So, here we are yet again, the end of another year. Even though the WNBA season ended several months ago, the NCAA season has kicked off with a bang. Overall, 2011 was a great year for women’s hoops, for many reasons – let’s take a look at just a few things that stood out to me:

Fifteen – That’s right all you haters! The WNBA celebrated a milestone as it hit the fifteen year mark, and put all the “it will never last” arguments to rest. 2011 also saw two WNBA teams pull in a profit, and several come awful close – along with all those, “The NBA should fold the WNBA because of the lockout” arguments being shut down. At this point, it looks like we could expect fifteen more glorious years. Let’s hope for some expansion teams in the coming years, but for now, I’m quite happy with where the league is.





Lynx Capture the Crown – After many years of a talented (and some might say stacked) roster, struggling with injuries and not even making a playoff appearance, the Minnesota Lynx were on a roll in 2011 and literally steamrolled over most teams to breeze through the playoffs, and sweep the two-time Eastern conference champion Atlanta Dream to capture their first championship. The reason? There’s not just one – Rookie of the year (who will only get better) Maya Moore, a healthy and hungry Seimone Augustus, hometown hero Lindsay Whalen, Coach Cheryl “I learned a thing or two in Detroit” Reeve, board crasher Rebekkah Brunson, – and a bench deeper than the Grand Canyon – Wiggins, McWilliams-Franklin, Wright, Houston, Adair, Harris and Hornbuckle. If they keep their roster in tact and healthy, the future could be very bright in the Twin Cities.



Phoenix Over the Hump in Seattle - In 2011, Phoenix could not seem to get a break when playing Western conference rival the Seattle Storm. Dark cloud memories hung overhead ever since 2010, when Sue Bird delivered a dagger 3-point shot that eliminated the Mercury from the Western conference finals in 2010, but 2011 looked like the year Phoenix could get retribution. Unfortunately, the Mercury would only snag one win at home against the Storm, and Seattle remained undefeated (with regards to Phoenix) at Key Arena.

Enter Candice Dupree.

Game three of the Western conference playoffs was all tied up with mere seconds left to play. After a drive from Penny Taylor was slightly off, a scrum-like battle for the rebound somehow put the ball in Dupree’s hands. With the final shot, she put the Mercury up by two, and ended Seattle's chances at defending their 2010 title. It may not have delivered a championship to the Mercury this year, but it most definitely felt like payback.



Swoopes Back in Action - Still struggling Tulsa Shock attempted to add some talent and experience to the roster by adding rookie standout Liz Cambage and veteran WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes. After a two year hiatus, it was great to see Swoopes back in action, even if Tulsa struggled and were left in the dust, winding up at the bottom of the standings for the second year in a row. In all fairness, with the internal changeovers of players and coaches, one can see why Tulsa seemed to brave bad weather most of the season. Let’s hope 2012 brings them some well needed stability.

...and Swoopes can deliver more shots like this...



Change of the Guard - New WNBA president Laurel Richie, the first African American woman named president of a U.S. professional sports league took the helm after Donna Orender departed to start her own sports consulting firm. It was a welcomed and promising move by the WNBA to bring Richie on board after she spent a successful three years as chief marketing officer of the Girl Scouts of America. Let’s hope her goal is for another successful fifteen years of WNBA basketball.



A Legend Retires – On a personal note, assistant coach, Phoenix Mercury legend, and good friend Bridget Pettis retired from the WNBA after a lengthy career with on and off the court with the league. Her leadership, sense of humor, dance moves, and most importantly her spirit and love for the game will be surely missed.

All-Star Game, Texas Style! – San Antonio hosted the 2011 All-Star game that saw a “usual suspects” line up for the starters, but many rookie and first timers in the reserves. A fun game all around, and San Antonio provided a great venue for the event. It was also one for the books as the East finally took a victory from the West after the Western conference claimed seven All-Star wins in the past. No Fowles dunk at the end, but there was plenty of entertainment on the court.



Texas Style Intros - West



Texas Style Intros - East



Yes, there we so many more, (from Taurasi's overseas debacle & vindication to Catchings taking the 2011 MVP honors) but these were the ones that stand out in my mind. Feel free to comment and share your best WNBA memories of 2011!

So, WNBA fans, best wishes to you all in 2012!! The Los Angeles Sparks have the #1 pick, Minnesota Lynx have their first title to defend, and the USA Women’s basketball team is looking to keep their hands on the gold in London.

Looking forward to it!

