Some notes and reaction from Sun practice Friday at Connecticut College:
(1) Despite losing two straight games — and becoming the final team in the league to do so this season — the Sun remain upbeat about the direction of the team.
"The main thing, we look at the losses and the games we played, it's not like a team just came out and beat us," forward Tamika Whitmore said. "In the losses we've had, we beat ourselves, either with too many turnovers or not doing the little things in a game. And it's just a matter of us correcting what we need to correct. It's not like a team has come out and just made us lose a basketball game. We made ourselves lose, so once we correct ourselves, we should be OK."
Lindsay Whalen also added that she thinks the Sun played "really well" in Tuesday's 88-82 loss in Detroit, just the Shock "beat us in the last two minutes." So the Sun returned to New London — it's felt like a long time since they've been there — to find a repainted gym (a blue strip hugs the bottom part of the wall) and a continued focus on individual skill along with team drills. Sun coach Mike Thibault deems it necessary to continue to push skill training considering the Sun's youth, and estimated Connecticut spent 45 to 60 minutes of the last two practices working on shooting, footwork and the like.
"Just trying to get better of that," he said.
(2) Cutting down on turnovers has also been a focus. The Sun committed just 11 against Detroit, but several came late in key situations. It was the same situation Saturday in Indiana: Connecticut turned it over 13 times, but several of them turned into easy transition buckets in an 81-74 Fever win.
At one point during practice Friday, Thibault stopped play after Amber Holt tried skipping a pass through a defender's hands and yelled, "Pass around them or fake it and then pass it. The physics won't allow you to do it any other way." And there's no arguing with physics.
"You can't have those kinds of plays if you want to be a championship team," Thibault said. "All I told them is everything I'm going to be on them about has nothing to do with if we beat team A or team B now, it's how good can you be by the time you have to play in September and October. Every day has to be pointed toward that. And if you do that, then you will take care of the games in front of you. We concentrate on the opponent in front of us but the skill sets are long-term things."
(3) Whitmore has struggled of late for several reasons. She's trying to recapture the rhythm she had shooting the ball earlier in the season while also trying to recover from a back injury. A regular visitor to the chiropractor since the end of high school, Whitmore couldn't find time to go last season between finishing her WNBA season, traveling to go play overseas and finalizing the purchase of her house.
That, she believes, led her to injuring her back for the first time in practice prior to the Detroit game, which has sapped her of strength and flexibility. She visited a chiropractor on Thursday and plans to make regular visits every few weeks. I'll have more on Whit in Sunday's advance of the Sun-Mystics matchup (set for 3:30 p.m. on ABC).
(4) Speaking of Washington, the Sun fly out early Saturday and will practice in the nation's capital later that afternoon in preparation for Sunday's tip. Washington plays at Detroit tonight, three days after overcoming a 14-point first half (yes 14 points) to beat the Indiana Fever in the season's lowest scoring game thus far, 50-48.
Friday, July 11, 2008
A little alternate explanation
I feel there is a need for a little more explanation surrounding Lindsay Whalen's situation in the U.S. player pool. Whalen was officially left off the 12-person roster Thursday, the last guard spot being filled by Kara Lawson. Whalen's ability has nothing to do it, but within a U.S. program that is trying to foster more regular participation, Whalen missed too much time to displace someone like Lawson, who has been there for every camp and tournament over the past year and even returned early from her honeymoon back in April to train. That's not to say Whalen isn't dedicated; she just had other obligations, including her own wedding and an overseas contract that wouldn't allow her to compete with the U.S. team at times this past winter.
All this is clear. But U.S.A. Basketball's unwillingness to release that names of its six alternates created some confusion if Whalen was officially on the short list. Though there is no direct confirmation coming from U.S.A. Basketball, Whalen says she is, nor is U.S.A. Basketball denying as much. According to Caroline Williams, who handles PR for the U.S. program, its policy has always been not to release the names of its alternates. It's not totally clear why, though by not releasing those names, the team does afford itself more flexibility in replacing players. As an alternate, Whalen wouldn't travel to Beijing with the team, though there is a possibility she joins the team for its training camp in San Francisco later this month.
