| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Futurama
Joined: 09 Apr 2005
Posts: 665
Back to top |
 Posted: 05/04/05 4:09 am ::: Comets: Canty PG starter? 10 man roster? |
Reply  |
|
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkw/3167171
"Right now, we would be playing Dominique at the point out of a positive. We have played her (there) some in the past out of a negative. But she has gone overseas and played nothing but the point for a year. And my goodness, is she playing well."
Chancellor has an unusually nettlesome problem with which to deal this year. Tina Thompson is on pregnancy leave but will count against the 11-player WNBA roster limit when the season begins.
"We will carry 10 players instead of 11 players and maybe an IR (injured reserve)," Chancellor said. "So this is the most competitive camp we've ever had, by far."
so
1. Swoopes (SF)
2. Arcain (SG)
3. Canty (PG)
4. Phillips (PF)
5. Snow (C)
6. Lyttle (C/PF)
7. Goodson (SF)
8. Hodges or Ragland (SG)
9. T. Johnson or Rasmussen or Blue (PF)
10. Dant or Lambert or McCrimmon (PG)
IR. Thompson (PF)
damn salary cap.
I'm rooting for Hodges, Rasmussen and Dant.
|
|
sambista
Joined: 25 Sep 2004
Posts: 16951
Location: way station of life
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/04/05 7:02 am ::: |
Reply |
|
i haven't seen dant play, but it's hard to believe chance wouldn't bank on mccrimmon's experience - high-pressure games, top team, western conference. lambert doesn't even come close to that and, based on others' observations, she's too indecisive when she's really up against it.
tiffany's still a possibility to hang on? (argh!) well, now that the liberty has gibson off its back, i'll concentrate my vibe on that. and also pray for houston that chance doesn't have second thoughts about gibson!
_________________
no justice, no peace.
|
|
Queenie
Joined: 18 Nov 2004
Posts: 18031
Location: Queens
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/04/05 7:15 am ::: |
Reply |
|
| Is Van big on second chances? McCrimmon went through camp with the Comets last year and didn't make the cut. Would that affect the way he looks at her performance this year?
_________________
Ardent believer in the separation of church and stadium.
|
|
sambista
Joined: 25 Sep 2004
Posts: 16951
Location: way station of life
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/04/05 7:22 am ::: |
Reply |
|
| i don't remember him going off about canty like that - not since he first enlisted her. who knows how that man's mind works?
_________________
no justice, no peace.
|
|
Lior
Joined: 17 Dec 2004
Posts: 550
Location: Israel
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/04/05 11:55 am ::: |
Reply |
|
| Interesting article. Can't believe I'm saying this but I hope Canty works out for you Comet fans, she is quite good. A hell of a lot better than Lambert that's for sure!
|
|
bluewolfvii
Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 5007
Location: The Happening
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/04/05 12:54 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
Assuming the first 7 and Tina Thompson (IR), the aggregate salary of players 8,9, & 10 can't total more than ~$125. That's quick and dirty, but if its in the ballpark then how can VC afford to keep an 11th active player?
He can save money keeping Hodges over Ragland, but his back is to the wall not because his camp is overflowing with talent, but because Houston is looking at a lot of marginal veterans as backups and that tends to bloat the cap.
|
|
4ever_bball_fan
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
Posts: 6125
Location: Houston
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/04/05 1:11 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
Brilliant analysis, Blue. My quick tally leaves a little over 110K for three players, which means Futurama is spot on with the three additional players being Hodges, Raz and Dant.
Most importantly, that means no room in the inn for Blue or Johnson and that will be music to a lot of Comets' fans ears. Nothing personal on those players, but it is time to move on.
This might also be where Tom Cross proves his worth. The Comets have done so many things right so far, compared to the last two or three years, I hope they keep going in the right direction.
A quick question: Does anybody really think a team can compete for even as short a season as the W's, with only 10 players, one not even dressing out? Sounds like a difficult assignment to me.
|
|
bluewolfvii
Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 5007
Location: The Happening
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/04/05 2:00 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
| Quote: |
| Does anybody really think a team can compete for even as short a season as the W's, with only 10 players, one not even dressing out? |
If there's a time to do it, the season before an expansion draft is it.
IMO, most teams trot out the 10 and 11s for limited mop ups, and those spots mostly go to young players who need to develop in practice and over the course of a season.
Houston should be OK as long as it keeps solid backups at the positions it needs to keep the core veterans legs fresh.