So, being a WNBA fan, at one time or another, we've all probably had an argument with someone hating on the league we all know and love. After a recent article from a writer in Mulwaukee, Wisconsin, I decided to make an "interpretive" video of what it would (allegedly) be like to interview guys like him, and those who follow his train of thought. It's about time W fans got the last laugh.

Enjoy.

Attention WNBA fans!!!

So, not sure what to get for that special women's hoops fan in your life? Limited budget due to overzealous spending on Black Friday? Worried that the literature options for sports fans is just too limited?

Well, have I got a deal for you!!

From now until Dec 31st, my book, "13 Teams, One Man's Journey with the WNBA" is on sale for just $10.00!! (3.99 off the retail price!!)

But I already have a copy...

Not a problem, the book makes a great gift for just about anyone. Give it to relatives or friends so that they know why you are such a women's hoops fanatic! Bring it to the office Christmas party as a conversation starter. There's never a bad time to talk about the WNBA.

So, the book is on sale for 10 bucks. Is that all?

No, that's NOT all! (as said in most infomercials) For every TWO copies of the paperback you purchase, I'll send you a FREE, that's right Diana, a FREE copy of the Kindle version of my book!!


But I don't have a Kindle...

No Kindle? No problem! There is an app for reading a Kindle version for just about any device...iPhone, iPad, Android tablet, PC, Mac, Blackberry, Windows phone...if it has a screen, you can read a kindle version!! Plus, it's not DRM protected, so you can easily pass it along to your friends!

Ok, how does this work??

First, Click here to order the book from my createspace site. Enter discount code S8S4R5TY at checkout for 3.99 off. Then, email me (13teams1journey@gmail.com) with the electronic receipt of your purchase - feel free to delete personal/payment info, just make sure the quantity and order info is still there - and I'll send over your free Kindle version!!

Is it that easy?

Yes, it's that easy! What are you waiting for? Give the gift that will share the joy and wonder that is the WNBA!!

Hey All,
When I was at the WNBA All-Star game this past summer, I had a chance to sit down with Silver Stars #33, Sophia Young for a few questions. We had a chance to talk chicken outfits, being an on camera personality, and her thoughts on the new additions to the Silver Stars roster. Enjoy!

This interview is a series of three - next up, Silver Stars assistant coach, Vickie Johnson.

Yup, it's the playoffs. Tempers are flaring, play is getting intense, and fans are going crazy (myself included.) It is that time of the season; it happens.

Last night (Sept 19th, 2011) the Phoenix Mercury pulled out a huge win, coming back from an 18 point defect to top the Seattle Storm 77 - 75. It was a good game all around.

But something is troubling me as I read comments on Twitter and Facebook. Mainly about two things - Diana Taurasi and why the Storm lost.

Let's start with Diana. Oh, and I am going to put it on the table - yes I'm a fan of hers, and if that makes me biased, so be it.

One comment on Facebook went a little something like this -

"DT is just a no good white trash thug who thinks just because she played for UConn, her poo don't stink.....Bird has more class in her pinky finger than DT will ever have, as well as the rest of the Storm..hope SA or Minn sends DT home with a whoopin'! I am a SASS fan & hope they win, but if not,would much rather have Minn in the West to represent...any team but DT's....She is a disgrace to society with her roid rage behavior.....LOSER!"

Harsh.

"White trash thug" and "disgrace to society" are usually comments reserved for those who truly reflect qualities that are quite unbecoming - but I don't think they're justifiable in Diana's case.

Yes, she got called for the technical-and when ESPN has to blur your mouth because the F bomb(s)you're dropping is/are more than apparent, I'd say the technical was deserved. However, I don't think her outburst justifies such comments, especially those serving to reflect her overall as a person. Comments like these are usually filled by anger; people who make them would never give Diana a chance. Her behavior was poor, but is surely does not define her as a person.

The true ignorance in this comment was in the final part -

"...with her roid-rage behavior"

Oh, we're going there? Really?

Medically speaking, there is NO definitive or conclusive evidence that steroids cause aggressive behavior, only theories about isolated cases. As a matter of fact, most studies have shown that those who take anabolic steroids already had a disposition for aggressive behavior BEFORE they took them.

Oh, and the fact that Diana has NEVER BEEN ACCUSED OF TAKING STEROIDS!

This is a obvious dig at Taurasi for the doping allegations she was cleared of, and quite a while ago. Oh, and she was accused of taking a stimulant, not a steroid. Hey, while you're at it, why not add "her drunken " behavior to the "roid rage" comment? Yeah, dig up the DUI incident again - because it has about as much relevance as the "riod rage" comment does.

