The New York Liberty did everything right in the Eastern Conference semifinals. They dominated Game 1. They fought back from 17 down in Game 2. And they had the Detroit Shock, the WNBA’s best team in the regular season, on the ropes in the decisive Game 3 Tuesday night. The Liberty led by 10 at halftime, by six after three quarters and still by five with 1:59 left in overtime.
But it wasn’t enough to take the heart of a champion.
Certainly not Deanna Nolan’s. She shot 26 times when her team couldn’t generate any offense and came through with a game-high 22 points and six assists, playing all 45 minutes.
Not Cheryl Ford’s. She was perfect when her team needed her to be, shooting 5-for-5 in the first half. And then continued to be there even when medical reasoning screamed otherwise, playing 39 minutes for 17 points and 10 rebounds on a throbbing left knee.
Not Katie Smith’s. She was enduring yet another awful shooting night against New York: 2-for-9 through the first three quarters. She staring at the prospect of ending her worst-shooting season with her worst playoff series ever. But Smith made two 3-pointers that saved Detroit’s season, one that gave the Shock its largest lead of the game – 60-55 in the fourth quarter – and another in overtime that cut the five-point deficit to 69-67.
Not Plenette Pierson’s. The WNBA’s inaugural Sixth Woman of the Year didn’t have her best game, perhaps distracted by the pregame ceremony and definitely bothered by late foul trouble, but made the pass heard around the WNBA, finding Swin Cash right down the middle for what turned out to be the game-winning score with 5.8 seconds left.
It’s cliché, and Shock head coach Bill Laimbeer knows it, but the 71-70 overtime victory at The Palace was a testament to his team’s fortitude. And he doesn’t mind it one bit as he now prepares for his second consecutive appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals, which begin Friday in Indianapolis.
“You can call it championship poise, you can call it strong will, you can call it tough mindedness, you can call it all of the above, all the clichés, all of the adjectives you want to put on it,” Laimbeer said. “We are just hard-nosed basketball players. From the coaching staff to the players to our trainer, it’s a hard-nosed team that refuses to die.”
The Shock trailed 8-2 out of the gate, and the deficit was 33-23 by halftime. Detroit’s 23 first-half points were the fewest all season – they had 23 in the second quarter alone in the Game 2 victory.
The previous low was the 25 points Detroit scored in the first half of Game 1 at New York, a statistic that says it all about the Liberty and the threat they posed to the Shock’s championship reign. The Liberty didn’t show a crack in their armor until the end, when they kept the door open by shooting 5-for-8 (62.5 percent) from the foul line in the fourth quarter. In overtime, forward Janel McCarville missed the second of two free throws (from a BS call anyway) with 3.7 seconds left that ultimately proved to be New York’s undoing. One missed free throw – that was the margin for error in this series. And the Shock made them pay for it.
The home-court advantage that Laimbeer drove his team toward all summer, paid tremendous dividends as The Palace crowd kept his team’s spirits alive down the stretch.
“I think any time you play at home, the crowd is a bonus, especially when they get loud like they did and big plays are happening on both sides of the ball,” Laimbeer said. “…They kept Cheryl going in the game when she was really starting to fatigue and wear down, she hasn’t played very much at all and her knee’s bothering her. And push Nolan to take shots. It’s just one of those things that’s fun to have at home.”
Ford played 10 scoreless minutes in Game 1, and produced a double-double in 26 minutes in Game 2. But none of that prepared anyone to see her take the leap she took Tuesday night, battling several Liberty players in the paint on every possession.
“The horse (that's a poor choice Bill) of the day and the biggest heart that you’re ever going to see if you knew what was going on behind the scenes, was Cheryl Ford today,” Laimbeer said. “I played her 39 minutes – in my wildest dreams I would not have played her 39 minutes. But she said, ‘I’m okay, I’m going to go.’ And the heart she had to perform the way she did today was phenomenal.”
Ford, who days ago was still limited to rehab and private workouts, has been delighted just to be playing again. She'd call it heart before she called it heroics.
“I think this is all about our personality,” Ford said. “Everybody on our team has been through hard times and we all know how to come through adversity. We just have to play together and stick together. It’s one team and one goal.”

They play the Indiana Fever Friday 8pm on ESPN2.

Roll call.

Who's going???

I'm taking my daughter to the Sunday afternoon one. $10 a ticket.

Surprised no one's talking about the Shock right now, their defense > the Pistons' by far.

Seriously, I'm really not.

Especially minus the TERRIBLE Ruth Riley. I never realized how much I didn't like her till she was gone. Cheryl Ford > Karl Malone.

Deanna Nolan > Chauncey Billups too. But what the fuck is up with Katie Smith, Fool? Does Laimbeer give her the green light to take those bad three pointers (though to her credit she made a couple big ones against the Liberty in game 3)?

She's having a down year but she's money from the arc. She's saved a lot of games though and she's definetly clutch. I want to fuck Deanna Nolan. The WNBA version of A.I.

So are you saying you'd like to fuck A.I.?

And who would you rather face? SA or PHX? I watched game 1 of their series and that was crazy shit.

Those were independant statements about Nolan. But everyone wants to fuck A.I. And I rather beat Phx just because I don't want San Antonio to get to another fucking Finals, even if it would be the first for their women.

Its a good product. More people should give it an honest try.

The playoffs this year have been really good, certainly a lot better than the NBA's.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/live/user_photo/lg_monarchs06_9422.jpg
MUST WIN COMING UP MOTHERFUCKERS!!
GO SHOCK!!

Shock up 20 (59-39), 4:07 left in 3rd...I really like how Laimbeer always has his team respond after tough losses.

Laimbeer's teams are good out of the half as well, but dude can't draw up a play during timeouts to save his life. They NEVER score after a timeout.

30 pts for Nolan. Fucking insane. Gonna need Katie Smith to show up in the Finals though. Indiana's best player got hurt just before haftime (Detroit had already taken the lead) which is nothing new for that state.

