FEVER: Straight From The Messenger

Straight From The Messenger

Kevin Messenger has been the Fever's media relations director since 2003. The son of a high school teacher and coach in Colorado, he has traveled the country with college and pro sports teams since graduating from University of the Pacific in 1987. Somehow, he sidestepped his own teaching and coaching career by venturing into the world of sports media relations. From UNLV to Indiana State, back to Pacific, and to the University of Maryland, he has worked with virtually every sport known to mankind, and lived on both coasts and in-between.

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October 3, 2009
This is one of the most fitting, appropriate and timely blogs I will ever write for FeverBasketball.com. It's about a guy whose dedication to the Indiana Fever has been matched by very few individuals. He, along with chief operating officer Kelly Krauskopf, administrative assistant and former ballkid Ashley Floyd, are the lone remaining "originals" from the Fever franchise that launched its first season in 2000.

I am speaking of Fever and Pacers broadcaster Chris Denari. I first met Chris when I joined the Fever in spring 2003, seven years ago. He is a true gentleman and friend, an outstanding and professional play-by-play man, and a true fan both of the Fever and the Pacers. His roots with the Fever extend much deeper than with the Pacers, though. And it was through his hard work and dedication to the Fever that Pacers Sports and Entertainment hired him as the TV voice of the Pacers three seasons ago.

So, why, on the eve of the first WNBA Finals game ever to be played in Indianapolis; with the city enjoying a Fever Frenzy; and with the club two wins shy of a possible WNBA title, am I writing about Chris Denari?

What most people don't realize is that right now, my friend Chris is preparing for his final Fever broadcast of the season. He will call Game 3 of the WNBA Finals with little fanfare, and with the liklihood that most people don't realize it will be his final game of the year. He will quietly and professionally -- with a huge lump in his throat -- bow to Kevin Lee, Quinn Buckner and Debbie Antonelli to call the Fever's final one or two games that might remain in this most magical of Fever seasons.

Why? Because Chris will board a flight to China on Monday morning. His talents and his climb up the local broadcasting ladder have put Chris in the position to carry the Pacers' broadcasts during a historical visit to China next week. When the trip was planned, the Fever season had barely begun. Never had a Fever season lasted into October. And even if the Fever reached the WNBA Finals, Denari's schedule conflict would only arise if the series reached Game 4.

Well, alas, the series will reach at least that far. And no matter that his heart will surely be left inside The Fieldhouse when he leaves the building 24 hours from now, Chris will unfortunately not be a part of Game 4, or a possible Game 5.

Timing is indeed an unfortunate thing, in this case. For the chance to see this fledgling franchise reach the pinnacle of the sport in its 10th season, with Denari calling virtually every game since the club was established 360 games ago, it will be a shame that Chris cannot take part in any possible title that Indiana could win this next week.

Chris and his PS&E counterparts will attempt to find an ESPN2 feed of the game somehow in China, on what will be Thursday, Oct. 5 for them when the game is played here Wednesday evening. Or, with his new Macbook or iPhone or other techno gadget, Denari will surely try by any means possible to keep tabs on the Fever's progress a half-a-world away.

For the first several years that I knew Chris, he was often regarded in the Indianapolis media market as the guy with more jobs than anyone. He was the marketing director for Butler University sports while he carried Bulldogs games on the radio. He called the 'Dawgs in the winter and the Fever in the summer. He has worked IHSAA and college sports broadcasts and he has always carried racing action from Turn 4 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- juggling his racing schedule with the Fever's, and often traveling the day of a game in order to make every Fever date he could. He could have opted to miss a game here and there, but not Chris.

Later, he joined the Colts' radio network, carrying pre- and postgame shows. Later, he became the sports director at FOX-59 where he also added postgame TV duties on the Pacers' FSN telecasts. He did it all. Everybody in the local media market knew Denari and all of us worked with him in one capacity or another. I think I can speak for most members of this media market and say he has been liked by all, with a kind, gentle, professional, helpful and engaging demeanor no matter whether he was dealing with a big-time coach, athlete, marketing exec or a college intern. In 2004, he was named the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Broadcaster of the Year.

He had more jobs than anybody in Indianapolis, but he never complained. And in his mind, he had the greatest gig in sports.

Finally, the son of a high school coach, a husband and the father of three boys, he did get the best gig in sports. He calls the play-by-play for pro basketball games 12 months out of the year. When the Pacers hired Denari as its TV voice, he landed what was for him the opportunity of a lifetime.

Chris would not have you feel sorry that he might miss a possible Fever championship this week. Let's face it, he's going to China to continue his wonderful opportunity with the best job he could imagine!

But his absence must be noted. His contributions must be acknowledged. Whether this Finals series will end in Indy or Phoenix, and whether it will be Tamika Catchings or Diana Taurasi hoisting the eventual championship trophy, Chris Denari will be with the Indiana Fever in spirit ... and somehow I'm sure by Twitter or email or some newfangled text mechanism.

The greatest shame is that, should a Fever championship occur, it will not be the characteristic and enthusiastic Denari delivery that will be re-lived and replayed through archives and highlights that will follow.

Enjoy your Sunday, Chris. Enjoy what will be the largest Fever crowd you have ever witnessed. For any Fever fans that may read this blog before their arrival Sunday, be sure to bring your best wishes or even a sign for Chris Denari. He deserves it. He deserves to be present for a potential first championship. His 10-year run as a WNBA broadcaster is unprecedented. He has carried the WNBA and Fever flags proudly.

In the midst of the Fever's biggest week in history, the dedicated blog to Chris Denari is fitting, appropriate and timely.

October 1, 2009

Wow! Another great night for the Fever. And for Fever fans watching on ESPN2, it was a great evening for you, also.

The Indiana Fever has put itself in position to win the WNBA title in Indianapolis this week. By downing the Mighty Mercury 93-84 in Game 2 of this best-of-five game WNBA Finals series, Indiana has evened the series 1-1 with a pair of home games upcoming on Sunday and Wednesday.

The Fever's 14-3 regular season home record was the best in the WNBA. Counting the playoffs, the Fever is 17-3 at Conseco Fieldhouse this season. And since Lin Dunn's "mulligan" game in the home opener way back on June 7, Indiana is 17-2 at its home arena.

That home arena is about to be packed to the gills on Sunday afternoon. If you haven't heard by now, Fever fans ----- you'd better get your tickets in a hurry! As of early Thursday evening, over 16,100 tickets were sold for Sunday's Game 3. Those are tickets sold to 16,100 loyal and dedicated fans who are hungry for the Fever to take the lead in this Finals series. There will be no assistance from Larry Bird this week. The Fever has seemingly captured the hearts of Indianapolis sports fans, and the friendly confines of Conseco Fieldhouse are about to turn into a loud and raucous home-court advantage for the homestanding Fever.

How did we get to this point? The Fever raced through the regular season with the East's best record. Though stumbling briefly down the stretch, the Fever regrouped to sweep Washington in the conference semis. It was against the dreaded Detroit Shock that the Fever raised its profile locally - winning back-to-back games at The Fieldhouse last week to open the eyes of the surrounding community. When an announced crowd of 18,165 showed up to help the Fever earn its first conference championship, the Fever responded with a knock-down, dragout thriller over Detroit.

In the Finals, the Fever has responded again. The Mercury won a 120-116 classic in the opening game, but not before Indiana got huge performances from Katie Douglas, Ebony Hoffman and Tammy Sutton-Brown. Douglas and Hoffman turned in career playoff scoring highs and, Hoffman in particular, played perhaps her best game of the season. On the league's biggest stage and in front of the national TV audience, "Showtime" Hoffman shot 12-of-14 from the floor, added eight rebounds and finished with 27 points. The loss meant an 0-1 beginning to the series, but the pace and the great play of so many players meant one very important thing, besides the loss ... and that was that the Fever was very, very comfortable playing at Phoenix' breakneck pace.

Indiana not only is comfortable playing at any pace the Mercury wants to play, but the Fever is a very confident team. They believe very simply that, unless they make mistakes, they will not be denied the 2009 championship.

So, who stepped up in Game 2? None other than Tamika Catchings with a near triple-double (19 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds) that would have been the first in Finals history. But besides another stat-stuffer from Catchings, no less than five other players finished in double figures. And how about the splendid performances from bench stars Briann January and Jessica Davenport? Like Hoffman and Douglas two nights before, January and Davenport both posted playoff career highs.

Davenport played 12 minutes, shot 4-of-6, added a pair of rebounds and three blocks while posting her best game of the year. January was just marvelous. Fearless. Effortless. Spectacular. She shot 5-of-7 with three 3-point baskets. She had a pair of rebounds and an assist, and she finished with 16 points. But more than anything else, she stepped onto the big stage without missing a beat. Playing just minutes from her college home at Arizona State University, she played like she was born on this stage. She stepped into a fourth quarter 3 to thwart one Mercury rally. She took a key charge in the waning minutes to stifle another Phoenix opportunity. Her fastbreak layup was one of the game's biggest highlights.

No longer a rookie, January emerged as a September star who's biggest plays helped the Fever to its first October victory in franchise history.

Who will shine brightest on Sunday? Hopefully you'll be one of lucky 18,000 inside Conseco Fieldhouse to find out.

Don't forget to come out to the Indianapolis International Airport on Friday afternoon (3:30 p.m.) to greet the Fever team on its return from Phoenix. I'll offer one last reminder to get your tickets for Sunday. Folks, we're near capacity and it's only Thursday evening. Get your tickets now ... or you'll be watching on TV. And, with tonight's win, of course, that means that Game 4 in Indianapolis is guaranteed for next Wednesday, Oct. 4. Those tickets go on sale Friday morning at 10 a.m.

Our Time is Now! Have you got the Fever?

September 30, 2009

It has been a couple of weeks since I have blogged. This time, at least, I’ve had a reason – and a good one at that. The Fever is hot and I’ve been busy. That’s a great problem and I’ve got no complaints!

I’m not going to write about basketball today, even though I’m seated courtside from US Airways Center in Phoenix while the Fever practices on Wednesday afternoon. Instead, I am writing about perceptions, and hopefully some perceptions being conquered.

I am a 44-year old male who falls into the demographic that is often most critical of women’s sports. I’d like to think I’m a little more open-minded. Some guys I know (even friends) just aren’t interested in the sport. And, you know what? That’s really just fine. Everybody is entitled to their own opinions – that’s what makes the world go ‘round!

There are some, though, mostly in my demographic and some in others, who will say that WNBA players really aren’t great athletes or competitors, or don’t have skills, or aren’t as big, strong or fast as their male counterparts.

To those who want to watch the NBA game with dunking and above-the-rim play, so be it. That’s great, too. But beyond that aspect of the game, these are skilled competitors who bring great intensity to the game of basketball, very comparable to any level of the men’s game.

WNBA games are great displays of competition. And let me just tell you – Tuesday night’s WNBA Finals Game 1 from Phoenix was worthy of ESPN’s Instant Classic label!

120-116 in overtime, are you kidding me? It was a gem of a game for the network, for the league, for the sport. For those sports fans who are WNBA pessimists, you want scoring? We got scoring. You want intensity? You got it. You want last-second drama? That game delivered in regulation and again in overtime.

A lot of new fans were exposed to the Fever for the first time last weekend during the series with the Shock in the Eastern Conference Finals. Yes, it was exciting and of course the Fever won and fans were entertained. But from a basketball standpoint, what they saw was a physical grudge match that doesn’t exactly scream to the pessimists that these are really great athletes.

Change the opponent and tempo though, and a week later, Indiana is matched with a Phoenix team that runs and spreads the floor. All of a sudden, you see the athletic type of basketball that better resembles the NBA. Katie Douglas was free to roam and create shots. Ebony Hoffman was freed from the constant banging in the paint with Detroit’s bigs. Both had playoff career scoring highs in a very classic contest.

On our league’s biggest stage and in front of a national TV audience in prime time – the Fever and Mercury staged not just the highest-scoring game in WNBA history, but perhaps the most significant game in its history. The game drew eyeballs to the WNBA.

Here is further evidence – Sunday’s Game 3 in Indy is looking like it could be a truly legitimate sellout – tickets are still available, but you better get them fast!

For last week’s deciding game against the Shock, Larry Bird graciously bought the balcony seats at Conseco Fieldhouse. That contributed about 9,000 of the over 18,000 seats that were sold for Game 3 of the conference finals. Compare that to this week where, already, the latest ticket count I have heard for Sunday’s Game 3 in Indy is right about 14,000. That’s tickets already sold by fans getting excited about the Indiana Fever! It’s only Wednesday with still four days to go.

There will always be the pessimists who refuse to ever see a game because it’s women’s sports. Hey, like I said before, that’s fine, they’re entitled. But what they will miss is not only a great spectacle on Sunday, but what is fast becoming a legitimate sellout crowd of greater than 18,000 sold tickets. There will be more than 18,000 devoted, dedicated and paid Fever fans that will be rooting for the hometown team.

If you’re at all open-minded within that 25-to-50 year old male demographic; or if you’re just a sports fan that is reading this blog for the first time because someone handed it to you … if you fit either of those categories, I suggest you get your tickets while you can.

It’s nice to be able to write about the genuine possibility of an 18,000-seat sellout without the benefit of a donated block of tickets.

Indiana, the Fever thanks you. Indiana, the Fever welcomes you. Indiana, Game 4 is Sunday and we hope to return from Phoenix knotted 1-1 in this best-of-five game series!

Tipoff is 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon. If you’re headed to the Colts game at 1, what better way to celebrate after a Colts victory than to come on over to the Fieldhouse for a sellout crowd and the WNBA Finals?

September 18, 2009

The Shock has advanced tonight, earning a 2-0 series sweep over the Dream with a 94-79 win in Atlanta. What that means is that once again, the Eastern road to the WNBA Finals will go through Detroit.

The Shock -- the defending champions and the club responsible for dashing Fever playoff dreams in each of the past three seasons -- will be a part of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals beginning Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Will the Fever be the Shock's opponent at The Palace next Wednesday? Or can Washington win twice at Conseco Fieldhouse before hosting the Shock in Washington next week?

The answers to those questions will certainly be settled in Indy beginning Saturday, and possibly Monday, too.

Should it be the Fever to advance, man oh man, here we go again! A possible Fever-Shock matchup may have seemed inevitable in many WNBA circles. While Indiana has had its best season ever, a run at the title still needs to go through Detroit. The Shock remains the champs until somebody knocks them off. Indiana would immediately assume the role of challenger again. The Shock will assume its bad boy role as the biggest, baddest bullies on the block until somebody beats them -- no matter who they play next week.

That is what Indiana plays for on Saturday night -- the chance to advance and set that date with destiny, and the shot at going toe-to-toe with the champs. Detroit is playing its best ball of the season. The Shock remains the champs. If the Fever is to achieve its first title, it is only fitting that if it advances to the conference finals, Detroit would be the team standing between Indiana and The Finals!

September 17, 2009

The Fever is one of the most experienced teams in the WNBA and certainly the Fever's experience and confidence played a role in hanging tough and pulling ahead late in Thursday night's Game 1 against the Washington Mystics.

But the late key for the Fever in this game was its rookies - namely point guard Briann January. When the Fever made its 12-0 run to begin the fourth period, who was on the floor? January and fellow rookie, second-round pick Christina Wirth. In the fourth quarter alone, January took command on offense and defense, collecting 10 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal. Wirth chipped in with four points and two assists while playing eight pivotal minutes during the game's turning moments.

Veteran MVP candidates Katie Douglas and Tamika Catchings got their requisite numbers. As always, and deservedly so. But the Indiana youth energized the Fever's late efforts to give the club not only a Game 1 victory but key momentum with an almost lethal 1-0 series advantage as the series shifts back to Conseco Fieldhouse. Game 2 is Saturday evening at 7 p.m. If you don't have tickets already, get them. If the Fever can capitalize on tonight's win, there won't be a Game 3 with the Mystics and the Fever won't return to The Fieldhouse until Game 2 of the conference finals.

A nice by-product of tonight's rookie contributions? Improving-with-age 38-year old point guard Tully Bevilaqua was able to rest almost the entire fourth quarter, as did reserve center Jessica Moore who has nursed a sore knee recently.

Even with the big fourth quarter explosion, Washington worked its way back within one possession, but Catchings' critical 3-point play with 1:44 remaining pushed the Fever advantage back to six points, 82-76, and Indiana coasted with a string of free throws down the stretch.

Indiana earned an 88-79 win. Catchings finished with game highs of 26 points and 12 rebounds. Douglas contributed 19 points. Next on the scoring ladder? January added 16 in her pro playoffs debut. Her rookie label has officially been extinguished.

The Fever, with its balance of veterans and youth, hopes to extinguish the Mystics on Saturday. Did I say to get your tickets? Do that, and bring a friend. Better yet, bring four - it's a Lucas Oil Family Night presented by The Indianapolis Star! Buy four seats and get a free t-shirt, hot dog, chips and a drink with each ticket.

September 12, 2009 (10:15 p.m.)

The dates and times for next week's Eastern Conference Semifinals still are yet to be announced, but at 10:15 p.m. Saturday evening, we do know this -- the Indiana Fever (22-11) will meet the Washington Mystics (16-17) in next week's playoff round. Atlanta (18-16), the No. 2 seed, will battle No. 3 Detroit (18-16).

The Mystics beat Atlanta to keep their playoff hopes alive tonight, and Chicaco surrendered a 33-11 third quarter to Detroit as the Shock came back from a 19-point halftime deficit to beat the Sky. And, in doing so, Detroit eliminated Chicago from playoff contention. The Sky still can finish in a fourth-place tie with Washington, should the Mystics lose at New York on Sunday, but the Mystics would win a tiebreaker thus sealing their place as the No. 4 seed.

The Fever will play at Washington next Wednesday or Thursday, with the series moving to Indianapolis for Game 2 on Friday or Saturday. A potential Game 3 would be played at Conseco Fieldhouse either Sunday or Monday.

The Fever swept the Mystics 4-0 during the regular season. Heading the Mystics is former Indiana assistant coach Julie Plank, who is in her first year as the Mystics boss. Plank and Fever head coach Lin Dunn both were Indiana assistants when the Fever reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2005 and 2007.

Indiana plays at Connecticut, Sunday, in a game that no longer has any playoff implications. Fever players and coaches will return from Connecticut on Monday, prior to appearing at three different rallies at Kroger, The Children's Museum and IMAX Theater.

September 12, 2009 (9:30 p.m.)

Lindsey Harding scored 25 points to lead the Washington Mystics to an 82-64 win over the Atlanta Dream and stave off elimination from the 2009 WNBA Playoff chase. With the Mystics' win tonight, Chicago faces elimination if it loses to Detroit. At halftime, however, the Sky led the Shock by 19.

If the Sky holds on to beat the Shock this evening, the possibility of a three-way tie still exists between Chicago, Washington and Detroit - all at 17-17 - if the Mystics beat New York on Sunday.

If the Sky holds on to win tonight, clinchings and final seeds must wait until the conclusion of Sunday's game in New York. If the Mystics beat the Liberty, Washington wins the three-way tie scenario to finish in third place, Chicago would be eliminated and Detroit would be the No. 4 seed, facing Indiana next week. If the Mystics should lose to the Liberty, Washington would be eliminated and Detroit would retain the No. 3 seed. Chicago, then, would be the No. 4 seed and face Indiana next week.

Should Detroit come back to win tonight's game in Chicago, however, the Sky would be eliminated by virtue of tiebreaker with Washington. Detroit would earn the No. 3 seed and the Fever would face No. 4 Washington next week.

So, still at 9:30 Saturday evening, all three scenarios still are intact.

September 12, 2009

Final seedings in the East could all be wrapped up tonight when Atlanta visits Washington (7 p.m.) and Detroit visits Chicago (8 p.m. ET). With last night's Atlanta victory over Connecticut, the Sun has been eliminated, thus ending a six-year playoff run, and the Dream has secured the No. 2 seed behind the Fever. Now all that is left is to determine the No. 3 and 4 seeds between three remaining contenders - Detroit, Chicago and Washington.

If Detroit wins beats Chicago, the Shock earn the No. 3 seed, no matter any other results. It would setup an Atlanta-Detroit semifinal series featuring point guards Nikki Teasley and Ivory Latta who have traded places over the past two seasons. Atlanta beat the Shock 3-1 in the season series.

If Detroit and Atlanta win, Washington is eliminated and Chicago takes the No. 4 seed, setting up an I-65 semifinal series with the Fever and Sky. Indiana beat the Sky 3-1 in the regular season series, but Chicago got the most recent victory, just two nights ago. [Mathematically, the Mystics could still tie Chicago for the No. 4 seed, but the Sky would win a tiebreaker.]

If Detroit and Washington win, Chicago is eliminated and Washington earns the No. 4 seed. The Fever would face the Mystics after sweeping the season series. The matchup would pit former Fever assistant coaches Lin Dunn and Julie Plank battling head-to-head.

If Chicago and Atlanta win, Washington is eliminated and the Shock still earns the No. 3 seed by virtue of a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Sky.

If Chicago and Washington win, a potential three-way tie still exists for third place and final seeding will be based on the WAS-NY game on Sunday. In that event, Washington either wins or goes home. If the Mystics win in this scenario, they create a 17-17 tie with Detroit and Chicago. Washington wins this tiebreaker and would be the No. 3 seed. Detroit would be the No. 4 seed and Chicago would be eliminated.

There you have it ... the playoff picture has finally come into focus. All that is still pending is a determination of dates. We know that Indiana will open the playoffs next Wednesday or Thursday. And we know the Fever will host Games 2 and 3 of the series, next Friday/Saturday and Sunday/Monday.

Don't forget the playoff rallies on Monday. There will also be a lunchtime (11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) rally on Wednesday at The City Market.

Stay tuned for final dates and times to be revealed later this weekend.

September 9, 2009

So I throw this question to the masses --- "How do YOU define what is an MVP?"

The definition of Most Valuable Player could take as many shapes as there are voters in any given contest. Is it the best player on the best team? Is it the best scorer? Is it the player who can beat you in the most ways? Is it the player whose team's success is most heavily dependent on her success? Is it the player who excels most against the best competition? Is it the player who excels most when the chips are on the line -- whether during a final stretch of the season or in the final minutes of a game?

In one paragraph I've cited seven different definitions. I'd like to personally wish "good luck" to the dozens of WNBA media voters who will cast their votes this week for the league's MVP award, among the host of many other postseason awards.

Obviously, I will discuss the Indiana possibilities of winning this season's MVP award. But before I venture to that conversation, let me first give a run down and my very unofficial and obviously biased synopsis of other Fever awards candidates.

Coach of the Year - I expect that Lin Dunn will be one of three top vote-getters. The others being Atlanta coach Marynell Meadors and Phoenix coach Corey Gaines. Meadors has taken a second-year team with an entirely changed roster and turned the Dream into playoff contenders. Gaines, a first-year coach, has put the talented Mercury into the playoffs as the West's top seed. Two weeks ago, I was on the Dunn bandwagon because, with the Fever owning a 20-5 record, the Indiana dominance was rivaling any in WNBA history and, despite its huge lead in the standings, the Fever and Dunn were battling the complacency bug such that the club had never lost consecutive games since it started 0-2. Now, I think Dunn is still every bit as worthy a candidate as the other two, except that the recent slide of five losses in six games shoots holes in my argument against complacency. Indiana's improvement from a 17-17 team last year might not be as great as Atlanta's improvement, but her challenges may have been greater. It's a close race. Dunn's in the top three.

Rookie of the Year - Ironically, I see another Atlanta-Phoenix-Indiana battle brewing for the league's ROY. Angel McCoughtry of the Dream, DeWanna Bonner of the Mercury and the Fever's Briann January should finish as the top three, in my humblest of opinions. Bonner is perfect for the Phoenix style of play, but because of that, I think her numbers might be slightly inflated. That's no knock on her, just a statement of fact. So I put McCoughtry and January as the frontrunners for the award, and I think because McCoughtry has better numbers for a team that was so dramatically improved, she will defeat the Fever point guard. January's contributions, mostly off the bench and as part of a superior lineup, won't appear as sexy on paper as those of McCoughtry. January plays a different role and a different position -- and may well have the longer and more substantial career -- but I think she'll finish No. 2. I'd vote for January and not just because of my bias. I think she's played that big a role for the 22-10 Fever. But her role has often been intangible, and it's not been as dramatic on paper as that of McCoughtry.

Defensive Player of the Year - Catchings. This one's a no-brainer. Tamika should win her third DPOY award after earning an unprecedented and record-breaking fifth steals title.

Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award - This award is not nearly as publicized as the other awards. That is largely in part because the winners aren't noted for their statistics. It is an award that usually recognizes a player that is highly appreciated, though not always for being the best player. Last year's winner was well deserved (of course, I'm biased again), as the Fever's Tully Bevilaqua won top honors. This year's Fever nominee is another longtime WNBA veteran who has earned the respect of her peers and national media -- Tamecka Dixon. She is one of four remaining original WNBA stars from the 1997 season. She has won three WNBA titles and she has posted All-Star seasons with all-league numbers. Now, she is largely a role player, though her role for the Fever cannot be diminished. And her leadership on and off the court has been invaluable. She deserves the recognition. And for a 33-year old veteran to continue playing this role in her 13th pro season, my vote would be unquestioned.

Most Improved Player - The Fever has had a history in winning this award, with Kelly Miller and Ebony Hoffman each laying claim to the award since 2004. The Fever's "reclamation project" of 2009 has been Jessica Moore. OK, maybe that title is not so flattering, but let's realize the fact that Kelly Krauskopf picked up Jessica Moore off the waiver wire in early June. She didn't have a team. All she has done is start eight games while averaging 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 20 minutes per game. The numbers don't leap off the page, but her role has. And for someone that was cut from her team in training camp -- I'd call that a pretty significant improvement!

All-Defense Team - The All-Defense Team is another that Indiana owns a big piece of history. The coaches vote for this award. If I had a vote, I'd put four Fever players on the team. Biased? Of course. But Indiana has four players with over 50 steals, which has never been done before by any team in the history of the league. The Fever also limits teams to a WNBA-low 72.5 points per game and three of its steals leaders have been perennial members of the All-Defense Team already. Catchings leads the WNBA in steals per game with 3.03. Bevilaqua is seventh, Douglas ninth and Hoffman tenth. The All-Defense Team is comprised of a first and second team, five members each. Therefore, with all four Fever steals artists in the top ten, I vote for all four to get selected.

MVP - Now it's time to address the afore-mentioned MVP debate. League-wide, the top candidates are, in no particular order, Catchings and Douglas, Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter, Becky Hammon, Lauren Jackson, Candace Parker and perhaps Lisa Leslie. I'm biased, as I mentioned before, and I'm going to lean on the rationale that the MVP should come from the league's best team. So, for purposes of this debate, I'm going to limit my top candidates to the quartet of players from Indiana and Phoenix. Did I mention that I'm biased? Of course I did, so, for purposes of this blog, I'm going to give my vote to either Catchings or Douglas. I'll say, honestly, that both Taurasi and Pondexter are deserving. But Taurasi might be too one-dimensional for my tastes and Pondexter may not have had as great a year as either Catchings or Douglas. So, again, I'm going to call this a two-horse race between Fever stars.

I'll tell you right now, I'm not going to select one before the other. Don't even begin thinking that the Fever PR guy is going to pick between the two. It ain't gonna happen! No way, no how. But not just because I don't want to make a tough decision. And not just because I want to appear politically correct. Heck, I'll go against the grain and tell you my honest feelings if I have to. Some would call me too brutally honest, sometimes, in fact.

You want honesty?? The truth is, I really don't know that one deserves it more than the other! Remember those seven definitions I came up with earlier? I could pit Catchings vs. Douglas against one another every day of the week. And after seven days gone by, using each of those seven definitions, I'd waffle back and forth a dozen times. I'm not refusing to make this decision. I'm telling you, honestly, that I don't know which I'd choose!

I have used the term "all-everything" to describe Catchings during each of the seven years I have worked with her and the Fever. She never disappoints in stuffing the stat sheet. She does it like nobody in the history of the game. Heck, she should have been MVP before -- and let's face it, she's finished in the top three four times before already! She is the answer to the question, "which player can beat you the most ways?" She is the only player in the WNBA to rank among league leaders in points, rebounds, assists and steals. She's a lock to win the Defensive Player of the Year. She is not equal to Douglas on the offensive end, but you could also argue that Catchings' offensive presence is responsible in part for making Douglas better. They are complementary pieces on offense, and Catchings averages 15.1 points per game.

If Catchings can beat an opponent in more ways than any other player in the game, Douglas may well be the most explosive scorer who can take over a game more single-handedly and dramatically than any other player in the game. She's twice matched or eclipsed the franchise scoring record this year, and her 26 points in the second half almost single-handedly brought the Fever back from certain defeat at Madison Square Garden on June 26. What's more, she scored 11 points during a 17-2 run in Phoenix to post the Fever to an early lead, in what was the first of two billings as the league's "preview to the Finals." She has scored in huge bunches. She has scored the biggest points in the biggest games. She has scored in crunch time. The Fever was winless without her in the lineup, and she has proven to be the fuel that drives the Indiana offense. Indiana has led the WNBA in defense on several occasions in recent years, but never has the Fever had the offensive threat that Douglas has posed this summer. Oh, and did I mention that she is the WNBA scoring leader after the All-Star Break?

Bob Kravitz of the The Indianapolis Star wrote in August that, "Douglas and Catchings won't share the MVP, but they should."

If I could vote for that, I would. If I could nominate them as co-MVPs, I would. If I could encourage voters to vote that way, I would. But I can't. So, what is liable to happen is that voters will select their favorite from among the half-dozen candidates. My bet is that Catchings and Douglas will combine to receive more votes than any other player. But, those votes will be split and, therefore, it's very possible for neither of them to win the award.

My first reaction to that possibility? I'd say it would be a shame. Both of them deserve it.

But I may also say this -- perhaps it might just be poetic justice. During a season in which both have helped produce the league's best team, a championship would surely mean more to either of them than the MVP award. If you ask either of them, they'll tell you the same, without even a second's thought. They're both 30 now, both in their ninth WNBA seasons and both seeking their first championship ring.

They could care less about the award. So why should I? Let's just play the games, put the MVP debate aside and move on to the pursuit of a championship. That's all that really matters.

September 4, 2009 (11:45 p.m.)

I did some research this afternoon. I didn't think, though, that I'd be using the contents of that research so soon!

Entering tonight's loss at Detroit, the Fever ranked 12th in the WNBA in field goal percentage, out of 13 teams. A week or so ago, they were 13th and Indianapolis Star writer David Woods posed the question, "has a team ever won a WNBA title while owning the worst shooting percentage in the league?"

A decent question, I thought. Though I didn't think to actually research it until today. But I did. And I found that, no, nobody has ever won the title with the worst percentage. Nobody has ever advanced to the Finals with the worst percentage. Nobody has ever advanced to the Finals while ranking lower than 10th in the WNBA in shooting percentage. In fact, the furthest anyone has ever advanced with such woeful shooting was the 2005 Fever! In 2005, Indiana led the WNBA in defense (like now) and owned the league's lowest shooting percentage while falling in the Eastern Conference Finals.

OK, folks, I wrote late this afternoon that even the possibility of a loss tonight could fall into my "understandable" category. Fine, yes, I said that. But much of that is crediting Fever opponents playing for their playoff lives. It is NOT excusable, however, to shoot just 27 percent while committing 19 turnovers.

I'll admit that I didn't watch or listen to tonight's game. So it would be unjust for me to level much criticism without any knowledge. I am drawing solely from the Fever's shooting statistics tonight. I have said often that Tamika Catchings is a more a "scorer" than purely a great "shooter." She led the club with 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting. On the whole, that's about an average night for Tamika and with everything else she does, I can't be critical of those numbers.

[By the way, she did have three more steals tonight to stay on pace to challenge the WNBA record of 100 in a single-season. She averages a league-leading 2.9 per game and has 88 with four games to play.]

But here it is: Ebony Hoffman shot 4-of-17. She missed three 3-point attempts, that's o.k. It's the 4-for-14 inside the arc that is more troubling. Tammy Sutton-Brown was 3-of-14 and we know those were all interior shots. Briann January was 3-of-13 in her third start of the season, and Tully Bevilaqua was 0-for-8. That means that minus Catchings, Indiana's starting lineup shot 10-of-52!

I know that the Fever played without Katie Douglas tonight, but Detroit was without Katie Smith. I'm actually glad that Katie didn't play, for the simple fact that caution is the best approach with her injury. It's not a serious, long-term injury. We do know that. But if there's any risk to it at all, caution is certainly an appropriate tact with five games to play.

Now there are four games to play. We need to win at home. And we need to win 2 of 3 on the road next week. That, with the healthy return of Douglas, should put Indiana right back where it needs to be for a substantial playoff run.

See you Sunday at Conseco Fieldhouse! The first 3,000 fans will receive commemorative team posters, and the Fever players will sign autographs after the game. See you then!

September 4, 2009

I'm not sure whether this has any meaning or not, but the Fever has lost two of three games since I last blogged, so I figured it was time to get the Fever back on track! Yeah ... like the fact that I'm writing this afternoon from Indy will have any bearing on tonight's game in Detroit!

At any rate ... yes, the Fever has lost 2 of 3 games, and 4 of 5, recently. "What's happening to the Fever???" is the question I am most commonly asked these days.

For any of you who have read my columns before, you will know that I am not apt to jump to any quick conclusions or react too adversely to any new trends. So don't think I'm going to start now!

OK, I haven't been happy with losses in four of our last five games, either. And I can't say that we should have lost those games; and I won't say they're excusable; and I'm not going to tell you they were expected, or even O.K.

But! What I will tell you is that three of those four losses were understandable, -- at least from the standpoint that, going into the game, Indiana was not even considered a huge favorite. Taking each game by itself, neither road loss (at Sacramento or Seattle) was terribly alarming. Sure, Sacramento had the league's worst record, but alot of that was based on its early season start, prior to a coaching change. The Monarchs are 6-4 in their last 10 games and they are NOT the worst team in the league right now. Losing at Seattle the next game? Given that the Storm was in the midst of clinching a playoff spot and playing No. 2 in the West to Phoenix and given that we were on the road -- again, I regard that loss as "understandable."

The loss I didn't like and which was very poor in my eyes was the 78-77 defeat at home to the Monarchs -- especially after surrendering a 14-point second half lead. That one was bad. Losing at home to Phoenix last Saturday, with or without Katie Douglas, was another one I might chalk up as "understandable."

Together, those four losses in five games don't look so good. Separated individually, I'm not worried about them. So, as we embark on the final games of the regular season, I'm still not worried. My concerns are getting Katie healthy for the stretch drive and getting back to an aggressive, attacking defensive game which turns into consistent transition points.

At Detroit tonight, the Shock is a team that will be waiting for us and ready to pounce and earn its own playoff bid. Let's face it, we have a target on our backs and every game the rest of the way will be against a team desperate for a win. In the end, that's good for the Fever. It will raise our sense of urgency and get us ready for the East Semifinals which begin Sept. 16.

I'll even say in advance, that a loss this evening might fall into that "understandable" category. And if that happens, I'll hear about 5 out of 6. I'm not saying it's good, or even excusable. I'm just saying that the roof isn't falling yet. We have five games remaining. I say we need to win at least three out of five to assure that we're ready for the playoffs.

August 27, 2009

The season-long hot streak continued for the Indiana Fever Thursday night at Conseco Fieldhouse as the home team won for the 13th straight time and, with the help of an Atlanta loss in Detroit, clinched homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

OK, Fever fans, here is the biggest significance of tonight's clinching -- you can get your playoff tickets knowing that Indiana is guaranteed to host its first home playoff game on Friday, Sept. 18 or Saturday, Sept. 19. That would be Game 2 of a best-of-three game opening series. The Fever would also host the potential Game 3 of the series, to be played, if necessary, on Sunday, Sept. 20 or Monday, Sept. 21. Definitive dates will be announced on the final weekend of the regular season.

The Fever's win tonight came with a real oddity in which Indiana returned the same favor dealt by the Silver Stars on July 23 in the Lone Star state. Last month, on the final game of a three-game road swing, Tamika Catchings was held scoreless for the first time in her career. San Antonio won by 19. Tonight, it was the Silver Stars' Olympian, Becky Hammon (albeit a Russian one), who was held scoreless. Indiana wins by 11.

And here is another irony. Hammon was last held scoreless on this same date four years ago -- at Conseco Fieldhouse! Hammon's last goose egg was August 27, 2005 when the Fever beat the New York Liberty 75-50.

The Fever led early and never was challenged. The Silver Stars got within eight points in the 4th quarter, but never closer. In contrast to the game at San Antonio last month, Catchings was the Fever star tonight -- scoring a game-high 20 points to go with eight rebounds and five steals. Indiana got balanced play and balanced scoring from over half its roster. Ebony Hoffman had 15 points and five boards. Tammy Sutton-Brown pitched in 12 points and six rebounds. Katie Douglas and Tully Bevilaqua paced the club with highs of three assists with Douglas scoring eight and Bevilaqua adding six points. Off the bench, Briann January and Jessica Moore each scored seven.

From one night to the next, there seems to be a different Fever hero with each game. Even seldom-used Shay Murphy got into the act . In just 10 minutes and despite only two points, her presence was felt with three scrappy rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Despite a pair of West Coast road losses last week, Indiana won its 20th game of the season -- with still seven regular season games remaining. A win on Saturday matches the most wins in franchise history (21). A win on Saturday also wraps up the East's regular season title and homecourt advantage through the Eastern Conference Finals.

How far can Indiana go? So far as the regular season is concerned, the WNBA record for wins is 28 -- by Los Angeles in 2000 and 2001. Houston won 27 in 1998 and 2000. The Eastern Conference record is 26, twice by Connecticut (2005 and 2006) with a young star named Douglas. The Fever could not reach the overall record, but even to be considered among the WNBA's most elite teams could be quite an accomplishment. Could the Fever win as many as 26 by going 6-1 the rest of the way? Perhaps. Mathematically, yes. But in the end -- who cares about the numbers (except for giving the PR guy something to write about)?

In the end, the important result tonight was clinching homecourt for the opening round of playoffs. The important result with a win Saturday will be clinching homecourt through the East Finals. In the end, the only thing that matters is the eventual shot at the WNBA title.

This much we know for certain -- the Fever is absolutely in the race for that title. And THAT is something to be excited about!

August 26, 2009 (12:30 a.m.)

It's official. The Fever is in! Indiana's fifth straight playoff appearance is the franchise's sixth in its 10 seasons.

Indiana needed Detroit to lose at Connecticut, or for Chicago or Washington to lose on the West Coast. Detroit dashed Indiana's playoff hopes early in the evening, but as the clock struck midnight in the East, both the Sky and Mystics had fallen.

With eight regular season games and almost three weeks left in the regular season, the Fever will now play for homecourt advantage in the first round, then the East title and homecourt advantage through the first two rounds. And, if the Fever keeps pace, Indiana will contend for the best record in the WNBA and a homecourt advantage throughout the entire playoff schedule.

For now, the Fever knows it will open its playoff season either Sept. 16 or 17. Given the likely scenario that Indiana will clinch either first or second place within the next week, the Fever would play Game 1 on the road, and play its first home game, Game 2, on either Sept. 18 or Sept. 19. A potential Game 3 would also be played at Conseco Fieldhouse, either Sept. 20 or Sept. 21.

Indiana can clinch that scenario and at least second place in the East -- and homecourt advantage in the opening round -- if the Fever beats San Antonio Thursday and if Connecticut loses at Seattle.

Stay tuned for ticket information later this week -- and don't miss the Fever's return to The Fieldhouse and its quest for a record-tying 13th straight home win when Indiana hosts San Antonio on Thursday night!

August 25, 2009 (10:30 p.m.)
Some serious scoreboard watching begins tonight as the Fever hopes to clinch its fifth straight playoff berth, and its sixth in the 10-year history of the franchise. Entering Tuesday night's action, Indiana could clinch that playoff spot with losses by any of three teams -- Detroit, Chicago or Washington.

As of this writing, Detroit was a 20-point winner over Connecticut. In the second quarter of games on the West Coast, Chicago was even with Los Angeles and Washington was getting thumped in Seattle. Stay tuned for a playoff update later this evening - and stay tuned for playoff tickets likely to go on sale later this week.

August 23, 2009

Tough road trip. For the first time this season, the Fever has lost consecutive games on the road, and it's the first time this season Indiana has lost consecutive games, period, since the opening games of the season.

What happened the last time Indiana lost two straight? The Fever embarked on its record 11-game win streak. Let's see ... with eight games left in the regular season, another 11-game win streak would put the Fever up 1-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals. Let's hope!

Speaking of playoffs, the shame in the past two losses is that Indiana was denied the ability to clinch a playoff spot in both games last week. Despite leading most of the way at Sacramento, the Monarchs stymied the chance for Indiana to clinch on Thursday. And Seattle did the same, a bit more convincingly, on Saturday.

But alas! The Fever has been so far out in front of the pack heading into this week's games, that Indiana can still clinch a playoff berth with its next win or with any further loss by the Detroit Shock. With Chicago, Washington and Detroit all hovering with 14 losses -- and Chicago or Washington guaranteed to lose at least once by virtue of playing against each other -- that means that if Detroit also reaches 15 losses, Indiana can clinch no matter what the Fever does itself.

Therefore, for any scoreboard watchers out there today (Sunday), if the Shock should fall at home to San Antonio this evening, Indiana is in.

What does this mean for homecourt in the first round, or winning the Eastern Conference? With Atlanta and Connecticut virtually deadlocked behind the Fever at 14-11 and 14-12, respectively, the Fever can still clinch first-round advantage and the East this week. Keeping this simple, let's say that Atlanta loses this afternoon to Los Angeles, that puts the Dream and Sun into a second-place tie in the East. They play each other once more, thus guaranteeing one of them at least 13 losses. That puts the Fever magic number to clinch at least the first-round homecourt at 2 -- any combination of Fever wins or subsequent losses by that third-place team. With five teams active in the East on Tuesday and four active on Thursday (including Indiana), odds are that homecourt advantage could be clinched by Thursday. And if not by Thursday, certainly by next Saturday when the Fever next plays again.

Even if (God, strike me down for saying this!) the Fever would lose both home games this week, Indiana could still clinch the homecourt advantage and the overall conference title. Suffice to say, based on simple arithmetic, I'll predict that by the close of games on Sept. 1, with two weeks remaining in the regular season, Indiana will have clinched everything in the East.

What does this mean for the fans? Be on the lookout for playoff tickets likely being on sale when the Fever hosts Sacramento at Conseco Fieldhouse on Thursday evening. If not Thursday, then Saturday.

I've also received questions about playoff dates. Rather than printing the full playoff schedule (I'll do that in a future blog), I'll just note that the Eastern Conference Semifinals will begin Sept. 16-17. Games on those nights will be played in lower-seeded (3rd or 4th seeds) venues. Games 2 and 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals will be played Sept. 18-19, and, if necessary, Sept. 20-21, at higher-seeded venues. If Fever fans are making plans for specific nights, it's nearly a lock that the Fever will host its first playoff game on Friday, Sept. 18 or Saturday, Sept. 19. Put it down with a very firm, confident pencil, for now. It should be locked in cement by week's end -- if not by Sept. 1!

August 20, 2009

Alright Fever fans, now is time to begin dissecting those standings each day and pondering the Fever's fate and place in this season's playoff race! Let me begin by telling you that beginning tonight, when the Fever is at Sacramento, just one more Fever win assures Indiana of its fifth straight playoff appearance.

If the Fever beats the Monarchs tonight, Indiana is in the playoffs. Indiana would be guaranteed a 20-14 record at the very worst. Detroit already has 14 losses and since Chicago and Washington, both with 13 losses, play each other once more, one of them is guaranteed to have at least 14 losses. Since Indiana owns tiebreakers against the entire Eastern Conference, Indiana will be guaranteed at least the No. 4 seed with just one more win.

Now, let's look deeper. The next concern is clinching the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the East in order to assure homecourt advantage in the first round - thus playing Game 1 of a conference semifinal series on the road, and hosting Games 2 and 3 at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Atlanta and Connecticut are currently tied for second at 13-11. They play each other once more, thus assuring one of them at least 12 losses. Therefore, in order for Indiana to clinch homecourt in its first-round series, Indiana's magic number is 3 -- any combination of Fever wins, or losses by that third-place team. Whenever Fever wins plus third-place team losses equal 34, Indiana will clinch homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. It could happen as early as this weekend or early next week.

Next, we can look at the possibility of winning the top seed in the East. Again, we look to Atlanta and Connecticut. The very best that one of them can do is win 23 games. Indiana already has 19. All three teams all have exactly 10 games to play. Therefore, Indiana's magic number to clinch the East regular season title is 4 - any combination of Fever wins, or losses by that second-place team.

Lastly, Indiana can think about earning homecourt advantage through all three rounds of the playoffs, including an eventual spot in the WNBA Finals. But since Phoenix, the leader in the West, is 18-8 compared to the Fever's 19-5, there's a lot of basketball to be played before that scenario levels out. Technically speaking, Indiana's magic number to clinch homecourt throughout the playoffs is 8 - any combination of Fever wins or Mercury losses. But with 10 games remaining for the Fever and eight for Phoenix, there's too much to take place before this can be seriously considered.

For now, the Fever needs to continue taking care of business, "one game at a time." It may be a boring cliche, maybe, but it's truthful and effective and so long as Indiana continues its relentless style of play, all of those magic numbers will take care of themselves every time Indiana wins its next game. For now, that is Thursday evening in Sacramento.

Should the Fever win and clinch this evening, or whenever that clinching takes place, be on the lookout for news about playoff tickets. Playoff tickets would go on-sale sometime between Aug. 24-27. The Fever's next home game, of course, is Thursday, Aug. 27 for Adopt A Pet Night when Indiana hosts the same Monarchs they play tonight.

August 16, 2009

Emotion. Intensity. Passion. Energy. Teamwork. Selflessness.

No, I'm not speaking of the Indiana Fever's 2009 promotional campaign with inspirational key words. I'm speaking of the Fever's on-court attributes being displayed recently. Coupled with a quick-strike capability that can render opponents helpless, the Fever is turning 2009 into a special season.

Of course there are tremendous numbers and streaks and firsts and milestone accomplishments that are taking shape. I'll save those for another entry. Today, I want to address the WAY that the Fever is playing.

The first thing I want to note is a trend of quick-strike offensive runs that just seem to overwhelm opponents. Indiana has either blitzed an opponent very early in a game so that they have to play catch-up the entire game. Or, if they haven't led by big margins early, they have had a nagging penchant for falling behind by big margins early and, with equal force, shown the ability to rally quickly and overcome the deficit.

Before I get too involved praising the "offense," let's take quick note that it begins with a smothering, relentless defense and a skilled, quick-passing transition game. The quick-striking transition from defense to offense has resulted in a sprinting, fluid, balanced attack that includes 3-point daggers from any of six different players. The defense and offense are meshed together as one. The result is an alarming number of points off turnovers that was best evidenced by FORTY-FIVE points off turnovers in Saturday's win over Detroit. Not to mention the fact that Detroit made just ONE field goal in the third quarter. When Indiana turns its game to attack mode ... watch out.

Examples:

At Phoenix, Aug. 8, Indiana smothers the Mercury with a 17-2 run to start the game. Indiana scored a near-franchise record 31 points in the first quarter, turning four Phoenix turnovers into nine points, shooting 65 percent from the floor and hitting five 3-pointers.

Last night, Aug. 15 against Detroit, the Shock led 27-13 with 9:07 left in the second quarter. Sparked by Tammy Sutton-Brown's first bucket in two weeks and a 3-pointer by Briann January, the Fever manhandled the Shock the rest of the half. Indiana outscored Detroit 26-11 over those remaining nine minutes. Eight Shock miscues were turned into 14 points during that run alone. The Fever shot 8-of-19 from the floor and hit four 3-pointers to overtake the lead with 1.4 seconds before halftime.

At Minnesota, Aug. 13, the Fever surrendered a lead after three quarters - then the strike began. Trailing 71-69 with 7:56 left in the game, Indiana embarked on a 13-0 run over a 5-minute stretch that sealed the game. Four of the Lynx' 17 turnovers came during that quick stretch. Minnesota, which had just shot 76 percent in the third period, missed its first 13 shots of the fourth quarter and Katie Douglas and Ebony Hoffman each hit key 3-pointers that spurred the Fever comeback.

At Washington, Aug. 2, Indiana led by three at halftime and by as many as seven in the third quarter before the homestanding Mystics commanded a 53-50 lead with 57 seconds left in the third. It was time for another Fever flurry. Tully Bevilaqua's 3 and Tamika Catchings' free throw gave Indiana a 54-53 margin entering into the fourth period -- leading into Indiana's dominance in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. A 15-2 Fever run resulted in a 14-point lead with 5:57 still to play. During the 19-2 swing in points that encompassed less than five minutes, the Mystics, which had shot 64 percent in the third quarter, missed 5-of-6 shots. Indiana shot 7-of-9 during the run and forced four turnovers.

On July 30, a Conseco Fieldhouse crowd saw Catchings uncharacteristically miss a free throw to ice the game against Connecticut with 11 seconds in regulation. In overtime, though, it was all Indiana. The Fever turned up the defensive heat, got four points off a pair of turnovers, and reduced the Sun offense to 0-of-9 shooting in the extra session. The 10-1 overtime session was the most lopsided in Fever history.

There are other examples, including a 33-9 first quarter and 54-23 halftime lead at Chicago on July 10; and the frequently chronicled 17-point comebacks in consecutive games in late June against Detroit and at New York.

So there is a look at the anatomy of Indiana's dominating, strike-quick cababilities. But how and why do they occur?

I'm not sure anyone is capable of defining those instances, but I'll point to a common denominator. Most have followed timeouts, quarter breaks, or trips straight out of the locker room.

Enter Lin Dunn.

I've said before that I'm not a capable critic or advocate of coaching moves. I'm not an Xs and Os guy. So I can't tell you what changes Lin has ever made to the offense or defense. But I can judge the trends of the numbers, and I can evaluate changes in intensity, emotion and momentum. And the common denominator in virtually every example I've cited is that they all come almost immediately out of a timeout or meeting or conference with the coaching staff.

