MERCURY HEAD COACH COREY GAINES
Q: You've had time to go back and look at things. Any different thoughts today?
Gaines: We always look at film. They always say film doesn't lie. We could have won the game. We shot poorly, no free throws in the fourth quarter. Cappie [Pondexter] didn't shoot a free throw the entire game. It's kind of amazing that an All-WNBA First Team player who attacked the basket at least 20 times a game didn't go the line once. You look at those things - it makes you feel a bit better.
Q: What about the crowd. Does that put you at a disadvantage?
Gaines: I don't think the crowd has anything to do with it. There's always a crowd. They weren't throwing coins at us. I've played in Europe where they throw coins, spit and throw tomatoes at you. They don't do those types of things here.
Q: This series is obviously very close. Can you think of what the key can be for your team to come out on top?
Gaines: I was disappointed that I did not put our players in the position they needed to be in order to win the game. It falls on me to get them in better position to get better shots and to get to the free-throw line.
MERCURY GUARD/FORWARD DIANA TAURASI
Q: Were you disappointed with how things transpired last night?
Taurasi: Both teams just played really hard and really well. It came down to one or two plays, which they made and we didn’t. That’s the way the game goes. We played hard. We fought. We did a lot of good things. We gave ourselves an opportunity to win. The game is over and there’s nothing we can do to change it. Now we have to look forward, to Game 4.
Q: What is it going to take to beat Indiana in Game 4?
Taurasi: It’s going to take us to play, not a great game, but a great game of effort and energy, coming into this building believing we can win, which we know we can, but its one thing to say it and another to come out here and actually do it.
Q: Your coach said, “One game and get us back home.” Has that been the focus?
Taurasi: We came in focused to win the game last night, without a doubt. We didn’t come out here to split and say now we can go back to Phoenix. Right now the situation is we need to win one game. I’m not worried about where we have to go after this. It’s about coming and playing Game 4 and really coming out here to play good basketball.
Q: How was this crowd?
Taurasi: It was a great crowd. When you talk about Indiana, you talk about people that love basketball, who love the game, who understand the game. It’s a great atmosphere here, not only for the WNBA, but for basketball. It was a great feeling in the arena. It was electric.
Q: Is the team tight or loose after last night’s loss?
Taurasi: This team has never been tight, with the personalities we have, that are not how we play. We play at our best when we’re loose and having fun out there. That’s when we play the most creative and effective basketball so we’re going to have to get back to that. I think we’ve lost that, a little bit. Sometimes you get caught up in the end result without going through every little step, so we just have to get back to the basics.
MERCURY GUARD CAPPIE PONDEXTER
Q: Back to last night's game - one play could have been the difference. Can you talk about that?
Pondexter: Yeah, there were a lot of big plays that happened down the stretch. Both teams were punching at each other and they got the last punch. There were a lot of different factors. It's over; we learned a lot from it and we're moving on to Game 4 Wednesday.
Q: With the emotions at an all-time high, does that mean things could get a little chippy on Wednesday?
Pondexter: I wouldn't expect anything less. Both teams are fighting for a [WNBA] Championship. It's Indiana's first time in the Finals. For us it's our second, but we didn't make the playoffs last year. We're fighting for our lives.
Q: Do you use the fact that you have to win as a boost?
Pondexter: Our backs are against the wall. The strange thing is that, coming in to last night, we lost two in a row [only twice] all season. We're only promised one game. If we lose, that's the end; we win, we can take it back home.
Q: How does it feel to be a visitor in this type of environment? Do the fans have any impact on the game?
Pondexter: For the most part I think we kept them quiet - until towards the end when they went on their run. It's exciting to play in front of 18,000 fans. We don't get the opportunity to do that much. When the time comes, we have to take advantage of that.
MERCURY FORWARD PENNY TAYLOR
Q: Coming into Game 4, what adjustments will you all need to make to avoid elimination?
Taylor: We haven’t really spoken about it yet. We just came in this morning ready to work on certain things and [Head Coach] Corey [Gaines] will let us know what that is. Personally, I think having more of a focus on end-of-shot-clock defense and making sure we’re boxing out. I think we won the boards but there were crucial plays where they got offensive rebounds. Other than that, I think we played very well. We had open shots that just didn’t go in. There are a few adjustments that we obviously need to make, both offensively and defensively, which during this session, Corey will let us know.
Q: How does the two-day break effect your team?
Taylor: The way our team is, we would have loved to have played right after the game last night. That’s just the kind of team we are, competitive and never satisfied. With the loss, we’d like it to be as soon as possible, but at the same time, the two days gives us a chance to work on the things we need to work on and come back in with a new energy.
Q: How did it feel to play in front of the sold out Indiana crowd?
Taylor: I loved it. Coming from where I do, you just don’t see crowds like that and I absolutely loved it. Whether they’re for or against us, they’re here for basketball and I think we’ve given them some really great games. I’m sure Game 4 will be no different.
MERCURY CENTER TANGELA SMITH
Q: What made you guys so effective in the paint, scoring 52 points inside?
Smith: We just did whatever worked yesterday. Whether it was in the paint or on the perimeter we just basically wanted to get it done. We didn’t get the win so none of that matters right now.