Finals start Wednesday. PHX is just like their male counterparts. Run-n-gun but no defense. Score the league high and allow the league high. Diana Taurasi is a name plenty of people should recall. She's their best player. PHX games get into the 90s and 100s so those who bitch about 50-something games should be satisfied by this series. Detroit won the two regular season meetings, one close, one a blowout. If PHX starts collapsing too much on the paint their fucked. Detroit starts slow so if you turn it on and see the Shock down 9 in the opening 5 minutes its not the end of the game, just the typical situation. Detroit has yet to win a road game in the playoffs (they've only played 2) and yet to lose a home game (out of 4).

7pm Wednesday bitches. The Tigers are playing at the same time on Wed. so you might as well watch a good team with a sane coach (yeah that's right, Shock smack AND I called Laimbeer sane in comparison to another professional coach/manager).

WNBA Finals tickets appear to be in very high demand.


Want to go to the WNBA Finals...for free?

The WNBA Finals are back in Detroit, thanks to the Shock. The atmosphere in the 2003 and 2006 Finals was incredible - packed arenas (Palace and Joe Louis) - and people really into their hoops.

- Thanks to some sponsors, there are 4,000 tickets available FOR FREE for Games 1 and 2 at The Palace.

- So here's the deal, straight from the Palace peeps: "Fans who want to attend Wednesday or Saturday's games, need only call The Palace of Auburn Hills during normal business hours at 248-377-0100 and ask for the free tickets to either Game One or Game Two...When fans are asked for the secret word, they need to respond FINALS to get their tickets. Fans may pick up their tickets at The Palace Box Office. Tip-off for Game 1 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and Game 2 is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. The defending champion Detroit Shock are meeting the Mercury in the playoffs for the first time ever. The Shock also won the WNBA Title in 2003.

- So no excuses for not seeing some good hoops.

I give them credit for making an effort to not have the appearance of an empty arena for the huge TV audience.

Shock > Tigers.

Fact.

Went to the 2nd Fever game for $10 a seat. Sat below the lower suites (just off the floor). Might have to see if I can get Bella (my daughter) for that Saturday game.

Ouch.


Paltry Palace crowd rates as a shocker

AUBURN HILLS -- So what happens if the WNBA holds the Finals and nobody shows up?

There's no other way to describe the attendance at The Palace for Wednesday's Game 1 of the Finals, a 108-101 Shock victory over the Mercury: Nobody came.

The Palace, which holds 22,076, hedged its bets for a light crowd. The black curtains were down, covering the empty upper section of the arena.

There were many signs that it was the Finals -- banners, thunderstix, cute kids with signs supporting the Shock. Even season-ticket holder Chauncey Billups came out to support the team.

But if only about 5,000 showed and there were 4,000 free tickets available, what does that say about the WNBA? It should be noted the official attendance was reported as 10,513, which points to some creative counting.

Palace president Tom Wilson said he was stumped as to why his arena was only a fourth full.

"I wish I knew what exactly kept people away," Wilson said, shrugging his shoulders. "Maybe it was the short turnaround between games, or maybe the start of school, or people stuck at work -- who knows? We didn't have much time to really get the word out.

"But we're very confident that Saturday will bring out the large, enthusiastic Shock crowd that The Palace is known for."

The Palace has drawn good crowds -- around 10,000 without accounting creativity -- during this playoff run. There was even a WNBA-sized sellout, (the kind with the curtains down), of 11,425 during the Eastern Conference finals.

The Shock led the WNBA in attendance this season, averaging 9,749. And a one-day turnaround isn't enough time to get the word out, or even generate much marketing buzz, for a niche product such as women's basketball.

The Shock last played on Labor Day, beating the Fever to reach their second straight Finals.

For Saturday's Game 2, which is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., there still are 3,000 of the 4,000 free tickets available.

However, Michigan is playing Oregon on ABC at 3:30 p.m. I dare say, given what transpired last Saturday with the Wolverines, that a few people might be watching that game.

Things look even more uncertain for a championship-deciding Game 5, which would be played at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16. The scheduling geniuses put it against the Lions home opener, which kicks off at 4:05 p.m. against the Vikings.

There's always going to be something going on in the sports world, making scheduling nearly impossible. But picking and choosing better times, and giving The Palace time to sell some tickets might help boost the crowd and bottom line.

Still, WNBA president Donna Orender said she's not concerned about the poor turnout for Game 1 or what could happen in Game 2.

"I don't think this is a bad turnout, I really don't," she said. "We expect Saturday to be to be a packed house. The fans in Detroit are known for really supporting the Shock. We have built up a strong brand identity with the WNBA We're family driven entertainment, we still have athletes who are accessible, which is a rarity in this day and age."

And that's the thing that should give the WNBA and the Shock pause -- this is a town, and a state, that supports women's basketball.

Capacity Shock crowds have packed The Palace and Joe Louis Arena. The Michigan State women's team has nearly filled the Breslin Center on a regular basis. Marketing isn't fighting upstream here against bias directed toward female athletes.

But somehow, there was a major disconnect for Game 1 of the WNBA championship.

Which is a shame, because the game was pretty exciting.

The WNBA has a slogan asking, "Have you seen Her?"

Perhaps it should be changed to: "Will you come out for Game 2?"

Lets see. Watch the Tigers struggle to eek out a 2-1 win against a dog shit team or watch the Shock win the first game of the Finals without their best player?

Ford was out with the ankle injury that she's been fighting through all playoffs (and that kept her out all of the 2nd half of the season) but the Shock still dominated inside.

Ok, so it took 7 minutes for the Shock to get down 10 (not 5 minutes for them to get down 9) but the game ran pretty much as predicted.
PHX comes out shooting. Det comes out missing. Det starts getting serious about going inside and its all layups, in the paint jumpers, and free throws from there. Det bench outscored PHX 52-12. Hi Joe Dumars. The Shocks bench scored almost half of their team's 108 game winning points. Did the Piston bench score that the entire playoffs?

