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

Back to blogging again.
KM

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

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:

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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:

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

Which is it going to be?

Here are my keys to tonight's game:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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