Things said and heard around the WNBA this week.

Notes and Quotes:
May 31, 2005

New Mystics owner Sheila Johnson, after the announcement of the sale of the team:
''I hope that this is a signal that it's about time that a woman, and an African-American woman, is part of this whole scene of sports."

Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn, describing a pep talk he gave to his team that sparked a 20-2 run in a win over the Silver Stars on Tuesday:
"I can't tell secrets. Those are ancient Chinese secrets."

Tamika Catchings, on an inspring message from a fan after the Fever's third win of the season:
"Somebody came up to me after the game and told me, 'You have help this year'."

Storm forward Alicia Thompson, on the team's fitness, as told to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
"You can go work out every day, get on the bike every day and get on the StairMaster every day, but it's just not the same as getting up and down the floor."

Liberty veteran Crystal Robinson, after going 0-10 in an opening game loss to the Liberty:
"Right now, I'm kind of exhausted from playing in Europe for eight years and back-to-back. Right now, every day is a struggle to be on the court."

Katie Smith dropped 24 against the Sparks last week.
Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty Images

Lynx guard Katie Smith, after the win over the Sparks last Wednesday night:
"It was satisfying to see our composure down the stretch.' The way we played together is a great sign.''

Charlotte's Dawn Staley, talking about rookie teammate Janel McCarville, to the Charlotte Observer:
"She can take a joke, and she can give a joke. She's taking it all well, and it takes a big person to do that. It helps to get her acclimated a little bit better."

Becky Hammon, after Thursday's loss to the Indiana Fever at home:
"We've got to have our bigs getting on the boards. We get outrebounded by 10 tonight, we get outrebounded by 19 the other day. That just can't happen. And four offensive boards? In the game? That's just unacceptable. That's effort. That's total effort."

Mystics coach Richie Adubato, last Friday, talking about the injury to Alana Beard:
"My hope is that with a few more days rest she'll be ready to go. But those kinds of injuries can be tricky."

Chamique Holdsclaw, after her return to Washington as a member of the Sparks, last Thursday night:
"I wonder how I was here for six seasons and they could never get any [veterans] around me. "That's the thing - the acquisition of Charlotte Smith and some young players is really exciting."

New Chicago coach Dave Cowens:
"I'm going to be the face of the franchise for a while, and for that, I apologize. But I'm sure in the very near future, we'll be able to give you more powerful images to look at than my mug."

Chicago team president and CEO Margaret Stender:
"[Women's basketball] has been tried before in Chicago and there are still skeptics. This says we're the real deal that this guy with his reputation, credibility and skill wants to be involved."

Bill Laimbeer, talking about his interview for the Knicks head coaching vacancy:
"I always enjoy talking to Isiah. He talked a little bit about the direction he thinks he's taking his ballclub, and I talked about what I think about me coaching and what I've learned as a coach."

Lauren Jackson talks about teammate Betty Lennox after Friday's win over the Comets:
"She was unbelievable. She made some amazing shots. She was just wonderful. She's going to have a very big year."

Nykesha Sales, on the prospect of the Sun winning a WNBA title:
"I got spoiled at UConn in my college years with hanging banners, getting rings, taking championship trips and all the glorious interviews and press. And it sort of went away for a while."

Comets forward Sheryl Swoopes, on Sunday's double-OT win over the Fever:
"I was frustrated for a little while. But it's incredible to be sitting here with a 'W' tonight, seeing how slow we got started. For this team to be able to come back from that and pull out a win against a very good team, that's remarkable."