I joked in an earlier blog that Lin has been relentless this month in battling a disease among the team and staff. That disease is complacency. She has never relented in driving the team harder and harder, even as the wins have climbed higher and higher. One comment she made at halftime last night was that she wanted the Fever to come out as if it was the team desperate to stay in the playoff hunt.

The result? Coming out of the locker room, the Shock's only third quarter basket came on a driving layup by reserve guard Kristin Haynie. The Fever shot 8-of-14 (57%), got 3-pointers from Douglas and Shay Murphy, and turned six Detroit turnovers into 11 points. Indiana outscored the Shock 23-8 in the third quarter and turned a very physical, first-half muscle-fest into a rout. In the process, the Fever may have driven a dagger into the Shock's playoff hopes. [Could that be considered literary justice, considering it has been the Shock to eliminate Indiana in three straight playoff seasons?]

I've written a novel this morning. But after last night's game, it was warranted. Big win. Lots to write about. That's a good problem for a PR guy.

Stay tuned ... lots more fun numbers and streaks and records to discuss. Oh yeah ... and pay close attention to FeverBasketball.com as playoff scenarios and playoff tickets are -- hopefully? presumably? -- soon to follow!

August 13, 2009 (10:45 p.m.)

Winners of two out of three games in its West Conference road trip, the Indiana Fever has guaranteed itself a winning record after defeating Minnesota 91-81 on Thursday night. With the win, the Fever moved to 18-5 overall to maintain a 5 1/2 game lead in the Eastern Conference. The 18 wins is already one more than 17 from 2008, and the Fever's seventh road win eclipses the six it recorded last season.

Thursday, still another star stepped the forefront as Ebony Hoffman registered a season-high 24 points while recording her first double-double of the season with 10 rebounds. She hit three 3-pointers and was a perfect 9-of-9 from the foul stripe.

The win over the Lynx was impressive, too, because, on the road, the Fever put together a 13-0 run during the fourth quarter after surrendering the lead in the third. After a quick start that included a 12-point first half lead, the Lynx scrapped back with free throws and 10-of-13 shooting in the third quarter. When many teams on the end of a three-game road trip might have collapsed or succumbed to the shift in momentum, the Fever turned up the heat. Minnesota hit just one of its first 13 shots in the fourth quarter as the Fever ran back into the lead and won going away.

Said Hoffman in a postgame radio interview with Chris Denari, "we knew we needed to make them take tough shots."

And so the Fever got tough, accelerated the defensive effort and won for the 18th time. That makes 18 of their last 21. And as Eb noted during her postgame interview, the team will be that much better once Tammy Sutton-Brown returns to the lineup -- and that could be any day now.

Speaking of any day now ... or at least, let's just say "soon" ...

Tamika Catchings will become the third player in WNBA history to reach 600 steals. She'll also become the fastest unless it takes her over 30 games to accumulate the four steals remaining to reach the milestone. She'll also become the youngest ever to reach the milestone, unless that takes another three years. Pretty impressive. Nobody has ever been close to Catchings' rate of steals. Our PR staff had prepared the note today, expecting to utilize it in our game notes for Saturday ... never did I expect she'd get six steals tonight and possibly hit the milestone on Saturday!

Also very soon, the Fever should clinch its FIFTH straight playoff berth. Indiana's unofficial "magic number" for a playoff berth is any combination of four Fever wins or Chicago losses -- since the Sky is currently in fifth place. Similarly, Indiana's unofficial magic number to wrap up first place in the East is just seven.

Very soon after that, of course, playoff tickets will go on sale, and Fever fans will want to get those tickets quickly. It is nice to see crowds growing at The Fieldhouse, and another packed crowd is anticipated for Saturday night's game with the Shock. It's a Lucas Oil Family Night presented by The Indianapolis Star, with the Fever's All-Decade Team being honored at halftime.

We'll see you at The Fieldhouse on Saturday night!

August 12, 2009

Two topics for today ... the Fever bench and Saturday's announcement of the Indiana Fever All-Decade Team.

While Monday's loss at L.A. was unfortunate because it ended a nice streak and because the Fever was denied a chance for consecutive wins on a West Coast trip, the game did emphasize once more the valuable play it has been receiving from its bench. And by "bench," I'm actually still including Jessica Moore. Perhaps "depth" is a more appropriate term.

During the five-game absence of Tammy Sutton-Brown while she nurses a sensitive toe injury, Moore has been outstanding. The Fever has not missed a beat. Indiana is 4-1 with Moore starting in the post and she has scored in double-figures four times. She has been nothing short of terrific. Given the forwards and post players on the Sparks' roster, it makes sense that a very valuable player was waived coming out of L.A.'s training camp. But certainly the Sparks' loss has been Indiana's gain, and credit goes to Kelly Krauskopf for signing her at the start of the season.

Jessica Davenport and Shay Murphy have also played capably over the recent stretch of games, but besides Moore, the two reserves who I think deserve huge praise have been Tamecka Dixon and Briann January.

Everyone is familiar with January, noting of course her status as the Fever's top draft pick last season and the apparent heir to the Fever's point guard spot whenever the 37-year old Tully Bevilaqua stops putting up career numbers. What Bri has given the Fever is a definite presence to drive the ball to the hole. She can knock down shots and she plays defense. She is still very much learning the pro game and she is vulnerable to turnovers, but aren't all rookies? She has filled a great niche and provided a welcome contrast to Tully's game.

And then there's Dixon. Tamecka doesn't show a lot of flash and she won't ever show up with double-digit points. Like Bevilaqua, Dixon, too, is in the twilight of her career. She is in the 13th year of a 350-game career which includes a pair of WNBA titles and multiple All-Star appearances and awards. She is one of this league's greatest historical figures. But here in 2009, she is drawing upon those 350 games of experience - plus 36 games of playoff experience - and providing a great transition between starters and reserves. Lin Dunn may have put it best in a press conference last week when she said, "it just seems that whenever the ball is in Tamecka's hands, we all know that good things are going to happen."

Whether it is a timely shot on a fast break; a clutch bucket at the end of the shot clock; a key pass; anticipation and a steal; or just her calming presence with the ball in her hands -- Dixon has provided a real blend of stability and spark. She was signed just before training camp with no guarantee of a job. The cost of keeping Dixon was the loss of former Fever star Tan White. And while I have written many times that we all liked Tan and valued her role, it is Dixon's role that is providing a perfect fit with this roster. I'll credit Krauskopf again.

So, on to mention of Saturday's announcement of the Fever's All-Decade Team. Preliminary voting results were announced in mid-July, and the top level of vote-getters came as no surprise. It makes sense that Indiana's current starting lineup (Catchings, Douglas, Bevilaqua, Hoffman, Sutton-Brown) should get top votes, given the success of the team over the past 3-4 seasons, plus the tenure of each of those five players. And Stephanie White was the face of the franchise and a local icon for so many years that her eventual spot on the team should come as no surprise.

It will be a proud moment for this franchise when the 10 members of the All-Decade Team are announced at halftime Saturday. The 13-year WNBA and the 10-year Indiana Fever still are very much infants on the grand scene of professional sports nationwide -- compared to the NFL, MLB and NBA. But there is no questioning the value that this league has added to our menu of pro sports, and the significance that these athletes have played in forging a niche in our sports landscape. While these athletes and personalities won't be covered in nationwide press converage, I'll hope you'll help the Fever in honoring the best players of our first decade.

Don't forget Thursday night's webcast (8:00 p.m. ET on LiveAccess) and don't miss Saturday's bout at The Fieldhouse when the dreaded Shock return to Indy (7:30 p.m.).

August 11, 2009 (12:50 a.m.)

Memo to the rest of the WNBA: "If you're going to build a big lead against the Indiana Fever, you better push it past 17 points." And then it's a 50-50 proposition.

For the third time this season, the Fever surrendered a 17-point deficit. After twice overcoming similar 17-point deficits this season -- June 21 at home against Detroit and again on June 26, in overtime, at New York -- Indiana once again erased the deficit ... almost. Nearly completely. This time, the Fever erased 16 of those 17 points and had the shots to take the lead with over five minutes left in regulation. But this time, late Monday night in Los Angeles, the Fever couldn't close the deal as the Sparks upended the WNBA-leading Fever 75-63.

After the Fever closed the margin to one, the Sparks surged late to open the lead to double digits again and, as valiant as Indiana tried to narrow the gap again, it couldn't close the deal.

And thus ends Indiana's five-game win streak, once again thwarted in its efforts to win consecutive games on a West Coast road trip -- a feat that has eluded the franchise for 10 seasons.

Indiana travels to face Minnesota on Thursday and hopefully avenge a home-opening loss back on June 7. The Fever, 17-5, has won 17 of 20 games since that early loss to the Lynx. Indiana will hope to begin another streak Thursday. The Fever returns to Conseco Fieldhouse on Saturday when the dreaded Detroit Shock visit Indianapolis.

August 10, 2009 (5:30 p.m.)

Congratulations to Katie Douglas for winning the Eastern Conference Player of the Week Award for the second straight week. For Katie, it is the fifth time in her career to win the award. It is her third award in two seasons with the Fever.

Katie's playing at a different level right now, and the entire Fever team is in unison with her. Indiana blitzed the Mercury in Phoenix on Saturday night with a 31-point first quarter, but what was most impressive was that every time the Mercury staged any sort of a rally, the Fever had an answer.

Tonight, Indiana faces an opponent that, on paper, should be significantly better than its 7-11 record. In fact, if the playoffs began today, L.A. would be on the outside looking in. However, with the return of Candace Parker within the past month, the Sparks are obviously improved. Parker is almost an automatic double-double and fans may remember the Parker highlight against the Fever at STAPLES Center last year when she registered the first dunk of her pro career! Let's just hope that those breakaway opportunities don't exist tonight!

My take on the Fever following Saturday's first game of a three-game road swing is that, yes it was a very big win. But most importantly, and I believe this because of the veterans and professionals on this team, I think Saturday's win might have been more than just a big win in a hyped game of conference leaders. I think it may serve as an added shot of confidence to a club that knows it can contend for a title. I also think that winning at L.A. is important and I think that Saturday's win will help put this team in the appropriate mindset to stick to the business of winning basketball games.

The Fever is a team of veterans who know how to win, and will see to it that the business of basketball is a lone priority. Saturday's convincing win put to rest any questions about the Fever's ability to win at all levels. Indiana is the favorite in L.A. tonight, and that may never have been said before during the team's 10-year history.

The game against the Sparks is important because it's Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker, icons in the game for a team that has achieved so much success. It is important because the Fever rarely has had success in L.A. -- just one win in eight trips. It is important because it is a homecoming for Jessica Moore and Tamecka Dixon, two former Sparks players. It is important because it is a homecoming for Ebony Hoffman and Shay Murphy, a pair of USC grads who grew up within miles of STAPLES Center.

Should the Fever win tonight, it would also be the first time in franchise history that Indiana has won consecutive games of a West Coast road trip. West Coast trips have often been the Fever's nemesis. In 2007, for instance, when Indiana started 16-4, three straight West Coast losses in late July threatened a playoff spot for the Fever who struggled to adjust after losing Tamika Catchings to plantar fasciatis.

If the Fever wins tonight, Indiana will have won six straight. The Fever can match their franchise mark with a three game road win streak, for the second time this season. If Indiana wins, it also will mark the fifth win in the last six games against the once seemingly invincible Sparks. A win would reduce the Fever's playoff magic number to just 4, and it would reduce a magic number to win the Eastern Conference to just 7.

A fun season continues to build, Fever fans ... tipoff tonight is 10:30 p.m. ET ... don't forget to tune in to the webcast on FeverBasketball.com!

August 9, 2009 (12:45 a.m.)

Wow, nice win!

In between watching my beloved Colorado Rockies (darn, they lost to the Cubs, I'm not happy when that happens) and doing a couple loads of laundry, I took my own advice and tuned in to the WNBA LiveAccess webcast tonight. I didn't expect to focus on all 40 minutes, but at the very least I wanted to watch that track meet I alluded to in my blog on Friday.

Sure enough, the slower version of the Mercury-induced track meet meant a score in the 80s (Fever 90, Phoenix 83) and the Fever's 17th victory. For those interested in history, Indiana's 17-4 record is now officially the best start in Fever history. It also is the first time in franchise history the team has been 13 games above the .500 mark.

The Fever owns the best record in the East and has a virtual lock on tiebreakers against the entire conference. The club also owns a 6-3 road record which is the best road percentage in the WNBA this year, and Saturday's win over the Mercury gives Indiana a leg-up on the Merc for a the possible, potential, eventual (it's too early to talk about this) discussion for homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. There ... I just said it. Let the debates begin. But it's far, far, far too early for that to be a concern.

For now, it's about continuing to win games. And continuing to fight that disease that Coach Dunn has been preaching against lately - complacency.

If your bandwidth can handle it and you can afford to stay up past midnight again, tune in to Monday night's webcast when the Fever battles the Sparks!

August 7, 2009

I really have not intended for this to become a bi-weekly blog ... but I guess it's better than a monthly blog, right?

OK, so here we are, the day before the East-leading Indiana Fever battles West-leading Phoenix. My goal today is to educate our fans a bit, and have little fun at the same time. So, without further adieu, here are my Top 10 reasons for Fever fans to watch games on WNBA LiveAccess this week!

10. Live streaming video of WNBA games might be the best way to make great use of all that money you're spending for high-speed Internet service.

9. What color nails will Tammy Sutton-Brown be sporting this week? And will she play against the Mercury, Sparks or Lynx?

8. What better way to watch the "track meet" otherwise known as Fever vs. Mercury on Saturday night at 10 p.m. ET? If it's a slow track meet (score in the 80s), the Fever wins. If the track meet turns blazing fast (score in the 100s), I call a win for the Mercury. I say that, though, and have to realize the Fever beat Phoenix 103-89 at Conseco Fieldhouse, the last time they met! All the more reason to watch ...

7. How about watching the final regular season meeting of all-time between Tamika Catchings and Lisa Leslie? Tune in Monday night at 10:30 p.m. ET when the Fever visit STAPLES Center and the Sparks.

6. What better way to watch the Fever avenge its early-season loss to Minnesota? OK, it would be the only way to watch ... but you CAN watch next Thursday evening at 8 p.m. ET.

5. If you are really talented, and can manage two browsers at the same time, you can listen to the Indiana radio call by Chris Denari on one browser (click audio only) and watch the video provided by the home telecast (with volume turned down on that browser) on a second browser. The same effect can be accomplished by watching LiveAccess video, turning down the computer volume and listening to Denari on the radio. The only problem with that is a really annoying delay whereby you hear the plays about 4-5 seconds before you see them.

4. If you are really, REALLY talented -- and don't ask me how, because I'm not that talented -- you can plug your computer into the back of your TV and actually watch the webcast on your TV! Yes, I know it's possible. I've just never tried it. I'm not smart enough.

3. You can make efficient use of your time by answering email and paying bills online during timeouts and halftime.

2. Who will be this week's Player of the Week? You may be watching her first-hand, as eight Eastern or Western players of the week this season have come from Indiana, Phoenix or Minnesota.

... drum roll, please ...

1. The number ONE reason to watch Fever games this week on WNBA LiveAccess? Because it's the best way (ok, the only way) to watch live video of every game!

OK, so there's a little fun with why you should watch WNBA LiveAccess beginning Saturday evening when the Fever are at Phoenix (10:00 p.m. ET), and continuing through Monday and Thursday, in L.A. and Minneapolis. One other side note for you ... given late games from the West Coast and earlier and earlier deadlines for our friends from The Indianapolis Star, it is entirely possible that early editions of the Sunday or Tuesday Star might not include results from the Fever game the night before. So go online to FeverBasketball.com or IndyStar.com to get those late night results!

July 20, 2009
It's just about All-Star time and of course I need to comment on the Fever's All-Star participation. In a nutshell, I say congratulations to Lin Dunn and her staff for being selected to coach the East, and congratulations to Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas for being voted into the game. Second, I'd like to say "shame on you" to the remainder of the Eastern Conference coaches for not selecting Tammy Sutton-Brown for a much-deserved spot as a reserve on the East team.

Just because the Fever is currently leading the WNBA with an 11-3 record, no, I don't think Indiana is entitled to a third spot on the East roster. But I do think that Tammy deserves it.

In fairness, though, too, I have to acknowledge justification for Atlanta's Erika DeSouza making the team, as well as Dream teammate Sancho Lyttle. I can't divulge the full voting of Fever coach Lin Dunn, but I will acknowledge that DeSouza and Lyttle both were among players receiving votes on the Fever ballot. Keep in mind that coaches are prohibited from voting for their own players, and surely, Sutton-Brown would otherwise have been in one of those spots. The case for DeSouza is that she has better numbers than TSB and she has twice had great games against the Fever - mostly head-to-head with TSB. DeSouza averages 11.5 points and 8..6 rebounds through games of July 19. TSB posts averages of 11.1 and 6.8.

So I have no problem with Erika DeSouza making the squad. She deserves it. For the final six spots, there was just one position for a center, plus one utility player. I think TSB was certainly worthy of one of those two positions, with DeSouza a very worthy selection as the backup center. I also can't argue with the fans' selection of Sylvia Fowles as the starting center, except that she has been hurt much of the season. Her absence actually speaks to her value -- but has she played enough to be worthy of the nomination? I say barely, but yes. And if for some reason Fowles is unable to play in the game due to her recent injuries, than Sutton-Brown surely deserves to get the nod as the most worthy replacement.

I haven't written much during our recent streak -- in part because I purposely didn't want to get too caught up in it. It was good for the franchise, and a very nice opportunity to gain some notoriety and attention locally and nationwide. The Fever is probably the key story in the WNBA so far this season. But I'm not going to sit here and talk about how great it's been. Rather, and this is not being cynical but I think practical, I think the key to our season will be how we attack the END of the streak.

We lost a tough road game Sunday at Connecticut. It is the first of three very tough road games. We have yet to face a new-look Washington team that is very athletic and has had some early success. Like our games with Atlanta and Minnesota, it has been the really athletic teams that have tested the Fever most. With three very athletic former Duke stars in Alana Beard, Monique Currie and Lindsay Harding, the Mystics pose a very formidable opponent on Tuesday. And then it's off to face defending West champ San Antonio, again on the road.

So, how do we attack the END of the streak? Do we battle on the road and come away 2-1 in these three games? 1-2? Or, worse yet, 0-3? If the Fever enters the All-Star Break with a 2-1 mark following its 11-game win streak, I will say here and now that we are the best in the East and we should win the division -- entering the All-Star Break at 13-3 overall. A 1-2 finish in these three games can be justifiable, but we'd be in no position to claim any sort of superiority just yet. And if we go winless in these three games, folks, we better get ready for a dogfight.

Yes, the streak was great. But from a realistic standpoint, let's face it, eight of the 11 wins came from the friendly confines of Conseco Fieldhouse. The Fever certainly earned its road wins at Detroit, New York and Chicago, but if Indiana is to clearly assert itself as the East's team to beat, road wins are paramount. Indiana can win the league on the strength of its homecourt, but there will be a fight to the finish without being dominant on the road, also.

That's just my humble take on things as I put the win streak into the record books as the Fever's best of all-time, the second-best in Eastern Conference history and the seventh-best in WNBA history. Now it's in the record books, behind us in the rear-view mirror as we focus on road games with the Mystics and Silver Stars. Good luck to the Fever contingent in this weekend's All-Star Game.

More on the All-Star Game later this week ... and don't forget to vote for the Indiana Fever All-Decade Team only 10 days remain to cast your vote!

July 10, 2009
21 Days to Vote!

Balloting for the Indiana Fever’s All-Decade Team has reached nearly 5,000 voters and over 42,000 page views on the Fever’s micro-website AllDecadeTeam.com (also accessible on FeverBasketball.com). Most of the top ten vote-getters are as expected, including each of the current starters from the 2009 team that owns the best record in the WNBA, but there are another half-dozen players who deserve consideration – let’s not forget those players of the past just because they’re no longer in the headlines!

Balloting for the Indiana Fever All-Decade Team continues through July 31 online and at every Fever home game.

Through online balloting returns as of July 3, the top six vote-getters were comprised of the current starting five (Tully Bevilaqua, Tamika Catchings, Katie Douglas, Ebony Hoffman and Tammy Sutton-Brown) plus Indiana schoolgirl legend Stephanie White. Catchings, in her ninth year with the franchise, leads the voting, followed by another local star and White’s teammate on the 1999 Purdue national championship team, Katie Douglas.

Seventh is Natalie Williams, Tamika Whitmore is eighth, Anna DeForge is ninth and Tan White rounds out the top 10 at the midway point of balloting online and at Conseco Fieldhouse.

But there is a case to be made for many other former stars worthy of your vote! Here is what their campaign managers would say:

Niele Ivey

The starting point guard on Fever teams in 2001, 2002 and 2003, she ranks sixth in franchise history with 71 games started.

Ivey’s 37.3 percent 3-point shooting is fourth in Fever history.

Monica Maxwell

Maxwell was the third-leading scorer and top 3-point shooter on the Fever’s first team.

She was the only Fever player to start every game of the inaugural season.

Maxwell’s 36.3 percent 3-point shooting is 7th in franchise history and, despite playing just 65 career games, she remains 10th in Fever history with 74 3-point baskets.

Kelly Miller

There are only five players in Fever history to play more than 1,000 minutes in a single season. Miller and Catchings are the only players to do it in two or more seasons.

Miller is one of just six players in Fever history to average double-figure scoring during her Indiana career. She averaged 10.2 points in each of her two seasons, making her one of just four players to average double-digits in every year she played with the Fever.

She was a model of consistency who started every game over two seasons and was the co-recipient of the 2004 WNBA Most Improved Player Award.

Kelly Schumacher

Schumacher has played in more Fever games than any players besides Tamika Catchings or Ebony Hoffman. She played every game of the 2003 and 2005 seasons, and she ranks 7th all-time in minutes played.

She is second in Fever history in blocked shots and sixth in rebounds and field goals made.

Olympia Scott

Scott was the starting center on the Fever’s first playoff team, and she still holds the franchise mark with 17 rebounds in a single game.

She is one of only three Fever players ever to score 30 points in a single game.

She ranks fifth in Fever history with 405 total rebounds.

Rita Williams

Williams was the first All-Star in Fever history, appearing in the 2001 All-Star Game in Orlando, Fla.

She was the Fever assists leader on its inaugural team and second in scoring.

She is third among Fever career assists and steals leaders and seventh among career scoring leaders.

July 8, 2009

Alright, I know, I know ... it's been a while since I last blogged. My excuse, though, is that we're in this middle of this great win streak so I didn't want to break the mojo. You know, superstitions and all ... I didn't want to jinx anything.

But alas, I'm not at all superstitious. And I also blogged through the first three games of our now 8-game streak, so it's not like the streak was entirely without my blogging. Heck, we won five straight games after my last blog, maybe we'll win five more after this one?

Silliness aside, let's talk Fever.

Obviously, the current eight-game streak is nice and it's put Indiana in the driver's seat in the Eastern Conference standings. After Chicago's road loss at Sacramento last night, Indiana leads the second-place Sky by 2.5 games. Tonight, Chicago is at Phoenix who leads the West, meaning that the Sky will enter Friday's game with the Fever at either 7-5 or 6-6. If the Sky comes back to the Windy City at 7-5 and trailing the 8-2 Fever by two games in the standings, the Sky could cut the gap to just one game if it beats the Fever and remains unbeaten at UIC Pavilion.

My point is that while nice, the 8-game win streak and the small lead in the standings are just that -- nice. BUT IT'S EARLY! And could be gone in a heartbeat. As illustrated above, a loss on Friday could have Indiana clinging to a one-game margin. So there is a lot of ball to be played.

Now, here is what is really good about the streak -- it's almost all been against Eastern teams, thus putting the Fever in really nice shape come playoff time and tiebreak scenarios. Against the East, Indiana is 6-1. By comparison, Detroit is 0-6. Head-to-head, the Fever has already won tiebreak advantage over the Shock, going 2-0 with just one game remaining. Same scenario with New York.

Nice, right? Yes, if those teams are in contention. But right now they're not, which brings me back to my first point -- IT'S EARLY! Indiana is 1-1 against Atlanta, with two games to play. We have yet to face the Sky or the Mystics, and we've only played Connecticut once out of four dates.

Lin Dunn was asked in an interview yesterday how it felt to be playing the best basketball in the WNBA. Her reply, to paraphrase, was that we're not necessarily playing that well, as much as we are finding ways to win games. She pointed to some weak shooting percentages, occasional bouts of turnovers, and still having to overcome large deficits.

Yes, we're winning much more consistently than anyone else in the league right now. But we're not dominating.

Let's enjoy the streak and hope it continues growing. If we get into next week with the streak reaching double figures (meaning a pair of wins over second-place Chicago), then the Fever can allow itself a little comfort in its accomplishments. But for now, even a single loss can cut the lead to only a game.

There are lots of hoops to be played before we have any visions of first-place finishes and playoff appearances.
KM

June 21, 2009

Here is a silly, trivial fact to begin our Father's Day game day against the Shock. I knew I was going to write a blog this morning, and I knew I would touch on the addition of Jessica Davenport after Friday's win. So, I mentioned Davenport to Fever PR assistant Tim Edwards, who is frantically finishing tonight's media game notes. His reply was something about having two Jessicas on the team suddenly, when we haven't had a Jessica in our history!

I said, "You know this? What did you do, research the all-time roster?" No, he hadn't, but after doing Fever game notes for 10 years, I guess it stands to reason he should know. So, just for fun, we looked it up. Sure enough, Jessica Moore and Jessica Davenport are the only two Jessicas in Fever history. In fact, only three other players had first names beginning with the letter J. In case you're wondering, those were Jenni Benningfield, Jackie Moore and Jurgita Streimikyte!

Yes, we are full of useless knowledge today ... I figured it was a good beginning to a blog. I'll also use this as an opportunity to advertise a new online feature this year. If you would like to investigate any of your own Fever trivia or history, you can access the 2009 Fever Media Guide online!

But on to more important discussions ...

Tonight against the Shock, Indiana will hope to do exactly what it did so successfully in the second half on Friday, and that is to attack the basket. Detroit, with its front line anchored by Taj McWilliams, Cheryl Ford and Olayinka Sanni, is a bit depleted depth-wise without the services of Kara Braxton and Plenette Pierson. And with Indiana's addition of Moore and Davenport, the Fever can pound the middle and force the Shock to defend our posts. Detroit experienced some foul trouble on its home court two nights ago, and I am sure Lin Dunn hopes for more of the same tonight.

Davenport, by the way, played almost 12 minutes with two points, three boards and a pair of blocks. Moore played five minutes, but picked up three quick fouls. She later picked up two more fouls, hence the need for Davenport to see greater minutes in her first game. If the Fever can get ten productive minutes per game from Davenport, that's one heckuva steal for an available free agent four games into the season.

On the perimeter, Katie Douglas has continued her strong start to the season. She is the only Fever player to score in double figures in all five games. She leads the club with a 16.6-point average per game. She and Tully Bevilaqua are tied for fifth in the WNBA with nine 3-pointers so far. As a team, the Fever leads the WNBA with an average of seven 3-point field goals per game.

I'll close with another odd stat. After beginning the season with a pair of losses, the Fever suddenly has won three straight. Can you believe that streak is the team's longest since 2007? Amazingly, Indiana never won more than two consecutive games during its 2008 playoff season. So, the Fever hopes to win its third straight at home and its fourth straight overall during tonight's Father's Day matchup with the Shock. Gone is Bill Laimbeer, but Rick Mahorn is back with most of the same formidable lineup that won a third WNBA title last fall.

Let's play the game!
KM

June 19, 2009

It is game day. The Fever plays in Detroit this evening, and for the first time in my seven-years with the Fever, I will not be courtside for a regular season game. I have missed shooting practice this morning. I'm blogging from my office, instead of my hotel room. So, how will I spend my evening? Ever since the WNBA altered its requirement that PR directors travel with teams on the road, I have asked myself that question.

Yesterday, when the team left for the airport, I finished the items on my desk and left about 3:00 to mow my lawn. Today, since I'll be working tonight from home and my team isn't here, I'll probably leave late afternoon to go get a haircut. [Fascinating stuff that you read in these blogs, isn't it?]

So how will I spend my evening? I'll probably find some dinner about 6:00, then I'll prepare for tonight's game from the comforts of my living room in Brownsburg. Prepare? Well, you know ... hook up the computer to my wireless service, pull out my copy of tonight's game notes, and pull out my Fever and WNBA media guides -- you know, the typical stuff I would normally do from my seat at the arena.

Beginning at 7:00 tonight, I'll invite any fans who are also spending their Friday evenings at home, and in front the of the computer, to join me and keep me company. I'll be chatting live on FeverBasketball.com from 7 p.m., until the end of tonight's game. I'll be watching on WNBA LiveAccess right along with you. I'll either listen to Chris Denari in the background, on 1070 The Fan, or I may turn up the computer volume to listen to Shock announcer Matt Shepard. And if I come up with any really insightful notes during the game, I will email to both of them!

Did anyone ever see the movie, "Broadcast News" -- ? A scene from that movie will be my goal. Like the anchorman who was bumped from the newscast, he sat in his living room during a live broadcast and phoned information into his former producers. He passed information from his living room, and the same information was revealed moments later out of the mouth of the anchor that replaced him. That is my goal this evening ... to come up with some sort of insightful, intriguing piece of information that I can email to Matt and Chris, and have it used on the air.

Do I lead an exciting life, or what???

So, if you are really bored this evening and want to keep me company, you'll know where to find me. I'm not sure what I'll do at halftime. But the snacks in my refrigerator will probably beat those in the Palace media room, and the trip to the restroom will be a much shorter distance. I won't be securing interviews for anyone this evening and I won't be assisting Coach Dunn with the status of our fouls or timeouts. Hopefully, I'll get to enjoy a great Fever victory before falling asleep in my own bed while the team is taking an hour-long bus trip to the Airport Westin and preparing for its 5 a.m. wakeup call!

[Maybe this stay-at-home stuff won't be so bad, after all!]
KM

June 17, 2009

There have been three very noteworthy news items this week. Here is my take on each of them.

On Monday, the Detroit Shock announced the resignation of longtime coach Bill Laimbeer. Bill certainly was a lightning rod around the league. Everyone had a strong opinion about him -- whether good or bad. Personally, while I sometimes got tired of the act and the "Bad Boy" demeanor, I thought he was good for the league. Let's face it, it was those strong opinions that drew attention to our league. On a very small scale, I got to know him a little bit, whether it was during regular season or frequent playoff games with the Fever, or during the 2006 All-Star Game in which he coached the East which had three Fever players on the team, or during Shock playoff runs to the Finals which I have worked the past three years. I don't really know the man, but I thought he was good for the league. He came in to the league because of the relationship he had coaching his own daughter, and he made it translate into coaching at the pro level. Sure, the "Bad Boy" image could get tiresome, but he did do a helluva job turning around the Shock franchise and the attention that he demanded was, like I said, good for the league. I wish him well with whatever coaching pursuits he follows. The "W" will go on just fine without him, but the man deserves the credit for the good that he brought to our league and our sport.

This morning, I awoke to the news that Rutgers star Epiphany Prince will forego her senior year in college to play pro with Spartak Moscow in Europe. While a small dot on the horizon for many sports fans, for women's basketball fans, I think this is huge! Do I condone it? Not necessarily. I certainly think that one of the strong points of our league is that all the players are college educated. Yeah, I do think it's a great thing that our players are great role models, etc. I don't diminish that one bit. However ... purely from the standpoint of gaining recognition for our sport and being able to put our sport in front of the mainstream sports fan --- I think that this is huge news. I think it is good for our sport to be able to at least provide that opportunity. I think it is a way of broadening the base and the visibility of our sport. Do I think everyone should bolt college and go play in Europe? Heck no! But does it help give the sport credibility among the afternoon sportstalk radio junkets whose agendas are littered with the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball? Yes, it does. Perhaps it's a small splash. But it's a splash this sport didn't have before.

Whether you liked Laimbeer or not, and whether you like the decision by Epiphany Prince or not -- I think that both have been, and will be, good for the WNBA, at least from a visibility and publicity standpoint.

Last news item of the day was the Fever signing Jessica Davenport. Just the simple fact that she was available in free agency speaks to two things. First, as I have mentioned in previous blogs, the league is damn competitive this year and there were a lot of players released in camps that were met with surprise. Second, given that she was traded for Becky Hammon after being made the second overall selection of the 2007 draft, only 26 months ago, suggests that New York had to be disappointed with her performance during her first two seasons. She's obviously got great size and offensive skills. And she commands a huge presence in the post. For Indiana, she fills the void left by Yolanda Griffith, which is the same spot held a year ago by Bernadette Ngoyisa. Will she be comparable to Yolanda? Doubtful, and certainly not from an experience standpoint. But can she fare comparable to Ngoyisa? I say definitely, yes. She's got the same size as Ngoyisa, she certainly won't be hampered with a communication gap, and she definitely has a better skill set.

Discarding Yo from our thoughts for just a moment and asking the question, "are we better in the post than last season?" Emphatically, I say yes -- Sutton-Brown, Hoffman, Moore and Davenport more than trumps the quartet of TSB, Eb, Bernie and then-rookie Khadijah Whittington. Kelly Krauskopf and Lin Dunn have exchanged Ngoyisa and Whittington for Moore and Davenport. Though both were released at the end of camps in LA and NY, respectively, Moore and Davenport are a pretty decent backup pair of posts. Moore is big, athletic and only 27 years old. Davenport becomes the Fever's biggest player in terms of stature, her skills are well established and she is only 25.

You can't compare Davenport to Griffith, that's just not fair. But given Yo's injury and given where the roster was prior to Yo's arrival, the Fever is still better than last season. We have improved and we've gotten bigger.

I'm also not sure that Davenport can't (please pardon the double negative!) turn things around and play a significant role for the Fever. Perhaps she didn't take well to being in New York. Who knows? She grew up in Columbus (Ohio), went to high school in Columbus and stayed there for college at Ohio State. She's a midwestern girl. Here's to hoping that she is more comfortable being closer to home. If she can average more than her 5.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game during two seasons with the Liberty, the Fever just may have made a huge steal.
KM

June 15, 2009

Big win for the Fever on Friday night against the Sparks. I said in my last blog that, whether we finished the evening at 1-3 or 2-2, this week between games would be a welcomed break. And while a loss to L.A. certainly would have hurt, I was not at all ready to say it was devastating. I will say, though, that the win was probably bigger than a loss would have been bad.

The win was a relief as much as anything. And it proved that even while things were rough to begin the opening week, the Fever had a little fight and resilience. I can tell you that this team does belief in itself. It is a team of veterans and a team that is hungry to win. The first couple of games were certainly tough. But, as Lin Dunn said in her press conference after Friday's game -- and I am paraphrasing here -- "what you people need to realize is that we're just one shot and a couple of seconds from being 3-1."

Coach Dunn was obviously referencing the final moments of the double-overtime loss in Atlanta. If Indiana wins that game, even with the loss to Minnesota, the Fever would be sitting right now at 3-1. So ... let's not get to frazzled by the 0-2 beginning!

You know, I did think it was funny when I received them ... "them" referring to a couple of emails from fans prior to last week's game with Seattle. I was asked on more than one occasion whether I thought, given the 0-2 start, we had waived the right people coming out of training camp; or, whether I thought we needed to reshuffle the starting lineup; or, whether I thought we needed to use different player rotations.

My thoughts then, and now, are simply this ------ people, we've got to give this team a little room to operate! We had played three games in four days. The season was literally three days old and I was receiving questions from fans already in panic mode! So, yeah, I laughed a little. Needless to say, I'm glad we won the past two games, if only because it helped even our fans to put their hearts at ease.

So, what do we do during this week between games? First, I'll let you know that fans will have two opportunities to chat direct with Fever players. Wednesday afternoon, Katie Douglas will chat with fans on FeverBasketball.com, beginning at 2 p.m., prior to an afternoon practice. Thursday evening, Tammy Sutton-Brown will chat via Twitter, beginning at 8:30 p.m., from her hotel in Detroit. Check out FeverBasketball.com for links to both chat opportunities.

Second, I know that this week is a time for Lin Dunn and Kelly Krauskopf to evaluate their team. The additions of Jessica Moore and Shay Murphy were not widely anticipated, but they made some sense. However, the greatest hole, still, is that for the short term, at least, Indiana will continue with a roster of 10. We'll be somewhat short-handed in the post for the foreseeable future. While Moore may be viewed as an upgrade in the post over Khadijah Whittington, the loss of Yolanda Griffith still stings. And her spot on the roster could remain open for a short while. Moore, at least, has better size than Khadijah, and is much more experienced.

Similar to when Danielle Campbell was waived at the end of camp, the cuts of Whittington and Tan White both were very difficult decisions. But from the business standpoint, and realizing that rosters have a maximum 11 players, and now losing an All-Star to injury ... the roster reduction poses some difficulty. Lin and Kelly no longer have the flexibility in grooming some younger players. Nor do they have the flexibility in room below the salary cap. I suspect that evaluations will continue. I don't anticipate more players being waived, but there is bound to be a final bit of shuffling at some point to account for the 11th player.

With consecutive games this week with Detroit, back-to-back games next week with New York and matchup with Connecticut looming in the Fever's next five games, size, strength and depth in the post could win or or lose a few ballgames.
KM

June 12, 2009

What a week this has been!

The Fever tips for the fourth time in seven days when it hosts the Los Angeles Sparks this evening. But wow, what a week of surrounding activities! Following the double OT thriller in Atlanta and the blowout loss to Minnesota, one of my friends and Fever colleagues, Tim Edwards, endured a very mild heart attack on Monday. He is well and resting, and will return to work next week, but it certainly was a shock to us all. Tuesday, we were visited by ESPN and WNBA President Donna Orender, and of course the Fever beat Seattle in what was Indiana's third game in four days. But the win, too, came with a cost as Yolanda Griffith left the game in the first quarter and Katie Douglas nearly was lost to injury, too. Wednesday, the Fever learned that Griffith would be out for the season. Thursday, two players were waived and two more were added. Yes, it has been an eventful week.

On Tim, we are thankful he will be ok. On Yo, we are most sorry for her, personally, as it could mean the end of her career. That is certainly the last way that anybody wants to end a career as glorious as she has had. She deserves much better. Regarding Katie, she was certainly the hero in Tuesday's win. She was the likely hero even if she hadn't returned. But when she returned with the huge bloodied knot on the side of her left eye and cheek, and then hit a decisive 3-pointer, the win and her heroics were surely cemented.

Let's talk about the team.

Three games are in the books now. A lot has happened to this team in less than one week's time. We have found out that this league is hugely talented and athletic this year. Is the Fever equally athletic? That's my first question, after observing the two losses. Time will tell and the two newest additions, Jessica Moore and Shay Murphy, hopefully might aid in answering that question.

Beyond simple athleticism, the next question arises, how does Indiana deal with the loss of Griffith. Well, to put the loss in perspective, I think it hurts Indiana in three ways. First, her talent on the floor will be missed. She paced the club with 17 points and seven boards in the loss to Minnesota. And while that production wasn't going to be expected every night, we knew it was there. Second, her leadership and toughness will be missed -- on the court and off. Now, hopefully some of that can be harnessed and still put to use. She has already made an impact with some of the team's younger players. Hopefully her presence alone can still play a role. Third, trying to replace her is made more difficult by salary cap considerations. While it is feasible to replace her roster spot eventually, the salary remains on the cap.

We are witnessing a great example of how the reduction of rosters (from 13 players to 11) is impacting the Fever almost immediately. That said, I would venture to guess that many teams will undergo similar trauma through this season.

And so how does that impact the season and the race for a championship? Whether it be the Fever, or any other team that endures these challenges, I think that the way teams react from these traumas, and how they attack the tough times that follow, will go a very long way in determining this year's champion.

Are the Fever already out of any playoff picture? HECK NO! Not at all! But they've been dealt an early challenge and they face one of the league's top teams this evening. How they battle those obstacles will determine their playoff future. There is a very long summer ahead of us. Whether we come out of tonight's game at 2-2 or 1-3, the week between games will be a welcome break. And looming ahead next week are a pair of games with Detroit who is also 1-2 and facing some injury dilemmas of its own.

The season rolls on ... see you at the Fieldhouse tonight at 7!
KM

June 9, 2009

Alright fans, this was certainly not the grand start that we had hoped for the beginning of our season. Like in my last blog, I will make two quick observations.

(1) Everyone has said all along that this league was going to be significantly improved overall. OK, but it might be more significantly improved than I'd anticipated, and the Fever may not be as improved as many others. The Fever is better, don't get me wrong, but maybe not by as great a degree as some other teams - Atlanta in particular. Minnesota, who drubbed the Fever on Sunday, is obviously very good, but I do think that Indiana's poor play contributed to the point differential. The Fever played much better on Saturday night, than it did on Sunday.

(2) To re-emphasize my last comment, I thought the Fever played well, but not good enough, on Saturday. On Sunday, Indiana did not play well. One of Coach Dunn's postgame comments was fitting when she asked fans for a mulligan on that first home game. She thanked the fans for coming out. She thanked them for their support. She apologized for the team's play. And she asked for a mulligan because one thing plainly evident was that the Fever did not at all play to its capabilities.

My concern, from where I sit, is, "why didn't we play to our capabilities?" Were we just plain outmatched and outgunned in both games? We were tired on Sunday? And if that's the case, is that a bad omen because of the growing age of our team overall? Or did we just get blown out because, for whatever reason, we didn't come out to play that night?

Who knows, and we can't answer that after just two games. I will point out, though, that while age could be someone's legitimate concern somewhere ... it's worth noting that our oldest player, Yolanda Griffith, was about the lone bright spot in Sunday's game, contributing 17 points and seven rebounds. So I'm not sure that theory holds water yet.

The Fever plays its third game in four days Tuesday night against the Jackson & Bird-led Storm, with former Purdue grad Katie Gearlds due to light up the perimeter with a few 3-point attempts. It should be another good crowd for Indiana, and hopefully we'll see that team that opened the season in Atlanta -- not the one that appeared at Conseco Fieldhouse last night.
KM

June 7, 2009 (7:15 a.m.)

Writing from the hotel lobby this morning before the team bus departs for the airport, I'll have to make this entry brief.

OK, last night's loss was disappointing. It was disappointing as any loss is disappointing. It was disappointing because Indiana had chances to win the game -- particularly with its largest lead of the game, 76-71, coming in the first overtime. It was disappointing because it was the season opener, with back-to-back games, and the club wanted to play its home opener and the chance to go 2-0.

OK, now let's step back. Take a deep breathe. And realize it's just one game. I'm not saying it's "ok" that we lost last night, but I am willing to say that it may be relatively meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

I'll identify two things that I took from last night's game:

(1) Atlanta is darn good. I said in one of Saturday's blogs that they were the most improved team in the league, and the most dramatically changed team in the league. I said they would at least triple last year's four wins. I said they would be a playoff contender. Today, I echo each of those statements. The Dream is a bunch of thoroughbreds who, at any one time, can play an athletic center with four very athletic combo guards and forwards. They're a very good team.

(2) Briann January was a very good pick with the No. 6 selection in last year's draft. I know, last night was but one game, but here are some of the characteristics I saw. She's not afraid to play the game with the veterans. In crunch time, the ball was repeatedly in her hands. She beat her defender off the dribble on the way to the rim and a 3-point play, or got fouled on the way through the lane. Her quickness was evident and something that the Fever has lacked in recent years. She put up a couple of 3-pointers that missed the mark, and could have iced the game, but they were good shots and she didn't hesitate to pull the trigger. I like her.

OK, time to load the bus. See you tonight in Indy.
KM

June 6, 2009 (1:30 p.m.)

I am on the 51st floor of our hotel, and I have a great view of the city while I pound away at my keyboard this afternoon. Looking down on downtown Atlanta, the view layed out before me includes Olympic Centennial Park, the CNN Tower, the Georgia Dome, Philips Arena and the Atlanta Convention Center. Georgia Tech University, and its football and baseball stadiums, are in view a few miles to my right, just on the edge of downtown. Not bad if you're a sports enthusiast! [I have been fortunate to visit each of those venues during my sports travels, including the Georgia Dome where the Maryland men's basketball team won its national championship in 2002. Yes, I'm enjoying my time at the computer this afternoon.]

OK, but keeping on task, let's talk a little more Fever as tonight's regular season tipoff is just less than six hours away.

This will be a very busy week for the Fever. And a challenging one. Certainly every team in the WNBA is appreciably better than in 2008. Because of contraction, a reduction of rosters and the ever-improving level of talent, this league should be tough every night. Indiana plays three games in four days to begin the season, and after this weekend's two games, the Fever faces Western Conference powers Seattle and Los Angeles next week at Conseco Fieldhouse. Counting next Friday's bout with Lisa Leslie and the Sparks, Indiana plays four games in the first seven nights of the season.

Let's look a little more closely at tonight's opponent, the second-year Dream. Lin Dunn told me during our travel to Atlanta that she thinks Atlanta is not only the most dramatically-changed team in the WNBA, but also its most improved. And it's no wonder -- the Dream's roster bears ZERO resemblance to 2008. Only three players return from the 2008 Atlanta club and, in addition to making numerous trades and free agent acquisitions, the Dream has made the most of top draft picks in the college and dispersal drafts.

The Dream is liable to start a lineup tonight that consists of Nikki Teasley (G), Chamique Holdsclaw (F), Erika de Souza (F), Michelle Snow (C) and Iziane Castro Marques (G). Of that quintet, Castro Marques is the only player who played for the Dream in 2008. Snow was a free agent who was arguably Houston's top player last year. Holdsclaw returns to the league after a brief retirement, and Teasley returns after a year off due to the birth of her daughter. The Dream will be big and athletic. Coming off the bench will be this year's No. 1 college draft pick, Angel McCoughtry from Louisville; one of last season's top rookies, Tamera Young; and the Dream's No. 1 dispersal pick from Houston, forward Sancho Lyttle.

This is a very different Atlanta team - and one which should at least triple last year's total of four wins. In fact, the Dream could be a tough playoff challenger this season. So it is deceiving that the Fever opens against a team just one year removed from being an expansion team. In reality, the Fever opens against a team that could be unusually, and perhaps unexpectedly, dangerous.

But that's why we play the games! Tipoff is at 7 tonight. Don't forget to check it out live on your computers via WNBA LiveAccess! And if you just can't wait for tipoff, be sure to stop by my courtside chat beginning at 6!
KM

June 6, 2009 (10:55 a.m.)

The scene now is Philips Arena and the Fever have been conducting morning shooting practice for about 50 minutes. They are currently working on matchups and different sets for tonight's game. Only six minutes are left in our hour-long time slot, so this entry will be short.

Coach Dunn has indicated already that our lineup isn't going to be any secret. So I'll just tell you that the current blue jerseys are Catchings, Hoffman, Griffith, January and Douglas. Those wearing white are Whittington, White, Wirth, Bevilaqua and Dixon. You can make your own judgements on what the color of those jerseys mean.

I'll blog more from the hotel when we return from shooting practice. Once again, I'll encourage fan participation in tonight's live chat on FeverBasketball.com. Feel free to submit any questions in advance. And I'll also remind Fever fans that you can view tonight's game via WNBA LiveAccess. The LiveAccess link allows for live viewing of the game, and can be accessed both on the Indiana website, as well as on WNBA.com. All games, except our road game at San Antonio, will be available for live viewing.

I am blogging again, which is good. And I do offer an apology for letting it slip the past two months. But besides my blog, I'll also direct people to Twitter where you can receive periodic updates from Lin Dunn, Tammy Sutton-Brown, Chris Denari and a Fever account with generic team updates. If you Twitter, or if follow other Twitterers, be sure to become one of their followers!

OK, it's time for some free throw shooting and then the infamous halfcourt shot as shooting practice comes to a close. That means it's time for me to close and post this to the website. Have a great day ... I'll blog again soon.
KM

June 6, 2009 (8:40 a.m.)

It has been a whole 12 hours since my last update last night! It's just past 8:30 a.m. and it's game day!

[Side note: If there is any correlation to the season and my frequency in blogging, I think it bears noting that I really, really love being in the season. No matter whether I'm covering a football team, a basketball team, a baseball team or any other -- I grew up a coach's kid, I obviously played sports myself and I still get up for game day. That's why I'm in this business ... I love the "team" and the "competition." So, you know that at least for the next 4-5 months, my regular blogs are back.]

Today's game day is a little more special than some, perhaps. Well, I don't want to be over-dramatic. But it does start our milestone 10th season and, beyond that, it IS an important season. I am particularly uncomfortable with some media talk of 2009 being the Fever's last season. Frankly, I am not of the belief that our franchise is in jeopardy. However! I do know that the business side of the franchise is absolutely essential for the franchise to thrive and succeed and, of course, to exist.

Why do I choose my blog to write about this? Very simply to say that this really is an important season for the Indiana Fever. Yes, the team is good. Yes, I anticipate a fifth consecutive playoff appearance. And yes, I also expect our loyal fans to turn out to games. But this franchise definitely needs to grow. No matter whether we grow in the media or at the box office ... what will always be analyzed is our attendance.

I know that I am speaking largely to dedicated Fever fans when I write these blogs. But I am hoping that this blog and this enthusiasm will reach beyong our loyal fan base. We need NEW fans, too! We need girls basketball players and families that have never been to a game. We need dads to bring their daughters and families to games, even if they have perceptions that "the women's game is boring, or not as good as the NBA."

I hear those things all the time. And this isn't the time or place for me to debate the merits of our game. I can "blog" on that later. My point, very simply, is that our attendance matters. And I am trying to emphasize that, yes, this is an important year for this franchise. We need to win on the court. And we need to bring greater numbers of fans to our games. In doing one or both of those items, I can guarantee you that the media will follow ... and with that, you have a snowball effect that can really energize a community.

That is what I am seeking. I am asking the readers of this blog to make a conscious effort to help this franchise this season --- bring a friend to Sunday's game to watch Seimone Augustus and the Lynx. Bring a different friend to Tuesday's game to watch Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson and the Storm. Bring yet a different friend to Friday's game to watch Lisa Leslie's final game at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Fans, I say this to you very simply and very directly -- please know that the Indiana Fever exists for you. But should the economic realities ever turn so serious that the Fever really is in jeopardy, then please realize that this franchise literally won't be here for you, or for Indianapolis. That would be a shame for all of us.