So if a guard on Team U.S.A. goes down with injury prior to the Aug. 8 deadline for final rosters, expect Whalen to be among the top candidates to be added.As of right now, it appears Katie Douglas and Candice Wiggins are also on as alternate guards. Janel McCarville and Taj McWilliams-Franklin have been mentioned as possible alternates in the frontcourt.
All this is clear. But U.S.A. Basketball's unwillingness to release that names of its six alternates created some confusion if Whalen was officially on the short list. Though there is no direct confirmation coming from U.S.A. Basketball, Whalen says she is, nor is U.S.A. Basketball denying as much. According to Caroline Williams, who handles PR for the U.S. program, its policy has always been not to release the names of its alternates. It's not totally clear why, though by not releasing those names, the team does afford itself more flexibility in replacing players. As an alternate, Whalen wouldn't travel to Beijing with the team, though there is a possibility she joins the team for its training camp in San Francisco later this month.
So if a guard on Team U.S.A. goes down with injury prior to the Aug. 8 deadline for final rosters, expect Whalen to be among the top candidates to be added.As of right now, it appears Katie Douglas and Candice Wiggins are also on as alternate guards. Janel McCarville and Taj McWilliams-Franklin have been mentioned as possible alternates in the frontcourt.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Report: Catchings, Milton-Jones, Lawson named to U.S. team
It appears Lindsay Whalen won't be going to the Olympics.
Tamika Catchings, DeLisha Milton-Jones and Kara Lawson have earned the final three spots on the U.S. women's national team, "a person familiar with the choices" told the Associated Press Wednesday. According to the report, the person spoke on condition of anonymity because an official announcement was planned for Thursday.
The report did not say who would be named alternates, but Whalen seems like a no-brainer to be named. For the Sun, it's probably a great thing she isn't going. That means every one of its players besides Erin Phillips (who is playing for Australia) will have the entire month to rest and recharge, similar to the 2004 Connecticut team that went on a tear to finish the regular seasonand reached the WNBA finals.
Catchings gives the U.S. team added versatility in the frontcourt — U.S. coach Anne Donovan called her a "no-brainer" if she was healthy — while Milton-Jones (the third Sparks player on the team) will add more length and size. Milton-Jones was a member of the 2000 Olympic team that won gold in Sydney. Truthfully, I don't see why she is a far better pick than Swin Cash, but I guess she's a more natural power forward when compared to Cash, especially on a team loaded with centers in Lisa Leslie, Syvlia Fowles (if she's 100 percent), Tina Thompson and even Candace Parker. Lawson, one of the league's most respected veterans, will be making her first Olympic appearance.
Tamika Catchings, DeLisha Milton-Jones and Kara Lawson have earned the final three spots on the U.S. women's national team, "a person familiar with the choices" told the Associated Press Wednesday. According to the report, the person spoke on condition of anonymity because an official announcement was planned for Thursday.
The report did not say who would be named alternates, but Whalen seems like a no-brainer to be named. For the Sun, it's probably a great thing she isn't going. That means every one of its players besides Erin Phillips (who is playing for Australia) will have the entire month to rest and recharge, similar to the 2004 Connecticut team that went on a tear to finish the regular seasonand reached the WNBA finals.
Catchings gives the U.S. team added versatility in the frontcourt — U.S. coach Anne Donovan called her a "no-brainer" if she was healthy — while Milton-Jones (the third Sparks player on the team) will add more length and size. Milton-Jones was a member of the 2000 Olympic team that won gold in Sydney. Truthfully, I don't see why she is a far better pick than Swin Cash, but I guess she's a more natural power forward when compared to Cash, especially on a team loaded with centers in Lisa Leslie, Syvlia Fowles (if she's 100 percent), Tina Thompson and even Candace Parker. Lawson, one of the league's most respected veterans, will be making her first Olympic appearance.
