RebKell's Junkie Boards

[jammerbirdi]

Kind of a two part thingy...

Is there anyone here who thought that, after the Comets sharp play against SAC, and given the news that Tina was ready to suit up, that a) we would see Van pull his starter, Raz, and immediately start Tina first game and play her 32 minutes against the Sparks in her second game, and, in the process, take both Raz and Tari, who both played brilliantly against the Monarchs, down to 9 combined minutes of playing time against Washington and 16 combined minutes against the Sparks?

And b) without limiting yourselves to the laughable specifics I've put forth, tell me if you thought that, in general, this course of action was the wise choice for the team to implement.

Because I'm just really ready to pack it in as a Comets fan. My feelings regarding the above questions are probably too vitriolic at this point. I almost can't think of both taking the time and effort to clearly articulate such passionately held opinions and ALSO be expected to control the impulse to pound ALL CAPS curse words or even take my ever loving keyboard and just crash it against the effen wall here.

I'm gonna blow. It's just so quiet around here in terms of the Comets faithful and I'm wondering what my fellow buds are thinking about this. Maybe people can talk the jammer off the ceiling before I come down and make a fool out of myself with some emotional rant that crosses over every line there is to cross.

On a related note. It's too too dead here in terms of Comets fans talking these issues out. ESPN too. What's up with that?

What a difference from the old days.

_________________
Every woman who has ever been presented with a career/sex quid pro quo in the entertainment industry should come forward and simply say, “Me, too.� - jammer The New York Times 10/10/17

[pilight]

I am not at all surprised that Van started TT and has been playing her a bunch of minutes. I was so hoping she would decide to sit out the whole year to spare us all this.

As for whether I think it's a wise choice, perhaps you missed several months of me trying to tell the Cometheads that TT wasn't going to be anywhere near her old self this season. All I got back was "she's in great shape" and "she didn't gain much weight" and "she's different from every other pregnant woman that's tried to come back". Denial is hot and heavy in H-Town.

Van really ought to know better. He played SS very sparingly when she returned in 1997. Then, as now, The Comets were in second place when the star came back.

Even Van should be able to see that TT isn't ready to play at her highest capacity. If we miss the playoffs because he's riding her 30+ minutes a game, it should be the end of him.

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

[jammerbirdi]

[jammerbirdi]

Jeez I've got to start reading the Chron again! FReak it all. Why didn't someone post this regarding the Mystics loss?

Swoopes pointed to Thompson's return as the biggest reason the Comets sputtered and wheezed their way through Thursday's game against Washington.

Not that Swoopes was blaming Thompson — or Chancellor for starting her even though the five-time All-Star had not played in almost a year. Swoopes was pointing out that while Thompson's return certainly made a big splash, the ripples from that splash were felt up and down the lineup in terms of playing time and shot distribution.

Take, for example, Kristen Rasmussen. The rugged 6-2 forward went from averaging 24 minutes as a starter to playing only three minutes off the bench Thursday.

"I don't really think (the players) knew what to expect," said Swoopes, who scored 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting. "We looked very unorganized and very confused at times instead of just going out and playing basketball. It's one thing for me to say that to my teammates — 'We don't change anything. We continue to play the way we've been playing.' But I can only say that so many times.

HOLY SHIT!

Not only am I not alone, MY QUEEN is all over the situation! Jeez!

I wish I were in Houston covering the Comets for someone because THIS is now some INTERESTING shit. There seems to be some confusion about the course the Comets should be taking in H-Town. If this is the way they felt after losing to the Mystics, you can imagine what they're thinking of this chemistry stuff after today's fiasco.

That is some comfort. Maybe there's hope.

I do kind of doubt it though.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3277343

Note to Swoopes, if you're listening. If you change the ingredients, you change the chemistry. It's not going to work and you can't blame the other players like they just don't get it because they're not the ones who aren't getting it.

_________________
Every woman who has ever been presented with a career/sex quid pro quo in the entertainment industry should come forward and simply say, “Me, too.� - jammer The New York Times 10/10/17

[jammerbirdi]

More from the Chron. This Michael Murphy cat is on it. I let him know that.

"Even with the added boost of having former All-Star Tina Thompson back in the lineup for the second straight game, the Comets' offense usually degenerated into a series of one-on-one confrontations, without even a thought of passing to open teammates."