I am not of the belief that we face that dilemma right at this very moment, but I am VERY aware of it. So ... as we begin our 10th season, let's celebrate our past and our successes and make plans to celebrate our future. As Donna Orender and the WNBA likes to proclaim frequently, "YES WE CAN!"
KM

June 5, 2009 (8:30 p.m.)

In my last entry, I briefly addressed the Fever's player transactions this week with Tan White being waived on Thursday. All over the WNBA, though, there have been big names being waived - including today's transaction in which Minnesota bought out the guaranteed contract of former Fever star Anna DeForge. Those are just two of over a dozen names of former Fever players released recently.

I just finished eating a sandwich with Chris Denari, and he showed me a list he had compiled of former Fever players who have been waived from WNBA teams within training camp alone. You could field a team with just these players! There are a few other names who were on 2008 teams and no longer playing, but this list is impressive because all 10 of these players were in camps within the past few weeks.

C-Alison Bales

G-Sherill Baker

G-Anna DeForge

G-Doneeka Lewis

F-Kristen Mann

C-Bernadette Ngoyisa

F-Kristen Rasmussen

C-Kelly Schumacher

F-Kasha Terry

G-Tan White

About 24 hours from now, we'll be at halftime at Philips Arena, and I'll still be taking questions during our LIVE CHAT. Feel free to submit any questions in advance.

If I don't check in again before bed tonight, I'll blog again in the morning before shooting practice.

June 5, 2009 (5:30 p.m.)

Has it really been two months since I last wrote a blog? Wow. I will admit to being busy these past several weeks, but that's a record. And Fever fans deserve better. So, as the regular season opens roughly 26 hours from now, I'll blog a few times between now and then ... and during tomorrow night's game in Atlanta, I will take live questions from fans during a LIVE CHAT from my courtside seat at Philips Arena. Submit questions now!

Where to start? So much has transpired since the Fever drafted Briann January when I last "blogged." First, a comment on our rookie point guard, then a comment on our final roster. Then you'll just have to check back later this evening and again on Saturday for more thoughts on tomorrow's opponent, late news around the WNBA and what to expect from the Fever in 2009.

Oh, and don't forget the home opener - Sunday at 7:00 at Conseco Fieldhouse! Big night, big crowd, lots of fun and games. And free schedule magnets to the first 2,500 fans, so get there early!

On January, whose first name is pronounced bree-ON, Fever fans can expect the rookie to start her first pro game tomorrow night. She's good size for a point guard and Fever coaches like the way she plays on offense and defense. Her defense may speak for itself, having twice been named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year while at Arizona State, but coaches like her offense, too. She penetrates and shoots it well. I have heard nothing but praise for the No. 6 pick in the April draft. And what coaches have said about her is that she has a quiet maturity. She is a leader who isn't afraid to interact and communicate among the veterans. She started the last two preseason games, scoring double figures in each, and the Fever has planted her firmly atop the depth chart.

What's great about having January assert herself at the point position is that it leaves Indiana with two different point guard options off the bench. You've got the bulldog hustler and defender in veteran Tully Bevilaqua, and you've got lightning-quick Erica White. I would expect Indiana to react better to varying situations than it has in the past because of this versatility. No longer can teams automatically sag off the Fever point guard. Indiana always wanted to run when it had the chance -- and it will again -- but even in a half-court offense, the penetration capabilities of January and White will make it easier for Douglas and Catchings to pop free from a defender.

I should also touch briefly upon yesterday's roster news. A four-year Fever veteran, Tan White, was let go and I can assure our fans that it wasn't an easy decision. In speaking with Kelly Krauskopf and Lin Dunn, both during training camp and after yesterday's announcement, it was plainly obvious that the final roster cut was going to be difficult. In the end, I can only surmise that the decision fell between three guards -- Tan White, Erica White and Tamecka Dixon. What was the final straw? I don't know and even if I did, I might not be writing it here! But factors in the decision certainly had to involve how many point guards they wanted to keep; experience overall and even postseason experience; who makes their teammates better around them; who gives the coaching staff greatest versatility; ballhandling ability, the potential improvement and even who might be a better fit for the Fever's future.

Personally, I had guessed in public conversations that it might come down to one White or the other. So I wasn't completely caught off-guard by the news. But still a bit stunned from the standpoint that everyone within the franchise liked Tan White and appreciated her efforts for four years. And let's face it, too, she was the second-leading scorer in Fever history! She only started 34 games over four years. Was that because there were so many other talented players around her? Or was that because she never fully asserted her talents at this next level? Those questions can be debated. But because she had been the Fever's "6th man" for most of four years, it even caught me by surprise to realize that she has scored more points in a Fever uniform than any human not named Tamika Catchings.

To Tan White ... I think I can speak for our franchise in saying that we all wish her well. She bought a house in Indianapolis a couple of years ago, and we appreciate her dedication to our team, our franchise and our community. Landing on another team this season could be difficult, just because of the really tight, competitive rosters, but she's enough of an athlete that she can certainly play somewhere in this league. Tan ... good luck! I do expect to see you down the road ...

As for the makeup of the current Fever roster, how are these for some numbers?

Five WNBA All-Stars who have combined for 19 All-Star Games (Griffith 7, Catchings 5, Dixon 3, Douglas 2, Sutton-Brown 2)

Four Olympians who have combined for five medals (Catchings and Griffith, USA), Bevilaqua (Australia) and Sutton-Brown (Canada)

One former MVP, Griffith, and two former Defensive Players of the Year (Catchings and Griffith)

Three WNBA champions (Bevilaqua, Dixon, Griffith) and five WNBA finalists (add Douglas and Sutton-Brown)

The Fever will have its share of youth and energy with January and Erica White seeing considerable minutes, and of course Ebony Hoffman, last year's WNBA Most Improved Player. But there is no doubt that Indiana has experience it has never had, and there is no doubt that, on paper at least, this is the most star-studded roster in Fever history. Let the 10th Anniversary Season begin!

April 8, 2009

For all the sports fans in Indianapolis, if you're not a Fever fan before April 9 (tomorrow), then April 9 is the day you should become a Fever fan!

Tomorrow is draft day. It's the first day that single-game tickets are on sale. And if you want shopping bargains for your favorite team -- tomorrow is the day to take part!

There is excitement around the Fever camp these days. With the offseason additions of point guard Erica White and veteran forward Yolanda Griffith, the Indiana roster is rounding out very nicely. 2008 rookie draft pick Khadijah Whittington seems to be evolving nicely by averaging 12 points and six rebounds while playing in France this offseason, and with Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas both healthy at the same time this summer, the Fever could very well make another return to the Eastern Conference Finals.

[Quick note - it's an odd-numbered year, so the Fever has that on its side. It was in 2005 and 2007 that Indiana advance to the conference finals. Why not return in 2009 and, this time, finally get to the WNBA Finals? Just a thought.]

Seriously, the Fever's 2008 campaign just never got on track. Between injuries, trades and the Olympic Break, Indiana just was never in sync. Realistically, there was not one day in which Catchings and Douglas ever played together while truly healthy. It was an odd season. But hopefully, in an odd-numbered year and with the help of a solid draft pick, the Fever may have the necessary ingredients for a title run.

So that is one reason to get excited. But how about single-game tickets priced as low as $5 in the lower level of Conseco Fieldhouse? Or Fever gear and souvenirs as much as 50 percent off in the Home Court Gift Shop? Or rookie jerseys for 30 percent off regular cost when purchased online after tomorrow's draft?

Tell me, are there any better bargains any place in the state of Indiana? Also, Fever fans will be able to interact with members of the coaching staff, and Fever GM Kelly Krauskopf, during select points of Thursday's draft. Special guests will join me in conducting a two-way chat with fans during tomorrow's draft proceedings, beginning at 3 p.m.

Certainly, Thursday will be a day to start celebrating the berth of a the Fever's 10th season. Certainly, for Fever fans, there will be lots of ways to interact and start prepping for the beginning of training camp (May 17), a home preseason game (May 28) and the first home game on June 7.

March 20, 2009

The WNBA Draft is now just three weeks away and it's time to take a look at the Fever roster and some of its draft needs. Since the close of last season, three players have been waived and one former WNBA MVP has been signed. A current roster of 12 players will expand with the draft, and be whittled to 11 active players for the regular season.

I have written about Fever draft needs previously, and thoughts are pretty universal whether you speak with Lin Dunn or Kelly Krauskopf -- or probably half of our season ticket holders! In fact, Indiana's greatest need in the 2009 Draft is pretty much the same with which it entered the 2008 Draft. Indiana did not own a first-round pick last year, though, so while selecting Khadijah Whittington in the second round as the best available player, KD didn't necessarily address that need.

That need is to find a point guard for the future. Of course there are other needs, too ... a shooter, a big body rebounder and some speed. Yes, all are needs, but none as great as the point guard. Again, while addressing this issue, I will state that the need is not a reflection of a poor current point guard - Tully Bevilaqua. It is, however, a reflection of a 36-year old point guard who has never been regarded as an offensive threat. When other teams defend the Fever, it's often obvious that they sag off of Tully and dare her to beat them with her shot. At times, she has. Eventually, though, Indiana will be better served by having five offensive threats for teams to respect and defend.

If Indiana indeed chooses a point guard in the draft, the next question is how many PGs will the club carry on its roster. Bevilaqua is a lock, whether as the starter or a key reserve. If a college player is a first-round pick, she is a lock, also. That leaves Sherill Baker and Doneeka Lewis both battling for reserve duties. Baker was an outstanding reserve early in 2008, before she was injured. Lewis finished the season with those minutes. Most likely, one of them would not make the final roster.

So, where will the Fever look with its opening selection? Who will be available with the No. 6 pick in the first round? If a future All-Star forward or center is looming at No. 6, does the Fever take a point guard or the best available athlete? Lots of questions. For now, I'll throw out some names just to get the juices flowing.

If the Fever looks for a backcourt scorer, Pittsburgh's Shavonte Zellous could be a pick. She averaged 23.4 points during the regular season with 3.2 assists, and has been regarded among the country's top ten college prospects. Another backcourt scorer is Maryland's Kristi Toliver who posted a 17.8 scoring average with 5.3 assists while leading the ACC champion Terrapins. A third guard prospect is Connecticut's Renee Montgomery. She is regarded more as a playmaker than a scorer, though still averaged 16.4 points and 5.5 assists for the top-ranked and unbeaten Huskies.

It's reasonable to expect that a top Fever selection could come from among those three prospects. But what if DeWanna Bonner (Auburn), Marissa Coleman (Maryland), Angel McCoughtry (Louisville), Kia Vaughn (Rutgers) or one of the Paris sisters (Courtney and Ashley, Oklahoma) are also available and the Fever chooses to go big with its first-round pick? Here are a few other point guard sleepers that Indiana could take with a second- or third-round pick.

Kansas State's Shalee Lehning could be a sleeper pick, largely unheralded nationally though boasting near triple-double averages of 11.9 points, 8.2 assists and 7.5 rebounds. Not bad for a 5-9 guard. Another sleeper could be Minnesota's Emily Fox who paced the Gophers with 12.5 points and 4.2 assists. Alexis Gray-Lawson helped pace Cal with 12.9 points and 3.7 assists per game, and Duke's Abby Waner averaged 9.7 points, with 3.8 assists and 2.9 steals per game.

Kelly Krauskopf and Lin Dunn will continue scouting the country's top players during the NCAA Tournament which begins this weekend. Enjoy the tournament and good luck to all your favorite teams!
KM

March 9, 2009

It is March Madness time and that means that for the 10th straight year, Fever Basketball is just around the corner!

I spent much of last week preparing for, and working, the Big Ten Conference women's tournament here at Conseco Fieldhouse. And through sheer coincidence, I was fortunate to spend time with three different current and former Fever players - all who may be recognized later this summer as part of the Indiana Fever All-Decade Team.

I mention the Fever All-Decade Team, and more will be spoken about that later. But essentially, as we embark on our 10th season, the franchise will honor some of its greatest players and key figures through our 10-year history. Like I said, I was fortunate to cross paths with three of them last week. Whether they make the All-Decade Team will be up for debate and voting by Fever fans, but all three will certainly receive serious consideration.

Tamika Catchings
Last Tuesday, March 3, I spent the morning with Tamika Catchings who was visiting from Poland for about a week. She was back in Indianapolis for a break and some work with her Catch The Stars Foundation, but while she was here we taped a lengthy interview with her for a 10th Anniversary DVD the Fever is preparing. During the taping of that interview, I was struck once again by the special person that she is. Nevermind her performances and accolades on the court, Tamika is a sharp, engaging woman who is both confident and personable in her approach with people. She has such a life's worth of fantastic experiences to share --- from stories of her hearing disability to stories of being the daughter of a pro basketball player; from stories of her and her sister Tauja as kids, with Tauja usually acting as her spokesperson, to their current-day relationship as adult sisters, both of whom were drafted in the WNBA and how they now manage their foundation; and, of course, her stories of success and overcoming hardship and injury. I was obviously working while helping to put this project together, but I was equally as interested in just listening to her answers, and listening to her stories, for my own personal benefit. I am thankful to work with her, and to be able to share and convey her stories to our fans.

Stephanie White
With the Big Ten Tournament in town, the very first "face of the franchise," Stephanie White, was at Conseco Fieldhouse for four straight days while working with the Big Ten Network. Steph is one of the network's studio analysts, and she was courtside with Mike Hall as part of their on-site studio set daily from the women's tournament. She gave pregame, halftime and postgame analysis throughout the 10-game tournament. Steph was one of the original Fever players and, while she was never the club's top scorer, she was certainly one of its top players in the early years ... and definitely its most recognizable player. From her days at Seeger High School and later Purdue, Steph is one of the most recognizable and welcomed women's basketball athletes in our state's history. She is always welcomed warmly, and she of course returns the welcome with a smile and humility. She was a class act with the Fever for five years while the franchise got itself off the ground. Unfortunately for her, she never appeared in a playoff game for the Fever. Her contributions transcended the stat sheet, though, and she is certainly not forgotten in our community. She, too, will draw some serious consideration among the Fever's top 10 all-decade players.

Tully Bevilaqua
Another current player that I saw over the weekend has been one of the Fever's team leaders for the past four years, Tully Bevilaqua. She chose not to play professionally in her native country this year, and has been in Indiana training for the 2009 WNBA season for the past few weeks. Remarkably, Tully is beginning her fifth season in Indiana and is one of the franchise leaders in games and playoff games. This from a woman who, when she was signed as a free agent prior to the 2005 season, was thought to be near the end of her career. All she has done in those four Fever seasons is lead Indiana to four straight playoff appearances and become another of the team's most popular players. She always has a smile on her face, and is not only popular with the fans, she is one of the most likeable players among her teammates. Like Stephanie, Tully's greatest contributions aren't always reflected in the box score, but with a WNBA title and an Olympic silver medal around her neck, in addition to four playoff years in Indiana, she can no doubt be branded as a winner.

No matter who is chosen to the eventual Fever All-Decade Team, no franchise could ask for three better representatives. All have been stars on the court, certainly. Perhaps all three of these women, though, have shone far brighter for their contributions in the community, with our fans, and as representatives of a young, proud and growing Indiana Fever franchise.

I had the lucky fortune of spending time with all three during one week in March.
KM

February 21, 2009

It's free agent season in the WNBA, and the Fever jumped in head-first again yesterday with the announcement that former league MVP Yolanda Griffith would join the franchise for the 2009 campaign. It was another in a string of annual blockbuster offseason moves by Fever COO and GM Kelly Krauskopf, in a constant attempt to move the Fever into the WNBA Finals and vie for its first crown.

The Griffith signing reminds me a little bit of the first move I saw Krauskopf make when I first arrived with the Fever, in 2003. As part of the 2003 draft, Krauskopf pulled the trigger on a four-player trade with San Antonio, bringing veteran center Natalie Williams to Indiana. Griffith is now slightly more accomplished than Williams had become, though she is 38 while Williams retired when she was 35. Williams was a bonafide star, a two-sport college star, an all-time rebounding leader, a WNBA and ABL All-Star, an Olympian and one of the most prominent women to lay the pavement for the WNBA stars of today. Natalie retired after three seasons in Indiana, and is likely to be one of many former Fever stars to be celebrated during our 10th anniversary season this summer. Griffith (6-3) is taller and longer than Williams (6-2), and has certainly sustained a longer career. Like Williams, she has perennially been one of the circuit's top rebounders and post defenders. She won the WNBA MVP award in 2005 while leading the Monarchs to a championship.

[Coincidentally, Griffith and Williams actually were teammates with the ABL Long Beach Stingrays, with Williams winning league MVP honors in 1998 and frontcourt partner Griffith finishing second. They both starred together on the 2000 USA gold-medal-winning Olympic Team which was coached by former Fever mentor Nell Fortner.]

Griffith and Williams were acquired by the Fever in entirely different circumstances. Williams arrived with the franchise in just its fourth season, still seeking an identity. She and Tamika Catchings were clearly the team's two biggest stars, even while she was on the verge of retirement. Griffith, however, despite being older, joins a Fever franchise that is clearly established as a contender. Indiana has qualified for the playoffs in four straight seasons, including a pair of trips to the Eastern Conference Finals. Williams helped the Fever to the first of those four straight appearances, Griffith hopes to help the Fever into its first Finals appearance.

It is arguable as to who was necessarily a better player during their prime. But I'll leave that debate for trivia. The point in signing Griffith was to bolster the Fever's interior. When evaluating Fever needs at the close of last season, you could point to four distinct areas - interior depth, toughness, point guard, shooting. The Griffith signing addresses two of those.

Griffith joins Tammy Sutton-Brown, Ebony Hoffman and Khadijah Whittington in the Fever interior. Likely absent from last season's roster will be Bernadette Ngoyisa, if for no other reason than keeping the extra player will be difficult with a reduction in WNBA rosters to 11 players this year. Griffith, though, easily surpasses Ngoyisa's value for Indiana, just by consistency, stability and toughness. Given her age, certainly there can be risk of injury, but given that she can come off the bench and not be asked to carry the heavy load, she can be a perfect complement. It's my opinion that with well-managed minutes -- and surrounded by the Fever's talent with Tamika Catchings, Katie Douglas, Hoffman and Sutton-Brown -- Griffith's addition will have benefit on both ends of the floor, in addition to training and nurturing the continued growth of Hoffman and Whittington.

Welcome to Indiana, Yo!
KM

February 11, 2009

Fever Fans - Happy New Year! I know, it's already February, but things are about to start gettin' busy in Fever land so it's time again to renew the blog for another season. A new season - the Fever's 10th - is soon to be upon us! The Fever's 10th anniversary season will be a special one, complete with a 10th anniversary team and year-long celebration to honor a full decade since the franchise was established on June 7, 1999.

How about that for irony?!? The Fever's home opener in a few months - June 7 vs. Minnesota - will take place exactly 10 years to the day that the WNBA awarded the franchise to this city!

Stay tuned to FeverBasketball.com for additonal celebrations and chances to become involved in the many activities this anniversary season will provide. Our staff has been hard at work developing our theme nights for the coming year, and our coaching staff is hard at work traveling the country while evaluating college talent, in anticipation of the WNBA Draft on April 9.

No doubt, a focal point for Kelly Krauskopf and Lin Dunn will be the point guard position. Tully Bevilaqua returns for what should be at least one more season in a Fever uniform, but who will be her backup? Who might take over a starting role? How many point guards will the Fever carry in 2009? Last season, besides Tully and again during her absence prior to the Olympics, there was a lot of change at the point guard position. Sherill Baker was a bright spot early in the season, but then she was lost to injury. She seems to be playing well in Israel, but will she be the answer? Will the Fever have the chance to draft a quality, impact-making point guard with the sixth pick in the upcoming draft? Or will Krauskopf have success in luring a free agent point guard?

All are valid questions and, as the free agency period progresses and we approach the college draft, I'm sure we will learn more very soon.
KM

October 2, 2008

Ten days have passed since the Debacle in Detroit. Enough time has passed for Fever players and coaches to review the 2008 season and put it behind them. By this time, players have begun moving onward toward their winter destinations. And the Fever front office has begun moving foward toward the season-long celebration of its 10th Anniversary in 2009.

Indiana fell short of its goals this summer. OK, if you are reading this blog - you know that already. In the interest of moving forward, the pertinent question isn't necessarily how or why did the Fever fall short in 2008, but how do we move forward and tackle that goal of a championship for 2009?

I can throw out a myriad of reasons or excuses for why we fell short of our competitive goals in '08. It was a weird season wrapped with injuries, the Olympics, lots of player movement and the constant gradual blending of a franchise player. I have been a part of the Indiana franchise for six of its nine seasons. Never during my tenure have I encountered as many ups and downs on the active roster or injury list as the Fever had this summer. Many teams have similar situations, of course. So it's not an excuse. I'll just call it weird.

Let's just look at where Indiana can improve and return to 20-plus wins per season.

Point Guard
The Fever needs to shore up its point guard rotation. Tully Bevilaqua is a gem of a defender; a gem of a team captain; a gem of a person and a gem of a competitor. What Tully Bevilaqua is not, however, is a slick moving, driving perimeter player who can break down a defense, get to the rim, or provide much of a scoring threat offensively. Tully is 36 years old and admittedly a year or two from retirement, if not sooner. She would make a sensational backup just as she was with Seattle's championship team of 2004. Can the Fever win games with Tully at the point? Certainly. But Indiana needs a long-term answer at the position which can give the Fever a fifth offensive threat and who can more ably drive and kick the ball to Catchings and Douglas on the wins.

A quality point guard not only adds a fifth component to a Fever offense, it also makes Catchings and Douglas - both - better. Immediately.

I've been asked often this year, "Why isn't Katie scoring like she used to?" Or, "how can Tamika be so good in the Olympics, but struggle so much when she returns to the Fever?" Very simply, Katie and Tamika are in an absolutely different lineup from which those comparisons come. Katie had a very dynamic point guard when she played at Connecticut (Lindsay Whalen). And in the Olympics, Tamika was not ever the top offensive option, plus many of her points were scored off steals, or in transition, against inferior opponents.

An improvement at point guard improves three positions for Indiana. Beyond that, it even relieves some of the pressure off interior players like Ebony Hoffman or Tammy Sutton-Brown.

How does that improvement take place? One possibility is on our own roster in Sherill Baker, although her bruised wrist this season became such a nagging concern I'm not sure Fever coaches know what to anticipate from her. She was a great addition early in the summer. But then she more or less disappeared with the freak injury. Beyond Baker, I think that the Fever's best options will be to obtain a quality point guard in a trade, the upcoming draft or possibly free agency.

I know that point guard was a primary goal in last year's draft, but by the time we reached the No. 26 pick, the best guards had been nabbed and Indiana chose the best available athlete in Khadijah Whittington. Whittington can be a solid WNBA forward, but we endured a full season without the point guard questions being answered and it was evident.

Years 2-3 After the Douglas Trade
There will be those who read this and think, "I thought you said you weren't going to make excuses!," but this is something I said before the year began. In my humble opinion, the Katie Douglas trade made the Fever a more healthy franchise, but probably moreso for the long-term, rather than the short-term. The reasons were two-fold and I stand by them today:

First, blending strong personalities doesn't happen overnight, and with Catchings nursing her injury and being in and out of the lineup half the season, the chemistry between Katie and Tamika never had a chance to really develop properly. From May through September, between injuries and absences to both, I would venture to guess, honestly, that the pair did not really practice hard together more than a couple dozen times - if that. One of them was constantly absent or on the mend. It would not have been uncommon for that chemistry to develop over a full season under ordinary circumstances.

Second, remember that 2008's WNBA Draft was by far the deepest and most talented ever. Essentially, every team in the WNBA got appreciably better. Every team effectively drafted a new starter, for free, in the form of a rookie contract, and with no loss of other talent. But not Indiana. The cost of the trade, along with Tamika Whitmore, was the No. 9 overall draft pick. While every other team got to "add a starter," Indiana lost that luxury. We made ourselves more healthy for the future, but not necessarily for 2008.

The fruits of the Katie Douglas Trade will be realized to a greater extent in her second and third years with the Fever.

Normalcy and Stability
While attempting to find a good fit at point guard last season, and while trying to make other pieces fit properly, Indiana took on a great number of new players. The cost was continuity. Besides a brand new coaching staff, added were five players who did not play in 2007, or who were waived from other camps - Baker, Bond, Feaster, Lewis, Ngoyisa. Each was a capable player, but not only adapting to a new city but to a new staff and new teammates.

That continuity needs to be regained on the court. This franchise has been a solid, consistent contributor in the WNBA in terms of being innovative, drawing fans and local interest, and in growing the WNBA product. In my six years with the franchise, that continuity has been a steady factor in our franchise's success. In 2008 however, it was continuity on the court, not off, that took a bit of a hit.

Continuity and stability have served this franchise well, helping drive the mission statement of the Indiana Fever: to win championships and serve our community. The Fever has continued to be a valued source of entertainment in our great city, and always has taken pride in providing opportunities and role models for our youth and women and families. The mission of a championship continues, despite a stumble this past summer.

There are many who were disappointed with the summer of '08, which was preceded by three consecutive 21-13 seasons. If 2008 was a temporary setback, the important reality is that the mission remains unchanged. With a 10th Anniversary season ahead for 2009, Fever fans can once again expect every effort toward achieving that championship goal.

For now, I'll return to my role in staffing the WNBA Finals from San Antonio ... once again hoping to be writing about the Fever from these Finals in years to come.
KM

September 23, 2008 (10:05 p.m.)

So much for pregame optimism.

Wow. What an epic blowout of a final game that was. Tonight's loss was so bad that the 80-61 final score was semi-respectable compared to the beating that took place in the first half.

Indiana trailed by as many as 31 before taking a 49-19 deficit into intermission. The Shock shot 54 percent to the Fever's 28 percent. The disparity was 67 to 20 percent in the first quarter with Detroit leading 30-7.

A whopping 15 turnovers by halftime didn't help matters.

I'll write more later, but in short, I'll say this -- the 3-game playoff series pretty much summed up the entire Fever season -- you just never knew which team was going to show up.

Fittingly, the Fever entered the playoffs on a two-game win streak, it's longest of the summer. Then it lost one; then won a thriller; then lost in a rout.

More to come after tomorrow morning's 6 a.m. return to Indy.
KM

September 23, 2008 (6:30 p.m.)

We are 30 minutes from tipoff at The Palace, and from what I can tell of the Fever during tonight's bus ride to the arena and limited activity since that arrival -- I think the players are ready. I'll describe the atmosphere as a quiet, relaxed confidence.

But what do I know? And so often it's difficult to tell, so maybe that's just my wishful thinking.

The Fever's chances of winning this thing tonight and advancing to the conference finals are infinitely higher than from the time we boarded our play from Indianapolis on Saturday morning. But only the first half of the job is finished. Sunday's win cleared a giant obstacle and did more than just even the series -- it changed the Fever mentality.

In order to win again this evening, Indiana must play exactly as it did two days ago, and that means putting out one of its best performances again.

But while knocking off the Shock on Sunday, confidence is certainly raised, as if to say, "Hey, we can beat these guys!" Of course the Fever knew they could, but in sports, so much is mental. Every game is played with a certain mindset. And for the Fever to possibly question that reality going into Games 2 and 3, it would have been understandable, having lost six straight to the Shock dating to last season -- and often without games being close.

So, with that proverbial monkey off their backs and a win under their belts, the Fever feels a bit more energized. They can play with no less passion and intensity as they did on Sunday. And the keys to the game are the same -- Sutton-Brown and Hoffman must compete in the post; the Fever bench must contribute; and Indiana must find ways to contain Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith.

There also is the consideration that Plenette Pierson won't play this evening. That could alter the Shock's post rotation, but they're so deep that no matter who steps into her minutes, Indiana probably won't play any differently. With or without Pierson in Detroit's lineup, I expect the same knock-down, dragout intensity -- all the way to the finish.

If the Fever performs and meets those keys to the game, Indiana may well advance and host the New York Liberty on Thursday night at Conseco Fieldhouse. If Nolan or Smith catch fire, or if Sutton-Brown and Hoffman don't achieve success again, the Fever's season could end on this floor for the second straight season.

Tune in to 1070 The Fan for Chris Denari and Jane Schott, or catch the action on ESPN2. And after a potential victory, be sure to log on to FeverBasketball.com and get those tickets for Thursday night's game at The Fieldhouse!
KM

September 22, 2008 (8:30 p.m.)

Neither publically, nor privately, do my opinions count on these types of things. So when it comes to the altercation between Ebony Hoffman and Plenette Pierson in Sunday's game at The Palace, I'll try to shed a little more light on the topic without overstepping my bounds. [Does that sound like a politically correct PR guy, or what?]

The result of a league review today is that Ebony Hoffman's technical foul was upgraded to a type 2 flagrant foul. There are two types, 1 and 2, with 2 being the most severe. The league's flagrant foul system operates as a point system. When you reach a certain point level, suspensions follow. Hoffman has never previously received a flagrant foul through her five years in the WNBA, nor has she ever been a part of any such physical altercations. Fever fans can rest easy in knowing there is no suspension from today's decisions. She will play in Tuesday night's deciding Game 3.

With 4:26 remaining in the fourth quarter on Sunday, I was looking down at my playoff media guide, trying to decipher a possible free throws record in the making. The Fever and Shock were in the midst of 43 consecutive free throws. Neither team had missed. My brilliant statistician's mind told me that there were records falling somewhere, so what I missed was the falling of Plenette Pierson.

I looked up and saw Pierson writhing on the floor, in the middle of the lane, on the far end of the court from me, in front of the Shock bench. Immediately, I switched my stats monitor to the ESPN2 telecast, and shared replays of the prior play with Fever broadcaster Chris Denari. We saw perhaps four different looks at the play -- the same ones that you saw in the comfort of your living rooms. So, let me tell you, you saw the same as I did! Shortly after I returned to watching the floor, double technical fouls were assessed to each player.

OK, the issues are that Pierson was injured and that the altercation moved beyond that of playing basketball. It wasn't a fight, but was certainly a rougher-than-tolerated action and/or a retaliation of some sort. Who initiated the "hooking of elbows" behind the players' backs? I'm uncertain. Who is at fault for what took place? That can be debated forever.

Nevermind reputations and prior history, I do know Ebony Hoffman. I've often called our Fever players "too nice," in fact. There is not a sliver of doubt in my mind that Ebony Hoffman did not initiate any sort of malicious play. But I can also tell you that the Fever's frame of mind in this series is to battle and scrap and not get beaten physically as has often has been the case against the Shock. So, that a skirmish such as this ensued is not that great a surprise.

From that standpoint, then, the league office was called upon as a neutral mediator. The play has been reviewed over and over, and from all available angles. I don't know any of the rationale in the eventual decision, though it makes sense to me that the injury to Pierson could have impacted a final determination. It's unfortunate that these things happen ... but this is the elite level of competion and the athletes are playing for every advantage and every edge they can get, and when the intensity and emotions rise to the level we witnessed on Sunday afternoon, injuries occur. [Suddenly my mind flashes back to this same court, at roughly the same section of hardwood, where Tamika Catchings crumpled in last year's series with the Shock.]

Ebony will play on Tuesday. Pierson's status is doubtful at best - probably out, from what we have heard from the Shock camp today. Detroit will certainly be impacted by her loss if that is the case, but the Shock has the deepest roster of bigs in the WNBA, so they won't be lacking comparable replacements. It just means that Braxton, McWilliams-Franklin, Sanni and Schumacher will have to pick up a little of Pierson's slack. And you can be assured that Bill Laimbeer and his staff will have the Shock steaming with motivation.

Be sure to tune in to ESPN2 at 7 p.m., Tuesday. And if the Fever can pull off another win, be sure to log on to FeverBasketball.com right afterward to get your tickets for the conference finals! [Game 1 of that series would be Thursday already ... but let's not get ahead of ourselves!]
KM

September 22, 2008 (12:35 p.m.)

Be sure to plant yourselves in front of your television on Tuesday night! Set your TVs for ESPN2 at 7 p.m., for a decisive Game 3 of the mini-drama known as Fever vs. Shock. Detroit won three straight regular season matchups and put the Fever's backs to a wall for Game 2, but Indiana has answered the challenged and forced a winner-takes-all final game on Tuesday.

Sunday's game at The Palace was another in a recent series of playoff classics for the Indiana Fever. It was Indiana's fifth overtime session out of eight playoff games the past two seasons, and it was a physical, bruising, hotly-contested battle from start to finish.

The Fever actually trailed just twice in the entire 45 minutes -- 69-68 with 1:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, and 77-75 after the first bucket of overtime. The Fever never led by more than nine points, and fought off six ties, all during the fourth quarter and overtime. The game had brilliant plays and gutsy performances. It had a classic buzzer-beater to send the game to overtime, and it had emotion, intensity and even some controversy. It was just what ESPN had ordered for its Sunday afternoon national TV audience.

Tuesday, there should be more of the same. No doubt, the Shock will be motivated to protect its home floor. And once again, the cards will be stacked against the Fever with Detroit trying to make the most of its homecourt advantage. But perhaps of equal value may be the warrior mentality displayed yesterday by Tamika Catchings. The Fever's "do-everything" All-Star forward and Olympian did her mortal best to assure the Fever would not let go of its lead on Sunday. She finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds, and made 14 of 15 rebounds.

During one 6 1/2 minute stretch in which the Fever failed to score a field goal, it was six straight Catchings free throws that staved off a Shock rally, allowing Detroit within 1, 59-58, before Tully Bevilaqua hit the first of her two 3-point daggers with 5:27 to play in regulation. Her second iced the contest, staking Indiana to a two-possession lead, 85-79, with 53 seconds to go in OT.

It was a team effort for the Fever:

Catchings had a double-double, but so did Ebony Hoffman (15 points, 12 boards) for just the third double-double duo in Fever playoff history.

In the locker room after the game, Catchings made the point to single out Tammy Sutton-Brown (19 points, five boards, 13 of 14 FTs) for her performance in the post as a key factor in the team's win. Tamika and Tammy combined to hit 27 of a franchise playoff-record 34 free throws.

In a season which the Fever ranked ninth in the WNBA with an average of over 17 turnovers per game, Indiana took better care of the ball Sunday, turning it over just 16 times in the fiercest of circumstances.

The Fever defense clamped down on the Shock's shooters, limiting Detroit to 38 percent shooting (down from 52 percent in Game 1).

Seldom-used Doneeka Lewis and Kristen Mann both came off the bench to hit 3-pointers and score five points apiece.

Six different players contributed to a franchise playoff-record 11 3-pointers.

It was a classic contest. But it was but a win -- a big win certainly, but it only counts as one. The Shock and Fever will fight again Tuesday, for the deciding win.
KM

September 20, 2008

Needless to say, if the Fever is going to win this conference semifinal series against Detroit, it's going to have to play tough-minded, hard-nose basketball and perform at its best of the season over two straight games at The Palace.

It's Saturday morning and I'm sitting at baggage claim at Wayne County (Detroit) International Airport. [More on that later ...] With a little time on my hands, we need to take a look back at the week that was, before looking at last night's game and the hopeful two that follow.

How 'bout the week of awards for Fever players? Four of the Fever's five starters were showered with league honors this week - beginning with Tammy Sutton-Brown's player of the week honor and including Friday's trio of awards -- Most Improved Player of the Year for Ebony Hoffman, and first team All-Defense for Tully Bevilaqua and Tamika Catchings. Not a bad week for hardware.

Congrats to each of those four, and particularly to Ebony for her year-long assault that culminated in her recognition last night by WNBA President Donna Orender. It was very touching press conference for a young lady that earned every word of praise she has received. You can watch the press conference video here.

More importantly, though, was the game that followed the accolades last night. And what I think Fever fans witnessed was perhaps the best team in the WNBA. I know, it pains me to say it like that, but let's face it, this Shock team is not only talented, but it's deep, experienced, tough, physical --- and seemingly focused and motivated. The Fever did not play its greatest game, no doubt. And of course there were the intermittent struggles on offense, which we've seen time and again, especially against Detroit. But the Fever did not seem to fold or wilt to Detroit's lead or pressure. Indiana did mount numerous runs to cut into the 8-12 point leads, but every run by the Fever was matched by the Shock. To me, regardless of Detroit's talent or experience or swagger, that resiliency and consistency and refusal to allow Indiana back into the game -- that was what impressed me most.

So, while I can look at what Indiana may have failed to do in last night's game; and imagine scenarios in which the Fever can knot the series and advance -- I have to give credit and recognize once again that: (a) we just don't matchup well with the Shock, and (b) the Shock is pretty darn good. (I know, that hurt again.)

I mentioned that I'm sitting here at baggage claim. I've written many blogs from airports before because it seems that's where I often have the most available time to sit and write these really philosophical, mind-wrenching pieces of prose. (Did you just laugh at that, also?) OK, but I've never done this from baggage claim before. Let's face it ... if I'm at baggage claim, I'm picking up luggage, moving on to a bus or a cab, and the laptop usually stays in the bag!

Not today. Not for me, not for trainers Ruth Helland and Holly Heitzman. And not for operations manager Ashley Floyd. Together we sit. And wait. And read or blog or talk on the phone or text. We were dispatched early this morning to fly in advance of the team. When travel arrangements were made on short notice for the playoffs, the team's flight only had so many seats ... so you can tell who drew the short straw!

Our 8 a.m. flight arrived shortly after nine, and we're sitting here patiently at baggage claim awaiting the team's arrival at 11:24 arrival. Then we'll ride a bus for an hour, check in to our hotel, then venture to a local college for a short walk-through and practice. And so while we wait and pass the time, I'm adding a little website content for those loyal Fever fans that just can't get enough!

Obviously, the Fever's task at hand is very ominous. Not insurmountable, certainly, but a tall task, indeed. We'll return to Indy either on Sunday evening, or on Wednesday morning. My preference is going to be Wednesday morning, with a one-day turnaround for a home game in the conference finals the very next day at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Stay tuned, Fever fans ... tipoff tomorrow afternoon is 3 p.m., on ESPN2.
KM

September 17, 2008

It's Playoff Time!!!

Needless to say, while I haven't blogged in a few days, it is not for a lack of being busy! Quite the contrary --- and that's a good thing, right?

With the close of every regular season, PR departments always are preparing for playoffs just a few short days away. And in those few short days there are playoff media guides to produce while at the same time trying to stir up a little playoff publicity. So ... with a handle on both those items, let's focus on the Fever and the playoffs at hand!

First, congratulations to Tammy Sutton-Brown, named on Monday as the Eastern Conference Player of the Week. For TSB, it is her first such honor as she now competes in her eighth WNBA season. It was fitting that a Fever player won the award, as Katie Douglas began the season with the league's honor in Week 1. Ironically, it is the first year that Tamika Catchings hasn't won a player of the week honor. It's also the first time in franchise history that any player besides Tamika has won the award!

As we look to the Shock on Friday, the Fever is feeling pretty good. There is a definite "air" around the team this week that is sparking a little excitement. For the first time ever, Lin Dunn has had her entire team intact and healthy for more than two weeks. And while our mini-win streak (two games) is not leaping off the sports pages, Indiana has quietly put together a nice little run following the Olympic Break. Indiana has won five of its last seven games since falling miserably to Connecticut on Aug. 28, and the Fever closed the regular season with wins in three of its last five.

As the No. 4 seed, expectations are admittedly low. Especially when you consider the Fever was swept by its first-round opponent, Detroit, during the regular season. So ... [drum roll, please] ... here are two reasons why the Fever will win this series:

1. The Fever faced a first-round opponent in last year's playoffs that had also swept Indiana during the regular season. Indiana faced Connecticut after losing four times, but won an epic series with four overtime sessions and the biggest comeback in WNBA Playoffs history.

2. Only once has a No. 4 seed ever advanced to the WNBA Finals, that being the 2001 Charlotte Sting which defeated Cleveland and New York on the way to meeting the L.A. Sparks for the title. So, what's that got to do with Indiana? The Fever's Allison Feaster and the aforementioned Sutton-Brown both were players on that team. It's in the cards, folks, I can feel it.

Game 1 of the best-of-three series is Friday night. Wear your red and let's light up the Fieldhouse. No, I don't expect 103 points again, like the Fever scored against Phoenix last Sunday. In fact, it will probably be a relatively low-scoring game, given that we're playing the rough-and-tumble Shock. Just like last year in the conference finals ... if Indiana can get the first one, the Fever needs only to steal 1 of 2 at the Palace to advance.

Get your game face on, Fever fans ... the Fever is ready ... are you?
KM

September 11, 2008 (10:20 p.m.)

"Now" began tonight and thankfully for the Fever, Indiana coasted to a 74-59 win over the Liberty. I know we started with a 12-0 lead out of the gate. Indiana led 20-10 at the quarter and 38-27 at the intermission. The scores were about all that I saw.

There was alot of activity surrounding Thursday night's game and perhaps the biggest plus for the Fever, besides of course its 16th victory, was the welcome extended to Indianapolis Metro Police Officer Jason Fishburn. Wounded in a July 10 shooting, Fishburn had spent the bulk of the last two months in an Indianapolis rehabilitation hospital. This morning, he was released for the first time. He wanted to go home.

On September 11th, seven years after terrorism struck the heart of our great nation, it was a fitting tribute for the Fever to be able to honor one of our local law enforcement heroes. Fishburn was relesed this morning and tonight was his first public appearance. My lasting memory of tonight's game was at halftime, when Fishburn's parents accepted an award in his name, on the court, with Jason standing in a lower level suite and steadied by his wife Tanya -- with the crowd rising to its feet in unison. From the moment the crowd discovered where in the arena he was located, a steady and prolonged applause echoed from the over 7,000 hearts of fans in attendance, to the 29-year old officer -- standing and soaking in the atmosphere.

Fishburn still is slowed in his ability to process information and react to outside stimulus. He has difficulty moving his right arm, and he is guided through virtually all activity with the care of fellow officers, his wife, and his parents, Dennis and Mary. But he lives and breathes and has retained his will and his mind. And with the prayers surrounding him and his recovery, he has advanced enough through two months to venture back out into the outside world.

Tonight, there was a Fever victory, and a very welcomed one. The night at Conseco Fieldhouse, though, will be remembered for the Fever's 9/11 tribute and for bringing a smile and an evening of enjoyment and happiness to a local hero.

Congratulations to Jason Fishburn, your time is now.
KM

September 10, 2008 (12:15 a.m. CT)

The Fever played back-to-back on Tuesday night. They played without Katie Douglas. They've already clinched a playoff spot. Following a game Monday night, a 5:30 a.m. wake-up call and a 6:30 bus, the Fever did not arrive to its Minneapolis hotel until about noon CT.

There are your excuses. Here is Lin Dunn's appropriate postgame response, following an 86-76 defeat in which Minnesota led 21-9 after the first quarter, and by as many as 19 points:

"I'm very disapointed in our effort. We looked like we played the night before - and we did - but we took the night off. We didn't play tough. It's inexcusable. The lack of a player [Katie Douglas] does not affect effort."

The time is still "now" for the Fever, as I noted in my pregame blog. But time continues dwindling - especially with Detroit having overtaken Connecticut for the East's top seed tonight and making a Fever-Shock opening series a very real possibility.

Turning attention away from basketball a moment, I think that Thursday's events surrounding the game with the Liberty are very worthwhile.

First, the Fever will conduct its annual promotional night in which fans can come to the arena and actually adopt a dog or cat. Pet Rescue and Adoption Night presented by Pet Supplies Plus gives fans the opportunity to check out the dogs and cats and even leave Conseco Fieldhouse with a new pet for their home. It's a neat idea that was fostered originally by former Fever coach Nell Fortner. The cause was championed for the first time in 2003, and it has become a very successful annual event. Dogs and cats from Indianapolis Animal Care and Control will be on the Main Concourse from the time doors open Thursday night at 6 p.m.

Second, in what is really a very timely event for a game taking place on 9/11 against the New York Liberty, the Fever will honor a local hero - Indianapolis Metro Police Officer Jason Fishburn. Fishburn, 29, was wounded in a July shooting in the line of duty, and has been in rehabilitation ever since. He has rarely appeared in public, if at all, since the time of the shooting. Thursday night, he will be honored at halftime, and a portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the Jason Fishburn Fund.

Sunday, of course if the team's annual Fan Appreciation Game when the Fever hosts defending champ Phoenix at 12:30 p.m.

There are a lot of exciting things happening around the Fever franchise right now. And if our team can regain a little bit of consistency, we still have a chance for an exciting playoff run like in 2005 and 2007 when Indiana reached the Eastern Conference Finals.

Here is a final thought, looking ahead to next week's playoffs and a possible matchup with the Shock --- Remember last year's run to the conference finals? It began with the most exciting series in Fever and maybe even WNBA Playoff history. Two Fever wins over Connecticut came with four overtime periods and the biggest comeback win in league playoff history. Indiana won the series after having been swept by the Sun during the regular season.

Do you see the theme here? Yes, just because the Shock has swept the Fever in the 2008 regular season, let's not forget that the slate is clear when the playoffs begin!
KM

September 9, 2008 (6:35 p.m. CT)

I am writing the blog that NOBODY wants to read. Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas both are injured.

OK, that's why I'm writing this ... to clarify that last comment. The truth is, yes, both have injuries to report and Douglas will not play against the Lynx tonight, but let me assure you -- neither are serious and Douglas' absence tonight is purely precautionary.

Catchings will play tonight with a torn tendon in her left ring finger. She jammed the finger late during last night's game in Atlanta. If you heard the radio broadcast, you would have heard Chris Denari talking about Tamika leaving the free throw lane at one point during the fourth quarter, frantically looking for Fever trainers to tape her fingers together. After the game, doctors determined that a tiny tendon had been torn. She will wear a splint on that finger for the rest of the season. Fortunately, it is not her shooting hand and there is no reason that it will keep her from playing.

Katie's injury dates to the Fever's July 27 win at Phoenix. Late in that game, she hurt her right knee, but due to the Olympic Break and time away from team and trainers, the injury was not realized until the first week of August. Throughout the Olympic Break, she practiced with the club, all the while being treated and kept from consecutive days of strenuous work. The Fever has maintained a similar caution as play as resumed following the Olympics, but the first time we have played on consecutive days is Monday and Tuesday of this week. Officially, the injury is diagnosed as patella femoral syndrome. Essentially, she experiences pain beneath her kneecap and is being rested tonight.

So there's your injury recap from Target Center tonight. We're in playoff mode now ... the regular season is counting down and all that the Fever is awaiting is to learn its first-round opponent, and on which day its first playoff series will begin. The final three games - tonight, Thursday and Sunday - are hardly throwaways, though. They are, in fact, the perfect opportunity for the Fever to engage, improve, gel and become playoff-ready.
KM

September 9, 2008 (3:00 p.m. CT)

Last night was a narrow victory for the Fever, yet a needed one. They all are needed as we march to the close of the regular season.

But last night's win, while a good one and while needed, never gave the feeling of security. In fact, from start to finish, Indiana could never shake the pesky Dream which was hoping for a win in its final home game. In fact, there were numerous times when it appeared that the Indiana lead might be lost, never again to be regained. It was just a hunch and I'll take the win instead -- but the point is that the Fever never really had any secure control over the league's worst team.

In fact, Chris Denari and I spoke of mismatch difficulties with the Dream a little bit like those with Detroit. The Dream's last win -- July 16 prior to Atlanta's 10 straight losses -- was at Conseco Fieldhouse. And twice since that July afternoon, the Dream has threatened the Fever down to the final possession. So, perhaps there is something to be said for the possible matchup with Atlanta -- but perhaps, also, there is something else to be said.

1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1

That sequence is the Fever's sequence of winning streaks and losing streaks. Through 31 games, Indiana has never won or lost more than three straight games. And in most cases, Fever wins and losses have alternated almost game-to-game since May.

The Fever has certainly had its share of ups and downs during the 2008 campaign, and I've talked about many of them. This isn't another rehash of injuries and absences and blending lineups. Yes, all of those things have existed, but all teams encounter some of those obstacles. Despite those realities, the Fever still has been inconsistent.

Rather than making a statement of what that inconsistency might mean, I'll say this: the time is "now" for the Indiana Fever. Three regular season games this week, followed by at least two playoff games next week. A continued sequence such as the one above will not allow the Fever playoff run to last longer than an opening 3-game series against another quality team.
KM

September 8, 2008

The Fever practiced on Sunday in preparation for tonight's game in Atlanta, and it obviously paid off -- while conducting practice the team clinched its fourth straight playoff bid! Indiana clinched when Chicago lost for the third time in four days, leaving the Fever looking to improve and become more consistent during its final four regular season games, and prepare for the playoffs.

At least there will be no need for do-or-die victories during the final week.

Currently, it's halftime of the Dream and Fever with Indiana holding a 7-point advantage. Indiana has been the more dominant team so far, but the Dream have not given the Fever any opportunities to extend its lead. The Fever has led by as many as seven, but never taken full control.

In that sense, it has been much like the bulk of the Fever season ... big steps forward, than always a few steps back. The Fever has never won more than two straight games, and only once has lost more than two in-a-row, and that was only three.

The Fever has just not handled prosperity well whenever it has gotten any momentum, and for much of the season Indiana has struggled with injuries, absences and constant inconsistency.

At this point, the best recipe for the Fever might be to win at least 3 of 4 to close the regular season this week -- and then be ready for probably Connecticut or Detroit in the conference semifinals.

Stay tuned to FeverBasketball.com ... there's lots of ball to be played in a very short time. Get ready for the sprint to the finish!
KM

September 6, 2008 (11:30 p.m.)

Some random thoughts on a Saturday of travel and, mostly, a day away from basketball activity ...

With an extra day of travel built in between games at Detroit and Atlanta, the Fever did not practice on Saturday -- a rare opportunity to sleep in before a 1:30 flight. A few players including Tammy Sutton-Brown underwent some morning treatments with trainer Ruth Helland, and after a 4 p.m. arrival in Hot-lanta, there was about an hour of light weights and some cardio, mostly for conditioning and maintenance. Players went their own directions on Saturday evening, with some coaches and staff, including myself and Chris Denari, attending the Atlanta Braves baseball game. Khadijah Whittington was the only player to join the baseball contingent.

[Oh, and by the way, for those who follow the NFL, it's perhaps interesting to note that the Fever is sharing its hotel this weekend with the Detroit Lions, who are in Atlanta to open the pro football regular season against the Falcons tomorrow afternoon.]

