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| Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images |
Tune in for a potential Finals matchup at 7 pm ET Tuesday when the Los Angeles Sparks battle the Detroit Shock in Auburn Hills on ESPN2.
The Detroit Shock are threatening to make a third straight trip to the championship round thanks in large part to the continued excellence of reliable veterans like Katie Smith. Smith, a guard/forward playing in her 10th WNBA season, has been a stalwart in the scoring column all season for the first-place Shock. Currently, she's averaging a team-best 15.1 points per game, which is on pace to be her highest scoring output since joining Detroit.
Next month, Smith will be wearing a different yet familiar uniform when she and the other members of the USA basketball squad attempt to capture gold in the Beijing Olympics.
Can Smith lead both the Shock and USA to glory? Smith tackled that topic and more Tuesday when she stopped by to chat with fans prior to the game against the Sparks.
Katie Smith: (12:08 PM ET ) This year we've had injuries and players banged up and also some new faces. I am pleased that we've been able to stay at the top of the league. It's a testament to the players that we have and our coaches.
Katie Smith: (12:09 PM ET ) I think we have to rebound, box out, we have to get back on transition defense, they push the ball and their bigs run well. And if we rebound, we can run on them and get some easy buckets.
Katie Smith: (12:10 PM ET ) I don't think its going to tire me out. You have to take care of your body, get your rest while you are practicing and playing. If you take care of yourself, it keeps you tuned in because you're still playing. Then when we come back for the second half of the season, we'll be ready to go.
Katie Smith: (12:12 PM ET ) Plenette is worthy of all star status. With Bill, he's intense when it comes to games. He's competitive and wants to win. I'm not intimidated by him, but others could be. He's someone that knows the game, challenges you and wants you to go out and play basketball. He wants you to go out and do your job and play the best basketball that you can. I really appreciate that and I really enjoy playing for him.
Katie Smith: (12:13 PM ET ) I feel rested, I feel like I'm shooting the ball well. We have a lot of capable scorers on this team. Winning the gold will be difficult. There are a handful of teams that can challenge for the gold. We need to go into the Olympics with a sense of urgency every time we step on the court.
Katie Smith: (12:14 PM ET ) I think Alexis and Humphrey have given us a nice spark. With Alexis playing at Tennessee as a combo guard, she can fit in different ways and do different things. Humphrey is able to spread the floor and shoot the ball. Shay Murphy and Stacey Lovelace have taken their opportunities since they've been here. I like the new additions to the team, they are still adjusting to this team and this league, but they are doing a good job.
Katie Smith: (12:15 PM ET ) I don't think I'm a focal point. I think it's been consistent over my three years here in Detroit. There are certain games when you have more opportunities. We have three or four players every night that can put up 20 and I have to be ready to step up and be aggressive. You never know who's night it is going to be so I have to be ready in case its mine.
Katie Smith: (12:16 PM ET ) Kevin Garnett. He plays the game hard on both ends of the floor and makes his teammates better. He plays the whole game, he doesn't take breaks.
Katie Smith: (12:17 PM ET ) Thanks for the support! I think that we have to become a little bit more consistent and especially doing the little things - rebounding, boxing out, running our offense, the attention to detail - those things will get us to the top again.
Katie Smith: (12:18 PM ET ) I'm going to go with Connecticut because they have great fans, a small arena and a lot of noise. Sacramento as well, they have very passionate fans and sometimes they can be a little rough on you.
Katie Smith: (12:20 PM ET ) I don't know if it's tough., I'm on one end of it where I'm still playing and it's a continuation of the season. The players at home, it will be a grind just to have practice everyday and no games to play. On the other hand it can help players get rested and heal from injuries, so there are two sides to it. I don't think it will be difficult.
Katie Smith: (12:21 PM ET ) First and foremost you have to have a coach that is up front and honest and tells everyone the expectations. You have to have players that buy into winning games and winning championships and nothing else. Buying into whatever you have to do and not worrying about getting more shots, getting more minutes. The biggest key is being unselfish and doing what is best for the team.
Katie Smith: (12:22 PM ET ) On the day of the game, we have shootaround which is good to loosen up the body. I do the ice bath after that to get everything rejuvenated. I eat, get a nice nap, then head to the arena. About an hour before I go out and get some shots up and just focus in and get in tune and ready to play.
Katie Smith: (12:24 PM ET ) Winning the gold is first and foremost right now. It would mean a bunch because its my last Olympics. To have a combo in one year - a gold medal and a WNBA title - would be great. As I've gotten older, you try to make the most of your opportunities and I feel that we have an opportunity here. I just want to do my part and make sure everyone else knows that these opportunities don't come around often and we need to take advantage of it. To win both, It would be a very special year and something I would remember.
Katie Smith: (12:25 PM ET ) Thanks to all of the fans of the WNBA and especially my fans in hostile arenas, you are brave. Go Shock. Keep watching, keep supporting and we'll see you in a nearby arena soon!