Final Olympic spots to be revealed Thursday
USA Basketball will hold a conference call tomorrow at 3 p.m. to reveal the final three members of the U.S. national team that will travel to Beijing next month for the 2008 Olympics. Included on the call will be Anne Donovan, the coach of the national team; Val Ackerman, the president of USA basketball; Renee Brown, the committee chair for women's national team; and of course, the three final members.
As stated before, Sun guard Lindsay Whalen is a candidate. Outside of Sue Bird, the team lacks a true point guard among the first nine members, though Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter and Katie Smith are capable of handling the ball. Whalen's also hurt by the fact that she didn't spend a lot of time training with the team during the offseason, one because of her wedding and two, her commitments to her team overseas in Prague.
Other candidates to be added include Tamika Catchings (who appears to be a lock, considering she's played regular minutes since returning from injury), Kara Lawson (who also has a good shot because she's spent a lot of time training with the team during the offseason), Alana Beard, DeLisha Milton-Jones, Katie Douglas and Candice Wiggins.
It wasn't specified if the team's six alternates would also be announced, but it makes sense to reveal them at the same time as the final three members. Expect at least most of those names, plus others, to be among the alternates if not selected. Alternates do not travel to Beijing with the team, and no one can be added to the team after the final rosters are handed in, which is a day or two before the start of the games on Aug. 8.
As stated before, Sun guard Lindsay Whalen is a candidate. Outside of Sue Bird, the team lacks a true point guard among the first nine members, though Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter and Katie Smith are capable of handling the ball. Whalen's also hurt by the fact that she didn't spend a lot of time training with the team during the offseason, one because of her wedding and two, her commitments to her team overseas in Prague.
Other candidates to be added include Tamika Catchings (who appears to be a lock, considering she's played regular minutes since returning from injury), Kara Lawson (who also has a good shot because she's spent a lot of time training with the team during the offseason), Alana Beard, DeLisha Milton-Jones, Katie Douglas and Candice Wiggins.
It wasn't specified if the team's six alternates would also be announced, but it makes sense to reveal them at the same time as the final three members. Expect at least most of those names, plus others, to be among the alternates if not selected. Alternates do not travel to Beijing with the team, and no one can be added to the team after the final rosters are handed in, which is a day or two before the start of the games on Aug. 8.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Game Update: Shock down Sun, take season series
Final: Asjha Jones scored 21 points and Lindsay Whalen registered 20 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, but the Connecticut Sun fell to the Detroit Shock, 88-82, Tuesday at the Palace at Auburn Hills.
Plenette Piersen led five Detroit players in double figures with 23 points as the Shock (13-6) overtook Connecticut (13-7) for first place in the East, captured the season series between the two teams and sent the Sun to consecutive losses for the first time this season.
Other key factors: The Sun were outrebounded, 35-25,and outside Amber Holt (12 points), no other Connecticut player scored in double figures. Detroit meanwhile got 17 points from Katie Smith and 16 apiece from Cheryl Ford and Deanna Nolan.
Half: Jones, Sun lead Shock at half: Asjha Jones has 16 points, Amber Holt has seven and the Sun lead the Detroit Shock, 45-42, at the half at the Palace at Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Mich. Plenette Pierson leads the Shock with 11 points.
The Sun got off to a solid start, riding the strength of its reserves late in the first quarter to a 24-19 lead by the end of the frame. Jones continues to have good success against Detroit this season. She had 20 points in the teams' first match-up, 14 points in the first half last time at Detroit and is shooting 8-of-12 so far tonight.
Plenette Piersen led five Detroit players in double figures with 23 points as the Shock (13-6) overtook Connecticut (13-7) for first place in the East, captured the season series between the two teams and sent the Sun to consecutive losses for the first time this season.
Other key factors: The Sun were outrebounded, 35-25,and outside Amber Holt (12 points), no other Connecticut player scored in double figures. Detroit meanwhile got 17 points from Katie Smith and 16 apiece from Cheryl Ford and Deanna Nolan.
Half: Jones, Sun lead Shock at half: Asjha Jones has 16 points, Amber Holt has seven and the Sun lead the Detroit Shock, 45-42, at the half at the Palace at Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Mich. Plenette Pierson leads the Shock with 11 points.