Taurasi had more fouls than points in the first half (0 - 4). She sat most of the third with her 5th foul and ended up fouling out playing only 22 minutes (way to step your game up for the finals, franchise). So basically the two best players on both teams sat this one out and the game still got into the 100s.

BTW, 72 4th quarter points.

Bill Laimbeer>Flip

Bill Laimbeer>Flip
Yes, But not even Glenn can see it.

Either way when the WNBA crumbles I still think he'll be a good NBA coach.

Shock up 1-0. 2 more wins away from the 3rd title in 5 years BABY!

Shock up 1-0. 2 more wins away from the 3rd title in 5 years BABY!
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2006-05/18/xin_020503181034653385417.jpg

HowEmbarassing = the Shock's loss today in game 2.

Katie Smith and Deana Nolan were very Chauncey-like in NEVER driving against the Suns zone. Nor did they help out their front court be cutting when the double team (that everyone knew was coming before the series began) collapsed on their bigs. Basically they sat at the arc THE ENTIRE GAME and so we had no chance. Johnson was the only woman who attempted to slash toward the bucket AND SHE USUALLY FOUND SOMEONE WHO GOT A QUALITY ATTEMPT. Once the deficit got around 16 the perimeter defense got later and later and the thing turned into a blow out.

This thread has reached 3 pages...plenty of seats still available, guys!!

The WNBA is giving MLS a run for it's muny.

BTW, there were plenty of people there to watch that debacle Sat. They had about 2/3s of the upper deck open and it was filled.

When in the hell is game 3?

2:24pm EST on Wednesday

Oh, ok. Interesting time...

Thanks Glenn!

I think they're having an early bird dinner buffet beforehand to try and attract some of the area senior citizens.

What are you talking about Glenn? Game 3 is on right now (started at 9pm Tuesday).

Boom Shock win. Couldn't watch the game I was busy getting a fucking traffic ticket but from the box score it looks like Deana Nolan (who's better than Chauncey) carried the team with a double double (20pts 10 rebs) and actually made an effort to drive a bit (that's a guess from the 6 FTA/M). She also had 6 dimes. Katie Smith was on from 3 (4-8) and ended up with a team high 22. Looks like she camped at the arc as she had 0 boards and also fouled out (though she played 35 minutes of a 40 minute game). Super sub (and 6th woman of the year) Pierson had a solid performance and Cheryl Ford grabbed 13 boards in 27 minutes (good to see that she was able to play. Have to see if she's alright to play game four which is Thursday 8:30pm not Sunday at 7am or whatever Glenn).

PHX shot twice as many foul shots (28/31 to 12/15) but also shot nearly twice as many threes and didn't make shit of those (5 out of 31). Their coach Paul Westhead (not Paul Westphal the former Suns coach) is known for saying that "any shot is a good shot" (supposedly meaning that a miss is better than a turnover). I wonder if he thought those 26 misses from the arc were all good shots.

Reading the Recap: Nolan didn't drive (4 of those 6 FTs were in the final 8 seconds) and the Shock lead the whole game.

From message boards:
Diana Taurasi seemed to be getting every shooter's roll imaginable. She ended up with 22 points. However, the rest of the Mercury didn't get the same benefit. They missed a ton of shots tonight. That one trip down the court where they had 5 separate possessions and failed to score was one of the deciding factors.

The bench for the Mercury saw only two players in the game and then they only contributed 6 points. The Shock bench outscored them 31-6! I know the Mercury starting five is one phenomenal quintet but they need a little bit more help than that.

This thread is aply named.

Damnit! I fell asleep before the game started. When's the clincher?

Nevermind...Thursday.

FYI: Taurasi is a whiny bitch:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/mercury/articles/0911mercuryonline11.html


According to Mercury players who watched the film, there was a series of elbows from Pierson, a former Mercury forward, at midcourt as they raced toward the Detroit basket. Taylor teammate Diana Taurasi said there was more than just elbows.

"She threw a punch, easy as that," said Taurasi, who scored 15 of her 22 points in a hard-fought second half. "We just saw the film. If you get hit in the face, and it's not a punch, I don't know what else it is."

Taurasi's anger first flared when she walked to the interview room after the Mercury loss. Near the door, she confronted WNBA Chief of Operations Renee Brown. Taurasi was suspended for two games at midseason for using profanity toward officials late in a regular-season loss to - of all teams - Detroit.

When asked if the WNBA should look at the film and consider a similar disciplinary measure against Pierson, Taurasi said:

"I think the league should look at it. If you get suspended for cursing, I think you should be suspended for slapping someone."

Was it a slap or a punch?

I'd still hit it.

Obviously staged drama, WWE-style.

CLINCHER'S TONIGHT!!

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070913/SPORTS04/709130381/1052



Laimbeer gets behind the laptop, interacts with hecklers as 'SFO'

September 13, 2007

BY CHRIS SILVA

Scroll through the pages of Rebkell.com, a WNBA message board, and you will come across a thread titled: "Laimbeer's House of Thug School."

On the thread Wednesday, someone by the name of "bballfan" posted a mock pamphlet on what you can learn at the school, things such as how to act innocent, how to argue with refs, basic thuggery and opponent intimidation skills, taking a technical for the team and the Ancient Art of Flopping.

A few posts below, "SFO" replied: "And it only costs $10k to attend with a $100 discount for a second attendee."

SFO is an acronym for Shock Front Office. And the man behind the screen name is none other than Shock coach/Bad Boy Bill Laimbeer himself.

"That was pretty good," he said of the thread during Shock practice. "I liked that one."

Laimbeer visits the site nearly every day and is an occasional poster (he had 215 posts as of Wednesday.

"It's funny to read some of the stuff," he said. "Some of the stuff is from other (league) insiders that post stuff that they know for a fact, but it's behind-the-scenes stuff, so you can pick up a couple of things there."

But why does Laimbeer post on a message board, especially one that takes cheap shots at him and his team?