Q: Can you talk a little about they last play of the game?
Smith: The play was for Penny. All of a sudden I just got it. I have replayed this play in my mind a million times. I could have done something different with it but I wanted to make sure I got a shot off. I didn’t know how much time was left, I heard (someone say) they started the clock early. But that game is over we just need to get this next win.
Q: What are you doing to prepare for Game 4?
Smith: During Game 3 we played well, but in key possessions they got offensive rebounds. One possession I remember they got three on one trip, Katie Douglas hit a 3 point shot, and that turned the game around. Then January grabbed one, and she got hot in the third. She has been like that all series, we haven’t found a way to stop her. And Ebony Hoffman is playing well.
MERCURY GUARD TEMEKA JOHNSON
Q: What are your feelings about making it to the Finals?
Johnson: It’s a great feeling. Especially because we have some unfinished business. The feeling is phenomenal
Q: What do you have to work on to slow them down?
Johnson: Us! As a general there is no specific thing we just have to work on ourselves. Right know Phoenix is playing really well. They are playing hard. They are playing aggressive. That’s how it should be played at this point and time. We just have to work on ourselves.
Q: What do you bring to the Mercury?
Johnson: Well [pause] Nothing much lately! I think I bring leadership. True point guard - at the point guard position. Energy, defensively which needs to pick up even more. Also, I can break down as well. I am a break-down guard too that can get in the paint.
Q: How does Coach [Corey] Gaines style mesh with your playing style – there has been talk of your rejuvenation?
Johnson: He has given me the confidence to play the type of game I have always played. I’ve been on a couple of teams where they have put me in this box, where I was too short for this. I was on the team with some phenomenal athletes in Los Angeles with of course Lisa [Leslie], DeLisha [Milton-Jones] and Candace [Parker] – it was an inside-dominated team. Playing for Coach Gaines with everything being open and him allowing me to play the style of basketball I do, he’s to blame.
MERCURY FORWARD LE'COE WILLINGHAM
Q: Can you talk about the offensive game plan and how you were able to score 17 points?
Willingham: It wasn’t really a game plan; we just wanted to make an effort to look into the post a little bit more.
Q: What was it about the Indiana defense and matchups that allowed Phoenix to score 52 points in the paint?
Willingham: Their defense is predicated on keeping the ball on one side and not getting too much ball reversal and making them move. We concentrated on putting their bigs in tough situations and reversing the ball. That allowed us to swing the ball and drive to the paint and also look at the early post up in transition.
Q: When you score as many points as you did in the paint, does it take the team away from the game plan of shooting threes?
Willingham: It doesn’t hurt us. We put ourselves in a position last night. We just haven’t been knocking down the shots that we usually do from outside. Whenever we score that many points in the paint, it’s a bonus. It definitely helps us and it especially helps us when we’re not knocking down the shots from outside to get in the paint and get some easy buckets.
Q: Can you talk about the individual matchups with their post players? Have you tried to switch up the matchups on Ebony Hoffman and Tammy Sutton-Brown to give them different looks?
Willingham: Tammy is a banger on the inside. All year I’ve usually guarded the more mobile post players but Tammy’s been getting really deep position against us in the paint. We’ve switched sides to guard her and give her a more physical look. I don’t really try to guard her the same way every time.
MERCURY ASSISTANT COACH BRIDGET PETTIS
Q: Can you talk about what it’s like to see the Fever and Mercury playing each other since you played for both teams?
Pettis: It’s great for the Fever. They were a great organization I played for. To see them make it this far – especially for [GM] Kelly [Krauskopf] who I had a great relationship with and who put in all the hard work to build this team – it’s really good. My heart has always been with the Mercury. I played there and had the opportunity to go back there and play again and coach.
Q: What is it about the Fever’s defense that has given you so much trouble in the last few games?
Pettis: They’re just a good defensive team. They’re one of the top defensive teams in the league. They’re just putting a lot of pressure on [Diana Taurasi] and keeping her in front. Katie Douglas is going a good job but I think [Diana and Cappie Pondexter] are getting their points. They’ve always had the good defenders on them and they’ve had up and down games some times. It’s just a battle. It’s hard to say they’re shutting them down; it’s just a battle.
Q: What adjustments do you have to make to get Cappie [Pondexter], Diana [Taurasi] and Penny [Taylor] better looks?
Pettis: We need to try to get more transition, without a doubt. We want to get to the free throw line more than 12 times and we know that’s an option they’ve scored off throughout the year. If we get to the paint and free throw line a little more, then they can get back to their point totals.
Q: Do you take any solace knowing the team has struggled the last two games but has only lost by a combined six points?
Pettis: Yeah, without a doubt. Especially last game, it could be any call and we may have won it or any play and we may have won the game. We scored 52 points in the paint; we outrebounded them and we dominated if you look at the stats. We just have to get that W.
Q: Can you talk about the last inbound play?
Pettis: We were trying to get Penny [Taylor] the ball and they denied her pretty well. Our second option was Tangela [Smith] coming up. I don’t know if they hit her on her arm or not, but we wanted to get to the basket. We were trying to get Penny the ball but she got pushed out of position and it just crumbled from there.