The Sun got off to a solid start, riding the strength of its reserves late in the first quarter to a 24-19 lead by the end of the frame. Jones continues to have good success against Detroit this season. She had 20 points in the teams' first match-up, 14 points in the first half last time at Detroit and is shooting 8-of-12 so far tonight.
Two in the hand ...
The Sun and Shock tip off in about 30 minutes in Auburn Hills, Mich. I, like most of you, am back here in Connecticut awaiting two things from this game: Can the Sun clinch the season series against Detroit (they're tied 1-1), giving them a major leg-up down the road if they can stay in contention for one of the conference's top seeds in the playoffs? And, two, can they start a game off well?
A key to winning on the road is taking the crowd out early. The Sun have rarely accomplished that, and have made many of their road wins more difficult than need be because of poor starts. Once the league's last unbeaten team on the road, Connecticut is now 5-4 away from Mohegan (where it's compiled a conference-best eight wins). Detroit, meanwhile, hasn't lost yet at the Palace (7-0). If players like Tamika Whitmore and Barbara Turner especially can start hot, that can make a big difference for everyone else, as Turner is Connecticut's top deep threat and Whitmore usually plays better when she's shooting well early. That will also help to open things up inside for Asjha Jones and Lindsay Whalen, when she's driving.
Speaking of Whalen, no word yet (as of 6:30 p.m. ET) of the selection committee's announcement on the final three players who'll be named to the Olympic team. Whalen is a candidate — and a Seattle Times report said she is expected to — but because of overseas commitments, her wedding and other factors this past offseason, she was unable to attend many Olympic camps and tournaments, which may ultimately push her to alternate status. Sun coach Mike Thibault, also an assistant for the U.S. team, said his sense is Whalen will be an alternate, but he also may be playing his cards close as he also declined to name the three players he thinks will make it. (As an assistant, Thibault is not part of the selection committee directly.)
"I'm just trying to focus on what we're trying to do here," Whalen said, referring to the Sun's season. Swin Cash told the Seattle Times in the same report late last week that she had gotten a phone call last Tuesday informing she hadn't made the team, nor will she be an alternate.
The scout box for tonight's game is below, but first, Diana Taurasi surpassed 3,000 points in her career Tuesday by scoring 30 in Phoenix's 99-94 win over Houston. I was on hand for the Sun game three years ago when Nykesha Sales surpassed the 3,000-point plateau in her career. I was covering the game for the Register (I was an intern then), and to tell you the truth, that article probably helped me land the job here at the Bulletin. If Sales did play this year, she would have needed just 46 points to surpass 4,000 for her career.
Also, WNBA.com released its weekly power rankings. The Sun are No. 3, with Western Conference-leading San Antonio moving up to No. 1.
CONNECTICUT SUN at DETROIT SHOCK
7:30 p.m. today
The Palace at Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Mich.
Records: Connecticut 13-6; Detroit 12-6.
Last game: Connecticut lost Saturday to Indiana, 81-74; Detroit lost July 1 to San Antonio, 79-72.
Next game: Connecticut plays at Washington on Sunday; Detroit hosts Washington on Friday.
Internet: www.connecticutsun.com
Series: Detroit leads the all-time series, 19-14, and the teams have split the season series thus far. Connecticut beat Detroit on June 24, 85-68, at Mohegan, while Detroit won two days later at home, 70-61.
Injuries: Connecticut—none reported. Detroit—Elaine Powell (left foot sprain, day-to-day); Plenette Pierson (right knee sprain, day-to-day).
Scouting report: Connecticut is 9-2 when Asjha Jones, Lindsay Whalen and Tamika Whitmore all score in double figures, though that second loss came Saturday. The Sun are 4-4 when at least one of the three does not. ... The Sun are the second youngest team in the WNBA, with an average age of 25 years, eight days. Only the New York Liberty are younger (24 years, 19 days). ... Though listed on the injury report, Plenette Pierson played 22 minutes in Detroit’s last game, scoring 16 points. The Shock have also been off for the last week. ... All three of the Sun and Shock's match-ups this season have come with the teams in first and second place, respectively, in the Eastern Conference.