"Why not?" he said. "I'm not giving away any secrets, I'm not doing anything stupid. I'm just either confirming stuff or making funny comments or things like that -- or starting a debate on something."

So does Laimbeer frequent other fan sites or message boards?

"No," he said, "that's about it."

ESPN.com? "Nope."

Not even wtfdetroit.com?

"Nope, sorry."

Bitch-made.

LOL, that's great...I'm browsing through his posts as of right now.

You're all missing a great game.

The 4th is just starting, Detroit up by 3 60-57.

Katie Smith is burning the world from 3 point land.

PHX takes the lead on a 3, Detroit gets an easy layup on the next possession to take it back.

Nolan gave he ball away and PHX takes a 3 point lead.

2 layups for Detroit after a timeout and Detroit back in the lead.

3 consecutive stops. Nevermind.

More inside buckets for Detroit.

Nolan with her second block. The PG. So much better than Chauncey.
She's even got a better pull up in the lane going left then Chauncey.

Taurasi with 5 fouls. She's the dumbest player in the league.

WHAT A SHIT CALL IN THE LAST 2 MINUTES.

STOP!

SHIT! Turnover. Shock up 1 with just under a minute left. Phx ball. Timeout.

Fuck. Phx scores. Ford is hurt. Phx up by 1. 42 seconds left.

NOLAN! 2!

Fuck. Phx 2.

18.6 seconds left.

Shock couldn't get a good shot. Lose by 1. Good D by the Mercury. Ford being helped off the court. No way she plays Sunday.

Will be much more sweeter when they win it in Detroit.

Fool that was awesome. That play by play you did made me feel like I was at the game.

Fool that was awesome. That play by play you did made me feel like I was at the game.

I watched the game and turned the sound down for Fool's commentary. I think he has a future in internet forum play by play.
I can;t believe I did watch that shlock.The Shlock look every bit as inept in crunch time scoring as the boy Detroit basketball team does.

Forgot game 5 was on! Fuck!

Shock getting their ass kicked, nothing to see here...

Shock down 11 with like 3 mins left. *sigh*

At least Davidson saved some $ by not having to switch the street signs and his company letterhead.

sad. after the Lion's preserving their undefeated record and the tiger's keeping hope alive, i was hoping the shock would have been icing on the cake.

ah well, have you seen her?

I was too saddened to even comment on the game.

ah well, have you seen her?

lmfao

Fuck! The Shock traded Swin Cash to Seattle for the 4th pick in the April draft. This is awful.

I'm no longer a Shock fan.

http://www.wnba.com/media/storm/cash_080219.mp3

Expected pick with that #4



Candice Wiggins

Stanford

G

5-11½
Excellent all-around player who has extended 3-point range. A two-time Pac-10 Tournament MVP who has played all perimeter positions throughout her Stanford career.

Swin's production has been down the last couple of years, but we need to look at the big picture. She was the only member of the Shock that was pretty decent to look at.

Swin's production has been down the last couple of years, but we need to look at the big picture. She was the only member of the Shock that was pretty decent to look at.
What's wrong with Laimbeer?

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/images/bill-laimbeer-laughing.jpg

or his hawt daughter? I'd hit it!... the chick. Not the dad (not speaking for MoTown)

http://www.suathletics.com/images/basketball/wbasket/2006/9/19/Laimbeer_Keri06_web.jpg
http://www.suathletics.com/roster.asp?playerid=1864&sport=177&roster=191&path=wbasket

Got OGT?

Fool?

They're in season?

Really? Glad I haven't seen any of it.

Can someone, maybe Fool, explain "Expect Great."?

I believe there is supposed to be a question mark between the two words to signify someone asking "You've got expectations of the WNBA? Great, that means you've heard of us."

P.S. Glenn, I don't start to follow the team till after the Pistons are Spurred (read as: DONE). And I don't do game threads even for the Pistons.

I believe there is supposed to be a question mark between the two words to signify someone asking "You've got expectations of the WNBA? Great, that means you've heard of us."



http://www.wnba.com/media/WNBAEG-LP-header.jpg

Comes across as poor grammar to me, seems like they are trying to say "Expect greatness."

Hopefully not, they can't meet those expectations.

My interpretation is the correct one.

Yeah, that just does come across as poor grammar. Pisses me off every time I see the commercial as well as every so often because I think about how it pissed me off and it pisses me off some more.

Why not just say "greatness?" That's fucking awful.

Expecting? Grrrrrreeeeeeaaaat.

No? Ok, nevermind.

It barely beat out the other slogan:

We Play Good

Gooder

Have you seen her?

They beat Indiana

It barely beat out the other slogan:

We Strong Wimmens, We Make Ball In Hoop

On a somewhat related note, there's been a Maxwell or sum odd coffee commercial on MSNBC with the slogan "Make some good."

Pissin' me off.

I want to know why the Shock-Sparks game is not on TV tonight.

I want to know why the Shock-Sparks game is not on TV tonight.

Sounds like you were Expect Great.

AND THERE'S OVERTIME AT THE PALACE!

also if this cuts into the Tigers I am ending my life

Oh my god.

YES! I am so excited that this shouldn't go to another OT!

Ended right on time.

Yes, it was perfect. I watched the end of the only Shock game I will ever watch, they won, and the Tigers immediately start.

Nolan, the best PG in Detroit right now, scored 44 points in that game.

Nolan > Chauncey

Who the fuck's Chauncey? Nolan is the best Detroit PG since Zeke.

She's a Superwoman
Yes she is

WHY CAN'T I FIND ANY DEANNA NOLAN JERSEYS?

Expect Great.

Not from a Glenn post, I don't.

You loved me last week, pookie.

I hardly think that has changed.

Pookie?

Take that shit to the NBA forum.

Last week when you were claiming Pee Wee's Funny House was better than Heat? I don't think so.

You're overcompensating now, let's talk professional women's basketball.

2 titles > 1.

I'm overcompensating? How so?

