May 22, 1999

The following is not a typical athlete's journal entry. You will not read about how many points were scored, who won, or who was difficult to guard--especially because now it's the offseason. So, you will not find a box score or read about the officiating, either. Instead, you will experience The World According To Me. Each week, I'll be posting another entry, so stay tuned...

The season is here! We are spending our days practicing and our nights cheering on our boys "the Knicks" as they inch a little closer to that elusive NBA Championship. We've also spent a lot of time laughing. I swear that my teammates are some of the funniest people I've ever been around. Let me give you a little peek into "My World 1999."

Before practice could start, we had to have our physicals to make sure everyone was healthy. As far as I know we all passed. Sue (Wicks), Kym (Hampton), Coquese (Washington) and I arrived at the hospital together and jumped on the elevator to go to the doctor's office. A man who was smaller in stature joined us. He made the ingenious observation that we all must be basketball players. He then added that Co must have to sneak through the other players' legs on the court. Sue set the man straight - she told him, "We are here for our growth hormone treatment." Pointing at Coquese, Sue explained , "She is here for her first one."

A day after passing the physical exams, we had our mental exam, aka MEDIA DAY. We spent a couple hours answering questions about the new draft picks, our new coaches, and our lack of job security. We also posed for photos and participated in various video shoots. At one point during Sue's photo shoot the director asked her to turn slowly toward the camera with a serious look on her face. As she did, it struck me that she looked like she should be cast in a movie with Dirk Diggler. (Sue is speaking to a casting agent regarding this suggestion).

Our transportation to practices (moved from Manhattan to Long Island) is a bus. Of course, it isn't an ordinary bus. We ride in a shrink-wrapped bus with a picture of our mascot Maddie on the side and the words "We Got Game" and "New York Liberty" all over the place. It is a huge advertisement for our team. I feel like we are riding in a cross between the Spice Girls' tour bus and the Partridge Family bus. Hey&that is how collective bargaining works. We asked for first class air travel&we got a magic bus. Of course, it is better than the wheels my friend Jen Rizzotti was given in Houston. She arrived before camp started and was given a full size Dodge pick -up truck to drive. The thing had four doors and some serious power. Of course, Jen is only about 5-6 so the automobile wasn't quite appropriate. I'm almost surprised it didn't have a gun rack and pair of antlers on it.

Speaking of travel, I got my first ride in a NYPD vehicle. Fortunately I was not in cuffs. I was walking on Broadway one afternoon with Co and a police van pulled over and the cops asked for our autographs. Co told them they could have them if they drove us to our hotel. The gentlemen obliged. Unfortunately, they wouldn't let me turn on the siren.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: from my teammate Tamika Whitmore. We were talking about the strength of the post players. Tamika said she got hers "from haulin' hay" on her family's farm in Mississippi. The Liberty now have our own version of Rocky Balboa. Instead of punching raw meat and chasing chickens, she "hauls hay".

PET PEEVE : We haven't figured out why so many people say to us "are you gonna win it all this year?" as we walk down the street. Sue and I decided that just once we are going to say, "No - we're terrible. No one worked hard in the offseason. Everyone is out of shape. Our draft picks stink." It just seems like a foolish question. We prefer the folks who simply say "good luck".

JUST A THOUGHT : As I was signing an autograph the other day, I thought about all the athletes who put verses from the Bible after their signature. I wondered what people would do if someone put down random verses from Revelations relating to the end of the world. (Somehow, this thought amused Sue and myself. Reflecting back, I think we both need psychiatric help!)

QUOTABLE QUESTION FROM COQUESE : "You ever notice that ugly women know they're ugly, but ugly men don't recognize it and still try to push up on you?"

Hey, things have gotten crazy for us again in New York City. So much happening, so much to write about. Our four month journey is about to get underway. I personally invite you to jump on the magic bus with us and enjoy the ride.

DISCLAIMER : As always - Sue Wicks, Kym Hampton and Coquese Washington's names used with permission. Ms. Whitmore doesn't have a choice - she's a rookie. Oh, and Sue isn't really looking for a casting agent.