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SEE WHAT THE SPARKS GUARD HAD TO SAY IN HER LIVE CHAT One-on-One with Ukari Figgs
After leading her Purdue team to the NCAA Championships in 1999, Figgs was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1999 NCAA Final Four. Perhaps you remember the title game against Duke? Purdue's leading scorer, Stephanie McCarty, goes down with an injury and Figgs single-handedly carries the team to the title. After that display, Coach Michael Cooper saw in Figgs just what he needed to help put a struggling Sparks team over the hump -- the heart of a champion. Figgs' heart, leadership, skill and heroic ability to blend in with the bright lights and big city on a team full of stars has paid off. The last two seasons, with Figgs running the offense full time, the Sparks have had a league best 28-4 record, her coach has been named Coach of the Year and her four fellow starters have all been All-Stars. Figgs dropped by for a live chat on Friday, Aug. 24. Here's what she had to say:
WNBAn2009@yahoo.com at 4:09pm ET How does it feel to finally beat Houston in the playoffs? And not only did you beat them, but you sweeped them. That's got to be a great feeling for yourself and the Sparks organization.  Ukari Figgs at 4:10pm ET It feels great. For this team it's kind of stepping over a hurdle. They've been in our way every year in the playoffs and in everyone's way for four years. That was the first step we needed to win a Championship. Dotty from rasserver.net at 4:10pm ET Hey there Ukari! First of all I would like to say congratulations to you and the Sparks on making it this far! What are your fears, if any, in the upcoming games? By the way, I wish you and the Sparks the best and I got your back! Ukari Figgs at 4:11pm ET I would say we don't really say anything. We know we have to go out and play our best game. We have great opponents, but we don't fear anybody. We play Sparks basketball. rhonda from smc.edu at 4:11pm ET Congrats on a great season. I'm a huge Lakers and Sparks fan. What will it take for the Sparks to win a championship? GOOD LUCK and let's make history in LA for 2001. BLING! BLING! Ukari Figgs at 4:12pm ET It takes us playing our best game. We have the Sacramento series right now. We have to concentrate on beating Sacramento right now. We have to play hard and play Sparks basketball and that will be good enough for us. sarah hill from proxy.aol.com at 4:12pm ET What is the biggest thing you have to worry about when playing the Monarchs? Congrats on beating the Comets, I hope you guys go all the way!! Ukari Figgs at 4:13pm ET I think we have to worry about Yolanda Griffith. She's a great player and we have to try to contain her on offense and make her play defense. She plays so hard and they have great shooters, so we have to play our best. Lori from pool007.ch001-alhambra.dhcp.hs.earthlink.net at 4:13pm ET Congratulations to you and the Sparks for such a great season. How do you get mentally ready for a big game? Best of luck to the SPARKS as they go all the way! Ukari Figgs at 4:14pm ET We've been focused all year and every game that we play. We haven't made any game bigger than another. We'll prepare mentally and physically the way we have all season. Loretta Baxter from wcomnet.com at 4:14pm ET Hi Ukari, What kind of drills do you practice for those fabulous 3-pointers? How many 3-point shots do you take in practice, in preparation for a game? Good luck. Ukari Figgs at 4:14pm ET We shoot a lot during practice. Everybody on our team actually shoots threes pretty well. We play competitive games, but get good shooting in. Lourdes at 4:15pm ET What do you think are the two biggest factors that have changed the momentum of the Sparks in the last two years? Ukari Figgs at 4:15pm ET Definitely bringing Coach Cooper in and the staff we have along with the additional players we brought in this year. Everyone has come together and learned how to play with each other. Our chemistry is a lot better. cj from nordstrom.com at 4:16pm ET Wow, you all are he best team in he West! My question is how are you going to approach this game tonight any different than your last game with the Comets? Ukari Figgs at 4:17pm ET I think we have to approach every game like it could be our last. It's a three-game series and the first game is the biggest game. We'll try to play our hardest and try to win like every game. liltamecka21 from we.mediaone.net at 4:17pm ET I am a season seat holder and enjoy watching you guys play. I also notice during shootarounds you guys have good team chemistry -- do you think this has any thing to do with the way you play? Ukari Figgs at 4:18pm ET Yes. Definitely our team gets along both on and off the court and that contributes to the way we play in the games. Lisa from internetconnect.net at 4:19pm ET Who do you think will be the MVP? Ukari Figgs at 4:19pm ET I think Lisa Leslie deserves to be the MVP. I'm a little biased being her teammate, but she's proven she's the most valuable player in the league and on our team. Ukari Figgs at 4:21pm ET Thanks to everyone who participated in the chat today. I just wanted to thank everyone who has supported the Sparks throughout the years. We appreciate it and keep supporting the WNBA. Hopefully we'll bring a championship to L.A.
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