Cherly Ford > Sheed + Dice

I'm overcompensating? How so?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/basketball/ncaa/all.america/t1_aashelden2_all.jpg

FUCK YOU!

And FUCK the fucking horse with the broken leg you rode in on!

I do hope you can make it out to the next Throatfuck show though, Glenn.

Who's wearing red for the game tomorrow?

http://www.wnba.com/media/shock/gored_080617_01.gif

There's a "take your dog to the game" day, soon.

Alos, they got blown out last night to drop to 2nd in the East Behind Conneticut, the team that blew them out.


"We came in with a sense of entitlement, not urgency, and it cost us,'' Detroit coach Bill Laimbeer (http://www.wnba.com/coachfile/bill_laimbeer/index.html) said. "We have some internal problems we need to fix.''

I bet Bill hates that Curry got the Piston job with arguably less coaching experience then him.

Over/Under on "dog = WNBA player" comment is 3 posts.

I bet Bill hates that Curry got the Piston job with arguably less coaching experience then him.


Thanks, that made my day.

11-4

THE ASCENT TO GREAT CONTINUES.

11-4

THE ASCENT TO GREAT CONTINUES.
The Expect of Great does as well.

6-0 at home, BTW.

THIS team does a good job of defending The Palace.

FIRE LAIMBEER

I EXPECT MORE GREAT THAN THIS

7-0 at home and Glenn is still angry about something.

Glenn hates all things. Especially winning with two starters and your first player off the bench all injured.

I'd rather watch a WNBA game than an NBA game.
And Nolan run the point instead of Billups. Deanna > Chauncey.

Expect Great > Believe In Now.

Shock 64, Liberty 74

Game to forget, that's for damn sure. NY went on a big run down the stretch and we couldn't stop turning the ball over in the 2nd half.

Went to the Tiger game tonight. The women's version of basketball is way more interesting than that sport.

BRAWL!

I caught the 4th quarter against Los Angeles, and wow.

If the Pistons had gotten fucked by the refs like that, there would have been blood. That was a whole new level of favoritism.

A bench-clearing brawl on both sides after the final ridiculous call basically handed LA a game everyone in the building knew they were about to lose.

The final straw was Lisa Leslie crying tears after rick mahorn pushed her out of the pile-up, and she lost her balance and fell down.

And of course they interview her (and nobody else) after the fight, and she cries and acts like Mahorn was beating her in front of her daughter, and how the poor LA sparks were being victimized by the big bad physical shock bullies.

Really, It wouldn't have hurt my feelings if someone had broken that bitch's jaw. What a drama queen, crying tears after falling on the floor.

Sucked that Cheryl Ford tore her knee up trying to break the fight up. She deserved better.

I will watch more women's basketball if this happens more often. Maybe they should make fighting legal like hockey.

Bra and panties match, anyone?

*thinks about above statement*

*shudders*

Nevermind.

DETROIT FANS ARE A BUNCH OF PUNKS!

Lol @ that stupid cunt hitting Mahorn.

Wish I could see a video of that going down.

Sucked that Cheryl Ford tore her knee up trying to break the fight up. She deserved better.

I'm sure Glenn's happy.

Courageous
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/eb/fullj.6aa73d6f2bb032f5d057e37c5168f9c6/6aa73d6f2bb032f5d057e37c5168f9c6-getty-80796189ae022_shock_sparks.jpg

I'm sure Glenn's happy.

Not true, I don't want anyone to get hurt.

I may be indifferent/oblivious, but I'm not a monster.

Although the pic is pretty funny and now I am loling.

Disregard post #131

I wish I was Pearson in that situation...

Did Karl Malone jump out of the stands and rip his shirt off, Hulk Hogan-style?

I wouldn't be opposed to Lisa Leslie eating a Malone elbow, that's for sure.

http://z.about.com/d/prowrestling/1/0/l/A/-/-/hogan3.jpg

The WNBA on Wednesday said it is reviewing the skirmish involving the Los Angeles Sparks and Detroit Shock on Tuesday night at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

"The WNBA is reviewing the incident in its entirety," WNBA communications director Ron Howard said.

Candace Parker was one of three players ejected, along with Detroit assistant coach Rick Mahorn, after the scuffle with 4.6 seconds left in the Los Angeles Sparks' 84-81 victory over the Shock.

The melee started moments after Parker and Detroit's Cheryl Ford had to be separated after Ford fouled Parker.

On the next possession, Parker got tangled up with Detroit's Plenette Pierson and fell to the ground. As Parker was getting up, Pierson hovered over the Sparks' rookie, who pulled her to the ground.

Parker then was tackled by the Shock's Deanna Nolan. Players and coaches from both teams joined in, and Mahorn -- who said he simply was trying to separate players -- pushed the Sparks' Lisa Leslie at one point and knocked her to the court. Los Angeles' DeLisha Milton-Jones then pushed and punched Mahorn in the back.

"I don't even know why was he pushing me down," Leslie said. "I wasn't swinging or hitting anybody. I was just going to go help my teammate up."

When order was restored, Parker, Pierson, Milton-Jones and Mahorn were ejected, and Nolan and Los Angeles' Shannon Bobbitt received technicals.

"To be honest, I don't recall exactly what happened," Parker said. "I'll have to watch the tape."

In addition to the four who were ejected, WNBA rules stipulate that players who left the bench are subject to a minimum one-game suspension and a fine -- much like NBA players.

Not only was this the site of the ugly Pacers-Pistons brawl in 2004 that involved fans, Mahorn also was involved in that melee. He was then a Detroit broadcaster and went into the crowd to try to pull Indiana's Ron Artest away from fans.

"I was trying to protect the whole game, the integrity of the game," Mahorn said of Tuesday's ejection. "The WNBA is very special to me … I would never push a woman. This game, I love this game too much."

Shock coach Bill Laimbeer -- who teamed with Mahorn to form the core of the Pistons' "Bad Boys" clubs that won championships in 1989 and 1990 -- and Los Angeles' Michael Cooper both came to Mahorn's defense.