Bottom line, venting toward Diana really just shows how ignorant people can be. I don't support her behavior, but there is so much more about her that truly defines who she is. Put down the haterate and educate yourself before you comment. You might actually surprise yourself.

Now, on to the Seattle Storm.

Last nights game had sub-par officiating; yes, on both ends, there were questionable calls. Hey, it wouldn't be the WNBA without them, now would it? Even Rebeca Lobo commnented how there were far too many calls and that she was "...ready for some basketball." Excessive foul calls to suck the excitement out of a game. No doubt.

As I followed my time line on Twitter, tweet after tweet comments kept saying the same thing - how the Storm lost because of poor officiating.

I will not disagree that was a factor, but I wanted to point out a few other factors -

1. Seattle had home court. That advantage was huge.
2. Seattle had an 18 point lead at one point in the game.
3. Seattle was 11 of 20 from the stripe - missing out on 9 points.
4. Katie Smith (who's averaging 7.5 points per game this season) was 0 for 9.
5. The top scorer in the WNBA, Diana Taurasi fouled out and sat on the bench for the final 6 minutes.

I'd say those also came into play as to why the Storm could not nab the victory.

You can't blame just officiating. Oh, trust me, there are sometimes I would like to (and admittedly, have a few times this season.) It was a hard fought battle, and Seattle had several opportunities to run away with this game. It just didn't happen like that. Seattle did make it quite an exciting run, and I think everyone should respect that.

I can empathize though. I felt just as angry when Sue made that buzzer beater to defeat Phoenix in the Western Conf. finals last year. I was more angry about the fact that we left Sue Bird wide open at the arc - if you want to beat Seattle, you just don't do that. We did, and the rest was history.

Officials will be officials - arguing with them does little, and hating them does less. Yes, I will still be voicing my opinions about them at games in the form of several creative derogatory responses.

In the end though, it is teams that win - so may the best team do so.

Thank you.

It is a simple thing to say, but all too necessary. It was just two months ago that I released my book, “13 Teams: One Man’s Journey with the WNBA” and was not quite sure how it would be received.

However, before I get into that, there were several events that preceded; events I want to make everyone aware of.

Almost a year to the day of my journey in 2009, I was diagnosed with a ruptured disc in my spine, between my L4 and L5 (lower back, near the tailbone). Because of this, I had to have surgery, which for the next 8 months, put a halt on many things in my life - namely finishing my book.

Challenges would not stop there however. After my back had healed, I had to leave my job in public education, put my home up for sale (which it still is) and took a huge financial hit. At this time, this was not an uncommon story for most Americans, as the struggling economy has impacted us all in many ways. None of them good.

I was at a very low point in my life. When you experience having everything taken from you, it leaves little to believe in. Yet, I pressed on. My father always taught me that perseverance is the only thing that will lead you to success in life. Talent, skill, and intelligence are all worthless - unless you put forth the effort to use it. Plus, I made a commitment to share my story with the best sports fans ever. I could not let anyone down.

So, I continued on with my book. For six months (January till May) I wrote every day, 7 days a week, morning, noon and night. I was focused and determined on bringing the book out to the fans of the WNBA for the 15th anniversary of the league.

A few weeks later, after much editing and several proofs ordered, the book was complete. I’ll never forget what it felt like – emotionally yes – but I’m speaking about what the actual physical book felt like when I held it in my hand for the first time. This was my gold medal, my championship trophy.

The only thing left at this point was to share it with you, the fans. Once I did, Facebook messages, tweets and emails poured in from around the country and around the world, all positive, uplifting and bringing me much happiness. You – the fans of this league we have all loved for the past 15 years – you are the ones who have allowed me to see the good in so many. You have exemplified how the word support should be defined, and have shown everyone who follows in your social media circles what being part of a family of fans truly means.

I know that I will always be able to count on you – the fans. I am so glad to be a part of this family, this movement, this group that is the reason why my journey was one of the most memorable parts of my life. With numerous words and thoughts flying through my head to express my gratitude, only two seem fitting. So, from the caverns at the bottom of my heart, to the top of Diana Taurasi’s bun...

Thank you.

(…You didn’t think I’d make a post without mentioning my girl, did you? *smile*)

First of all, thanks to all those who overseas who ordered the book and waited between 4 - 6 weeks to get it. I appreciate your patience.

The book is now available in paperback from Amazon.com partners in the UK and in Germany.

Dispatching from the UK from £8.48 + £2.80 delivery: Click here.

Dispatching from Germany from EUR 18.88 + EUR 3.00 shipping. Click here.

Thanks for all of your support!!!!