Connecticut
22 Barbara Turner 9.5
15 Asjha Jones 16.6
00 Tamika Whitmore 13.0
13 Lindsay Whalen 14.4
1 Amber Holt 5.8
Connecticut reserves
7 Sandrine Gruda 6.1
33 Jolene Anderson 4.9
10 Jamie Carey 3.6
Detroit
30 Katie Smith 15.9
35 Cheryl Ford 8.4
34 Tasha Humphrey 6.9
14 Deanna Nolan 14.7
55 Sheri Sam 2.9
Detroit reserves
23 Plenette Pierson 11.1
45 Kara Braxton 9.1
22 Alexis Hornbuckle 6.2
A key to winning on the road is taking the crowd out early. The Sun have rarely accomplished that, and have made many of their road wins more difficult than need be because of poor starts. Once the league's last unbeaten team on the road, Connecticut is now 5-4 away from Mohegan (where it's compiled a conference-best eight wins). Detroit, meanwhile, hasn't lost yet at the Palace (7-0). If players like Tamika Whitmore and Barbara Turner especially can start hot, that can make a big difference for everyone else, as Turner is Connecticut's top deep threat and Whitmore usually plays better when she's shooting well early. That will also help to open things up inside for Asjha Jones and Lindsay Whalen, when she's driving.
Speaking of Whalen, no word yet (as of 6:30 p.m. ET) of the selection committee's announcement on the final three players who'll be named to the Olympic team. Whalen is a candidate — and a Seattle Times report said she is expected to — but because of overseas commitments, her wedding and other factors this past offseason, she was unable to attend many Olympic camps and tournaments, which may ultimately push her to alternate status. Sun coach Mike Thibault, also an assistant for the U.S. team, said his sense is Whalen will be an alternate, but he also may be playing his cards close as he also declined to name the three players he thinks will make it. (As an assistant, Thibault is not part of the selection committee directly.)
"I'm just trying to focus on what we're trying to do here," Whalen said, referring to the Sun's season. Swin Cash told the Seattle Times in the same report late last week that she had gotten a phone call last Tuesday informing she hadn't made the team, nor will she be an alternate.
The scout box for tonight's game is below, but first, Diana Taurasi surpassed 3,000 points in her career Tuesday by scoring 30 in Phoenix's 99-94 win over Houston. I was on hand for the Sun game three years ago when Nykesha Sales surpassed the 3,000-point plateau in her career. I was covering the game for the Register (I was an intern then), and to tell you the truth, that article probably helped me land the job here at the Bulletin. If Sales did play this year, she would have needed just 46 points to surpass 4,000 for her career.
Also, WNBA.com released its weekly power rankings. The Sun are No. 3, with Western Conference-leading San Antonio moving up to No. 1.
CONNECTICUT SUN at DETROIT SHOCK
7:30 p.m. today
The Palace at Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Mich.
Records: Connecticut 13-6; Detroit 12-6.
Last game: Connecticut lost Saturday to Indiana, 81-74; Detroit lost July 1 to San Antonio, 79-72.
Next game: Connecticut plays at Washington on Sunday; Detroit hosts Washington on Friday.
Internet: www.connecticutsun.com
Series: Detroit leads the all-time series, 19-14, and the teams have split the season series thus far. Connecticut beat Detroit on June 24, 85-68, at Mohegan, while Detroit won two days later at home, 70-61.
Injuries: Connecticut—none reported. Detroit—Elaine Powell (left foot sprain, day-to-day); Plenette Pierson (right knee sprain, day-to-day).
Scouting report: Connecticut is 9-2 when Asjha Jones, Lindsay Whalen and Tamika Whitmore all score in double figures, though that second loss came Saturday. The Sun are 4-4 when at least one of the three does not. ... The Sun are the second youngest team in the WNBA, with an average age of 25 years, eight days. Only the New York Liberty are younger (24 years, 19 days). ... Though listed on the injury report, Plenette Pierson played 22 minutes in Detroit’s last game, scoring 16 points. The Shock have also been off for the last week. ... All three of the Sun and Shock's match-ups this season have come with the teams in first and second place, respectively, in the Eastern Conference.