"Rick Mahorn is known as a peacemaker, from even the brawl we had here with Indiana," Laimbeer said. "He went out there to get people off the pile, and to get people to stop the confrontation. That's who he is, that's what he does."

Added Cooper: "I think Rick was trying to play peacemaker, but he's just too big. I was only trying to grab my players, and I didn't see exactly what happened, but he apparently gently tried to push Lisa away."

Ford sprained her right knee while trying to restrain Pierson, and left the floor in a wheelchair.

"That was unfortunate, but things like that happen in basketball sometimes," Milton-Jones said. "The league is going to have to decide what kind of action to take."

Brawls occur in the NBA -- the New York Knicks and Miami Heat were involved in one during the 1997 playoffs -- but this apparently was a first in the women's pro game.

"I haven't seen something like that, I don't think, in my whole career. This is pretty rare," said Detroit veteran guard Katie Smith, who will be teammates with Leslie, Parker and Milton-Jones at the Beijing Olympics.

Although the league, now in its 12th season, is still looking to broaden its fan base, this is hardly what anyone had in mind.

"This is not the way we want to represent ourselves and the WNBA," Leslie said, "and for it to be a television game, obviously, it'll probably make some highlights. And this is not the way we want to get attention."

These chicks really need to be straightened out.

seewhatididthere?

I wish the Shock would have just been allowed to go at it with LA.

That fight would have been over in two minutes.

I don't want my girl Candace to have her pretty little face messed up.

I don't want my girl Candace to have her pretty little face messed up.

http://www.chathamjournal.com/weekly/moxiepix/b3_2124.jpg

Neither do I.


Thanks for the assist, SDB.

So Ford is done for the season with an ACL tear? I bet that Shock player she had to hold back feels like a giant dueche bag.

Fool is going to be pissed:


NEW YORK -- The WNBA swiftly suspended the Detroit and Los Angeles players and Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn for their role in a skirmish at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Shock forward Plenette Pierson was suspended Thursday for four games for initiating and escalating the altercation in what was the harshest penalty.
Mahorn was suspended for two games, as were Shannon Bobbitt and Murriel Page of the Sparks.
Players suspended for one game included: Detroit's Kara Braxton, Tasha Humphrey, Elaine Powell and Sheri Sam, along with Los Angeles' Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker and DeLisha Milton-Jones.
WNBA president Donna Orender issued a statement that said the events Tuesday were inexcusable and were not indicative of what the league stands for.


So the Shock lose:
Pierson - 4 games
Mahorn - 2 games
Braxton - 1 game
Humphrey - 1 game
Powell - 1 game
Sam - 1 game

and the Sparks lose:
Leslie - 1 game
Parker - 1 game
Jones - 1 game

SHOCK-NATION IS OUTRAGED

:VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO: :VOLCANO:
http://www.cantstopthebleeding.com/img/laimbeer.gif

Without Ford you might as well suspend the whole damn team.

I love how Parker only got one game. That cracks me up.

I will watch more women's basketball if this happens more often. Maybe they should make fighting legal like hockey.

Bra and panties match, anyone?

*thinks about above statement*

*shudders*

Nevermind.

This would have been especially nice with 50-year-old Nancy Leiberman involved.

Also, Candace Parker is the WNBA's Lebron - therefore she'll get the benefit of the doubt and some will be outraged she was suspended at all.

What a joke.

Still haven't seen a video of the fight.

Still haven't seen a video of the fight.

+20 MoTowns

Without their best player (and a solid backup) the Shock are up 1-0 on SA in the Finals. They won IN SA. Depending on how this Curry thing works out, it might be time to replace Curry and Dumars with Laimbeer soon. The guy simply makes championships.

^I don't think anyone is going to bite on that.

Wrong again, Glenn.

Laimbeer doesn't just win championships, he wills his team to them. They're without their best player, and they've already two wins away from a WNBA Championship, the pinnacle of coaching if you ask me.

How many WNBA championships equal a real championship?

If 20 hot dogs = 1 nickel, then, well, I think I need to think about this some more.

2 down, 1 to go. Swept both road games.

2 down, 1 to go. Swept both road games.

-15 Zekyls for redundancy.

THEY'VE DONE IT
THEY'VE DONE IT DETROIT
YOU BELIEVED IN THEM AND THEY HAVE DELIVERED
A THIRD WNBA CHAMPIONSHIP

raging boner

"Swept both road games", isn't redundant.

Went to the third game. Becky Hammond is supposed to be SA best player. She'd terrible. Honestly, she was ridiculously bad. By the end of the game they started just having her shoot from anywhere and it was a worse decision then just playing normally because she only had 5 points at the time and 1 made fg in like 2 games.

Katie Smith got the MVP and it was clear she should have. Not only did she average 22pts and 7 rebs a game but in the second quarter she was forced to sit with fouls and SA opened their only real lead thanks to being in the penalty for 4:30 of the 10 minute quarter (the refs were a joke) then in the third she comes in and goes on a 6-8 point run where she just started pulling up from the right base line and destroying SA.

Erin Buescher (SA #7) was honestly scared to be on the court. At one point she couldn't get the ball out of her hands and started dribbling frantically around the top of the arc like someone had set her on fire. She wasn't looking to get to the basket at all, just hoping she wasn't going to get eaten alive. She ended up traveling (while dribbling, it was impressive).

Bill Laimbeer creates championships.

So you can sweep one of two road games?

You can sweep three road games, which wasn't the case here and was conveyed by the word "both".

That seems tenuous, at best.

We might need a ruling from Zekyl.

Tenuous = true?

Perhaps so.

Still sounds awkward.

I think "They swept the games in San Antonio" would be preferred.

6 Championship Drive?

Still sounds awkward.

I think "They swept the games in San Antonio" would be preferred.

So you are complaining that I was too precise? GOD YOU ARE OLD!

6 Championship drive indeed. Though maybe EMU will change the name of S. Hewitt to 1 Championship drive instead since the clinch took place in their stadium.