The team will resume practice on Sunday afternoon to prepare for the Dream on Monday night. Elsewhere in the WNBA today, though, the Detroit at Washington game had significance for Indiana. The Shock, playing back-to-back after last night's win over Indiana, beat the Mystics to officially knock Washington from playoff contention. Detroit, 19-12, also guaranteed itself to finish above the Fever, which at best could only tie the Shock and lose a head-to-head tiebreaker.

Therefore, Indiana can now finish, at best, with the No. 3 seed in the East and therefore will host its first home playoff game on either Sept. 18 or 19. That we now know for sure, as Indiana cannot pass either Detroit or Connecticut in the East standings. Sunday, Chicago plays at New York at 1 p.m., and by mid-afternoon, with a Chicago loss, the Fever could officially clinch its own playoff berth. Any Sky loss or any Fever win will secure the Fever's fourth straight playoff appearance. Be on the lookout for playoff tickets on sale on FeverBasketball.com as soon as that playoff spot is confirmed.

OK, getting caught up on my "lost blogs of August," it's time to turn back the clock a couple of weeks to the Olympics in Beijing. Congratulations, of course, are due to both Tamika Catchings and to Tully Bevilaqua. The United States team was clearly the class of the Olympics Tournament. Australia was a noble contender and a worthy silver medalist, but the two countries' rosters really weren't that comparable. It's actually a credit to the Australians, in my opinion, that they were so dominant throughout the two weeks, except against the Americans.

The United States roster was comprised of 12 WNBA All-Stars. The Australians had their share of WNBA stars, too, eight of them. But most of the Opals' eight weren't All-Stars. Like Bevilaqua and teammates Belinda Snell, Laura Summerton, Erin Phillips and Kristie Harrower, the bulk of the Australians with WNBA experience were not considered as All-Stars. The Australians boast perhaps the world's greatest talent in Lauren Jackson, and another All-Star in Penny Taylor, but by and large, the USA vs. Australia matchup pitted the WNBA's best All-Stars against what might be termed the second tier of WNBA stars. No offense to the Australians, but the American talent was just too great.

And overall, even though the stage and stakes are greater, the Olympic competition was truly inferior to the night-in, night-out competion in the WNBA. It just was. American games against Russia and Australia were worthy of true competion. But games against Mali, China and Czech Republic -- and even blowouts over secondary competitors Brazil and Spain -- weren't competitive at all. The month of August was a world showcase and a celebration of sport and sportsmanship. For Tamika and Tully, it was an absolute honor to compete and participate -- without question. And we're proud of them, and happy for them. But for the WNBA, from a competitive and strategic standpoint, it was a time of wait. Perhaps even waste, albeit necessary.

Enough philosophy. I'm just glad that we're back playing again, and the final weeks of the season become a true sprint to the finish. Virtually every day, every game has meaning and playoff implications.

It is also at this time of year that we begin weighing candidates for MVP, All-WNBA, All-Defense, Defensive Player of the Year and All-Rookie Teams. This season, Indiana's best award candidate for a single, prominent, "best player" award is Ebony Hoffman as the WNBA's Most Improved Player. I could go on and on about her becoming the Fever's most consistent player throughout the 2008 season. And I could ramble on about her breakout season, evidenced in so many different ways.

But I've talked about Ebony frequently during this summer of blogging and my opinions are obvious. The statistics and noteworthy achievements are more important at this point, and FeverBasketball.com has developed a micro-site devoted to Ebony's candidacy. I conducted a short video interview with Ebony that leads off the opening page of the Hoffman for MIP micro-site, and contained with in are all of her stats and notable achievements, plus an opportunity for fans to sign a petition proclaiming their support for Ebony to win the award.

I'll close with offering the link to the Hoffman for MIP micro-site, and I'll encourage any Fever fans reading this blog to show Ebony your support, personally, when she and the Fever close the regular season at Conseco Fieldhouse next Thursday and Sunday. Besides the Fever needing to close the regular season with momentum, Ebony Hoffman deserves your support and thanks and acknowledgement for a great season ... which, hopefully, is only beginning to turn into a productive playoff season.
KM

September 5, 2008 (11:45 p.m.)

Alright Fever fans, one 22-point loss since I wrote last and the Fever is now half a step closer to clinching its fourth straight playoff bid.

Huh?

Yes, despite the loss in Detroit, Indiana now is just one win -- or one Chicago loss -- from clinching that playoff berth. Thanks are in order for the Connecticut Sun tonight after handing the Sky its second straight defeat. The Fever could clinch a playoff spot with another Chicago loss on Sunday at New York; or by winning upcoming games at Atlanta or Minnesota. It is a pretty simple equation at this point -- any Indiana win or any Chicago loss will result in Indiana securing its fifth playoff appearance in the last seven years.

Looking back on tonight's game, it's pretty evident that Indiana just does not matchup well with the Detroit Shock. The Shock is bigger, stronger, more physical and much deeper in the post. And when their guards -- namely Deanna Nolan, Katie Smith and rookie Alexis Hornbuckle -- shoot the ball well, their perimeter play is as athletic and talented as any. Coupled with tonight's second-half absence of Tammy Sutton-Brown, the Fever was largely outmatched. The Shock shot over 60 percent, Indiana shot 30 percent. That pretty much tells the story.

The Fever continues to struggle in its half-court offense against anyone, and against the Shock, with its size and physical play (even its guards), it is all the more evident. It is no shock, pun intended, that Detroit swept the season series 3-0. With playoffs looming and seeding up for grabs during the final week of the regular season, it might actually be to Indiana's advantage to hold the No. 4 seed. That is, if Detroit is going to finish No. 2 or 3.

Tomorrow, we'll take a step back to revisit the Olympic Break. I teased Tamika's appearance with Oprah Winfrey in my pregame blog this evening - in short, Oprah taped a Team USA show in Chicago on Wednesday. Tamika was able to take part with approximately 200 other U.S. Olympians back from Beijing. The show will air on Monday, Sept. 8.

Putting the computer away for the night ... tomorrow I'll briefly review the Olympic Break and examine the Fever's top postseason award candidate - Ebony Hoffman.
KM

September 5, 2008 (7:25 p.m.)

Two days later and I've already missed the "daily" blog that I promised for Sept. 4. But that's ok ... you'll be hearing from me both before and after tonight's game from The Palace of Auburn Hills.

[Before we get into tonight's game, let me tell you, too, that our flight I wrote about two days ago? It didn't happen. Shortly after I closed my blog, it was brought to our attention that our flight was canceled. We re-collected all our bags, moved to a different terminal and got tickets on a different airline. We made it back safely, albeit a few hours delayed. Welcome to the life of commercial travel in the WNBA!]

OK, on to tonight. First, let's point out that our "magic number" for clinching our fourth consecutive playoff berth is now confirmed at just 2. That means that any combination of two Indiana wins or Chicago losses will result in Indiana's fifth playoff appearance in its 9-year history. That means that if the Fever wins at Detroit tonight, AND if Chicago also loses at Connecticut, that playoff berth will be clinched.

Good news, also -- Ebony Hoffman is back. She is expected to start tonight against the Shock, even though she still has indicated a little weakness. She's back and healthy.

Tomorrow, with the day off while traveling to Atlanta, I'll touch a bit on the recent Olympics ... and let you in on Tamika's recent appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Stay tuned for details.

As for tonight, it's a little odd being here in Detroit -- the Fever has not seen the Shock since May 31! The Shock upended Indiana twice during the season's opening two weeks and, with the Olympic Break, it's been over three months since we've seen our rivals to the north. Since that time, Cheryl Ford has seen her season come to a crumbling close after an ACL injury during a brawl with the Sparks, and Taj McWilliams-Franklin has been acquired to fill her absence. Otherwise, the Shock are very much the same - Katie Smith, Deanna Nolan, Plenette Pierson, Kara Braxton and Elaine Powell. Same cast of characters that we faced in last year's conference finals.

Oh, and two other familiar faces on the Shock roster this year - former Fever stars Sheri Sam and Kelly Schumacher.

Whether it is tonight - or Sunday or Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday - be on the lookout for playoff ticket information. Tickets are expected to go on sale on FeverBasketball.com the morning after the Fever clinch that elusive playoff berth. Signing off for now ... I'll discuss the game later this evening.
KM

September 3, 2008

It is Sept. 3 and more than a month has gone by since my last entry. Hmmmm ... no real good excuses for a longer-than-deserved absence so I'll try to make amends with another promise of daily blogs. This time, through at least the end of our current 10-day, four-city road trip. Make that five cities if you count a stop in Indianapolis tonight, before resuming the trip through Detroit, Atlanta and Minneapolis.

With many topics to address, I'll briefly touch on last night's game before touching on the following in the very near future:

Olympics recap, plus Tamika and Oprah;

Ebony Hoffman for Most Improved Player Award (have you voted, yet?);

The Jekyll and Hyde Fever;

Final home games;

Playoff chase and upcoming playoffs - yes, this particular blogger is expecting playoffs at Conseco Fieldhouse and I'm expecting you to be there (first likely playoff date at The Fieldhouse will be Sept. 18 or 19.)

Back to the topic at hand - last night's game in Washington.

As we sit at Reagan National Airport (Gate 3 of the Northwest Terminal, if anyone cares for specifics), the morale is good. Last night's 11-point win was a big one for a few reasons.

First, as we near the culmination of the regular season - all wins are big wins. Second, it came against one of our nearest challengers. Third, the Fever earned the win while overcoming a little adversity.

Ebony Hoffman was absent with flu symptoms. From what I hear, she barely left her bed all day. I did not see her from the time we arrived in Washington, until this morning's bus ride to the airport. I think she is feeling better, and so that's good that she was able to rest yesterday.

Her absence was felt in the game, though, as Indiana was outrebounded 20-10 in the first half, and allowed 13 second-chance points prior to intermission. But a 25-10 third quarter was the turning point for the Fever as increased defensive intensity slowed the Mystics' fast break and Indiana regained a lead. The ability to come from behind, plus the ability to win without Ebony, are key factors in regaining the confidence this team should have.

With five games remaining, Indiana leads Chicago by 2 1/2 games for the East's final playoff spot. The Sky is probably the hottest team in the "W" right now, but with an unofficial magic number of just three (combined Fever wins or Sky losses), the odds are strongly in favor of Indiana qualifying for its fourth straight playoff berth. More on clinching scenarios later.

I hear Hoffman's voice three rows over. That is another good sign that she is returning - trust me, it is rare for Ms. Hoffman not to be heard above the crowd. It is near time to board our flight, so I'll close for now.
KM

July 29, 2008

What a great, wonderful way to go into the Olympic break! For the second week-in-a-row, the Fever turned a bleak-looking, back-to-back road game into a very significant win. Now, if the team can just win its home games!

Able to move in transition and spread its offense due to good shooting and Phoenix’ style of play, Indiana outscored the high-octane Mercury 88-84 on the road Sunday night, snapping a three-game losing skid and sending Fever players into the month-long break with a renewed confidence.

Poise and confidence, in fact, were both on the Fever’s side late in the contest last night.

Indiana led most of the game, in fact. The lead changed hands occasionally, but the Fever maintained a slight lead throughout. In a decisive fourth quarter, with Indiana clinging to its narrow margin and a must-win situation hanging by a thread, Lin Dunn moved Katie Douglas to the point. Tan White was productive in managing the offense all night, but in crunch time, the veteran Douglas gave the Fever a calmness they sorely needed. It worked.

The game was littered with big performances for the Fever, but that late-game move may have defined the win.

Tamika Catchings had a season-high 25 points and was 5-for-5 from 3-point range. Not since she established the WNBA record for 3s without a miss (6-for-6 vs. Orlando in 2002), was she more proficient shooting. She was 7-for-11 overall and even finished with six assists.

[Catchings’ assists also are an important figure for the Fever. It indicates her ability to penetrate and dish – an attribute Indiana has been lacking while struggling offensively.]

She led five players in double-figures, including Tan White who also contributed three assists and, most importantly, had just one turnover, to go with 17 points.

Tammy Sutton-Brown played with a fire and a passion that I had not seen of late, and finished with 17 points and six boards.

Douglas finished with 10 points and four assists. Her two second-half 3-pointers both were crucial in matching the Mercury score-for-score down the stretch.

And once again, this time despite receiving treatments for an apparent lower back injury, Ebony Hoffman was big when the Fever needed her. She finished with 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting. She had seven rebounds and she hit a pair of 3-pointers – one during the nip-and-tuck second half that narrowly beat the shot clock.

Allison Feaster hit a 3-pointer and Khadijah Whittington played some valuable, high-energy minutes off the bench. It was a team win, a sorely-needed win, and hopefully a memorable win that can enable the Fever to start strong after the break, with eight games to play.

Signing off from Denver for four days to begin the break!
KM

July 27, 2008

Tonight's game presents a quandery for the Indiana Fever coaching staff. What is the single, most-used cliche in our sports-fan memory banks -- something like "one game at a time?" The intent, of course, is to concentrate just one day at a time; not to look beyond the next game or the next day, or the next road trip.

Tonight, though, by human necessity and that WNBA obstacle called the Olympic Break, the Fever players, coaches and staff have no choice but to plan and look ahead ... to next week's idle time and, for most people, some sort of vacation. If the team were winning right now, this wouldn't be an issue. But at a time that the team is obviously struggling, it's tough. It poses a natural conflict.

When I suggest that players are looking past tonight's game, I don't quite mean that. But what is reality is that many players will depart from Phoenix to spend time with family and friends; or perhaps a few days of vacation somewhere. Many players and staff (myself included, to visit family in Denver, Colo.) will leave Phoenix tonight or tomorrow and not see their teammates or co-workers for about a week.

The positive is that this team might need the short break from one another ... times have been tense lately, and a period to breathe can't be a bad thing.

The negative is that personal travel arrangements get pushed a little closer to the front of everyone's minds during the back end of this trip, and you have to hope they don't conflict with the task at hand - playing the Mercury tonight. For a coach, it's obviously a difficult dance. But there is nothing that can be done about it when you end the schedule on the road like this.

Hopefully, just like our back-to-back games with Seattle and New York last week which produced a win in the Outdoor Game at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the quick turnaround between games will result in a strong rebound effort. And hopefully, of course, a much-needed win to exit toward that break.

The defending champion Mercury (12-14) has struggled a bit itself, but they nonetheless play a very a reckless, breakneck style that is difficult to defend -- especially for a team playing two games in less than 24 hours, with a two-hour flight in between. Adding insult to injury (no pun intended), the latest team development could be a minor back injury for Ebony Hoffman. She visibly struggled to walk and run late in last night's game in Sacramento, and was treated by local doctors in the training room after the game. She should play tonight, but could be limited. It's not often that Ebony succumbs to much pain or discomfort. A short night and the cramped flight won't help her. I expect her to gut it out ... but again, tonight's running style of play shouldn't help her cope any better.
KM

July 26, 2008

Here begins the campaign for Ebony Hoffman as the 2008 WNBA Most Improved Player.

She has been re-invented this season with a confidence and consistency and precision that has, in my opinion, made her the Indiana Fever's most valuable player to this point. I know, I know, there will be those that will argue in favor for Katie Douglas for that label, and there's a two-person race. For sake of argument I'm taking Hoffman in this one, for now, through 24 games. Katie has averaged more points certainly, but the "Big Dog" from USC leads the club in rebounding and owns the team lead in all three shooting percentage categories. When the Fever has needed buckets, it has gone to either Douglas or Hoffman, and Ebony has been the single, most consistent player in our lineup all season.

OK, the numbers ... to which I referred in my last entry.

Ebony has posted single-game career highs in virtually every category on the stat sheet. She has new highs this season in minutes (44), FGs made (11), FGs attempted (19), 3-point FGs made (3), 3-point FGs attempted (4), rebounds (13), assists (5), blocks (3) and points (26). And what's more, those numbers and performances have been remarkably consistent throughout the season.

Ebony leads the Fever in rebounding and every shooting category (FG, 3FG and FT), and she is either second or third on the team in assists, steals and blocked shots.

Her 2008 season totals through 24 games have already eclipsed career highs for season field goals, 3-point field goals, assists, blocks and points. With just three more rebounds and three more steals, she will eclipse previous career totals in rebounds and steals, too.

Perhaps most impressively, Hoffman's 17 3-point field goals are already more than twice her previous career total entering 2008 - 8. Her range has broadened, she's taking tougher shots, from further from the basket. And she's shooting the highest percentage of her career. She shoots 47.5 percent overall. Her best previous campaign was last summer with a 44.5 percent clip. When considering her broader shot selection, the 47.5 figure is astounding. From 3-point range, Hoffman shoots 45.9 percent (17-of-37), compared to her best previous percentage 2-of-5 in 2007.

She is fifth in the WNBA in rebounding with an average of 8.0 rebounds per game. She is also 17th in the league with 1.46 steals per game. And had she taken enough 3-pointers and free throws to qualify among league leaders, her percentages would rank third in the WNBA from 3-point range and 7th at the foul stripe.

Ebony Hoffman has been nothing short of sensational for the Indiana Fever, compared to her first four seasons. To call her fifth pro campaign a breakout year is an understatement. She has become one of the Fever's top go-to players and she has neither shyed from the added responsibility, nor wilted under any new attention. She is the same 'ol Ebony that Fever fans have come to enjoy, with the same hilarious personality and emotion.

A first-round pick in 2004, she has blossomed into everything a franchise can wish from a first-round selection.
KM

July 24, 2008

So much for my two-cent analysis on Tuesday from Chicago ... Ngoyisa didn't even play and Fowles, though she played, was not a big factor in her first game back from her knee injury.

I've never said I was an X's and O's guy. In fact, if anyone ever mistakes me for a coach - that's an insult to that profession. But what I do know well is numbers. After tonight's loss, there were a few huge disparities that I thought were critical to the outcome against the Lynx.

1. Rebounds. Minnesota outrebounded the Fever 40-35. OK, not a huge number, but among those, the Lynx turned 13 offensive rebounds into 17 second-chance points. Indiana had nine second-chance points.

2. Free Throws. No, this is not a complaint on any officiating - I'll let any onlookers make their own judgements and observations. My point, though, is that the Fever is not getting to the line on a very consistent basis. In tonight's home game, Indiana shot 16 free throws, compared to 36 for visiting Minnesota. That's huge. In a game that went overtime, Minnesota outscored the Fever by 20 points at the line (31-11). That's unacceptable.

Overall, the Fever is playing good defense, and for the most part getting stops, usually. But even when playing solid "D" and watching the clock wind to single digits, fouls are killers, contributing to that free throw deficit. Offensively, we don't get to the line. Defensively, even while playing above average, we still give up those offensive boards or foul.

And when Indiana doesn't do one of those of things, turnovers continue to remain a vice. That's not a good combination, folks.

And on top of all that, the Fever has still had leads. Often. In nearly every game. In its three recent home losses to Atlanta, Seattle and tonight against the Lynx, Indiana has given up substantial leads on its home floor. Not good.

It's on to Sacramento and to Phoenix for a pair of very tough road games - back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday. I'll write more from the West Coast where I'll talk more numbers, discussing the Fever's always-animated, always-entertaining, fifth-year power forward from Los Angeles -- Most Improved Player Award candidate Ebony Hoffman.
KM

July 22, 2008 (6:58 p.m. CT)

Bevilaqua. Bond. Sharp. Ngoyisa. Fowles.

All are prominent names in tonight's game. Here's a look at how each might impact tonight's game against the Sky, set to tip within the next 30 minutes.

Tully Bevilaqua - Tully obviously won't play tonight. It will be the first time in 116 consecutive games that Tully has not lined up for the starting tipoff in a Fever uniform - the second-longest streak in franchise history. How will the Fever play without her experience and her fire and tenacity? We'll find out in a few moments ... As far as Tully is concerned, we wish her luck with the Australian National Team and we'll look forward to her return on August 28.

LaToya Bond - Bond will make her first start in a Fever uniform, handling point guard duties in Bevilaqua's absence. She is a better shooter, better scorer and has better penetration skills than her Australian teammate. She is clearly the more athletic of the two, and depth behind her will be slim. The biggest question will be Bond's ability to get the Fever into the proper sets at the proper times - and her ability to defend the perimeter.

K.B. Sharp - Fever fans will remember K.B. Sharp, of course, a two-year reserve behind Bevilaqua, herself. Coincidentally, it will be a Bond vs. Sharp matchup at the point tonight, as K.B. is filling in for an injured Dominique Canty. Sharp and Bond both exhibit good quickness, and both will be capable ball handlers. I give Bond an offensive advantage over K.B., but K.B. might have the same advantage over LaToya. The biggest difference between them might be that Bond has more of an offensive mindset than her opponent this evening. It will be an interesting matchup.

Bernadette Ngoyisa - In exchange for Sharp, the Fever acquired Ngoyisa early this season. "Bernie" has not asserted herself often this season, but when she has, she has been just what the Fever had hoped - a big, strong, skilled post player with good abilities on offense and defense. She is pertinent to tonight's game for two reasons - first, she is the other half of the Sharp-for-Ngoyisa deal; and second, she may be relied upon tonight to defend a tall, young athletic center who could pose a significant obstacle for Indiana - Sylvia Fowles.

Sylvia Fowles - Fowles, the No. 2 pick in last April's WNBA Draft, is a very formidable obstacle in the post for the Fever tonight. She has been injured and has missed the past month of action, but she returns tonight against the Fever. To guard her in the post will be a top priority for the Fever tonight. Tammy Sutton-Brown and Ebony Hoffman will have their hands full and, looking at personnel and past matchups, Ngoyisa might be Indiana's best defensive option.

There's my amateur two-cents' worth again ... if you're reading this prior to tip, don't forget to tune into my friends Chris Denari and Jane Schott, broadcasting on 1070 The Fan, and sitting right beside me tonight. I'll be listening with you!
KM

July 20, 2008

The New York Liberty got a huge win on Saturday. Big time.

By the time the skies had finally gone dark and the sunshine and pregame fireworks were a distant memory, the Indiana Fever had won the basketball game. Indeed, the Fever had, in a sense, spoiled the Liberty's party, arriving in The Big Apple early Saturday morning and leaving 12 hours later with a 71-55 win on the court.

But without question, the New York Liberty organization pulled off a great victory for its own franchise, it's wonderful city, the WNBA and the sport of basketball. The event was a great spectacle, and one of which I am proud to have been a part. From President & General Manager Carol Blazejowski and everyone at MSG Sports, all the way down to the team's ticketing, marketing and public relations staffs, equipment and facilities personnel, and of course the folks at the U.S. National Tennis Center --- job well done!

Most of us in this business - from PR personnel to players and coaches and other management officials - have attended and managed big events during the course of our careers. Certainly, some have drawn larger audiences and obviously, some have had greater impact on a national scale. But perhaps none might have been as unique and distinctive as last night's Liberty Outdoor Classic.

The weather was perfect. Had there been more wind, it might not have been as comfortable and it could have impacted the game. It didn't. It was breezy throughout the evening, and just about perfect. It even felt good. It was mildly humid and noticeable whenever walking to and from the locker rooms, but from a playing standpoint, I'm told the players didn't notice it too much. The sun wasn't any impact whatsoever. Conditions were ideal. It was pro basketball on an outdoor stage. It really was just another game -- without a roof.

I found myself throughout the night looking up to the sky, thinking, "geez, this is so cool." I wondered if it should feel more different. Oddly, most of the night, it was a game just like any other game. It almost felt natural - but for the occasional breeze that might kick a piece of paper from atop the scorer's table.

I know the Liberty didn't earn a win in the standings last night. And for me and the Fever, selfishly, I'm glad of course to return to Indianapolis this afternoon with the win in the standings.

But don't for a minute think that the Liberty didn't get a win of their own. Perhaps it is only slight consolation for the basketball Liberty who had been streaking and who hold a slim standings lead over the Fever -- but it was a win for the franchise.

Thank you to the Liberty for inviting the Fever to be a part of last night's historic event. I'm personally grateful for an experience I'll not soon forget. It was truly memorable and, for the Fever, a very perfect evening in a wonderful, remarkable setting.
KM

July 19, 2008 (4:45 p.m.)

In three short hours from now, a pregame weather report will be listed atop a pro basketball box score for the first time in history. Well, at least it will be issued locally, as I'm not sure the computer-generated box score has a place for a weather report!

The Fever arrived in New York this morning, touching down at LaGuardia International Airport at roughly 9:12 a.m. After collecting bags, the Fever's charter bus rolled past Arthur Ashe Stadium and Shea Stadium, two Big Apple landmarks sharing the Queens landscape with their airport neighbor.

Past the stadium and into downtown Manhattan, the Fever arrived at its team hotel shortly past 10 a.m., providing opportunity for players and coaches to get a bite to eat - and rest. Most were able to nap during the bulk of their day, as most got only a few short hours of rest following last night's home loss to Seattle.

So here is where we'll breakdown tonight's game. The Fever needs a win to keep from falling two games below .500 for the first time since 2004. Here are 10 reasons why the Fever will not be considered a favorite in tonight's game:

1. The Fever's outdoor practice last week was good, and nice, but didn't properly simulate tonight's conditions.
2. Along the same lines, the Liberty staged an outdoor practice in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday.
3. The Fever will play twice in 24 hours, whereas the Liberty had a day of rest -- back-to-back games always favor the team with rest.
4. The Fever had early wake-up calls this morning. Meanwhile, the Liberty is well-rested and conducted a second practice in the stadium this morning.
5. The Liberty will play before a large, enthusiastic home crowd attending this historic outdoor event.
6. Dehydration is always a concern for athletes flying on game day, and the 90-degree heat and accompanying humidity won't help.
7. Tamika Catchings is still not 100 percent and Tully Bevilaqua is playing her final Fever game prior to the Olympics -- the Fever lineup remains out-of-sync.
8. The Liberty have added confidence against the Fever, ending Indiana's recent series dominance with a triple-overtime win at The Garden last month.
9. The Liberty and Fever both are streaking - in opposite directions.
10. Ebony Hoffman forgot her eye black in Indianapolis.

So forget the excuses and let's play ball! The Liberty will play beneath the same heat and conditions as Indiana in a few short hours, and so often in sports, it's just these types of odds that can provide the perfect backdrop for an upset.

Catchings should play tonight, and if her performance even remotely resembles her efforts on Wednesday in Atlanta, the Fever will battle to the finish. And perhaps Tully's last game will provide a little incentive for her, as well.

My amateur keys to the game:

Rebounding. Indiana has struggled under the boards much of the season, and extra possessions will matter in tonight's atmosphere.

Shooting defense and Liberty 3-point shooting. New York lives and dies with the 3-ball. In any game against the Liberty, field goal defense is critical. With tonight's weather elements, shooting will become an even greater factor.

Shot selection. Both because of the outdoor conditions as well as recent struggles in its halfcourt offense, Indiana must get good shot selection. Shots closer to the rim will not only mean better execution for the Fever, but less dependence on shooting outdoors.

Transition. Both teams play pressure defense. Pressure defense results in turnovers and easy buckets. Whoever controls the ball best, and whoever is more successful in transition, stands a good chance to win.

It's nearly time to depart for the stadium. The Fever is currently engaged in its pregame walkthrough, in a hotel ballroom. It's time to go outdoors! [Hope I packed my sunglasses!]
KM

July 18, 2008 (10:37 p.m.)

Some random thoughts after tonight's loss ...

First, to address the Catchings situation once again, she didn't play tonight for a couple of reasons. First, as has been the case throughout her rehabilitation, she has not ever practiced or played when she was sore, or when there were signs of swelling or fatigue. Second, she typically has not endured full practices on days following games. Therefore, with the trauma she underwent Wednesday against Atlanta, and with back-to-back games tonight and tomorrow, it just made sense not to play her tonight. She was medically cleared, though it was probably not medically wise to have played her against the Storm.

On to those random thoughts ...

I give Seattle credit for being a strong rebounding team. I think they have outrebounded their opponents by double digits in five of their last seven games, all wins. But the disparity was very evident tonight - Storm 41, Fever 26. Seattle had 11 offensive boards, contributing to 11 second-chance points. Indiana had three offensive boards and four second-chance points. Indiana only had 11 turnovers tonight, which is an improvement, but virtually ever possession was one-and-done.

Might we have witnessed a gold-medal matchup at point guard tonight? Sue Bird shot 4-of-14 and scored 11 points with three assists. Tully Bevilaqua had six points and three assists, shooting 2-of-5 from the field. In an Australia vs. U.S. gold-medal game, you know that those players will spend ample time guarding each other. It will just like their former practice sessions as Storm teammates in 2003-04!

A pair of little known (and probably insignificant) Fever facts: Allison Feaster shot her first free throws (2-2) of the season tonight, accounting for two of her four points. Kristen Mann has appeared in two games thus far, totaling nearly five minutes and no other statistical figures but for one assist.

With Tamika Catchings and Sherill Baker both sidelined, and with Tully Bevilaqua having but one more game before returning to Australia for the Olympics, Indiana got ample minutes for reserves in tonight's game. Khadijah Whittington played 16 minutes, LaToya Bond 19 and Allison Feaster 15.

Oh what a different role a season makes. For Katie Douglas, she was hot to begin the season and still has shown glimpses of stardom. But all-in-all, with Catchings sidelined much of the season and opponents able to key on Douglas, scoring has not come easy. But alas, here may be the greatest factor in her recent slump - if, even, that's what her lower averages deserve to be called. So many of Douglas' shots at Connecticut always appeared to be daggers. And she scored in bunches and was able to take over games at times. OK, but what is also missing from her game is the presence of a dynamic, established point guard who can drive, dish and even pose her own shooting threat. Douglas is missing point guard Lindsay Whalen, in my opinion. I've written about Fever difficulties against a zone before, and here is a personal example of one player whose game has changed by the absense of a penetrating point guard who can be a scoring threat herself.

OK, so it's time to depart Conseco Fieldhouse for a few hours of rest. A 4:30 wakeup call and 7:30 flight to New York will come early. Tomorrow morning or afternoon, I'll examine the anticipated weather report in Queens, and take a closer look at the Liberty Outdoor Classic which, 24 hours from now, will already be history!
KM

July 17, 2008 (6:30 p.m.)

What a relief! Tamika Catchings received test results this evening that revealed no further damage to her surgically-repaired right Achilles' tendon. Good for her. Good for the Fever.

Indiana needed some good news, and just knowing that she is healthy is good news enough. Whether she will play on Friday evening, or not, remains a valid question - and will depend solely on how she is feeling tomorrow night.

Indiana could use her on the floor, though a matchup with the Lauren Jackson-less Storm could provide interesting. Typically, Catchings draws Jackson on the defensive end of the floor because she is the Fever's best post defender. She gives up size to Jackson, but still is best at defending her. Lauren has returned to Australia, however, to prepare for the Olympics, so without Jackson on the floor it will be interesting to see the matchups.

And with Catchings remaining a game-time decision, we might have U.S. Olympic Coach Anne Donovan present for Inspiring Women Night, yet only two of the four Olympians on these teams actually taking part. Sue Bird and Tully Bevilaqua certainly will play. Hopefully Catchings will be joining them.

Not bad timing having Anne Donovan here just two weeks before the Olympic Break takes place. Many Fever fans will remember Donovan as the inaugural coach of the Indiana franchise in 2000. Most will remember her for leading the Storm from 2003-07 and winning the '04 WNBA title. No matter how you remember her, one thing is certain - Anne Donovan has been at the forefront of American women's basketball efforts for over 30 years. She was America's most dominant player during her playing days in the late '70s and early '80s. Now, she is the coach of the United States Olympic women's basketball team, and the first person ever to play and later be named head coach of the U.S. women's team.

Welcome back, Tamika. And good luck to Tamika, Anne Donovan and the rest of the American athletes in Beijing.

In the meantime, with Tamika's return, we've got back-to-back games this weekend to begin a 6-game, 10-day schedule prior to the break.
KM

July 16, 2008 (6:15 p.m.)

Every time the Fever seems to get back on track, it only lasts a game or so. And today's loss was a bad one. That's the second time I've said that in the past three games. That's not good.

OK, first things first, before I dive into the game. Regarding Tamika Catchings, she left the game with 6:46 left in the fourth period after being kicked in the right heel - in the same location as her Achilles' injury last fall. That doesn't mean there was any damage done, that is what is yet unknown. She experienced significant pain, and obviously did not return. Fever trainers were with her immediately. She saw doctors when they got her off the floor, and she will see more doctors on Thursday. The official report is this: "She got kicked and will undergo further examination for a possible strain of the right Achilles' tendon."

Catchings will be listed as day-to-day until such time as she is determined healthy to go again. This is yet another reminder that while she's back and playing again, this still is a continuation of a very long journey -- she is still rehabilitating.

So, you may ask the question, "when does the rehab end?"

I'm no doctor, so I can't answer that definitively. However, I've been led to expect it will end at some point this season after she's gradually raised her game and gotten to the point where there is no pain, swelling or soreness after she plays and practices. And judging by the way she played in this afternoon's game, the rehab may well be close to concluded. Hopefully. Let's cross our fingers. Let's hope that today was not much more than a scare, rather than a setback.

She filled the boxscore again, just like days of old - 18 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, four steals and a block. Not a bad day's effort.

Initially, when she left, the Fever actually got a little lift and bonded together to regain the lead against the Dream. But during the final minute, unfortunately, her loss may have been felt heaviest when the team could not outshoot and outrebound and outdefend at crunch time.

I am at a loss to come up with the answers to our struggling Fever. What I do know is that we just don't score in a half-court offense. Frankly, this has been a symptom of Fever teams over the past 3 to 4 seasons. Indiana really has never had a knock-down shooter to bust open a zone. It's not Catchings, it's not Bevilaqua, and it's not even Douglas or Tan White. Catchings and Douglas are scorers, more than pure shooters. And Tan, while a capable shooter, is streaky. And while we don't possess that reliable perimeter shooter, we also are in need of a penetrating point guard to exploit the gaps in a zone. That's not Tully. It could be LaToya Bond, and it could be Sherill Baker. But we haven't seen it consistently from Bond, and Baker is currently on the shelf with a bone bruise in her right wrist.

The Fever struggles to score. And today, when defense mattered most, we didn't adequately defend. Three straight treys by Betty Lennox proved the Fever's undoing this afternoon, despite the defense called in the huddle to switch on screens, to defend against just that shot.

Is it a failure to score? A failure to defend? A failure to communicate? A lack of heart, even? The jury's out. And as I've said only a week ago -- yes, there is absolutely still time to right the ship. No question and I'm sticking by that thought. It's not near any time to panic. But when I'd used caution in previous blogs, it was to quell fans' concerns while we were in the midst of long road trips. This is the week to get better, and slap a little momentum on our back for the six games in 10 days that begin on Friday.

Practice on Thursday morning. Time to get back to the drawing board ... a Friday win would be big, and even bigger if it helps propel Indiana to an outdoor win on Saturday in The Big Apple. How would that sound - the only team in pro basketball history ever to win a regular season game played outdoors?
KM

July 12, 2008 (1:00 p.m.)

The Fever need to get back on track tonight. And more than in just one game, the Fever needs to put a string together of three straight home wins this week.

This week's three straight home games against Chicago (7/12), Atlanta (7/16) and Seattle (7/18) represent the longest homestand left this season. And it leads into a 12-day stretch in which Indiana will play seven games in five cities prior to the Olympic Break. It really is just about essential that the Fever put together some wins this week for two reasons:

First, the Fever does need to keep pace with the Liberty, Sun and Shock in the standings.

Second, a road stretch like the one beginning next week is always tough - and made tougher when the team's not playing well. A little momentum will go a long way in playing well and continuing to improve, even while on the road.

The Fever has not had back-to-back games yet this season, though it will face two such instances within the next two weeks. Following Friday's (7/18) home game against the Storm, the Fever flies immediately to New York for its much-anticipated Outdoor Game, the following night. A week later, Indiana plays a Saturday-Sunday back-to-back affair with road games at Sacramento and Phoenix.

It's also time to get Sherill Baker back into the lineup soon. First, she and LaToya Bond have been very beneficial this season in providing a more versatile offensive attack against different matchups. Even though she has played only 10 minutes per game this season, Baker's penetration has been missed in recent games. And, as the Olympic Break approaches, Indiana will lose the services of Tully Bevilaqua for a couple of games before the Break, as she returns late in July to train with her Aussie teammates. Indiana's depth at guard has been heralded this season -- it will play a significant role in the eight games that remain before August.
KM

July 11, 2008 (5:06 p.m.)

Wow.

What an afternoon yesterday. What a beautiful, sun-shiny day, a great-looking hardwood floor layed out in front of a gorgeous backdrop of Conseco Fieldhouse and the Indianapolis skyline. The weather was fantastic, hence the sunburn atop my forehead. There were a couple hundred fans on hand to support the Fever, and the Fever got media coverage out of the day's events, also.

From all angles, the Fever and Pacers Sports & Entertainment hit a home run yesterday. Pardon the baseball term, but we were outdoors and there wasn't any dunking!

If you didn't attend yesterday, or missed the photo on the front page of The Indianapolis Star sports page this morning, be sure to check out the FeverBasketball.com story and photo galleries. Each of the city's four TV stations had great coverage of the event, and The Star's Robert Scheer compiled a nice video, as well. It was a great achievement for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and a wonderful showcase for the Indiana Fever.
KM

July 10, 2008 (1:50 p.m.)

Congratulations to Tamika Catchings, for being named today to the U.S. Olympic women's basketball team. She deserves it. She is as great a person off the court as she is a player on the court. She is as wonderful an ambassador for the Indiana Fever, as she is for her family and for the game of basketball.

Tamika will appear before local media today between 3 and 4 p.m., yet it will only be the beginning to her day, as the Fever prepares for its first-ever outdoor practice - one block south of Conseco Fieldhouse at the corner of South & Delaware Streets.

Preparations are nearly complete with the hardwood floor and basketball goals having been moved across the street. It's a beautiful day to conduct this practice, though the heat could prove cumbersome at practice time. It's a great sight having the floor out there ... from one corner of the floor, the broad view of the floor has Conseco Fieldhouse and a nice landscape of the city behind it. And in the foreground, immediately in front of The Fieldhouse, is the Fever's 2008 promotional billboard. Nice touch. Good view.

Some of the preliminary concerns with finding a flat surface were not as significant as first thought - though there is definitely a small downward slope to one corner of the floor. Certainly that won't be the case for the Liberty Outdoor Classic next Saturday in New York, but for a local effort like this in an adjacent parking lot ... it's not bad. The bigger factors this afternoon will be the heat and varying levels of direct sunlight during the early evening practice.

It is such a nice day, in fact, that organizers also expressed a concern with the heat and direct sunlight's impact on the hardwood floor. As the floor was nearing completion, elevated tarps were being placed over the surface to protect from the midday direct sun.

It's an interesting day in Fever-land. For any fans that wish to view the outdoor court, practice is open tonight from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
KM

July 10, 2008 (7:09 a.m.)

Looking back to Tuesday's loss in Washington, it certainly doesn't feel any better. That was one game in which I really am not certain how that loss took place. I don't have any answers, certainly ... let's hope the players and coaches can regroup enough to find them.

OK, so yes, Tuesday's night's loss was unfortunate, unanticipated and certainly unwelcomed. But just how costly was it?

I think that in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't have to be that costly. I think what is more important is how the Fever reacts to it, and responds and moves forward. There is still ample time left in this season. We're not only in the playoff hunt, but still looking to a conference title. We can't keep having this discussion and still be in the hunt for a conference championship, but there is absolutely time to get the job done.

Speaking of getting the job done! Wow, what a day in store ... as I sit at my desk this morning, Lin Dunn is currently on-air live on WIBC 93.1 FM, co-hosting this morning's show with Terri Stacey and I've already done a brief promo with WISH-TV, talking about tonight's big outdoor practice event. The bulk of the work, though, is being done as we speak -- the Facilities staff of Pacers Sports & Entertainment is beginning to move our playing floor and goals to the corner of South & Delaware Streets. The biggest challenge is going to be finding the part of the parking lot that is flattest, in order to properly place the floor. It will be a long day for those guys. And before anybody forgets ... it's absolutely imperative that the Fever and its fans realize how fortunate we all are to share the resources of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. I've been in the sports business for over 25 years now (wow, I'm getting old!) and the staff and professionalism of this company really is second to none. It's a great thing that they're doing for the Fever today and we all must be thankful for their efforts.

Later today, too -- as if there wasn't enough going on today -- we'll host a USA Basketball Teleconference and Media Availability here at Conseco Fieldhouse. It was reported by the Associated Press last night, and was in the Indianapolis Star this morning, that Tamika Catchings will be named later today as a member of the U.S. Olympic Team. I suppose the news must be true! Congrats to Tamika. More on that later today, too ...

Tamika won't have long to celebrate her announcement, though. Soon after the Olympic Teleconference, she and her teammates will be moving outdoors. 1070 The Fan with Bob Kravitz and Eddie White will be broadcasting live from 5 to 6 p.m., from the outdoor practice site, also. Fun day all around.

For any fans that wish to join the fun, the practice is open to the public. Viewing space is limited, without the aid of any bleachers. Bring a lawn chair and a bottle of water, have some fun, relax and join the Fever from 6 to 7:30! See you there!
KM

July 9, 2008 (12:10 a.m.)

Bad, bad loss. Really bad. Did I say that was bad? Yes. It was. In what was the lowest-scoring WNBA game of the season, Indiana led 29-14 at the break. The Fever held a 40-30 advantage after three quarters. The Fever scored just eight points in the fourth quarter while watching its lead evaporate. Washington wins 50-48 with the lowest point total by a winning team all season.

How bad was it? I'll just let a few postgame quotes spell it out for you:

Ebony Hoffman on what happened in the second half: "They made us turn the ball over. They got on the boards - Taj [McWilliams-Franklin], [Monique] Curry, [Alana] Beard - they all went to the boards. That was the difference. Every game in this league is importand and this was a game we should have won."

Katie Douglas: "We played well in the first half and had things going our way. In the second half, they came out with alot of energy and got us on our heels. At times, we were playing not to lose. I think we should feel extremely sick about what just happened."

Lin Dunn: "I'm really disappointed in this loss. We had control of the game and I thought we relaxed in the second half. I thought their offensive rebounds (13) and second-chance points (14) were key factors. Those stats are going to keep me awake all night."

Enough said.
KM

July 8, 2008 (11:34 a.m.)

The theme of the day, from Fever shooting practice at the Verizon Center, is "Fired Up!" Led by assistant coach Jim Lewis, who is fired up to be back in his hometown, with wife and family attending tonight's game, his enthusiasm was evident with the players as they left a film session and headed to the floor. One thing is for certain with this team - they definitely get along well, and chemistry has never been an issue with this club.

I've been asked a few questions about Thursday's outdoor practice. Certainly, in the event of rain, no outdoor practice will be conducted. Thursday's date was selected, in fact, because it's not the day before a game and also because there is no rain in the forecast! Should rain be a threat, Pacers Sports & Entertainment officials won't be taking the floor outdoors! There won't be any tarps or rain delays - we're talking cancelation at even a threat of the wet stuff!

Should there be a threat of rain on Thursday, the Fever will move back indoors, likely to Finish Line Court, since the main floor likely won't be back in place yet.

The same question has been asked about the Liberty Outdoor Classic in New York on July 19. The Fever plays back-to-back that weekend, with a home date against Seattle on Friday evening, July 18. Indiana will arrive in New York City on Saturday morning, and if there's a threat of rain that day, it's likely that the outdoor game would be canceled. I'm not sure exactly when any decisions would be made.

If the outdoor game is canceled, the Fever would remain in New York for an extra day, playing the Liberty at Madison Square Garden at 4 p.m., on Sunday, July 20. As the schedule exists now, the Fever would be returning to Indianapolis on Sunday the 20th, and travel to Chicago the following day for a game on the 22nd. If the outdoor game gets canceled, the Fever would play the Liberty on the 20th, then travel straight to Chicago on the 21st.

Got all that? Shootaround continues ... I'll be back after tonight's game.
KM

July 7, 2008 (6:25 p.m.)

Busy afternoon from Washington, D.C., today. The team's plane landed shortly after 2:00, and after about a 30-minute wait for our bags, we made our way to the Marriott where we'll call home for two nights.

But the big news of the day is the announcement that the Fever will be practicing with Mother Nature on Thursday evening. That's right, the Fever will conduct a practice outdoors, in anticipation of its outdoor game in New York, July 19.

Though viewing space will be limited, the practice is open to the public and fans are welcome to come and watch, from the corner of South and Delaware Streets, about a block south of Conseco Fieldhouse. As much as normal can be normal in this atmosphere, it will be an ordinary, everyday practice -- with birds and planes flying overhead. And the summer heat and humidity. And those nasty wind currents that can threaten a shot hanging in the air. Oh, and of course, don't forget rush-hour traffic driving past.

As much as possible, the Fever wanted any opportunity it could find, to try and replicate some of what will take place in New York in two weeks. I can see too distinct differences. One, is the rush-hour traffic, which we won't encounter in the middle of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The second is the direct sunlight. The Liberty Outdoor Classic will be played under the lights, with tip at 7:30 p.m. About the only way to have duplicated that scenario would have been to transport the Fever floor and hardware to the infield at Victory Field. I'm not sure the Fever floor would have fit into the IUPUI tennis stadium to take advantage of that lighting.

And so the closest way to replicate the July 19 atmosphere was to find a nearby parking lot.

There won't be any concessions or bleachers for the fans, either, so don't come to practice expecting the standard amenities that you find at Conseco Fieldhouse! But it should be fun. It will definitely be something new. Hopefully, it will give the Fever a little taste of what's ahead in two weeks. Practice will begin at 6 - see you there!
KM

July 7, 2008 (5:16 p.m.)

This won't be the last you'll hear from me today, I assure you. And no, I didn't forget my promise to blog yesterday, on Sunday. But my "lesson of the day," is for anyone who works on a computer - SAVE YOUR WORK!

I did blog. You just can't read it because I lost my wireless connection and everything I wrote within our website template got lost. Sorry. But there are plenty of things happening in Fever-land so I'm sure you won't miss yesterday's entry one bit.

What I had written about, though, was a reference to our Ask The Messenger segment, and a comment/question from Jess, from Australia. Fun reading. For any fans with questions, please feel free to send them along. And if you'd like to speak to the people that really matter, our players, they are also fielding questions when fans visit our Ask The Fever segment. Get in the game, ask your most pressing questions!

As for the Fever and basketball, it's interesting to note that, following the Bales-for-Mann trade that took place last Friday, both teams won on Saturday night. For Kristen Mann, it was her first win of the season, when the Fever beat Connecticut. For Alison, she appeared as a savior in Atlanta, scoring three points with five rebounds in the Dream's first win in franchise history.

More later from our nation's capital, where the Fever arrived this afternoon.
KM

July 5, 2008 (10:31 p.m.)

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie --- Oy! Oy! Oy!

Don't ask me what that means, I just know it's the fun little chant native to Australia that I hear whenever Tully Bevilaqua sinks a 3-pointer in Indiana, or when Lauren Jackson makes a big play in Seattle.

Tonight, it was Tully's night! Aussie, Aussie, Aussie --- Oy! Oy! Oy!

One evening after being officially named to her native country's Olympic Team, and shortly after being recognized in front of the homecourt fans for her honor, Bevilaqua matched her career-high for 3-pointers, three, just 3:23 into the contest. By game's end, she had remained perfect. She finished 5-for-5 behind the arc, and hit a pair of free throws late in the game to ice the Fever's second straight win.

Bevilaqua finished with 17 points, two shy of her career high. And her 5-for-5 3-point effort was one shot behind the WNBA record for 3-pointers without a miss, 6. That record, coincidentally, was established by Tamika Catchings while battling the same franchise almost six ago to the day. On July 3, 2002, Catchings drilled six straight treys against the Orlando Miracle, which later relocated to Connecticut.

Bevilaqua's night threw a wrench into the Sun's defensive plans. Usually, Tully is not regarded highly for her offensive prowess. And so if it forced Connecticut to defend her, all the better. In doing so, it opened the middle for Tammy Sutton-Brown to exploit a mismatch that allowed her to net 18 points with nine rebounds. It was an inside-outside opportunity that afforded Indiana a 2-0 series lead over the Sun this season, and clinched a tiebreaker against the Sun for later playoff scenarios.

Indiana, 9-8, has now crept within just two games of both the Sun (13-6) and the Detroit Shock (12-6), in the loss column of the Eastern Conference standings. With half the season complete and 17 games to play, there's a lot of basketball ahead of us.

Also ahead of us, at least for me, are the twice daily blogs I have promised through July 20, following the Fever's outdoor game at New York. Stay tuned for a mid-season feature that will run on FeverBasketball.com on Sunday.
KM

June 29 and July 5, 2008

When the going gets tough, the tough get ... blogging?

The Fever has (had, when I began writing this entry from the Houston airport) lost four straight road games and 4-of-5 games overall. Perhaps my blogging rate is a reflection of our recent won-loss results? No excuses folks, but in the name of Ebony Hoffman, it's time to get back on track!

OK ... now it's July 5 and we ended that streak with a win over Chicago three nights ago. A lot is happening now and I'm woefully behind in my updates. So from now through July 20, after the outdoor game at N.Y., be sure to pay close attention as I will commit to blogging twice daily!

I have a boatload of items to cover. Sunday, I'll prepare a midseason analysis that will run on FeverBasketball.com. And throughout the next week I'll touch on a variety of topics:

Fever getting back on track;

Tamika Catchings' rehabilitation;

Tully named to the Australian Olympic squad;

U.S. Olympic Team announcement;

Liberty Outdoor Classic, July 19 at Arthur Ashe Stadium;

A possible Fever outdoor practice in Indy;

Questions from fans

For now, let me address two items which I consider to be very related - the play of Ebony Hoffman and yesterday's trade with Atlanta.

When the Fever orchestrated the trade for Katie Douglas last February, the prevailing question for Indiana fans was, "Who will step into the role vacated by Tamika Whitmore?" That question has been answered in the form of the fifth-year "Big Dog" from USC - Ebony Hoffman. She has filled Whitmore's starting shoes quite admirably. With flying colors, in fact. In recent weeks, she has become a very viable go-to player. But what has also become evident during those recent weeks, and in particular after Hoffman was ejected in the game at Houston, 7/28, was that the Fever had not had a player step into the reserve role formerly occupied by Ebony, herself!