Connecticut
22 Barbara Turner 9.5
15 Asjha Jones 16.6
00 Tamika Whitmore 13.0
13 Lindsay Whalen 14.4
1 Amber Holt 5.8
Connecticut reserves
7 Sandrine Gruda 6.1
33 Jolene Anderson 4.9
10 Jamie Carey 3.6
Detroit
30 Katie Smith 15.9
35 Cheryl Ford 8.4
34 Tasha Humphrey 6.9
14 Deanna Nolan 14.7
55 Sheri Sam 2.9
Detroit reserves
23 Plenette Pierson 11.1
45 Kara Braxton 9.1
22 Alexis Hornbuckle 6.2
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Long time, no see
Alright, I never intended for this to happen, but here I am, back on the blog for the first time since late Tuesday. Sorry about the extended absence. But I do have a few excuses: One, I had a chunk of the holiday break off, which was spent filtering in and out of the office, in and out of Connecticut and for a couple days there, putting together one of the longest pieces I've written while at the Bulletin: a look into the friendship of Asjha Jones and Tamika Raymond, who are finally on the same team after six years apart and have impacted each other immensely in coming back together. Check it out. If it's as fun to read as it was to put together, then I think it serves it's purpose.
As for everything Connecticut Sun basketball: With Saturday's 81-74 loss to Indiana, the Sun have officially fell into a rut. They've lost 3-5, are playing .500 ball (5-5) since June 13 and have now lost the season series to the Fever, who at 9-8 are keeping in striking range at third place in the conference.
There are several reasons to point to:
(1) Opponents. Since June 18, Connecticut has faced an improving Phoenix team twice and both times, Diana Taurasi was firing on all cylinders. They also played at Detroit (the second best team in the East and perhaps the league), needed overtime to beat an Atlanta team desperate for win (and it finally got one Saturday), and most recently, fell to Indiana, who is turning into a bugaboo for the Sun. After winning 16 of 21 match-ups, the Sun now have dropped their last four to the Fever, including two in last year's playoffs. With the season series already decided, the teams meet again at Conseco Fieldhouse on August 28 for the first game back after the Olympic break.
Also the Fever got an unlikely offensive source during Saturday's win. Tully Bevilaqua (she of all of 6.2 points per game) hit all five 3s she took to finish with 17 points. She ignited the opening period, making 3-of-3 to start the game, and then plucked away at certain points late. Take away her night and the Sun make a few more 3s (conceivable, considering they 2-of-17) it's a different game.
But that's all shoulda, woulda, coulda.
(2) Youth. The Sun are young, inexperienced and full of rookies. A lull is expected at some point in the season, and this is largely it. Fortunately for the Sun, they've managed to hold the top spot because other teams are going through the same thing. For example, Detroit, which also plays three rookies regularly, have also lost three of five. In one of those games, Tasha Humphrey, Alexis Hornbucle and Olayinka Sanni combined for one point. In another loss, they combined for zero.
On the flip-side, the league's most experienced teams are surging. San Antonio and Seattle both have won three straight, pulling them in line with Los Angeles (which has lost three straight), while Houston has won eight of 10. The Comets are also relying on rookies (especially Matee Ajavon and Erica White) but neither are starting regularly and they have very-veteran players at those same positions (think Pee Wee Johnson).
(3) Shooting. Obviously, every team has its own problems outside of struggling rookies that will explain slip-ups and some teams are doing things that transcend basic experience. The Sun's been hurt by shooting woes in certain areas (they outshot Indiana, 44.8 percent to 38.8, overall, but of course, missed 15-of-17 from 3 and made 12 free throws to Indiana's 21). And at times, there have been defensive lapses. Sun coach Mike Thibault said Saturday he may have made a coaching mistake but switching between man-to-man defense and zone.