Use Goodson in platoon with Swoopes; a frontcourt of Phillips and Snow to fill in until Tina gets back, with someone like Kristen Rasmussen in a back up role. Expose the rookie Lyttle in situations where she has the highest likelihood of success.
It gets better when Thompson comes back-- a frontcourt rotation of Thompson, Snow, and Phillips backed up by Kristen Rasmussen and Sancho Lyttle isn't bad. The bigger concern is at guard, where Dominique Canty has been an experiment at PG since Nancy Lieberman was coaching Detroit. IMO, Nikki McCrimmon is insurance Van should keep if he can afford to. Of course, Janeth Arcain is a workhorse. This season, more than ever, she'll need to be.
Last edited by bluewolfvii on 05/04/05 2:19 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
pilight
Joined: 23 Sep 2004
Posts: 66920
Location: Where the action is
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/04/05 2:14 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
| bluewolfvii wrote: |
| most teams trot out the 10 and 11s for limited mop ups, and those spots mostly go to young players who need to develop in practice and over the course of a season. |
Van doesn't do that. He doesn't keep young players unless they're regular rotation players. His 10-11 players have always been people like Kelly G and MFoul, who are already as developed as they're going to get.
_________________
I'm a lonely frog
I ain't got a home
|
|
4ever_bball_fan
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
Posts: 6125
Location: Houston
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/04/05 2:35 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
| Face it, Pilight, the Comets haven't had an opportunity to play scrubs in a long time. I don't think Octavia Blue even played last year when Houston clubbed Detroit by 35 points...and Tina scored 30 points by herself, and Sheryl was on the bench the entire game.
|
|
Futurama
Joined: 09 Apr 2005
Posts: 665
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/04/05 2:38 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
How would you run a 5 on 5 practice with only 9 players?
I guess Karleen Thompson better get in shape.
|
|
dtsnms
Joined: 23 Sep 2004
Posts: 18815
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/04/05 2:40 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
| Futurama wrote: |
How would you run a 5 on 5 practice with only 9 players?
I guess Karleen Thompson better get in shape. |
Teams always keep practice players around; they don't get paid except for expenses, free admission to the games, and the chance to work their game. An acquaintenance of mine was with the Sun last year.
|
|
pilight
Joined: 23 Sep 2004
Posts: 66920
Location: Where the action is
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/04/05 3:38 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
| 4ever_bball_fan wrote: |
| I don't think Octavia Blue even played last year when Houston clubbed Detroit by 35 points...and Tina scored 30 points by herself, and Sheryl was on the bench the entire game. |
Blue played 5 minutes in that game, as did Berthieu. PJ Kimbrough played 4. Those are typical of the players Van keeps at the end of the bench, not young players that might develop but players that have reached their potential at a low plateau.
_________________
I'm a lonely frog
I ain't got a home
|
|
4ever_bball_fan
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
Posts: 6125
Location: Houston
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/04/05 3:41 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
| I liked Lucianne, though...thought she was a tough cookie.
|
|
Futurama
Joined: 09 Apr 2005
Posts: 665
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/05/05 2:50 am ::: |
Reply |
|
| dtsnms wrote: |
Teams always keep practice players around; they don't get paid except for expenses, free admission to the games, and the chance to work their game. An acquaintenance of mine was with the Sun last year. |
Do teams bring these practice players on the road?
|
|
SORF
Joined: 06 Jan 2005
Posts: 1979
Back to top |
|
SORF
Joined: 06 Jan 2005
Posts: 1979
Back to top |
|
Futurama
Joined: 09 Apr 2005
Posts: 665
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/05/05 12:11 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
SORF - you think Ragland makes the team over Adrienne Goodson?
i'm still not sure about Canty as PG. wasn't Van hyping Ragland last year as a great PG? At least Ragland and Lambert can hit an outside shot. Nique just has no range outside the paint.
|
|
4ever_bball_fan
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
Posts: 6125
Location: Houston
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/05/05 1:04 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
Why will Dominique have to even attempt a 3-ball? I think Swoopes, Arcain, Thompson (when she returns) and Goodie can handle that responsiblity. With Snow and Phillips bangin' inside, the Comets need to make sure their parimeter players can play D on the the 3-ball shot. And I think Canty might do a good job in that regard.