Hoffman has become a load for which opponents have had to contend. She is currently fifth in the WNBA in rebounding (8.7), and has three double-doubles. She has had seven double-digit rebounding games out of 16, and her scoring has come from a much wider range of opportunities. She can score down low, she has become virtually unstoppable with a short turnaround, and she's become dramatically improved with her mid-range jumpers. She even has six 3-pointers to her credit this year, compared to eight in her whole career leading into this season. Simply put, she is putting up great numbers and has tremendous confidence.

But play in her absence has been spotty. In theory, Bernadette Ngoyisa might have filled in behind Ebony, though Bernie is more naturally a post-up, low-block center. Catchings will play the "4" spot in a smaller lineup, too, but there still isn't another backup to Hoffman as part of the big lineup with Catchings at the "3."

Hence the 4th of July trade.

I like the trade for two reasons:

First, I think that Kristen Mann fits our team's current needs better than Alison Bales did. Kristen is a pure power forward, who's got an outside game. She can step out and shoot the ball, and she can play a backup to both Hoffman and Catchings at the "4" or the "3." She's got an inside game and she's an assertive player who can be active in the interior. Alison, however, was either a pure post on the interior who rarely asserted a presence on the block, or a European-style post who preferred to step out and shoot on the perimeter.

In neither scenario was Ali going to be a viable backup to the physical, bruising Hoffman. Behind Tammy Sutton-Brown in the post, while it was good to have a different skill set and a post player that can shoot a jumper, she had not become a valued contributor in the paint - where she was needed most.

That's my take on the trade, and on the play of Ebony Hoffman. Now it's time to turn up the energy on the court. If the Fever can secure a win tonight against the Sun, Indiana is just two games out in the loss column, behind Connecticut and Detroit, who each would have six losses. There's a lot of games still to be played.

I'll blog again after tonight's game.
KM

June 11, 2008

Last week's blog after the Connecticut and L.A. wins spoke about the newcomer contributions of Bernadette Ngoyisa. And following the Houston win last Saturday, alot has been spoken about late-arriving guard Sherill Baker. The additions of both late arrivals has been significant and has gone a long way in strengthening the Fever bench.

Indiana may well have fallen to the Sparks without Big Bernie. And a loss could also have resulted without the bench play of Ms. Baker. We're glad to have both on the squad, and once again acknowledging the front office for its patience and diligence in continuing to add pieces to the championship puzzle.

Indiana is 4-2 without "All-Everything" Tamika Catchings this season. And heading into tonight's game with San Antonio, high praise for Katie "KT" Douglas is certainly deserved. Without question. But tonight I want to further my comments awhile ago about another pair of veterans whose performances might be equally responsible for the Fever's start without Catchings.

Both of these players were first-round draft picks by the Fever, one year apart from one another. Neither came from a storied program like UConn or Tennessee, and neither came to Indiana with great fanfare. In fact, both, while having great strengths, often have been known as much for their shortcomings. Both, however, have proven their draft value, and both are highly responsible for the team's early success.

I'm speaking of Ebony Hoffman and Tan White. Ebony has often been regarded as much for being undersized at center, than for her energetic play and productive minutes. Tan has often been characterized by turnovers, as much as for her electric play and sensational athleticism.

As the Fever prepares for tonight's matchup in San Antonio, Ebony is third in the WNBA with 9.0 rebounds per game. Tan, meanwhile, averages 14.7 points and 3.5 assists. Once Catchings returns to the starting lineup, one of them will likely return to her post as "super sub," but so long as those two former first-round picks continue to produce, so, too, will the Fever produce victories.

Hats off to Ebony and Tan. And hats off to the six-game Catchings-less Fever. "4-2 without Catchings" is an unprecedented statistic in this franchise's history.
KM

May 30, 2008

Oh my Goy-sa! What a night on Thursday and what a pair of games between wins over Connecticut and L.A.!

I never saw the rout coming at Connecticut. But after I saw the team begin to gel a little bit, I'll be honest, I predicted a win to several people on Thursday afternoon before the Sparks game. Now we're 3-1 and playing well. Remember, Indy, this is a Fever team without Tamika Catchings. This franchise has not ever been able to utter "29-point rout" in any conversation without Catchings being on the floor; nor has it ever beaten a Lisa Leslie-led Sparks team - with or without Catchings.

I won't over-emphasize the point, but yes, Katie Douglas has made a very, very significant impact -- that goes without saying. She's scored 20 or more in four straight games and only the aforementioned Catchings has ever done that while wearing Fever colors.

KT is not the only participant in this week's list of contributors, though. Tan White was big in both wins so far this week, as has been Ebony Hoffman. So long as both former No. 1 Fever draft picks continue to excel, so, too, shall the Fever.

But wow, what a difference did Ms. Ngoyisa (pronounced GOY-suh) make! She's got size, power, good footwork, a soft touch ... and an interior post presence the Fever hasn't seen in awhile. She is Ebony Hoffman or Natalie Williams (2004-05), only 2-3 inches taller. She's not intimidated by the names of Leslie or Parker, and she was downright impressive on the low block Thursday night. She was efficient offensively (14 points, 7-of-8 shooting including the Fever's final six points of regulation); she rebounded (nine boards), she defended (two steals, two blocks) and several times helped to deny Leslie in the paint.

In the very simplest of terms - the Fever does not win that game without the contributions of Bernadette Ngoyisa.

Prior to the game, Fever Coach Lin Dunn had frequently cited the Sparks' superior size and length at every position. Who'd have guessed that the Fever would outrebound the Sparks 48-45? Who'd have guessed that on a night with a WNBA-record 27 combined blocked shots, it would be the Fever whose 15 blocked shots set an all-time league record for single-game blocks by a team?

It was a great crowd, and every one of the 9,235 spectators was treated to a double-overtime thriller with multiple twists and turns as the game wound to its dramatic finish. It was a great evening for the WNBA.

Round 2 of this year's Detroit series comes to Conseco Fieldhouse tomorrow night (Saturday). See you there!
KM

May 27, 2008

Storylines abound tonight in Connecticut where the Fever faces the Sun in a rematch of the 2007 Eastern Conference Semifinals. The last time the Fever played here, Connecticut won a triple-overtime thriller in Game 1 of that series last season. The last time the teams met, Katie Douglas scored a career playoff-high 27 points that wasn't enough to hold off a record Indiana comeback. The Fever downed the Sun in OT in a decisive Game 3, in what proved to be Douglas' final game in a Connecticut uniform.

Fast-forward to tonight, and the prevailing storyline on ESPN2 will be the anticipated return of KT to Mohegan Sun Arena, and the Fever playing head-to-head against Tamika Whitmore. To date, Douglas and Whitmore both have led their clubs in scoring, with Indiana taking a 1-1 record against the 3-0 Sun.

That will be the national storyline in tonight's game, but I'll present another in today's blog. And, with respect to Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas; and to Tully and Tammy and all the other Fever stars -- this storyline might well become a bigger key to Fever success throughout 2008. Yeah, I'm a little excited about this player's debut tonight. Realistically, her minutes tonight will be limited. And maybe she won't evolve into as big a presence as I'm thinking (hoping), but the arrival of Bernadette Ngoyisa could well become quite the hidden surprise Indiana has been seeking.

Let me tell you, this lady could become a commanding presence for the Fever. She's slightly taller than the 6-4 at which she has been listed throughout her career. Physically, she is a cross between Ebony Hoffman and Tammy Sutton-Brown, and in the two practices and 24 hours in which I've seen her, she moves very well, has a pretty soft shooting touch, and she's in great shape. I had a conversation with Assistant Coach Jim Lewis last night, and he raved about her presence. His thought was that she now gives the Fever "one of everything" in the post.

Sutton-Brown is the tall, lean, athletic gazelle of a center that can outrun and out-finesse most post players in the WNBA. Hoffman is the outspoken, emotional leader who can bang with anyone and take a taller center to the perimeter, despite being undersized in some matchups. Alison Bales is the 6-7, European-style center who can rebound and shows surprising range for a player her size. And Ngoyisa is the biggest of them all, taking up space and moving powerfully in the lane. She can become a commanding presence offensively and defensively, and allows the Fever to matchup well with just about anyone.

OK, so there is my optimistic point of view. And I don't anticipate being too far off in that assessment ... but what I find to be most interesting, and the storyline I'm providing today, is my introduction to the new dynamics of welcoming the French-speaking star to the Fever lineup.

English is clearly not her native tongue, though she understands it well enough when spoken to in basketball terms. She speaks French, and fortunately for Indiana, so does Allison Feaster. For the past 24 hours, Feaster has served as Ngoyisa's translator. Monday's practice at Connecticut College included frequent pauses for Feaster to translate to Ngoyisa as she learned the Fever's offensive and defensive sets, and inbounds plays. For the most part, basketball is a universal language and most coaching systems will be similar. But for a first practice, there were frequent stops for translation. I enjoyed to watch her learn, and I enjoyed to watch her smile and display gradual animation as she became more involved with her new teammates. She can definitely play the game, and she definitely takes up space in the post. I'll be very interested to see how quickly it takes for her to become comfortable.

If the language barrier and communication are Part I of the Introduction to Ngoyisa, Part II is learning more about her ... I'll call this one educating the fans. I know that her presence is going to draw some questions ... so here is a small notebook of facts to begin the education process. Trust me, as you can tell, I'm learning these things for the first time, myself!

Her last name is pronounced as GOY-suh. Nevermind my previous blog and news release in which I put nug-GOY-suh in print ... that was wrong. She told me. Now I've got it straight from Bernadette, herself!

Fans will see the back of her jersey listed as, "M. Ngoyisa." Here is where I'm a little shaky in facts so far, but I'm close. Here goes ... Her native legal name is N'Goyisa Mundju Bernadette. In her country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a person's first name is the surname - N'Goyisa. I have been told, but net yet confirmed by her, that she is married. I believe that Mundju (she pronounced it MOO-joo) is a married name. Regardless of any marital status though, that explains the M on the back of her jersey.

As I wrote once earlier, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is just that. Not just Congo. And not just the Republic of the Congo, because that's another different country that borders DR-Congo to its west. The Democratic Republic of the Congo was formerly known as Zaire, between about 1971 and 1998.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a French-speaking nation located in the Southern half of Africa, and it is the third-largest country on the African continent.

How's that for a cultural geography lesson?

Tonight's game will be the first in a Fever uniform both for Ngoyisa and newly-acquired guard Sherill (pronounced shu-RELL) Baker. For those watching on ESPN2 and for most casual observers, tonight's game will be about Katie Douglas vs. Tamika Whitmore, and a renewal of a fierce Eastern Conference rivalry between the Fever and the Sun. But for those watching the growth and development of a hopeful championship team in Indiana, tonight's game marks the first time it will have played with a full roster. It is the beginning of the maturation process with a full roster, which, with Ngoyisa and Baker, is much deeper than when the Fever began the season 10 days ago.
KM

May 22, 2008

A new trend through the WNBA this year has players bouncing back and forth among teams, and teams making late roster additions through the early weeks of the season. This is one more product of so many players playing overseas, with schedules so tight against the start of the WNBA regular season.

Case in point, today, the Fever signed Sherrill Baker who was released last week by the Los Angeles Sparks. Since the start of training camp, Indiana has added, via trade or free agency, six different players that weren't with the club on the first day of camp. During my six years with this franchise, that's unprecedented. Obviously, not all of those players were kept, in fact, most have been waived again. But it shows that player evaluation is difficult during a three-week training camp in which none of top players are present. Every team seems to be juggling with this so far. I anticipate things to settle in about a week.

Baker is a nice addition. Effectively, she has replaced Laine Selwyn on the Fever's regular season roster. Selwyn was released on Monday. Baker will practice with the club beginning Friday, and joins LaToya Bond as backcourt reserves. Both played their first seasons in 2006, and both should give the Fever pretty good quickness and adequate scoring and ballhandling off the bench. Bond hit a big 3-pointer in last night's game, and certainly plays with poise. Having both of them will give Lin Dunn some options in the backcourt.

The loss of Kasha Terry today is perhaps unfortunate, in that she really is a good athlete for a player her size, and one day perhaps she can develop into a nice WNBA player. She could get picked up by another team looking for help in the post. It was not a significant surprise, though. She hadn't played overseas this year (another trend, in which most players come back better, or at least in top condition), and I think the writing was on the wall, when 6-4 Bernadette Ngoyisa was acquired in last week's trade. Once Ngoyisa is signed, that gives Indiana four "bigs" with Tammy Sutton-Brown, Ebony Hoffman, and Alison Bales. Khadijah Whittington is turning into a really, really nice player for a second-round pick, also, and she will play some of those minutes at power forward - effectively the fifth "big" on the Fever roster.

Last night's game, looking back, wasn't a bad one. The Fever came out very slow, without a lot of energy. Add to that 19 first-half turnovers, and the recipe for a big-time loss was being scripted. But to the Fever's credit, they came back with an 11-0 run early in the second quarter, and cut the gap to three. From that point forward, it was a nip-and-tuck game that Indiana actually led. That we're playing without Catchings is not an excuse. But given our opponents between now and next Saturday, I stand by my assessment that a 3-2 start for this club will be a solid beginning.

Looking forward to next week, we're at Connecticut on Tuesday (7:00 p.m., ESPN2), with home games looming against West favorite Los Angeles and East favorite Detroit, on Thursday and Saturday. That's three very big games in five days. We'll need the homecourt fans out to the Fieldhouse next weekend!

It's early. Very early. With 32 games to go and an ever-evolving roster ... there is no better time than the present to take things "one game at a time."
KM

May 21, 2008

What a difference a Douglas makes!

A week ago, I wrote about the arrival of Katie Douglas, Ebony Hoffman and Tammy Sutton-Brown ... and 72 hours later, the hometown girl Douglas blitzed the Mystics with 24 points as the new-look Fever obliterated its late preseason performances.

The addition of the three overseas champs was huge for the Fever last Saturday night. Hoffman and Sutton-Brown, though they weren't at their best after arriving from Turkey late on Friday night, allowed Ali Bales and Kasha Terry both to come off the bench. In my opinion, Bales and Terry both can be excellent role players in this league, and with regular starters in front of them, they both filled those roles admirably against the Mystics.

Douglas, herself, was just what the doctor ordered. Nevermind just the 24 points. Yes, they were nice and I'll take 'em every night. But what fueled the Fever that night was her presence; her confidence; and her multiple roles as ballhandler, rebounder, defender, penetrator and passer. She teamed with Tully Bevilaqua to defend; she drove and dished into the post; she moved the ball in transition. As I'm writing this, I feel like I'm calling her the WNBA's best player. No, I'm not. But on that night, she was the Fever's best player. And with a roster still minus Tamika Catchings, and with still a handful of rookies and free agents and youngsters embarking on the first game that counted -- her performance was certainly well worth the anticipation.

Looking forward, let's keep a few things in perspective. Douglas will play a fantastic complement to Tamika Catchings when she returns. Until then, she'll be double-teamed, and the primary object of opposing defenses. And over the next four games, let's keep in mind our opponents -- at Detroit (tonight), at Connecticut, vs. L.A. and vs. Detroit again. The arrival of the final three from overseas will make Indiana competitive no matter its opponents, but against presumably the league's best, I'm hoping for a 2-2 split over the next 10 days.

I'm asked often about Catchings' return. There is no timetable, as I talked about in my last blog. But I've seen her practicing more and more. She is working in half-court drills daily, though nothing full-court, yet.

Lastly, I was asked a question about Bernadette Ngoyisa, which I've addressed in my Ask The Messenger feature. Let me know what's on your mind and I'll try to address all topics between the blog and Q&A.
KM

May 14, 2008

Congratulations to KT, Eb and Tammy! We are three days shy of the start of the 2008 season, and already we have three new champions! Douglas scored 30 points while leading Ros Casares to the Spanish League title on Wednesday evening. Ebony Hoffman had a 15-point, 13-rebound performance as Fenerbahce won its second straight Turkish championship Wednesday night, and teammate Sutton-Brown scored 12. Congrats to all three champs ... now board your planes and get your butts back to Indy!

Wednesday was an active day in Fever-land for another reason, also --- the trade of K.B. Sharp to Chicago, in exchange for 6-4 center Bernadette Ngoyisa. That's pronounced nuh-GOY-suh for those of you trying to pronounce it. Good luck to Fever public address announcer Kevin Cole on game nights!

The trade for nuh-GOY-suh was a simple one, really. The Fever sought another quality post player. Chicago owned her rights, but she was leading her team to the Italian League championship and hadn't reported to camp yet. She didn't play in 2007 (I'm not sure why), and with the Sky landing Sylvia Fowles out of LSU, she became expendable. Prior to '07 though, she had played back-to-back seasons in the "W" as a very serviceable and sometimes very quality center. She led the Sky in rebounds in '06, and was second in scoring with 10.4 points per game. She should fit in nicely as a backup to Sutton-Brown, as one of possibly six post players, including Hoffman, Alison Bales, Kasha Terry and Khadijah Whittington.

With three players left to be waived before final rosters are submitted on Friday, it is possible that one of those posts might draw the short straw.

[OK, and before I switch topics, let me tell you about my geography lesson for the day! Ngoyisa is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire. While updating my rosters today, I had trouble fitting the entire country name in the small space allocated, so I asked the obvious question, "can I just list it as 'Congo?'" And here is what I learned! No, you can't just say "Congo." Why? Because located to the immediate west of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is another country called the Republic of the Congo. It's true. I'm not making this up. What I want to know is, why did it change from Zaire? That would have been so much easier! Ahhh ... another lesson for another day ... ]

Gone from the roster, however, is K.B. Sharp, one of my personal favorites, actually, and always a good personality around the Fever camp. But overall, the loss of a reserve point guard is not as daunting when you consider the need that was filled, and the fact that a few others including Douglas, can handle the ball. Tully Bevilaqua is obviously entrenched as the club's starting point guard. And just as obvious is the team's interest in developing an heir to that position.

It was hoped that K.B. might fill that role. But if Fever coaches felt she was not going to ultimately take over the starter's role, it probably was in their best interest to develop help elsewhere. In the meantime, the club still will likely keep one of two point guard free agents - either LaToya Bond or Laine Selwyn. LaToya and Laine have dramatically contrasting styles and personalities, and guessing which might be kept would really be futile. If you're a fan trying to make that guess, pull out a quarter or nickel, and see who wins best two-out-of-three.

As I signoff for the night, we're less than 72 hours from tipoff!
KM

May 13, 2008

Two days closer to Saturday's opening night contest with the Washington Mystics, the Fever waived two more players today and got closer to its probable 12-player regular season roster. Constance Jinks and Jennifer Humphrey both were released by the club, leaving the preseason roster at 15.

K.B. Sharp arrived in Indianapolis on Sunday evening, her first practice was Tuesday. Three players have yet to arrive, though we'll dub May 14 as "Championship Wednesday" in their honor. Katie Douglas plays a decisive Game 3 in the Spanish Finals on Wednesday. Teammates Ebony Hoffman and Tammy Sutton-Brown play a decisive Game 5 in the Turkish Finals, Wednesday, too. It was one year ago that Sutton-Brown played head-to-head with Sheri Sam in a Turkish Game 5, and both arrived just in time for the WNBA opener. It looks like all three players will arrive late in the week again, just in time for Saturday's tip with the Mystics.

Bidding for the extra roster spot are guards LaToya Bond and Laine Selwyn. Bond's strength is dribble penetration and getting the ball to the rim. Selwyn, meanwhile, is more of a pass-first point guard who plays pretty aggressive defense. Angelina Williams also remains among the players vying for a spot. She is a versatile small forward who has a nice left-handed shot and two years of experience with Phoenix and Detroit. Newcomer Kristen Newlin, a 6-5 center, could push Kasha Terry or Alison Bales for playing time. Terry is easily the best athlete of the three, and has had the best preseason scoring production. She has also been plagued by foul trouble in every game, and it's unlikely to imagine any long-term results if she doesn't stay in games. That's my two-cent opinion.

Four days, three cuts and three arrivals still remain before Saturday's opener!
KM

May 11, 2008

There was good and bad in last night's preseason finale at KeyArena.

The good was in Tan White's late flurry of 3s, her first offensive flurry of the year. The good was also in Allison Feaster's efficent debut. While playing nearly the entire contest, it was easy to see the veteran in her, among all of Indiana's young rookies. She shot 3-of-6 for the game, hit a couple of threes and, despite participating in just two practices with her new team, was a stable leader. Good also comes in the fact that this was not the real Fever team. The reality is that probably five of last night's 10 players won't be in uniform when the Fever opens the regular season on May 17.

The bad was merely a by-product of the WNBA preseason in general, with veterans overseas and draft picks attending college graduations.

(Speaking of graduations, congratulations to Khadijah Whittington who attended her commencement at NC State, and to Fever equipment manager and basketball operations assistant Ashley Floyd who graduated from Purdue on Saturday. Floyd did not travel with the club, either, as she usually does. She also deserves recognition as being one of the very few people employed by the franchise since the team's first season. Floyd, a former ball kid since the Fever's inaugural 2000 season, has faithfully served the franchise every summer. Two years ago, she assumed a full-time seasonal position with the Fever. The only other full-time staff members with that distinction are Kelly Krauskopf, Holly Heitzman and Chris Denari.)

OK, back to basketball and last night's game!

For the third straight game, the Fever was outmatched, despite the efforts of its youngsters.

Former Pitt guard Laine Selwyn was the starting point guard last night and her efforts were notable, even valuable. She contributed three points with a wide-open 3-pointer, and added three assists and five boards, and was an aggressive on defense. She pushed the tempo and her three turnovers weren't a big factor. For a point guard, that's not terrible. She was one of six young rookies or free agents, though, and it was evident that, despite the surprisingly close game, Indiana really was outmatched. Even though four of its starters - Bales, Feaster, Terry and White - were veterans, they're not yet the Olympians or All-Stars the Fever anticipates in its lineup.

With the exception of the frequent turnovers, the Fever rookies and free agents didn't play all that poorly. But that was part of the problem -- it was all they could do to keep things close. To their credit, they did.

One of the biggest problems with the structure of the WNBA preseason is that, with veterans arriving so late and with players in and out of camp so frequently, it's very difficult on the players to learn new systems, new coaches and new teammates. Let's face it, Allison Feaster and Kristen Newlin had exactly three combined practices with their new teammates -- including Friday afternoon in Seattle where Newlin first met her team. So, if execution has been lacking, there is a built-in reason.

This year has been the most topsy-turvy for the Fever since I've been with the franchise, and this is my sixth season. I compared last year's preseason starting lineups with Lin Dunn at yesterday's shooting practices, revealing the fact that our whole team was intact for final two preseason games, with the exception of Tammy Sutton-Brown and Sheri Sam. As Lin put it, it's like being with an expansion franchise all over again.

Sunday (Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, by the way), the Fever and Storm will scrimmage. It will provide a final evaluation against another team. It will provide possibly one final chance for one of these six rookies and free agents to make the Fever roster.

Uncertain of any late moves by Dunn and Kelly Krauskopf, I'll pose a simple mathematical equation. The seven absent players (Bevilaqua, Catchings, Douglas, Hoffman, Sharp, Sutton-Brown and rookie draft pick Whittington) are presumably secure. As are the four veterans that started on Saturday. There are 11 players. By rule, that comprises an active roster. The Fever may carry 1 or 2 additional players, and typically have had one, for a total roster of 12. That means that, barring any further trade or free agent acquisitions, one of those six remaining rookies and free agents (Bond, Humphrey, Jinks, Newlin, Selwyn, Williams) should make the final cuts.

Scrimmage at 1:00 PT/4:00 ET. More later.
KM

May 9, 2008

We've arrived in Seattle for a preseason finale tomorrow evening and it's interesting to observe our team - who's here; who's not here; who's still overseas; who didn't travel; who we're still anticipating to arrive, and when! Lots of question marks remain, and we're now just eight days from opening night.

The Fever will dress 10 players for Saturday's matchup at KeyArena, though only three are returning Fever players. Two, in fact, have been with the club for fewer than 24 hours, one of which met her new teammates only an hour ago at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport!

Alright Fever fans ... here's your news scoop of the day. In part because of partial Internet access here at the Furtado Training Center, and in part because we couldn't make the announcement until this afternoon, I am making this announcement in the blog before I even issue the press release! Let's just say that in a couple of hours when I check in to the hotel after practice, we'll announce the signing of another player to camp - former Stanford center Kristen Newlin. Newlin graduated from Stanford in '07 and was drafted and waived by Houston last spring. She played overseas last winter, was signed by Phoenix, then waived last week. She met the Fever in Seattle about 60 minutes ago.

Newlin joins veteran free agent Allison Feaster to the Fever's camp. Feaster, a nine-year vet who starred previously in Los Angeles and Charlotte, and was overseas in Spain until this week, arrived in Indianapolis just yesterday. She did not play in the WNBA last year in part because of the birth of a daughter. She still resides in Charlotte with her husband, Danny Strong, who played college ball at NC State. Women's hoops fans will remember Feaster's name as much from NCAA Tournament lore as from her WNBA career. Feaster was the star player on the 16th-seeded Harvard team that stunned top-seeded Stanford in the 1998 NCAA Tourney first round - still the only No. 16 seed ever to win a men's or women's tournament game.

Enough for trivia ... but now you know the two newest players to join the Fever camp. That brings our total number to 17 players, however, seven players are not with the team in Seattle:

Tully Bevilaqua remained in Indianapolis to recover from international travel, including six games in eight days during the pre-Olympic tournament in Beijing, China.

Tamika Catchings continues her rehab and has not traveled to either preseason road game.

Katie Douglas is leading her team into this week's Spanish Finals. A deciding Game 3 could be played as late as May 14.

Ebony Hoffman and Tammy Sutton-Brown are teammates in Turkey, and playing in the Turkish Finals. They both should arrive in Indianapolis early next week.

K.B. Sharp remains in France with her winter team.

Rookie Khadijah Whittington is attending commencent exercises this weekend at NC State.

Saturday's matchup with the Storm will prove interesting. Seattle is playing a lineup that includes longtime WNBA vets Swin Cash, Yolanda Griffith and Sheryl Swoopes - though does not include Sue Bird or Lauren Jackson. Indiana, meanwhile, will counter with perhaps the youngest and most inexperienced team in the league at this point with its band of rookies and free agents joining Bales, Terry, White -- and Feaster.

At this point, wins and losses are secondary. That doesn't sound right, ordinarily, but in the grand scheme of things, winning Saturday's preseason game is secondary to finding out who can play, and who can play with whom. Lin Dunn and her staff have one week remaining to cut probably five players. It is likely to expect that each of those five players will be among the 10 to see playing time tomorrow. That means that each will have ample opportunity to play and prove themselves ... and Dunn will have ample time to evaluate each of them.

My own personal evaluation has Whittington making the squad. She is a player that coaches and teammates have raved about. And from an athletic standpoint, I think she is clearly the best conditioned and most skilled all-around player among all the rookies and free agents in camp. I've also been impressed recently with Constance Jinks, the guard from UNLV who is in her third training camp. She has not only scored points in both preseason games, but she attacks the basket pretty well and has shot for a good percentage. And I've liked LaToya Bond, as well, but she has found herself in foul trouble or plagued by turnovers in the two games thus far. But how many guards will the Fever carry? I think their status will fall largely on numbers and a coaching preference as they balance the final roster.

I have also liked Angelina Williams as an all-around player with good size and some experience. Jennifer Humphrey has remained until the final week of camp for the second straight year, and the arrival of Newlin so late in camp means that the Fever staff either really likes her and felt fortunate to grab her, or they're still searching for a big youngster to play behind Sutton-Brown when she arrives.

As always, I don't know which direction Dunn and Kelly Krauskopf will go when it comes to decision-making. I really never do. But there's my take on things with eight days left in camp.
KM

May 3, 2008

And so here we are, the morning of the Indiana Fever's preseason opener. There has been plenty of activity around the Fever camp recently, and with some random thoughts, we'll take a look at the team entering tonight's game in Milwaukee.

The draft was on the horizon the last I wrote. Khadijah Whittington of NC State is probably better than Fever coaches had anticipated. With the lone pick at No. 26 in the draft, Fever staff may have been looking for a point guard -- but might have seen the best guards already off the board by the time their selection came. Whittington, though, was one of their favorite athletes, who I don't think they expected to still be available. So, with Whittington in tow, the eventual need for point guard depth may remain. But the talents of the superior athlete with good size, in great condition, and with a non-stop motor, may well be appreciated. She should see playing time in her rookie campaign, and possibly could start in tonight's exhibition.

Welcome to a new season - to a host of new faces on this year's Fever staff. Lin Dunn begins her first season as head coach, as announced in December. And with her came a pair of new assistant coaches - Gary Kloppenburg and Jim Lewis. Together, the new staff will hope to employ a more up-tempo style of game, and a more attacking style of offense - hopefully to be initiated by its ball-hawking defense. That's the theory.

But with the change in coaches and playing style, Indiana also welcomes a new trainer and strength coach. Ruth Helland, who has been with the Fever in an assistant's capacity for five years under longtime trainer Holly Heitzman, takes over the reigns as Indiana's day-to-day medical practicioner. Heitzman will remain on the staff in an advisory capacity and continue to oversee rehabilitation efforts, including those of Tamika Catchings. Brandon Johnson, a Purdue grad, former Boilermaker football player and former assistant strength coach with the Green Bay Packers, also has joined the staff as the club's new strength coach, replacing Greg Moore who served seven of the Fever's past eight seasons. Greg, like Holly, has advanced his career with St.Vincent Sports Performance and Training Center. The Fever wishes both of them well in their new endeavors.

Speaking of Ms. Catchings, many people have asked about her rehab. I'm no medical person and won't claim to know any specifics on her progress, but I can tell you she is progressing nicely - based on what I hear from Holly and from Kelly Krauskopf, and from what I see in her advancing workouts at the Fieldhouse. Tamika maintains an individual workout program separate from the team, but increasingly intertwined with the team. Tamika attends most practices with her workouts scheduled around or during her teammates' practice on the court. Her workouts usually involve a session with Brandon Johnson, working on strength and agility drills; often a session in the Pacers' treadmill pool which is best suited to improving her stamina and cardio; and, whether before or after practice, a session on the court. Her time on the court is where I have noticed her greatest progress. Thursday, she was not just shooting as I have usually seen, but working one-on-one with former IUPUI star Carlos Knox, driving to the basket. She was cutting and moving like I haven't seen since the injury. From what I understand, she is still a sizeable time from being game-ready. Nevertheless, she's on track.

Tonight's game will feature a cast of Fever rookies and free agents, playing alongside Alison Bales, Kasha Terry and Tan White. Indiana is working with a roster of 17 players, and will add another guard to its camp on Monday - Laine Selwyn, a 5-7 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, who has just finished a season in Israel. Of those 18, six veterans still remain overseas, but should begin to trickle into camp next week. A starting lineup tonight could be: Tan White and former Charlotte point guard LaToya Bond; Bales and Terry in the post; with Whittington, Erin Lawless or former Phoenix and Detroit forward Angelina Williams at the 3. Those seven players should see significant time in tonight's game.

While the Fever will work tonight with its cast of rookies and free agents, Chicago has starters Chasity Melvin and Armintie Price already in camp, and will be playing its second preseason game. The Sky also brings the No. 2 overall draft pick off the bench in Sylvia Fowles, who has also spent the past few weeks with the U.S. National Team. The Fever could be vastly outmanned in terms of experience, but it will be a great learning and training ground for evaluating its rookies and free agents.

Back to blogging again.
KM

March 3, 2008

Last week we discussed numbers, and I promised the same fun with names. So here we go!

This is about Ebony and Katie again. Or is it KT? Ah, herein lies item No. 1!

Kathryn Elizabeth Douglas, born and raised in Indianapolis and known through the early stages of her career as Katie, now is married to Vasilis Giapalakis and prefers to go simply by KT. Not her initials K.D., but just the letters KT -- as in emphasizing each syllable of KATIE.

How has the transformation occured? Well, I asked her through an email exchange recently, and I'll let her tell you the story:

"So, the introduction of KT came to be at Purdue. It was actually started, I think, if I recall, by Ukari Figgs and [coach] Carolyn Peck. I definitely want to give them the credit as I know they will give me an earful if not! They were trying to give me a nickname and I wasn't fond of KD, my initials, so they said how about KT? ... and it sorta stuck and that was my name all throughout my career at Purdue! Then when I got drafted to Orlando, there was Carolyn Peck again as my coach and referring to me as KT. So then KT was exposed on the professional level, and all of my teammates and coaches have ever since referred to me as that. It is extremely rare for them to call me Katie. It just has stuck and it's what people have gotten used to. How does that sound? Its not really exciting its just how it happened."

So there you have it. In print and in formal publication, I will continue to refer to Katie Douglas -- taking a page from my PR colleagues in Connecticut. However, informally, in the arena and verbally -- KT has arrived!

Married in 2005 in Greece, Douglas keeps her maiden name while playing basketball. For one, it is the name with which she has "made her name." Second, its easier for us Americans to pronounce and, third, can you imagine Douglas-Giapalakis draping the back of her jersey?

That brings us to Ebony, married one year later with the able planning assistance of winter teammate KT Douglas-Giapalakis. In my last blog, we discussed the keeping of the No. 32, and of course KT's new digits, No. 23. In the same announcement, Ebony indicated her desire to change neither her number, nor her name. Certainly proud of the name Cass, or even Hoffman-Cass, she will also play by her maiden name -- Hoffman.

Good luck to the teams and athletes in the upcoming Big Ten men's and women's basketball tournaments here at Conseco Fieldhouse. There are 57 days remaining until the opening of WNBA training camps!
KM

February 28, 2008

On the same day that the new "23" jersey has been unveiled, Kelly Krauskopf locked up the "24" jersey for four more years!

Tamika Catchings, who has worn Fever No. 24 since 2001 and made it one of the most popular jerseys in the WNBA, signed a four-year pact with the Fever to keep her in Indianapolis through the 2011 season.

A teammate and friend of Douglas since their youth, Pacers Sports & Entertainment staffer Courtney Howell was first in line to wear the new "23" jersey!
I don't need to tell Fever fans the significance of re-signing the All-Everything forward. But I will share two stats with you ... yes, the PR/stats guy in me can't resist throwing out a few really good nuggets such as these:

She is the only player in WNBA history to rank among the league’s top ten in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocks in the same season – and she has done it twice. She did it remarkably as a rookie in 2002, and again in 2006.

She is the only player in WNBA history to rank among the league’s top 25 career leaders in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and 3-point field goals. She is actually among the top 16 in all six of those categories.

Translation - she does everything. Literally. Reigning MVP Lauren Jackson is ranked highly in most of those categories, but not assists. WNBA legends Lisa Leslie and Sheryl Swoopes are ranked in most also, but not 3-pointers. Longtime stars Mwadi Mabika and Vicky Johnson are ranked in most, too, but not in blocks or rebounds. Catchings, very literally, does it all.

Plus, she's a great teammate. She's the president of the player's association. And she runs the Catch The Stars Foundation which grows locally each year -- helping at-risk children with reading centers and mentoring programs, and donating scholarship money to worthy Indianapolis Public Schools student-athletes.

The Fever is fortunate to acquire No. 23, blessed to re-sign No. 24, and excited to have them both! Which jersey will you wear to the games?
KM

February 27, 2008

Numbers ...

Numbers are funny things. Sometimes they seem useless, sometime monotonous, sometimes trivial. Often, though, they have meaning, and often they take on identities of their very own! Let's talk about jersey numbers, for instance. Why do those athletes choose their particular numbers? Or, do they really get to choose?

Alas, with last week's trade for KT Douglas [that's Katie to most of you ... tune in for another blog later this week about names!], jersey numbers have become a topic of discussion in the Fever's offices at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Douglas, if you recall, wore No. 32 while playing for the Connecticut Sun. And most of her family, friends and fans from Indiana also remember wearing the same No. 32 while helping guide Purdue to NCAA and Big Ten titles. So, she'll obviously wear 32 with the Fever again, right?

Not so fast.

This is where it gets tricky. And this is where you realize the meanings of the jersey numbers. You see, Ebony Hoffman has worn 32 for the Fever the past three seasons. Hoffman actually wore No. 34 as a rookie, because Bridget Pettis was wearing 32 before Hoffman arrived.

Hoffman, like Douglas, wore 32 throughout her college career and so strongly identifies with 32 that she made an immediate switch from 34, once Pettis retired, prior to the 2005 campaign. Thirty-two belonged to Hoffman, and she was posed with a significant obstacle when asked by Douglas to negotiate for rights to the "3" and the "2" ...

After a week of overseas emails and text messages between Indianapolis, Spain and Turkey (and wherever else the players happened to be when their Blackberrys received the messages), Ms. Hoffman has chosen to retain her digits. Some of us here in Fever-land thought that Ebony -- who just got married and whose wedding planning was actually helped by Douglas (her former Lithuanian teammate) -- might wind up switching both her name and her number this year! [Here is another plug that aforementioned, soon-to-come blog on names.]

And so the email chain continued between KT and the Fever staff, to determine her new digits. I am happy to be the first to break the news that KT will wear No. 23 in 2008.

Why 23? As always, yes, there is a story behind this number.

KT, you see, while growing up on the south side of Indianapolis, was also a softball star and she loved the Chicago Cubs. Her favorite star was No. 23, Ryne Sandberg. She wore 23 as a high school basketball star, but upon arriving at Purdue, was confronted by another conflict with her digits as Boilermakers teammate Tiffany Young wore 23. Her dad suggested reversing the numbers, hence 32.

Sound familiar? Tamika Catchings wears No. 24 because her dad, former NBA star Harvey Catchings, wore No. 42. She reverses her dad's digits. And now, with all of those digits reversed, the Fever will start 23 and 24 right beside each other this summer!

That's it today's lesson on numbers! I have been told that those new Douglas jerseys will be available in the Home Court Gift Shop just in time for upcoming IHSAA and Big Ten basketball tournaments at the Fieldhouse. Stay tuned for the "Name Game," later this week.
KM

February 25, 2008

Some random Fever thoughts on a Monday ...

March Madness ... ok, it's still only February 25, but the madness has officially begun at Conseco Fieldhouse! Coaches meetings for IHSAA girls state finals were conducted this morning at 10 a.m., and it was good to see Fever radio analyst Jane Schott, who calls the IHSAA games on TV. The girls state finals are on Saturday, March 1, and following that, of course, are two weeks of wall-to-wall hoops with the Big Ten Conference women's and men's tournament.

How does all that relate to the Fever? Except for the interaction with Jane? Well, it doesn't , not directly anyway ... except that the annual hoops madness in the month of March serves much like a window looking straight into the WNBA Draft, training camps and into the season! The WNBA Draft is conducted the day after the NCAA women's national championship game, and serves as a springboard into the season. Needless to say, after last week's excitement with trades and free agency, the WNBA season really is just around the corner!

College Draft ... Indiana now is left with a single pick in the draft, in the second round, #26 overall. It is safe to assume that the Fever will not be choosing Candace Parker, Sylvia Fowles or Candice Wiggins with its 2008 draft pick. However, it's not out of the realm of possibility that this pick could make the Fever roster.

First, consider that with the Atlanta expansion draft, the Fever roster currently has just 10 returning veterans. So, there could be a spot for a second-round pick to land. Second, consider that two of Indiana's returning veterans, K.B. Sharp and Kasha Terry, both were No. 26 selections in 2004 and 2006, respectively. Third, consider another former Fever star and No. 26 pick, Jurgita Streimikyte, who fared pretty well during her years in Indy. Lastly, consider Tamika Whitmore -- she was the No. 30 pick in the 1999 draft.

DeForge vs. Douglas ... unfortunately, the Fever was unsuccessful in keeping both Katie Douglas and Anna DeForge. Imagine the open looks created for both of them, with the other one patrolling the opposite side of the floor! Anna will certainly be missed. And Katie is certainly a very welcomed addition. They are both very similar types of players, and perhaps one way of looking at the shift in personnel is that they're largerly interchangeable. Perhaps. Is one better than the other?

My take is that Katie has a little more length and therefore, is perhaps a better defender, even though Anna was always among Fever steals leaders, herself. Katie is also three years younger, and obviously brings a local fan base, both positive attributes.

Offensively, Katie averaged a career-high 17.0 points per game last season, compared to 8.7 for Anna. Essentially, the difference is that Katie is more of a scorer, where Anna might be labeled as more of a shooter. While Katie is obviously regarded as a 3-point threat, DeForge finished ninth in the WNBA with a 41.0 percent clip behind the arc. Katie shot 33.8 percent behind the 3-point stripe.

Teammates Overseas ... Ebony Hoffman and Tammy Sutton-Brown are teammates not only in Indianapolis during the summer, but also in Istanbul, Turkey, this winter! They are one of only a few such tandems in the WNBA. Later this week, be on the lookout for blogs and a Q&A from both Fever stars in Istanbul.

That's it for a Monday. If you've got any questions or specific interests, don't forget to Ask The Messenger to voice your own concerns!
KM

February 22, 2008

From the time I blogged last, on Tuesday morning, until now, I've written more news releases than in the previous five months combined! And it is an exciting and welcomed change of pace!

Free agency began fast and furious on Tuesday, and continued through this afternoon with the announcement that Kelly Krauskopf had re-signed Ebony Hoffman, in addition to the club naming Jim Lewis as its final assistant coach. The big news, of course, was the blockbuster trade that sent Tamika Whitmore to Connecticut, and brought Katie Douglas to Indiana. And in between was the announcement that All-Star center Tammy Sutton-Brown was returning in '08, also.

My thoughts on the Douglas trade? Obviously a slam dunk for the Fever. On the court, I'd rate the trade pretty close to even. Off the court and in the box office, it presents a great business opportunity for the franchise, which could bear fruit for several more years to come.

On the court, Whitmore and Douglas are very different types of players. It's hard to make a direct comparison. If you look strictly at their numbers, it's easy to see that Douglas is a more versatile player, though Whit could be a potentially more explosive scorer. Certainly the Fever gains a better perimeter player, while losing an interior force that won't be easy to immediately replace.

Then, consider their ages and at what stages they are within their respective careers. Douglas is two years younger and in the prime of her career. Whitmore, while certainly in her prime also, may not have the same longevity to her career. The constant years of banging for Whit, and the styles that they play factor into this consideration. In terms of long-term value on the court, as well as off the court, I think Douglas gets the nod.

That is also why the Sun insisted on including the Fever's first-round draft pick this year. This potential deal had long been discussed. And long been shelved by the Sun who insisted on fair and equal value if they ever were to consider unloading Douglas. And rightly so. In the end, if the Fever got the best end of the deal in terms of long-term value, the Sun can recoup that potential loss in the form of an additional first-round pick when the draft rolls around in April.

What is the value of a No. 12 selection in the draft? Short-term, probably not hugely significant. Long-term? That depends on the pick. That's now up to Connecticut to make that part of the deal flourish. The Fever has already secured its long-term piece of the pie. From my standpoint, I'm not sure who is happier -- Douglas? Krauskopf? Or the Fever fans?

It's all good.
KM

February 19, 2008

The WNBA free agency period begins today throughout the league, and the Indiana Fever aren't sitting still. Stay tuned for a major franchise announcement this afternoon at 1:30 p.m.
KM

February 15, 2008

Another month has gone by since my last blog, Fever fans ... but this time, I'm not just offering a monthly update. This time, it's time to get ready! Ready for heightened activity, ready for the free agency season, ready for March Madness, and ready for the draft and training camp! My winter slumber has officially closed and, in my estimation, the season really begins now!

Since my last blog, the biggest news items in the WNBA were the signing of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the expansion draft for the Atlanta Dream. I'll touch on each of those topics in a moment.

For the Fever, it's time to lean forward in your seats in anticipation of the free agency period which is about to begin. With the signing of the CBA, teams are approved to sign free agents, beginning February 19. Teams began negotiations and talks with prospective free agents two weeks ago. For Indiana, that means that Kelly Krauskopf is active in the market, just as she always is.

A primary task, initially, is to re-sign three key starters who are all free agents - Anna DeForge, Tammy Sutton-Brown and Tamika Whitmore. Ebony Hoffman and Tamika Catchings also are free agents, though Catchings will be a "core" player at the league's maximum salary. And Catchings and Hoffman both recently bought new homes in Indianapolis, so those players are secure. [Speaking of new homeowners, Tan White recently moved to Indy, as well, with a westside home of her own.]

And so if signing those three free agent starters is the Fever's priority over the next few weeks, the other consideration - whether via free agency or the draft, may be the acquisition of another point guard, for sake of depth and its future. Tully Bevilaqua will have another year, or maybe two, and that means that Krauskopf and Lin Dunn will need to be wary of depth at that position. K.B. Sharp will be back and may continue to be groomed as an eventual starter, but that position may become a priority - if not during free agency, possibly during the annual WNBA Draft, April 9.

Speaking of the draft, the Fever had three picks for 2008. Those were whittled down to two, when the ever-crafty Krauskopf dealt a second-round selection to the expansion Dream, for the consideration that they not choose specific non-protected players during the Feb. 6 Expansion Draft. Each team was allowed to protect six players. Krauskopf then brokered a further deal that effectively "protected" a few others. The result is that, while eventually losing versatile guard Ann Strother, the Fever's uppermost tier of players was untouched.

After various trades a year ago and the loss of the 24th overall pick to Atlanta, Indiana has first-round and second-round picks remaining in the draft. The Fever will draft 12th overall, and 26th.

The draft will be among the deepest in years, with Tennessee's Candace Parker and LSU's Sylvia Fowles anticipated to highlight a rich class of talent. But who will be available at No. 12? What will be the Fever's needs following the free agency season? And with the Fever's roster depth, who might be available and who might fall to the 26th selection? For more on the upcoming draft, visit WNBA.com's Countdown to 2008 WNBA Draft.

I'll finish today's thoughts with comments about the CBA, and what it means for the stability of the WNBA.

When I first entered this league in the spring of 2003, there were suggestions of a player's strike, or a delay to the season because the agreement with the WNBA Players Association had not been signed. Those suggestions never came to fruition, and nobody ever really thought they would. But the delay was relatively significant. This time, however, the CBA was handled quickly and swiftly, with virtually no loss of business. I have to give partial credit to my own superstar player, of course, Tamika Catchings, who is the president of the players association. No matter how it was handled or who deserves the credit, my point is that the players, the owners and everyone involved in the "W" were on the same page. Everybody has the same goals, and that is to foster the continued growth of what has become a very viable professional sports league.

Those efforts apply not only on the court, but in the global marketplace.

Sponsorship and corporate involvement in WNBA entities has continued to grow. Further evidence is last summer's eight-year TV deal that was signed between the league and the ABC/ESPN family of networks. The WNBA drew a rights fee from its TV partner for the first time in history, and the deal carries through the 2016 season.

The word "stability" is finding its way onto the lips of one-time critics of the WNBA. On the hardwood, the game is undeniably better and more competitive. While the Fever begins its ninth season and the WNBA embarks on its 12th year overall, there is no looking back, and no questioning its status or its future.

Now is that time to begin the new season, and celebrate the future.
KM

January 7, 2008

Indeed, another month has passed again and so, without further adieu, welcome to another Straight From The Messenger blog. This time, it's Happy New Year and good morning from the Denver International Airport. [Why do I always seem to be blogging from airport terminals?]

The last time I wrote, we had a new head coach. This time, it's a new assistant coach. Welcome to Gary Kloppenburg!

Kloppenburg joins the Fever with an array of different coaching experiences, though he's perhaps most schooled, recently anyway, in the WNBA where he spent four seasons between Seattle and Phoenix. He helped build the Storm franchise with Lin Dunn in the early years of that franchisel Lin raves about him and I've heard nothing but good things from others who have crossed paths with him ... we look forward to having him aboard in Indy!

Gary's forte, on paper, is on the defensive end of the floor, and in player development. He is the son of a coach, Bob Kloppenburg, who spent many seasons on the NBA sidelines. Bob wrote a book on defense, specifically pressure defense, and it's the same philosophy employed by Gary. Father and son have taught clinics together, around the U.S. and internationally.

On another note, Fever fans locally may notice a new buzz on the radio waves this week, as WFNI-1070 begins broadcasting for the first time. Formerly known as WIBC, the Pacers and Fever flagship radio station changed its format beginning today, and will call itself 1070 The Fan. What does that mean for Fever fans? In short, there are now three sports talk stations in town and that means more time and more air to devote to the local sports scene. Obviously the Colts and Pacers and racing will lead, but the Fever will rate a greater audience, as well. It's a win-win for Fever fans and the entire local sports scene.

Moreover, Lin Dunn will be very visible and active in the community. She will be "in-market" consistently from the start of February, and likely will appear on those shows in addition to several others. Don't be surprised to hear her southern drawl on local country or oldies stations, too!

Time to board and return to Indy ... vacation is officially over - let's let the 2008 season begin!
KM

December 13, 2007

My calendar turned another month last week, so I thought it was about time I blogged again! OK, OK, call me negligent.

But things have gotten exciting the past few days here in Fever-land! The naming of a new coach on Wednesday, followed by the announcement of the new schedule this afternoon. By the time May 17 rolls around and the Fever open the 2008 season against the Mystics, there is guaranteed to be some new excitement in the air!

I'm not here to predict any wins or losses, or final records, or championships or a fourth consecutive playoff appearance. Or a third appearance in the conference finals within the past four years. Or even a WNBA Finals appearance. What I will guarantee, though, is that Lin Dunn will help the Fever make great strides in captivating public attention. She will be active in the community, and there will no shortage of one-liners. As the PR director, I think I'll have to begin carrying a digital recorder in my pocket 24/7.

She might instantly become the most quotable coach in the WNBA! Besides the half-dozen quotable quips from her Wednesday press conference (Press Conference Video), her best line of the day Thursday, during a staff welcoming reception: "If we can score 80 points a game, we'll win the East. And you can write that down! Where's Kevin? Did you get that?"

I got it, Coach!

Good luck to Coach Dunn while getting settled into her new role. I'll be back in touch soon!
KM

November 12, 2007

The college and overseas seasons all have officially begun. FeverBasketball.com will provide college commentary throughout the season, and of course weekly updates on Fever players overseas.

One question that has come up within the past week - and which I just addressed on Ask The Messenger, is regarding the playing future of Ann Strother. Yes, she recently took a new position with the University of Colorado coaching staff, but she has not retired from playing. Even though NCAA rules have changed recently with regard to WNBA players taking college coaching positions, Ann took a position as the director of operations. Her playing status is really the same as when Coquese Washington or Charlotte Smith played with the Fever and continued coaching at their respective institutions. Stephanie White, too, began her coaching career while still playing with the Fever.