But if you take the last three losses, if the Sun simply shot better in one area, it would have made a difference. They started out poorly at Detroit, couldn't hit all game against Phoenix (35.4 percent, 6-of-28 from 3) and then, Saturday was Saturday. Sometimes it's as simple as that. The Sun have good outside shooters, but players like Barbara Turner and rookies Amber Holt and Kerri Gardin can tend to be streaky. That also includes post players like Tamika Whitmore and Asjha Jones, who at times settle too much from the outside, which adds to the team's woes when, A) they're not hitting, and B) no one's underneath to rebound because its post players were the ones shooting.
Now it's on to Detroit, a huge game that will decide the season series and undoubtedly play a major role later in the season as far as tie-breakers. I'll have more on this tomorrow and Tuesday.
As for everything Connecticut Sun basketball: With Saturday's 81-74 loss to Indiana, the Sun have officially fell into a rut. They've lost 3-5, are playing .500 ball (5-5) since June 13 and have now lost the season series to the Fever, who at 9-8 are keeping in striking range at third place in the conference.
There are several reasons to point to:
(1) Opponents. Since June 18, Connecticut has faced an improving Phoenix team twice and both times, Diana Taurasi was firing on all cylinders. They also played at Detroit (the second best team in the East and perhaps the league), needed overtime to beat an Atlanta team desperate for win (and it finally got one Saturday), and most recently, fell to Indiana, who is turning into a bugaboo for the Sun. After winning 16 of 21 match-ups, the Sun now have dropped their last four to the Fever, including two in last year's playoffs. With the season series already decided, the teams meet again at Conseco Fieldhouse on August 28 for the first game back after the Olympic break.
Also the Fever got an unlikely offensive source during Saturday's win. Tully Bevilaqua (she of all of 6.2 points per game) hit all five 3s she took to finish with 17 points. She ignited the opening period, making 3-of-3 to start the game, and then plucked away at certain points late. Take away her night and the Sun make a few more 3s (conceivable, considering they 2-of-17) it's a different game.
But that's all shoulda, woulda, coulda.
(2) Youth. The Sun are young, inexperienced and full of rookies. A lull is expected at some point in the season, and this is largely it. Fortunately for the Sun, they've managed to hold the top spot because other teams are going through the same thing. For example, Detroit, which also plays three rookies regularly, have also lost three of five. In one of those games, Tasha Humphrey, Alexis Hornbucle and Olayinka Sanni combined for one point. In another loss, they combined for zero.
On the flip-side, the league's most experienced teams are surging. San Antonio and Seattle both have won three straight, pulling them in line with Los Angeles (which has lost three straight), while Houston has won eight of 10. The Comets are also relying on rookies (especially Matee Ajavon and Erica White) but neither are starting regularly and they have very-veteran players at those same positions (think Pee Wee Johnson).
(3) Shooting. Obviously, every team has its own problems outside of struggling rookies that will explain slip-ups and some teams are doing things that transcend basic experience. The Sun's been hurt by shooting woes in certain areas (they outshot Indiana, 44.8 percent to 38.8, overall, but of course, missed 15-of-17 from 3 and made 12 free throws to Indiana's 21). And at times, there have been defensive lapses. Sun coach Mike Thibault said Saturday he may have made a coaching mistake but switching between man-to-man defense and zone.
But if you take the last three losses, if the Sun simply shot better in one area, it would have made a difference. They started out poorly at Detroit, couldn't hit all game against Phoenix (35.4 percent, 6-of-28 from 3) and then, Saturday was Saturday. Sometimes it's as simple as that. The Sun have good outside shooters, but players like Barbara Turner and rookies Amber Holt and Kerri Gardin can tend to be streaky. That also includes post players like Tamika Whitmore and Asjha Jones, who at times settle too much from the outside, which adds to the team's woes when, A) they're not hitting, and B) no one's underneath to rebound because its post players were the ones shooting.
Now it's on to Detroit, a huge game that will decide the season series and undoubtedly play a major role later in the season as far as tie-breakers. I'll have more on this tomorrow and Tuesday.
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