Precise, redundant, potato, potahto.

Precise, incorrect, facts, slander, potato, potahto.

Any info on when the parade will be held?

They made an announcement after the game. I want to say it is Tuesday at Campus Martius (not a parade, just a rally) but I can't really recall. We were leaving when it was announced.

WTF field trip?

3 > 1.

5+1=6

CAN WE START UP THE COUNTDOWN?

YES!!

ALSO, WHAT ARE WE COUNTING DOWN TO?

THE START OF THE SEASON, IDIOT.

^NO COMMON COURTESY

JUNE 6TH

I'LL TAKE THE SHOCK IN 5

BOOK IT.

Lamb might as well not even bother winning a 4th ring and solidifying his squad as a dynasty. He still won't be respected by certain members of this board.

I BET HE'S CRUSHED. AND DRUNK.

I'd be crushed too if the perennial Conference Finals losers that share MY building get more respect than we do.

NEW YORK -- Following the lead of international sports, the Phoenix Mercury have become the first WNBA team to put a sponsor's name on their jerseys.
Under the three-year deal with LifeLock announced Monday, the identity theft protection company's name will replace the "Phoenix" and "Mercury" across the road and home uniforms, respectively. The team's logo will appear above the "LifeLock" on the left side.


http://www.wnba.com/media/mercury_lifelock_090601_2.jpg

June 8th is the opener I believe.

Would be great if the Suns did the same thing... but with Trojan condoms.

I think we are all ignoring the tattoo.

Or at least trying to.

I wish she had Neck Tats.

20 Point loss to open the season 78-58. Shock are still without Ford and Braxton (their best two post players) and Pierson (their next best big) got injured in the first ten minutes of the game. Shock only had 8 players eligible to play.

Gonna be rough early in the season.

I'm sure he'll coach them through it.

81-59 win by the Shock over the Sparks (who they just lost to the other night by 20). The score was 21-5 in the first half. A three and a lay-up.

The score was 21-5 in the first half. A three and a lay-up.


I thought you were saying "at the end of" the first half. That would have been a bit stupid.

I fucked up that sentence. That was the score at the end of the first quarter.

Oh snap! (http://www.wnba.com/shock/live.jsp)

Fool, how is Mahorn's coaching? Is he ready for the NBA yet?

http://twitter.com/F00L1SH

Fool, how is Mahorn's coaching? Is he ready for the NBA yet?
He's been in the NBA as an assistant coach

.

Fool knows what I meant.

Yes, you meant coaching two games is roughly equivalent with being the GM and coach for 6 seasons, winning 3 championships, including one where the team went from the worst record in the league to the championship.

Yes, you meant coaching two games is roughly equivalent with being the GM and coach for 6 seasons, winning 3 championships, including one where the team went from the worst record in the league to the championship.

In that sport, pretty much.

Pierson out the entire season.

Mahorn got his first win yesterday.

Mahorn got his first win yesterday.

...and then victory-banged the entire team.

lol

Fool,
I’m a little embarrassed…I think I might have gotten caught in your spam blocker. Pardon me.
But this might not be such a bad thing because it shows me that you are a discerning user of email and know what you like (or don’t like). And if that’s the case, it solidifies my theory that you will appreciate the information I want to relate.
In that first email, I introduced you to My Entertainment Center. Basically, My Entertainment Center is a way for you to manage the e-newsletters we are sending you – from Hard @ Work to Shocking News to Tunin’ In – and gives you the opportunity to select the information you want to receive from these e-newsletters.
We put a premium on functionality when we developed My Entertainment Center, knowing that the easier it was to use, the more pleasurable your experience. I again invite you to take a look at every page. Check out the great variety of choices available and make your experience the best on the Internet.
Click here (http://app.en25.com/e/er.aspx?s=1037&lid=219&elq=E1CCDDA6BC2A403C9D9DA6C41F47D169) to start your experience.
I am looking forward to seeing you at one of our events soon.
Sincerely,
Tom Wilson
CEO
Palace Sports & Entertainment

Playoffs start today. After starting like shit. Shock ended up with third best record in the league.

WNBA... on thin ice? (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2009/09/mrs_davidson_on_attendance_joe.html)


Davidson also discussed the steady rumors about the WNBA folding.

"I don't know," she said while donning a white Detroit Shock basketball cap. "That's too bad, because as a woman, I love the whole idea of it. But it's in the summer time. It's tough to bring people in, particularly in Michigan. We have a limited spring/summer. But it's great basketball."

However, she added, "I hope they keep it together. But it is an expensive undertaking for the league and the owners. We'll see."

Shock won after trailing big at the half. Dream coach is a moron. Shock are playing with only nine players due to injuries (12 player roster).

Better enjoy it while you can.

I think this thread pretty much shows I do.

every year they lose top-shelf players for the playoffs, and every year they just replace them with more top-shelf talent.

If this roster was healthy, it'd be one of the deepest women's teams ever assembled.

As it is, they're a serious threat to get back to the finals without two of their top 5 players.

Made it to the second round.

Prolly farther than the Pistons will make it this year.

Indiana-Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals. Feels like 2004 all over again. :emo kid:

Heard on the radio that they are just giving tickets away because they can't sell them.

Shouldn't be long now...

Sounds a lil like Flint Tropics.

I tried to watch some of it last night...couldn't stand it. They look like they just throw slop at the rim hoping it will go in.

The Shock shoot about 40% each year (defense oriented team). The Mercury are shooting like 49% for the playoffs (offense oriented team).

Shock won 1st game of the second round btw, I have been out sick.

I have been out sick.

Just put in your PTO request in my mailslot. TIA.

We do everything electronically baby. I just text message my boss when I'm not coming in that day.

We do everything electronically baby. I just text message my boss when I'm not coming in that day.

So It Happened.?

Also, http://wtfdetroit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6714

I'm allowed to email in sick. In fact, I don't think I've ever "called" in sick here.

We upgrade as technology improves.

Stickied forever.