I'll have a Q&A feature with Ann in the coming weeks, as well as similar content with Sheri Sam, Ebony Hoffman and Tammy Sutton-Brown - among others.

Lastly, it's getting to that time of year again when Tamika Catchings will be conducting her holiday clinics and camps, and participating in her annual Thanksgiving contribution to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. If anybody would like to participate in one of her clinics, or a holiday basketball camp in December, be sure to visit Tamika's website.

We'll have more details on Tamika's activities, also. And fans keep up-to-date with Tamika by following her offseason blog on WNBA.com.
KM

November 8, 2007

Good evening, Fever fans!

It's a Thursday evening here at Conseco Fieldhouse with Keith Urban performing on the stage usually reserved for the Indiana Pacers and the Indiana Fever. And while I wait for the next media call, I figured it was time to talk Fever.

Congratulations to Ann Strother. I'm jealous. Not that she's entered the coaching field and I haven't (that would be an insult to the profession), but because she's returning to her home of Colorado. It's where I grew up, too. So, to Ann, congratulations both on the job and returning back home. I'll probably be paying a visit somewhere along I-25, sometime over the holidays. Good luck!

Congratulations, too, to Ebony Hoffman-Cass, and to Ronald Cass, and to their recent exchange of vows. Ebony and Ron were married in Southern California on October 20. Tamika Catchings was the Maid of Honor, and FeverBasketball.com is eagerly awaiting photos of the ceremony! Stay tuned ... we'll pass them on as soon as they arrive! Still to be determined, too, is the name that Ebony will choose for the back of her Fever jersey next summer --- Still Hoffman? Hoffman-Cass? Just Cass? Though visible on a jersey, the name she chooses is not what is important. I've been fortunate to watch Ron and Ebony both over their three years in Indianapolis. Great people - committed, dedicated and always smiling. Congratulations to both the bride and the groom, and best wishes on a continued happy life together.

As for the rest of the Fever ... most players are now active overseas. Tan White and Sheri Sam both are undetermined on where they will play, and just when. I received an email from Sheri today, and she is currently taking business classes near her offseason home in San Jose, Calif. Tan resides currently in Terre Haute, Ind. And Tamika Catchings, of course, remains in Indy doing rehabilitation and maintaining the affairs of the Catch The Stars Foundation.

EuroCup and EuroLeague action began across the European continent this weekend, with several Fever players active. In fact, I "watched" parts of two games on a live stats module from my office this afternoon! Alison Bales and Dynamo Moscow won their EuroLeague opener, and later in the day, K.B. Sharp and Pays d'Aix won their first game of the season in a EuroCup opener. While tracking stats for players overseas, some of the websites are difficult to navigate when you don't know the language - my problem, not theirs. But for any Fever fans who would ever like to follow some of the action, fibaeurope.com is an excellent site in English that has box scores, game recaps, feature stories, photos, rosters and live statistics for all EuroLeague and EuroCup action.

More to come on Fever players overseas. Time to return to concert media duties ... have a good night.
KM

November 1, 2007

Long overdue. That is what this blog is. Very, very, very long overdue. Extremely long overdue - over a month overdue.

OK, personal criticisms aside, there has been WNBA and Fever news to address and I'll touch on each of these subjects, in addition to looking forward to what should prove to be a very interesting offseason.

Coaching Change
The recent decision to decline the option on Brian Winters' contract for 2008 signals a new beginning for the Fever franchise. The Fever prospered through four seasons under Coach Winters, and a search for a new head coach begins immediately. No timetable has been set for the naming of a new coach, but an announcement could be expected perhaps in December or January in order to begin scouting and preparation for the WNBA Draft in early April.

While seeking a new voice and a new leadership, we wish Coach Winters good luck in his future endeavors.

Welcome, Atlanta!
The WNBA has expanded and the Eastern Conference is once again complete with seven teams. The WNBA welcomed Atlanta to the league on Oct. 17, putting the league at 14 teams overall. The new franchise has yet to announce what it will be called, but it wil begin play in 2008. As it did when Chicago joined the league two seasons ago, the WNBA will conduct an expansion draft at some point prior to the WNBA Draft in April, during which the Atlanta franchise will have the opportunity to select players from existing teams.

How does this impact the Fever? Obviously the club may stand to lose one player when it comes time for the expansion draft. I'm unsure of the rules for any expansion draft as yet, but each team will certainly protect "x" number of players on its roster, and the Atlanta franchise will have the opportunity to select up to one player from each team. With the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement being re-negotiated this winter, there are issues such as player salaries, free agency and salary caps to be resolved - and only after that would an expansion draft likely take place. Stay tuned.

Geographically, the balance is good in adding another Eastern team, and specifically a team from the South. The WNBA certainly had room to expand into the South, after the departure of the Charlotte franchise. Atlanta, too, brings a large media market into the league, and sits in a region that is traditionally strong in support of women's basketball, specifically the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Southeastern Conference.

Collective Bargaining Agreement and Free Agency
Kelly Krauskopf will certainly have her hands full this winter. Kelly has typically been very active in the free agent and trade markets, attempting at every turn to build the franchise and bring a championship to Indianapolis. Two trips to the Eastern Conference Finals in the past three years are testament to her work.

But this winter presents a few additional obstacles, namely the re-negotiation of the aforementioned Collective Bargaining Agreement.

What is the CBA? In short, it is an agreement between the WNBA and the players union, which allows for the league to operate fairly and equally with regard to player contract rules, limits and stipulations. It is the agreement that establishes, among other things --- the use of a salary cap; maximum salaries for players; the number of active players on each roster; the number of "core" players (for comparison's sake, the NFL calls them "franchise players") on each roster; and rules for free agency including the period of contact between franchises and free agents, and the means by which free agents may be contacted.

What that means for Kelly Krauskopf and the Fever is this - the signing and movement of free agents this year will most likely be impacted by the any possible new rules set forth in the new CBA. Will the rules change? There's no telling. But if they do, and how, will effect teams' abilities to sign those free agents that are on the market --- including re-signing their own players who qualify for free agency this year. The Fever has seven players, for instance, who fall under the current designation as "restricted" or "unrestricted" free agents. (Restricted: Hoffman, Sharp) / (Unrestricted: Catchings, DeForge, Sam, Sutton-Brown, Whitmore)

What's next? Stay tuned. Coincidentally, Catchings is the president of the player's union and will be involved in the talks this winter. Catchings' contract with the Fever expired at the close of the 2007 season. Already at the league's maximum salary, Catchings is expected to remain with the Fever, whether by way of a new contract or established as the team's "core" player --- so Fever fans can put to rest any fears of losing her!

Catchings Offseason
What a weird and wacky offseason this is for Tamika Catchings! At this time of year, Tamika is usually still in Indiana and tending to her events, clinics and other activities with the Catch The Stars Foundation. And yes, she is still doing that, though usually it's not on crutches. And not without plans to go overseas in January or February.

Due to her injuries last season, Catchings will do her rehabilitation with Fever trainer Holly Heitzman and remain in Indianapolis. She will also spend significant time working with her peers and the WNBA legal representatives while hammering out the new CBA. She will continue to travel throughout the U.S. doing community work on behalf of her Foundation, the Fever and the WNBA. On Oct. 6, she was honored locally, alongside Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy, as a recipient of the Major Taylor Award which annually recognizes top African-American coaches, athletes and administrators for outstanding community service.

Her Foundation is active throughout the year, and even has revamped its website. For a new look at Tamika's website and other Foundation activities, visit catchin24.com.

Around the Globe!
And what about the rest of the Fever players, you ask? Well, at this time of year, virtually the entire Fever roster has embarked on a winter schedule overseas, with such destinations as Moscow, Australia, Israel, Turkey, Spain, France, Italy, Korea and, this year, the Czech Republic. Tamika Whitmore is in the Czech Republic this winter, and 7 of 12 players are overseas, overall. An eighth, Ann Strother, had gone overseas (to Spain), but recently accepted a position on the basketball staff at the University of Colorado and has returned stateside.

Stay tuned for daily and weekly updates.

Blog Resumed
To put this entry to rest, let me just say that The Messenger is back online and will be blogging throughout every week again, all the way up until the start of the 2008 season. Got a question? Feel free to Ask The Messenger.
KM

September 16, 2007

Season's end brought a busy time with Catchings' injury and a postseason wrapup for coaches and players. In the days immediately following Indiana's conference finals loss to Detroit, Sept. 3, coaches and Kelly Krauskopf conducted exit interviews with each of the Fever players and, by week's end, most players were already on their way to their winter destinations.

I, on the other hand, ventured to Phoenix for five days, and now to Detroit, where I am helping work the WNBA Finals with the league's PR staff. Game 5 is this afternoon and, by tomorrow, a 2007 WNBA champion will be crowned. I'll talk about the Finals series at a later time, but first I need to take a look at the Fever's final days - given that two weeks have gone by since my last entry!

In many ways, the 2007 Fever season could be characterized as its best ever. Indiana matched its best record for a third straight season, got off to the best start in the history of the Eastern Conference, received unprecedented media coverage during its playoff run, and lasted one game longer in the playoffs than it ever had. The Indiana Fever was within one win of the WNBA Finals.

It also could be characterized among the saddest endings in franchise history. The Fever lost 9 of its last 14 games and, after looking like the league's best team at the midway part of the summer, failed to advance to the Finals - the team's obvious goal.

It's hard to rest blame on the pair of Catchings injuries, she doesn't deserve that. That was fate dealing a harsh card with which the Fever was forced to play.

But it's also nearly impossible to rest blame on any other individual or facet of the organization. Let's face it, twice the Fever's best player was abruptly taken from the lineup. Yes, a championship team must be able to adjust, but it's easy to say, too, that no other team in the WNBA is as dependent upon its biggest star. Catchings has been called All-Everything for a reason - she literally does do Everything, and is the focal point of Every facet of the Fever's game.

Indiana re-invented itself toward the latter part of the regular season and won 3 of 4 heading into the playoffs. I credit the coaching staff for engineering the difficult task of molding and shaping players into different roles, developing alternate game plans, and overcoming some of the adversity that took place in the immediate weeks following Catchings' first injury on July 20. Tully Bevilaqua's leadership and a re-energized Anna DeForge helped the process, also.

It seemed as if the Fever was learning to play with Catchings again when she returned for the playoffs, and seemingly everyone around her had gotten better. For one shining week in that dramatic first-round series with Connecticut, the Fever was casting itself as a resilient, battle-strong club that had gotten better due to Catchings' absence, and was priming itself for a run at a title. In that one week, excitement at Conseco Fieldhouse and around Indianapolis grew to a pitch perhaps not seen before in Indianapolis. Catchings had returned stronger than expected; DeForge became the shooting star that Fever fans had long anticipated; Whitmore scored and scored, and was excellent in a new reserve role; Bevilaqua went over 80 minutes in one stretch without a turnover and was the gritty player that has won Fever fans' hearts; veteran Sheri Sam emerged as a leader and even a go-to scorer in clutch situations and raised her game on the playoffs stage.

Heading into the Detroit series, enthusiasm was at an all-time high. There was behind-the-scenes planning for a hopeful Finals appearance, and after a Game 1 victory with nearly 10,000 fans on a Friday night in Indy, the Fever was within one win of the WNBA Finals - with two games to play.

The Game 2 loss at Detroit was indeed a setback, but one not to have been a surprise. The Shock are defending champions for a reason, and from Day One this season, critics have called the Indiana-Detroit matchup the East's best. We (I, at least) truly thought we were going to win that game. It's easy for me to think one way or the other, though - I don't play the game and it's often difficult to gauge the attitudes of the players on a given day.

I think Detroit's physicality provided a wake-up call. Katie Smith's elbow and Bevilaqua's subsequent bloodied nose set an early tone just two minutes into the contest and, frankly, I don't think the Fever ever recovered.

For Game 3, yes, I believe the Fever were ready. With backs to the wall, both teams were ready. It was a contentious first half - and then the bottom fell out.

Tamika's second injury was perhaps just too big an obstacle for the Fever to have to climb again. Re-inventing themselves during August had literally taken that full month after the first injury. Changing gears the second time would not have taken as much time change as during the regular season, but the letdown was huge. It proved to be fatal. A third quarter run was to be applauded, but the Fever didn't have enough in their tanks - especially with Tan White also ailing and a significant part of its defense unable to defend the quick-striking Deanna Nolan.

It was a sad end to a great season that was defined by a blistering start and a pair of unfortunate injuries to one of the game's greatest stars - and a lot of questions and "what ifs."

What if Catchings was never injured in July, would the Fever have had homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs? Could that have mattered?

What if Catchings had not been injured on Sept. 3, would the Fever have advanced to the WNBA Finals?

What if the Fever had reached the Finals against Phoenix, could Indiana have won it all?

All good questions, but none with answers. And so, as we close the 2007 season that was, we can only celebrate the fact that those questions are indeed legitimate. How many teams can even be in the position to pose those questions?

As sour as the final hours may have been, and despite the late-season slide and adversity, it really was a great season and perhaps the finest in Fever history. Any sadness ever reflected upon is only because of the personal tragedy of Tamika Catchings, and the fact that Indiana was in position to rise to its greatest heights.

So much in sports and winning championships is dependent upon luck. The luck obviously wasn't on our side in those final days - but rejoice, Fever fans, that luck is right around the corner! I can feel it!
KM

September 1, 2007 (9:40 p.m.)

Well, it's official - Phoenix will represent the West in the 2007 WNBA Finals. If the Fever reaches the WNBA Finals from the East, that means two things:

Indiana will either return to Indianapolis right after a victory on Sunday, or it will travel direct to Phoenix, Tuesday morning, after a win on Monday.

Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA Finals would take place at Conseco Fieldhouse on Tuesday, Sept. 11 and Thursday, Sept. 13 - times TBD.

As it pertains to today's previous entry (below), if we advance, at least we'll have a few days to sell some tickets and fill the seats!
KM

September 1, 2007

Alot to write about today, so this will be the a wonderfully long, three-part entry for Fever fans on this sunny Saturday afternoon. The team has just arrived in Detroit. We've checked into our hotel and, with time on my hands, I've got three topics to discuss - (1) everyone's favorite Aussie point guard; (2) crowds and playoffs; and (3) packing strategies!

Oh, and congratulations to Julie Plank's beloved Buckeyes who beat Youngstown State in their football opener today. I think I found updates or heard her updates about 16 times between the Indianapolis airport and arriving in Detroit - mixed in, of course, with her zest for hearing of Michigan's shocking defeat to Appalachian State. Yes, it's that time of year when, during our travels and time off the court, everyone's got to follow their favorite football teams and alma maters. Good luck to the Boilermakers this evening.

Everyone's Favorite Aussie
Hearty congratulations to Tully Bevilaqua for being chosen as the WNBA's 2007 recipient of the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award. The WNBA annually presents this award in honor of the former Houston Comets player whose life was lost to cancer. It is an award not based on playing merit. It is an award typically presented to a player who has earned the respect of WNBA fans, players and coaches for her effort, sacrifice, fair play and integrity. It is an award bestowed on an individual, essentially for being a great person and doing all of the things that embody that ideal role model for kids and all fans.

Simply put, all of those ideals and characteristics describe Tully.

I can't speak for the entire franchise. Really, I can only share my own personal opinion. But I am certain that my thoughts reflect those of everyone involved in our franchise - we are incredibly proud of Tully, happy for Tully, and thrilled for her honor. She deserves it and we are indebted to her for the remarkable impact she has had on our team and organization and community.

She is a nearly the WNBA's smallest player in stature, but her impact has obviously become very large. She hails from a tiny, rural, country town in Western Australia which is hardly a hotbed for basketball. Given her size and upbringing, she has got to be just about the most improbable of players to emerge as a WNBA starter and star.

She evolved as a tenacious player in her native Australia, and began playing in the WNBL, Australia's women's pro league. (She actually grew up playing Australian Rules Football, perhaps where she first developed her physical toughness). She had an agent who discovered an opportunity in the WNBA, and she was assigned to the Cleveland franchise for a tryout in 1998. She left Australia with barely enough time to pack, plan, or notify parents or friends. She found a role on the team and appeared in 12 games. Then she was waived and didn't play a year later.

Prior to the 2000 season, she received a call from Linda Hargrove, then with the Portland Fire and currently the general manager of the Washington Mystics. Hargrove had a roster spot and was looking for a guard. Tully has played in the WNBA ever since. She emerged as a starter for the expansion Fire, before landing as a backup with Seattle for two seasons and becoming a part of the Storm's 2004 championship team.

When her contract expired and she entered the free agent market after that championship season, the Storm had the opportunity to re-sign her. And frankly, as Tully has stated later, she probably would have stayed in Seattle. She loved the city and played with her Aussie mate Lauren Jackson. But when Indiana GM Kelly Krauskopf made a free agent offer, the Storm didn't match the salary and the rest is history. Along the All-Star play of new teammate Tamika Catchings, Bevilaqua has become the face of the Fever franchise. Teammates love her, fans applaud her, and there seems to be nobody anyplace that doesn't like the Fever's sparkplug point guard.

Always smiling, always quick to find a joke, ever the leader on the floor, and one of the league's most tenacious defenders and procurers of loose balls, Tully Bevilaqua is a wonderful representative for the Perrot award.

I've written a half-dozen paragraphs about her. A quote from Brian Winters put it best, and much more concisely:

"One, she has leadership ability and two, she has an all-inclusive way of getting along with everyone. Tully has a real zest for life and she touches the lives of others around her. Her ability to get along with people and give a lift to those around her is reflected in the locker room, in our travels, off the court, everywhere we go and in everybody she touches. She leaves people feeling better about themselves."

To a friend and a "co-worker," to one of my favorite people, and one of the favorite players of Fever fans - congratulations, Tully!

Crowds, Playoffs, the Fever and the City
WNBA staff members, players and coaches have said for years that if we can get people to a game, they'll want to come back. The WNBA still is young by comparison to the NBA or NFL or MLB or NHL. And women's sports still are new to our culture and society. Heck, even girls sports are relatively new. Ask yourself the question, were girls or women active in sports during your generation? Or the generation before?

My point is simply that fans have not naturally grown up with the WNBA or women's basketball. Drawing those fans to our arenas has not always been easy. Competition for the entertainment dollar is fierce, and competing with family vacations and summer activities can be challenging.

Besides drawing the fans to the arena, the WNBA and Fever have also been challenged to draw the attention of local media. The newspaper industry is evolving and, in the same town as the Super Bowl champion Colts, it's been tough sometimes to find a niche on the sports page or TV news while fighting for time and space with the Colts, IU, Purdue and high school sports which understandably dominate our region.

So --- has the Fever arrived??

The past two weeks have seen unprecendented attention and Friday night's crowd was one of the franchise's best ever, especially given only a two-day window to promote the game (we didn't know our home date until Detroit beat New York on Tuesday night). If there is ever a time to draw the mainstream sports fan to a Fever game, that time is NOW!

Friday's game was a huge step. Eastern Conference Finals against the defending champions, and the antagonist-and-ultimate-Bad Boy Bill Laimbeer on the sidelines for the visiting team. The crowd of 9,623 was large and loud, and hopefully went a long way towards exposing our product to those mainstream sports fans who otherwise have avoided Conseco Fieldhouse during the summer months. The Girls of Summer have been exposed to a new and much greater audience in Indianapolis during the past two weeks, and so far the surge of momentum has done nothing but continue to expand. It is a surge of excitement that this franchise has yearned for since it drafted Tamika Catchings in 2001, and since Kelly Krauskopf has steadily and methodically built the Fever roster via free agency and trades the past three years.

The franchise has been readying for this surge of enthusiasm. Finally, with the Fever's inspired play and the devotion of its dedicated fan base (that's you, season ticket holders!), the attention is opening eyes around the city and state.

Has the Fever arrived?? I'm not sure that can be definitively answered just yet. But if it is any indication, Star columnist Bob Kravitz attended Friday's Fever game instead of traveling an hour to the east to cover Friday's Colts' preseason game. Kravitz and WTHR-TV are also intending to cover the continuation of the Eastern Conference Finals from Detroit. Signs of growth continue, though much work is still to be done.

Here is one of the Fever's and WNBA's challenges. Because of the nature of our playoffs structure (which is condensed into a one-week-per-series-schedule due to national TV contracts), there are frequent instances of games being played with as few as one, or two or three, days notice. Compare that to the NFL - one game per week, and at least a week's notice even for playoff games. In the NBA, series typically last at least two weeks, with often four or five days between games (and therefore usually a week or more to promote upcoming games and sell tickets).

I'm rambling with this a bit here, so bear with me ...

The point is that, yes, we are surging right now. And that's great. And people are beginning to take notice. But we still are challenged because of the narrow lead time.

And so I'm challenging our fans to help us. For as long as our season might continue, I'm asking our fans to help to spread the word and get butts in seats for as many remaining games as there may be within the next week or two. (At this writing, there will be either 0 games if we don't advance, or 2 or 3 depending on a potential WNBA Finals opponent).

Our first home Finals game could be as early as Wednesday, Sept. 5. But we might not even qualify until late Monday night. That would leave one day to promote and sell tickets to a WNBA Finals game against San Antonio. With Phoenix leading the West series 1-0, it's more likely that a Finals schedule in Indiana would include home dates on Tuesday, Sept. 11 and Thursday, Sept. 13.

IF YOU BELIEVE - word of mouth and some active participation from our fan base is going to be needed to bring those fans to the Fieldhouse again, perhaps as early as Wednesday. There is my challenge. We're doing fantastic, but we've got a HUGE challenge to attract a crowd for a potential Wednesday home game!

Packing Strategy
For as many people that traveled with the Fever team today, there were probably just as many strategies when it came to packing clothes and belongings for the current road trip. The question is, how long will the current trip last, and will it continue to Phoenix?

If the Fever win on Sunday and earn a sweep of the Shock, the team will return to Indy on Sunday night.

If the Fever loses on Sunday, but wins on Monday, the team will return to Indy on Tuesday morning if it has homecourt advantage in the Finals, meaning that San Antonio beats Phoenix. The Finals would begin Wednesday at Conseco Fieldhouse.

If the Fever loses on Sunday, but wins on Monday, the team will fly direct to Phoenix on Tuesday morning if Phoenix is the West representative. Games 1 and 2 of the Finals are Wednesday and Saturday, with the Fever returning to Indianapolis not until Sunday, Sept. 9.

If the Fever loses both games in Detroit (I'm obligated to look at all scenarios, remember), the team will return to Indy on Tuesday morning.

So, is it a one-day trip? A three-day trip? Or an eight-day trip? Do you pack for all scenarios? Do you pack with the expectation of winning? Do you pack for practicality?

Common in sports is the philosophy that you don't consideration losing, period, and that includes packing strategies. And so therefore, there are those who have packed for just one game. If we're in Detroit an extra day, so be it, they'll manage.

There are those who are prepared for every situation. The organizers, the pack-rats. Like Chris Denari. I think he packed for two weeks. He's well-prepared for Phoenix and beyond!

There are those who are intending to mix & rotate their wardrobes to last an extra day or two, and if necessary, do a little laundry or dry-cleaning. And there are those who are prepared to visit the local malls in order to get through the eventual week of travel - if it should happen.

I took a middle-of-the-road approach, due in part because I'm due for a new suit, anyway. I've got just my one garment bag, packed with two suits that I can stretch to a third game, if necessary, mixing an extra pair of slacks. In the event that we wind up in Phoenix, we'll be there for five days. I'll probably do a little laundry and splurge for the new suit for which I've already budgeted anyway!

What would you do?
KM

August 30, 2007

In less than 36 hours, the Battle of the East begins at Conseco Fieldhouse. Detroit, the defending WNBA champion with the league's best record takes on the Indiana Fever, No. 2 in the East after racing to the best start (16-4) in Eastern Conference history. The Shock and Fever finished 2-2 against one another during the regular season, and they meet in the playoffs for the second straight season. The winner collects the Eastern Conference crown and advances to meet the West champion in next week's WNBA Finals.

The last time they stepped on the floor in last season's playoffs? Tamika Whitmore scored a WNBA playoffs-record 41 points in one of the league's most valiant individual performances.

It's Brian Winters vs. Bill Laimbeer - two former NBA stars who each were among the best at their positions during their respective eras. Also on the court will be four former Olympians and six potential Olympians for 2008.

Among those stars are perhaps the clubs' two brightest stars - Tamika Catchings vs. Cheryl Ford - both of whom have missed a sizeable chunk of the 2007 regular season, but have returned as playoff catalysts for their respective teams.

Storylines abound for tomorrow night's matchup. But perhaps most exciting for Fever fans is the reality that the WNBA Finals are but two victories away. And Indiana is but five wins shy of its first WNBA Championship.

Those are definitive numbers. Can they be reached? We'll hope you will come along for the ride and be a part of the story. Tipoff at the Fieldhouse Friday night at 8 p.m. Good seats are still available as of this writing. A packed crowd is anticipated to heighten the excitement.

Do you believe?
KM

August 28, 2007

Wow.

In case you missed that the first time - Wow.

Wow, what a game, what a series. Fever fans - nice work - right along with the efforts of Catchings and DeForge and Whitmore and Bevilaqua and Sam and the rest. Wow.

OK, enough theatrics. Monday's game was a virtual replay of Game 1, in which the home team won a 93-88 drama-fest in extra time. Fortunately, the Fever got a big win in Game 2, and Indiana's homecourt advantage helped the franchise to earn its second trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.

The entire series was an absolute classic with probably too many highlights to mention. But I'll try to identify a few:

Let's start with Anna DeForge. A career-high 31 points on 12-of-22 shooting in Game 1, including four 3-pointers - two of which sent the game to extra sessions. She added 26 points in Game 2 on 8-of-11 shooting, adding two more treys and 8-of-8 at the charity stripe. And in the deciding Game 3, she finished with a cool 18 points on 8-of-16 shooting. She was 28-of-49 from the floor overall for 57.1 percent. She was 7-of-16 (44%) from 3-point range. She scored in bunches and she scored when games were on the line.

Catchings. Wow. In three games back from the foot injury (what foot injury?), her absence has almost been forgotten already. Three games, three double-doubles. 14 points, 20 rebounds in Game 1. 15 points, 13 rebounds in Game 2. 30 points, 13 boards in Game 3. That's 59 and 46 for those doing the match. That's an average of 19.7 and 15.3 for the series. Not bad for a player who just missed 13 games. Oh, and she also led the Fever with 15 assists in the series. Oh, and her 3-pointer to seal Game 3 might have been the biggest shot to this point in her great career. Wow.

Whitmore, the Dydek-buster. After I was brought to realize the substitution pattern, it suddenly became automatic. Brian Winters inserts Whitmore, Mike Thibault searches for Rasmussen or Willingham. Margo Dydek, the 7-foot-2 Polish center who for so long had given the Fever fits just by her presence alone, and forced a mismatch with Fever center Tammy Sutton-Brown, suddenly became vulnerable. Whitmore took her outside, then drove her inside. Brian Winters found the mismatch and the Fever exploited it. Whit has embraced her role off the bench and made the Fever better for it. She finished with 24 points in Game 1, 12 in Game 2 and 24 again in Game 3. Dydek had 11 in Game 1, then six points, then four. Advantage - Fever.

Sheri Sam. Since Sheri's arrival in Indy, her role has changed at least three times. The veteran forward arrived a day into the season and missed the opening game, and through the first half of the year was still trying to adapt to new teammates, new city and a changing role. Let's remember, she has won a title and been a starter through her entire career. She was playing her best ball just before the All-Star Break, and before Catchings' injury. She was thrust into the starting lineup, but the team's struggles mounted. She then was replaced in the lineup by Tan White, and became a fixture off the bench again heading into the playoffs. A reserve in Game 1 against Connecticut, she was re-inserted into the lineup for Games 2 and 3 ... the bottom line is this - Sheri has come full circle with the Fever in her first summer, and against the Sun she was the club's unsung hero. She shot 9-of-12 from the field in the two games she started, scoring 20 points including 14 in the decisive Game 3. Perhaps more importantly, she combined for 10 boards in those two games, and perhaps none more important than the overtime rebound of Katie Douglas' 3-point miss with 17.5 seconds to go.

I could go on.

What's important though, and perhaps most significant, is the overall character and resiliency displayed by this team. In Game 1, the Fever trailed by 17 and began chipping away. DeForge hit a few miracle shots to send the game to the first overtime, then again to the second OT, and at every obstacle, the Fever stood toe-to-toe and fought. And fought and fought and steadfastly worked their way to the finish. The home team won a thriller in Game 1, and the Fever locker room was stunned silent after the loss. But their resolve was cemented in the silence.

The beginning of Game 2 saw an all-out intensity and tenacity that has scarcely been showcased so thoroughly. Indiana attacked and attacked, and the Fever caught the Sun in a rare blowout. Perhaps the Fever were not 19-points better than Connecticut, but the Fever's resolve had emerged loud and clear.

Game 3. Again the Fever fall behind, and this time bigger than in Game 1. Twenty-two is a BIG number. I'll admit that even I thought it might be too large to completely overcome. I knew the Fever would make an inspired run. The game was far from being over, of course, but ...

In Catchings' words after the game, there was never a moment in which the Fever thought they couldn't come back. Winters implored them to "chip away" again, just as they had four nights earlier. And so they did. Resolved to win the title and regain their midseason form, despite still trailing by 16 in the early moments of the fourth quarter - WOW - there came the miracle finish that we're all still talking about.

This team WILL contend for the WNBA title. Led by the inner-drive of Catchings; the tenacity of Bevilaqua; and the timely, veteran play of Whitmore and Sam - this team showed in its first-round series that it has every intention of playing for that WNBA title in 2007. Might the journey be upended by the defending champions or another worthy challenger in the Eastern Conference Finals? That remains to be seen. But the Fever's resolve has been cemented and put on display. For those at Conseco Fieldhouse fortunate enough to witness Monday's Game 3, hats off to you for your part in helping the homecourt advantage play its part. And congratulations to you for bearing witness to one of sports' great games.

For those of you who could not attend, or chose not to attend, or have never cared enough to try to attend - get off your butts and get to the Fieldhouse this weekend! Most people falling into this category surely aren't reading this Pulitzer Prize blog, I'm sure. But if you are reading this, and you know someone who has never taken the opportunity to attend - help the Fever cause and get them to the Fieldhouse. Tell them The Messenger sent you!
KM

August 27, 2007

OK fans, it's time to advance or go home! It's that simple - win tonight and advance to meet either Detroit or New York in the Eastern Conference Finals which will begin Friday, or end the season tonight with a loss to the Sun.

Which is it going to be?

Here are my keys to tonight's game:

Tamika Whitmore has to be solid. Matchup-wise, the Sun don't like playing Dydek with Whitmore on the floor. Whitmore has been the Fever's best post player in this series, and beyond getting offensive production out of her, the added bonus is moving Dydek out of the middle.

Limit the Sun's Three(s) - meaning, limit their Big Three (Douglas, Sales, Whalen) and deny the 3-pointers. Either one of Douglas or Sales is capable of having a huge night, and Whalen's drives to the bucket can create havoc. If the Fever can hold their production in check and limit production behind the arc, Indiana can win.

Rebounding. Indiana hasn't been a great rebounding team throughout the year, but when it has won the battle on the boards, it has typically won games. In a tight game, second-chance points often spell a difference in the outcome. Between getting some of their own, and limiting those of the Sun, the Fever must not allow the Sun to gain control of the boards.

An additional component could be the crowd. No joke - here is where the homecourt advantage comes into play. Yes, it is true that both of these teams are seasoned by now and they are plenty used to playing in front of big crowds. But there is also no disputing the a crowd's energy can really fuel the home team. Saturday's crowd was one of the loudest and most raucous Fever crowds that I can recall, and we announced just 7,298. If it's a tight game, that energy can often provide a lift.

Speaking of energy, the Fever will play tonight without that constant ball of energy otherwise known as Ebony Hoffman. Her hamstring injury remains sore after Saturday night, and she will be inactive for Game 3. She is hopeful for a return in a possible conference finals series next weekend.
KM

August 24, 2007

Another blog from the airport - 6:15 from Bradley International Airport in Hartford as the Fever prepares to board its Friday morning return flight to Indianapolis.

Wow. What a game last night. If you didn't get to see it on ESPN2, perhaps you'll catch the replay on ESPN Classic. The first triple-overtime playoff game in WNBA history, and a game with numerous clutch shots and big plays with top teams going toe-to-toe.

But for a low-scoring 12-7 first quarter which set basketball back a couple of decades, the game was played at a rugged, physical pace that saw momentum swings in both directions. Indiana erased a 17-point Sun advantage and knotted the score at the end of regulation -- first at 63-63 with 1:19 remaining on Anna DeForge's first of four late daggers; then at 66-66 on DeForge's second with just 20.6 on the clock on a designed inbounds play which saw her catch and spin and shoot from the left wing.

DeForge hit a third straight trey to open the first overtime, for what was then Indiana's biggest lead at 69-66. By the time the third overtime rolled around, Indiana mounted its largest lead of the game, 88-83, but the Sun made clutch plays of its own and the Fever never scored again.

For any critics who contend women's basketball is not exciting or entertaining - you are either close-minded, ignorant, negligent or uninformed. Or you didn't see last night's game, at any rate. For those who did witness last night's game, ESPN2 thanks you for your viewership - it was indeed a classic battle. Unfortunately for most of those fans reading this blog, your team came up on the losing end of the score.

But that is what is meant by homecourt advantage. In theory, the Sun was supposed to win on its home floor. Now Indiana must do the same. To use the cliche in its absolutely most meaningful sense - you have to take things one game at a time. Game 2 is on Indiana's home floor. The Fever must win. Beyond that, then you're looking at Game 3. On Indiana's home floor. It doesn't do any good to think that Indiana has to win two-in-a-row. It's just one at a time. One game, one win. And then look to the next one.

If the Fever's 16-4 start earned anything, it is the homecourt advantage - and now the Fever needs it.

As for the return of Tamika Catchings, hers was just another in a long line of great performances last night. I actually haven't seen her in the airport terminal yet this morning, but after playing over 46 minutes last night, she has got to be sore. I know she was just a mere six hours ago when we arrived at our airport hotel in Hartford about 1 a.m.

Fourteen points, a career-high and Fever playoff-record 20 rebounds and seven assists - not a bad line. Typical Catchings. Welcome back!

DeForge finished with 31 points. Tamika Whitmore had 24 points and 14 boards. And giving credit to the worthy opposition, a tip of the cap goes to Nykesha Sales' 25 points; gritty point guard Lindsay Whalen's 13 points and 10 assists; Indy native Katie Douglas' 14 points and WNBA playoff-record eight steals; and Asjha Jones' 20 points and 10 rebounds in her first game back from injury, also.

Game 2 tips Saturday at 4 at Conseco Fieldhouse. See you then!
KM

August 23, 2007 (4:15 p.m.)

OK, Fever fans, here is your best and shortest blog entry ever! It's official - Catchings will play tonight!
KM

August 21, 2007

The time is now! And Fever Believers have but one call to action this weekend - watch ESPN2 on Thursday night, and be at the Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday's "Downtown Doubleheader" should be exciting with lots of fans roaming the streets - the Fever at 4, followed by Colts at 7.

Will Catchings play? The answer is still, "I don't know," but progress is being made. She had her first real basketball activity on Monday, and Tuesday actually engaged in a full practice. Most of it was half-court work on plays and situations, but if you didn't know she'd been injured, you wouldn't have had any idea of any concerns. In my eyes, she is still day-to-day, but that "day" could be Thursday or Saturday, given the proper medical approval.

The Fever will travel early Wednesday morning, and practice Wednesday afternoon at Mohegan Sun Arena. The obvious task at hand is to get the Connecticut monkey off their back. My feeling is this, though - it's tough to beat any team that frequently, let alone a good team. There is very little that Brian Winters or Mike Thibault can add, that the other hasn't already seen.

Plus, the Fever has played well of late. OK, not always consistently, and we're not winning as we did while racing to a 16-4 start. But let's realize that since losing six straight, the Fever has entered the playoffs winning 5 of 8. That's 5 of 8 without Catchings, and that includes some wins over good teams.

What type of difference can Catchings make? While the Fever might not be that much different X's and O's-wise, and while the Sun has beaten the Fever ample times even with Catchings - might her return provide just enough of a spark to drive the Fever past the Sun? Connecticut has only played .500 ball on its home court this season, and Indiana has actually had success at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Indy native Katie Douglas has typically guarded Catchings in these matchups. And recently, she has guarded Tan White. But as Tan has stepped into a larger role, if both are on the floor at the same time, can Douglas guard both? Might the matchups change slightly with Catchings' return?

And, if she returns at some point this weekend, in what condition will she be in? How much can she really be counted upon? Will she start or play a reserve role?

Lots of questions ... lots of reasons to tune in Thursday night - either to WIBC-1070 AM, or to ESPN2. Tip is at 7. And of course we'll be looking for you at the Fieldhouse on Saturday!

Before I leave this entry ... much thanks to the faithful fans who have followed the team closely enough to greet the team at the airport when we have arrived after each trip recently. There is some serious dedication in those fans! Hopefully we'll be 1-0 in the second season when we see you Friday morning!
KM

August 17, 2007 (11:45 p.m. CT)

Big win! And a gutsy win after overcoming the lowest-scoring half of the season and a 26-20 deficit at intermission.

The Fever is proving it can win without Catchings - the key, now, will be to become more consistent and finally get over that hump called Connecticut.

Friday night's win was far from being pretty. Brian Winters noted both teams' penchant for defense, in his postgame comments. And it certainly showed. Whether because of great defense on both sides, or perhaps some sloppy play mixed in, the 26-20 first half included a host of turnovers and missed shots, many of which weren't missed because of great defense.

But putting aside the sloppy first half, Indiana fought and kept fighting. Winters and Tammy Sutton-Brown both alluded to halftime adjustments the Fever made on offense, and whatever they changed seemed to work. A 14-0 run not only brought Indiana back in range, but put the Fever ahead by 11. The defense never wavered, but it was some clutch rebounding and scoring that thrust the momentum back in Indiana's favor.

Coupled with the Sun's loss tonight in New York, Indiana has secured the homecourt advantage for next week's series. The Fever will travel on Wednesday, practice at Mohegan Sun Arena that afternoon, then play the opening game of the series Thursday night. The game will air on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. Game 2 of the series will be played Saturday at Conseco Fieldhouse, at 4 p.m., on NBATV. A deciding Game 3, if necessary, is Monday at 7, at The Fieldhouse.

Area sports fans will get a downtown doubleheader of sorts on Sunday - Fever playoff game at 4, followed by a Colts preseason finale at 7.

Stay tuned for further details and playoff activity!
KM

August 17, 2007

Congratulations to the Elgin Little League softball team!

Huh?

The softball girls of Elgin Little League, and their adoring fans, shared a Dallas-to-San Antonio flight with the Fever!
softballworldseries.com
OK, an explanation! The young ladies and families of the Elgin Little League softball team - runners-up in the Little League Softball World Series played August 9-15 in Portland, Ore. - shared the same flight as the Fever yesterday afternoon, from Dallas to San Antonio. The Elgin team was the USA's Southwest representative at the World Series, and advanced to the championship game where it fell 3-2 to Morristown, Tenn., the USA's South representative.

They finished 9-1 in the tournament overall, winning a semifinal game over the Central U.S. on Tuesday, which was aired on ESPN2. The title game also aired on ESPN2, matching a pair of unbeaten teams for the World Series title.

And who do you think the Elgin girls spotted in the Dallas airport while waiting for their flight? None other than Tamika Catchings, of course! Catchings, who attended Duncanville High School in a Dallas suburb, laughed and joked with the girls for about 10-15 minutes prior to boarding the flight.

Speaking of Catchings ... here is my "official, unofficial, I'm-no-medical-expert" injury update! Essentially, we're still listing her as day-to-day. She will not play tonight at San Antonio. She is in her fourth day in a basketball shoe, however, and during shooting practice this morning, she did do some light jogging and dribbling, in addition to some shooting drills. She is progressing. She is trying to make it back. She looks good, but I can't gauge any of the pain or discomfort she might feel, nor do I know exactly how strong her foot is again. At this point, the earliest she could play would be Sunday against Detroit - but I think that is optimistic just because the foot really hasn't been fully tested, yet, and I do think that the Fever staff will make sure she is fully strong and ready before putting her out there to test it in a live game situation.

That said, we have exactly one full week before next Thursday's playoff opener against Connecticut. If her progression continues and there are no setbacks, I'm willing to bet that our medical staff will *try* for a return next week. Remember how I phrased this update - my "official, unofficial, I'm-no-medical-expert" injury update! That means to take my guess with a grain of salt. Officially, she is day-to-day with no timetable. It will all depend on how her foot responds to her daily progression of exercises.
KM

August 16, 2007

It is now official, Fever fans - the Fever will meet the Sun in next week's first-round playoff series, and we know that the games will be played on Thursday (Aug. 23), Saturday (Aug. 25) and, if necessary, Monday (Aug. 27).

Given the 0-for-4 results against the Sun so far this season, I figure we're due! And what better time to get that first win against your arch-nemesis?

You know, last's night's loss was obviously frustrating. That's obvious by some of the mail I've received today. We're all frustrated. And I don't have any particular answers for anyone, as to how we lost; or why; or how is it that we are stuggling this badly without just one person; or when will that person return, exactly?

What I do know, for sure, is that there have been alot of games recently in which we've played well enough to win. Last night included. Every game, it seems that one key sequence, or one key player seem to be the difference. Nykesha Sales was fantastic last night, much the same as Anna DeForge.

What I also know is this - losing is a disease and there is only one cure - winning.

Losing has a way of weakening a strong foundation. It raises questions and can cause disension. The Fever has lost 9 of 12 since beginning the season with the best 20-game record in Eastern Conference history - 16-4. Are we a bad team? Absolutely not. The Catchings injury came at about the worst possible time for a team that had nine games in 18 days, and finished the season with 11 of 14 games against playoff teams.

OK. So the going has been tough. Catchings' return may be imminent, but we're also fighting against time - so her return cannot be counted upon. The question is, with backs to the wall - how tough can the Fever be?

And, since I'm writing this for the fans - and including those who have sent emails recently - I pose this to the Fever Nation, as well. How tough are we all? Will we stand together , and battle together, and help to find that cure? I'll hope that our fans will show up in strong numbers for Sunday's bout with the Shock - and again next Thursday or Saturday for Game 1 of the "second season" against Connecticut.
KM

August 15, 2007 (12:05 a.m.)

It's midnight - 19 hours before the Fever hosts the Sun. I'm a night owl typically and I've just seen tonight's WNBA game results posted, so a blog entry was in order.

Two quick topics about which I'm asked daily, if not hourly - (1) Catchings' injury status and (2) Fever playoff status.

Item No. 1 - Catchings. While she is not quite practicing as yet, there has been progress within the past two days. She has begun to transition from the walking boot 24/7 to wearing basketball shoes with a special orthotic prescribed for her foot. She wears the shoes in practice, but still keeps the boot handy for precaution and protection when she is off the floor. While increasing her cardio workouts on a bike and in a pool, she has been limited to light shooting and walking in the hoops shoes. How she feels on Wednesday and Thursday will likely determine the next course of transition by the Fever medical staff. Obviously she won't play on Wednesday night. Anything beyond that is still unknown, though a return remains hopeful for the weekend or the playoffs, stay tuned.

Speaking of the playoffs, , let's talk about Item No. 2. Connecticut lost tonight at Washington, 65-64, thus prolonging the inevitable Fever/Sun matchup from becoming official for at least one more night. So long as Washington continues winning and Connecticut continues losing, the Sun cannot clinch anything better than the No. 4 seed. The Mystics still could mathematically tie Connecticut, and would win a tiebreaker in that event. Realistically, of course, the Sun is still the favorite to face Indiana in a 2/3 matchup in next week's first round. Just one Sun win or one Mystics loss will seal that matchup.

As for home-court advantage - Tuesday's loss by Connecticut was big for Fever fans. What it means is this - with a magic number of just two now, the Fever can take care of business themselves on Wednesday night. A win by Indiana also means a loss for the Sun, and thus the No. 2 seed can be clinched with a Fever victory at Conseco Fieldhouse in about 21 hours from now (9 p.m.).

So far as playoff schedules are concerned, that would mean that the Fever would open next week's playoffs for one game on the road (either Thursday or Friday). Games 2 and 3, if necessary, would be hosted in Indy, beginning next Saturday or Sunday.

The Fever currently leads the Sun by a full two games. So long as the Fever maintains at least a one-game cushion, it will get home-court advantage. A loss on Wednesday brings that cushion down to 1, with two games to play for each team. Stay tuned for playoff pairings and schedules as soon as they become available.
KM

August 13, 2007

I'm flattered by those who have been reading this new blog this summer. And especially for those who have faithfully been reading - I'm obviously due for a follow-up since we have clinched a playoff spot! It's been almost 10 days since I last posted an entry here. So, now that the playoffs are official, let's look back at what's been missed during that time.

The last time I wrote, the Fever was in Connecticut and hoping to secure its third straight playoff bid. We all know that that didn't happen until the following night against Sacramento. Once again, the Sun provided quite an obstacle for Indiana. Whether it's because Tamika Catchings has typically not had great performances against the Sun when she has played, or in the case of last Saturday's game when the Fever was flat and uninspiring in a 20-point loss, the Fever have got to figure out Katie Douglas and Margo Dydek if they are to advance in the playoffs. A first-round matchup with the Sun is almost inevitable, and Wednesday's game with the Sun will go a long way to determine home-court advantage, also. With or without Ms. Catchings, the Fever has got to figure out Connecticut. The Sun, and not just Katie, has been deadly from 3-point range, and Dydek's post presence has continued to be a disruption to Indiana's interior. Hopefully last Saturday was a wake-up call - not only for the game which followed, but for future encounters with the Sun.

The Sunday evening following the Mohegan Sun debacle, the Fever showed a little moxy. Arriving from Connecticut at 12:30 p.m., the Fever got an afternoon nap before arriving to the Fieldhouse for one of its best defensive efforts of the season. It was the first time this season that Sacramento had lost a game while holding an opponent under 70 points. In a game featuring the league's top two defensive units, the Fever prevailed and clinched the long-awaited playoff berth.

Two nights later, in double overtime at Chicago, the Fever held on for one of its most memorable and gritty performances of the season. Indiana recorded its third win in four games - all without Tamika Catchings. It was also its second win in four days, and the first road win during the Catchings Era, without her. Most impressive about the win was the fact that the Fever lost a lead, and trailed by as many as 10 early in the fourth period. The Fever rallied for a lead with about four minutes to play - and had chances to win on the final possession of regulation and the first OT. Even when those chances failed, the Fever were steadfast in their effort and intensity. The Fever veterans showed great resolve and committed just one turnover in the game's final 16 minutes. Alison Bales was a key ingredient during the fourth quarter rally, and both Tan White and Tamika Whitmore were clutch down the stretch. Perhaps the biggest play of the game was a steal by Tammy Sutton-Brown on an inbounds pass at the close of the first overtime. No, the Fever didn't score to seal the win on the ensuing possession, but she took away the Sky's chance to win on a final possession and the hard-nosed play typified the Fever effort that night. [Let's just say that the bus ride home was much more enjoyable than it would have been following a loss!]

Like Coach Winters noted in the locker room following Saturday's loss at Detroit - there are no moral victories at this point of the season. Either you win, or you lose. OK, there is definite truth in that, but for purposes of this blog, I am taking the liberty of claiming a moral victory for the Fever - at least in terms of proving they can play without Tamika Catchings. Did we play all 40 minutes and seal the deal? Of course not, and that is Brian's point. All true. But the first half was impressive, and were it not for a 28-9 third quarter scoring imbalance, Indiana had control of that game. The Shock outrebounded the Fever 14-3 in that period alone. Three rebounds in a full quarter??? Obviously, those 10 minutes following intermission spelled the difference in the game. A loss is a loss. Agreed. But for three quarters, Indiana not only played with the WNBA's best team on national television, but was better. Given the struggles during Tamika's absence, I thought it was a good indicator to see us play that way. Now we just have to work on that halftime speech!

Speaking of the halftime speech - how many of you enjoyed ABC's "Insider" access into the lockerrooms on Saturday? Personally, I didn't like it. I'm a believer in maintaining the integrity of the game, and I wholeheartedly find it a distraction to the teams to have those cameras and microphones in the locker room. It's one thing to record a rah-rah, "go get 'em!," "win one for the Gipper" type of speech. But when what is transmitted live on national TV is the team's strategy session for all the world to see, including its opponent down the hall, I have an ethical problem with that. But I'm just the PR guy, so what does my opinion matter in the grand scheme of things? Needless to say, the game turned on the 10 minutes immediately following that "Insider" episode. For the record, I am not a fan of the "total access."

See you Wednesday night at the Fieldhouse for a must-win game with the Sun, in a toe-to-toe fight for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs!
KM

August 4, 2007

Ahhhhh, yes, the "magic number!" Determining the magic number has become an annual ritual among sports leagues, teams and fans! Trying to determine the number of games and scenarios that separate a team from clinching a playoff spot, or clinching a particular spot in the standings!

You know those extreme sports activities or daredevil stunts, or other risk-taking TV shows that proclaim, "don't try this at home?" That's the magic number - don't try this at home!

OK, just kidding. I've actually gotten pretty good at it, and there's a generic mathematical equation that can determine that magic number - but when you get right down to pinpointing the exact, specific scenario and the exact date that a particular clinching could happen - there's always a specific quirk in the schedule or a specific tiebreaking scenario that gets in the way.

For those that want to try it at home anyway, here's how it works. If you want to figure the Fever's magic number to clinch a playoff spot, for instance, you would compare Indiana's record to the East's fifth-place team. You use the fifth-place team because everything above fifth place will qualify for the playoffs. If you take the Fever's win total (17) and add it to the fifth-place team's loss total (Washington has 15), you get 32. Then you subtract that number from the total number of games (34). That number, 2, is your magic number without accounting for any ties. In order to account for any possible ties, your magic number would be 3.