Would her defense help make her more palpable in the one-spot? Not the best option, but if she can keep the likes of Whalen and Bird from going off, and take care of the ball (low T/O's), then she might well do at least as well as the pg by committee Houston tried, and Van demoralized, last season.
Jury is still out on the Comets...but it is interesting to see so much discussion about them. I think it says something about how the posters on this board appreciate the league, where it has been and where it is going in the future.
Tomorrow night will be interesting. Tomato-head will be in the house and we will get a look at the Alana, Shorty-Meek and D-Nasty show.
|
|
jammerbirdi
Joined: 23 Sep 2004
Posts: 21046
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/05/05 1:11 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
| 4ever_bball_fan wrote: |
Why will Dominique have to even attempt a 3-ball? I think Swoopes, Arcain, Thompson (when she returns) and Goodie can handle that responsiblity. With Snow and Phillips bangin' inside, the Comets need to make sure their parimeter players can play D on the the 3-ball shot. And I think Canty might do a good job in that regard.
Would her defense help make her more palpable in the one-spot? Not the best option, but if she can keep the likes of Whalen and Bird from going off, and take care of the ball (low T/O's), then she might well do at least as well as the pg by committee Houston tried, and Van demoralized, last season.
Jury is still out on the Comets...but it is interesting to see so much discussion about them. I think it says something about how the posters on this board appreciate the league, where it has been and where it is going in the future.
Tomorrow night will be interesting. Tomato-head will be in the house and we will get a look at the Alana, Shorty-Meek and D-Nasty show. |
Yes, the Comets fans here are keeping the tradition alive of obsessing over everything having to do with team. By the way, we expect you to take a wi-fi enabled laptop to the game and make minute by minute reports to this board. Or else!
 _________________ 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
Joined: 23 Sep 2004
Posts: 66920
Location: Where the action is
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/05/05 1:24 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
| 4ever_bball_fan wrote: |
| Why will Dominique have to even attempt a 3-ball? I think Swoopes, Arcain, Thompson (when she returns) and Goodie can handle that responsiblity. |
Goodson is career 24% from three, Arcain is career 25% from three. Both are better than Canty, but neither is a consistent threat from long range.
Despite all the Pollyannas in H-Town, Tina Thompson will not be 100% when she returns. Every player that has come back from pregnancy has had a very noticable drop in their performance when they first return.
| Quote: |
| Jury is still out on the Comets...but it is interesting to see so much discussion about them. I think it says something about how the posters on this board appreciate the league, where it has been and where it is going in the future. |
People are afraid of them. If they can sort out the PG problem and TT is anywhere close to normal then The Comets are a serious threat to win it all.
_________________
I'm a lonely frog
I ain't got a home
|
|
MT_Swoopes
Joined: 18 Nov 2004
Posts: 1840
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/05/05 1:42 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
| pilight wrote: |
| People are afraid of them. If they can sort out the PG problem and TT is anywhere close to normal then The Comets are a serious threat to win it all. |
I agree. In a league where chemistry is everything, you would think there would be more of an effort made to get a floor general. Ooops, there was. It's the coach who chased them off.
|
|
4ever_bball_fan
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
Posts: 6125
Location: Houston
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/05/05 1:45 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
| MT_Swoopes wrote: |
| pilight wrote: |
| People are afraid of them. If they can sort out the PG problem and TT is anywhere close to normal then The Comets are a serious threat to win it all. |
I agree. In a league where chemistry is everything, you would think there would be more of an effort made to get a floor general. Ooops, there was. It's the coach who chased them off. |
year after year, after year, after year...ad nauseum.
|
|
sportsfan48
Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 1228
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/05/05 1:51 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
If the Comets had the cap space they could put Tina on IR and keep 11 active players. It really bites when the IR player is high salary.
The year Stepanova was pregnant, Phoenix had to keep her on IR and her salary was part of the total. It is different for suspended players.
Phoenix also has a mix of practice players and scrimmage at least weekly against a group of men: semi pro and college players mainly, however Bo Outlaw and of course, Ced Ceballos have been seen at several practices.
|
|
BCBG25
Joined: 23 Sep 2004
Posts: 20112
Location: Sampa
Back to top |
| Posted: 05/05/05 2:42 pm ::: |
Reply |
|
| A lot of people are down on the Comets, but check my predictions. I think they're going far. Even Van won't be able to screw them up this time.
_________________
Kings of the World!
|
|
|
|
...here is my prediction as to who will make the roster based on what I saw at the scrimmage.
