciate ligament and her meniscus in the first game of the season.  In 1999, she was selected to the inaugural WNBA All Star team but could not play because of the injury. In 2002 she was traded to the Houston Comets in exchange for Houston’s second-round selection (26th overall) in the 2002 WNBA Draft.  The next season she was traded to the Connecticut Sun, where she retired in 2003.  Lobo was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2010.

Kim Perot

The point guard for the Houston Comets, helping them to win WNBA championships in 1997 and 1998. At 5’5″, she was noted there for her ferocious play.  She was posthumously awarded a third championship ring, her #10 jersey was retired, thus making her the first player in league history to have her number retired. The WNBA subsequently renamed their sportsmanship award in her honor.

Elena Baranova

In 7 WNBA seasons during 1997-2005: 3 for Utah Starzz, 1 for Miami Sol and 3 for New York Liberty. She took part in 220 games where she scored 2,215 points, leading her teams to the Conference Semifinals (2001, 2005) and Conference Final (2004).  Elena was a tremendously skilled player, especially for her height.  She was one of the first European superstars to come to the WNBA.

Tammy Jackson

Jackson became one of the original players in the league.  She spent all but two games of her career with the Houston Comets, and was with the team when they won the first four WNBA titles from 1997 to 2000.  Tammy did all the dirty work on those Houston teams so the “Big Three” could do what they do best.s

Kym Hampton

4th overall pick in the first round of the 1997 Elite Draft.  Kym was a tremendous pro and lead the Liberty to the Finals, really on one good leg.  You can’t leave Kym off the list because she only played three seasons.  The inaugural starting center on the New York team that went to the Finals.  She continue to impact the league from her work with New York still.

Janeth Arcain

Arcain was one of the original players selected from the WNBA’s inaugural season in 1997.  She was selected 13th overall in the second round of the Elite draft by the Houston Comets.  She played every Comets game in the first seven seasons of the WNBA before skipping the 2004 season to prepare for the Olympics.  A key piece of the Comets dynasty that included four championships from 1997 to 2000, Arcain had her best season in 2001, averaging 18.5 points per game en route to Most Improved Player and First Team All-WNBA honors.  I still believe we MAY have beaten Houston in the 1999 WNBA Finals in game three if not for Arcain.  Spoon hit “The Shot” to win game two and Janeth was tremendous in game three.

There are many others that come to mind, but let’s get the debate started.  I know there will be plenty of people that want to tear apart my additions.  Let’s do it!

Enjoy all the games on WNBA Live Access.  It’s pretty easy and amazing.

We tip tomorrow at 7:00 PM, EST at Indiana.  For those that have FSI CN100 you can catch the game there.  If not, follow this link…

WNBA LIVE ACCESS

Set up an account (FREE) and follow all the game all season.