Here, though, is where it gets dicey. The magic number can never grow - it can only shrink. However, that fifth-place team can shift, and so tiebreakers can change depending on who is that fifth-place team. In the Fever's situation, we own any head-to-head tiebreaker with both Washington (4-0) and New York (3-1). We are only 2-1 against Chicago, however, with one game to play (Tuesday). So, considering a magic number against Chicago as a possible fifth-place team, we couldn't assume that tiebreaker. The second tiebreaker condition is overall record against Eastern Conference teams. The Fever is currently 10-5. Going into Friday's game with the Shock, Chicago was 5-9 - and thus, still could mathematically match the Fever's conference wins.

However, with Chicago's loss on Friday, Indiana is in position to clinch on Saturday because:

A win ensures no worse than a tie with the Sky;

A win over another East team ensures a better conference record than the Sky, thus guaranteeing a tiebreaker.

Now, here is the dicey part #2. If you do the numbers figuring a win tonight, our magic number against that fifth-place team, Washington, still would be 1. In other words, it would still be mathematically possible for Washington to win its last eight games and finish with 19 wins, one more than the Fever's theoretical 18 (figuring a Saturday win). So - how can we clinch, yet?

That is exactly the question I posed this morning when we learned that we could clinch tonight. Here's how ... in order for that to happen, you are assuming that Washington wins all the rest of its games, right? Washington could still mathematically finish one-game better than the Fever. In doing so, though, the Mystics would also move past Chicago (they play head-to-head on Sunday) and assure the Fever at least fourth place.

What if the Fever loses on Saturday? Indiana can still clinch with a Chicago loss against the Mystics Sunday, by virtue of Chicago losing that game against the East and guaranteeing a Fever tiebreaker. What if the Fever loses on Saturday, and Chicago wins on Sunday? Indiana could still clinch with a win of its own over Sacramento, by virtue of its win and a Washington loss.

What if the Fever losses on Saturday and Sunday, and Chicago wins on Sunday? The Fever's magic number, then, will remain at 1 - any Fever win or Mystics loss would clinch an Indiana playoff berth. And it would add to any playoff implications for Tuesday's game at Chicago - which, by the way, will receive some bonus TV coverage on ESPN2!

Did you get all that?

Three games in four days, each with its own implications. Get ready for the ride, Fever fans! Every game has added significance the rest of the way!
KM

August 2, 2007

After attending last night's sixth annual Fever Bowling Tournament, a few thank yous and congratulations are in order.

First, to former Fever community relations manager Dan Gaines, who transitioned to a new post with the Pacers Foundation last fall - nice job and congratulations. Dan was the primary organizer for this year's event - the Fever Bowling Tournament presented by FedEx (had to get the sponsor in there, of course! - They helped too!)

The event ran smooth as always. The folks at Pinheads put on a quality event themselves, with a wonderful, spacious and modern facility. I'm no expert when it comes to bowling facilities, mind you, but the place is pretty cool so far as bowling establishments are concerned - at least that I have seen! Between the facility, the organization of the event, and the sold-out field of fans and guests and competitors - what more could you ask?

Dan, Pacers Foundation Director Jami Marsh and their cast of staff and volunteers ran a wonderful show, and more importantly, the Fever event raised more than $16,700 for the Be YOUnique Fund of the Pacers Foundation.

Congrats to all of the champion bowlers, and congrats, also, to the Fever's director of business operations, Julie Graue, who bowled a lifetime-best score of 197.

I was coerced this afternoon to include Julie's outstanding bowling score in my next blog, because for those of you who have read our earlier account of last night's event, she was included on the team with the lowest score. To set the record straight, Julie admirably changed teams and filled in for Tully Bevilaqua who wasn't feeling well, on the Rockin' Robin team which finished third. Julie, meanwhile, found a pinch-bowler for herself and promptly left the losing to her husband's team!

One more order of business for Fever fans, before I close and pack for tomorrow's journey to Connecticut ... those who attended Tuesday night's win over Washington will recall Tammy Sutton-Brown leaving the game briefly, before returning later. What was originally diagnosed as simply a bloody nose, was later determined to be a broken nose! A small fracture was located after further diagnosis after the game. She has practiced since that time, and will continue to play, though she will wear a protective mask.

More this weekend!
KM

July 31, 2007 (11:45 p.m.)

Fever fans will call it the Seattle Shakeup. Or the Fever's Sleepless Night in Seattle. No matter its name, hopefully, it was a turning point.

Four nights later, after a welcomed performance in Phoenix, despite the loss, and a 66-57 win earlier tonight against the Mystics, Fever fans might be able to at least whisper .... "They'reeeee Baaaaaaackkkk!"

Hopefully. Let's not put the cart before the horse just yet. But a win is a win, and for the Fever, it was the first win without Catchings since before the 2002 season. The Seattle Shakeup produced a new starting lineup with Tan White and Ebony Hoffman - and with it, a pair of 20-point games for the electrifying White, the Fever's top draft pick in 2005.

It also produced an energy, and sense of stability, and a sense of team unity and togetherness that this messenger hadn't seen since the days when we were talking about the best record in the WNBA. Are we back to that stage again? No. But we're a far cry from where we were four nights ago in Seattle, and for that I'm thankful. I'll sleep easy tonight, knowing that we're back on track.

Tonight was our first home game in a week, and so of course the obligatory question has been asked all night, "When is Catchings going to be back?"

Folks, we just don't know. The answer to that will lie in time, rest, continued rehab, and a second MRI test that will likely be taken sometime next week. Maybe sooner. Only the medical staff will know that answer, for sure. For now, what we know is that the Fever will remain Catchings-less, probably for at least another week. Maybe more. Based on that "uneducated and completely unqualified medical guesstimate," we're hoping for a return with about a week to go in the regular season.

And speaking of the near close of the regular season ------------- Fever fans need to start getting ready for the Playoffs!! [Hint, hint - playoff tickets could go on sale very, very soon!] I know, I know - what did I say earlier, let's not put the cart before the horse?

Yes, I know I did. But in this case, the magic number to qualify for the playoffs is now just three. With Chicago, New York and Washington playing head-to-head against one another over the next two weeks, it's almost mathematically impossible for that magic number NOT to be reached - regardless of what the Fever does.

I'm thankful to be looking forward again. I'm thankful for the Seattle Shakeup. I'm thankful for tonight's win. For those of you taking part in the Fever's annual bowling tournament on Wednesday night - see you then!
KM

July 31, 2007

Needless to say, Monday morning's arrival back in Indy was no problem after we finally boarded in Phoenix. And now it is time to turn our attention to the Washington Mystics and the rest of the schedule!

First note about tonight's game - for those that arrive and are used to rooting for the team in white ... you'll want to adjust your allegiance this evening as the Fever will be wearing its road blue uniforms and Washington will be wearing its usual home white unis! The WNBA has conducted a "Show Your Colors" night in each city, and tonight, the Fever will add some color for its home fans - so don't be confused when the team in white is really the opposition!

As for the game itself, yes, the Fever will play without Tamika Catchings for the sixth straight game. And hopefully after a little shakeup to the starting lineup at Phoenix, the Fever might get itself back on a winning track.

Looking briefly to playoff scenarios, Indiana has a "magic number" of five entering Tuesday night's action - meaning that any combination of five Fever wins or New York losses will spell the Fever's third straight playoff berth. Regardless of how quickly the Fever gets back on track, the good thing to consider is that, with Chicago, New York and Washington all battling for the fourth and final playoff spot, and all battling each other in the final two weeks of the season, those teams are inevitably going to lose games.

With a magic number of five, and eight games to play, and the 4th, 5th and 6th place teams all playing each other in the final two weeks, it will be very difficult for the Fever NOT to make the playoffs.

Stay tuned ... and get ready to purchase your playoff tickets!
KM

July 29, 2007 (11:50 p.m. PT)

Next airport update, before I move on to updating some statistics and returning some emails ... and returning to my Tom Clancy novel ... and waiting ...

Coaches have put aside their DVD players ... Denari and Winters are having a chat on the far side of the gate area ... Julie Plank appears to be sleeping, sprawled over three chairs, but still reacting to comments made by Jane and I [we know you're really still awake!] ... Jane, meanwhile, is reviewing lesson plans for her high school chemistry class, soon to begin this fall at West Lafayette High School.

Laptops have popped up among the cast of players ... Bales, Strother and Kasha Terry all listening to music or searching the 'Net or checking email ... Floyd and Strother jamming to the same tunes with the white iPod cord dangling between their ears ... Sutton-Brown back on her phone.

Tully Bevilaqua and Anna DeForge, and trainer Holly Heitzman, each chose to get a night's sleep in Phoenix and return to Indy on an early morning flight - though not arriving until late on Monday. With the time change on these West Coast trips, you've got to pick your poison - fly through the night and get back early and enjoy the most of an "off day," or forego the hassle of the red-eye but lose most of the "off day."

After tonight and tomorrow's travel excursion through Phoenix and Chicago, the Fever will re-group on Tuesday morning, for game day already again. Shooting practice at 9:45 a.m., and Fever vs. Mystics at 7.

Time to update my spreadsheets and coaches' efficiency charts ... goodnight again!
KM

July 29, 2007 (11:00 p.m. PT)

I'm writing now for two reasons. First, I'm due for a postgame entry following tonight's loss at Phoenix. Second, I'm bored.

OK, I do have some stats to update for the Fever coaching staff. I'll get to that soon enough, but with no way to print anything for several hours - I've got time. Coaches are currently reviewing film of tonight's game on their portable DVD players, also, so there won't be much time for evaluation of stats right now.

If you haven't guessed, I'm writing from the airport again. This time in Phoenix. And this time late at night - prior to a red-eye flight originally expected to fly about 11:30, but which has been delayed until 1:15 a.m. Fun, fun, fun.

Tammy Sutton-Brown is talking on her cell phone ... operations manager Ashley Floyd is leading a spirited group practicing some dance moves with someone's iPod ... Ann Strother and Alison Bales occasionally join in while K.B. Sharp, Tamika Whitmore and Kasha Terry are enjoying the show ...

Brian Winters and Julie Plank are reviewing game film, and I can't spot Lin Dunn and her bright red sweatshirt at the moment. [She's been without luggage since the Seattle leg of this journey, by the way - another aspect of the fun we've had on this trip!]

Chris Denari is preparing his broadcast charts for Tuesday's game since we won't get home until midday on Monday, and he'll likely spend his afternoon with his three sons ... Jane Schott was reading a book earlier, and sharing light conversation with Coach Plank ... Jane's goal this trip was to read the Robin Roberts' book she picked up last month.

So there is an update on activities here at Gate 3 of the Sky Harbor International Airport, as the clock turns past 2 a.m. in Indianapolis. The bright-eyed and cheery gate attendant has just informed us that our flight was delayed because the connecting flight from Chicago had mechanical troubles. We are due to take off at 1:15, with arrival in Chicago scheduled for 6:30 a.m. CT - an hour past our scheduled itinerary, but still with time enough to catch the final flight to Indy.

I'll check back again after our next delay, probably!! Hahaha - bite my tongue! But for now, Sutton-Brown is going to use my laptop to check her email, and I'll say goodnight for now.

Oh yeah ... the postgame entry ... A loss is a loss, and now six straight, but at least in the words of Brian Winters tonight, and it is true, "We got better." The Fever faced a gut-check tonight in Phoenix, and against a very good Mercury team that could win the West. It was the Fever's best performance without Tamika Catchings, and it was an inspired effort that included 10 of 11 active players. Several players made key contributions after a change to the starting lineup featured Tan White and Ebony Hoffman replacing Sheri Sam and Tamika Whitmore.

Indiana remains in second place in the East, though Connecticut is closing fast in third. Indiana is 0-6 without Tamika Catchings. Tonight's game was a good sign - but certainly not enough, especially with a week ahead with games against Washington, the Sun and Sacramento again. There is no rest for the Fever. The playoff race is beginning, and with or without Catchings in the lineup, the Fever is in dire need of wins to keep pace.
KM

July 29, 2007

It's approaching noon time in the Arizona desert, and the Fever will head to US Airways Center this afternoon at 1:15, to prepare for its 4 p.m. (local time) tip against the Mercury. [Fans, don't forget that today's game can be seen on Fox Sports Indiana at 7 p.m. ET, as well as heard on WIBC AM-1070.]

Not much new to report since yesterday, except that with today's afternoon game, we'll arrive to the arena early for a walk-through, rather than schedule a morning shooting practice only to return two hours later again.

The Fever will board a plane following today's game, and return to Indy on a red-eye flight that connects in Chicago. We'll arrive in Chicago about 5:30 a.m. CT, and after a two-hour layover, catch the final flight to Indy at 7:30 CT, arriving at 9:30 ET.

The Fever hosts its annual Adopt-A-Pet Night on Tuesday when the Washington Mystics come to Conseco Fieldhouse. It's a cool event - fans can actually come to the Fieldhouse and adopt a dog or cat to take home with them. It's good for the animals and fun for the fans ... here's to hoping the Fever can back on its winning track, too!
KM

July 28, 2007

More to come later, but I had to check in from Seattle ... getting ready to board a plane again, on the way to Phoenix.

Hopefully last night's game was a wake-up call. But mostly, I drew two impressions for the night at Key Arena. First, yes, Lauren Jackson is a stud. I wish Catchings had been active purely for the sake of seeing each team's best players on the floor. Catchings would have been Indiana's best defender on Jackson, and everyone would have gotten to see the two players regarded as top MVP candidates playing head-to-head.

Second, hats off to the likes of Ebony Hoffman, K.B. Sharp, Ann Strother, Alison Bales and Tan White. That was the Fever lineup through most of last night's fourth quarter. While the game was far over by that point, their play was inspiring. Brian Winters raved about their effort and performance, and it actually gave a lift to an otherwise bleak and discouraging evening.

For those who haven't made note - Sunday's game is telecast on FSN Indiana, at 7 p.m., Indianapolis time. It is a local FSN telecast in Arizona, which is being picked up by the regional affiliate in Indiana.
KM

July 26, 2007 (12:35 p.m. PT)

I couldn't refuse this!

It's hafltime ... Fever trail 32-22 ... and Freddy Fever is being dragged from the floor of ARCO Arena by Sacramento's game operations staff, following a fall during a late brawl during "musical chairs."

Yes, it's mascot birthday time again, and Indiana's Freddy Fever is in the house, sporting his blue road uniform to match the Fever! Freddy has sported a rather sexy looking one-piece swimsuit in a timeout competition, and he battled down to the wire with Sacramento's birthday mascot, Monty - before being dragged off the court!

Freddy made a pregame visit to the scorer's bench to visit with broadcasters Chris Denari and Jane Schott, and during a timeout, Freddy was generous to toss a few mini-balls to Chris and Jane courtside.

Back to the game - 10 turnovers at the half - too many.
KM

July 26, 2007

To share a comment made by radio voice Chris Denari this morning, "it feels like we're playing the first game of an NCAA Tournament site this morning!" The Fever team departed the hotel at 9:15 a.m. local time, for an 11:30 a.m. tipoff. Weird. But so goes the WNBA schedule with Kids Days and Camp Days and the fun we have with midday start times! I actually like them ... but it's weird to be in "game mode" at 9 a.m.!

OK, but on to more important things --- I've been horribly negligent at answering questions on our "Ask The Messenger" page. No excuses, just bad.

I'm a very bad person. I'm a very bad person. I'm a very bad person.

Punishment administered, and taken, now I'm asking fans to take part in a little interactive fun on the FeverBasketball.com site! Send your questions about anything and everything Fever and WNBA, and I'll try to have some fun in offering an intelligent, insightful, behind-the-scenes reply! I did say "try!" Haha.

It's now 11:20 a.m. in Sacramento, and hopefully Fever fans are re-positioning their afternoon work or casual time in order to hear today's radio broadcast. For anyone reading this before today's tipoff, you can tune-in to ESPN950 AM, or on the internet at espn950.com.
KM

July 25, 2007

Blogging from the airport again. This time with a little greater sense of urgency. (Careful fans, sense of urgency does not have to constitute a sense of worry.)

OK, it goes without saying that the Fever is struggling in its mini-era W.O.C. (without Catchings). Here is a stat for you – since 2002 when Catchings played her first game in the WNBA, the Fever is 0-for-4 when Catchings-less. To Tamika’s credit, she’s only missed four games in now her sixth active season. And perhaps because of both her durability and her value – the Fever has yet to learn how to win without her.

In each of Indiana’s three successive losses, the Fever has played well enough to win. Key shots and key possessions have been, for lack of a better word, a key, to those losses. Perhaps the biggest area in which the Fever has lacked has been rebounding. Not only did both Chicago and San Antonio outrebound the Fever, the Sky (14) and Silver Stars (15) both were deadly on the offensive boards, creating second-chance points and opportunities.

Catchings typically provides a sustained effort in multiple facets of the game, but her tenacity under the boards might be that which is currently missed most.

There is little doubt that Indiana has the depth and talent and skills to win without her. But learning it and doing it within the condensed time frame of the WNBA schedule – when every game in a 34-game schedule really matters – is what is creating the sense of urgency.

Are three losses anything to stir a panic? No. Especially not with the cushion the Fever had established prior to its stretch W.O.C. Three losses aren’t altogether uncommon in the WNBA. In fact – I think that only San Antonio has NOT had a three-game losing streak this season.

The tough task, though, is to learn and adapt W.O.C. during a stretch of four straight games against the West’s four top teams. Even a six-game losing streak – as the pessimists have already asked me – would not spell doomsday, even if that were to somehow occur … bite my tongue!

That’s a worse-case scenario, of course, but that is my point. Even in that event, the Fever will become more adaptable by enduring it, and hungrier coming out of it. And with the prospect of Catchings’ return with still a handful of games left in the regular season, the Fever can get well going into the playoffs.

The coaching staff and players are challenged currently, certainly. And the sense of urgency is very real. But a sense of worry? No, not yet. Play on, Fever!
KM

July 21, 2007

Unfortunate news arrived this afternoon, with confirmation that Tamika Catchings could miss more than two weeks due to last night's partial tear of her left plantar fascia. In layman's terms, she injured her left foot.

She will wear a protective boot for the near future, and medical prognosis indicates that she'll probably miss Fever action through at least the end of July (six games counting tonight). According to Tamika, it was just a fluke thing, "there wasn't anybody around, I just planted wrong. At first, I thought something in my shoe might have just slipped, but I felt a pop, and I knew it was more than that."

Knowing Catchings, of course, she'll be back in action as soon as trainer Holly Heitzman will let her - if not even sooner! But in the meantime, the prognosis for the Fever team is this - players like Sheri Sam, Ebony Hoffman, and even Alison Bales, Kasha Terry and Ann Strother will begin collecting some of those long-awaited minutes.

The Fever has a very tough road ahead - four straight games against likely playoff teams, three on the West Coast, within six days beginning Tuesday.

Now is the time for some of Indiana's depth to come forward. 2002 All-Star and nine-year veteran Sheri Sam, playing some of her best ball of late, is the likely candidate to fill Catchings' spot in the starting lineup. And because Catchings is so versatile and plays so many different roles on this club, Fever fans are very likely to see a variety of other players filling her roles as a defender, rebounder and scorer.

As Catchings just said to Chris Denari in a pre-game interview for tonight's broadcast in Chicago, "I'm going to be their biggest supporter." Catchings will continue to lead from the bench. Who will step up? And how high? And how will the Fever react? That's why we play the games, folks, and that is precisely why Fever GM Kelly Krauskopf has made the moves she has leading up to this point.

If the Fever is to be the championship team it aspires to be - those moves will pay dividends beginning tonight. Just less than one hour from tipoff - fans can tune to Denari and Jane Schott on WIBC 1070-AM, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
KM

July 20, 2007 (9:55 p.m.)

OK ... quick thoughts here as I race to finish some postgame stats reports and try to race and make the 10:15 bus to Chicago!

I'll try to paraphrase a postgame interview with Tammy Sutton-Brown after tonight's 89-80 loss to the Shock:

"You know, Detroit isn't the defending champion for nothing. They are a tough team and we know they're good. They played well and we have to figure out ways to stop [Katie] Smith and [Deanna] Nolan. We will play they a few more times and we know the intensity and physicality will be the same as it was tonight. Tomorrow, we have to play well again, because we know that Chicago will be ready for us. And whether we have [Tamika] Catchings or not, we all have to play good basketball. Catchings has a good cast around her this year, and we know that we have to win games with or without her."

OK ... so while I'm on the topic of Ms. Catchings, let me update anyone before tomorrow's game. First answer is, I don't know if she'll play on Saturday, or not. She was diagnosed by team medical personnel with a left foot strain, sustained on the final play of the third quarter. Fortunately, x-rays were negative, so we know that there is no fracture. Her status for Saturday's game is termed as "questionable."

All in all, Fever fans were treated to a really great basketball atmosphere on Friday night. The announced attendance of 9,210 was the Fever's second-highest figure of the season, and puts Indiana on pace to average its best attendance in the month of July since its inaugural season of 2000. The game was physical and well-played - both teams shot 47 percent or better, with the Shock blistering the Conseco Fieldhouse nets for 52.5 percent.

It was a playoff-type atmosphere, and one which should be repeated a few more times this season. I suppose it is fair that both teams have on on each other's home courts, with the home team's star player lost for all or part of each game. The Shock and Fever now are tied atop the Eastern Conference, both with back-to-back dates scheduled for Saturday night.

Speaking of Saturday night ... it's now about 10:00 and I have a quick packing job before I race to load the bus. Goodnight and we'll blog again from Chicago. Next home game - Tuesday, when the Fever hosts West-leading San Antonio and a trio of former Hoosier prep stars (Shyra Ely, Ruth Riley and Shanna Zolman-Crossley).
KM

July 20, 2007

What is the meaning of one game?

That depends on the game, of course, so as I sit in my office today with my interns (Kara and Allison, in this instance) setting up our press room and media areas, I'll address that question with tonight's game in mind!

On paper, tonight's game is huge! No. 1 vs. No. 2. Laimbeer against Winters. Three Shock All-Stars vs. Three Fever All-Stars. A rematch of last year's first-round playoff series. The defending champs against this year's best record.

A matchup made for TV, right? And yes, for those who can't attend tonight, the game airs on Fox Sports Indiana - tip is at 7 p.m., whether in-person, on radio, or on TV.

But is it really so big? I'm going to say, from a big-picture standpoint, looking at the grand scheme of things - no. I know, I know ... anyone reading this is thinking - "does this Messenger dude really know what he's talking about?"

Maybe I don't ... but let me explain. Sure, tonight's game is big. And it will be a game that the whole league is watching and talking about tonight. NBA Entertainment has even sent a TV crew to cover tonight's game, just to use for later in the season. But maybe there is a key to my thinking ... the game, and the rivalry, will take on an even bigger stage later in the season.

Right here, right now, on July 20 - the game is ... a big game that has some really cool storylines.

No matter who wins, what will be the story on Saturday morning? Perhaps the Fever might have made a small statetment with a victory on its home floor. Or perhaps Detroit might even the ledger - both in the overall standings (both 16-5) and head-to-head (1-1). Either way, what will be so different from the way we're looking at things before tonight's big game? That's my point.

Where the game does matter, in my mind, is in the way that both teams will begin to approach the final weeks of the season.

If Indiana wins, ok, then the Fever will have opened a two-game lead, as well as a 2-0 series advantage. The Fever's confidence will grow slightly more, and it will have just a bit more momentum as it embarks on a final month that includes 11 likely playoff teams among its final 14 opponents. A win would be a good start - it would continue the momentum and put the Fever one step closer to clinching a playoff berth and possibly securing the league's best record. Those are all good things.

If Detroit wins, we'll have one large tie on our hands, with everyone looking forward to the next times the two top teams meet head-to-head (Aug. 11 and 19). Perhaps it could have the effect of shaking the Fever's confidence to a degree, but probably not.

What changes on July 21, after tonight's game on July 20? Essentially, not alot, except for some perceptions created by a win or loss either way.

Tonight's game is one for the storylines - and one on which to build for the two bouts in August when there's actually something more at stake. By the time the Shock and Fever meet again in August, both teams likely will have clinched playoff berths, and each club will be jostling for seeding and playoff strategies. Those games will have some meaning.

Between now and then, though, and this is another reason that I downplay tonight's contest, is the fact that 11 of the Fever's final 14 games will come against likely playoff teams. Within the next nine days, Indiana plays six games - four on the road and five against playoff caliber teams. The Fever is at Chicago tomorrow night, then hosts West-leading San Antonio (July 24) before embarking on a four-day trip to battle Sacramento, Seattle and Phoenix. The Fever will face the West's likely four-team playoff lineup in four straight games next week. Among seven games in August, the Fever battles Connecticut twice, Detroit twice, and locks horns again with the defending West champion Monarchs.

What does tonight's game mean? It means more with a Fever victory, just for sake of the Fever creating a tiny cushion prior to heading West. A loss alone won't mean so much, except that tonight's game is followed by a trip to Chicago on Saturday which would then gain added significance.

In the sprint that is known as the WNBA regular season, every game is big; every game has significance. But the games come so fast, and in such a short time frame, that as soon as one game is won or lost, it has to be put behind you in order to concentrate on the next one, just hours away. A loss in tonight's matchup with the Shock can gain greater significance if it is followed by subsequent losses against Chicago and San Antonio ... but now we're getting ahead of ourselves!

Enjoy the game tonight ... tomorrow, I'll address the Saturday game with the Sky! Speaking of the Sky, here's to hoping that neither game this weekend involves four more missed Fever free throws in the final 12 seconds!
KM

July 16, 2007

It’s the morning after the All-Star Game and I’m sitting at Terminal A, Gate 3 of Ronald Reagan National Airport. Before I go any further, I have to acknowledge the half-dozen Fever fans preparing to accompany me and Fever players on our flight back to Indy.

Ordering a morning coffee, I was recognized by a Fever season ticket holder – no doubt because of my now infamous blog – why else would anyone know the team’s PR guy? Ten minutes later, as I pulled out the laptop with an hour before boarding our flight, I was asked by another travel companion, “are you going to do a blog from the airport?”

Well – yes, as a matter of fact, I am! [Though I can’t get a wireless signal, so this won’t post until this afternoon from Indy.] And it’s being dedicated to the Fever fans that made the trek to Washington this weekend. I’ve seen or recognized at least a dozen throughout the weekend, and I know there were obviously more. As the WNBA grows and as the Fever’s success continues, the fans are very much a part of what we do. For their dollars and time spent, and for their dedication to the WNBA and the Indiana Fever – here is a humble and sincere thank you.

As for the weekend – the best and most important thing I can say is that the game and activities were well run and exciting for the fans. The game was as good an All-Star Game as I can remember in my five years with the Fever. And while Tamika Catchings was the lone Fever player with meaningful statistics in the game, it was an Anna DeForge shot, on a pass from Catchings, that sealed the win for the East.

[I have to note a funny story about that shot. Most people probably think the team’s PR folks were somewhere close to the floor – active in some part of the game, involved with the media, or at least close to the action. Wrong!! There is really not much need for the team PR folks at an All-Star Game, so we’re annually shuffled to a distant row in the press section, or given a ticket somewhere in the arena. Yesterday, most of the PR folks spent the game sharing a third level suite with a few fans. The arena presentation was well-produced from my vantage point, and it was fun to see three Fever fans on the court at the same time … but during what turned into a 10-minute trip back down to the floor for any postgame interviews, I missed DeForge’s shot!

Prior to that point, she was scoreless. Entering the East locker room after the game, she joked to me, “I had to get on the scoreboard!” I smiled, but didn’t know exactly what she meant. Then, while listening to some of Catchings’ postgame comments, she was asked about Fever team chemistry and delivering that game-icing pass to her Indiana teammate. It wasn’t until then that I knew of DeForge’s late heroics!

So, you see, I don’t always get to see the good stuff!]

I’ve already received an agitated email last night, proclaiming that Catchings should have gotten MVP of the game. Well, while I always think she is the best player on the floor and she did have seven assists to go with 15 points and 11 rebounds – I have to take note that Cheryl Ford had 16 points, 13 boards and five assists. Media voters could not have gone wrong with either selection. The All-Star MVP is a nice award, and sounds good on a resume, but I’d rather win a championship than be selected the best player in a one-day exhibition contest. Congratulations to Cheryl. I have no problem with the selection.

Catchings’ recognition will come with a WNBA title and, yes, a hopeful WNBA MVP award one day. There is no doubt that she is the WNBA’s best all-around, multi-faceted player on both ends of the court. Probably even in the world. But there are truly a half-dozen elite players who could be argued as “most valuable” on any given day. There are better shooters and scorers than Catchings. There are better ballhandlers. There are better rebounders, bigger posts and a few who possess greater quickness. There are even a couple of players who are more purely dominant who just cannot be stopped at times. That said – there is NOBODY who does everything so well and can beat you in as many ways!

Time will tell on the MVP issue. As always, a lot of the argument will come down to team success.

It’s time to put the All-Star break behind us, and table the talk of MVP for now. When this plane lands in Indy about 11:30 this morning, it will be back to the office and time to prepare for Wednesday’s afternoon date with the Sky. That is when the Fever’s team success will hopefully continue.

With any luck – anyone reading this blog and all those Fever fans returning with us from D.C. [Diane, Jacqunette, Shuron, Sherri, Carla and Debbie – enjoy the flight!] – will bring a new friend (or 2 or 3 or 4) to the Fieldhouse. Tipoff is 1 p.m., Wednesday afternoon. It is the first of three games in four days for the Fever, and the first of 15 games that remain before the playoffs!

Yes, I did say playoffs – hoping not to be too presumptuous. Stay tuned later in July for a hopeful announcement regarding playoff tickets! The regular season ends August 19. The WNBA First Round begins August 23/24. Go Fever!
KM

July 15, 2007

Sunday morning before the All-Star Game, and it's about time to load the bus and head to Verizon Center for pregame photo sessions, skills competitions, and then the game.

I read the articles in The Indianapolis Star this morning, and had to comment on the column by Bob Kravitz. Of course I agree with his sentiments about the Fever ... and his mention of Tan White was very coincidental given my blog entry of Thursday night and the reference to a possible Sixth Man/Woman Award! Bob made the same reference as I had, and as a result of his column, I was asked to do some fact-checking for Star sports editor Jim Lefko over the weekend. Indeed, for the 2007 season, the WNBA will add a Sixth Woman Award!!

So ... hats off to Kravitz for making the same acknowledgement of Tan White in his column; and hats off to him, also, for noting the new award to be presented at the end of this season. I hadn't done as much checking before I wrote my last entry ---- I hereby stand corrected!
KM

July 12, 2007

The clock has just struck 11 p.m. here in Indianapolis, and the Indiana Fever sits at 15-4 with the All-Star break just begun. Imagine this thought - only twice in Fever history has Indiana ever won more than 16 games.

So yes, just beyond the midway point in the season, the Fever are on a roll - winners of five straight and owners of the WNBA's best record.

For the next three days, Fever coaches will spend time with families. Most Fever players will either spend the same time with families, or find a nice weekend vacation spot. And then there is the Fever's All-Star trio of Tamika Catchings, Anna DeForge and Tammy Sutton-Brown! Beginning tomorrow morning at 7:15 a.m., the trio will fly to Washington, D.C. for a weekend of pretty much non-stop appearances, media sessions, photo opportunities, receptions, practices and skills competitions which all culminate with the annual All-Star Game. If you can't join us in D.C. - you can catch the game live on ABC on Sunday afternoon. Coverage begins at 3:30 p.m.

One of the highlights of the weekend will actually take place in just over 12 hours from now. The WNBA hosts an Inspiring Women Luncheon tomorrow, with the keynote speaker and honoree being U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. It should be a cool event, and one which will be attended by all of the All-Stars. The event, itself, and Rice as the honored guest, have both been announced. Nothing new there. But what has not been announced ... and won't be known by many unless you're on the reception planning committee (or happen to be reading this blog), is that our very own Tamika Catchings has been honored with the task of introducing the Secretary of State. She was invited to the State of the Union by President Bush in 2004, now she is introducing the Secretary of State. What's next - MVP?

Some random thoughts before I close here ... and before I pack my own backs for the aforementioned early morning flight ...

Yes, right now, I think that Catchings has to be the frontrunner in MVP balloting. Though this is as close to a vote as I'm going to get! As last year, she is the only player in the league's Top 10 in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Remember, she is the only person in WNBA history ever to do it ... and she's doing it for a third season. What's more, though, besides the fact that she is leading the league's top team at this point, is that her numbers are even better than the last two seasons --- and she is averaging fewer minutes!

The former Sting players are paying dividends. Tammy Sutton-Brown has been honored with her second All-Star appearance, and through much of the first half, she has led the league in field goal percentage. Rightly so, she has started 18 games and is one of the Fever's key components. She has scored in double-figures in 11 of the past 12 games. Then there is Sheri Sam. I've written about her for the past week, but now I'll put some numbers with my words. She has played over 20 minutes in each of the past four games, and has averaged over 9.0 points in that time. She has shot nearly 50 percent overall (13-of-28) during that stretch, and is 5-of-9 from 3-point range. She has hit at least one 3-pointer in six straight games, including the game-winner in L.A. on July 5. She had a season-high seven rebounds in some very critical minutes in the win at Houston, and she posted a season-high three assists in tonight's win over the Liberty. Not bad for the team's ninth player in terms of average minutes!

Crowds are growing. Slowly, but surely. Tonight's announced crowd of 7,095 was a loud crowd, and they had lots to cheer about. Kids, families, sports fans and entertainment-goers of all ages are beginning to find the Fever this summer - and so long as the wins continue, so, too, should increased attendance. One attendance note that has always been consistent - Fever crowds have grown every season after the All-Star break. Whether it is because the playoffs draw bigger attention; whether it is because family vacations are mostly over; whether it is because Little League and soccer schedules begin to slow; or whether it's because family schedules begin to settle with the anticipation of school around the corner --- Fever crowds are always larger during late July and August. This year should be no different, though with the Fever on a "historic binge" as The Indianapolis Star wrote last week, numbers should be as high as any season on record.

Speaking of bigger and louder crowds - you'll want to be a part of next Wednesday's festivities! It is the Fever's annual Kids Day! And don't let me forget the sponsor - this year it is Applebee's Kids' Day! Already, all lower level and club level tickets have been sold, so the balcony has already been opened for the first time this summer. All remaining tickets are $10 for the 1 p.m. tipoff between the Fever and the Sky. Yes, it is Kids Day, so the volume will be constant. For me, it's one of the funnest days of the summer (nice to end a gameday when it's still light out!), and when the Fever win, the thousands of kids on a summer field trip are given a treat to remember.

If there were an award for GM of the Year, it would go to Kelly Krauskopf, hands down. What other team made such significant changes during its offseason? The WNBA title most certainly still goes through Detroit, that goes without saying. But Fever management has assembled a roster and a team that has earned four straight weeks atop the WNBA.com power rankings. Heading into the All-Star break, the Fever has earned the label of contender.

Coach of the Year? Brian Winters is not as automatic a selection as Krauskopf might be for a mythical GM award, but who can argue his success? Each of the past three years, he has been handed new players to mesh and mold. This year, besides new players, he has been given the task of balancing minutes and demands of a collection of veteran players - many of which could be starters on other teams. All he has done is win. In his fourth season, he is already sixth all-time in WNBA winning percentage. His teams won a franchise-record 21 games in each of 2005 and 2006, and this year his club seems poised to challenge many of the top records in league history. Should he win the award for what his teams did the past two seasons? No. Those seasons should not be considered. But despite his often quiet and mild-mannered approach, his success has been proven -- and his newest challenge has so far been answered by posting the league's best record. Bo Overton in Chicago, and Dan Hughes in San Antonio, must also receive consideration. There's a lot of ball to be played - but Winters' team is best at the midway point.

Sixth Man of the Year? I know, I know ... I used a male reference point. The term is commonplace. Everyone knows what I mean. And until there's a Sixth Woman of the Year award, for sake of this argument and this blog - we'll use the most common phraseology! Regardless of what we might call this second mythical award, Tan White is in a two-player race with Sacramento's Kara Lawson. Tan averages in double-figures in a very close scoring race with the Monarchs point guard. White would certainly win such an award in the East, and her status on the Fever bench (plus Sam and Sharp and Hoffman) has helped put the Fever in first place.

OK, time for this messenger to put away the laptop and pack for a morning flight. Enjoy your weekends, tune in to ABC on Sunday afternoon, and we'll see everyone back at the Fieldhouse on Wednesday afternoon!
KM

July 12, 2007

Free gas?
Best record in the WNBA?
Three All-Stars?
A sellout for Kids Day right after the All-Star break?

Alright, Fever fans - things are happening fast and the excitement is building. If you've been along for the ride since the season began, the fun should continue! And if you're returning from a summer vacation or just discovering the Indiana Fever - come along and enjoy the ride with the rest of us.

Tonight, the Fever hosts New York in a game that can mark a modest five-game win streak. It would, however, be the first five-game win streak in franchise history. It also is a valuable game for playoff positioning - a win would put the Fever at 8-3 against the East, the best of all teams. The game closes the season series with the Liberty, and a win would put Indiana at 3-1 against N.Y., thus securing any tiebreaker with the Libs, as well.

What is important, ultimately, is not how the Fever are faring prior to the All-Star break. Most important, obviously, is how the team is playing at the end of August. However - with what Indiana has accomplished thus far, and with the growing fan support and big events following the All-Star break, it is easy to anticipate more of the same in the second half of the season.

The Fever has played some of its most inspiring basketball of late, and some of its newer players - particularly Tammy Sutton-Brown and Sheri Sam - have played their best of the season. It is pleasing to see the improvements being made from those players, and the comfort with which the entire team has seemed to have playing with each other. Winning obviously facilitates good feelings among everyone involved -- but for an already talented team to begin playing better, together - it makes the forecast for the second half even more exciting.

Good luck to the Fever tonight. Good luck to the All-Stars in D.C., this weekend. And if you haven't gotten your tickets for next Wednesday's day game --- they're still available, even though you're likely to be watching from the upper level which will be opened for the first time this summer!
KM

July 10, 2007 (11:45 p.m. CT)

Wow. Two gut-check wins in a week, and in two places the Fever has never won before!

The Fever's 5th of July win at L.A. was a big win because Indiana overcame a bad offensive night, and still found a way to win - spurred by a number of late defensive stops and a winning 3-pointer by veteran Sheri Sam. Tonight, the Fever battled a team with superior quickness who has been greatly improved lately and gave Indiana its best game on its home floor. The Fever trailed throughout tonight's contest with the Comets, but never let the game get away - and when it counted most, again got key defensive stops and showed poise on the way to a win in Houston.

Not only are the Fever winning games, but they are winning games the way you would expect from a very deep, talented, veteran, championship-caliber team. Indiana is 14-4 after tonight's win ... but perhaps each of its last three road wins - at Washington, Los Angeles and Houston - would have slipped away in previous seasons without the late-game poise and key defensive stretches.

If the proverbial game balls are to be given to key efforts of late, you have to start with Catchings, of course. She had 23 points again tonight, with a pair of key 3-pointers to keep Houston from stretching its lead. And of course she had six boards, five assists and a pair of steals again. She's incredible. But beyond her play, Tammy Sutton-Brown played with a true All-Star effort early in tonight's game to keep the Fever in the game, and Tamika Whitmore hit big shots. As I mentioned in this evening's earlier blog, Sheri Sam off the bench was once again a big key, also, and Tan White was solid.

With continued good point guard play - zero turnovers in a combined 39 minutes by Bevilaqua and Sharp, and solid bench play, Indiana is playing well.

Thursday's game is big not only because it could mark the Fever's first-ever five-game win streak, but when looking ahead to standings and playoff scenarios, another win over an Eastern Conference opponent will help in any tiebreaker scenarios.

Thursday at 7 - see you at the Fieldhouse!
KM

July 10, 2007

A few days have gone by again, but the Fever has won twice more since my last entry.

The win at L.A., July 5, was a big win for two reasons. First, it was the franchise's first win ever at Staples Center. But second, the Fever struggled offensively throughout. It is always a good sign when you can get a win, especially on the road, when you don't play particularly well. To quote Brian Winters following the game, "we got the big shot when we needed it, and we escaped with a victory."

Escape might have been the best choice of words - but a win is a win. And the Fever moved to 12-4.

Sunday, the Fever jumped out with all cylinders clicking early, and dominated the Sky at Conseco Fieldhouse. Tamika Catchings' stats line was sick - a near triple-double, with seven steals for good measure - in just 26 minutes. She barely played during the fourth quarter and her career-high 11 assists helped put six different Indiana players in double figures for just the second time in history.

The Fever's depth has shown through within the past week, evidenced most notably by the recent play of Sheri Sam. Besides her late 3-pointer with 0:39 left in regulation to beat the Sparks, she has seen greater minutes, played more efficiently during those minutes, and provided the veteran leadership that was anticipated with her acquisition in January. Tan White continues to be one of the WNBA's best reserves, and Ebony Hoffman has consistently provided energy and rebounding off the bench.

The Fever plays two games in three nights, beginning with this evening's ESPN2 appearance in Houston (12 minutes before tip!). Thursday, Indiana returns to Conseco Fieldhouse for a final game before the All-Star break, hosting third-place New York at 7:00 p.m.

Fever fans have had lots to cheer about during the season's first half. The club's 13-4 mark matches the best ever by an Eastern Conference team at the midway point - since the league went to its 34-game schedule in 2003. And with it has come three All-Star selections. The team has performed well and the fans have done their part in helping the Fever be represented in Washington, D.C., at this weekend's All-Star events.

Give yourselves a pat on the back, Fever fans. We'll look for you on Thursday at the Fieldhouse, and hope you'll help carry us throughout the second half of the season, too!
KM

July 5, 2007

Happy 4th of July!

OK, I'll admit, I'm writing this on the morning of the 5th ... I had planned to write yesterday about what some of the Fever players did with their "holiday," but I didn't know soon enough to write anything!

So ... with the three-hour time difference from Indiana, would you believe the Fever arrived in L.A. just before 8 a.m. on Wednesday? We left at 7 a.m. from Indy, and our flight got in early! We were scheduled for practice at 9:30, at the Lakers and Sparks practice facility, but we arrived so early the place wasn't open yet! We waited on the bus for about 20 minutes before we were allowed to unload and change clothes from traveling.

Practice was followed by check-in at the hotel in Marina del Ray, and from there, players and coaches had the rest of their 4th of July free. Most players opted to spend some afternoon hours at the beach - which, I'm also told was one of the best places for fireworks observers last night, too.

Ebony Hoffman's whole family resides in L.A., so she obviously spent time with parents, siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews and her whole clan! I know that Ann Strother and Alison Bales spent time with one of Strother's friends who lives in L.A. Personally, I attended the L.A. Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves baseball game (5-2, Braves) with a longtime friend of mine who, would you believe - is named Alison Bale. Not kidding. True story. Imagine that!

It's 9 a.m. Pacific time, as I write, and the team will conduct a walk-through for tonight's game from a ballroom downstairs in our hotel. The drive to Staples Center is nearly an hour, or more, through L.A. traffic, so this has been an annual practice for the Fever on its L.A. trip. In most cities, shooting practice the morning of the game is conducted at the arena. Occasionally, though, Fever coaches will opt for simplicity and go over plays and game-planning from the hotel. It is also a common practice on back-to-back travel dates when time and rest both are tight.

The last two times the Fever did its film and game-planning session from its hotel this year - at Chicago and at Detroit - the Fever came away victorious. Let's hope the plan works tonight, again!
KM

July 3, 2007

Congratulations to Tamika Catchings and Anna DeForge! Both were named as starters for the 2007 All-Star Game, as announced earlier this evening during the ESPN2 telecast between Los Angeles and Seattle.

For Anna, it's a first - her first appearance and obviously her first selection by the fans as an All-Star starter. For Catchings, it's becoming old hat, but in her own words, making the All-Star Team "never stops making me smile!"

Tamika was the East's leading vote-getter for the third straight season. Since her rookie campaign in 2002, Catchings has been voted as a starter in each of the league's five All-Star games. The only year without an All-Star Game, 2004, was the year that DeForge was honored as a WNBA selection in the "exhibition substitute" to the All-Star Game!

That year, because of the Olympics, there was no All-Star event. However, before the U.S. Olympic Team left for Athens, Greece, there was an exhibition game at Radio City Music Hall, featuring a WNBA Select Team against Team USA. Essentially, it was one WNBA All-Star Team against another ... but not really! DeForge, then with Phoenix and one of the league's hottest shooters, was a member of that Select Team.

For Anna, it's a great honor. Though her selection surprised even her! With three days before balloting closed, the WNBA released balloting totals which listed her fifth among East guards. More than 60,000 votes and just three days later, DeForge moved up three places and became a starter!

Equally surprising, though, is Detroit center Kara Braxton's landslide victory as the East center. Not to dismiss her candidacy, but the first-time All-Star and 6.3-points-per-game-Braxton finished a whopping 42,638 votes ahead of the nearest challenger, Indiana's Tammy Sutton-Brown. No race at any other position, East or West, was as lopsided. Never mind who won, or finished second or third - the unexplainable margin is what jumps off the page!

As for reserves behind the All-Indiana-and-Detroit starting lineup, six additional players will be chosen by coaches. Those will be announced on Monday, July 9. Sutton-Brown and Tamika Whitmore, a 2006 reserve, both are top considerations to earn selections by the coaches - but with Katie Smith, Alana Beard, Candice Dupree, Asjha Jones, Chasity Melvin, Margo Dydek and 2006 All-Star MVP Katie Douglas also to be considered - I won't venture into any predictions!

Congrats again to Tamika and Anna - it marks the first time in Fever history that Indiana has had two All-Star starters selected by the fans. Congrats to the Fever fans for seeing the fruits of their labors revealed - not only did a pair make the starting lineup, but Sutton-Brown and Whitmore were next in line at their respective positions, by fan balloting. And congrats to the Fever - should a third or fourth player earn an All-Star berth, it will be the most Fever players ever to appear in an All-Star Game.

Enjoy your 4th of July holiday. With the help of a three-hour time difference, the Fever will arrive in L.A. at approximately 8:30 a.m., before practicing at the Lakers' and Sparks' practice facility about 9:45. Players and coaches likely will casually enjoy the rest of their afternoon and evening, before rising Thursday morning and preparing for the game at Staples Center.

I'll check-in again from L.A.!
KM

July 3, 2007

The WNBA has no weekly AP or coaches poll, as America sports junkies have become accustomed to in the college ranks, but what it does have is a weekly power rankings as selected by the staff of WNBA.com. ESPN.com does a similar rankings tabulation.

So, why is this significant today?

On one hand, it's really not. Except that, by comparison, it is worth noting that the Indiana Fever has topped the weekly WNBA.com power rankings for three successive weeks, now. And it's also the first time in its history that the Fever has ever been ranked No. 1 in this poll.

Really, it means nothing in the grand scheme of things, but it is just one more indicator that the Fever is being recognized this season as a credible and legitimate contender. Not just a playoff team, mind you, but a contender. A title contender. A contender to reach the WNBA Finals. What is significant is that, while I'm the PR guy writing about it in this blog, I'm writing about what other people are saying outside of the Fever organization.

THAT is what is significant!

After losses in three of its last four games, Detroit has actually fallen a notch to No. 3, while Sacramento has risen to the No. 2 position. Western Conference upstart San Antonio has been impressive in the first half of the season and risen to No. 4.

For those of you reading this blog on Tuesday evening - be sure to check out tonight's WNBA featured game on ESPN2 - Los Angeles at Seattle. At halftime, the WNBA All-Star teams will be announced. We'll have more coverage here on FeverBasketball.com following the announcement.

And then it will be off to L.A., early Wednesday morning, at 7:00 a.m.!

Happy 4th of July, Fever fans! The Fever will celebrate during its evening on the West Coast, and hope to find fireworks of its own on Thursday night, seeking that very elusive first win ever at Staples Center!
KM

July 1, 2007

July is here and the WNBA season is heating up!

The Fever arrived into D.C. mid-afternoon on Saturday and practiced at Verizon Center. With the early start this afternoon (4:00 p.m.), the team passed on a morning shooting practice and took extra shooting when it arrived to the arena earlier today, about 1:45.

As I noted yesterday, today's game is indeed a tough one. The Mystics are perhaps the league's hottest team at the moment. USA Today basketball editor Oscar Dixon noted earlier this year that, "when you have more Olympians than victories," something's wrong - referring to the Mystics' 0-8 start. But after a trade and coaching change, the club seems to have settled ... and has won 5 of 7 coming into today's game.

Besides defending the Mystics in transition, the Fever needs to curtail some of its turnovers - a problem which has been steady throughout this season. The Fever is trying to create more offense this year in its own transition - turning steals, defensive stops and rebounds into points of its own - and that, in part, has contributed to a more up-tempo pace and thus a few more turnovers. That's understandable with the tempo being played. But Indiana averages 17.4 turnovers per game, up from 15.5 a year ago, one of the lowest figures in the league. The Fever has turned the ball over more than 17 times in six of its last seven games.

Looking briefly to the Fever's schedule this week, the team will arrive in Indy late this evening, boarding a flight out of Dulles International Airport at 9:45 p.m. Monday will be an off day for the team. Tuesday's practice will be followed by Wednesday's 4th of July departure to Los Angeles, for Thursday's game with the Sparks.
KM

June 30, 2007

It's late June, not late November; and the Fever suffered a nasty defeat less than 12 hours ago - but this morning I am thankful.

Thankful? Yes.

No, not for last night's loss and I'll touch on that in a moment. But thankful for today's uncharacteristically normal wake-up call and bus! As opposed to the ordinary 6 or 7 a.m. bus, and my 4:30 or 5:30 wakup call - today's bus is at 8:15 from the Mohegan Sun Arena and Casino. And thus, I have a few extra moments to spare ... to provide that daily blog update that I promised!

OK ... back to last night. With the 72-67 loss to the Sun, Indiana fell to 10-4, though maintained its pace just one game behind Detroit, coupled with the Shock's loss at Washington. Besides a chance to gain a tie with the Shock, the loss could be more concerning than just a missed opportunity.

First, it was a bad loss. An early 15-point lead blown, costly and needless unforced turnovers again, and a transition defense that was, well, at times offensive.

Second, it puts the Fever in a tough situation on Sunday, at Washington, against a team that has played remarkably of late. The Mystics have won 5 of 7 while averaging over 90 points in their last five games, and last night scrapped from behind to upend the Shock. The Mystics are good. Forget their 0-8 beginning amidst some turmoil, a trade and a coaching change. The Mystics, let's not forget, are led by a virtual All-Star contingent of Alana Beard, Monique Currie, Delisha Milton-Jones and Nikki Teasley.