Nancy Lieberman Cline, former Shock head coach, is the first female head coach in the NBDL. The first female coach ever hired for any part of the NBA.















































THE BARRIER HAS BEEN BROKEN!












































http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/5146X5TW0QL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

This hiring makes perfect sense. They won't have to worry about her having secks with her players this time.

Very true.

The (Tulsa) Shock signed Marion Jones!!

BRISTOL, CT—With the 36th and final pick of the 2011 WNBA Draft, the Seattle Storm selected 6-foot-5 center and rebound specialist Krystal Thomas, thereby officially making her the saddest woman in the United States of America.

Thomas, a psychology major who had been planning to go to medical school before suffering the tragedy of being chosen for a woman's professional basketball team, was too distraught to actually watch the draft Monday night. She learned her fate from friends and family and immediately succumbed to depression severe enough to make her, by all accepted standards of measurement, the nation's saddest woman.

Thomas was reportedly so inconsolable that she easily eclipsed America's previous saddest woman, 42-year-old Delaware resident Mary Vernon, who lost her family and both her hands in a tragic car accident last month.

"I was already pretty down about just being a prospective draft pick," said Thomas, who is sixth on the Duke all-time rebounds list, was only the second Blue Devil to tally 300 rebounds in a season, and had hoped to end her basketball career with pride and dignity. "This is absolutely devastating. I'm crushed."

"Just last week, my life seemed worth living," added Thomas, her voice quavering. "But now… Now I'm in the WNBA. And I was chosen last."

Thomas, who has not showered or changed out of her bathrobe since learning about her selection, claimed her pain was made even worse by knowing she would arguably be the worst player on the current WNBA championship squad and in all likelihood would see very little playing time.

"How am I supposed to get out of bed in the morning knowing that?" Thomas told reporters. "Assuming I do find the strength to live through this, how am I supposed to tell my kids someday that their mother was the last lady picked to play in the women's NBA? Well, maybe this is God's way of telling me I don't deserve to have kids. Or a family. Or friends. Or to play basketball, obviously."

"To be honest, I don't quite know if playing would actually make me happy," Thomas added. "I talked to [Storm star player and 43rd saddest woman in America] Lauren Jackson, who said that each time she's been named league MVP she's died a little inside. We basically cried a lot during the conversation and tried to console each other."

Those close to Thomas said they were worried about her health and well-being, and would be keeping a close eye on her in the days leading up to training camp.

"Things like this aren't supposed to happen to people like Krystal," said Karima Christmas, Thomas' close friend and Duke teammate. "She's smart, she's kind, she's worked hard all her life, and this is her reward? To be a backup center in Seattle? She deserves better."

To help Thomas weather the overwhelming sense of worthlessness and desolation that comes with being chosen last in the WNBA Draft, the league has sent grief counselors to work with her, saying that the next few days will be crucial if she is to ever regain anything like a normal emotional equilibrium.

"There's no reason this has to derail her life," said Dr. Emily Falbaum, a licensed sports therapist who has helped many previous last WNBA Draft picks to recover from grief and reach a state of acceptance. "The first thing she must do is stop obsessing on what might have been—med school, making new friends, career fulfillment, the respect of others. She can't go on until she accepts the tragic fact that for the next few years of her life, she will be making $18,000 a year playing very few minutes in some of America's most mediocre cities for a few dozen halfhearted fans."

Since being named saddest woman in America, Thomas has received sympathy messages by the hundreds, many of which have come from those almost as bereaved as Thomas herself, such as the recently divorced and laid off, children in burn wards, and players and coaches in the WNBA.

"Krystal, we are deeply saddened for you and your family," a condolence card from the Seattle Storm team read in part. "But you can take comfort knowing that you are not alone. Last year we won the WNBA championship trophy, so we have some sense of the empty sensation you must be feeling right now, a feeling as if the entire universe has made a mockery of you. If you want to talk about it, just know we are here for you. And that we're very, very sorry."

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Well played. This stays.

MINNEAPOLIS—According to a report by Forbes magazine, the Minnesota Lynx are easily the WNBA’s richest franchise, boasting an estimated enterprise value of nearly four dollars. “With merchandise revenue at 29 cents and season ticket sales topping a dollar for the first time in history, the Minnesota Lynx are a financial powerhouse in the WNBA,” wrote Forbes editor Mark Furlow, who also cited a diet soda a fan bought for $1.25 in September as a major reason for the team’s record-breaking profits. “Meanwhile, the team’s brand new uniforms, together with a colorful ‘Minnesota Lynx’ sign, accounted for a whopping 74 cents in assets, helping to propel the franchise to dizzying levels of success that other WNBA teams can only dream of.” Sources also confirmed that negotiations are currently underway to renew superstar forward Seimone Augustus’ contract while keeping the Lynx under the WNBA’s 55-cent salary cap

http://deadspin.com/this-is-the-wnbas-new-logo-461843977

WHERE'S FOOL?

Never fear, I is here.
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRWDViH-r40yJi0hMP1aZOhDTL_jIyeTGuRi0WboiKtBKUFXeTl9Q

http://www.theonion.com/articles/wnba-champions-visit-white-house-fence,32903/?ref=auto

Man... MoTown!

NY REHIRES BILL LAIMBEER

The Digital Man is still on the market.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-WNBA-Champions-Detroit-Shock-Ceramic-Coffee-Mug-Basketball-Bill-Laimbeer-/281538445685?pt=US_Basketball_Fan_Shop&hash=item418cffc175

Can't believe he's parting with it. $ must be tight.

Somebody check on Fool, Zeke + Laimbeer?

Oh lawd.

Isiah Thomas returns to N.Y. basketball as Liberty president, part owner
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/12824892/isiah-thomas-joining-new-york-liberty-president-part-owner

Beer got fired as GM and coach and then rehired as just coach like 2 minutes later (not demoted to just coach, totally fired and then rehired as coach). It's a circus over there. A former Piston circus.

Miss my DETROIT Shock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-dK1-PIXoA