RebKell's Junkie Boards

[Keegan]

http://www.fibaeurope.com/Default.asp?coid={EA2B38BB-40D1-461E-8D3B-7240B4FCA755}&articleMode=on

Batkovic is uncertain about her plans for the next 12 months but one thing is certain in the summer of 2006 - she will finally make her debut in the WNBA with the Seattle Storm.

The move will mean Batkovic will link up with her good friend and former Australian Institute of Sport team-mate Lauren Jackson, who is now arguably the best woman basketballer in the world.

"It will happen, as far as I'm concerned," said Batkovic.

"We played together for so many years at the Institute so we will be able to adapt really easily.

"But she needs to know her time zones. She rang me here (in Spain) last week from Seattle and woke me up at 2.30am.

"I am looking forward to being coached by Anne Donovan. I'm glad she still believes in me."

Batkovic revealed she had the chance to play for Seattle, who first drafted her in 2003, this summer but she turned the offer down, even though the decision cost her a WNBA championship ring.

"A break is important," she said.

"Playing eight months a year is enough"

"I'm still young and I don't want to burn myself out. Playing eight months a year is enough."

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Beware of snarky monotremes...

[pilight]

That might explain why they let Vodichkova go.

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I'm a lonely frog
I ain't got a home

[inky]

What's the Australian assessment of Da Batgirl?

[Keegan]

She looked decent at the Olympics. Has to get in the block more and use her jumpshot less. Her conditioning will have to get better but this will come with exposure to a higher level of play. I'm sure she'll do well under Anne and at least she already has the post moves, which is more than I can say about most of our other post players.

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Beware of snarky monotremes...

[boogiezen]

then that's good news for Seattle...

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Queen Yuna!

"Kim Yu-Na. A living, breathing work of art from Korea" - Cam Cole, Vancouver Sun

[4ever_bball_fan]

Regarding Bat-girl, I will believe it when I see it. I still can't see her coming over here and having her be-hind kicked night after night, the likes of which she is not accustomed. She is a big, strong girl and it would be a kick to watch her up against the likes of McCarville and Roehig!!! I think she is used to making a lot of money without that much effort.

During the Olympics, I just had the feeling that she was telling LJ in the locker room that she had seen enough of the WNBA by going up against Thompson, Griffith and Leslie in just one game. We don't play the gentile Euro-style ball or on such a fluff schedule. She will have to bring it every couple of days, with the exceptional 4-5 days off occasionally.

We'll see it if it happens. If she gets a look at any of the film from the Minn/MSU game and sees those 250#, plus-sized gals going after each other for 30+ minutes, she might well rethink coming over and playing for the rookie minimum.

[kinkitola]

But if anyone can take her and mold her into a WNBA caliber post then its Donovan. This also is a nice lure to keep LJ in Seattle in 2006. She needs more Aussies since the Merc are hogging all of them.

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mama can't help your jumpshot

[Keegan]

[The Blimp]

[wadethered]

[Keegan]

[wadethered]

[Keegan]

[inky]

[Keegan]

I should also add that if the 2005 version of Bird, DT, Swin, Asjha and T Williams was the Olympics team, they would be very lucky to win bronze. You barely beat Russia and us with a full strength team!

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Beware of snarky monotremes...

[wadethered]

[inky]

[Keegan]

[Keegan]

According to SonOfOovy (who then proceeded to go on a rant about Seth. He's more predictable than gay men at a Kylie Minogue concert)

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Beware of snarky monotremes...

[The Blimp]

There does seem to be a blind spot with assessments of US players versus others. Recently someone tried to suggest that Nicole Ohlde will be the dominant post player in the WNBA for the next five years. Janell McCarville was seen as a superior player to the Australian center Batkovic.

Firstly Nicole has yet to establish that she is a commanding post player, she may end up being the dominant post player in the WNBA for five or ten years but she ain't anywhere near that yet and it will take at least one or two seasons before she can absorb enough hard lessons from the existing strong post players before she is even in the ball park - although I agree that she has arrived, at this stage she is still in the car park rather than the ball park for post player dominance.
Janell McCarville is certainly a great prospect. But if she can be contained as she was in the game mentioned by 4ever_bball_fan - contained by heavy defense, we saw that she is a young relatively inexperienced player who can be thrown out of her groove. She then lost patience and started to force shots. What had appeared to be a game full of sweet moves, great hands etc, dissolved into panic.
I guess I'm just saying that whilst the NCAA and that great great U-Conn team are of a high standard - it isn't the same standard as we see at the top in International competitions.

[Keegan]

I agree, The Blimp.

With regards to Suzy, the biggest knock against her is conditioning but that will improve as she's exposed to a higher level of the game. If I had to choose between her and McCarville, I'd pick Suzy any day because #1 Suzy is at least 3 inches taller and #2 Suzy has a much more consistent outside shot. I did watch McCarville in that ugly MSU/Minn game and her draft stock has dropped a bit in my eyes (though it didn't help that Minny has very little perimeter firepower).

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Beware of snarky monotremes...

[CamrnCrz1974]

[4ever_bball_fan]

The one thing that we do know about Suzy Batkovic is that she has not played one minute of basketball in a WNBA uniform. Until she signs on the dotted line, shows up for training camp and takes her bumps from the veteran and young post players over here, we have no idea how she will perform or if she will stay for any period of time.

I just think the pay level compared to what will be required of her will be a constant struggle in her head. I don't mean to say that she is not mature enough to adapt and grow, but she is an unknown entity in the W at this juncture.

I loved watching her in the OG's and hope she does what it takes to compete in our league. It will only make her a better player when she goes back to Europe to make the big bucks.

[Keegan]

[inky]