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This season, Sales, a four-time WNBA All-Star, finished the 2002 season as the Miracle's second leading scorer with a 13.5 ppg scoring average and was fifth in the league in steals with a 1.88 spg average. Sales is the only Miracle player to have played in every game in franchise history.
As part of WNBA.com's Lunch Break weekday chat series, Sales stopped by on Thursday, August 16. See what she had to say about this year's playoffs, her offseason plans and more.
TaKarah: Do you think the East can take it all this year?
Nykesha Sales: I think so. My best bet would be Charlotte. They made it to the Finals last year and they're a tough team, so if any team can do it, it's Charlotte.
Sarah-Indiana: How far do you think Indiana will go?
Nykesha Sales: I guess Indiana can go as far as Tamika takes them. Tamika is having a great year. If she continues to play as she's been playing, they can make the Finals. New York is a good team, though, so that'll be their test.
Kristen, New Jersey: What two teams do you think will be in the WNBA finals this year?
Nykesha Sales: I want to see Charlotte against Utah.
Amanda,Little Rock: Who is your pick to win the title?
Nykesha Sales: I have to go with East Coast and say Charlotte. I'm an East Coast junkie right now.
Nadine(ND): Hey miss Sales! Who do you think will be Rookie of the Year and MVP?
Nykesha Sales: I think Rookie of the Year will be Tamika. I'm definitely a UConn fan. It'll be tough, but both her and Sue Bird led their teams to the playoffs. I want to see UConn up there, but Tamika has really had a great year. It's tough to pick a MVP. It's usually a team that makes it to the Finals. That's a tough question.
Doreen (Portland, OR): I am so impressed by how much the women's game has escalated over the past few years -- how much do you attribute that to the WNBA?
Nykesha Sales: I think it has a lot to do with the WNBA. A lot of women in college now are preparing themselves for the league so are taking college more seriously. WIth a lot of players knowing they can play professionally in the states, they're playing harder to keep a job in the league.
Melinda (MDogg)... Newington, CT: Hey Keesh...thanx for bein' such a good role model for me!!! do you think there will be any upsets in the playoffs, and if so, what teams???
Nykesha Sales: I think Utah could beat Houston and that might be it.
Melinda (MDogg)... Newington, CT: Do you think that the Storm can beat the Sparks, and are you gonna be playing for the Springfield Spirit in the off-season???
Nykesha Sales: Judging by last night's game, it doesn't look too good for Seattle. As far as playing for the Spirit, I haven't decided yet and won't know for another month because I don't know if I'm going overseas or not.
Nicole - Winter Springs: You're a great player and you had a fantastic year. What piece do you think is still missing from the miracle? Is the Miracle going to host a end of year party for the faithful season ticket holders?
Nykesha Sales: I think we've had everything we've needed in past year, but our team hasn't been healthy. When we finally get our core players all healthy and together, we'll be fine. TJ needs some help in the post, but other than that, I think we have what it takes to definitely make the playoffs.
Stoney: What are your postseason plans?
Nykesha Sales: Vacation! Then I may go overseas in January, probably not before that. Just relax and work on my game.
Ashley: During the season,which city did you enjoy stopping in and why?
Nykesha Sales: I love to visit New York, great shopping. L.A. because you'll always bump into somebody. And Detroit because there's a Dairy Queen right across the street.
Amanda,CT: Nykesha, will you be playing in the UConn All-Star game next month, who do you think will be the top scorer in that game?
Nykesha Sales: Yeah, I'm playing in it. Of course I'm going to score all the points!
Nadine(ND): Hey! How do you think that the rookies this year have helped the WNBA?
Nykesha Sales: I think they've done a great job. All of them who came in stepped up for their teams and really did a wonderful job. It's unfortunate some of those teams were losing; they're not used to losing. But they've all really stepped up.
Steffani Ashland Oregon: Hey Keesh do yoy think you could ever dunk if you wanted to.
Nykesha Sales: Ha! If I put my mind to it, but it'll take a lot of work. All the work might not be worth it, two points is two points. But if I put my mind to it, I could probably get up there. Maybe not as close as Lisa's dunk, but I'd rattle it in.
Tasha, Austin: Pee Wee is my favorite player, but you're good too. What is the funniest thing Pee Wee has done this year? Great Season!!!
Nykesha Sales: Oh goodness. There's no specific story; Pee Wee is always doing goofy stuff. The most recent one is when she came in with her hair all blown out and she asked us if she should wear it like that for the final game. We all looked at her like she was totally out of her mind.
Andree : Who do you think is the best post player in the league and is D-Nasty Delisha Milton as mean as she appears on the court?
Nykesha Sales: Definitely one of the best is Lisa Leslie, of course. Delisha is a sweetheart. She looks like that on the court, but she's the nicest person to be around off the court. She's very nice, pleasant and considerate.
Honolulu, Hawaii: Congratulations on all your success throughout the years, and I wish you continued success for many more years. And thanks for stopping by to chat. What are your plans when your playing days are over? Do you have any aspirations to coach at any level? Good luck in whatever you do.
Nykesha Sales: At this time, I don't think so. I keep saying I want to get into acting or the shoe business for the big foot woman. I've really been thinking about acting.
Neesha21, New Jersey: Who do you love to play against the most? (Player and Team)
Nykesha Sales: I would say Detroit and Swin.
Nadine(ND): Hey! How good of job do you think that your UConn alumni have done this year in the WNBA?
Nykesha Sales: Overall, I think they represented pretty well. Most everyone that came out of UConn is still playing on a team, that says a lot about the program. Some have contributed a lot, some are role players. But it says a lot about the program when that many players are in the league.
Nykesha Sales: Thanks for all the support and thanks for watching. Because of all of you, we still have a league and an appreciation for women's basketball. Blessings to all of you and good luck in the playoffs!