That's about the size of it. (And it looked very familiar and that's a whole different subject. Has Tina and Sheryl EVER had any real offensive chemistry between them besides the damn pick and roll? We won't even go there.)

"When we scored nine points in the first 11 minutes, it was because we weren't sharing the ball," Chancellor said. "If we don't share the ball any better than we're sharing the ball right now, this is going to be a long summer."

That man has a lot of nerve.

He's lost his mind. He's going to complain about the play on the floor?

_________________
Every woman who has ever been presented with a career/sex quid pro quo in the entertainment industry should come forward and simply say, “Me, too.� - jammer The New York Times 10/10/17

[jammerbirdi]

OKAY!

From the Chron. This is the shit I'm talking about and now I know why it pisses me off. Because I've seen it before with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Bill Cowher.

But Chancellor gave no thought to easing Thompson back into action by bringing her off the bench.

"With us, it's always been that when you come back, if you've been a starter you're a starter," he said.

Okay I'm wrapping this horseshit up now if you're as sick of this thread as I am. Bear with me for a moment longer. I'm not researching this it's from memory so don't hold me to the facts.

Three years ago the Steelers went into the playoffs with the NFL's number 1 rushing offense. Amos Zerowe (I told you I wasn't researching it) had stepped in mid season for Jerome Bettis and had found a big time groove and was leading a backfield that was the NFL's most productive.

PLayoffs came. Bettis was ready to go. Cowher pulls Amos for Bettis. Bettis has NOTHING. Steelers lose. End of season.

It was also the end of one of Bill Cowher's special little working class rules:

If you're a starter, you can't lose your job because of an injury.

That's the way I think it went. And boy do I HATE shit like that. HATE IT!

You can see he ammended that position this past season and when Tommy Maddox got well NOBODY was taking Ben Rothlisburger's job. Huh?

So Van has the same rule... but guess what? He extends the job security coverage not just to include those players who are out due to injury, but maternity as well.

Come on. Tina chose to be a mom this year. God Bless her I love her and am happy for her. But this is something seperate from that. Raz and Tari chose to PLAY BALL.

This coach is a dinosaur. Get him out of there. It's not about being nice to Tina regarding basketball. Her health and the health of her child, that's important.

But the Comets season is, in its own right, ALSO IMPORTANT, and is a seperate thing entirely from Tina's situation and moves taken to facilitate its success should be distinct from Tina's situation entirely with the sole motivation being to improve the team's chances of winning.

Let Tina be the one to worry about working her way back into the starting line-up.

_________________
Every woman who has ever been presented with a career/sex quid pro quo in the entertainment industry should come forward and simply say, “Me, too.� - jammer The New York Times 10/10/17

[cherrystreet]

Hi, frst time poster but a long time reader. Jammer you are somewhat right about TT's return. However, yesterday her defense on LL was better than both RAZ and Tari. Tari should have been in there for Snow to guard Whitmore.

I was one that felt Tina should come in off the bench to get reacquintated with the team. I actually think TT and Swoopes can and have played well together in the past. So I do think they can co-exist on the offensive end. Tina is rusty right now. I just don't want them to fall into pattern of nobody but TT and SS can shoot. Everybody needs to touch that rock.

Right now the other players are not the only one's making adjustments. Swoopes is too. She is really trying get TT more touches also. I would like to see her to continue on offense as if she is the only true constant offensive presence. Be it with her assist making or going to the basket.

Tina has said she should be the one to mesh in with the other players. I think the only person that really needs convincing is Van. I looked at their record since the all-star break. They are only 2-4. Its not just TT's presence. I believe they became a little laxed after going on that winning streak. They just need to get back on track or they will be staying at home.

[4ever_bball_fan]

My take...

First, and it is a difficult thing for me to say, but Tina should have to earn her starting position back from Raz. She should in no way be playing over 20 minutes a game. Coming back from an absence on a professional sports team is far different from other jobs. It is a process and in this case, a process of fitting in to what has been working, and working pretty well for two months.

Second, Tina and Sheryl play very well together...but, there are a host of other players that have proven themselves effective in the Comets success this season, compared to the last four years. It is not the SS & TT show this year...thank you so much, Tom Cross.

