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As part of WNBA.com's Lunch Break weekday chat series, Harrison stopped by on Tuesday, August 20. See what she had to say about the upcoming Game showdown between Utah and Houston, the Mercury's prospects for 2003 and more.
Madison Porter (Houston, TX): Hello LISA!! What did you think about Game 2 of the Utah/Houston series? That was a VERY tough GAME!!! What do you think will happen in Game 3 tonight?
SEE YA LISA!!!
Lisa Harrison: I really predicted Houston to win. I knew it would be a tough game because Utah is playing so well. Utah has a really balanced scoring team, and I thought that would pose a lot of problems for Houston. But Houston is ready to bring a championship back to Houston and I don't think Swoopes, Arcain and Thompson will let the team die. So I think tonight will be a tough game too.
Amy (Phoenix): What do you think will be the matchup for the championship? And which team do you think will win?
Lisa Harrison: I'm definitely going with L.A. in the West. I think Washington can be the surpirse team in the East. They're playing extremely well, they have a balanved team and Chamique is having a great season. But in the end, I think it will be L.A.
Shae Sorrells, Walker: Lisa: What do you think about Sue Bird coming into this league and helping the Seattle Storm gain their first ever postseason spot in the Playoffs? If they would have been matched against the Comets, do you think they could have done better?
Lisa Harrison: I think Sue Bird has been very, very impressive. All the kids from UConn really made an impact in the league. I was curious to see how good they'd be in the pros, but they really are legit. For a rookie to come in and make an impact like she did, says a lot about her. It's a tough first-round matchup to play L.A. especially because it's their first playoff experience. Playing L.A. is especially tough because they're stepping up to playoff form.
Madison Porter (Screwston, TX): HELLO LISA!! How are you doing? I wish Phoenix was in the playoffs and Phoenix deserves to be because you all work SO HARD!! Hope you and the Mercury make the playoffs next year. So what are your offseason plans? Hope you HAVE a GREAT one and holidays!!! MISS YOU TONS LISA...SEE YA NEXT YEAR!
Lisa Harrison: Right now, I'm in N.Y. doing some promotions for the league. I plan on going home for a couple of months. Then I'll be back in Phoenix getting ready for the next season.
Marguerite(Chicago): Hey! Your team didn't do as well as you probably wanted them to ... do you think you could make playoffs next year? And do you think the WNBA should have more teams?
Lisa Harrison: Obviously that's a goal for us next year to make the playoffs and have a much better season. We had a lot of things going on this year that really hurt our chances of making the playoffs and I personally don't want to go through what we went through this year. Supposedly the league is looking to expand to San Antonio next season. I think they're being smart going slow in expansion; it's better to grow slowly and grow the existing teams we have and then worry about expanding to other cities.
pe21seattle: What does Phoenix have to do to be a contender in the West next season? And in your opinion who was a surprise contender in this season?
Lisa Harrison: I think we need to get stability within the organization as far as a coach that will be there and commit to the organization year-round and be there to help players and work in the community. Every year, we've had a different coach and different assistants, and it's hard to build when the system changes. It'd be nice to have the players we had anticipated to be there, be there like Maria Stepanova and Trisha Fallon. Having them there is important and having everyone accountable there to be there for the team. Overall, I'd say Washington is the surprise team. Marianne has done a great job with the team, and Chamique has done a great leadership job so I think they've been the surpise team.
Julia (Brooklyn, NY): Lisa, you are my all-time favorite ABL/WNBA player for many reasons, but most notably, your perception of the game. What position does Phoenix need the most help in to return the Mercury to its winning ways of old?
Lisa Harrison: Definitley not the three (laughs). I think getting more experience at the point -- we have young guards -- for them to grow over the break to have leadership at that position is important. And having a strong presence inside. I think Adrien Williams stepped up this year, and I think having a dominant presence like Maria in the middle is important. I think every position can be improved, and it's up to us players to step up in the offseason.
Bailey (Alcorn State): Lisa, how close are you and Tamika Catchings? Do you all workout a lot in the offseason, being that you are Tennessee alums?
Lisa Harrison: Well unfortunately, I am a lot older than Tamika so we didn't play together. Tamika, Chamique and me all play the tree. I graduated in '93 so I was way gone by the time they got there. I'm really proud of both of them at what they've done at Tennessee and what they've done for women's basketball. I have great pride for them because I know what they went thorugh so there's still a bond there. And yeah, we work out, and I taught her everything she knows (laughs).
Melissa (OH): What was it like playing for Pat at Tennessee?
Lisa Harrison: It was the hardest thing I've ever had to go to. It was a challenge every day, Pat pushed you beyond your limits. I learned so much about basketball, about life, what it takes to be a team player. I won one national championship when i was there, but it was considered a bad year when we didn't win. The biggest compliment I can give is that I would go back there again if I had to do it all over again. I don't think I would be in the pros had I not gone there because it taught me how to be a competitor and how to play defense.
Andre (Atlanta): What do you like to do, or what makes you the happiest in your off time?
Lisa Harrison: I'm a pretty laidback person so I just like to hang out. I'm a homebody. I like to go shopping and doing active stuff outdoors like running and hiking. And of course hanging with my dog Princess. And hanging out with my family, I love going home for the holidays and having fun with them.
Lindsey (Glendale, Az): Hey Girl! Do you have any funny stories about someone on the Mercury this season? Thanks and good luck next summer!
Lisa Harrison: They'd kill me if I told you!
Shana (illinois): First of all I would like to say that you are a awesome basketball player and keep up the good work! My question is who did you grow up watching to be the player that you are today?
Lisa Harrison: My idol growing up was Rex Chapman. That's why I wear #3. He was a tremdendous player in college and was in the pros a long time. I was lucky because when I came to Phoenix; he was there so I got to know him a little.
Lisa Harrison: Thanks to all the WNBA fans out there for supporting the league this year. Good luck to all the playoff teams. And a special thanks to the Phoenix fans ... see you next season!
