June 8, 2000

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 ...

Road Warriors we are not ... yet. We started the season a little slow -- losing three out of our first four -- but I have a feeling we are going to dig ourselves out of this hole quickly. A few games in The Garden should do the trick ... and we have a LOT of home games in June. Besides, we have quite a few new faces getting a lot of playing time. I am completely confident the team will gel soon!

I sure am glad the games have started. I'm even happier that the Liberty have mostly home games the rest of June. I didn't know what to do when my girls went on the road.

I must clarify something from my last World. I mentioned that my outfit from the NBA.com Fashion Show looked like it was out of Rerun's closet from Good Times. Faith from Texas pointed out to me in an e-mail that Rerun was on What's Happening. It was J.J. who was on Good Times. Either way, my outfit was ugly. There's no getting around that fact! Thanks, Faith -- you're keeping me honest.

I sure am glad the games have started. I'm even happier that the Liberty have mostly home games the rest of June. I didn't know what to do when my girls went on the road. I was going batty while I watched the Houston game on NBC. Last year, it wasn't so bad because I knew there was NO WAY I could play that season. However, this year is a different story. I can't wait to get back.

I'm still looking at a July return. Of course, I just have to be smart, keep working hard, and listen to my knee. I ended up making the road trip to D.C. when the team played the Mystics. I was able to get a really good fare on the plane ticket. I wish the WNBA would change the rule and allow players on the injured list to travel. Of course, I can't go on long road trips because I need to be here for rehab. The short day trips won't be a problem. Maybe they'll make that change at some point. I enjoy being on the road with the crew.

Spoon

V.J.

Sue is my roommate on the road, but we hang out with everyone. On this trip to D.C., we watched the movie Next Friday with Crystal and Becky. Then we stopped in V.J. and Spoon's room before heading to bed (they tell the best bedtime stories). We had pre-game meal four hours before tip-off on Sunday and then did a walk-through in the hotel where our coaches went over the other team's plays. Preparation is key for this team.

After the game, we went right to the airport to catch a flight back to NYC. We barely had time to grab some food before boarding (gotta love the fine cuisine airports have to offer). We got home and everyone went to bed early because there was practice the next morning. Just an example of our glamorous life on the road.

Sightings
I had a New York moment one Sunday afternoon in the city. I was walking to catch the subway and while I was standing on the corner waiting to cross the street, I realized I was next to Richard Dreyfuss. He had a hat on and was sporting a gray beard. No one bothered him. I doubt he was recognized much ... he looked like an average Joe.

When I got off the subway, I met a friend at an Upper West Side café. While we were eating, I realized I recognized the gentleman across the room at a table by himself. He was wearing sunglasses (even though it was raining outside) and reading something. A little later, he took the sunglasses off and spoke on his cell phone. As soon as I heard his voice, my suspicions were confirmed ... it was Al Pacino! When he got up to leave I noticed two very obvious things: 1) He is a little, little man and 2) He was reading a script. Even though he is a little, little man, I think he's a great actor. (I suppose he could say that he saw me and realize two things: 1) I am a tall, tall woman and 2) I wasn't reading my playbook.)

Huh?!? Question #1 (from a fan in Toronto via my website)
A fan honestly e-mailed me and asked, "Why don't the Liberty watch video of the Harlem Globetrotters and learn some of their plays and moves? They have been very successful for years."
Of course they've been very successful (only losing one game to the Washington Generals). Their games are fixed, pure entertainment. It is not REAL basketball. Wow ... that's all I've got to say ... WOW.

Huh?!? Question #2
As I was riding the subway to a Knicks-Pacers game, a fan asked, "What team are you rooting for?"
This would have been a decent question if I WASN'T wearing my bright blue-and-orange Knicks shirt. I was a walking billboard for the 1999 Eastern Conference Champions. I suppose the nice gentleman just wanted to make conversation.

What is THAT?!?!?
I was hanging in Central Park on a beautiful day about a week ago. I was just relaxing when I looked up and realized that a man about 70 yards away was taking his pants off to get a more complete tan. This would have been fine if he were wearing a bathing suit. Instead, he was wearing a fluorescent green thong ("Thong, tha thong thong thong"). He was a dancer practicing his stretches. For some reason, this struck me very funny. I spent about 10 minutes with uncontrollable giggles. Just wish I had my camera with me. My fans would've appreciated the photo.

Movie Madness
High Fidelity: OK, I like John Cusak. If you're really into music, you'll like this flick.
The Big Kahuna: Decent movie. But I'd wait to rent it. Kevin Spacey gets a lot of screen time, which is good.
Return To Me: Cute, but I'd wait for rental on this one, too.
Frequency: I actually liked this movie a lot. Worth the admission.
M:I-2: I thought this one was great. A lot better than the first one. Definitely check it out.

The Unusual Suspects

Latrell

Sue

We practiced at Madison Square Garden the afternoon before Game 6 of the Knicks-Pacers series. After practice, Sue went into the Knicks' locker room to put a good luck note in Latrell Sprewell's locker (I think she was giving him dribbling and dunking tips). Unfortunately, she was holding an open bottle of orange flavored Gatorade at the time. As she bent over to place the note (and catch a whiff of the aroma emanating from his #8 home jersey), she spilled half the bottle of the sports beverage on his home uniform.

Not knowing what to do, Sue ran out of the locker room. She could barely speak, she was so scared. What did she do? After some prodding, she told the equipment managers what happened ... and I quote, "It wasn't me ... but you should go take a look at Latrell's jersey." Since Sue and I were the only ones there, they assumed I had done it. We found out the next day that they weren't able to get the stain out of the jersey. They had to find his uniform top from last year. Hey, maybe Sue brought Latrell good luck. He did play a great game!!!

Tamika

Getting Older
If you get a chance, wish Tamika Whitmore a happy birthday. She turned 22 on June 5. I'm not sure what she did to celebrate, but I think the team was going to get together and play bingo.

Free Publicity
On June 30 at the Taste of Cincinnati (Ohio), there is going to be a free concert. One of the bands is named Swarthy. I have no idea if they are any good. I do know that the lead singer wears my jersey when he plays. For that reason, he gets free pub. The concert is from 7-11 p.m. If you go, send an e-mail and let me know if I should send the guy another jersey ... or make him give his back!!

Tonya Harding  Tonya Harding  Tonya Harding  Tonya Harding

What you've been waiting for -- Shout Out Time ... to:
Erin (Breezy): Thanks for all the support and M&Ms over the years.
Melissa, my cousin: Congrats on graduation. (I'm still waiting for my sculpture.)
Sarah, my cousin: Still love that cartoon.
The rest of the members of the Class of 2000.
The guy who bought me a frozen yogurt after chatting about the Knicks on the subway ride home.
My boy Shoe ... happy birthday: Thanks for always making me laugh.
Dads: Happy Father's Day!!!
Anyone born on June 12.
The Knicks: I still Love Ya!!!
Anyone who sports gear from Dunk.net: The company is going to blow up very soon!!!