Someone tell me whether or not they agree with this: The Comets played like a team playing their second "preseason" game yesterday. They were uncertain about everything they were doing...most of their scoring was by accident...and they are lacking desparately on the offensive end of the floor...just like a bunch of new players getting used to each other.

Lastly, the team that has appeared in Toyota Center for the last two games is not the same team that won against the Monarchs. I am sorry to see that team pack it up and leave town...but, I fear it's days are over. Regarding the losses since the ASG, the losses against NY and Conn are not ones to be ashamed of...those were the better teams that day and the games were hotly contested. Now these last two, they expose the primary problem many have noted for the last two or three years...the Comets need a new head coach.

Van is exposing the tender underbelly of the Big Red Machine...and it is him. I even screamed out during the second half when the Comets were down 15 or so, that he should be fired on the spot...right there in the middle of the game. He had no game plan, again, and it was ridiculous to watch a team working like mad on defense, not have a clue what to do on offense to reap the reward for their hard work.

Othere might have a better take, but that is mine...and most frustrating it is indeed. Now Comets fans might understand why I wear a Storm cap from time to time.

[jammerbirdi]

[jammerbirdi]

[HtownsFinest]

I think there is truth to what Sheryl is saying though. I've thought the same thing all along. Tina's return would effect the whole entire team, because everyone is going to be tentative to shoot.

Tina was the leading scorer last year, and they might try a little too hard to pass the ball to Tina, and thats what has happened.

[HtownsFinest]

Like Sheryl said, the didnt know what to expect, and there is much confusion out on the floor.

[4ever_bball_fan]

The offense has never been a strong point this season, but the confusion out there in the last two games is ridiculous. Goody seemed to be the only one that didn't know what was going on in the past, but boy can she work out a busted up play.

I noticed immediately that the Comets have gone back to that stupid double screen play at the free throw line that puts Tina and Snow at the top of the paint. That is fine to make room for the shooter, but it is whiz-poor if somebody needs to be under the basket rebounding. I didn't like that play last year and will never like it.

What happened to all this offensive insight and creativity that Van was supposed to have picked up while calling the NBA games last season? Can you tell I am hacked off about the Comets' offense?

[bigsportzbabe]

Whenever I saw her interviewed, Tina seemed a little reluctant to get back to the court, too quickly......kinda pacing herself.....

I was wondering if the Comets organization rushed her back, because, knowing she`s such a fan favorite, it would sell tickets.

_________________
Senility Prayer: God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference. Amen.

[pilight]

[cherrystreet]

bigsportsbabe, I think TT was reluctant because of the reason that she stated. Her legs were heavy. Definitely something that will affect her shooting. She also saw how good the team was playing and did not won't to mess with chemistry. She also knew they would expect her to be her old. She alluded to that. Which we all can clearly see she is not, yet.

I think the Comet's organization was happy she return to the game not for tickets; but like us fans and the media thought, it could add nothing but depth to the team. I believe nobody anticipated TT starting and therein really lies the problem. She should have eased back into the flow of the game and allowed to mesh with the team. Before the first game, according to some, she had never even practiced with the starting unit. It was like adding a total new person to the scheme.

DUMB COACHING BY VAN. JUST MY OPINION!!

[jammerbirdi]

[jammerbirdi]

[cherrystreet]

I was with you until you said that about the great defensive team the Comets have been this year. Wrong!! The post defense is one of the key problems of the Comets. Snow gets pushed off the block or fails to show on the pic and roll. Choosing to stay instead in the paint. Sancho is very athletic and shows a lot of hustle but loses her man often. Tari is a pretty good defensive presence because she will bang; but she too gets beat on the base line.

I like Raz and she showed great promise but the fact is her defense is not all that good and she can't rebound. She is usually hitting the floor. Nobody was checking Demya. She really got off against the Comets.

I like my team and they played great defense against the Monarchs. (Tari, Swoopes, Sancho) were a force pressing their opponent. But really Jammer you are going overboard with how great the Comets have been. They have been as good as any team in the league this season. The real truth of the matter is all the teams are suspect and just about any team can win on any given night.

[rebkell]

[jammerbirdi]

[pilight]

[jammerbirdi]

[gumption72]

[HtownsFinest]