If the Fever's transition defense was tested Friday night ... its next test will arrive in just 36 hours at the Verizon Center.

Indiana is by no means in a "must-win" situation. But the Fever is just 2-3 in its last five games, with another substantial road test awaiting them.

OK, departure time is now just 15 minutes away. Time to close. We'll discuss more of the team and its travels when we arrive in the nation's capital.
KM

June 29, 2007

The last time that I blogged just before a road game, we won. So, ok Fever fans, here goes again! Only this time, with an apology attached -- it's been two weeks since my last entry!

With that note in mind, I'll make this the first of numerous daily entries all the way through our next home game - July 8! At least once per day ... check back often, and make sure to be in your seats when the Fever returns to Conseco Fieldhouse against the vastly improved Chicago Sky, one week from Sunday.

Speaking briefly of the Sky - congrats to Tamika Catchings' sister, Tauja. Tauja, a former Illinois Miss Basketball and an All-Big Ten performer at the University of Illinois, has taken over duties this year as the radio color analyst for the Sky. She was a communications major in college and has found a way to stay active in the game, besides just rooting for her sister!

OK, back to the Fever.

Tonight's game pits the Fever against an uncharacteristically struggling Sun squad that has lost 8 of its last 9 games. That one victory, though, came at Conseco Fieldhouse against the Fever. So there will be no looking past the perennial powerhouse Sun tonight at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Looking out in front of me, Katie Douglas, formerly of Perry Meridian High School and Purdue University, is knocking down threes in pre-game warmup. She had a career-high against the Fever on June 22. She will be a primary target of the Indiana defense tonight.

The Fever has played well in spurts recently, and still is second in the East behind Detroit. Detroit is currently 11-2, followed by the Fever at 10-3. Sustaining effort and intensity over longer periods has been a chief concern the past two weeks - evidenced by losses to Phoenix and Connecticut, despite significant leads. Here is a stat which the Fever would like to change. In the fourth quarter of its 13 games thus far, opponents have outscored Indiana seven times. Not good.

Douglas is now shaking hands with fellow Purdue alum Jane Schott, as the clock crawls beneath two minutes before tip. Good luck to Chris and Jane on the broadcast, and to Katie, and most of all, to the Fever!

Time for tipoff.
KM

June 16, 2007

Five minutes before 7 p.m., ET, and the game clock reads 37:48, 37:47, 37:46 ... as time ticks down to the Fever's matchup in Detroit against the Shock.

Unfortunately, so far as records and standings are concerned, Indiana fell short last night against the Mercury, absorbing its second loss in 10 games this season. Was the Fever already looking ahead to tonight's battle against Detroit - the matchup that has been anticipated for over a week? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Hard to tell. And if the players' minds had looked past Phoenix, last night's result was deserved.

The Fever is good this year, there is no doubt in that assessment. But on any given evening in the WNBA, one team can beat another, and sub-quality efforts won't win games. Even for teams that might have more top-to-bottom talent.

Tonight, on paper, might indeed present that matchup of the league's two best teams. It's hard for me to write that. It's definitely too early in the season to make such statements and surely there are a lot of teams the Fever has yet to face in 2007. But speaking strictly about the names and statistics and lineups on paper - yes, Detroit and Indiana are probably the deepest teams in the WNBA.

Tonight's bout at The Palace of Auburn Hills (now 31:35 from tip) also is a rematch of last year's first-round playoff series, won by Detroit, 2-0. No matter what the matchups say on paper, the Shock is the defending champion; the Shock, 7-0, is still unbeaten; and the Shock shutout the Fever in last year's playoff series. The road to a title most certainly goes through Detroit, and Indiana needs to win games before thinking about aspirations of its own championship.

Tonight, perhaps, is a beginning.

Regardless of tonight's outcome, Indiana will be either 9-2 or 8-3 with six days to prepare for next Friday's home game with Connecticut. A third of the season will already be in the books, and the Fever will have learned volumes during its past eight games, in just 14 days. The Fever will finish with at least five wins during those eight games. It's two losses so far (at New York and vs. Phoenix) taught lessons to the team that, yes, is deep in talent, but also had some maturing to do.

In this messenger's opinion, tonight's game might have more to do with bragging rights than anything. Neither a win, nor a loss, will carry much weight with regard to standings or morale. Perhaps most of all, tonight's game can begin to answer a question asked around the WNBA - is Indiana ready to battle toe-to-toe with the big boys on the block?

O.K., now - now it's your turn, fans! And it's still Fever vs. Shock! I'm talking about All-Star balloting and the current ballot battle being waged between the fine cities of Detroit and Indianapolis. First returns had three Shock players in the starting lineup, with Indiana's two Tamikas both as starters. The Fever's Tammy Sutton-Brown was second to the Shock's Kara Braxton, and Indiana's Tully Bevilaqua and Anna DeForge were third and fourth at guards, behind Detroit's Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith.

No joking around here -- if you are reading this blog, then your rightful obligation as a Fever fan is to
click here (right now, do it!),
and vote Fever! In fact, come back tomorrow. And the next day. And the next. Vote daily! Balloting extends through June 24. Keep voting, and vote daily!

Game clock now reads 10:15, 10:14, 10:13 ... and word has just come down that Cheryl Ford won't play tonight - she was evidently injured during the final sequence of last night's game with the Sun.
KM

June 13, 2007

Nice work, Fever fans!

Now keep voting!

In balloting results announced yesterday by the WNBA, Tamika Catchings is the WNBA's leading vote-getter for the 2007 WNBA All-Star Game. No surprise there, but a nice job by Fever and WNBA fans, nonetheless.

Impressive, though, is that all five Fever starters are currently listed among the top four of balloting at their respective positions! And, if balloting ceased today, Catchings and Tamika Whitmore both would be starters in the July 15 All-Star event in Washington, D.C.! Whitmore, selected as a reserve to her first All-Star Game last summer, is currently second in balloting for Eastern Conference forwards.

Running a close second at the center position is veteran Tammy Sutton-Brown, behind Detroit center Kara Braxton. C'mon Fever fans ... let's see if we can't get at least three Fever stars into the starting lineup!

Anna DeForge and Tully Bevilaqua are currently third and fourth, behind the Shock's Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith.

Balloting extends through June 24. Keep voting, and vote daily!
KM

June 12, 2007

The original "8 games in 14 days" has now been reduced to three games in four days - beginning Wednesday when the Fever hosts Seattle. Locally, of course, that means the return of Indy native and former Purdue star Katie Gearlds, and of course WNBA stars Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson.

The Fever looked solid in its win over New York on Sunday, avenging its only defeat of the year. The principal difference for Indiana was probably the success of its play in the post - notably Tammy Sutton-Brown and Tamika Whitmore. Sutton-Brown matched career-highs with 22 points and 13 rebounds, with Whitmore striking for a season-high 22. Most notable for Sutton-Brown and the Fever, though, was her ability to avoid foul trouble.

That has been Sutton-Brown's Achilles' heel this season. Too many fouls, therefore too few minutes, and thus the Fever's inability so far to put to use their new weapon via free agency. When she is in the game for extended periods, though, Indiana is indeed a contender and a tough team to beat.

I could write about a lot of things, being that it's been a week since my last entry, but I'll venture from Sutton-Brown and post play to the player of the week honor for Tamika Catchings. What a great week she had! Big plays at big times. Without even going into her statistics for the week, take note of just two instances:

At Washington last Friday, the Fever held a lead throughout the contest. The Mystics came back to knot the score at 55 with about three minutes to play. Catchings, though, put the Fever on her back and Indiana thwarted the comeback. Catchings scored eight of her game-high 24 points down the stretch, including a pair of clutch 3-pointers.

Back home on Sunday, Indiana maintained a 15-20 point lead most of the game. New York drew within 10, though, with about four minutes remaining, with Catchings on the bench. At 65-55, Catchings was re-inserted with 3:49 to go - and the Liberty never scored again.

Be it on offense or defense, Catchings is everywhere and seemingly a part of every play. And we've said that about her for years. But this year, with greater talent around her and the inability of opponents to constantly double- and triple-team her, Catchings is shining bright. Her averages in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals all are about the same - and of course, she's in the WNBA top ten in just about everything. But this year - note the difference. She is playing fewer and fewer minutes. She averages 34.6 minutes per game through her career, but this year she is just over 30.0.

Same averages, fewer minutes, and leading one of the league's top contenders. Sounds like an argument for MVP.

Speaking of MVP candidates and former MVP candidates, and a former college teammate of Catchings' - sad news last night with the announced retirement of Chamique Holdsclaw. A blow to the Sparks. We wish her well in her future.
KM

June 6, 2007

Three games in four days is always fun! It really is - that's when it's all about basketball. But the hard part is the travel and literally no breaks in between games and travel.

The Fever opened the current stretch with an ugly win Sunday over Washington, then traveled Monday afternoon to New York. After a two-hour delay for weather at the Indianapolis airport, the team got off the ground and into the hotel in New York at about 8 p.m., just in time for a bite to eat and some rest, and on to game day activities on Tuesday.

It's now Wednesday - and Fever coaches and players are glad that Tuesday is behind them!

My concern, as both an onlooker as well as the team's PR rep, is that the Fever has now played two straight games with sub-standard results. Granted, Indiana beat the Mystics on Sunday, but not without some really sloppy numbers - a franchise-record 29 turnovers and a WNBA-record 13-and-a-half minute stretch to start the game without a field goal. Frankly, Indiana probably deserved to lose that game, also.

Tonight, the Fever hosts a Houston team that is struggling itself - minus Sheryl Swoopes to injury, a new coach, new ownership and a mostly new lineup. Familiar faces will be Tina Thompson and Michelle Snow - and fans can expect Thompson and Snow to account for about 40-50 percent of the Comets' offense.

Eight games in 14 days continues:

Sunday night (6/3) - ugly home victory over Washington.

Monday afternoon (6/4) - a scheduled 3:30 p.m. flight to LaGuardia, that didn't leave before 5:30.

Tuesday (6/5) - morning shooting practice before the new-look Liberty outclassed the Fever at MSG.

Wednesday (6/6) - a 5:10 a.m. bus from the hotel, a one-hour flight delay, and finally back to Indy at 10:30 this morning. The team will report to the arena tonight at 5:00, for a 7:00 tip with Houston, and its third game in four days.

Thursday (6/7) - practice is scheduled for 11:30, after which another plane is boarded for Washington, D.C.

Friday (6/8) - practice and play in the nation's capital - the Fever's fourth game in three cities and six days.

Saturday (6/9) - another plane ride, this time the Fever's last for a week.

Sunday (6/10) - Breast Health Awareness Night when the Fever hosts the rematch with the Liberty, in the first of three straight home games.

The Fever will get an off day on the 11th, before playing Seattle on the 13th, when it's back to three games in four days again - Phoenix at home on the 15th, and a back-to-back date at Detroit, on the 16th.
KM

June 3, 2007

It's Game Day!

The Fever hosts the Mystics tonight (6:00 p.m. at Conseco Fieldhouse), in an attempt to begin 4-0 for the second straight season. The Fever has started at least 3-0 now for the third straight season - with each of the last two years resulting in playoff bids.

Can the Fever hit the 4-0 mark again this year? Can they surpass it? Stay tuned ... that's why they play the games!

Eclipsing the 4-0 barrier this year would mean not only its best start to a season in its history, but also the longest win streak in franchise history. The Fever has had three different four-game win streaks in its history. A win tonight against the Mystics would be the fourth. But never has the Fever won five straight.

A win tonight would also spell a Tuesday matchup against the surprising and (prior to its Sunday home game vs. Phoenix) equally-as-unbeaten Liberty. Both teams are currently 3-0 with games on Sunday evening ... so perhaps this blog is jumping the gun a bit, but the possible pairing with another WNBA unbeaten, at Madison Square Garden of all places, is intriguing.

Besides, with eight games in 14 days, there is lots that is going to happen in a short amount of time! Let's take a look at the week ahead:

Sunday night (6/3) - home against Washington.

Monday afternoon (6/4) - a scheduled 3:30 flight to LaGuardia.

Tuesday (6/5) - morning shooting practice before the Fever and new-look Liberty tip at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday (6/6) - first flight out of LaGuardia at 6:59 a.m., no, that is not a typo! Back to Indy at 9:30, and the team will report to the arena late that afternoon for a 7:00 tip with Houston, and its third game in four days.

Thursday (6/7) - practice is scheduled for 11:30, after which another plane is boarded for Washington, D.C.

Friday (6/8) - practice and play in the nation's capital - the Fever's fourth game in three cities and six days.

Saturday (6/9) - another plane ride, this time the Fever's last for a week.

Sunday (6/10) - Breast Health Awareness Night when the Fever hosts the rematch with the Liberty, in the first of three straight home games.

June 1, 2007

OK, Fever fans, here goes - time for a little self promotion! Not me - Fever promotion!

First, it's that time of year to vote for your favorite Fever stars for representation in the 2007 WNBA All-Star Game! Fans can vote daily - and your Fever stars are depending on you! Vote every day before you have your morning coffee; vote when you return to your computer following lunch each day; vote before you shutdown your computer each day; vote at home before you go to bed at night - just vote!

Last season, Tamika Catchings was the leading vote-getter in the entire WNBA, and besides being a reflection of her wonderful skills and talent, it also is a tribute to Fever fans. While Catchings has been on the East All-Star Team every year since 2002, though, Fever fans need to do their part to recognize the bevy of talent which is carrying this 2007 season! Vote Whitmore! Vote Sutton-Brown! Vote DeForge! Vote Bevilaqua! Vote Fever!

Indiana's "Drive for All Five" continues through June 24 - get our Fever stars in the game!

OK, my second shameless promotional cry is to call for Fever fans to get active on the Fever website and the WNBA's new promotional component - Fan Voice. Fans from across the WNBA can engage and interact with each other across all WNBA team and league websites, including FeverBasketball.com. Fans can enter their own profile, and participate in forums and discussions about their favorite players; last night's big play; Fever successes and disappointments; who got robbed in All-Star balloting; who's going to win the East; who has the best new uniforms; who should be Player and Coach of the Year, and on and on. It's the time for your voices to be heard, Fever fans!

And while you're making your voices heard ... be sure to be at Conseco Fieldhouse this Sunday, and make your voices heard when the Fever hosts the Mystics. Indiana is 3-0 currently, and hoping to remain unbeaten as it travels to N.Y., Tuesday, against the yet-unblemished Liberty!

Trivia note from the PR guy - never before in WNBA history have two unbeaten teams met head-to-head with more than two wins.
KM

May 28, 2007

The Fever has greatly increased its size and improved its overall weaponry. Who benefits most by this combination?

Through two games at least, Tamika Catchings and Tan White have been quick to welcome the changes in the Fever's minor, yet significant, reconstruction.

Adding 6-4 former All-Star Tammy Sutton-Brown and 6-7 rookie Alison Bales has changed the way an already talented lineup can play the game offensively. Nevermind the fact that the pair of shot blockers is being added to the WNBA's top defensive unit from the past two years! Sutton-Brown commands a defender - she has hit 7-of-8 shots to begin the year, and is a proven offensive threat in the post. Bales, by her size alone, must draw a defender and her ability to shoot the jumper can pull a defending post player away from the basket.

The result? More room for Catchings to accelerate, and more room for White to operate.

Catchings can't always be automatically double-teamed when she crosses midcourt. And White, ultra-quick and as excellent a passer as she is a scorer, will no longer have to navigate through a crowd. A criticism against White during her first two seasons has been her inability to control the basketball - far too often driving too deep into a crowd and losing the ability to dish or shoot, and thus giving the ball back to a Fever opponent. Now, however, those crowds have dissipated. The Fever's posts now command more individual attention, and Indiana's additional weapons require defenses to spread the floor to cover them. Inside-outside ball movement has created more flow and open looks to the basket.

White's value has shone through the Fever's first two games - a game-high 17 points off the bench in a season-opening win over Minnesota and another nine points and three assists against Los Angeles. She averages 13.0 points and 3.0 assists, in 21.0 minutes per game (compared to 8.9 ppg and 1.5 apg, in 21.9 mpg in 2006).

Catchings, always one to fill a box score regardless of how she is covered, leads the Fever with 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. What's different from any other year, you ask? Take note of her minutes played. She used to average in a range of 33-36 minutes per game during the last five seasons. She has posted those numbers, including a career-high pace for assists, while playing just 28 minutes in each of two games. She is generating the same numbers in less time, brought by greater productivity and efficiency.

The season is young. It will be interesting to see how those numbers evolve.

Speaking of numbers and minutes played (and balance and depth), how about the fact that no Fever player has played as many as 30 minutes through two games so far? At least nine players have earned double-figure minutes in each game to date, and 10 different players have garnered minutes in double digits at least once.

A final observation before boarding Monday's 3:30 flight to Minnesota for the season's third game, in Minneapolis (ESPN2, 7:00 p.m. ET) Tuesday night. A quick glance over league statstics shows the Fever leading the league in fewest turnovers. OK, that's a carry over from year's past, thanks to Tully Bevilaqua and K.B. Sharp. But then take a look at field goal percentage - Indiana is currently first (big, big change from 10th last season and 13th in 2005)!

Again, stats are just two-games old for Indiana, so let's take them with a grain of salt ... but that sort of offensive efficiency, combined with Indiana's defense-first mentality, is a recipe sure to provide headaches for opponents this summer.
KM

May 21, 2007

It is now official - the complete Fever roster is intact and all 12 players practiced together for the first time on Monday morning.

Sheri Sam, the last of the 12 to arrive, touched down in Indy on Sunday night, and arrived at Conseco Fieldhouse for the first time this morning. She worked out during the team's morning practice and is slated to play on Thursday against Los Angeles.

Though the Fever played L.A. just over a week ago (May 10) in a preseason game, both rosters should be significantly upgraded for Thursday's game. The Fever have added Sam, plus Tamika Whitmore and Tammy Sutton-Brown. Headlining the Sparks' cast of late arrivals is perennial All-Star candidate Chamique Holdsclaw.

Here is a trivia question leading into Thursday's contest, featuring a pair of head coaches who both have played and coached in the NBA. Brian Winters and Michael Cooper never played on the same team in the NBA, and though Winters did play one season with the Lakers, he and Cooper were four years apart. What do their NBA careers have in common?

Both were drafted by the Lakers. Winters was a first-round selection in the 1974 NBA Draft. Cooper was a third-round selection in 1978.
KM

May 20, 2007

The first win is in the books, and hopefully it will be first of many to come!

Certainly the pieces seem to be in place for Indiana, which coasted to Saturday night's 83-64 win over the Lynx. It was good to see Tammy Sutton-Brown in her new No. 8 Fever uniform - and nice to see the effect of her jet lag from Turkey resulted in a perfect 4-for-4 shooting from the field, plus a perfect three free throws. Eleven points and two blocks barely 24 hours into her return from overseas wasn't too bad! She arrived in Indy about 7:30 p.m., Friday night. She participated in the Fever's shooting practice on Saturday.

Sutton-Brown was chosen as the player of the game for the WIBC radio broadcast and, while I had barely met her myself, she had yet to meet Chris Denari and Jane Schott, whose broadcast position this year has been moved to an upper press area in Section 16. She waved and said hello during her interview. And right afterward, she signed a couple of autographs at courtside, during which she said to me, "I'm going to have to remember to sign #8, now!"

During six years in Charlotte, Tammy wore No. 55. It's ironic that Sheri Sam has always worn No. 55, also, When Sam went to Charlotte, it was Sheri that had to change jersey numbers. Now, with Sheri signed with Indiana prior to Sutton-Brown, it's Tammy's turn to switch jersey digits! Lots of changes for Tammy during her first 24 hours ... we are looking forward to watching No. 8 settle in and become another Fever fan favorite!

Overall, general impressions after Saturday's game were about as expected - the Fever are certainly bigger and they have more weapons.

One observation I'll make, in particular. I thought ball movement was impressive, especially given that so many players were new. It was also a product of those two things I just alluded two, size and more weapons. First, there are lots of options for the Fever, during any combination of lineups. And second - boy did that size make a difference moving the ball around! I am not certain I recall seeing a Fever game with as much ball movement back-and-forth from perimeter to post, and particularly when the "bigs" were passing from one to another. I think both of Alison Bales' baskets came on high-post dishes from Sutton-Brown.

In recent years, the Fever has often struggled against zone defenses. It was tough for the Fever to find its smaller post players inside, and opposing defenses didn't respect Indiana's scoring ability inside. This year, some of that should certainly change - and the result should be more open looks inside and outside.
KM

May 16, 2007

Full-steam ahead for Saturday night and the Fever's 2007 opening game!

Tamika Whitmore arrived in Indianapolis on Monday evening and, following the team's triumphant return on a late night (early morning?) bus from Chicago, she rejoined her teammates at practice on Wednesday. Whit seems fit and ready to go at it again for another season. If the Fever gets another All-Star performance from the 6-2 forward, added to Catchings and DeForge and the interior post additions - watch out!

Sheri Sam and Tammy Sutton-Brown have concluded their seasons in Turkey and hopefully still may be active for the Fever in Saturday's opener.

As for other roster news Wednesday, Kelly Krauskopf and Brian Winters made their final cuts this afternoon, two days ahead of Friday's 3 p.m., league-imposed deadline. Jessica Dickson and Jennifer Humphrey both were waived following Wednesday's workout, leaving Indiana with a 12-player roster for the start of the regular season.

Top draft pick Alison Bales has proven her worth so far in the preseason, at the very least providing the imposing interior presence the Fever has lacked. While Kasha Terry started Tuesday night's game in Chicago, Bales was called upon for nearly 29 minutes of action due to Terry's foul trouble, and the absence of Ebony Hoffman. In consecutive first half possessions, she recorded two blocks on each trip down the floor. She had five blocks by halftime, prompting assistant coach Lin Dunn to joke at the scorer's table, "What's the WNBA record for blocks in the first half?" [The answer is seven, by the way.]

How about this thought - could the Fever possibly lead the WNBA in blocks in 2007? After finishing 14th in 2006, it's not out of the question. Sutton-Brown is eighth in WNBA history for career blocks, and, on the same night that Bales had seven in Chicago, Sutton-Brown had six in the Turkish league finals.

Finally, hats off to Ann Strother, for enduring a Fever training camp which was known from the start to be deep in talent. The Fever entered camp with essentially just one spot up for grabs. Strother, though a veteran by definition, had only eight WNBA games under her belt. She was consistent through the preseason, and was a solid contributor. She finished with 15 points in the preseason opener. She had eight in the loss to L.A., and she finished with six aginst Chicago. Beyond just points, she was steady and received quality minutes when games have been on the line. What's more, she shot 9-of-18 in the preseason overall, and was 6-of-11 from 3-point range. Her 29 points in three preseason games for the Fever was second only to Tamika Catchings.

In less than 72 hours, the 2007 season will officially be underway!
KM

May 15, 2007 (6:58 p.m. CT)

OK, 15 minutes until tip tonight ... just a few notes to update from this afternoon.

First, congratulations to Tammy Sutton-Brown, former Fever star Linda Frohlich and their Fenerbahce team. Fenerbahce outlasted Besiktas earlier today in Istanbul, 59-57. Cappie Pondexter of the Phoenix Mercury led Fenerbahce in scoring. Frohlich had nine points, Sutton-Brown had five points, eight boards and six blocks. For Besiktas, Sam was the star but it was not enough to overcome a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit. Sam finished with a game-high 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Their arrival to Indy is still pending, though it is possible that one or both could play in Saturday's opener!

Tonight's starting lineup - Tully Bevilaqua and Tan White at the guards; Anna DeForge will fill one forward position, with Tamika Catchings at power forward. Second-year center Kasha Terry will start in the post.

The Fever will bus back to Indy this evening, and will practice Wednesday following the Rally on the Circle at noon. The league's final cut-down date is 3 p.m. ET on Friday, May 18.

Tipoff is now just five minutes away!
KM

May 15, 2007 (11:30 a.m. CT)

Opening Night is just five days away! It has been a few days since my last blog, but here are some random notes and observations as I sit watching the Fever practice this morning at UIC Pavilion, in Chicago!

On this week's activities - don't forget the Fever's Rally on the Circle on Wednesday! The Fever prize wheel will be spinning on Monument Circle from noon to 1:30, and fans can also shoot baskets for tickets to Saturday night's opening game! And of course, what good would I be doing without mentioning that tickets are available for Saturday's game with the Lynx? Fans can purchase tickets during Wednesday's Rally, as well as online here at FeverBasketball.com. Tamika Catchings, Tully Bevilaqua, Ebony Hoffman and Tamika Whitmore will be available for autographs and photos on Wednesday, from 12:30 to 1.

Whitmore? Yes! Tamika Whitmore has arrived in Indy, but isn't with the team for tonight's game. Her schedule in Russia concluded last week and she arrived in Indianapolis on Monday. Whit will practice with the club on Wednesday afternoon at Conseco Fieldhouse. Remember the last time she donned a Fever uniform? For those that don't, check the WNBA Record Book, under playoff scoring. Remember now? Whitmore's 41 points in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs, at Detroit, 8/19/06, set a WNBA playoff record. Unfortunately, it also was the deciding game as the Shock continued its march toward last year's "W" crown.

Where are the rest of the veterans? Right about now, Sheri Sam and Tammy Sutton-Brown are squaring off in a deciding seventh game of the Turkish finals, in Istanbul. Sutton-Brown and Fenerbahce took a 3-2 series lead last Thursday, but Sam and Besiktas evened the series on Saturday night. As I sit courtside in Chicago, with Lin Dunn instructing Fever defensive schemes on the opposite end of the court, the Turkish live stats module says Game 7 is about to tipoff.

More importantly for Fever fans - when will Sam and Sutton-Brown, the Fever's two newest stars, arrive in Indy? Possibly by the 17th or 18th of May, at the earliest. This guy's opinion is that it's doubtful they would play against Minnesota, unless they've arrived in time at least for a Friday practice. Stay tuned ...

Here are a few very random observations on last Saturday's loss to the Sparks:
- Rookies Jessica Dixon and Alison Bales both earned their first preseason starts ... Dickson, who attended her college graduation the previous week and missed the Seattle game, has shown great quickness and the ability to score the ball through training camp ... against the Sparks, however, she missed her first seven shots and finished the game with two points ... Bales, on the other hand, finished with eight points and three blocks, and was integral during Indiana's fourth-quarter comeback efforts ...

- K.B. Sharp has continued her impressive play in the preseason, picking up right where she left off in the French league this winter ... while giving Tully Bevilaqua a rest, Sharp entered the game at 5:22 in the first quarter - earlier than in any game last season ... she had four points in the first quarter, and in two preseason games, she has 14 points and seven assists ... last season, she totaled 22 points and 23 assists total ...

- Tan White made her first preseason appearance against the Sparks ... she hit a 3-pointer with 1:23 left in the first period, and finished with seven points ...

- Fever coaches used multiple lineups throughout the game with L.A. ... included among the varied lineups was one quintet that featured rookie Jennifer Humphrey with Tan White, Ann Strother, Kasha Terry and Sharp ...

- Strother, who started and scored 15 points against Seattle, came off the bench to contribute eight points against the Sparks ... she hit both shots including a 3-pointer, and both free throws ... perhaps most telling was that Strother played through the entire fourth quarter with Indiana battling from behind ...

- Tully Bevilaqua started the game, but played sparingly as Brian Winters played his entire roster ... Anna DeForge, back from Poland, did not play until the third period, scoring eight points in just six minutes ...

- Ebony Hoffman had seven points and a game-high nine rebounds in the loss ... adjusting to her new role, she also hit a 3-pointer, her first in two seasons with the Fever ...

One final note for tonight's game in Chicago, the Fever will play without Hoffman ... the fourth-year Fever star was taken to the hospital during last Saturday's practice when she received a blow to the throat, bruising her vocal cords ... she is resting fine, now, and will play in Saturday's opener, but has been kept out of contact since the accident.
KM

May 9, 2007

The Fever roster is finally beginning to take shape!

Tan White arrived in Indianapolis on Monday evening, and Anna DeForge arrived to town on Tuesday. Both practiced for the first time on Wednesday morning - just four days removed from battling head-to-head through a seven-game Polish championship series that ended last Saturday. Where else in sports do you see that?

Get ready for it to happen again next week, with the arrival of Fever newcomers Sheri Sam and Tammy Sutton-Brown. Earlier today, Sutton-Brown and her Fenerbahce team upended Besiktas Cola-Turka to knot the Turkish championship series at two games apiece. Sutton-Brown scored eight points in the win, while Sam had 10 for Besiktas. Game 5 is on Thursday, with subsequent games scheduled for Saturday and, if necessary, next Tuesday. The earliest the series would end is Saturday, meaning that Sam and Sutton-Brown are suddenly questionable even for the Fever's final preseason game at Chicago.

The training camp roster has also been whittled down recently with cuts to Lyndsey Medders, Ashley Key and Erin Lawless. The Fever will dress 11 players for Thursday's preseason game with Los Angeles. The arrivals of Tamika Whitmore (this weekend), Sam and Sutton-Brown will boost the roster to 14 again.

Looking purely at numbers, here is the math:

All WNBA active rosters have 11 players.

Each team may keep up to two inactive players. Indiana has typically carried a total roster of 12, keeping one player inactive.

So ... for fans looking at numbers ... that means that two more players will need to be waived prior to the league's final roster cut-down on May 18. Considering the remaining rookies, plus the younger veterans with lesser playing time last season, it's safe to guess that there are six players battling for the final four roster spots - Alison Bales, Jessica Dickson, Jennifer Humphrey, K.B. Sharp, Ann Strother and Kasha Terry.

Considering that Sharp is presumably safe as the only other point guard besides Tully Bevilaqua, and that a certain 6-foot-7 No. 1 draft pick is probably safe -- that leaves Dickson, Humphrey, Strother and Terry vying for two spots.

Two spots, two games ... and 10 days before opening night!
KM

May 7, 2007

WNBA.com posted an article within the past month about team chemistry. Is it important? Isn't it? How important is it?

From my viewpoint, it's hugely important. And the Fever has it. Not only do I see it at practices and while traveling with the team, but the camaraderie and genuine trusts and friendships were on display at tonight's annual Fever Believer TipOff Party. The event with season ticket holders is annually a fun, loose and casual event. It's designed to have fun, of course. But with the Fever, the personalities displayed aren't that different from every day. The Fever players genuinely like each other, and it starts at the top - Tamika Catchings and Tully Bevilaqua. And, of course, fourth-year veteran Ebony Hoffman, who does not have a single shy bone in her body!

The Fever has high expectations for 2007, and one of the reasons is that besides having almost a full team return from back-to-back 21-13 seasons, the Fever players and staff have a genuine like of each other, and a dedication to each other. When your stars and top players are as dedicated to each other, and as dedicated to a championship as Catchings and Bevilaqua, winning is sure to follow.

Saturday's win over the Storm was nice to see, though admittedly not too much of an indicator for both teams - given that at least 10 players were missing for the two teams combined. But what was good for the Fever were a couple of highlights from my perspective. While Indiana took far too many 3-pointers for any game (29 attempts), it was good to have that type of threat and Ann Strother made a nice contribution in her Fever debut. Alison Bales had a nice debut, also, despite foul trouble. If nothing else, her size and presence alone were something new for the Fever - and something which, with Tammy Sutton-Brown and Kasha Terry beside her, will be a significant and welcome change on both ends of the floor.

Another bright spot was the play of K.B. Sharp. Last year's backup point guard, she had an excellent winter playing in France. And in just her second day back in Indiana, K.B. attacked the basket and showed signs of becoming a scoring threat as well as a quick distributor from the point. If K.B. continues to show improvement and stability, the Fever's depth will be pretty solid up and down its roster.
KM

May 3, 2007

Time for a quick update from overseas ...

In Gdynia, Poland, Chamique Holdsclaw scored 26 points and Anna DeForge added 22 as Wisla Can-Pack evened the best-of-seven Polish championship series 3-3. DeForge's teammate with the Fever, Tan White, scored eight points in the 83-79 decision which sends the Finals series back to Krakow for a deciding seventh game, Saturday. The matchup presents the identical scenario as a year ago - Lotos at Wisla in a deciding seventh game. Wisla is the defending champion.

And in Istanbul, Turkey, Sheri Sam scored 16 points to help Besiktas Cola Turka past Fenerbahce, 74-73, in the first game of the Turkish finals. The series score is actually tied, 1-1, since Fenerbahce earned the series' 1-0 advantage from regular season standings. Tammy Sutton-Brown scored 19 points and had five rebounds for Fenerbahce, who played without American star Cappie Pondexter due to an undisclosed injury. The series continues on Sunday, May 6.
KM

May 3, 2007

The first scrimmage is in the books, and without any statistics, I can share a few insights.

Ann Strother practiced for the second day, while Ebony Hoffman attended her first day of practices. Fellow veteran K.B. Sharp is anticipated to arrive Thursday evening, perhaps, with an expected practice debut on Friday. Also back on Friday will be Tamika Catchings, who has missed Wednesday and Thursday workouts due to a family event in Texas.

Thursday evening, the Fever's six rookies and four vets scrimmaged hard for over an hour-and-a-half against a dozen practice guys. After a couple of halves of running time, the teams continued through assorted game situations.

From my personal perspective, Ann Strother and Jessica Dickson both knocked down shots and moved well with the ball. There was a lot of situational coaching and some occasional communication mishaps, but the Fever attacked the basket as well as hit from the perimeter. The perimeter scoring, in particular, was a pleasant sight especially coming from this group without Catchings, Anna DeForge or Tan White.

Erin Lawless was active as always, and always seems to have a hand in the flow of the action when she is on the floor - whether helping bring the ball up the court, finding a rebound, or dishing or receiving on a fast break. She made a pair of "game-winning" free throws at the close of practice and later quipped when chided about her pressure free throws, "Are you kidding? This is my second home!" - referring of course to the number of times she played on the same floor in college.

Hoffman had only gotten off a plane from Lithuania less than 24 hours before and was notably winded - not to mention the scrimmage was her second practice of the day and just her second workout re-learning the Fever schemes.

A final practice on Friday precedes a Saturday morning shooting practice, followed by the preseason opening tipoff against the Storm at 6:00 p.m. If you haven't gotten your tickets already, we'll still look for you at the Fieldhouse Saturday evening when Purdue and Beech Grove native Katie Gearlds returns for her pro debut against Lawless, her former college teammate! All seats are $10 for general admission seating.
KM

May 2, 2007

It is DEFINITELY time to get things started in Fever-land! Here are a few random thoughts as the season approaches ...

By Thursday (May 3), three more veterans ought to have safely arrived in training camp - Ebony Hoffman, K.B. Sharp and Ann Strother. Hoffman from her winter overseas in Lithuania, Sharp from France where she was the league's top point guard, and Strother from Siberia! Though five players still remain active overseas, the roster will actually begin taking shape by this weekend!

Yesterday marked the unveiling of the team's new uniforms complete with pinstripes down the sides, and a trimmer cut to the jerseys which have also been designed to be tucked in this year. Those untucked unis of the past three years may now be put away in storage, or the archives!

With lots of stuff beginning to happen with the Fever, here are a few items to keep on your calendar.

Saturday (6:00 p.m.), of course, is the team's first preseason game, with ticket proceeds benefiting cardiovascular screenings for the Community Health Network Foundation. Every seat in the house is $10!!! When was the last time you got to sit in a floor seat for 10 bucks, and for a good cause? And with that game against the Seattle Storm, comes the arrival of Indy's own Katie Gearlds who will be matched against former Purdue teammate Erin Lawless in a battle of rookies in their professional debuts. Just think, it was barely a month ago that Gearlds and Lawless teamed on the Conseco Fieldhouse floor to win the Big Ten championship!

On Monday, May 7, the Fever will conduct its annual Fever Believer Tip-Off Party, which is an open practice for season ticket holders (Fever MVPs) who have the opportunity to interact with the team. On Tuesday, May 8, the Fever players will participate in a Mother's Day building of a home with Habitat for Humanity, which has been an annual event to assist the Habitat organization in providing a home for a mom and her family just in time for Mother's Day!

Next Thursday, May 10, is the Fever's second preseason game, when Indiana hosts the L.A. Sparks (7:00 p.m.). And one day later, the Fever players and staff will conduct their annual Media Day gathering for print and electronic media. Lots of pictures to be taken on that day!

The following week, is obviously a busy one, for team and fans alike! By Sunday, May 13, all veterans should have arrived in camp. After a Chicago road trip on Monday (14th) and Tuesday (15th), the Fever conducts its annual Rally on the Circle on Wednesday, May 16, in conjunction with our friends at Emmis Communications. And we all know what is scheduled for Saturday, May 19 - the regular season opener against the Minnesota Lynx (7:00 p.m.).

For Brian Winters and his coaching staff, there is plenty of evaluation and planning and coaching to be done on the court, with final cuts to be made and the formation of their team while players continue arriving one-by-one. For the Fever staff, it's ticket time and the time to rally the momentum for the season opener!
KM

April 30, 2007 (7:40 p.m.)

It's official - championship series in both Poland and Turkey now feature Fever teammates playing head-to-head.

Monday in Turkey, Sheri Sam and Besiktas Cola Turka upended Botasspor, 89-64, to clinch its semifinal series and advance to the Turkish finals against Fenerbahce and Fever teammate Tammy Sutton-Brown (and former Fever star Linda Frohlich). Game 1 of the Turkish championship series is slated for Thursday, May 3.

In Poland, Tan White and Anna DeForge are matched in a series which White's Lotos Gdynia club has taken a 3-1 series advantage. Lotos can close out the defending champs with one more victory. Game 5 is Tuesday in Krakow, on Wisla's home floor.

What does this mean for the Fever? Well, as some veterans begin to arrive in camp this week, we still know of at least four players who won't arrive until the second week of May. Ann Strother, K.B. Sharp and Ebony Hoffman are due in camp this week, prior to the Fever's preseason opener on Saturday. Their arrivals will mark the first opportunity for real competition in training camp with Hoffman, Sharp, Strother and Kasha Terry jostling for playing time with the Fever's six training camp rookies.
KM

April 27, 2007 (7:40 p.m.)

Hats off to Robert Blaszczyk for his contributions in providing recaps from Poland. Tan White outlasted Anna DeForge, 90-85 in overtime, as Lotos Gdynia took a 2-1 series lead over Wisla Can-Pack. The Connecticut Sun's Nykesha Sales paced Lotos with 33 points and 10 rebounds. Read Robert's recap for FeverBasketball.com. Game 4 is Saturday.

In Istanbul, Turkey, Sheri Sam scored eight points and her Besiktas Cola Turka team fell 72-70 in a semifinal series to Botasspor. The series is tied 2-2, with Game 5 on Sunday. The winner advances to the Turkish league finals to face Fenerbahce, led by Fever center Tammy Sutton-Brown and former Fever star Linda Frohlich.
KM

April 27, 2007 (3:00 p.m.)

News flash! I'm not very fluent in the Polish language, but from the office I've been watching the end of the Wisla Can-Pack vs. Lotos Gdynia game this afternoon, via live stats on the Polish website. Exciting, huh?

While I can't understand most of the written language, I can decipher a 77-77 tie score with 0:00 left in the fourth quarter! They're going overtime in Gdynia!

What's more, I think the two Fever stars have had a definite impact on the final play of regulation. Here is the Polish play-by-play at the end of the fourth quarter:

White blok (Lotos)
White zbiórka w obronie (Lotos)
DeForge rzut za dwa (Wis³a Can Pack)

Could Tan have blocked Anna's shot to send the game to overtime? We'll let Robert Blaszczyk confirm that with his recap after the game goes final!
KM

April 27, 2007 (9:45 a.m.)

Thanks are extended to Robert Blaszczyk, a press officer with the Polish league (PLKK) - first, for reading this blog(!), and for educating me on the nuances of Polish league box scores! Unlike most American box scores where the home team is always listed second, or at the bottom, this is evidently not the case worldwide! Robert has kindly informed me that the Polish championship series began in Krakow, the home of Anna DeForge's team, and moves this weekend to Gdynia, the home of Tan White's team.

Robert has also kindly offered to provide an English recap of the games, as well as photos. Stay tuned for this weekend's update on FeverBasketball.com.

One further update to this ever-expanding blog - a new interactive page has been created to facilitate questions from fans. Check out Ask The Messenger and throw me your latest questions. Questions will be reviewed daily.
KM

April 26, 2007

Breaking news! From Istanbul, Turkey, new Fever stars Sheri Sam and Tammy Sutton-Brown both have won semifinal games in the Turkish league playoffs, moving them one game closer to a Fever head-to-head battle in the Turkish playoffs as well as in Poland.

In Poland, Anna DeForge (Wisla Can-Pack) and Tan White (Lotos Gdynia) are knotted 1-1 in a best-of-seven series for the Polish crown. Games 3 and 4 will be conducted in Krakow, Wisla's home court, this Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28.

In Turkey, Sutton-Brown and former Fever star Linda Frohlich helped Fenerbahce to a 77-52 win on Wednesday to clinch its semifinal series (3-0) over Galatasaray. Fenerbahce advances to the Turkish championship series against the winner of the Besiktas vs. Botasspor semifinal series, which is currently led by Besiktas, 2-1, after Sheri Sam's 17 points on Wednesday helped lead Besiktas to a 75-61 victory. Game 4 of the Besiktas-Botasspor series will be played on Friday, April 27. Game 5, if necessary, will be played on Monday, April 30.
KM

April 24, 2007

Training camp has begun. The season has arrived. Really, it has!

By looking at the practice court through the first of Indiana’s three sessions, a spectator might wonder – where are the Fever? Where’s DeForge? Where’s Tan? Where’s Tamika – either of them? Where are Sam or Sutton-Brown?

The answer lies in economics, and in the growth of women’s basketball worldwide. Simply put, over 70 percent of the Fever’s veterans still are playing or competing overseas.

It is an occurrence that is common throughout the WNBA, as the vast majority of “W” vets continue with commitments to teams across the globe. Throughout Europe, for instance, most domestic leagues are finishing play over the next two weeks. EuroLeague and EuroCup competitions which encompass the entire European continent have both concluded. But within each country, domestic championships are still being decided – and thus WNBA veterans will begin arriving one and two at a time through most of the preseason.

Interestingly, a pair of intriguing matchups pit Fever players against one another.

In Poland, Anna DeForge (Wisla Can-Pack) and Tan White (Lotos Gydnia) are paired head-to-head in a best-of-seven championship series in Poland. It is the third straight year the two teams have met in the Polish finals, with DeForge leading Wisla to the title last year while being named the league’s MVP.

Lotos hosted the first two games of the series, last weekend, with Wisla an 84-77 victor on Friday and Lotos triumphant 87-83 on Saturday. DeForge scored 17 points in Game 1 to give the defending champs a 1-0 series lead, and her Fever counterpart scored 19. One night later, though, despite 11 points from White and 26 from DeForge, White’s homestanding Lotos squad evened the series.

Games 3 and 4 of the series are scheduled for April 27 and 28 in Krakow, with DeForge hosting White.

Meanwhile, shifting attention from Northern Europe to its southern tip – and adjacent to the Sea of Marmara (to be exact) – two new Fever stars are battling for supremacy in Turkey.

Tammy Sutton-Brown teams with former Fever favorite Linda Fröhlich on a Fenerbahce team that finished the Turkish league at 20-2, just ahead of runner-up Besiktas Cola Turka, who finished 18-4. Sheri Sam, a teammate of Sutton-Brown’s in Charlotte and a teammate-to-be in Indy, plays with Besiktas.

Through April 22, the Turkish league was still seeking its finalists – Fenerbahce holding a 2-0 series lead in one semifinal and Besiktas mired in a 1-1 deadlock. The winners will meet in the Turkish championship series which won’t begin before the 1st of May. At least the travel will be convenient if Fenerbahce should meet Besiktas for the championship – the teams are cross-town rivals in Istanbul.

Sam, Sutton-Brown and Tamika Whitmore, for instance, are expected to arrive in Fever camp as late as May 13 – just in time for a preseason road game at Chicago and a full six days before the regular season opener on May 19! Whitmore is active with EuroLeague champ Spartak Moscow and also involved in domestic tournament action in Russia.

As for Tamika Catchings, she has returned safely to American soil after traveling through Korea and Italy since January. Catchings starred with the Woori Bank Hansae in Korea for her fourth season, and when WKBL playoffs concluded late in March, she joined the USA Senior Women’s National Team during a 2007-08 training camp in Italy. Fever coaches have allowed the 2005 and 2006 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year to visit family and gather her bearings before reporting on April 29 or 30.

The only returning starter to arrive in camp so far is point guard Tully Bevilaqua – whose eight years WNBA experience exceeds the cumulative total of everyone else in camp – one, by Kasha Terry. The remaining six players to date are all rookies.

And so for spectators on Finish Line Court, viewing a Fever practice these days is a good opportunity to learn new rookie faces along with the dozen or so staff members who currently outnumber the players by roughly 2-to-1.

In a week’s time, the ratio will begin to change. And with that change will come a fierce competition for the highly-valued final roster positions (only 1 or 2) – on a team that should be the deepest and most talented in franchise history.
KM

April 18, 2007

The rookies are here! The rookies are here!

Fever rookies arrived in Indianapolis today and the Fever season is now officially upon us! Alison Bales arrived by car from her parents' home in Dayton, Ohio, and second-round pick Lyndsey Medders arrived by car after a two-day trip from Ames, Iowa. Third-round pick Ashley Key arrived by plane, Wednesday evening. All three will attend the WNBA's Rookie Orientation in Chicago (Thursday through Saturday), alongside Indiana's fourth rookie, Jessica Dickson, acquired late last week in a post-draft trade with Sacramento. All four will attend a Fever team meeting on Sunday morning, followed by the first official practice of 2007!

Bales and Medders were introduced to a mid-afternoon reception of approximately 40 Pacers Sports & Entertainment employees, fielding questions while becoming familiar with their new summer home. The duo spent the early evening hours fielding more questions from local print, radio and TV media, and after Bales left on an early flight for Chicago, Medders took in the sights of the Pacers' final home game - accompanied by travel companion and boyfriend Billy Fennelly.

While taking questions during the afternoon reception, Medders called herself a "pass-first point guard" who likes to dish to her teammates for open shots, nodding to Bales to indicate her intention to feed the 6-7 rookie center with passes into the post. When asked of favorite moments from her storied career at Duke, Bales cited one highlight as an appearance in the 2006 NCAA championship game and then stated, "I just like winning!"

Enough said.
KM

April 12, 2007

Note to self, and to the rest of Fever staff, fans and the WNBA, "training camp opens in exactly 10 days!"

Before camp opens and before players arrive, let's try to put a cap on some of the overseas activity that's gone on for the past seven months. Fever players, like virtually every other player in the "W," have been playing overseas since October. Most seasons are winding down, some are finished, and some domestic leagues will scrap through the first week of May.

How about this matchup? Indiana's Anna DeForge and Tan White are on a collision course for the Polish championship. DeForge's Wisla Can-Pack squad and White's Lotos Gydnia team both have advanced through the Polish quarterfinals, and both lead their best-of-three semifinal series 2-0. They are poised to battle head-to-head in a three-game series next week in Poland. A week later, they'll be teammates again at Conseco Fieldhouse.

In Russia, Tamika Whitmore is celebrating a EuroLeague title with star-studded Spartak Moscow Region. Whitmore joined the team in December, combining her talents with several other WNBA All-Stars to form a high-priced band of talent that would rival the best of any WNBA squads.

And in France, K.B. Sharp was nearly named the French League's MVP! Recognized as the top point guard on the circuit, Sharp averaged 14.2 points with 6.0 assists in domestic play. In EuroCup action, she averaged better than 15 points per game and led all players with 5.5 assists per game.

Other players with notable offseasons include Tamika Catchings and Tully Bevilaqua, of course. Catchings did not go overseas until January, to compete again in Korea with Woori Bank Hansae. But by April, she was participating in USA Basketball's 2007-08 training camp in Italy. USA camp finishes April 19, just in time for Fever camp to begin three days later! [I have a feeling she will join the Fever camp already in progress!]

As for Tully - wow, what a whirlwind she has had since leaving Indianapolis last September! Late last summer, Tully was finally honored with her naming to the Australian National Team (known as the Goldmark Opals). She had been a finalist for the club on previous occasions, but had never been named to compete at an Olympics or World Championships competition, and represent her country. The Australians would win the gold medal at the FIBA World Championships in Sao Paolo, Brazil, though, and Tully added world champion to her list of titles - to go with a WNBA title in Seattle in 2004, and an Australian WNBL crown earlier in 2006. She would return to Australia and join her WNBL team, the Canberra Capitals, but for 2006-07 the Caps would play without the dominating presence of Lauren Jackson. No matter! Bevilaqua and her mates raced their way to the Aussie title, anyway, claiming a second straight WNBL championship in February. [She never has all the big stats, but do you notice that her teams always win?]

Congratulations to the Fever champions and award-winners the past several months overseas!
KM

April 6, 2007

I am beginning my fifth season with the Indiana Fever and after much thought and consternation, I am writing my first blog. The idea has been tossed to me on numerous occasions over the past couple of years since managing FeverBasketball.com, but I’ve always fallen back on my natural instincts – the PR guy is not supposed to have his own column; the PR guy is expected to be in the background; the role of the PR director is to promote those with whom he works (i.e., the coaches and players)!

But alas, times have changed! During my search for added web content and an effort to provide a consistent, behind-the-scenes blogging voice to FeverBasketball.com – I’ve concluded that among the people who travel and interact daily with the Fever players and staff, my perspective is perhaps the most natural, convenient and accessible viewpoint to provide the readers and fans of the Fever Nation.

And so, I will blog! Sometimes weekly, sometimes daily – perhaps even hourly if the occasion arises.

I vow to provide Fever fans with off-the-court anecdotes of their favorite Fever players. I promise to provide insight as to the emotions and personalities that define the team and franchise. I will write about the games; the practices; the bus trips, the hotels, the airports and the plane rides; the early morning wake-up calls; the community activities and even the interaction with local or national media.

I will even take questions from fans. Where will this blog lead? There’s no telling, exactly! Stay tuned and enjoy the ride – because with or without a new blog from the Fever messenger, the 2007 summer promises to pack a whole lot of victories between May and August …

Here’s to hoping that playoff blogs continue into the second week of September!
KM