Moderator: Michele is having trouble connecting from Australia, but we hope to have her soon.

Debbie-Tucson: Michelle, First welcome back to the Mecury! Where do you see yourself fitting in as assistant coach? It seems we need someone who can drive the ball up the court and lead the team. With your expertise and leadership in that area, it would be logical for you to coach a point guard for us.

Michele Timms: I will definitely have a lot to say, when coaching the point guards and all the guards. I hope to share my 30 years of basketball experience with Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor and the rest of the team.

Chelsey(ACE) Rougemont,NC: Michelle in my personal opinion I thought Diana Taurasi was the best rookie to enter the WNBA. Do you think the same?

Michele Timms: I can't get too over the top at the moment, as I didn't see too many of her games last year. But I certainly heard alot from Carrie Graf and the other coaches, and as an TV announcer I saw she was a very exciting player for the US team. She is not only a great player, but also an A-1 individual, which isn't always the case. I look forward to working with her. When Sue Bird first came in, I thought it would be pretty tough to be a better rookie player than her, but from what I understand Taurasi was terrific last year and I think she can certainly be one of the top players in the WNBA.

Papa Rob P. (Milwaukee): How do you think motherhood will help you as a new coach? Are you more patient now? How is the little one doing?

Michele Timms: She is just a little champion, she's doing great. I'm enjoying motherhood and can't wait to have another one! How will it help my coaching? Perhaps with time management! Maybe I'll also be a little more patient.

Martin S (Topeka, KS): Who were some of your favorite opponents and competitors to play against back when you were lacing them up every night?

Michele Timms: In the WNBA, I'd have to say Cynthia Cooper. I couldn't wait to play Houston, because you always want to face the best of the best. She was just the tops. By far, the one player who you really couldn't wait to compete against.

MarDise (NJ): So what have you heard about Maria Stepanova. Is she coming back? The Merc sure could use her size and skill in that tough Western conference?

Michele Timms: Yeah, absolutely, it would be great if she could make it back. You hear other things, whether or not she can make it, but my fingers are crossed that she can make it back to the Mercury organization this year. We could really use her. With Taurasi and Taylor and DeForge we are really looking good with the guards. I think we're pretty strong there, but we could probably use another big player.

Tom (Phx): Hey coach, what's your relationship like with coach graf? What do you think of her as a head coach?

Michele Timms: Our relationship is very strong. She is a very good friend. One of my goals was to be an assistant coach to Carrie Graf, which I couldn't do because I had Kelsey, my little girl. But I played under Carrie with my club team here (Australia) and I look forward to working with her. Her knowledge of the game and ability to communicate with players is terrific.

Jesse (phx): What was that 98 season like with the run to the finals?

Michele Timms: It was phenomenal, my greatest moment of my WNBA career. We won the first game and we were leading in the second half of the second game, and we almost had that ring halfway on our finger! But that amazing player, Cooper and Swoopes led the Comets on a comeback and then they won the third game too. I think we were a little out of it for the third game, after losing the second one in OT. We thought we had the championship. But congratulations to them, to Cooper and Swoopes and the Comets, they deserved it. But it was a high point for the Mercury, to play for the WNBA championship.

Andrew P. Long Island: michelle, how do you see the game differently on the bench as a coach, then on the floor as a player?

Michele Timms: I don't look at it any differently. As a point guard, you needed to think about the game and make quick decisions and read the game. You need to read defenses, and as an assistant coach, I think I'll be required to do the same thing. Look at the game, see what's happening and then help our team adjust and succeed.

Ace Raleigh,NC: Hello Michele S'up? Just wondering how you think the Mercury is going to do this year? Who you think your toughest opponents will be?

Michele Timms: I think the Mercury will seriously kick butt this year. Our toughest opponent, you have lots of teams in the West. Seattle are certainly one team. Any team that has Lauren Jackson, just the like the Sparks and Lisa Leslie, will be tough. Jackson and Leslie can just destroy you, so both of those teams are always tough. We will get up for those two teams, no doubt.

Michele Timms: Thanks to you all for chatting. I look forward to being part of the Mercury organization and participating in the WNBA this season. Thanks again. Cheers!