After 15 seasons of competing at the “Mecca,” Tamika Catchings can fill a book with basketball memories both good and bad.

On her 37th birthday and last regular season game at MSG, she took the time to reflect on it all.

“My first time coming in was when I was in college at Tennessee, I just remember being at center court, laying at center court, taking pictures and knowing what it meant to play on the same court that so many greats had played on and now you fast forward 20 years later and going out here every year I feel like the battles we have had have been great games. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, but the storyline has always been the great competition.”

Trying to fit 15 years of memories into a few sentences is no easy task, but Tamika had certain memories which were significant in shaping her career as a player.

“2005 was the first time we went to the Eastern Finals after sweeping New York, and I remember what that meant not only for me as a person but for the organization as well and since then all of the highs and lows. I remember 2010 after the year we went to the Finals and lost to them in the first round and the emotional feeling of being in this locker room and being like I never want to feel this way again.”

New York Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer has had many battles with Catchings over the years as coach of the Detroit Shock and Liberty. He offered his thoughts on his career against her and also paid her respect by saying he wanted to have her on his team.

“Win some, you lose some,” Laimbeer said. “She’s a fine competitor and I would’ve liked to have her on my team many times but unfortunately we weren’t able to do that.”

Tamika left open the possibility of playing again at MSG against the Liberty in this year’s playoffs, hinting at how she has enjoyed her time playing at one of the most famous arenas in the world. She spoke about the strange feeling of so many cities and stadiums being her “last visit” on her farewell tour and how memories get “jumbled,” but from the smile on her face it was clear that MSG had a special place in her heart.

“Every time you get that feeling of excitement and just what it means to play here. I’m a part of that history.”