Latoya Thomas of the Cleveland Rockers checked in to answer some questions from her WNBA.com Playoffs Mailbox. Here's what she had to say before the start of the Rockers' first round series against the Detroit Shock.


Did you play as well as you expected in your rookie seasen? If not, Why? Do expect to play better in the playoffs? -- Hue (Riverveiw, FL)

Thomas shoots the jumper.
Barry Gossage/WNBAE/Getty Images
Thomas: "Not really. I kind of lost focus at the beginning of the season. But I got it together after the All-Star break. And I’ve played pretty consistently since then.

Yeah, I do expect to [play better in the playoffs]. Everybody lives for the playoffs. And I expect to play harder."


The rockers are my favorite team in the league. What I want to know is do you guys fell that you will have a strong bench to get deep into the playoff? -- Quazithes (Colorado Springs, CO)

Thomas: "Of course. We have one of the better benches in the league. Hopefully they can give us a big boost."


So, what is the best way to improve on offense in the postseason against a team like Detroit? -- Madison (Houston, TX)

Thomas: "We’re not a team that just focuses on offense. We actually focus more on defense. We just have to come out and clog up the middle and shut down lanes. Our guards have to shoot a high percentage."


who is your favorite to win the east and the west... and who do u predict as champion? -- Roger (San Diego, CA)

Thomas: "Well, in the East, of course I have to go with Cleveland. In the West, I’ll go with Sacramento. And I predict Cleveland as champion."


MY QUESTION IS. YOU ARE PLAYING THE TOP SEEDED TEAM. THE NUMBER ONE TEAM OF 2003. NOW THE CLEVELAND ROCKERS WERE THE NUMBER ONE TEAM TWO YEARS AGO. THEN EVERYTHING FELL APART FOR THEM IN THE PLAYOFFS. NOW.... ARE YOU GUYS READY TO TAKE IT ALL AWAY FROM THE SHOCK? IF SO WHAT WILL IT TAKE? -- Ash (Dayton, OH)

Thomas: "Yeah, we’re ready to take it all away. It’ll take a lot of hard work and determination. Everybody has to dedicate themselves to the team. It’ll take a lot since they beat us four times."


Being a Lady Bulldog fan from a very young age, it was great seeing you take your game to the pro level. What is it like helping your team into the playoffs (hopefully further)? -- L.A. (SIERRA VISTA, AZ)

Thomas: "It feels great. A lot of people expected me to help take the Rockers to the playoffs. We had to really step up and everyone just came together."