July 28, 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. Mostly because of what you'll read about below. Instead, you will experience The World According To Me. Each week, I'll be posting another entry, so stay tuned ...

Ok, let's see what has happened in my world on one knee. First of all, the surgery was a big success. At least, that is what they are telling me. I had very capable doctors and nurses who took wonderful care of me. I had complete faith in the surgeons and other hospital staff.

Of course, the morning of my operation I didn't want to leave anything to chance. I went to the hospital with last minute directions for the doctors written on my knees. On the right was written, "NO NO NO, Wrong Knee". On the left, "Be Gentle". Of course, I could not wash my left knee or get it wet after surgery because of the stitches and therefore had writing on my leg for a while. I tried using handy wipes and other things to get the words off but didn't have a whole lot of luck. That is what I get for trying to be clever. (By the way, it isn't much fun when you have to wrap your knee in Saran Wrap before every shower!)

I have to thank the folks at Beth Israel hospital for going the extra mile to help me see the Liberty game the night of my surgery. The game was broadcast on the MSG network which is a cable network. There was not a cable hookup in my room so the doctors had the local cable company run a line from the offices on the first floor, out the window to my room on the ninth floor. It took a few hours but I was able to watch the game (a Liberty victory over Phoenix). I got tired at half time but made sure I didn't fall asleep. If I had, the doctors might have thrown the TV at me. Then again, I'm sure they'd do that for all of their patients!!!

Tamika

I still attend all of our practices and home games. For awhile I had someone to talk to on the sidelines because Tamika Whitmore had a sprained ankle. We would sit together during practice and laugh at various things. We would also make bets when the team was engaged in shooting contests. I always bet on the starting five and she would bet on the reserves. I came away owing her dinner, drinks, and dessert. She owes me hors d'oeuvres. Apparently the starters save all of their made shots for game time.

One hot day during practice I was reading The New York Times. The paper described the weather by saying, "held down by overcast skies that grumbled and wept ..." Hey, I bet most papers just cut to the chase and let people know that it was a gray day with some showers and thunder. Gotta love the Times!!

Kym

Coquese

People often wonder what the team talks about when we are off the court. Well, let me give you a glimpse into one conversation that took place in the training room one day. For some reason, Sue and I remarked that Coquese looked like a "Mini-Me" version of Kym Hampton. Kym and Co then let their imaginations run wild and went on a 10-minute dissertation of how they were going to become tag-team wrestling partners (?) and battle other people with "mini-me" partners. They even discussed the official uniform (just like the Australian women's Olympic hoop team wore in 1996). We were all laughing hysterically when the coaches came by to let us know we were running late for practice. We told them we were discussing strategy on how to defend our next opponent.

Nykesha

July 14th brought us the inaugural WNBA All-Star Game. I want to thank all of the fans who voted me onto the team even though I am injured. I can't tell you how appreciative I am. (I also want to thank my family for their 10,000 votes via WNBA.com.) The best part of All-Star for me was getting a chance to hang out with the other players. I went to breakfast with my former UConn teammate Nykesha Sales one day (at 1 p.m.!). She had an urge for pancakes and bacon and wanted to go to the restaurant right next to the hotel. Of course, her meal ended up costing $20 when she could have gotten the same thing at the deli across the street for $5.50. Next time she is in town, she better let me pick the restaurant.

Shannon

Taj

For the first time I had the opportunity to spend time with Taj McWilliams and Shannon Johnson from the Orlando Miracle. Both women are really cool and funny. Actually, all the women on the East squad were fun to be around.

Jen

I also had a chance to spend some time talking to Jennifer Gillom from Phoenix. She is one of the nicest and funniest women in the WNBA. We had a good time and laughed a lot (especially at the guy who was trying his best to hit on her. She was very nice to him but I must give a word to the wise ... if you want to hit on Jen, don't do it wearing clamdiggers!!). I just wish we didn't get beaten so badly during the game. At least we had fun on the bench checking out who was sitting on celebrity row and listening to the women behind us heckle everyone involved in the game.

After the game we went to the league-sponsored party at the Hard Rock Cafe. I obviously couldn't walk there and had a cab pick me up in the tunnel of the Garden. Unfortunately the cab couldn't turn around at the top of the ramp and had to go in reverse down the ramp to get me out onto the street. I got in the cab with my friends -- Shoe and Mike -- and I thought the cab driver was going to have a heart attack. He couldn't believe that he was being asked to go in reverse down the ramp.

Joking around, my friend Mike offered to drive us down the ramp. The cab driver jumped over to the passenger seat and left the wheel to Mike. Mike got us to the bottom of the ramp and then proceeded to drive us all the way to the Hard Rock, with our cabbie "Mia" on the passenger side. I couldn't count the number of amazed looks we got driving down the street. When we arrived at the restaurant we expected Mia to tip us. He simply thanked us and crawled back over to the driver's side. Only in New York.

I must admit, I miss making the road trips with the team. I am going to make the trip to Phoenix. I must shell out over $500 for a plane ticket for three days in the hottest city on the schedule, but I look forward to the time on the road with my teammates. If nothing else, they provide me with a ton of laughs. If I'm lucky, maybe I'll see Kym and Co win the WCW tag team belt. If not, I'll settle for a win against the Mercury. Hopefully none of the Phoenix fans will try to kick me in the knee. I don't think I want a "World on No Knee" column any time soon!

Time to give a Shout Out to:

 Christine and my great nurses on the ninth floor
 Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Scott for the surgery and little scar
 The folks at WNBA.com for the nice flowers
 Everyone who sent get-well wishes
 The fan I barked at after she almost tripped me by walking too close to my left leg asking for an autograph ... I'm much nicer when I have two good knees
 The Women's World Cup soccer team ... Saskia Webber was cool to hang with at Hard Rock
 Meghan - I hope your neck heals soon
 Mike and Brad at the Liberty office
 The person who found and returned my pearl earring
 Natalia Orta - the nicest kid in NYC
 My recently married friend and Houston Comet - Jen Rizzotti